Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

"Don't worry about anything else, just wrap it up if you like it."

Pei Yaojun was generous; the products from Yu Yan Zhai were not cheap. One box of lip rouge could be equivalent to half a year's worth of chewing for an average family.

It's worth spending any amount of money as long as it can dispel her unhappiness.

Liu Wenying felt a mix of emotions, both for his sincere feelings.

"Thank you for your kindness, Third Master. I appreciate it, but these things are too precious for me..."

It could also easily attract gossip, with people saying that she dressed up so extravagantly, was trying to seduce her master.

Liu Wenying would rather nip the rumors in the bud than give them a chance to emerge.

Seeing that Liu Wenying was about to decline, the shopkeeper was unwilling to let go of this big business opportunity.

"Third Master is right, young lady. Think about it, what woman doesn't use rouge and powder?"

"Look at you! Your features are perfectly proportioned, and your skin is so fair. You're already beautiful without makeup, but using makeup only makes you even more stunning!"

As she spoke, she stuffed several boxes of rouge into Liu Wenying's hands, her mouth never stopping.

"This begonia color suits you best. This is our shop's signature color; many elegant ladies buy it..."

Seeing her hesitation, Pei Yaojun didn't mince words.

He waved to the shopkeeper: "Wrap up everything I just introduced."

"Okay!"

The shopkeeper beamed and quickly brought out several brocade boxes.

Peach blossom dew, pearl powder, begonia red lipstick, hibiscus cream, jasmine hair oil...

It was packed full of various things, and carefully wrapped in a fine silk cloth.

When those things were handed to Liu Wenying, they were so heavy that she almost couldn't catch them.

Stepping out of the rouge shop, the autumn breeze carried the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts.

"How are you feeling? Is that empty feeling of unhappiness filling your heart?"

Liu Wenying met his eyes and smiled.

A smile spread from the depths of her eyes to the corners of her lips; the smile was gentle, her eyebrows and eyes curved, clean and bright.

"Yes, but not because of cosmetics."

Pei Yaojun raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"It's because Third Master intentionally wanted to make me happy; this sentiment is more precious than any cosmetics."

"Cough cough..." Pei Yaojun turned his face away, forgetting the faint blush rising to his ears.

"Who said that? It's not entirely because of you."

Liu Wenying tilted her head and pressed, "This servant is listening."

"Grandma's birthday is coming up soon, and I just happened to be out buying a gift, so... I thought I'd bring you along too."

Want to cover up.

Liu Wenying didn't expose her, and went along with it, saying, "Then this servant is benefiting from the old lady's favor."

The two strolled slowly along the long street. Liu Wenying carried a heavy bundle and looked around at Third Master.

"Has Third Master decided what birthday gift to buy for the Old Madam?"

Pei Yaojun looked troubled and somewhat worried: "I haven't decided yet. In previous years, my eldest and second elder brothers would arrange things, and I would just add some things. This year is different. I'm entering officialdom and observing politics, so I should choose for myself."

But what good things hasn't Madam Pei seen?

She might not care about gold, silver, or jade, and she might even think that antiques and calligraphy are pretentious.

Liu Wenying said, "How about I help Third Master think of something? Two is always better than one. Consider it payment for these cosmetics."

"You're quite good at accounting. Fine, I'll let you advise me today."

Pei Yaojun readily accepted.

The two of them then went from shop to shop, browsing through each one.

First, we entered a jade shop, where the shopkeeper presented us with a mutton fat jade ruyi, a jadeite peach, and an agate Buddha's hand, each piece exquisitely carved and lustrous.

Pei Yaojun shook his head: "Grandmother has quite a few items like this in her room, so I'm afraid you won't find anything new about them."

After putting down the jade ruyi, he went into a calligraphy and painting shop.

The walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists, and rare ancient books are laid out on the table, filling the air with the fragrance of ink.

He took a fancy to a painting of pine trees and cranes depicting longevity by a master painter from the previous dynasty. The brushwork was vigorous and the meaning was auspicious.

Liu Wenying retorted, "There are probably plenty of gifts for wishing someone longevity, but aren't they all a bit lacking?"

Pei Yaojun agreed, and the two went into an embroidery shop.

Suzhou embroidery screens, Hunan embroidery hanging screens, and Sichuan embroidery kang screens—the colorful silk threads shimmer and gleam in the sunlight.

The embroidery is good, but it's too plain and ordinary; the household has plenty of that.

After visiting seven or eight shops, the sun gradually rose higher.

Pei Yaojun carried the bundle he had taken from Liu Wenying's arms. He didn't feel the weight, but he was mentally exhausted.

"Giving my grandmother a birthday gift is harder than taking the imperial examination."

