Legend of Concubine's Daughter Minglan 知否知否 应是绿肥红瘦

64. One-day Tour Around Marquis Xiangyang's Mansion (2)

Reminded of her late father, Wang shi could hardly keep composed with the corners of her eyes turning moist with tears.

Junzhu Pignning came to the rescue and bantered, "Sister Wang is here for your birthday. Why mentioning your old days?"

Old Marquis favored her little daughter quite much and echoed in approval, "Alright, I'll stop it. Now, help her to sit. Then these must be your daughters?"

Wang shi hastened to beckon the girls up to pay respect to the Old Marquis. All three Lans immediately went over and kneeled down. Kowtowing respectfully for three times, they all spoke simultaneously with their clear voice as rehearsed before, "May your Lordship remain strong like the evergreen pine. May you live long and prosper."

After Old Marquis Gu accepted their congratulations, Junzhu Pingning ordered a maidservant over with a tray, on which lay three embroidered pouches prepared by the Old Marquis as gifts for the girls.

Taking the pouch, Minglan finally got the chance to raise her head to look around. Coming into her view were a group of boys varying in age from seven to a bit over twenty, who looked quite similar with one another, apparently all descendants of Gu.

Junzhu Pingning pointed at them and smiled, "These are the brothers and nephews from Gu family. They are here to offer birthday felicitations to my father before guests arrive. Since we are close like a family, so there is no need for the girls to shy away like the old school."

The rules of the noble families in ancient times stipulated that all unmarried descendants were juveniles so girls and boys should not meet. However, that did not apply to ladies of the same family.

On the other side of the Old Marquis stood his many daughters-in-law who all wore demure makeup and luxurious ornaments.

"These are my sisters-in-law and nieces. Let's get to know each other," Junzhu Pingning introduced.

The ladies went up, starting another round of greetings and chatting, which indeed made the three girls suffer as they had to constantly bow to the ladies to pay respect and then called "Uncle", "Brother" etc., to greet all the men present in the room. Minglan's head spun out of the frequent kowtows and nearly fell upon standing up. However, the always athletic Rulan stumbled and threw herself upon Minglan, nearly making her fall right on the face. Thank god that she herself was such a great girl of manners and merits that she managed to support Rulan with a smile.

In her hands were quite a few more pouches she just received. Weighting them habitually, Minglan found the pouches were of different weight. Then she stole glances over her two elder sisters, only to find Rulan still in her dizziness while Molan muttered something with her head bowed, which, as Minglan leaned over to listen, were all the names and families of the ladies Molan trying to memorize. Wang shi was probably the poorest this day as she suffered unexpected financial losses for giving gifts.

Due to the ancient ritual that a distinction should be made between males and females, Junzhu Pingning led the females to another yard where there was a spacious hall with a lot of chairs and benches. Maidservants severed some tea and refreshments after all ladies took their seat. Then the chatting began as they waited for the rest of guests to come.

Minglan sat quietly at one corner of the room and couldn't help but marvel at the fine art of the teacup after examining the paint on it in detail. Molan was chatting with a girl from Gu family who seemed to be her old acquaintance.

"Why aren't members of Duke Qi here? Are they late?" Rulan asked Minglan with eyes peeking involuntarily at the girl of Gu family.

Minglan didn't know who she was asking while the girl of Gu family failed to get her true meaning. Minglan couldn't help but sigh, answering casually, "Perhaps they just find it hard to get up in cold days, just like us."