After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

The lotus leaves are perfectly round, and water droplets swirl on them, making them look like crystal.

The lotus flowers are in full bloom, their petals layered upon each other, and occasionally a dragonfly will alight and lightly touch the pond water.

The lotus pond at the Chiang family mansion has always been carefully maintained and covers a large area. One can row a small boat through it to pick lotus flowers and lotus seeds.

This was thanks to the mistress of the house's fondness for lotus flowers; every year during the flowering season, she would instruct her servants to take good care of them.

The gardeners who tended the lotus pond were all dowry servants brought by Madam Jiang from her maiden home. Like Granny Liu, they were all servants born into the Liu family.

These people are more loyal, reliable, and dedicated than those temporarily hired from outside. Having a variety of useful personnel is also a reflection of the family's rich heritage.

From June to August each year, strolling among the lotus blossoms, one is enveloped in fragrance, a truly delightful and pleasant experience.

Jiang Xiaoqi never imagined that he would experience the joys of the bourgeoisie in his lifetime; before, his family in Changshou County was at most considered moderately wealthy.

Thanks to Madame Chiang's meticulous management, the scenery of the three-courtyard mansion is considered one of the best in Xinghe County.

Sometimes it has little to do with how much money a person has. A person's knowledge, aesthetic sense, and upbringing are all reflected in the environment around them.

Even if she was born into a noble family, she was still better than many nouveau riche.

Jiang Xiaoqi sat at the bow of the boat, reached out and picked a half-open lotus flower, held it to his nose and smelled it lightly. The lotus flower covered half of his face, leaving only his half-closed eyes visible above it.

Today he was wearing a moon-white robe specially sent by Madame Chiang Kai-shek, with a peace pendant hanging at his waist.

The cuffs and collar are embroidered with delicate white lotus flowers, which complement the lotus flowers in the pond, making them look like lotus fairy children born from the lotus pond.

"Miss, look!"

The daughter of Prefect Feng was the first to arrive at the Jiang residence, simply because she truly loved lotus flowers.

She had long heard that Madame Chiang was an excellent lotus grower, so she was very pleasantly surprised when she received the invitation.

"What? That's... a little baby?" Miss Feng, who was resting in the pavilion, looked in the direction the maid was pointing.

"Could it be Madam Jiang's grandson? No, the age doesn't match. That little boy looks only three or four years old, while the young master of the Jiang family is almost ten, isn't he?"

The maid muttered to herself.

"Alright, even if he's not the young master of the Jiang family, he's still a child of the Jiang family. Otherwise, why would he be boating on the pond?"

You know how much Aunt Jiang loves these lotus flowers. She would never bear to let anyone ruin them.

"Let's go, I've rested enough. Let's go pay our respects to Aunt Jiang."

The two followed the old woman who was leading the way and continued walking towards the backyard.

Hearing voices on the shore, Jiang Xiaoqi removed the lotus flowers she was using for shade and handed them to her servant. 6753

Clinging to the gunwale, I looked down into the water and saw a group of small fish playing around a lotus petal that had just fallen.

"Uncle Dalin, let's dock. It's about time."

Upon hearing this, the boatman changed course and rowed towards the pavilion where Miss Feng had just stopped.

"Young master, slow down and watch your step."

Wenbin stepped onto the stairs first and turned back to help his young master.

"Thank you very much, Uncle Lin."

"Young master, you're too kind. Madam instructed me to come to the side courtyard by water to pick you up before the ladies and young ladies arrive, so you can have some sightseeing first."

"You're so kind, Aunt. I'll thank you in person later."

Jiang Xiaoqi climbed the steps and walked towards the inner courtyard with Wenbin.

Before they even got close, they heard laughter coming from ahead. Jiang Xiaoqi looked up and saw several ladies and young women surrounding Mrs. Jiang, asking her all sorts of questions.

Undoubtedly, they were all shocked by their great-aunt's appearance and wanted to find out the secret of Liu Yuhuan's 'rejuvenation' in a short period of time.

"Greetings, Great-Aunt," Jiang Xiaoqi said sweetly.

Madame Chiang Kai-shek stroked his head, her face full of affection: "Did you have fun?"

"I'm happy." Jiang Xiaoqi nodded. "Grandma, thank you for letting Uncle Dalin take me on the boat. And those lotus flowers are so beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it." Madam Jiang said with a smile. "When the flower viewing banquet starts later, you and your Aunt Yu'er will stay with your great-aunt."

