Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Sisters

Madam of Dongyang sat, only lowering her eyes to look at the white fungus soup in her hand.

Lu Jin bowed to Zhuang Li, smiling and saying: “Sister-in-law, please take a seat.”

Zhuang Li looked at her.

“This is Miss Ah Jin from Duke Ding’an’s Residence,” Mama Xu introduced with a smile from the side, “She is also our Madam’s adopted daughter.”

This was to explain the address of “Sister-in-law.”

Zhuang Li returned the greeting with a smile: “Greetings, Younger Sister Ah Jin.”

Lu Jin pursed her lips and smiled, sizing up Zhuang Li: “From Elder Brother Shizi’s side, it’s naturally called Sister-in-law, but in terms of age, maybe I’m even older. I wonder how old Sister-in-law is this year?”

Zhuang Li said: “I will be sixteen in August.”

Lu Jin exclaimed: “As expected, two years younger than me.” After saying that, she stepped forward and took Zhuang Li’s hand, leading her to sit down. Seeing Zhuang Li looking at the desk beside her, where messy paper, brushes, and ink were placed, she said, “I was just drawing flower patterns.” She then asked Zhuang Li, “What do you usually like to do?”

Zhuang Li said: “Just reading and writing.”

Lu Jin exclaimed: “You must be very good at it, unlike me, my adoptive mother even dislikes my handwriting when I copy Buddhist scriptures.” She then laughed, “In the future, let Sister-in-law copy the Buddhist scriptures, and my adoptive mother won’t dislike it.”

Madam of Dongyang looked up at her, her face stern: “All your thoughts are on being lazy.”

Although her face was stern, her eyes were full of smiles.

Lu Jin let go of Zhuang Li and came to her side: “Not lazy, not lazy, I’ll go home and practice my writing.” She then laughed and said, “With one more person to copy Buddhist scriptures for my adoptive mother, her devotion to Buddha will be even more sincere.”

Madam of Dongyang snorted: “Am I not sincere without Buddhist scriptures?” She then poked Lu Jin’s forehead, “Day after day, you’re being disrespectful in front of me.”

Lu Jin held her forehead and repeatedly said she wouldn’t dare, then her eyes rolled, and she said: “As expected, now that there’s Sister-in-law, my adoptive mother dislikes me.”

After saying that, she giggled and dodged away. Madam of Dongyang’s hand, which was reaching out to swat her, missed, and she could only point at her: “You dare to act like this in front of your uncle and aunt?”

Lu Jin shook her head: “I wouldn’t dare, I only dare to be disrespectful in front of my adoptive mother.”

Madam of Dongyang burst out laughing, and Mama Xu, along with the other servants and maids, also laughed.

“There’s no helping it, it’s all because Madam spoils her,” Mama Xu said with a smile.

The room was once again filled with laughter, and the stern expression on Madam of Dongyang’s face softened.

Looking at this harmonious scene of a family, Zhuang Li sat and watched with a smile, without speaking.

Madam of Dongyang, her mood lifted, looked at Zhuang Li.

“Since you’ve entered the family, Jingyun must have told you, the previous Young Madam was from Duke Ding’an’s Residence,” she said, “That is, Ah Jin’s elder sister.”

Zhuang Li stood up and replied: “Yes, I know.” After saying that, she bowed to Lu Jin again.

Lu Jin hurriedly returned the bow, the playful smile on her face gone, replaced with a hint of sadness.

This child was only forcing a smile. Her brother-in-law had a new wife, which also meant that her deceased elder sister had truly become a thing of the past. Madam of Dongyang also felt a bit sad.

“As for other relatives and friends, you can meet them together when Jingyun comes back,” she said, “Ah Jin is not an outsider, she’s family, you should meet her first and acknowledge your younger sister.”

Zhuang Li replied “Yes” once again.

Lu Jin called her maid over, took a small brocade box, and handed it to Zhuang Li.

“I will give you the wedding gift for you and Elder Brother Shizi when we formally meet,” she said with a smile, “This is just for you, a small token of our sisterhood.”

Zhuang Li reached out and took it: “Thank you, Younger Sister.”

After saying that, she looked towards the door.

Logically, Xueliu, as the head maid, was qualified to come to Madam’s place, but since Xueliu had already come beforehand, Zhuang Li called Chun Yue when she left.

Chun Yue, standing by the door, was a bit nervous. When Zhuang Li looked over, she became even more awkward.

Xueliu, standing beside Lu Jin, couldn’t help but curl her lip. What was going on? In the past, when she managed these maids, they weren’t so clumsy. How come they changed after following this Zhuang?

Zhuang Li extended her hand towards Chun Yue: “I also have a gift for Miss Lu.”

