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: The Way of Favors Chapter 10\n
: The Way of Favors Chapter 12\n
âWhat is second younger brother looking at?â\n
Qi Ce looked at his younger sister who couldnât decide between a pair of goat patterned jade bracelets and gold silk red jade bracelets. She walked over with interest at the window and stood side by side with Qi Ce. Looking down, they only saw a coachman in gray hurry to the side of the road. From the mark on the carriage, it seemed to be of the Fu family.\n
If Qi Ce had something in mind, he turned his head to see Qi Jian looking forward. He seemed like he was still a little frozen, and smiled gently, âSecond younger brother?â\n
Qi Jian was surprised and discovered that his eldest brother had somehow walked over and was staring at him with interest, making his fair and handsome face flushed instantly.\n
Qi Ce was more certain that it was the lady from the Fu family. He had also heard for a long time that the sisters of the Fu family were as beautiful as jade and flowers. When he was talking to Qi Jian, his gaze would sometimes move to the doorway of the second floor. Everyone has the love of beauty, not to mention the good relationship between the two families. In theory, he could be regarded as the eldest brother.\n
He was thinking about it secretly. Qi Jian has seen it more, his palms sweating, only wishing to look at the girl in a closer distance.\n
âOlder brother, Iâm done choosing, I choose the gold silk red jade bracelets.â Over there, Qi Zhu slipped the bracelets onto her wrist and showed them to her two older brothers. She was a thirteen-year-old girl, with apricot-sized eyes, peach-colored cheeks, and snowy skin, sweet and beautiful.\n
Qi Ce went to his younger sisterâs side first and seeing that there were a few items left on the counter, said, doting on her, âWe rarely come out, choose a few more.â\n
Her older brother was doting on her, and Qi Zhu was very happy. She was just about to continue to choose when she suddenly heard someone outside say, âLady Fu.â She was startled and looked towards the doorway.\n
After the sound of footsteps on the bamboo stairs, Fu Rong and her sister walked in.\n
At that moment, it seemed as if the moon had risen over the mountain valley, and also like it pierced through the many layers of clouds. All the guests on the second floor of Ruyi House stared at the sisters in awe. The hall became much brighter instantly.\n
Qi Ce analyzed Fu Wan and Fu Rong, stopping at Fu Wan for a long moment, then turned around to face the cabinets, the good etiquette of a nobleman.\n
Qi Jian stared blankly at the little girl wearing light green embroidered with flowers and a forehead pendant, only thinking that she was even more beautiful than what she looked like from a glance.\n
As for Qi Zhu, after she was surprised, walked over to them happily. She first greeted Fu Wan, then took Fu Rongâs hand affectionately, âNong Nong, are you better? I havenât seen you in so long, Iâve missed you terribly. I went to the manor with Yingfang quite a few times, but was persuaded away by auntieâŠâŠwhat illness did Nong Nong have, exactly? You donât know how worried I was.â She looked at Fu Rongâs face with concern.\n
Fu Pinyan and his wife didnât say the real condition of their daughterâs illness.\n
When Qi Zhu was talking, Fu Rong had already pushed down the surprise and anger at bumping into Qi Ce and replied with a smile, âIâm okay. I actually recovered a long time ago, but I liked the freedom and freshness of the countryside, so I stayed there a few days. How long has AâZhu been here, what did you buy?â\n
Her relationship with Qi Zhu was not as strong as with Yingfang, but it was stronger than most, and they hadnât fought before leaving. Qi Zhu was already married when the Bai Zhi incident was revealed, and after learning about it, wrote a long letter apologizing. She didnât favor her older brother, so no matter how much Fu Rong hated Qi Ce, she couldnât be cold to Qi Zhu.\n
Injustice has hatred and debts have an owner, so she only hated Qi Ce.\n
She hated him, so Fu Rong couldnât help but look towards the side at the tall and big youth.\n
Qi Ce was seventeen years old. He had learned martial arts at the Liang family since he was young and had now graduated. He originally was going to find a job and work alongside Master Qi, but the old madam of the house didnât bear to have her eldest grandchild go far away, so she had him study and become a literary official. Qi Ce was talented and intelligent and had won the talented person award last year. If it wasnât for her older sisterâs accident, he definitely would have taken the exam for the position of an imperial scholar.\n
