Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Liu Lian, unsure of what to do with Wu Cuicui, was advised by Feng Xian to send her to Zhao Ma, who lived with the old lady, "so that she can learn manners and needlework properly. Don't spoil her, or she'll be difficult to manage later!" Then, she ordered someone to call a craftsman to partition off a small room in the annex and build a small kang (heated brick bed) for her to live in. Cuicui made do with the kang in the outer room for two nights, and even before the kang was completely dry, she cheered and rushed to her new room.

The old lady rewarded Cuicui with a set of bedding and two rattan trunks. The madam rewarded her with several old cotton clothes that Xiu Luan had worn, and a piece of plain silk for making undergarments. Fengxian rewarded her with two pieces of silk. Liangjie gave her five catties of fine silk floss and a light green silk handkerchief. Xiu Luan rewarded her with a teapot and two velvet flowers. Cuicui, who had made a fortune, went around thanking everyone.

Since everyone had been so kind, Liu Lian couldn't help but reciprocate. She bought ten catties of mutton, finely chopped it into filling, and mixed in a head of Chinese cabbage. The master and servant spent most of the day making dumplings, which were then cooked in the main stove and served to everyone. Everyone praised how delicious they were. Master Liu instructed Madam Xu, "It's kind of her to do this; you should arrange a feast to reciprocate."

Madam Xu scoffed, "Master, it's just a bowl of dumplings, is it worth it? Just tell the kitchen to make her an extra bowl of meat, that'll be enough."

Master Liu glared at the woman with hatred, not understanding how he had been bewitched in the first place. "Since you can't do this, I'd better ask Mother to arrange it. You can rest now, I'll go to the study to check the accounts."

“Well, I didn’t say I wouldn’t reciprocate! Why are you in such a hurry? It’s just that San’er will be back tomorrow…” Xu stopped talking and carefully observed her husband’s expression.

"Hmm... then let's do it another day. Keep an eye on the third son and don't let him go into the eldest son's room. Also, don't let the second son wander into the old lady's backyard as soon as he gets back. He's pregnant, what if something happens to him? Wouldn't that be bad luck? Is he still angry with Madam Du? Do I, as his father, have to worry about these things?"

"No, no, they're doing just fine! These days, Madam Du is very virtuous. She always says that Hongxing'er is having a hard time while pregnant and tells Cai'er to go visit her more often." Madam Xu quickly covered for her son.

"This is unbelievable!" Master Liu sneered. "Why plant edible crops on idle land instead of cultivating it? Are you, as his mother, just going to spoil him like this?"

"Did the second son's wife say something? Sir, a man's legs are his own, and a wife can't hold onto her own husband. What can I, as his mother-in-law, do? I can't control everything!"

"Alright, you don't need to worry about it, I'll take care of it!" Master Liu said coldly.

Seeing the old man's unpleasant expression, Madam Xu knew he was truly angry, so she quickly agreed, "I said he should go. However, it was really Liang'er who sent him. I suppose it's because Hongxing'er is pregnant for the first time and is afraid, so she wants the second son to stay with her."

Master Liu was extremely annoyed and didn't want to waste any more words arguing with Madam Xu, so he turned and left. Madam Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know what was wrong with her husband; his temper was getting worse and worse, and he wouldn't discuss anything with her. She had to tell her second son to restrain himself and not really anger the old man.

Nothing was said that night. Early the next morning, Madam Xu sent a carriage to pick up her three sons, then sent someone to tell the kitchen to add more dishes, and also sent someone to tell her two daughters-in-law to prepare changes of clothes. She was busy running around like a headless chicken. The old lady also sent someone to tell the kitchen that lunch would be eaten in two separate places: the master and mistress with the young masters and mistresses, and the old lady with her two daughters. The dishes didn't have to be the same; just prepare a few of the girls' favorites. The kitchen readily complied. Because the school always ate frugally, the young masters always ate a few meaty meals when they came home, but the two girls didn't like the greasy food. The old lady's words were much more effective than the mistress's. The cook and her assistants busied themselves with preparations.

Ruiqian already knew that Liu Ye'er had moved into his house, and he waited hopefully for her to come out and greet him, but nothing happened. He wandered off to the east room, but no one was there; the side room was also empty. He then wandered off to the west room, still empty, and the side room was empty too. He came out again and sat beside his grandmother. "Grandma," he said, "doesn't Xiuluan know we're coming back today? Why hasn't she even shown her face? Is she still sleeping in? I'll go and drag her over!"

The old lady pretended not to know his intentions. "Xiu Luan must have gone to your sister-in-law's house. You don't know yet, do you? Your sister-in-law's younger sister is staying at our house. She's the daughter of your Uncle Changsheng, who's related to our family. Qian Ge'er, you're all grown up now, so don't be so impetuous. Even though you're siblings, the girls have their own things to do. You should keep an eye on them. What if Liu Ye'er is also in your sister's room... If a girl is staying at our house, we can't afford to be impolite!"

Ruiqian's face flushed, and he nodded awkwardly. The old lady nodded in satisfaction as well. Turning to Ruihong, she said, "Eldest son, your sister-in-law lives in your yard. Next time you buy something for your wife, don't forget to get a little something for her too. Don't let people laugh at us for being stingy!"

“Yes, Grandma, now that you have a granddaughter, why don’t you just kick us stepchildren out?” Ruicai interrupted before Ruihong could answer, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.

At lunchtime, the two young ladies were invited over. After lingering and exchanging greetings with everyone, they were led to the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room. During the meal, Ruiqian ate with a distracted mind, barely tasting the food, only listening intently to the sounds coming from the inner room. Liu Ye'er ate extremely quietly, only managing a few forced smiles and a few words of thanks to the old lady, without uttering a single word. On the other hand, Xiu Luan kept nagging about whether it was too salty, too bland, too sour, or too sweet.

After finishing his meal, Ruiqian lingered, reluctant to leave. Master Liu finally spoke, "Alright, all of you go and rest." Ruiqian was unwilling to leave so easily, but his eldest and second brothers had already gotten up to say goodbye and left, so he couldn't stay any longer. At the fork in the road, the three brothers parted ways. Ruiqian lingered for a while longer, but still couldn't see Liu Ye'er. Hearing his father's voice getting closer, he had no choice but to go into his own courtyard.

Ruiqian ate dinner in his mother's room, while Liuye ate in her own courtyard. Ruiqian wanted to find an excuse to go to his elder brother's courtyard, but his father was sitting in the main room checking accounts, and would call him over every now and then to do the calculations. Before long, it got dark.

After dinner, the father and son chatted for a few more minutes before Ruiqian returned to his room. It was already completely dark, and visiting a young lady again would be too abrupt, especially since his father was in the main room and would never allow him to do something so outrageous. Helpless, he pulled back the covers and crawled in, but how could he possibly sleep? Tossing and turning, all he could see was Liu Ye'er's beautiful face.