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: The Way of Favors Chapter 11\n
: The Way of Favors Chapter 13\n
The room was bright and elegant, with a faint fragrance of tea. Liu Ruyi walked over to Fu Rongâs side and sat down, and asked the two sisters with a smile, âHow is this tea?â\n
Fu Rong said sincerely, âYou are so nice to us.â\n
She liked flower tea. She liked the Zhulan Yellow Mountain Bud the most, and Liu Ruyi had prepared this tea. The tea was light with an elegant floral fragrance and a mellow taste. It was top-grade, just like the Puâer tea made by her older sister. Fu Rong knew that this was Liu Ruyiâs ability to make customers come back to buy, and she needed to know what the ladies liked, but this did not affect her enjoyment of such thoughtfulness.\n
Fu Wan also thanked her with a soft voice.\n
Her picky guests were satisfied, so Liu Ruyi brought up the main topic, pointing at the three girls and saying, âThey are all from innocent poor families and have been by Ms. Guâs side for two or three years. Their silver and gold jewelry skills arenât very good, but they can make flower ornaments. If the Third Lady likes one of them, I will sell her to you.â\n
She had the three girls say their names.\n
They were all jewelry-related names.\n
The most good-looking one was called Jin Shan (Golden Fan), with a fair complexion and delicate eyes. Fu Rong loved beauty and also liked to use good-looking people. She had chosen Jin Shan in the previous life, because she had a special use, and Fu Rong had given her the title of first-grade maid. But in the end, Jin Shan couldnât tell right from wrong and was too greedy, and dared to seduce her older brother behind her back, so Fu Rong had to send her back.\n
After Liu Ruyi knew the reason, she let her choose another person generously.\n
The second time she picked, Fu Rong chose the ordinarily-looking Yin Zhui (Silver Pendant). Having learned a lesson from the previous time, she only had Yin Zhui be a second-grade maid and didnât normally call her over to serve her to prevent her older brother from being seduced. Yin Zhui had a considerable position but liked to inquire about things, always wanting to figure out why Fu Rong insisted on wearing a flower ornament and didnât reflect on her wrongdoings when she was scolded by Mei Xiang.\n
Ruyi House didnât sell maids, so Fu Rong felt embarrassed to disturb Liu Ruyi again, so she could only kick Yin Zhui out of the manor. But who knew that Yin Zhui went back to Ruyi House with her package to complain, and Liu Ruyi came to the manor on the same day to express her apologies. She thought that it was because Yin Zhui didnât serve her well, so she gave her Yu Qin (Jade Zither).\n
Oh, Yu Qin, she was the ugliest out of the three people. How ugly was she, she was so ugly that Fu Rong didnât look at her a second time when she first met her.\n
But Yu Qin showed Fu Rong that she was not to judge someone by their appearance. Not only was she ingenious, but she was also quiet and introverted, with her most valuable attribute being her loyalty. Many people wanted to know why Fu Rong insisted on wearing a flower ornament, including her sister-in-law. When Fu Rong married into the prince manor, her sister-in-law had promised Yu Qin various benefits, but Yu Qinâs reply was always that one sentence.\n
âMy lady loves beauty.â\n
âIâll take her.â Fu Rong reached out to point towards Yu Qin, who had her eyes on the ground, âThe first-grade maids at my side all have Xiang in their name. You were originally Ms. Guâs beloved disciple, and now having your great future blocked by me, I can only compensate you with the title of first-grade maid. If youâre willing, could you change your name to Qin Xiang?â\n
As soon as she said the words, both Liu Ruyi and Fu Wan were shocked, and Jin Shan and Yin Zhui were envious and jealous.\n
The disciple of Ms. Gu, it sounded nice, but they were almost the same as a maid. They couldnât learn any real skills for the first few years, and it was boring always carving here and there. The gold, silver, pearls, and jewels that they held in their hands were for someone else, even if they were reluctant. But the first-grade maid at Third ladyâs side will follow her when she marries. If sheâs lucky and becomes a concubine or the lead maid in a worse scenario, days would be good.\n
They were more envious and jealous as they thought of this and complained inside. What was wrong with this Third Lady, Yu Qin was so ugly, what did she see in her?\n
Yu Qin was the one who least believed this, but when she raised her head and looked at Fu Rongâs smiling face, her eyes started to water, and she quickly knelt, respectfully bowing to Fu Rong, âQin Xiang thanks my lady for the position. I will serve my lady well in the future.â She then bowed to Liu Ruyi, âQin Xiang will never forget about ownerâs help.â\n