This kind of handsome childe that was talented in both martial arts and literacy, it was unknown how many girls in Xindu City adored him.\n
Becoming aware of her gaze on him, Qi Ce looked over again. Fu Rong instantly averted her gaze, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly. She lowered her head to look at the bracelet on Qi Zhuâs wrist that she had lifted, âThis bracelet is pretty good. Unfortunately, I came here late, so now itâs yours.â\n
Qi Zhu looked at her forehead admiringly, âNo matter how good looking it is, it canât compare to the intricate forehead pendants that you and Older Sister Wan have. How did you think of dressing up like this?â\n
âYounger sister, these two are?â Without waiting for Fu Rong to reply, Qi Ce walked over with Qi Jian. The first one was calm while the latterâs handsome face flushed.\n
Qi Zhu was annoyed at herself and apologized to Fu Rong and her older sister, âLook at me, I forgot to introduce you guys. This is my big brother, my second brother.â\n
Fu Wan nodded slightly. She didnât look at the two youths but said to Qi Ce, âAâZhu has her eldest brother with her, so we wonât bother you guys anymore. Weâll meet again in the future.â\n
Qi Zhu ordered them reluctantly, âThen remember to visit us soon.â\n
Fu Wan agreed, then took Fu Rong to another corner.\n
Before Qi Zhu sent them away, she chose another bracelet and went over to bid her farewells to the two people, then went downstairs with her brothers.\n
Fu Rong had always been looking at them, and seeing that Qi Ce was being a noble gentleman and did not take a second glance at her older sister, stepped over without nostalgia, originally wanting to withdraw her gaze, but didnât predict that she would meet the reluctant gaze of another teenager. When their eyes met, the youth was startled and followed them after freezing for a moment.\n
Fu Rong didnât think much of it.\n
That admiring gaze was too familiar to her, so she was used to it.\n
Turning her head back, the owner, Liu Ruyi came over with a carved tray padded with black velvet and said with a smile, âSecond Lady, Third Lady, the most intricate flower ornaments of our shop are here. If you like it, I can sell this entire tray to you, at absolute the lowest price.â No one noticed these things anymore, so why not sell them at a very low price to the magistrateâs daughter, and she may be indebted to her.\n
Liu Ruyi was over thirty, a few years older than Qiao Shi, but she had maintained herself well, with a delicate face and a pair of eyes like single phoenix feathers. Her eyebrows also looked more hearty and free than the petite and charming ones of Qiao Shiâs. She had heard that she was the eldest daughter of a business family, but someone happened to her family later, resulting in her fiancee canceling the marriage. Liu Ruyi revealed herself cruelly, climbing step by step from a small shop proprietress to the owner of this jewelry house.\n
Fu Rong admired her and praised her sweetly, âYou are so nice to us. You always lower the price for us when we come. Originally, I didnât want to leave the house today, but I remembered that I havenât seen you in a while. I missed you a lot, so I came here with my older sister.â\n
The words of this girl that was as beautiful as a flower were so sweet that Liu Ruyi laughed loudly, then said freely and unrestrained, âThird Lady knows how to talk. Look, some good products just came in a few days ago. I really like them, so I donât plan to sell them, but Third Lady likes me so much, so how could I selfishly hide them? Feel free to take a look, Iâll go get them at the back.â\n
She went with a smile after she had finished talking.\n
Fu Wan touched her younger sisterâs face once, then said in a thin voice with interest, âDid you drink honey water in the morning?â\n
Fu Rong stuck up her mouth towards her, saying cheekily, âItâs still sweet without honey!â\n
Fu Wan covered her mouth to smile and her eyes moved to the tray, âOkay, letâs go take a look. They are colorful and seem to look pretty good.â\n
Fu Rong nodded her head, agreeing that these were indeed good objects. Besides the imported products from the capital and Jiangnan, there were also three jewelry craftsmen in the building, two men and a woman. Everyone called the woman Ms. Gu. The jewelry she made was delicate and intricate. These flower ornaments came from the hands of Ms. Gu.\n
