Chapter 2: Meeting Master Chen
Since being carried into the Chen family's villa, Liu Yu and the others seemed to have been forgotten by the Chen family. For more than three months, the Chen family did not send any maids or servants over, and Nanny Ge did not show up again, let alone see Master Chen San.
Liu Yu was content with her leisure time. She felt that she would never have to worry about food and drink, and she had maids to serve her. She didn't have to be on guard all day and live in fear. It was more comfortable and pleasant than her life as queen in her previous life. She liked this kind of life.
She can sit still, but some people can't.
Look, the girl opposite is wearing a plain yellow silk skirt made of palace satin and has two buns on her hair. She is such a playful little girl, chattering away. She has been complaining to her for half an hour and has even started talking about the most taboo topic in the back house. She has no intention of stopping.
She is Lian Baoer who lives in the east courtyard next to Liu Yu.
Lian Baoer was sold to the Chen family by her uncle. She was only fourteen years old. Judging from the past few days, the child's personality was such that she spoke without thinking.
Watching the servants coming in and out of the house, Liu Yu stopped her embroidery, put the needlework in the basket, and gave a solemn and veiled advice: "The sacrifice is coming soon, and the affairs of each government are very busy."
What this means is that the Chen family is a prominent scholar family, and Lord Chen is a powerful official relied upon by the emperor, so it is normal that he has no time to take care of them.
However, Lian Gong'er obviously didn't understand. She even stopped straightening Liu Yu's wires and kept saying, "Sister Yu, you are still young and don't understand. When I was in the village, I heard that this man! He who doesn't need women to serve him all year round must be a homosexual. In my opinion, this Mr. Chen San, who doesn't want three beautiful women like us, might be a homosexual." She turned her head to look at the woman sitting next to her and asked, "Sister Jiang, you are the boss here, don't you think this is true?"
Jiang Xueqing blushed slightly and said with a smile: "I can't solve your puzzle. If we talk about talent, it has to be Sister Yu'er."
Jiang Xueqing was smart in that she brought the topic to her without making any noise.
This kind of topic cannot be discussed in this villa. It will definitely reach the ears of Old Madam Chen. How can a mother be happy when her son is said to be having an affair with another man?
The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. Liu Yu had no intention of responding. She kept smiling and picked up the brocade cloth in the sewing basket and started embroidering again.
Jiang Xueqing tightened her grip on the handkerchief for a moment, but within a second, it returned to normal, so fast that no one noticed. She looked at Liu Yu in deep thought.
"The ladies are here!"
At this moment, Madam Ge walked quickly into Qinyuanju, with an unconcealable joy on her face.
Liu Yu and the other three looked at each other, put down what they were holding and stood up. Lian Baoer patted his chest in fear and followed Liu Yu and Jiang Xueqing to greet them.
"Madam Ge, please come in."
This is Qinyuanju, and Liu Yu naturally walked in front, raising his hand to welcome Madam Ge inside.
Aunt Ge shook her head and said with a smile:
"I will not go in. Ladies, go and get ready. The old lady has sent a sedan chair, which is waiting at the door."
Hearing this, Lian Baoer and Jiang Xueqing were overjoyed and ran out of Qinyuanju and went to their own courtyards.
Liu Yuze's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't remembered them for two or three months. Why did they suddenly take them to Chen's house? Did Old Madam Chen convince Mr. Chen San?
No matter what the reason was, as a woman who was a concubine, she had no right to refuse. Liu Yu smiled and said to Madam Ge to wait a moment, then turned around and went back to Qinyuanju.
It was Bai Wei who changed Liu Yu's clothes. When she learned that they were going to Chen's house, she reminded her: "Fifth Miss, you have to mention the matter of the Marquis when you meet Elder Chen."
Liu Yu nodded somewhat distractedly but remained calm. When she saw Bai Wei gave her a brocade shirt with a pattern of hundreds of golden butterflies and flowers, she quickly stopped talking.
Bai Wei looked at her in confusion.
