the hint of displeasure from his Mother's utterance, Wen Ting Zhou did not mind the surrounding maidservants and Mamas in the slightest as he strode over to hold Wenfuren's arm affectionately.
"What are you doing? Don't think I will let go of this matter just because you're being coquettish."
Wenfurenissued a heavy snort.
The maidservants and Mamas in the room were people that Wenfurentrusted. Upon seeing theirFurenshow such an attitude, they lowered their heads simultaneously without prior agreement to laugh secretly.
Wen Ting Zhou did not mind at all. A faint smile lined his brows and eyes as he spoke in a soft and gentle tone.
"Mother, I didn't tell yõu about this, isn't it only because I was afraid yõu would say that I'm not attending to my proper duties and I'm delaying my studies?"
"Is that so?" Wenfurenwas brimming was disbelief, "Tell me then, when did you learn to carve wood?"
Wen Ting Zhou held onto Wenfuren's arm as he sat down beside her, and he offered her a white lie, "Three years ago, when I went away from home to study and gain experience."
Truth to be told, he started learning how to carve wood from Wushifuever since he was six years old, albeit for disjointed intervals over the course of ten years. He would make some mechanical small wood carvings during his leisure time, hence why apart from paternal grandmother who had accidentally stumbled upon it, no one had discovered it.
Wenfurenwas greatly shocked. She remembered that Ting Zhou had placed first for the provincial imperial examinations back then, but his father did not allow him to join the metropolitan civil service examination which was being held the following spring. Instead, he had sent Ting Zhou abroad to study for two years.
She did not expect that Ting Zhou would learn how to carve wood secretly.
"You only learned for three years and now you're capable of making such an exquisite small wooden loft? It seems like you've expended a great deal of effort. Have you forgotten about the imperial civil service examination that is soon approaching?"
Wenfurenwas angry and envious. Ting Zhou was going to participate in the metropolitan civil examination right after Wenlao-furen's longevity feast, and yet he still had the heart and headspace to think about cultivating his romantic relationship; it would be stranger if Wenfurenwas not angry.
This year's imperial civil service examination was going to held on the last third of the fourth month, because all of the imperial sons who had grown into adulthood had been conferred the title ofWangand the Emperor had called for aspecial examination. The candidates rushing to the capital to attend the metropolitan examination were innumerable, and each candidate was making their preparations for the examination, except Ting Zhou who was frequently writing letters and interacting with Ruansi xiaojie.
开恩科 (pinyin: kai en ke) – Essentially, the metropolitan civil service examination is held triennially in Spring, but an Emperor can call for a 'special/additional imperial civil service examination' (this is not strictly accurate in translation) after a momentous event, like the Empress Dowager's birthday, or in this case, his children coming of age.
But that was nothing, because who did not have their moments of relaxation? The fact that her son had a good relationship with his future wife was a rare find, but Ting Zhou had made an exquisite small wooden loft while she was none the wiser.
Hence, Wenfurenwas unhappy.
If you had to speak bluntly, Wenfurenwas jealous, was stifled in her heart, and felt that she had raised her son for nothing. For the imperial civil service examinations, passing successfully was like adding flowers on brocade; even if he was not listed, the Wen family could use their influence to help him seek a good official position, and she did not really care to be honest.
It was just that Wenfurenneeded a raft right now. After saying those words, she swung her son's hand away forcefully, expressing that she was very angry.
Wen Ting Zhou continued to pull her arm.
Wenfurenshook him off again.
After going back and forth a few times, Wenfurenwas mollified to the point where she had no temper left by her son, and she glared at him unhappily.
"How old are you now, and yet you're still using this tactic. I'm telling you, if you don't give me a reasonable explanation, it doesn't matter how spoilt you act."
The surrounding maidservants and Mamas suppressed their laughter and shifted their heads away.
Who could have thought that cultured and refined Wengongzi– who was akin to a light breeze and hanging moon – would have this kind of appearance in front of Wenfuren.
"Mother, don't be angry, it's not like yõu are unaware of your son's capabilities, getting listed in the imperial civil service examination is easy."
Wen Ting Zhou blinked his eyes.
"Hmpf!" Wenfurensnorted coldly, though her expression did soften a fair bit. That much was true; her son had always been her pride and greatest confidence.
Seeing that his Mother's anger had yet to fully dissolve, Wen Ting Zhou stopped being vague, and he exposed his final trump card. "Mother, the truth is that in the past three years, I have been secretly making wooden hairpins for you every year. If you don't believe it, I can ask Zhang Qing to bring over the wooden case that I used to store the wooden hairpins."
Once Wenfurenheard that, her brows and eyes relaxed and opened up, a smile spreading across her face as well. However, she did not spare him, saying: "Who knows if you made it for thatyatouRuan Xi and you're only taking it out to befuddle me."
