CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: IDENTITY (2)

Tong Xihua’s eyes brightened and she nodded, saying, "Sixth Sister’s idea is good!" She looked at Lady: "Mother, what do you think? If we follow what Sixth Sister said, there is another benefit. The clothes delivered can be worn, and when others see them, they will know they were made by our sisters, which is much better than a screen!"

Xiqiu sighed. After several encounters, she already understood Tong Xihua’s personality. Everything was about calculating the gains and losses, which she did unabashedly and overtly. Interacting with her inevitably made others weigh whether they had any value she would be willing to exchange for!

Lady slightly nodded after listening and said, "Then let it be this way. You go back and ask someone to send the Grand Dowager’s measurements. I remember there is still a bolt of Floating Light Brocade in the mansion, perfect for making a spring overcoat. There’s also silk red snow gauze to make a gauze skirt." She paused slightly and instructed her daughters, "Even with clothes, you must make them delicately. Go back and come up with a design. I’ll have Nanny Fang go to the Brocade Pavilion to bring back some of this year’s fashionable patterns. As for the division of labor, Fourth Girl is the best at drawing, so let her draw a design. Eighth Girl will cut the cloth according to the measurements and collect the scraps, and Sixth Girl will embroider the patterns on the clothes..." Her gaze swept over her daughters: "Is there any problem?"

Tong Xiyan barely refrained from clapping in delight at not having to embroider and said cheerfully, "I have no problem." She then asked Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu, "What about Sixth Sister and Eighth Sister?"

Xiqiu frowned slightly and did not speak, but Tong Xiyu nodded and said, "Although I am clumsy, I will do my best. If there are places I don’t understand, I will consult the embroideresses in the mansion."

Lady nodded approvingly and raised her eyebrows to ask Xiqiu, "What about Sixth Girl?"

Xiqiu sighed, looked up, and said, "I just remembered. I cut some fabric yesterday, planning to make casual robes for First Master, Big Brother, and Seventh Brother over the next few days. It seems now I’ll have to put it aside!"

"I thought it was something important!" Lady said with a smile, "It’s not like we’re short on clothes. Put it aside for now. If you’ve already mentioned it to First Master, I’ll speak to him. You should focus on more urgent matters!"

"No, I haven’t!" Xiqiu replied with a smile, "It’s something incidental. I thought I’d deliver them once finished. Since the fabric is cut, I’ll work hard today to avoid causing delays!"

Lady’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction, and she nodded slightly.

In the evening, after several invitations were declined for various reasons, First Master finally agreed to have dinner at Zhui Garden. Lady and First Master sat across from each other, silently eating. After the meal, Lady had Zijuan serve tea and accompanied First Master to an Arhat Bed in a side room. The red-lacquered Arhat Bed was padded with a sea-blue cushion. Lady, being unaccustomed to northern kangs after moving to the Capital, had a craftsman from Jiangnan make it, and it had been there for twenty years. Some parts had been touched up with lacquer several times, making it appear a bit worn, but Lady was reluctant to discard it. In winter, it was covered and wiped daily, with a mat during spring, and sometimes Lady even napped on it in the summer.

After First Master sat down, his expression slightly relaxed as he looked at the Arhat Bed, "If you like it, I’ll have someone make a replica someday. Why hold onto an old one?"

"I’ve grown accustomed to it, and I can’t bear to throw it away even if it’s replaced with a new one." Lady looked at First Master with a tender expression, "Besides, it’s a token of your thoughts from those days. How could I bear to discard it?"

First Master was the kind of man who seemed to treat all his women well, even after welcoming several concubines into the mansion. Lady never forgot those affectionate years together when she first entered the household.

"You’re always like this." First Master shook his head helplessly. The displeasure accumulated towards Lady in his heart over recent days slightly dissipated. Considering his years of outside appointments and how Lady managed the household and cared for the children without complaint, his demeanor softened, and he asked, "Is there something you wish to discuss?" Lady smiled and answered, "Indeed, there is something to discuss with you. Third Girl’s marriage is set, and I want to discuss with you how much dowry to accompany it. There are still three girls below, and if we match the bride price from Count Wujin, we might find it difficult with the later girls. But if we don’t follow the list, I’m afraid Count Wujin might feel neglected by us."

Primarily afraid that First Master would think she was being partial.

First Master showed no interest in these matters and replied indifferently, "You handle the dowry. If you need anything, just tell Manager Lai and have him assist you."

Lady’s eyes gleamed with a smile, "Since you’ve said so, I’ll prepare it equivalent to Xihua’s dowry back then."

Tong Xihua’s dowry was forty-eight sedan carriers. Tong Xiyang’s can’t be more than Tong Xihua’s. Moreover, Third Master Ren is not of equal standing with the Second Young Master of the Marquis Mansion, and Tong Xihua is the legitimate daughter while Tong Xiyang is born of a concubine, making her status lower.

First Master’s brows furrowed. The situation was different back then; the rebellion case involving the Eighth Prince disrupted the court inside and out for years. The Xiao Mansion and Tong Mansion were naturally cautious not to attract too much attention. But now the circumstances were different.

Seeing First Master remained silent after raising the topic and assumed no objection, Lady shifted the conversation to the Grand Dowager’s birthday: "The theme will be crabapple blossoms. Fourth Girl will make a set of clothes, with Sixth Girl and Eighth Girl assisting. With the pre-drawn design, it should be ready by the end of the month."

"Grand Dowager?" First Master pondered briefly, then said, "The Grand Dowager is straightforward by nature; no need to be too rigid with these trivialities. With the Marquis away, she likely has little mood for such formalities, just going through the motions." He paused and added, "It’s also good for you to visit frequently."

Lady’s gaze flickered, and she smiled, "That’s exactly what I meant. The two households have been connected for many years; we wouldn’t fuss over these trivial details. However, with things as they are now, I also thought of visiting the Marquis Mansion when I have time to keep the Grand Dowager company." She pondered, then brought up Xiao Yanji, "There’s word that the Marquis was seriously injured and there’s been no battle report for half a month. Is it true?" Marquis Xuanning’s favor is directly related to her daughter’s happiness. Besides, the capital’s meritorious families and high-ranking officials have intertwined relationships. With the Marquis Mansion as an in-law, even if not overtly shown, it indeed makes handling matters much more convenient. It also opens up more advantageous marriage prospects for her children.

First Master’s brows furrowed tightly again, the slight lines on his forehead growing more pronounced. He said, "Rumors cannot be taken seriously in the absence of official reports from Fujian. These are just hearsay. Don’t discuss this with Xihua and make her worry." He paused and added, "As for the Grand Dowager’s birthday, handle it as you see fit. Although the Marquis Mansion appears peaceful on the surface, the Grand Dowager likely has her worries. Taking the children to liven things up would be good."