Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 19

Early the next morning.

On Ziyun Street, where officials of the Capital gathered, the servants of Fang Mansion were sweeping the entrance, preparing to welcome their legitimate young lady back home.

The carriage from the Prime Minister’s Mansion approached from afar. As soon as it stopped, the servants of Fang Mansion went up to greet it.

They clustered around Fang Qin’er and the siblings Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang, escorting the three all the way to Old Lady Fang’s courtyard.

—

When Fang Qin’er and the others arrived, Old Lady Fang had already been waiting for a while.

There were quite a few people in the courtyard: female relatives and children from both the direct and collateral branches of the Fang family, all gathered at this hour to pay their respects to the old lady.

When Old Lady Fang saw Fang Qin’er bringing the two children back, her face blossomed into a smile, and she quickly beckoned, “Come in, quickly.”

“Mother.” Fang Qin’er smiled and quickened her steps, walking up to Old Lady Fang.

She was about to bow when Old Lady Fang simply took her hand and had her sit beside her.

Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang stepped forward together, one bowing and one cupping his hands, saying in unison, “Greetings, Grandmother. May Grandmother enjoy good fortune and peace!”

Immediately after, the two turned to the others seated nearby and continued, “Greetings to all aunts.”

The women in the room all nodded in return.

Those who had brought children encouraged them to stand up and exchange greetings with their peers.

“Ah! Good, good, Wangshu, come here and let Grandmother have a look at you,” Old Lady Fang called, beckoning to Xiao Wangshu again.

On hearing this, Xiao Wangshu stepped forward, placing her hand in Old Lady Fang’s, quietly studying her grandmother.

Old Lady Fang had kind eyes and a gentle face, round as a full moon, her features soft and serene-an appearance admired in this era for its dignity and nobility. She wore a dark blue long robe, the fabric light yet opaque, the embroidery both exquisite and simple. The eastern pearl headband on her forehead further set off the beauty that comes with age.

When Xiao Wangshu came forward, Old Lady Fang held her hand and patted the back of it, sighing, “You’ve grown thin, Wangshu. You must have suffered these days!”

“This bit of hardship is nothing. As long as I think of Grandmother waiting for me, my wounds heal especially fast,” Wangshu replied naturally.

Old Lady Fang was so amused by her words that wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes. “Wangshu, your mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter!”

Fang Qin’er covered her mouth, laughing, and chimed in-

“Mother, you don’t know. Lately she’s not only sweet-tongued, but sharp-eyed as well.

“It took me quite some effort to acquire a top-quality Jasper Bracelet, which I tucked away in the furthest corner of the treasury, just waiting for the New Year to present it to you and make you happy.

“But yesterday, she went into the treasury to pick something for you and immediately spotted my bracelet. I had barely had a chance to admire my new treasure before she took it! Early this morning, the siblings came trotting in with the bracelet in their hands!”

As Fang Qin’er spoke, Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang handed the Jasper Bracelet to Old Lady Fang.

Old Lady Fang was beaming with joy, saying again and again, “Wangshu is well-raised. With just a glance, she knows what a true treasure is!”

It takes a keen eye to appraise treasures; only those who have seen enough fine things can tell what is truly rare.

“Yes, look at Wangshu-she’s grown tall and graceful, just as lovely as my sister-in-law was in her youth,” added a nearby woman.

Jiang Xianle, the principal wife of Fang Qin (Fang Qin’er’s elder brother), was Fang Qin’er’s sister-in-law and the eldest aunt of Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang.

Hearing Jiang Xianle praise Wangshu, Fang Qin’er said, “I actually think Qiluo is the truly well-read and sensible one. Raising her is much less worrisome than raising Wangshu.”
Jiang Xianle and Fang Qin had a son and a daughter. Their legitimate son, Fang Huaijin, was a renowned gentleman in the Capital-elegant and refined, a true scholar. Their legitimate daughter, Fang Qiluo, was a highborn lady skilled in all the arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with countless admirers.

As Fang Qin’er was praising Fang Qiluo, a young man and woman entered through the doorway.

The young man wore white robes with wide sleeves, moving with effortless grace.

The young woman was dressed in a flowing silk gown, her face adorned with a gentle smile. As she entered, she said, “I heard Aunt praising me from afar and was so delighted I thought I’d misheard. Only when I got closer did I dare believe it-so it’s really Aunt Qin’er who’s returned.”

“Huaijin, Qiluo, you siblings have come at just the right time. Come quickly and pay your respects to your grandmother, greet your aunt, and also your cousin Xiao Wangshu and cousin Xiao Fuguang.”

Jiang Xianle beckoned Fang Huaijin and Fang Qiluo over, explaining to Fang Qin’er, “Yesterday, after drinking, the Old Master was inspired and tossed them a poem. The siblings were so captivated that who knows how late they stayed up deciphering it. Even today, they were late in coming to greet the Old Lady.”

Fang Qin’er was not surprised and smiled, “Father is still the same as ever.”

Fang Huaijin and Fang Qiluo laughed as well, entering the room to bow to all the elders before turning to Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang, greeting them, “Cousin, cousin.”

“Greetings, cousin brother and cousin sister,” Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang replied in unison.

“In the past, I often saw Cousin Wangshu in bright, splendid colors-so beautiful and noble. Today, this pale yellow dress is quite rare, lively and adorable, so refreshing to the eye,” Fang Qiluo began to offer friendly praise.

Though she and Cousin Wangshu were cousins, apart from clothes and jewelry, they truly had little in common.

Moreover, Cousin Wangshu was naturally proud and aloof, not one for idle chatter. Each time, it was only out of respect for Aunt Qin’er and because their grandmother doted on this granddaughter that she made the effort to exchange a few polite words.

Xiao Wangshu, of course, understood all this and replied cooperatively, “It’s just that I’ve worn bright colors for so long that I’ve grown tired of them, so I wanted to try a different style. Sister, your outfit today is especially elegant-silken beauty, truly pleasing to the eye.”

Apparently not expecting Xiao Wangshu to respond so earnestly, Fang Qiluo was momentarily taken aback.

Fang Huaijin also sensed that his cousin had changed quite a bit lately, and continued the conversation, “No need for modesty, both my cousins are a delight to behold. My eyes have been spoiled by all the lovely sisters and cousins.”

Xiao Fuguang laughed as well, “Isn’t that the truth?”

“All right, all right! Our Qiluo and Wangshu are both rare beauties. To have such a room full of lovely girls under my roof is a blessing earned from a previous life!”

Old Lady Fang looked around the room, seeing young girls in the bloom of youth and women each with their own charm-each beautiful in her own way.

“It’s rare for us all to gather together today, so let’s have breakfast here with me.”

Old Lady Fang was clearly in high spirits, ordering the servants to clear away the food from the small hall and set a large table in the garden pavilion instead.

The ladies and children who had come to pay their respects all rose, bowing respectfully to Old Lady Fang to express their gratitude.

—

This morning’s breakfast was exceptionally sumptuous.

The Fang Clan was a family of wealth and refinement, steeped in poetry and tradition, and especially attentive to hierarchy and respect for elders.

In such a family, to show reverence for their elders, not only did the younger generation pay their respects morning and evening, but even the clothing and food supplied to the Old Master and Old Lady were of the finest quality.

The breakfast hosted by Old Lady Fang today was a feast of rare delicacies that many in the Fang Mansion might not enjoy even a few times in a whole year.