Wen Ting Zhou grinned, "Mother, yõu can set your heart at ease. There are small words carved on every hairpin, you will understand once you scrutinise them carefully."
Wenfurengenuinely became elated this time around. She did not feel like her son was lying to her on this front, so she stopped being unhappy, and she stopped assuming that her son had forgotten his mother because he had gained a wife.
Smiling, she urged, "Quickly ask someone to bring it over then."
Wen Ting Zhou quickly nodded his head, agreeing. Then, he dispatched someone to ask Zhang Qing to bring over the rosewood case in his study to the Main Courtyard.
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After a cup of tea or so, Zhang Qi carried a rosewood case in, gasping for breath.
Wen Ting Zhou took the case and looked over it. Noting that it was the correct one, he proceeded to hand the rosewood case to Wenfuren.
"Mother, these are the wooden hairpins that this son has made for yõu, hope yõu won't disdain it."
With a face full of expectation, Wenfurenreceived the rosewood case and opened it. There were three exquisitely elegant, glossy and meticulously-carved ebony hairpins placed inside in an orderly manner.
A perched phoenix hairpin, aruyihairpin, and a hairpin depicting a goose landing on flat sands.
The craftsmanship for each and every hairpin was exceedingly elaborate. If it were not for her son saying that he made it with his own hands, Wenfurenwould have believed that it was the work of some great master.
"These hairpins are quite good; I didn't expect that my son had a talent for woodwork too."
After Wenfuren's astonishment had passed, she picked up theruyihairpin to inspect it carefully. Sure enough, on a certain part of the hairpin, she saw minute carved words— Son wishes Mother an auspicious and happy birthday (兒賀母生辰吉樂). The remaining two hairpins were the same.
Wenfurenbeamed with joy instantaneously, loving the hairpins so much she could not put it down, and she kept caressing it admiringly.
"Alright, you should head back to your courtyard and eat. Right, your paternal grandmother's major birthday is approaching soon. It is uncertain if Ruan Xiyatouhas any remarkable pieces of jewellery. Mama Zhao, go to the private stores and take out a set of pure gold head ornaments and jewellery and send it to Earl Chengyi Residence."
Mama Zhao smiled and responded.
"Yes,Furen."
Wen Ting Zhou was happy about the great importance that his mother was attaching to Ruan Ruan, so he held Wenfuren's arm again, pretending to be upset.
"Mother, you're treating Ruan Ruan so well, I'm going to be jealous at this rate!"
Wenfurenpatted his hand, bemused and in a good mood. "Stop trying to be coquettish. Go back and have a meal quickly; don't prolong your hunger."
It was only then that Wen Ting Zhou released her hand and withdrew.
After leaving the Main Courtyard, Zhang Qing looked at his cultured and refinedgongziin admiration. He thought inwardly, hisgongziwas truly amazing, he managed to cajole and makeFurenhappy in such a short span of time.
……
Ruan Xi did not know that her fiancé Wen Ting Zhou had just solved a small issue that had recently emerged between the future mother- and daughter-in-law. Presently, she had been called to the Tranquil Longevity Hall byLao Taitai.
"Si yatou, it is going to be Wenlao-furen's major birthday in a few days. I have asked someone to pick two fabrics with superb quality to make two brand new sets of clothing for you."
Lao Taitaispoke with a wide smiling expression as she looked upon her fourth granddaughter kindly, noting that she was becoming increasingly remarkable. Subsequently, she allowed her Mama to bring out the two sets of clothing.
Delicate, gorgeous, and fashionable.
"This granddaughter thanksLao Taitai." Ruan Xi bowed with her hands folded at the side of her waist, her beautiful face brimming with joy.
"While you have new clothes, the complementing jewellery cannot be sloppy either."Lao Taitaiviewed her fourth granddaughter attending Wenlao-furen's longevity feast with paramount importance.
Ruan Xi replied with a smile. "Lao Taitai, yõu have sent granddaughter a number of precious jewelleries, this granddaughter can pick a set of tasteful and appropriate head ornaments and accompanying jewellery from among them."
Lao Taitairecalled that she had already sent her fourth granddaughter the most valuable gold jewellery that was inlaid with rubies, and she did not have any more jewelleries that were more precious than that, so she dropped the subject.
At this moment, a maidservant came in to report: "Reporting toLao Taitai, Wenfurenhas dispatched people to send some items to the Fourth Young Lady.
Ruan Xi was visibly perplexed as to why Wenfurenwas suddenly sending gifts.
WhereasLao Taitainarrowed her eyes, having a faint conjecture in her heart. The laughter in her eyes became more apparent as she looked towards her fourth granddaughter.
"Invite them in quickly."