Of course, Fu Rong didnât want to buy Ms. Gu and had heard that she and Liu Ruyi supported each other. She was an important member of the building and even if her father was the magistrate, she wouldnât be willing to give up her position and become a servant for them.\n
Fu Rong was curious about the disciple of Ms. Gu.\n
Liu Ruyi soon walked over with a jewelry box in her hands and put it on the counter. She pressed the box with one hand, then analyzed the two girls, sighing with helplessness, as if she had finally made a decision, âForget it, Iâm not so young now, and I donât have a niece by my side, so it would be wasteful for me to keep these good things. But, if it was someone else, I would never sell them. Who let me pay special attention to you three sisters. And also, Lady Gu coincidentally made three hairpins. The more I look at it, the more they look like they were specially made for you three sisters. They pretend to coax me!â\n
Fu Rong could see that Liu Ruyi was reluctant. Her curiosity immediately came out and when she saw the things inside of the box, things that Liu Ruyi didnât take out in the previous life, she was instantly moved.\n
Those were three butterfly hairpins, one pink, one sky blue, and one snowy white. Regarding its ingenuity, Fu Rong couldnât find the words to describe them and could say that if it wasnât for the three long hairpin sticks connected to the head of the hairpin, she almost thought that there were three real butterflies in the box. The pink butterfly was made with tourmaline, as bright as a peach blossom, while the blue butterfly was made of sapphire, as pure as the blue sky, and the white butterfly used white jade, completely clean.\n
Each of them was a treasure. Put together, their meaning to the three sisters was even greater.\n
Fu Rong looked towards her older sister, Fu Wanâs eyes filled with inevitable brilliance just like her.\n
âYouâre willing to sell them?â Fu Rong said, holding a hairpin.\n
Liu Ruyi returned her question with a playful smile, âIâve already taken these things out for you guys to see. If I didnât want to sell them, Iâm afraid Third Lady will say bad things about me in front of your father. If Lord Fu accuses me of a crime, wouldnât I have to accompany Madam as well as lead a battle?â\n
Fu Pinyan doted on his wife and loved his daughters, the entire Xindu City knew of this.\n
âMy father is not that unreasonable.â Fu Rong argued back, then took the box into her chest, âSince youâre willing, then Iâll take it, but we didnât bring a lot of silver along with us this time, so you can send someone to go back to the manor with us. You can talk to my mother, whatever price is fine.â\n
Liu Ruyi pretended to be troubled and said, âIf I am greedy as a lionâs bite, wouldnât Madam kick me out?â\n
The three people chatted and laughed. The atmosphere was cheerful and happy. Fu Rong said, âAuntie Liu, I recently read âThe Stories of Flower Realmâ and like the flower ornaments mentioned there, so I came here to buy some, and I like them even more after seeing them in person. You know me, I like new and hate old. I want to switch a design every day, so itâs more suitable to buy a maid who knows how to make flower ornaments. Do you have any maids that know how to make flower ornaments? Itâs fine as long as they can make flower ornaments.â\n
Buying a personâŠâŠ\n
Liu Ruyi was a little startled, but hearing Fu Rong say that they only needed to know how to make flower ornaments, immediately had a candidate, âYes, I do. She serves Ms. Gu, so Iâll have to ask Ms. Gu first to see if sheâs willing to release the person.â\n
âSorry for bothering you!â Fu Rong said excitedly.\n
The little girlâs eyes were clear, her pretty face like a flower, and Liu Ruyi couldnât help but pinch it, âWhat bothering, many people canât obtain a smile from the beauties of the Fu family.â Especially this Third Lady, so delighted. She was someone who women would forget about business and agree to all her conditions. If it was a male owner, he would probably be even more hopeless.\n
This time, Liu Ruyi went for a longer time, so Fu Rong and her older sister sat down at the side and drank tea until she brought three little girls over.\n
The ages of the three people were close to Fu Rongâs. They all wore half-new and half-old bean green shirts, most likely changed to meet her.\n
Fu Rong put down her teacup, analyzing all three of them.\n
They were all familiar people, having served her before. It was a pity that the one she didnât like the most was the one who didnât betray her.\n