The banquet is set up in the Double Happiness Building.
As the name suggests, they were two identical buildings. The male host and guest were in Yunxi Jinglou, while the female relatives were in Fengxi Donglou, where they could see each other but not clearly, achieving a wonderful place for men and women to observe etiquette.
Shuang Xi Lou is located on the lakeside, directly opposite the Qi Wu Yuanzi's residence that Mei Zhi passes by during the day, separated by a small lake.
As the lamp's shadow gradually brightened, Mozi saw Baihe with a sorrowful expression and comforted her, "Baihe, when soldiers come, we'll defend; when water comes, we'll dam it. You can put your mind at ease."
"Mozi, although you've only been with the young lady for less than half a year and receive only second-class maid's wages, I can see that she values you highly because of your intelligence. You usually don't follow her around much and often work independently, so I have to remind you of the rules when facing the mistress. Whether she praises or scolds you, you mustn't complain or talk back, but be obedient and humble, and absolutely not show emotions on your face. Whenever she asks you something, try to answer briefly and carefully choose what to say. Don't think that just because other masters are easy-going with our young lady, you can also be casual and overstep your bounds. Moreover, the mistress is already biased against our young lady and will find fault even when there's none, so both of us must be careful not to implicate her." Baihe was thinking of everything for the sake of Qiu San Niang, including showing concern for Mozi.
"Alright, big sister, I won't fight back or retort."
Bai He's eyelid twitched, and he pretended to be angry, waving his purple sleeve, "What nonsense are you talking about? At worst, it's just a scolding. What's the point of hitting you for no reason?"
"If you can't beat our girl, then vent your anger on me." Mozi deliberately teased Baihe.
As they spoke, they crossed the bridge and came ashore, entering one of the Double Happiness Buildings, Feng Xi Dong. Downstairs, twenty or so maidservants were seated at several tables, looking up at the lively scene on the theater stage between the buildings.
Green Chrysanthemum saw them and was just about to go up and ask what they wanted.
But was intercepted by Ai Ou, who was waiting at the stairs, with her hands on her hips, standing two steps higher, looking at Ping Mozi through narrowed eyes, and humming, "What took you so long? The play is almost over."
The girls from the Ai family are all from the mistress's quarters, so they naturally learn the master's tricks to perfection.
Bai He forced a smile, trying to come up with an excuse.
"If you don't make it clear, it won't just be a joke." Mozi said ahead of time, her eyebrows flat and her eyes calm. Having become a servant girl, countless people could trample on her head, she had already endured. As a member of the lower class, being bullied by Ai Xing, she was unwilling to give in.
White lotus bitter smile.
Ai Xing had seen Mo Zi before, but thought she was unremarkable. This time was the first time she heard her speak. Her tone was flat and dull, with a stupid expression on her face, but in her heart, it was like being pricked by a needle, feeling uncomfortable.
What's even stranger is that I feel uncomfortable in my heart and have to admit that Mozi is right. Some people involuntarily went upstairs to report, "Mrs. Hui, Mozi has arrived."
"Hurry up and come on!" Zhang's other senior maid, Aitao, relayed the message.
Mei Zi didn't wait for Ai Xiang to move, and directly stepped up onto the stage from beside her. Turning back, she saw Bai He wanting to follow but being blocked by Ai Xiang, so she smiled and shook her head at her, signaling her to be at ease.
As soon as I stepped onto the second floor, I saw several beautiful high-hanging lamps suspended from the ceiling, and dozens of bright crystal glass decorations on the walls. The carved beams and painted pillars were fragrant and resplendent. Three large round redwood tables were surrounded by a group of women in magnificent attire, their pearl hairpins swaying, gold ornaments flashing, jade utensils clinking, and the sound of gentle music.
At a glance, Mozi saw Qiu San Niang sitting at the head of the second table, sipping a cup of tea with rapt attention fixed on the opera stage outside, completely absorbed. Except for Qiu San Niang, everyone's eyes were sizing her up. She didn't dare to look closely and assumed her most commonly used pose - lowering her eyebrows and casting down her eyes.
"Mei Zi has seen the madam, ladies and young misses." She curtsied, then straightened up. A small movement that hid her rebellious spirit. She should have been bowing down, waiting for the masters to speak before standing up.
