Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 107 The Four Families of Zhuang, Sun, He, and Yang

On the first day after arriving in the capital, while everyone was still being settled in their respective courtyards, the head of the family and Madam Yun, along with Tang Lin, first prepared gifts and visited the neighbors.

Before leaving, Madam Yun sent someone to Yunyi Courtyard to fetch Hua Yan, instructing her to follow behind Wei Mama.

The main residents of Fuqian Street were mostly civil officials of the fourth and fifth ranks. The Tang family's residence had been renovated for a long time, and everything used in the mansion was made of the finest wood and stone. Not only were there tiger-skin stones transported from Jizhou by water, but two rare Taihu stones were also brought in at once at great expense of manpower and resources. These displays of wealth were not kept secret, which surprised the neighbors and gradually made them realize the wealth of the Tang family.

In fact, one can get a glimpse of the Tang family simply by looking at the shops with the character "永" (yong) in various parts of the Great Zhou Dynasty. With such a large family business, it's understandable that they would spend extravagantly on renovating their residences.

However, most civil officials and upright officials looked down on merchants and originally intended to keep their distance. But then, the newly appointed third-ranked scholar came from the Tang family, and the Tang family became related to the Su family through marriage. Suddenly, everyone's thoughts changed, and they all unanimously instructed their children to befriend Tang Lin.

Some had already learned about the master of the Tang family and knew that Tang Lin had several younger sisters. Although they hadn't seen them yet, just by looking at Tang Lin's appearance and demeanor, they knew that those girls were all extraordinary.

Although the eldest daughter of the Tang family was already married, wasn't the younger sister of the third-ranked scholar just the age when she was about to blossom? Therefore, those in the family with eligible young men also harbored some unspoken thoughts about associating with Madam Yun.

Madam Yun is such a person that one can discern her character simply by looking at her eyes, without even needing to hear her voice. After leaving the residence of Imperial Censor He next door, Mama Wei said, "Madam He is quite amiable, and her words are pleasant to hear. Just now, the two young ladies from the He family came out to greet Madam, and they were impeccable."

Hua Yan lowered her head and a slight smile played on her lips. Madam Yun waited until they returned to the manor before saying, "The feng shui of the He family's residence is excellent, it's a pity..."

"Did you notice anything just now, Hua Yan?" Madam Yun asked, sitting down and taking a sip of tea.

Hua Yan followed them into the four mansions for more than an hour. She slightly adjusted her thoughts and said, "Reporting to Madam, the rear residence of the He family is the most ordinary in terms of furnishings compared to the other three. However, after taking a look, I personally think that there is a hint of deliberate intention in this ordinariness."

"I've always loved needlework and textiles, so I've paid close attention to these little things. The head maids accompanying the two young ladies wear brocade purses with scattered patterns at their waists, and a tourmaline bead the size of a soybean hangs from the knot. It's possible that favored head maids receive finer fabrics from their masters, but even the maids and servants in the back courtyard, though dressed in coarse clothes, use handkerchiefs made of rather coarse materials..."

Following Hua Yan's words, Wei Mama suddenly realized and said, "What Hua Yan said has made me realize something. Just now, Madam He used blue and white porcelain tea set with landscape patterns to entertain you. I thought it was just ordinary tea set used by the He family to save money. But now that I think about it, the teacups and saucers don't seem to be a set."

Madam Yun said calmly, "A single Ding ware cup stand is worth more than ten sets of blue and white porcelain cups."

Madam Wei was quite annoyed, but Madam Yun said calmly, "Continue."

Hua Yan said, "Madam, we'll go to the highest-ranking family on the street in front of the mansion first. Lord Zhuang holds the position of Vice Minister of the Chancellery. The servants in his mansion are extremely disciplined, and Madam Zhuang is very kind and gentle. I am too ignorant to see through her."

"In the previous two places, Madam Yang seemed overly enthusiastic, almost... flattering you. Although Madam Sun was a bit colder, I think that since we have just arrived in the capital from Lin'an, Madam Sun's approach in this situation is perhaps the most prudent and appropriate."

She was neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in proper etiquette. The "gifts" that Madam Yun brought (as noted later) were local specialties from Lin'an and tea, while Madam Sun reciprocated with donkey-hide gelatin. Not only were they of comparable value, but before leaving, Madam Sun also made a point of mentioning to Madam Yun that they were brought from her hometown by her younger brother.

Hua Yan believes that this distance in their interactions is just right.

Of the four neighboring families, only the Sun family, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, can be considered a century-old family with a pure and upright family tradition. The old lady Sun and Madam Yun's grandmother were acquainted when they were young. However, since the old lady Sun went out of the city to worship Buddha at the temple today, only Madam Sun received her.

It was almost noon, and Madam Yun was very satisfied with Hua Yan's insights today, but she continued to ask, "Which of these mansions do you think is worthy of our Wan'er's friendship?"

Hua Yan had been pondering this in her heart. The Madam had asked her to follow, so the final destination must be the Second Miss. Sure enough, that was the case.

"The Sun family, the Zhuang family."

“How come you see?”

Hua Yan pondered and said, "I just met Miss Sun. Miss Sun is about the same age as the Second Miss. She was neither humble nor arrogant in her conversation with Madam. Most importantly, Madam Sun has a clear and upright mind. Her daughter must be quite outstanding."

As for the bookmaker...

Hua Yan's eyes flickered. Since there were only the three of them in the hall, she carefully said, "This servant has heard that Miss Zhuang is acquainted with several young ladies from the Jiang family."

Mother Wei couldn't help but ask, "What about Miss Yang?"

"Although Miss Yang has not shown her face, Madam Yang's thoughts are written all over her face. She must have something in mind in the future. Although our Tang family has connections with the Tang and Yun families, our eldest son is only an editor at the moment. Madam Yang's eagerness for him seems a bit like being impatient for quick success."

Just then, Steward An, following the Second Miss's instructions, delivered a cherry and sugarcane juice drink newly developed by the master and apprentice to Madam Yun. Madam Yun then waved for Hua Yan to leave.

When only Madam Yun and her servants remained in the flower hall, Mama Wei stood there dumbfounded, muttering, "Madam, this old servant is truly ashamed of my inferiority."

"Is this girl some kind of genius? She's so perceptive and insightful. Today's incident makes this old servant feel like he's wasted his life..."

It was rare for Madam Wei to say such nonsense, which made Madam Yun laugh heartily.

That smile seemed to bring the entire flower hall to life. Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Madam Wei grinned as she served the sugarcane juice to her master, and then went outside to call for someone to add more ice.

Tomorrow is the day to pay respects at the Yun residence. Madam's grandparents have both passed away, and there are very few people in the Yun residence that Madam cares about. Wei Mama felt sorry for Madam, who would have to face her stepmother tomorrow, so she said this nonsense to cheer her up.

Madam Yun was indeed much happier at this moment. Firstly, because of Hua Yan, the three years of nurturing her had not been in vain. Secondly, Madam Wei ultimately did not understand her. How could she not want to see that hypocritical stepmother? She had been waiting for so many years, and this meeting was already three years late.