Chapter 29: A Bright and Dark Struggle, The Four Young Ladies' Birthday Gift Showdown
Zi Yun said in puzzlement, "Miss, you clearly know that Bai Wei and the others have problems, so why don't you just drive them out of Jing Xiu Zhai? I bet it was definitely them who stole your poetry collection at the last palace flower appreciation banquet and gave it to Third Miss. People like this, aren't they a disaster if kept by your side?"
Pei Yuange sat with a gentle smile, using her hairpin to crack open a nut, and said softly, "It's easy to find excuses to send them away, but if the maids of Jingxuan House are dismissed one after another in a short period of time, it will be rumored that I am heartless and difficult to serve. So either we slowly drive them out over a year or two, or..."
She paused, her expression gloomy, and the walnut shell in her hand was crushed with a "crack".
She wasn't in a hurry originally, but these maids are too presumptuous!
Although it is said that from the town's edge to the civil service, it seems to have lost its holy favor, but Pei Zhoucheng has been an official for many years and has a wide range of connections. Now he is also the Minister of Justice of the second rank, and his 38th birthday is still very lively. Most people who received the invitation card still responded. Pei Zhoucheng "mysteriously" sent three consecutive invitations to the Zhen Guo Hou Mansion. According to the person who delivered the invitation, Zhen Guo Hou was fine, but An Zhuoran was so angry that he tore all three invitations to pieces on the spot and laughed with his mouth wide open.
Before long, it was the day of the birthday banquet.
Pei Yuansong got up early, wearing a pink short-standing collar shirt, with a light red satin double-breasted jacket outside, paired with a pink and purple ice-cracked satin skirt, wearing a crimson gold hairpin inlaid with rubies, the color was bright and elegant, matching her gentle and refined temperament, making her look more ethereal and charming. After having breakfast, she ordered Zi Yun to take the birthday gift and came to the door of Tong Ze Institute, just meeting Pei Yuanchao and Yuelai, they went in together, Zhang Yun mother and daughter had already arrived, even Liu Niangniang and Xiao Niangniang who were rarely seen on ordinary days were also there.
Zhang Yun smiled and said: "Third Miss, Fourth Miss and Yue Niang are up so early."
Although they arrived the latest, Zhang Yun said this on purpose to remind Pei Zhoucheng that these three people were far from being as considerate of him as she and Pei Yuanrong were.
Pei Yuankuo and Yueliangniang both had a heavy heart, they didn't dare to arrive before Zhang Yun and Pei Yuange, lest they be thought of as competing with them, so they waited outside the courtyard for Pei Yuange to enter together. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yun still wouldn't let them off, exchanging a private glance, they saw the anxiety in each other's eyes.
"I was thinking that Father has been busy with official duties every day, and today is his birthday, he should relax a bit. But later on, he still needs to entertain male guests in the front courtyard, not even having a moment's rest. And I don't have any brothers, so I couldn't help Father with the arrangements, leaving him to bear all the labor as the birthday star. So I thought that arriving late would be good, letting Father get some more rest, but I didn't expect the aunts to arrive so early." Pei Yuange also smiled and replied, looking at Pei Yuanrong with a sly smile, "Third sister is also early!"
She first explained that her tardiness was to let her father rest for a while, which was her thoughtfulness and filial piety. In contrast, Zhang Yun and others couldn't help but be selfish, only seeking favoritism without considering Pei Zhucheng's exhaustion today. Furthermore, she directly pointed out that Pei Zhucheng was so exhausted because he had no male heir, severely stabbing the three madams with her words. Since Liu Niang and Xiao Niang didn't take her seriously, why should she be polite?
Yue Niang still had Pei Yuanchuo to pass on messages for her, but Liu Niang and Xiao Niang were shut in the garden and didn't come out. As a result, they experienced Pei Yuan's ruthlessness for the first time and were each shocked in their own hearts.
