Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Master Liu hadn't gotten up yet, and not knowing what was wrong, he hurriedly called him in. Ruiqian, not even bothering to bow, said, "Father, Seventh Miss was so busy yesterday. She and Xiuluan took such good care of those young ladies. Why don't we ask her and Xiuluan to help us sweep the floor? It would be a small token of our gratitude!" Master Liu grunted, "Alright, that's thoughtful of you. Go ahead, I'll talk to Xiuluan!"

According to custom, on the second day after the newlyweds enter the family, the sister-in-law or niece sweeps the floor for them, and the newlyweds reciprocate with a piece of clothing or a set of clothes. Actually, the floor doesn't need to be swept thoroughly; just offering a broom is enough. The newlyweds will usually snatch the broom away; it's a way of showing affection. Ruiqian's suggestion was meant to show that the Liu family didn't consider Liu Ye'er an outsider. In reality, he wanted to force Liu Ye'er to be treated equally with Xiu Luan, to prevent the newlyweds from having any complaints about Liu Ye'er later!

Xiu Luan enthusiastically pulled Liu Ye'er to sweep the floor of the bridal chamber. Sure enough, Madam Feng personally came up and took the broom away, inviting the two of them to sit on the kang (heated brick bed). She ordered a maid to serve tea, and sat opposite them, chatting with them. Xiu Luan was very excited, looking around at everything new and exciting. Afraid of attracting attention, she kept her head down and drank her tea. A maid came in and reported, "Miss, people from the Old Madam's side have come to invite you to dinner."

"Understood, Cuiluo, take these two sets of clothes to the two young ladies' rooms! Queshe!" A delicate and sweet-looking maid came over to help her. Madam Feng smiled and said, "My two sisters, why don't we go together? Where are your maids? Mudan, you and Shuixian help the two young ladies over!" Xiuluan and Liulian exchanged glances and shook their heads in unison, "No need, no need, Third Sister-in-law is too kind! I don't bring maids when I eat at home. Yezi only brings maids when she goes out!"

"Ah? Sister, Cuiluo has always served me my meals..."

Xiu Luan opened her mouth as if to speak, but Liu Lian pulled her back, "Third Sister-in-law, please do as you please. We are so clumsy, how can we compare to you? If you are wronged, Third Brother will be heartbroken!" Madam Feng had personally witnessed her trip over a rogue without making a sound, and she had also seen her use her sharp tongue to praise a plump girl to the point of being unparalleled on earth and rare in heaven. She knew that she was not someone to be trifled with, and seeing her so considerate, she felt a little more wary!

Xiu Luan wasn't stupid; she understood Liu Ye'er's good intentions and chimed in, "We're not marrying a sister-in-law just so she can suffer. Grandmother and Father probably won't have anything to say!" Being young and lacking in refinement, her words were a little sarcastic. Madam Feng pretended not to understand and let Cui Luo help her walk.

Upon seeing Ruiqian, Xiu Luan cheered and dragged Liulian over, beaming, "Congratulations, Third Brother! Congratulations, Third Brother!" She then held out a small, delicate hand, palm up, waving it back and forth in front of Ruiqian. Ruiqian's eyes crinkled with laughter, and he tapped her head with his chopsticks, "Don't you have anything else to say?"

"No, only this!" Xiu Luan grinned mischievously!

Ruiqian sighed dramatically, then pulled two purses from his robes. He placed one pomelo-yellow purse in Liulian's hand and the other apricot-red purse in Xiuluan's, asking with a smile, "Is that enough?" Liulian, ever mischievous, wouldn't let Xiuluan take her hand back, smiling sweetly, "Third Brother, good things come in pairs!" Ruiqian was utterly embarrassed—he had only prepared three purses. Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a light red one and placed it in Xiuluan's hand, then untied a dark blue velvet purse embroidered with dragons and phoenixes in a tortoise-shell shape from his waist and placed it in Liulian's hand. Madam Xu's face darkened—this purse was embroidered by a renowned hand in the capital, the dragons and phoenixes embroidered with gold thread, an absolute masterpiece. She had just worn it this morning, and he had already dismissed it. Ruiqian looked at Liulian smugly, but little did he know that Liulian was far more wicked than he had imagined. She called out loudly, "Fuhui, look at my purse, isn't it pretty! Quickly ask Third Uncle for a reward, he's sure he's hiding some better ones!" Fuhui, who had been playing nearby, rushed over, hugged Ruiqian's leg, looked up at him with pleading eyes, and called him Third Uncle in her childish voice! Ruiqian was embarrassed. He reached out and grabbed a handful of fruit to offer to Fuhui, but Xiuluan objected, "Third Brother, this fruit belongs to Grandmother!" Fuhui refused to take it, and Ruiqian said resentfully, "Seventh Sister, I always thought you were an honest person!"

Liu Lian smiled mischievously, "Third Brother, of course I'm the most honest. I don't even forget Hui Niu'er when there are benefits! Fu Hui, what do you say about Auntie?"

"Okay!" Fu Hui wouldn't let Rui Qian off the hook even more. Everyone in the room couldn't hold back their laughter and was doubled over with laughter. Feng Xian wiped away the tears from his laughter and called to Fu Hui, "Hui Hui, come to your aunt, your aunt will give you a flower, okay?" Fu Hui wouldn't agree, and shook Rui Qian's hand. Rui Qian had no choice but to squat down and coax her, "Hui Niu'er, how about your third uncle takes you to see the fish later?"

"Oh no! Third Uncle, what's this?" Fu Hui touched the pink peach blossom knot beaded phoenix tail slipknot bracelet on Rui Qian's wrist. Liu Lian's eyes widened. Rui Qian glanced at her smugly and said softly to Fu Hui, "Hui'er, this was given to me by the Taoist priest to ward off evil spirits. Without it, Third Uncle will get sick!..." Madam Feng pushed through the crowd and pulled out a large red purse, stuffing it into Fu Hui's hand. Fu Hui looked at the purse with dissatisfaction; she didn't think it was pretty at all.

"Alright, you little monkeys, stop bullying the third brother! Qian-ge, hurry up and set the chopsticks!" The old lady spoke, and everyone sat down. Rui-qian remained calm on the outside, but his heart was filled with sweetness. In the past, Liu Ye'er always avoided him, never uttering a word more than one, and teasing him was something she never dared to even think about. He never expected that his marriage would bring such an unexpected joy!

The old lady sat at the head of the table, with Mr. and Mrs. Liu beside her. Ruiqian served tea to everyone, and then handed out shoes, which everyone accepted with smiles. The old lady then ordered the meal to be served.

Ruiqian and Madam Feng sat down side by side. The old lady looked at the large table of her children and grandchildren and smiled from ear to ear. "Meiyin, we're all family now. If Xiaosan'er misbehaves, tell Grandma, and Grandma will deal with him! Your two younger sisters are used to being willful at home, but they don't mean what they say. If they make any mistakes in their speech, please be lenient with them and discipline them if necessary!"

"Yes, Grandma!" Madam Feng didn't even offer a word of politeness. Master Liu picked up his chopsticks and gestured for everyone to eat. Feng Meiyin sat upright, and Cuiluo rolled up her sleeves, took a pair of chopsticks, and placed some food into the small dish in front of her—the chopsticks and dish were provided by themselves. Feng Meiyin tasted it briefly, nodded, and Cuiluo then placed another piece of food in her bowl. Everyone looked at each other, bewildered.