Chapter 48 Jade Garden
Mengxi wanted to find some fine brocade to give to the eldest grandmother. The eldest aunt replied that there was the finest palace satin in the courtyard, but because the cousin liked it, the second master gave it all to her. While saying this, he looked at the second grandmother meaningfully.
Meeting the aunt's meaningful eyes, Mengxi frowned. Who is this cousin? Putting aside his worries, he asked:
"Does Curry have anything else?"
"Last time on Second Master's birthday, the old lady sent someone to give him the best cloud cotton, but it was never used."
"Okay then. I'll ask someone to pick out the ones with gorgeous patterns and colors and prepare two of them. Do you have any good inkstones in the storehouse?" Mengxi thought of his grandfather and thought it would be better to send another pair of inkstones, so he asked.
"We do have inkstones, but most of them are commonly used. The best ones are a pair of Duan inkstones and a pair of Tao inkstones. Second Madam wants to give us an inkstone?"
"Just send the Duan inkstone. Everything is ready. Send it to the upper room first so that the Second Master can take a look."
"Yes, I will arrange it right away."
As the eldest aunt spoke, she glanced at the second wife and thought to herself: Doesn't this second wife know how precious the Duan inkstone is? As the saying goes, a pound of Duan stone is worth a thousand gold coins. There is only one pair in the courtyard, and the second master cherishes it so much that he is reluctant to use it himself. Yet this new wife gave it away without even a second thought. What a spendthrift.
Mengxi only knew that this Duan inkstone was the best among all inkstones. She thought that since the Xiao family was rich, they would of course give the best . Little did she know what the aunt was thinking.
When he looked up and saw Hongyu, he remembered something else and said to his aunt:
"Go find a quiet garden with a better environment, clean it up, and after half a month, let Hongyu move in."
"Second Madam, I dare not have my own courtyard. I will just live here. It will be more convenient for me to serve you."
After hearing this, Hongyu hurried forward and said.
"Second Madam, you can't do that. Hongyu is just a maidservant. According to the rules, a maidservant cannot have her own courtyard," Aunt Li also stepped forward and said.
When the four concubines heard the Second Mistress's arrangement, they were so angry that they wanted to tear Hongyu into pieces. She was just a concubine, how could she be qualified to open a door and set up a courtyard like them? The eldest concubine was still able to keep her composure, but Concubine Li was not going to accept it.
Mengxi felt bad when she saw the four concubines looking as if they wanted to eat Hongyu, but then she thought: If you are comfortable, I will be sad. You don't want her to be on an equal footing with you, and I don't want to see the Second Master and her hanging around in front of me all day long. Anyway, there are so many courtyards in the Xiao Mansion, so this one won't make a difference.
"The concubine cannot have her own courtyard. Is this the rule of the Xiao family?"
After hearing what Aunt Li said, Mengxi thought that she had to understand the rules clearly to avoid being criticized by the eldest lady, so she asked.
When Aunt Li heard this, she thought that Second Mistress was deliberately making things difficult for her. She cursed inwardly, her face flushed red, and she stepped forward and replied:
"Grandma, this is not the family rule of the Xiao family, but a general practice. There are also those favored concubines that the master likes so much that he grants them a separate garden."
"It's good that it's not the Xiao family's house rules. Let's just leave it at that. Hongyu can go and have a look too. Pick the ones you like. If there's anything you need, just ask the aunt for it directly."
"Yes, I thank Second Madam for your kindness."
Hongyu was secretly delighted to see that the matter was settled, and hurried forward to express her gratitude.
"Second Madam, there is a small garden to the west of the Chrysanthemum Garden. The scenery is also very elegant. Why don't we choose that one ?" The eldest aunt stepped forward and said.
"Chrysanthemum Garden? Where is the Chrysanthemum Garden?"
The four concubines are so cowardly. It turns out that the second mistress really doesn't take them seriously. She has been in the house for so long, but she doesn't even know where they live.
"Chrysanthemum Garden is Aunt Li's garden, and it was named by the Second Master."
Khan, how come you don't even know this? Mengxi blushed and asked casually:
"Do your gardens also have names?"