Pae Won-yong glared at Pae Won-song with envy, who was also wearing a bright red and gold round-necked long gown today, with a vibrant pomegranate skirt underneath, and a dazzling golden headdress on her head. However, the deep and light red colors that Pae Won-song had paired up so well, along with her elegant and refined demeanor, would make people involuntarily fix their gaze on her. In comparison, Pae Won-yong seemed somewhat too gaudy and common, giving off a nouveau riche vibe.
Bai Zhucheng indeed felt a pang in his heart and smiled, saying: "I know you're the most filial, even more so than your clever words. Hurry up and sit down!"
Listening to Pei Yuansong's song, she felt the pain of not having a son, Zhang Yun was furious and her whole body trembled with rage, but she couldn't erupt. In Pei Zhucheng's tone, it was hard to conceal the love and fondness, which made her even more resentful. She quickly changed the subject: "Old master, Eldest Miss is accompanying Wen Miss in praying for blessings at Qingfu Temple, now is a critical moment, so she can't leave, therefore, she entrusted someone to bring over the longevity gift." As she spoke, she waved her hand and ordered Xixian to come forward, take the cloud brocade satin from her hand, and present it with: "This is Eldest Miss's longevity gift. After bathing and burning incense, she personally copied the Eternal Life Sutra, and sincerely offered it in front of Buddha for 49 days, wishing Old Master a long life comparable to Mount Nan."
With such a solemn scripture, full of daughter's filial piety, Pei Zhucheng nodded in satisfaction, stroking the scripture, thinking of Pei Yuanhua's intelligence, talent and filial obedience, feeling greatly comforted.
Next was Pei Yuanchao's birthday gift, a set of clothes sewn by her own hands, made from the black color that Pei Zhucheng wore most often, with gold trim and dense stitches.
Pei Zhucheng also smiled and nodded, instructing Shiyan to take over.
It was Pae Won-yong's turn, but he took out a magnificent short sword with a scabbard made of red gold and inlaid with precious stones. The hilt had a large pearl that shone brightly, making it extremely valuable. Pae Won-yong presented the precious sword with both hands, saying: "Father is a martial general, with exceptional martial arts skills, this precious sword suits Father perfectly, I had a hard time finding it, so Father must not say he doesn't like it, otherwise, I won't give it to you!"
Although this daughter had done quite a few things that made him angry recently, she had acknowledged her mistakes and sworn not to do it again. Pei Zhucheng used to be the most doting on this daughter, loving her naive and innocent nature. Hearing her tone, he felt as if she was back to her old self, his heart softened, and he said: "You're the most reckless and mischievous one!" He glanced at her, but still took the treasure sword from her and handed it over to Shi Zhan behind him.
When it was Pei Yuange's turn, Zhang Yun smiled and said, "Master loves the fourth miss the most, and the fourth miss is also the most clever. This birthday gift must be the most outstanding one. Hurry up and take it out, let us all open our eyes!" But in her heart, she was coldly laughing. In terms of filial piety, Hua'er's longevity sutra was sincere and cautious, unmatched by anyone; in terms of nobility, Rong'er's precious sword was dazzling and worth a thousand gold, Pei Yuange absolutely couldn't give a better birthday gift than that. She deliberately used words to shut her up, waiting for Pei Yuange to take out the birthday gift later, if it wasn't as good as Hua'er and Rong'er's, where would she put her face?
The ladies who will come later to wish him a long life will surely ask about it, and at that time let Pei Yuansong lose even more face.
Bai Zhucheng was careless and couldn't hear the subtle exchange, but others understood, their eyes unconsciously fixed on Bai Yuange, waiting to see her gift. Or rather, waiting to see who would win or lose in this exchange between her and Zhang Yun.
Pei Yuansong naturally understood, but only smiled slightly. She had originally wanted to engrave the chicken blood stone into a seal and give it to Pei Zhucheng, but because of An Zhuoran's interference, it became known to everyone, losing its mysterious feel. So, on that day, she gave it to Pei Zhucheng. But if Zhang Yun thought that she couldn't send an even better birthday gift, then she was greatly mistaken!
She has absolute confidence that her birthday gift will be the one that Pei Zhoucheng is most satisfied with and likes the most.
