tallest building

Chapter 39 Changrong Mansion

On the sixteenth, Wen Mingqian finished washing and dressing, and seeing that it was about time, he took Zhu Mama and went to the Changrong Marquis's residence.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the door, Wang's mother was already waiting with several people.

Judging from their clothes and appearance, you could tell that although they were servants in this mansion, they were still people of importance.

"Madam, please come in! Ever since I returned that day, our Madam, Eldest Madam, and Fourth Miss have been talking about you. We've been so happy to have you here!" Wang Mama said as she eagerly ushered Wen Mingqian inside.

She was not exaggerating, because Lady Changrong had been very fond of beauty since she was young.

That's just how people are; they naturally crave what they care about.

When Wen Mingqian arrived at the inner courtyard, there were also many maids and servants outside the main room of Lady Yu, the wife of Marquis Changrong.

Fourth Miss's maid, Yu Nong, came up with a smile and took Wen Mingqian's hand, saying, "Madam, please come in quickly. It's a bit hot today! Come inside quickly."

Wen Mingqian entered the room and greeted Madam Yu, Madam Fang, and Miss Zhong Meier. A maid brought him tea.

"Madam Gong, I'm so sorry to have troubled you to come all this way for our sake." Madam Yu's attitude was very friendly. She was always a person who was meticulous in her words and deeds, and now that she needed Wen Mingqian's help, she was even more grateful.

"Madam, you're too kind. Others might not trust me." Wen Mingqian's demeanor was also very humble. "You can just call me Mingqian."

Yu was much older than Wen Mingqian, and a generation older than her.

"Alright, alright! We've been friends for generations, so there's no need to be so polite. We should just be more affectionate," said Madam Yu. "Mei'er, if it weren't for the medicine Mingqian sent, you'd still be locked in your room worrying!"

Chung Mei-er was only fourteen years old, but she had already grown into a beautiful and graceful young woman.

She was very grateful to Wen Mingqian. He thought she was exceptionally beautiful from the first meeting, which made him like her even more.

"Mei'er thanks you very much, Madam Gong," Zhong Mei'er bowed deeply to Wen Mingqian, "I am deeply grateful."

"You flatter me, Fourth Miss," Wen Mingqian returned the greeting with a smile, "It's just a small matter and not worth mentioning."

“What seems like a small matter to you is a huge deal to us!” said Madam Fang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhong family. “I’m not bragging, but my fourth sister is talented, virtuous, and beautiful. She was only lacking in skin. But now she’s all better, and that little ailment of hers is gone.”

Zhong Meier was the youngest child of the Yu family and their only daughter. Although she had three older sisters, they were all born out of wedlock. As the only legitimate daughter of the Zhong family, she was naturally very much loved.

At this age, it's time to look for a spouse and get engaged. But because of this flaw, Zhong Meier's marriage plans have been quite unsuccessful.

After all, families with daughters all want their daughters to marry into a higher social class. The Zhong family was already quite wealthy, and they wanted to aim even higher.

However, families of slightly higher social standing than his were also exceptionally discerning.

When choosing a wife, one must be first-rate in virtue, speech, appearance, and work. Zhong Meier's skin has blemishes, which will inevitably lead to some dissatisfaction.

The Zhong family naturally tried many methods to treat the condition, but unfortunately, they couldn't find the right solution. In fact, the more medication they used, the more serious the condition became.

"This is the first time I've met Miss Fourth, she's truly as beautiful as a flower." Wen Mingqian naturally didn't hold back his praise in front of the Zhong family, "She's so lovely that one can't help but adore her."

The group chatted over tea, and when Wen Mingqian felt that things had gone on long enough, he got down to business: "Fourth Miss, may I take a closer look at your face?"

"Mei'er, come here quickly." Madam Fang hurriedly pulled her sister-in-law in front of Wen Mingqian. Wen Mingqian looked her over carefully and asked about Zhong Si's daily diet and routine. He said, "I'll go back and prepare the ingredients. It will take about half a month."

For the past two weeks, I've been using this bottle of Jade Dew that I brought with me, and it has kept my face moisturized and prevented dryness and itchiness.

Fourth Sister, remember to avoid the sun, eat dinner early, and avoid sweets and raw or cold foods.

“Thank you for your instructions, Madam,” Zhong Meier nodded with a slight smile. “I will certainly do as you say.”

"Fourth Miss, you're too kind. From now on, just call me Sister Wen. I'd also like to call you by your maiden name. Is that alright?" Wen Mingqian asked with a smile.

Zhong Meier was overjoyed to hear this and grabbed Wen Mingqian's hand, calling him "sister."

Madam Fang quickly interjected, "Then I'll call you 'sister'! I wonder what your taste is like? I've already instructed the kitchen to prepare some of your signature dishes. Please make sure to have lunch at our residence, otherwise I'll feel really bad."

Both Ms. Yu and Ms. Zhong Meier warmly invited them to stay for a meal.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Wen Mingqian smiled and agreed: "They say the food from the other pot tastes better, I'm really lucky to have such a delicious meal today."

I'll examine the madam first, adjust the prescription, and then I'll see the eldest mistress.

Having seen the most important fourth young lady, there are naturally these two more to come.

“Mingqian, we really liked the sachet that you had Wang Ma and the others bring back last time. It’s so much better than those sachets and perfumes sold in the market.” Madam Yu was wearing the sachet that Wen Mingqian had given her.

"Madam, you flatter me. This was just something I made on a whim. If you like the taste, I'll tell the people serving you the ingredients later. If the taste is bland, we can just put it back on." Wen Mingqian didn't care about these little details, after all, her real skills were not easy to learn.

“Who would have thought that you would acquire such an amazing skill during your years of seclusion?” Madam Yu said. “Who did you learn it from?”

“As you know, Madam, Shuangxi is located on the frontier, where there are many people who have been exiled,” Wen Mingqian said without reservation. “There are also many people who accompany and care for them, mostly out of gratitude for their former master’s kindness or out of consideration for past relationships, who voluntarily follow them.”

“Yes, yes! Those who were exiled were once civil and military officials, noblewomen and their wives,” Madam Yu sighed twice, “but in one fell swoop, they became criminals!”

There are countless families whose wealth doesn't last, and everyone harbors this hidden worry. Like the rabbit mourning the death of the fox, how can one not lament?

"I had nothing to do but cultivate myself in the borderlands, and I did get to know some people. Among them was a woman who accompanied a convict surnamed Zhang to Shuangxi. She ran a small yarn shop there, selling needles and thread, as well as cosmetics."

I often bought things from her, and after a while, we became familiar with each other. We found we got along well and gradually developed a friendship.

Seeing that I had nothing to do, he offered to teach me how to make incense and face cream. At first, I didn't take it seriously; I just did it for fun to pass the time.

Unexpectedly, as he studied, he discovered the depth of knowledge within, worthy of in-depth study. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he only grasped a fraction of his master's teachings.

"What is the name of your master?" Madam Yu asked hurriedly upon hearing this.

“She calls herself Zou Jiuniang, a native of Xijing,” Wen Mingqian said.

“I’ve never heard of this Zou Jiu Niang before, but the things you make are so useful, they remind me of Liu Qiniang, who was famous in the capital back then. She suddenly disappeared, which really saddened us for a long time,” said Madam Yu. “I still think about her now! Could they be the same person?”

(End of this chapter)