Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 47 Let Meng Shu Make Clothes

Aunt Lu gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The only people in Yun Gui Courtyard who were happiest were probably the old lady and Tang Xian.

Since giving birth to the eldest daughter, Aunt Liu had not been able to conceive again for many years, while Aunt Wen's body was damaged after giving birth to twins and she could no longer conceive. The two looked at each other and then their eyes met, each feeling a unique emotion in their hearts.

The old lady, mindful of the wife's feelings, only showed a slight smile, pointing at Tang Xian and telling him to hurry over and visit her, and to bring him to Fu'an Residence for her to see when the baby is bathed on the third day.

And so the Qixi Festival came to an end, leaving some families joyful and others sorrowful.

When she returned to Yunyi Courtyard, the second young lady seemed a little uneasy. She went straight to the study and wrote a letter, which she gave to Mengzhu. She asked Mengzhu to go to the front courtyard to find Mufeng and deliver it to Lushan Academy in the capital. The eldest young master had not returned to Lin'an for a long time because he planned to participate in the imperial examination next year.

When night fell, it was Meng Shu's turn to be on night duty again. The second young lady tossed and turned in bed. "Are you asleep?"

Meng Shu quickly and quietly got up from under the bed. "Would the Second Miss like some water?"

The second young lady shook her head, propped herself up, and said to Meng Shu under the bed, "Go and get another ice basin."

Meng Shu was speechless, recalling the question Gao Mama had asked her a few days ago. However, since the second young lady was in a bad mood, she immediately went out to do as she was told.

When they returned to their room, they saw that the second young lady had already lain down at the very back of the four-poster bed. She patted the bed and said to her, "Come up and sleep with me."

Meng Shu didn't hesitate. She placed the ice basin on the table under the window and closed the window, which was slightly ajar. The second young lady shook her head but didn't say anything.

Two flower-like girls lay side by side on the bed. At this moment, the distinction between master and servant disappeared. Meng Shu lay quietly, while the second young lady turned to the side and said something casually.

"I can't quite understand my father and the old lady anymore."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu hesitated for a moment before remaining silent. She didn't dare to discuss the head of the family, especially Tang Xian, with her young mistress in private.

Fortunately, the second young lady did not expect a response. She sighed and said to herself, "With Granny Gao's status, how could our small Tang family have the ability to invite her to be a governess? I'm afraid even the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion is not in the running. Otherwise, my cousin would not have come to Lin'an so eagerly."

"My elder sister envies me, but I envy her just as much. As the legitimate daughter, I am deeply loved, but I also bear great responsibility."

My eldest sister is marrying into a wealthy family in Jinnan. She won't have to learn the rules and etiquette of a noblewoman. With her father's support, her dowry will be very generous. She will be a devoted wife and mother, and although she will be confined to the inner quarters, it's still better than marrying into a noble family and spending her whole life fighting.

Meng Shu's body tensed up; it turned out that the Second Miss knew everything.

When exactly did I realize it? It was when Cuiqi mentioned that Granny Gao was a former female official, it was when the second young lady of the Marquis's mansion was overjoyed to receive personal instruction from Granny Gao, and it was when I realized that Tang Xian had specially arranged for Zheng's brokerage to operate in Jinan County.

Little Wooden Chen Lin, the boy who was sold to Zheng's brokerage firm by Granny Zhou along with Meng Shu and Dong Gua, was sent to the capital. Could it be that they were chosen to be shop assistants all the way there? Thinking about it now, it's really quite intriguing.

Thinking about this, Meng Shu even felt a hint of conspiracy in Tang Xian's arrangement of the young lady's marriage.

In Jinan County, there were two positions: County Commandant and Cavalry Commandant. Although the County Commandant had a low rank, he wielded considerable power. Both positions were closely related to the military.

The second young lady seemed to be thinking about something when she suddenly propped up her chin and looked intently at Meng Shu. In the end, she turned over without saying anything. She was thinking that someone of her status, barely considered the legitimate daughter of a wealthy collateral branch of a marquis's family, would never be a principal wife if she were to marry into a royal family; at best, she would be a second wife.

Meng Shu blinked, completely bewildered by the Second Miss's antics. Fortunately, the Second Miss finally fell asleep peacefully.