Jiang Yu'er smiled sweetly at Jiang Xiaoqi. It was only after the last birthday banquet for Madam Jiang that she realized she had gotten the generational order wrong. When they first met, she had Mingfei call her Sister Yu'er.

According to seniority, Mingfei should call her 'Aunt Yu'er'.

Madame Chiang led the ladies and young women into the flower hall. It was too hot in the sun, so they decided to rest and have some tea there.

We'll arrange for everyone to go boating and enjoy the flowers later.

"Oh dear, Yuhuan, my good sister, you haven't finished yet! Is that beauty elixir really that miraculous?"

The speaker was the prefect's wife, the highest-ranking noblewoman present.

The wives of the Assistant Magistrate, the Prefect, and all the ladies and young women around them pricked up their ears, afraid of missing any important information.

There was no way to put it, it was no exaggeration to say that they were deeply shocked today. In previous years, Madame Chiang would occasionally hold flower viewing banquets in the summer, but it was too hot, so people would sometimes accept the invitation and sometimes not come.

This time, everyone was unusually present, which was related to the concubine from the Liu family. It is said that the concubine from the Liu family was found to be pregnant with the emperor's child last month.

At this time, Madame Chiang Kai-shek was holding a flower appreciation banquet. As long as she wasn't a fool, any lady would give her the honor of being invited.

Madam Jiang smiled slightly, "This beauty pill does have some effect, but it varies from person to person."

Don't laugh at me, but I'm quite timid. I had to ask Granny Liu to meet the owner of the formula before I took the beauty pill.

I thought, if that person also took it and it really worked for them, then I could take it too.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoqi looked up at Granny Liu: I didn't expect there to be such a thing. I haven't heard Mother mention it before. Madam Jiang is cautious, but it's understandable.

These nobles were naturally cautious about what they put in their mouths.

Upon hearing this, the ladies were immediately intrigued and all smiled in agreement, saying that they should be cautious.

But in their hearts, they all thought: This Madam Jiang not only looks younger now, but her personality has also become more lively. Compared to the wives of officials, she seems to be of a different generation.

I really want that beauty pill, can anyone here mention it?

Stop asking useless questions and ask the important ones!

"If I may ask, Madam Jiang, where did you get these pills? Did the owner of these pills intend to sell them?"

Ladies and young ladies: The Prefect's wife is so discerning! Yes, that's exactly what we should ask!

"Well, the owner of this recipe is related to our Jiang family. It's a secret recipe that has been passed down for generations and has always been used by the women in our family."

They gave me a few because we clicked, but I honestly don't know if they plan to sell them.

"Madam Jiang, we've known each other for so many years, so I'll be frank: if your relative intends to sell beauty pills, don't forget to inform us first!"

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what we meant!"

"Yes, yes, Mrs. Chiang, you can't be so selfish and enjoy it all by yourself!"

"Oh dear, what are you saying, ladies? I only took this beauty pill with great courage, and I stayed indoors until I saw the effects."

Don't laugh, but I've kept my husband in his study for days on end.

“Sister Jiang has always been shrewd and calculating; we trust you,” said Madam Wang, the wife of the prefect.

"Yes, yes, even if it's a bit more expensive, I'd rather cut back on my own expenses to buy a few and try them. Back then, who among you wasn't a pretty girl?"

How could she compare to those concubines in the mansion? They're just like flowers that bloom for a season, their beauty fading with time.

"Sigh, since everyone trusts me, I'll swallow my pride and go to my relative's house to ask for it! Even if she doesn't intend to sell it, I'll beg her to get it for my sisters."

However, let me make this clear from the start: let's stop here and not spread this further.

After all, the ingredients for beauty pills are rare, and the production process is extremely complicated and intricate; I imagine my relative doesn't have much left.

"Yes, yes, thank you for your hard work, little sister. We promise we won't tell anyone."

(It should be fine to only tell close family members, at worst I can share some of my share with others)

"Yes, yes, yes, we won't tell anyone, it's impossible for us to tell anyone." (Only telling his mother)

"With more monks than porridge, I definitely won't tell anyone else! (My own sisters don't count as 'anyone else')."

……

Jiang Xiaoqi was once again filled with admiration.

Madame Chiang Kai-shek was truly a marketing genius!