"My courtyard is called Plum Garden, and Auntie Wang's garden is called Orchid Garden. Auntie Zhang's garden is called Bamboo Garden. They were all named by Second Master. The garden chosen for Hongyu has no name yet. Did Second Madam ask Second Master to give it a name?"
When the eldest aunt heard about the name of the garden, she couldn't help but think of asking the second master to give it a name. Naturally, the second master would know about this, and he would definitely stop her. After following him for so many years, she knew that he attached great importance to the rules of etiquette such as respect and inferiority, noble and humble, so she asked this question.
Asking the Second Master to name the child is ridiculous. What if he stops me if I tell him now? Anyway, the aunts can't see the Second Master these days. It won't be too late to give it to the Second Master after the matter is done and the matter is done. Thinking of this, Mengxi said to the eldest aunt:
"Speaking of names, I remember a good poem, 'A gentleman is modest and gentle like jade.' Coincidentally, there is also a 'Yu' in the name of Hongyu, so the garden should be called Yuyuan. If you don't like this name in the future, you can ask me to give you another one."
Seeing that the second wife had made up her mind, the eldest aunt had no choice but to agree. After chatting for a while, Mengxi asked the aunts to go back and told them not to come to pay their respects in the evening. She was too lazy to receive them even if they had time.
After hearing the Second Mistress's arrangement, the aunts couldn't figure out why this Mistress had such a kind heart. They didn't want to bother them anymore, but no matter what, it was always a good thing not to ask for rules, so they hurriedly agreed and filed out.
After the concubines left, Mengxi asked the three girls to come in and pay their respects. She ordered people to serve the three girls snacks and tea that she had made herself. After chatting for a while, she sent them back.
The hall became quiet. Mengxi leaned back in her chair and squinted her eyes. She wanted to wait for the Second Master here.
"If you are tired, go to the inner room and rest for a while." Hongzhu saw that the second grandma had her eyes closed and thought she was tired.
"No need, I'll wait here for you, Master. I have something to discuss with you."
"Then I will ask the Second Master to come over?"
"Where is the Second Master now?"
"I heard from the maid that she went to the inner study early in the morning. I think she should be back soon."
"Then wait here for a while, go prepare the tea first."
Xiao Jun walked slowly into the hall, looked up and saw Meng Xi sitting there, so he stopped. Meng Xi saw Xiao Jun coming in and hurriedly stood up to greet him:
"Second Master An"
"Get up." Xiao Jun motioned Mengxi to get up.
"Serve tea to the Second Master." Mengxi stood up and turned to instruct Hongzhu.
When Xiao Jun heard Mengxi order tea to be served, he thought she might have something to say, so he sat down. This was the first time since he moved into Hongyu's room that she came to see him other than when she was serving him meals, and he was actually quite excited.
After the two of them sat down again, Hongzhu had already served tea. Xiao Jun picked it up and drank it slowly. After a long time, Mengxi saw that he had no intention of speaking, so she took the initiative to say:
"Second Master, I heard that you are leaving tomorrow, so I have ordered someone to prepare two rolls of the finest cloud cotton and a pair of Duan inkstones. I am going to send them over after you have reviewed them. Please see if they are suitable and whether you need to add anything else."
Xiao Jun thought for a moment and said:
"There is a painting of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix in the back storehouse. It is the masterpiece of the former prime minister Zhang Dezhong. Zhang Xiang was a famous calligrapher and painter in the former dynasty. His paintings are priceless. However, Zhang Xiang was busy with government affairs all his life, and there are very few authentic works left. Big brother once mentioned this painting of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, and I miss it very much. I got it by chance when I went to the south to inspect business last time. You can ask someone to find it and send it to him . First, big brother likes it. Second, big brother is mixed in the officialdom, and the authentic work of the former prime minister Zhang can also be used to show off."
"Yes, I'll send someone to look for her right away." She glanced at Hongzhu who was standing aside. Hongzhu hurriedly turned around and went out to find someone to pass on the message, then returned to the second wife's side.
"Second Master, I have already cleaned up the east wing and will move in today. Is that okay with you?"
When Xiao Jun heard this, he was startled and looked up at Meng Xi.