Liu Wenying chuckled, then her eyes darted around and caught sight of an inconspicuous little shop on the street corner.

"Third Master, why don't we go take a look over there?"

The shop had a narrow storefront, and the signboard read "Qiaoshoufang" (巧手坊), though the characters were already somewhat faded.

Pushing open the door, you'll find the interior simply furnished, yet filled with all sorts of handicrafts.

Bamboo woven cricket cages, clay dolls, paper-cut window decorations, and wood carvings.

Although they are not valuable and are commonplace, they all contain various ingenious ideas and are exquisite and lovely.

Liu Wenying walked slowly through the shop, her gaze falling on a set of clay sculptures of the twelve zodiac animals.

The clay sculptures were no bigger than the palm of your hand, but each one was incredibly endearing.

She picked up one of them and asked loudly, "Shopkeeper, can this set of clay sculptures be made to order?"

The shopkeeper came over and examined it closely. "It's possible, but it will take some time. What kind of girl would you like?"

"I want a family portrait."

She turned to look at Pei Yaojun, her eyes sparkling.

"As people grow old, they value family ties most. If we could mold the zodiac signs of all the masters in the household into clay sculptures, creating a complete set for a family reunion, wouldn't that be more heartwarming than any gold, silver, or jade?"

Pei Yaojun was suddenly enlightened and picked up the clay zodiac animal for a closer look.

Although they are not as valuable as jade, as elegant as calligraphy and painting, or as exquisite as embroidery, the meaning behind them is unique.

"Great idea!" Pei Yaojun clapped his hands in approval and told the shopkeeper about the zodiac signs of the people in the mansion.

He added details, "Grandmother's rabbit should be more benevolent, Father's dragon more majestic, and Mother's snake more gentle..."

After finalizing the style, size, and production schedule, and paying the deposit, the sun was already high in the sky when I left the workshop.

Pei Yaojun was in high spirits and said to Liu Wenying, "Thanks to you today, Grandmother will surely like this gift."

Liu Wenying smiled and said it was a compliment; it was just a sudden inspiration.

The old lady has seen all sorts of fine things; no matter how precious the gift, nothing is more important than the sentiment behind it.

Pei Yaojun nodded, and then added, "It's not very valuable, but I hope Grandmother won't think my gift is too meager."

The meaning is good, but I'm afraid it might not touch people's hearts and even invite ridicule for being stingy.

But he's thick-skinned and can withstand it.

Liu Wenying silently kept it in mind and followed him into the carriage.

After much deliberation, it was already afternoon when they returned to their residence after shopping.

When Liu Wenying returned to her residence, Xiaozhu and Luoluo were playing in the yard.

Seeing her return, he carried Luo Luo to greet her.

"Sister Liu is back! Over at Chenshuang Courtyard..."

Before she could finish speaking, she noticed the package in Liu Wenying's arms and paused, then asked, "This is...?"

Liu Wenying placed the bundle on the table and untied the silk ribbon.

One by one, the brocade boxes were revealed. Xiao Zhu stared wide-eyed, picked up a box of peach blossom dew to examine it closely, and then opened the box of begonia red lipstick to smell it, exclaiming in amazement.

"This...this is rouge from Yu Yan Zhai! Sister, where did you get the money to buy this?"

"These are gifts from Third Master. There are too many things for me to use and it would be a waste. Pick a few that you like."

Xiao Zhu was both surprised and delighted, but hesitated to take it: "This... is too precious."

"Since you came to the Duke's mansion, you've been like a younger sister to me. I call you 'elder sister,' so what are a few boxes of rouge and powder?"

Liu Wenying shoved a box of pearl powder into her hand. "Take this."

Just then, Granny Tian entered the room and was surprised to see the table full of rouge and face powder.

Hearing that it was a gift from the Third Master, she gave Liu Wenying a complicated look, but didn't ask any further questions, and smiled, "Then this old woman can also benefit from it."

Xiao Zhu and Granny Tian were both trying on rouge, looking at themselves in the mirror from left to right, when suddenly they heard a burst of giggling laughter.

Looking down, I saw that Luo Luo had climbed onto the stool at some point, secretly reached for a box of rouge, and was haphazardly applying it to her face.

Her fair and tender little face was covered in red and white patches from the smear, making her look like a little monkey's bottom.

Xiao Zhu burst out laughing.

Granny Tian laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Looking at her daughter's kitten-like appearance, Liu Wenying felt both annoyed and amused.

He bent down, picked her up, and wiped her face with a handkerchief.

Luo Luo wasn't happy about it. She twisted her little body and dodged around, making little babbling noises, which made everyone laugh even harder.

In an instant, the cabin was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter, sweeping away the afternoon's gloom.

…………