The individual sending the gift was a Mama with an amicable countenance, and after she bowed toLao Taitai, she said smilingly:
"I am Mama Zhao, who serves byFuren's side.Furenis aware thatsi xiaojieis going to attendLao Furen's longevity banquet, hence she specifically instructed me to send a set of jewellery over."
Once those words were uttered, the delight in Ruan Xi's eyes overflowed. Hurriedly, she said: "This large gift has truly arrived in a timely manner. Mama Zhao, please thankFurenin my stead."
Lao Taitai's countenance was also tinged with happiness as she said smilingly, "Wenfurenhas the heart."
Her fourth granddaughter was truly fortunate.
After Ruan Xi accepted the wooden case, Mama Zhao withdrew and went back to report that her orders were fulfilled.
Lao Taitaiwas interested in the jewellery that Wenfurensent, so she said with a smile: "Si yatou, open the wooden case quickly. Allow thiszu muto view what kind of jewellery Wenfurenhas sent."
Pursing her lips into a smile, Ruan Xi opened the wooden case.
What came into view immediately was the dazzling and resplendent rays of light that were being refracted by the dozen over precious stones which were inlaid in the gold jewellery.
The gazes of maidservants and Mama inside the room landed on the wooden box together, unable to tear their eyes away.
Ruan Xi's eyes were full of astonishment.
This was a set of hair ornaments and jewellery that was crafted in the imperial palace: it was skilfully wrested with heavenly skill, was peerlessly delicate, and the embedded precious stones were large, pure and limpid. All in all, it was of considerable value, and it was incomparably precious.
Lao Taitaiwas similarly stunned. Unexpectedly, the gifted jewellery came from the palace. Wenfurenhad just penned a large stroke.
They were both jewellery with inlaid gems, but when this set was compared to the set that she gave her fourth granddaughter, hers had completely lost its lustre in a moment's work.
……
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Not long after Ruan Xi carried the jewellery case and left the Tranquil Longevity Hall, and underLao Taitai's tacit agreement, the news of Wenfurensending their Fourth Young Lady jewellery that was crafted by the imperial palace's artisans travelled outwards speedily. Very quickly, it fell into the ears of the noble daughters who were visiting Ruansan niang. Their hearts dripped with sourness, and they were incomparably envious and jealous.
First Wengongzisent her a small wooden loft he personally made, then Wenfurensent her jewellery; Ruansi xiaojietruly had a good fate.
This was especially so for the noble daughters who were similarly engaged; they fervently wished that their future mother-in-law was Wenfuren.
Indeed, the comparison of persons were bound to anger people to death.
Li Xiang Xiang, who had lowered her head and compromised after she was confined, looked tragic when she heard the news.
She could only console herself by saying that the Fourth Prince was actually better, his identity was more dignified than Wenda ge, and it was even possible that he could ascend to that position, which meant that there was a day where she could be the Mother under the Heavens.
However, it was still difficult to soothe her heart in the end.
But Li Xiang Xiang could only keep those feelings of irreconciliation in her heart; it was already impossible for her and Wenda ge. How could she possibly be stupid enough to lose the chance of being a prince's legitimate consort again?
Besides Li Xiang Xiang, Ruansan nianglearned of the news very quickly as well. Her complexion was gloomy and distorted, and she was jealous to the point where her eyes had gone red.
In that short, fleeting instant, an evil and poisonous thought emerged in Ruansan niang's mind, she wanted to expose the fact that her fourth sister had ingested the infertility medicine.
But once she thought about her Mother who had treated her exceedingly well, Ruansan niangcould only suppress that thought.
Yao Hong: "……"
Every time her Young Lady heard the Fourth Young Lady's good news, she would become angry.
Recently, her Young Lady was changing more and more, and it was nearly to the extent where she was doubting if her Young Lady had been possessed by something dirty. TheFurenwas also acting strangely; she kept instructing her to provoke her Young Lady more in secret.
Since Yao Hong could not make sense of it, she stopped entangling herself over it. She decided to tell her Young Lady a piece of good news to cheer up her Young Lady.
"Young Lady,nubiheard that not only did Qier gongzispend a great sum to buy yõur prompt-books to send to other people, but he also propagated that the prompt-book yõu wrote was very interesting and absolutely worth reading.
"Young Lady, Qier gongziis expressing goodwill towards you."
Although the previous commotion had ended poorly, Qier gongzidid not pursue the matter. However, it was unknown what kind of temper her Young Lady was throwing because she never spoke about Qier gongziagain. Instead, she would chat idly with the noble daughter that visited her every day, as if she had tossed Qier gongzito the back of her head.
Yao Hong could not stop herself from becoming anxious.
As she recalled Qier gongzi's handsome countenance, her cheeks heated up slightly. More than ever, she hoped that nothing would change about her Young Lady's and Qier gongzi's marriage matters.
After all, her Young Lady had the precedent of trying to break off an engagement.