Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 44 Tang Xian's study is very luxurious

"Then Miss Tang took the opportunity to mock our young lady, saying how profound the Marquis's family was, and that the calligraphy, paintings and ancient books were not particularly valuable. In the end, she offered to give them to Mr. Lin as tuition, but Mr. Lin did not accept them, only saying that he wanted to borrow the ancient books to take a look."

This is the foundation of a century-old aristocratic family. The Marquis of Huai'an's family has been passed down to the fourth generation, and even though their power has waned, their family collection is not to be underestimated. After all, they have not squandered their wealth, and those antiques and paintings that represent the family's heritage are not easily pawned or sold.

The Tang family branch only rose to prominence more than twenty years ago. They naturally possessed antiques and calligraphy, but they were certainly no match for the Marquis's family.

The second young lady of the Marquis's mansion's move hit the young lady's weak spot perfectly. The young lady has loved poetry and books since childhood. It's fine for the young ladies to compare other things, but when it comes to calligraphy, paintings and ancient books, the young lady might not be able to compete.

The second young lady had clearly been thinking for a long time on the way. She had just entered Yunyi Courtyard and hadn't even reached the embroidery tower when she paused and immediately turned to leave.

"Meng Shu, come with me to the front yard."

Meng Shu hurriedly placed the needle and thread basket in her hand into Ruizhu's hand and followed her mistress out of the courtyard.

After passing through the garden outside Langya Courtyard and several moon gates, the Second Miss was already sweating slightly when she arrived at the study in the front courtyard. Meng Shu was slightly annoyed and blamed herself for not being thoughtful enough. The Second Miss was afraid of the heat, and she should have brought a fan with her when she went out.

This wasn't the first time Meng Shu had met the head of the family, but she was still nervous.

She had seen it up close when the Langya Courtyard caught fire, but that night was dark and the lights were flickering. Meng Shu only felt the majesty of the head of the family, but she clearly remembered the all-knowing sense of control the head of the family gave when his eyes swept over Manager Qian.

At this moment, in the study, the head of the family seemed no different from an ordinary middle-aged man, wearing a moon-white long robe with silver thread and green bamboo patterns, and a jade pendant hanging at his waist, exuding the air of a Confucian scholar.

The front and back courtyards were clearly separated, and the second young lady rarely came to the study in the front courtyard. In the past, she would pay her respects at Yun Gui Courtyard. Tang Xian looked at his daughter in surprise and saw that her forehead was slightly damp with sweat. He gestured to the steward beside him, and the steward immediately sent someone to bring an ice basin and opened the study window.

Tang Xian looked at Meng Shu, his personal maid, with a hint of displeasure, and just one glance sent a chill down Meng Shu's spine.

"Open an antique shop?"

Tang Xian thought he had misheard. His wife had said a few days ago that their daughter was getting older and should be given a few shops to learn how to manage accounts and affairs. He had assumed that his daughter was only interested in jewelry, cosmetics, or clothing shops.

The second young lady pursed her lips and remained silent. Meng Shu carefully recounted what the second young lady of the Marquis's mansion had done at Muyunzhai. Tang Xian then smiled slightly and said, "What good things did Ling'er bring that even my daughter Tang Xian is so envious of?"

The second young lady blushed and refused to admit that she was envious, but she was not the coy type. "Yuan Haowen's Collection, and the 'Pine Valley and Qin Melody' by Wei Dajia of the previous dynasty."

Tang Xian couldn't help but chuckle after hearing this; he had thought it was some kind of treasure.

“Yuan Haowen’s collected works are nothing special. The Hou family’s collection consists of rare editions. It just so happens that Han Jing just acquired Mr. Yishan’s manuscript a few days ago. If you want it, I will send someone to the storeroom to get it.”

Yuan Haowen, courtesy name Yishan, his manuscripts are undoubtedly unique copies, making them extremely precious.

"Our Yongzheng Pawnshop has seventy-three branches. Over the years, we've collected countless rare 'unredeemed' items, including porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, jade, ancient books, and even Buddhist statues and furniture. How can the Hou family's collection compare to the Tang family's?" Tang Xian said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Not to mention Wei Dajia's 'Pine Valley and Qin Melody', I also have his master Boshan's 'Autumn Colors of the Eastern Fence' in my study, an original work."

The second young lady nearly froze, while Meng Shu stared intently at the furnishings in the study. Oh my god, could the bricks I'm standing on also be from the previous dynasty?

After Tang Xianliu had some refreshing drinks in the study, he allowed the two of them, mistress and servant, to go back. A servant carrying a box followed behind them. Just now, Tang Xianliu had only casually put some of the items in the curio cabinet of the study into the cabinet, but Meng Shu was already somewhat shocked just by looking at the list of books.

"You don't need to return them after you've finished reading them. I'm collecting these to keep as part of your dowry."

The second young lady could no longer maintain her dignified image. She suppressed her excitement, like a little mouse that had fallen into lamp oil.

Once back at Yunyi Courtyard, Mengzhu said, "Open the storeroom and bring out the ivory-handled silk flower and bird fan that Manager Qi from Yongxiu Cloth Shop sent. Who dares to say that the people in our courtyard are poor and stingy? Take it with you when you go to Yunxi Courtyard to learn etiquette during your afternoon break, so that people from the capital can see what true wealth is."

Meng Shu: ...

Ruizhu was setting out the meal in the inner room when she heard this and popped her head out with sparkling eyes. What to do when happiness comes so suddenly! A silk tapestry fan, one fan is enough to buy two of me!

Mengzhu muttered to herself: Wasn't today's lesson supposed to be the Analects for Women? What kind of madness has she gone mad? Humility, manners, dignity, and virtue have all vanished? Qin Mama, you need to come and take care of her.

The wet nurse, Qin Mama, had already tiptoed through the side gate and headed towards Fu'an Residence.

Fu An Ju.

The old lady listened with great interest, and Su Bai laughed beside her. "Old lady, our second young lady is usually so dignified, it's rare to see her so frank, please don't take offense."

The old lady was also happy to see her granddaughter so lively. She said to Qin Mama, "She doesn't have much time left in her room. Let her be naughty. Don't come and tell me if she doesn't turn Yunyi Courtyard upside down."

Madam Qin breathed a sigh of relief, "Our second young lady has always been sensible. This old servant will keep an eye on her when she goes to Yunxi Courtyard to learn etiquette."

After noon, Meng Shu and her two companions, along with the second-class maid Lvliu (who was also a candidate for the position), and Qin Mama, each with an ivory-handled round fan, followed the second young lady to Yunxi Courtyard.

The second young lady of the Marquis's mansion watched the group of people from afar, blinking her eyes repeatedly. She felt that she really shouldn't have provoked her cousin at Muyunzhai. Cuihu was fanning herself with a fan to keep her mistress cool. Looking at the exquisite silk flower and bird fan and the agate green stone fan pendant in Meng Shu's hand, her eyes were filled with jealousy.

Of the two nannies from the Marquis's residence, strictly speaking, only one actually came from the Marquis of Huai'an's residence. The tall and thin one was once a female official in the palace. After retiring, she was invited by Tang Xian to Lin'an to tutor the second young lady. In order to avoid attracting attention, she used the name of the Marquis of Huai'an's residence.

The subjects taught also reveal this: Granny Yuan taught how to manage the household affairs and internal affairs, while Granny Gao taught etiquette for the aristocratic family.