tallest building

Chapter 125 A hint of revelation

On this day, Madam Fang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Changrong, and her fourth daughter, Zhong Meier, came to Wen Mingqian's house as guests.

“Sister Wen, the Jade Dew you gave me is really effective,” Zhong Meier said. “They all say my face is much smoother and whiter than in previous years.”

“Who can argue with that? Our fourth young lady loves going out these days, all because her skin is better and she’s in a better mood,” Zhong Meier’s personal maid, Yu Nong, said with a smile. “Even those of us who serve her are benefiting from it.”

"Fourth Miss is naturally beautiful, I am just adding to her beauty," Wen Mingqian said. "That Jade Dew is best used in summer, and it will be replaced with something else in autumn. I am making it now, and I will have someone send it over in a few days."

"Mingqian, you're really going to a lot of trouble for me." That's what Madam Fang said, and she really meant it. "You have to manage the household every day, and you have to do all this. It's really too much work. My wife said she'll definitely invite you to visit our garden another day."

Our last lake trip wasn't very enjoyable either; more than a month has passed since then.

“Don’t be so formal, it’s all because we get along so well,” Wen Mingqian said. “I was bored a few days ago, so I made some balm, some with bamboo, some with agarwood and some with cloves.”

“The scent of lilacs is a bit too strong,” Chung Mei-er said. “I’m a little afraid of it.”

“You’ll know once you smell them,” Wen Ming said, gesturing for Sang Er to bring out the perfumes. “You might like them.”

These perfumes are packaged in small bottles. When you want to use them, you can use a silver ear pick to take out some and apply it to the inside of your wrists or the sides of your neck below your ears. The fragrance will last for a long time.

"Oh, this smells so refreshing." Madam Fang picked up a bottle of bamboo balm, smelled it, and praised it highly.

“This agarwood is also very good; it calms the mind,” Zhong Meier said.

“Smell this lilac again,” Wen Mingqian pushed a pale purple porcelain bottle toward her. “I think this balm suits your attire quite well today.”

Zhou Meier picked up the porcelain bottle with some skepticism, opened the stopper, and sniffed it. Her eyes immediately lit up: "This lilac smells so good. It's called the smell of lilac, but it's not quite the same as the usual one. It's not pungent at all. It just feels distant and ethereal, with a faint sense of melancholy."

“Yes, the fragrance of lilac is strong, but in the rain, there is no fragrance more captivating than its scent,” Wen Mingqian said. “Fourth Miss is truly intelligent and virtuous. As the poem says, ‘The banana leaves do not unfold, the lilacs remain closed, both facing the rain, each with its own sorrow,’ you can sense the melancholy in them, and that is to say you understand its essence.”

Zhong Meier was captivated by the bottle of clove balm. Today, she happened to be wearing a light purple embroidered gauze dress. Because she had been using the face cream prepared by Wen Mingqian for a long time, her skin was clear and fair, making her look both noble and sweet.

"Mingqian, my wife said yesterday that the Princess invited her to visit Yuzhen Temple next month. If she gets the chance, she will definitely speak well of you to the Princess," Fang said quietly to Wen Mingqian.

The Zhong family members weren't fools. Although they weren't using the face powder and cosmetics made by Wen Mingqian for free, Wen Mingqian wasn't in it for business, nor did he expect to make money for the family; he was just trying to build relationships.

Lady Changrong was a skilled socialite with a wide circle of friends. Wen Mingqian's close relationship with her was naturally motivated by a desire to gain more connections through her.

In previous conversations, Wen Mingqian had also subtly expressed his desire to befriend the current princess.

The eldest princess is the only surviving bloodline of the late emperor, making her exceptionally noble.

If you can befriend her and gain her favor, the benefits will be endless.

However, the eldest princess was extremely devoted to Taoism and rarely stayed in a Taoist temple for long periods when she was at her residence, so it was really not easy to see her.

Lady Changrong had received many favors from Wen Mingqian and also thought she was a truly good person, so she wanted to help her in this matter. "Thank you for your trouble, Madam," Wen Mingqian said gratefully. "It's still early, why don't you two come with me to the east courtyard to see the old lady, shall we?"

“I was just thinking the same thing. We should really go and see the old lady and the first lady,” Fang said, standing up. “When we came, Madam specifically told us to give our regards to the old lady and the first lady.”

So Wen Mingqian and the two women, the aunt and the sister-in-law, strolled to the old lady's room, where Lady Wei happened to be present.

"I was wondering why two magpies were chirping in my yard this morning. It turns out we have distinguished guests! Please, have a seat." Old Madam Gong smiled warmly and told someone to bring tea quickly.

"I haven't seen you for a while, and I've been missing you, so I came to chat with you." Fang said sweetly, "I was just saying at home that I don't know what kind of job your household has, but I can't help but want to come over every now and then."

"That means we hit it off! I hope you all come more often. Just don't mind this old woman's nagging." Old Madam Gong said with a chuckle. "It's only been a few days since I last saw Fourth Miss, and she's grown even more beautiful. She's truly a delicate flower!"

Zhong Meier blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying, "Madam, please don't tease me. I really don't deserve it."

After chatting for a while and having tea and snacks, the two sisters-in-law got up to take their leave.

Madam Gong naturally insisted that he stay, saying, "Please eat before you go; I've already told them to prepare."

"Grandma, please don't trouble them. Let's get it another day," said Madam Fang. "Our eldest and second aunts came back today and agreed to have lunch with us."

"Since that's the case, then we won't force you. You must stay next time you come," said Madam Gong with a hint of regret.

She asked her maid to help her see the two guests out. Just as they reached the steps, Gong Chang'an and Gong Yu'an ran in from outside.

They stopped abruptly when they saw guests.

"Look at the two of you, one big and one small, like wild horses without bridles!" said Madam Gong. "Hurry up and greet the guests."

Gong Chang'an and Gong Yu'an quickly bowed to the two, and Fang Shi and Zhong Mei'er returned the greeting.

Gong Jing'an, meanwhile, arrived calmly and unhurriedly.

"The eldest and second young masters are truly handsome and dashing!" Fang was a woman, and slightly older than Wen Mingqian, so she naturally didn't feel shy when she saw Gong Yu'an. Instead, she carefully examined him. "No wonder your aunt always praises you in front of us."

"Grandma Zhong, you flatter me. I am humbled." Although Gong Yu'an was a free spirit, he knew when to be modest.

Madam Gong had always intended for Zhong Meier to be her granddaughter-in-law, and when she heard from Madam Fang that Wen Mingqian had praised her two grandsons in public, she was very pleased.

Although Zhong Meier kept her head down, she was secretly observing Gong Jing'an and Gong Yu'an.

She had long heard that the two young masters of the Gong family were not only academically excellent but also extremely handsome.

Now, from my own perspective, that is indeed the case.