A meeting gift? Mama Xu and the other maids looked a little surprised. Zhuang entered the household practically empty-handed, only bringing a bundle containing random trinkets. The clothes she was currently wearing were provided by the residence. She hadn’t given any meeting gifts when she met the family members before, whether it was the young master, the young miss, or the concubines.

What did she find from that small bundle?

Mama Xu was a little nervous and worried, hoping she wouldn’t take out something inappropriate and embarrass the Dongyang Marquis Residence.

Madam should have prepared some for Zhuang earlier.

She couldn’t help but look at Madam. Madam lowered her eyes, seemingly unconcerned.

“Really?” Lu Jin asked curiously, “What did Sister-in-law get me?”

✿✿✿

Seeing Zhuang Li extend her hand and hearing Lu Jin’s question, Chun Yue couldn’t stand still anymore. She took out the long box wrapped in her sleeve, stepped forward with a look of resignation, and presented it to Lu Jin.

Lu Jin took it and smiled at Zhuang Li: “Can I open it and have a look?”

Normally, when receiving gifts, they would be put away and not opened in front of the giver.

But close family members didn’t have to be so formal.

Zhuang Li nodded with a smile: “It’s an everlasting flower I made.”

Hearing the words “everlasting flower,” they were a bit curious. Mama Xu and the other maids also couldn’t help but look over curiously. Lu Jin opened the box, and inside the long box lay a lotus bud.

Everyone’s expression froze for a moment.

Xueliu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

This!

Wasn’t this the lotus bud that Zhuang Li had put in the vase?

It had been there for three or four days!

She wondered if she was seeing things. How could this be given as a gift?

She couldn’t help but look at Chun Yue, seeing that Chun Yue had practically buried her head in her chest, looking like she didn’t dare to face anyone.

Chun Yue really didn’t dare to face anyone. Just now, when they were about to leave, Zhuang Li suddenly said she had prepared a gift and asked her to get a box. Then she put the lotus from the vase into the box. Chun Yue was dumbfounded at the time.

How could this be given as a gift?

If there really wasn’t a gift, then don’t give one. If she really wanted to give flowers, she could have asked Chun Yue to pick a fresh one from the lotus pond.

“I’ve made it into an everlasting flower,” Zhuang Li explained to her, “It will never wither, very suitable for display.”

When did she make it? Chun Yue hadn’t seen it. She only saw Young Madam burning incense and writing at the desk. Unable to stop her, and with Hongxing waiting to leave, she could only hug the box and follow behind, stumbling all the way.

Really, it was too embarrassing.

Lu Jin, unlike the maids, didn’t know the origin of this lotus bud. However, she was also momentarily stunned and even reached out to touch it. She initially thought it was a silk flower, but upon touching it, she realized it was real.

This was the first time in her life she had received such a gift.

However, Lu Jin could handle any situation.

“Ah… the lotuses in the Spring Water Pond are about to bloom, right?” With one sentence, she pointed out her familiarity with the Dongyang Marquis Residence, then looked at Zhuang Li with a beaming smile, “Did Sister-in-law personally pick it for me?”

Zhuang Li said: “It’s different from the lotuses in the pond now. I’ve treated it with incense, you can take it back and display it, it will never wither.”

Really? It sounded strange, but whether it was an ordinary lotus or a strange lotus, since someone dared to give it to her, she dared to accept it.

“Thank you, Sister-in-law,” Lu Jin said with a smile.

Zhuang Li nodded: “You’re welcome.”

You’re welcome? Xueliu couldn’t help but clutch her chest. It was only because they encountered Miss Ah Jin, who was kind and good-natured. If it were any other young miss in the capital, they would have thrown the flower back.

Lu Jin smiled and put away the box.

Whether she had finished what she needed to say, or her patience had been worn down by the lotus bud, Madam of Dongyang said: “Alright, go and do your things.”

Zhuang Li didn’t say anything more, she replied “Yes” and bowed before retreating.

Chun Yue followed her out, while Xueliu remained inside. The curtain fell, and faint laughter could be heard from within.

“Stay for dinner today, I’ll have them steam your favorite pigeon.”

“I also want to eat fish with pickled vegetables.”

“Alright, I’ll have them make fish with pickled vegetables for you.”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Seeing Zhuang Li glance back slightly, Chun Yue sighed inwardly. An adopted daughter was closer than a daughter-in-law, there was nothing that could be done about it.

“Young Madam, let’s go back,” she reminded in a low voice.

Zhuang Li withdrew her gaze and started walking, then asked Chun Yue: “Is fish with pickled vegetables delicious?”

Chun Yue was stunned.