But Mozi's skill lies in subtly guiding people's thoughts. Like this Fu Shen's movement, light and sincere, humble and clever, it makes people feel like they are being treated with great respect. Even Zhang Shi, a very picky person, couldn't find fault with this.
Mozi thought that although this transmigrator was a bit ordinary, having experienced the colorful future world, couldn't she act better than a group of women confined to their homes in ancient times?
"Qiong Yu, I've had someone called for you. Now, will you finally say something? What has this girl done that you know her name and must see her?" Zhang said with a smile.
Isn't Zhang looking for trouble? Mei Zi Qiu's eyes moved slightly, really didn't think of it.
"Are you Mozi?" The tone was completely unlike Zhang's, warm and gentle.
"Replying to Madame's words, that is correct." Mozi knew that the woman called Qiongyu was mostly Wei Shi, King Wangye's concubine.
"Raise your head and let me take a look." Wei's voice was pleasant, but it had a different kind of majesty.
Mò zǐ slightly raised her head and cleverly used the angle to make her facial features appear flat.
"Such a demure and pretty face, it's hard to believe she can tell such a good story." As expected by Mozi, Weishi was dressed very simply, with a single black wooden hairpin on her head and a green jade bangle on her wrist.
What? Is that story again? She had already put it behind her mind. It's not like it was a great work by the poet Li Bai, and even if Guan Dao Sheng was talented, she was just an ordinary woman. Although she used this poem "Lock South Branch" to get herself out of trouble, she had mentally prepared for it to be a temporary astonishment, something that would soon pass like clouds in the eyes. Now, however, someone brought it up again, and she seriously doubted her own judgment.
"Oh, what's this extraordinary story that's got the lady praising it so much?" The soft and gentle voice, with a charming demeanor, belonged to none other than Qiū Jiā's Seventh Young Lady.
However, Qiuniang's pink peach dress and those hairstyles and accessories made Mozi feel dazzling. And Liu Niang, wearing a light green spring outfit, her hair probably used fake hair, piled up in a complicated manner, swaying gold and silver beads, making her look radiant.
"I don't have a silver tongue, I can only listen and not speak." Wei Shi said with a gentle tone, "That's why I asked your mother to call someone over."
Mòzǐ immediately thought, won't she have to say it again?
"If it weren't for this girl's story, I'm afraid your third brother would have had another concubine by now, and I'd have to spend my energy getting rid of her." said the other beautiful woman at the main table.
It turned out to be Wei San's wife, Shu Niang.
"If this story had been spread earlier, perhaps the master of our house and my second brother would not have married so many times." It was obviously Madame Wei, over 40 years old, with a rich and elegant demeanor.
The men of the Wei family have many wives and concubines. Wei San is an exception.
Today, all the older women at this table are legitimate wives, except for Wei Shi.
"Listen to what you're saying, I'm even curious about what the story is." Zhang Shi picked up her handkerchief to cover her smile, but her eyes fell on Mozi and were sharp. "I see that this girl is dull and stupid, without any cleverness at all. What's she doing still standing there? The ladies are asking you to speak, why don't you hurry up?"
She also took the opportunity to scold San Niang, "San Niang, how did you teach your maid? She doesn't understand etiquette at all."
Qiu Sanniang withdrew her gaze from the opera stage and said, "Mother is right."
Actually recognized it easily.
"Mozhi and Qiuliu locked eyes, the corners of their mouths slightly raised, and they lowered their heads to avoid being seen by anyone. With utmost respect, Mozhi said, 'Mozhi is just a rough maid in the girls' quarters, always led by Sister Baihe, rarely seeing the world. If I made a mistake with etiquette, it's because Mozhi is clumsy.'"
Qiu Sanniang raised her eyebrows again, and her eyes sparkled. That was the expression she wore when she was most pleased. Mozi understood her better than those three maids who had been by her side since childhood.
Seemingly humble but not really humble. Seemingly weak but not truly weak.
That low eyebrows and humble appearance of Zhang's was just a facade that made it impossible for others to find fault with him, and Zhang secretly gritted his teeth in anger.
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Tomorrow Monday, new book rush list restarts, seeking recommendations, clicks, collections and all kinds of support.
Thank you, everyone.