Liu Yu explained: "We still don't know the reason for going to Chen's house this time. If we dress too ostentatiously, it will not be enough to meet Mr. Chen San and make the old lady unhappy. It will be a waste of time."
It is impossible for Liu Yu not to care about the old lady's thoughts. Everything she has was given by the old lady. No matter what, she has to consider the old lady first.
Bai Wei thought about it and didn't force her to wear it. In the end, she chose a Ruyi cloud pattern shirt with a scattered flower pleated skirt, and a small lily flower hairpin on her head. She was introverted and calm, very low-key and not ostentatious.
When she came out, Lian Baoer and Jiang Xueqing had not come out yet.
About a quarter of an hour later, they came out. Lian Baoer was wearing a pink silk satin skirt with a brocade pattern, and Jiang Xueqing was wearing a blouse with peony and phoenix patterns. Standing next to them, Liu Yu was completely ignored.
Even Aunt Ge praised her: "One is smart and pretty, the other is noble and cold, very good."
Liu Yu also thought it was great.
The three of them followed Madam Ge out of the house and got on several sedan chairs at the back door one by one. The sedan chair bearers carried the sedan chairs towards Yanjing City.
……
Chen Mansion in Yanjing.
The younger generations of the Chen family had dinner in the ancestor's Shou'an Hall and were then sent away by the old lady. Under the inquiring gazes of several families, only Chen Zhihe, who had just returned from the palace banquet, stayed behind.
"Madame Feng, serve tea to the Third Master." The maid beside the old lady poured tea for the Third Master Chen and placed it on his table.
"Thank you, mother." Uncle Chen picked up the tea and took a sip. He asked in surprise, "Is this the Beiyuan tribute tea this year? How did mother get it?"
The Beiyuan tribute tea has only arrived in Yanjing from the Beiyuan Imperial Tea Garden in Fujian in the past two days. He was also rewarded some by His Majesty at the court meeting this morning, but he hasn't had time to give it to Shou'an Hall. Where did his mother get it?
Old Madam He also took a sip of the tea on the table, and looked at her son with a meaningful smile: "Today, the County Master Wenxian came to see an old woman like me and gave it to me."
As if he didn't understand, Mr. Chen San put down the teacup in his hand and smiled faintly:
"Is that so? Then I'll have my servant send some return gifts someday."
The old lady's smile froze on her face, and she stared at her son:
"Master San really doesn't understand, or is he just pretending to be stupid with an old woman like me?"
Mr. Chen San stood up and bowed to the old lady in the main seat:
"Mother, please don't force your son. Your son has no interest in being the Princess of Wenxian County."
Looking at her son's stubbornness, He Shi was a little angry:
"I have no intention towards County Lady Wenxian. Third brother, think about it yourself. Who have you been sentimental towards over the years? Look at your eldest brother. This year, Brother Jie has already arranged a marriage, and Sister Rong has given birth to two children. You, as an uncle, are still alone. How can I go downstairs to meet the old master?" As he said this, he picked up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes, which had no tears at all.
Nanny Feng hurried forward, patted the old lady on the back, and comforted her: "Old lady, the Third Master just hasn't met a close friend yet, and doesn't know the good of women. Don't worry, I believe that the Third Master will figure it out soon."
Seeing the expressionless face of Master Chen San, Nanny Feng was terrified by what she said. If it weren't for the old lady's instruction, she would never dare to make up stories about her master.
Mr. Chen San had seen through this a long time ago, and said indifferently: "Whatever mother wants, you might as well tell her directly."
Having achieved her goal, the old lady put down her handkerchief, looked at her son's face, and said apologetically:
"I'm not forcing you. I'm just afraid that by then, my eldest brother and his family will have many children and grandchildren, and you'll be alone and lonely until the end of your life!"
Uncle Chen nodded: "I know, please tell me, mother."
He Shi knew her son's coldness and indifference very well. She took a sip of tea and said seriously:
"Since the Third Master has no plans to marry for the time being, Mother has found a few pretty girls and placed them in your room. Do you think they will be concubines or maids?"