Before they knew it, the day of the baby's third-day celebration arrived. All the masters gathered at Fu'an Residence, which was already overflowing with wealth and splendor, but today it was even more dazzling. Families that were on good terms with the Tang family naturally wouldn't miss such a joyous occasion, and for a moment it felt as if all the noble ladies of Lin'an had gathered at Fu'an Residence.

Tang Xian personally carried the second young master of the Tang family to meet everyone, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Meng Shu did not go to Fu'an Residence. Instead, the Second Miss stayed at Yunyi Courtyard to prepare for the guests. Not long after, the Second Miss returned with several young ladies from outside. The mistresses, along with their maids, formed a large group and entered Yunyi Courtyard.

Meng Shu, Rui Zhu, and Meng Zhu were busy directing and arranging things. They had to be respectful and polite to the women, and also take good care of the servants they brought, so that no one could find fault with them. After all this, the three of them felt a little tired and secretly admired the head maids of Fu An Ju, Su Wen and Guang Bai. The three of them had just been promoted to first class and still had a lot to learn.

The second young lady led several female relatives to drink tea, play the zither, paint, and play the game of pitch-pot. Finally, they gathered in twos and threes to talk about their private secrets.

The second young lady of the Marquis's mansion was also there. As a true noblewoman from the capital, she naturally had several young ladies fawning over her. Unfortunately, she was self-important and arrogant, looking down on everyone, so no one took the initiative to talk to her anymore.

When young ladies get together, they naturally start talking about marriage. The eldest daughter of the household who is about to be married becomes the subject of much discussion. Since the eldest daughter is not here today, several of the legitimate daughters have commented on her marriage.

"Jinan County is in the north, far from Lin'an. Now that Sister Shuang is married, it's probably not easy to see her again."

Miss Qin from the Tongzhi family said, "I heard that my husband's family is a military officer, but their family background is not prominent. However, they are a good match for a concubine's daughter."

Although the eldest young lady was stopped by Meng Shu at the poetry gathering that day, the Qin family might find clues about the Qin young master losing his personal jade pendant. Therefore, the third young lady's words were somewhat harsh.

Although the second young lady had been annoyed by the eldest young lady's actions, she always upheld the reputation of the Tang family in front of outsiders. Therefore, she responded calmly, "The county magistrate of Jinan County is an old friend of my father. He specially came to ask for this marriage. The old lady and my mother sent people to see it. The young lady and my eldest sister are a perfect match, both talented and beautiful."

The second young lady of the Marquis's mansion curled her lips and said, "Even though she is born out of wedlock, it is still worth the old lady sending someone to investigate her. Such dedication is a blessing for her."

Among the crowd, it wasn't just Miss Qin the Third and Miss Hou the Second who were born of the legitimate wife; they both referred to themselves as illegitimate children, so the topic was quickly dropped.

Just then, several figures walked over from a distance. It was Huaying, along with Donggua and the people from the small kitchen, who came to deliver snacks and tea.

Meng Shu hurriedly went forward with Rui Zhu and Lv Liu to help. Dong Gua had regained his chubby appearance during this time. Since today was the auspicious day for the Seventh Miss and the Second Young Master's third-day celebration, all the servants in the mansion were dressed in red and green. Dong Gua wore a pair of large pomegranate bead flowers, which looked very festive.

Hua Ying was instructed by the old lady to come and serve the young ladies some of the special snacks and fruits of the Tang family. She looked delicate and frail, but she was very capable. After she finished, she called Meng Shu aside.

"The handkerchiefs and sachets you gave me happened to be seen by the old lady. She praised your craftsmanship, saying that the stitches were fine and well-integrated into the fabric, making them perfect for making underwear. That's why she asked me to come and have some bibs made for the baby."

Meng Shu frowned slightly. The sewing room in the manor had no skills whatsoever, so why would they specifically ask a ten-year-old girl like her to make little clothes?

"You don't need to be alarmed, this is actually a good thing."

Seeing Meng Shu's puzzled expression, Hua Ying explained in detail.

“You don’t really need to do it. It’s just the old lady’s idea. Our Tang family has few male members, and the old lady has always been worried and regretful. She has been hoping that the madam could have another son. But unexpectedly, Concubine Lu of Fengyin Courtyard gave birth to a son. Our madam… The old lady thought that you make some clothes for her. She will have the second young lady send someone to deliver them. It will be said that it is Yunyi Courtyard’s good intention. Concubine Lu is not confused. In the future, the young master will also inherit the second young lady’s brotherly affection.”