CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 307: YAN FAMILY MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

"Commoner Yan Li and daughter pay respects to the Grand Madam. Wishing Grand Madam peace and well-being."

In the main hall, Yan the Scholar’s mother, Li, knelt on the ground with her daughter, Yan Ziyu, respectfully bowing to Song Ci.

"Madam Yan, no need for such formalities. Hong You, help them up and serve tea, give them seats," Song Ci said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Grand Madam."

There was no need for Hong You to assist, as Yan Ziyu helped her mother stand up from the ground, not daring to look around casually, only slightly lowering her head, staying close to Li.

Song Ci looked at the mother and daughter duo, both not tall. Li wore a slightly old dark red mamian skirt, her hair styled in a low bun secured with a single peach wood hairpin, and silver earrings adorned her ears.

As for her daughter, fifteen or sixteen years old, her face was delicate and pretty, her eyebrows arched gracefully. She wore a qiu xiang-colored pleated skirt, evidently newly made, with her hair braided and tied with a colored ribbon, her ears also wore a pair of lilac earrings, with no extra jewelry.

This was typical attire for a commoner girl, quite plain. To put it bluntly, even the servant women in Song Ci’s Courtyard were dressed more opulently than them.

Hong You and others brought two round stools for them to sit, served tea, and then stood to the side.

"I’ve long heard that Yan the Scholar’s family has a noble mother and sister. I’ve always wanted to see what kind of mother could raise such an outstanding young man as Yan the Scholar. Today, seeing it, it’s truly a testament to the proper family upbringing. Madam Yan, you have truly taught well."

Li, somewhat restrained, stood up and offered a salute, saying, "Grand Madam, you flatter us. I’m merely a humble farm woman with no insight, and my son Sheng has achieved what he has today all due to the Prime Minister’s support."

"You need not be modest. If that child hadn’t passed the scholar’s exam, he wouldn’t have come to the capital, nor would he have been able to become a guest at the Prime Minister’s Mansion." Song Ci smiled, looking at Yan Ziyu, and beckoned, "Is this Sheng’s sister? Come here, let me have a look."

Yan Ziyu was so nervous that she didn’t know where to place her hands and feet, her heart beating rapidly. She walked forward and, seeing Song Ci’s smiling eyes resembling those of a kindly neighbor’s grandmother, relaxed a bit and allowed her to take her hand and examine her.

"What’s your name, how old are you, and what do you usually do at home?"

The three questions of social etiquette within the inner courtyard, Song Ci was now well-versed in them.

Yan Ziyu, being both reserved and obedient, answered each question one by one.

Song Ci felt her hand, noticing the thin calluses, sighed in her heart, and said, "Such a good child. Are these from regularly doing embroidery? It’s very hard, isn’t it?"

Yan Ziyu glanced at her own hands, saying, "It’s not hard. It’s my elder brother studying that’s hard."

"One must endure hardship to rise above others. Once Yan the Scholar passes the Jinshi exam, you won’t have to endure such hardship in the future." Song Ci patted her hand and then looked over to Hong You, who smiled and brought the tray forward.

Song Ci took a gold-plated filigree butterfly hairpin from the tray and handed it to Yan Ziyu, saying, "Young ladies shouldn’t be too plainly dressed. Wear this when you do your hair."

Yan Ziyu was taken aback and quickly declined, "Grand Madam, this is too valuable. I dare not accept it."

She had never seen such a valuable piece of jewelry, let alone owned one, and couldn’t help but look at Li.

Li also stood up to help her daughter refuse. They had come to pay respects and offer thanks to Song Ci, already receiving her favor, so how could they dare to accept anything?

"It’s just a butterfly hairpin, not worth much. Since you came to see me, I must give the child a meeting gift," Song Ci said with a smile. "Yan the Scholar is a guest of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and is about to get married. In the future, our two families will inevitably interact, so don’t refuse."