Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 527 - 200 Hua Lei Leaves_2

Yueyao naturally also discerned Zhuang Ruolan’s intentions and smiled, shaking her head, "Next time!" Yueyao, though not fond of dealing with those trivial matters, knew that she had to learn them, and not just learn them, but master them.

Yueyao hadn’t expected that Loo Ying’s first day as steward would run into trouble, with the midday meal delayed by an hour. Yueyao asked in surprise, "How could something like this happen?"

Xi Yu was also at a loss, "Miss, shall I go and inquire about it?"

Yueyao shook her head, "No need, don’t bother with outside matters." There were so many servants up and down in Ma’s Mansion, surely each had their own thoughts, probably using Loo Ying as a scapegoat.

In the following days, there were always some mistakes. Loo Ying made no major blunders, but she tended to handle things presumptuously. Yet, rules governed everything in the mansion, and the servant women beneath her, seeing Loo Ying’s ignorance, took advantage of her naivety, insisting that everything must be done according to the rules, leaving Loo Ying embarrassed and disheveled.

Yueyao was sketching in the backyard, not painting anything particular, just capturing a scene before her.

Upon seeing Yueyao set aside her brush, Xi Yu began to discuss the mansion’s gossip, and after finishing, she added, "Cai Yi was retained by the Eldest Young Madam to support us, only stepping in after the situation blew up. Miss, do you think Cai Yi did it on purpose?"

Yueyao instructs Xi Juan to pack up the painting materials and then turns to Xi Yu, "No matter the reasons, we shall not get involved."

Five days later, Zhuang Ruolan returned. Her brother, Zhuang Changhe’s wedding had kept her exceedingly busy, but she was happy to be involved in the arrangements during her brother’s marriage.

After resting upon her return, she inquired about the mansion’s affairs. Cai Yi reported the various mishaps caused by Loo Ying.

Zhuang Ruolan looked at Cai Yi and said, "I left you here to assist Miss Ying, is this how you assist?"

Cai Yi quickly responded, "Young lady, I have advised her, but Miss Ying wouldn’t listen, there was nothing I could do." At the beginning, Cai Yi indeed offered advice, even pointing out many areas where Loo Ying mishandled things, but as Loo Ying did not heed her guidance, Cai Yi grew tired of wasting her breath and let Loo Ying make a fool of herself.

Zhuang Ruolan glared at Cai Yi, "Don’t tell me the mansion is now a mess, waiting for me to handle it?"

Cai Yi smiled and approached Zhuang Ruolan to massage her legs, "Young lady, don’t worry, they’re not major issues, and everything has been appropriately handled." The Eldest Young Master took care of external matters, and as for the internal ones, they were trivial, therefore nothing would really go wrong with her watching over them.

When Zhuang Ruolan heard there were no significant issues, she didn’t ask further. Cai Yi had been by her side for many years, knew what could or couldn’t be done, and handled matters with great discretion. Zhuang Ruolan then asked, "What has Yueyao been up to these past few days?"

Cai Yi said somewhat speechlessly, "Young lady, Miss Yueyao hasn’t left Begonia Garden for the past five days. The Eldest Young Master even visited Miss Yueyao once and then bought many gifts for Miss Yueyao. Young lady, the Eldest Young Master indeed cherishes Miss Yueyao." He treats Yueyao as if she were his own sister.

Zhuang Ruolan remarked with a laugh, "Such a patient child!" Yueyao’s patience was truly commendable, more so than she could have been at her age.

Cai Yi chuckled, "Miss Cousin is unlike others, I’ve heard she’s always so diligent. Young lady, if Miss Cousin were a man, she could have even topped the imperial examination."

Ruo Lan laughed and shook her head, "Even if Yueyao were a man, it wouldn’t guarantee topping the imperial examination." Many talented individuals don’t necessarily pass the Palace Graduate exam; some don’t even become Juren. The examination system involves an element of luck! Take her husband, for example; he’s someone favoured by fortune. But though Yueyao can’t compete for the top scholar title, she has a gift for painting and has devoted all her energy to it; surely she’ll make a name for herself in this field."

Cai Yi laughed, "Well said by the young lady." The Eldest Young Master is a prime example; despite doubts, he ended up in the Hanlin Academy. So, the exams require not only genuine knowledge and skill but also a good measure of luck.

After the three-day visit since the wedding, Zhuang Changhe brought his wife to meet Zhuang Ruolan. In Zhuang Changhe’s heart, his sister was the most important person, more important even than their father.

Upon receiving the news, Ma Peng specially took a half-day leave to stay at home and wait for the guests.

Zhuang Changhe talked with Zhuang Ruolan for a while before being led by Ma Peng to the study. Men had their conversations, and women had theirs.

Zhuang Ruolan, who was kind-hearted and adept at socializing, quickly made Madam Hong feel at ease, and they chatted pleasantly with each other’s intention.

After a while, Zhuang Ruolan said with a smile, "Cai Yi, go invite the two cousin misses to come meet the guest." She then turned to Madam Hong and started talking about Yueyao and Loo Ying.

Madam Hong was a shrewd person and, after listening to a few sentences, started to make her own calculations.

Cai Yi was very respectful towards Yueyao, and if a steward’s servant were to be replaced by Yueyao, Cai Yi would not dare to cause any mischief.

Yueyao laughed, "I’ll come as soon as I change my clothes." It was customary for them to meet visitors from their cousin-in-law’s family. freēnovelkiss.com

Xi Yu brought a Crescent White garment embroidered with phoenix-tail orchids and subtle patterns at the corners, Yueyao’s favorite dress.

Yueyao felt this dress was too plain. It was fine for everyday wear, but not quite appropriate for meeting guests.

When Yueyao stepped outside the main room, she happened to run into Loo Ying, who was still harboring hard feelings about the steward’s affair, which made her appear gloomy.

Cai Yi entered and said, "Eldest Young Madam, both Miss Cousin and Miss Cousin Luying have come." The incident at Lanxi Courtyard was known to them as well.

Yueyao stepped forward to greet Madam Hong, who was a beauty dressed in a peach silk jacket with paired lotus patterns and a color-matching skirt, further accentuating her snow-white complexion.

Madam Hong also sized up Yueyao and Loo Ying.

Yueyao had changed into a treasure blue outer jacket embroidered with lush green bent branch peonies, with a moon-white crepe inner high-collar, and a powder blue pleated long skirt. She wore a young girl’s hairstyle adorned with a diamond and jade hairpin, and a pair of pearl earrings.

Zhuang Ruolan rarely saw Yueyao dressed so formally, but she was pleased that Yueyao was dressed so appropriately for meeting her maternal relatives.

Today, Loo Ying was dressed in a faint pink dress that flattered her complexion, her head adorned with a golden beaded hairpin and her wrists bearing twisted silk gold bracelets, radiating wealth and elegance.

Madam Hong smiled and presented the newcomers with gifts. Loo Ying received a transparent amber bracelet, while Yueyao was given a yellow beeswax bracelet.

Yueyao, being tactful, knew that the two must have many private matters to discuss, so after the greetings, she excused herself. Loo Ying did not want to leave so early, but with Yueyao’s departure, it would have looked bad for her to stay, so she also withdrew.

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