Chapter 824: 347 Li Guoxing Returns (Part 1)
After Fan Jun left, Yueyao ordered the dishes, selecting four signature dishes from the restaurant and another four with a soup, which was enough for several people.
After sending out the menu, Xiang Wei said to the shopkeeper, "If the dishes are going to take a while, bring some fruits first."
Xiang Wei had just returned to the private room when the shop assistant brought over a plate of melon seeds and a plate of watermelon. The items were placed on the table, and the shop assistant promptly left.
Cracking open some melon seeds, Xiang Wei exclaimed, "They’re truly delicious. I’ve always heard that the Fairy Home Restaurant does an excellent job with melon seeds, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. Miss, you should try some."
Yueyao, not interested in such heat-inducing foods, took a piece of watermelon instead. The watermelon was quite sweet, and Yueyao ended up eating two pieces. After finishing, she took out a handkerchief and wiped her hands, "You said Fan Jun had a fierce and menacing face covered in scars; were you trying to scare me?"
Xiang Wei protested innocently, "Did I say he looked fierce and menacing? I said he was quite frightening; didn’t you find him to be so?" Even though Xiang Wei was quite brave, she felt like a mouse in front of a cat when around Fan Jun, and couldn’t help but act meekly.
Yueyao didn’t reprimand Xiang Wei, thinking she might have over-imagined it. Nonetheless, while Fan Jun didn’t have the menacing look she had expected, his imposing manner was indeed quite intimidating.
After finishing the lunch, the group returned. The people at Ma’s Mansion were not at all surprised to see Yueyao with a load of purchases; everyone at Ma’s Mansion knew that Cousin Miss was wealthy.
As Yueyao entered the secondary gate, she happened to encounter someone leaving.
The old nanny leading the way quickly came over and said, "Miss Yao, this is the aunt of Second Madam from the Zhu Family."
The servants at Ma’s Mansion were always respectful towards Yueyao, not just because she was Ma Chengteng’s favorite but also because she was generous with her money.
Yueyao glanced at Madam Zhu and her first impression was that the Zhu Family truly lived up to their reputation as a wealthy household, with a quite unique taste. It’s no wonder Yueyao had such a notion; Madam Zhu indeed appeared very affluent.
Madam Zhu was dressed in a light gold brocade with crane and pine patterns, wearing a pomegranate red skirt with gold sprinkles and silver rat fur, and had a peony hairstyle decorated with a ruby gold hairpin. On each side of her head, she wore two phoenix head ruby pendulums and ruby earrings on her ears, complemented by a gemstone necklace. On her left wrist were red gold bracelets, and on her right, a jade bracelet. And yes, her fingers were adorned with gemstone rings.
Jewelry can bring out the best in one’s appearance, but if the jewelry is too imposing for the wearer, it seems as if the person is there to complement the jewelry. Yueyao felt that Madam Zhu was putting on a display for her ruby jewelry.
This was the first time Madam Zhu had met Yueyao and she was so fond of Yueyao’s looks that she moved forward trying to take her hand, only to see Yueyao instinctively step back. Realizing it was impolite, Yueyao smiled and said, "Madam Zhu, did you come to see my cousin-in-law?"
Madam Zhu replied with a smile, "Yes, this is our first meeting, and I didn’t prepare anything." She intended to remove the jade bracelet from her wrist as a gift for Yueyao who politely declined to accept it.
Yueyao refused gracefully, "The gift is too valuable, I can’t accept it."
Xiang Wei suggested from behind, "Miss, you’ve also had a long day; let’s go back and rest!" There really was no need to save face with such people.
Yueyao smiled, bid farewell to Madam Zhu, and returned to Begonia Garden.
The leading woman, who happened to be the sister-in-law of Su Zhu, was aware of Second Madam’s thoughts, and so, appearing unintentional, she said, "Cousin Miss is both talented and beautiful with high standards. Not just any man is up to her standards; even the Heir to Marquis Yongding doesn’t impress her. The Heir to Marquis Yongding is a great man, the first in the Great Yuan Dynasty to become a Palace Graduate in both civil and military studies. We all think that since Cousin Miss doesn’t favor even him, she will probably end up marrying a Prince."
Madam Zhu’s expression soured, having previously thought Madam Tang was just making excuses; now she distinctly felt Yueyao’s disdain. Reflecting on this, she felt an indignation building within her, "A girl who brought about the death of both her parents still dares to dream of marrying a Prince?" Madam Zhu didn’t realize how offensive her words were. Zhu Hang’s mother had always been indulged by her family. Before Zhu Hang became a Palace Graduate, her family gave her deference due to his potential. After he was titled a Palace Graduate, though only a third-place winner, it was a proud moment for the Zhu Family. Several of Madam Zhu’s sisters-in-law wished to marry their daughters to him, even bringing the girls to their home, hoping to take advantage of their proximity. Unfortunately, Madam Zhu was picky and didn’t fancy any of her nieces. She wished to find a girl for her son who was not only well-matched in family status but also a rare beauty with both talents and looks. But ideals often don’t match up with reality. After facing rejection from prominent families and enduring much disdain, Madam Zhu set her sights on Yueyao as the most suitable match, yet she never expected that Yueyao wouldn’t even spare her an extra glance, let alone consideration, elevating herself regally and deeply wounding Madam Zhu’s pride.