Liu Ruyi smiled, âIt is your good fortune to have been chosen by Third Lady. Okay, quickly pack up your belongings and go with Third Lady. Donât forget to bid farewell to your master.â\n
Qin Xiang quickly rubbed her eyes and went with little steps.\n
Fu Rong saw the three maids leave, then turned around and said to Liu Ruyi, âPlease say thank you to Ms. Gu for me.â It was rumored that Ms. Gu looked ugly and didnât like to go out. She wore a curtain hat when she did occasionally go out, so it wasnât proper for her to go there personally to thank her.\n
Liu Ruyi nodded her head and handed Qin Xiangâs selling maid tablet to Fu Rong.\n
After Qin Xiang had packed everything up, Liu Ruyi followed Fu Rong and her older sister downstairs, âI havenât seen Madam in a long time, so Iâll go visit her today along with you guys. But Iâll have to ask for silver as soon as I get there, Madam will probably be annoyed.â\n
The smile on Fu Rongâs face hadnât disappeared, âHow would she. Youâve helped us so much, my mother would be happyâŚâŚâ\n
Halfway through talking, Fu Rong stopped and stared at a man in gray, a driver, who had just walked into Ruyi House.\n
This person looked so familiar, sheâs seen him beforeâŚâŚ\n
A solemn and majestic figure suddenly rushed into her mind, and Fu Rong looked behind the driver in shock, but only saw people from the streets coming inside. There was no father-in-law from the previous life, the King of Xindu, Xu Yaocheng.\n
âNong Nong?â Fu Wan shouted curiously.\n
âOh, Iâm fine, letâs go.â Fu Rong reacted and seeing the driver look her way, then stood downstairs as if he was waiting for someone while Fu Rong casually went downstairs with Fu Wan.\n
The driver opened his mouth after the sisters had passed him, âOwner, you have a letter.â\n
Did he call Liu Ruyi owner?\n
This was strange, and Fu Rong couldnâtâ help but look back to see Liu Ruyi put the letter into her sleeve. After the driver had completed his task, he quickly left and was gone in a flash.\n
Seeing her curious, Liu Ruyi said casually, âI had ordered someone to find out the value of gold and silver in the capital and I finally have the information now.â\n
Fu Rong didnât believe her, but as a customer, she couldnât inquire about much.\n
When they came here, there was already a horse carriage. When they went out, there was another one behind them.\n
Fu Rong helped Qiao Shi entertain Liu Ruyi. She had a sweet mouth and could talk nicely. Liu Ruyi enjoyed the words and adding on, Little Guan was lively and cute, and there was endless laughter in the hall. Qiao Shi also really liked the three hairpins, so when Liu Ruyi asked for nine hundred taels, she added an extra hundred taels to make a thousand. Both the guests and hosts were happy.\n
After they sent off Liu Ruyi, Qiao Shi called her three daughters over to the main hall to have them choose their hairpins.\n
The eldest gives way to the youngest, so Fu Wan let Fu Xuan choose first.\n
Even though the three hairpins were worth a total of nine hundred taels, it didnât signify that each hairpin was three hundred taels. The most expensive one should be the sapphire hairpin, then the pure pink tourmaline, and finally the white jade hairpin.\n
Seeing Fu Xuan about to grab the white jade hairpin, Fu Rong blocked her hand, saying to Qiao Shi, âMother, letâs have younger brother choose them for us. Youâll take one out, and he can point at one of us.â She was indifferent to which hairpin she would have. She would like the white jade hairpin if given to her, but she just didnât want her younger sister to choose the cheapest one.\n
âWhy go through this much.â Immediately realizing what her third sister was thinking, Fu Xuan persisted in choosing the white jade hairpin.\n
Relying on her height, Fu Rong squeezed her younger sister to the side and rushed to hand the three hairpins to her mother.\n
Qiao Shi smiled happily. Girls all love to compare, as did sisters, but her three daughters had never argued about this before. One is gentle and generous, one is lively and charming and one loves books like her life, which saved her a lot of trouble.\n
âAlright, letâs have Little Guan choose.â Qiao Shi decided.\n
In the end, Fu Wan got the sapphire, Fu Xuan got the white jade hairpin, and Fu Rong got the pink tourmaline hairpin that she liked most.\n
This was also Qiao Shiâs most satisfactory distribution.\n
She happily kissed her youngest son, âOur Little Guan has good taste, he knows which one matches each of his older sisters. When he grows up, he will make girls happy.â\n
Little Guan grinned while holding the jewelry box.\n
Fu Rong sat next to her mother and looked at her smiling family around her, everyone seeming to be satisfied.\n
Her biggest wish in this reincarnation was that her family would be safe and sound. Then she wouldnât have any worries.\n
~\n
âMy lady.â\n
Qin Xiang, who had already changed into a white dress walked up to Fu Rong somewhat restrainedly, her eyes at Fu Rongâs waist.\n
Fu Rong analyzed Qin Xiang seriously. The teenage girl had a dark face, thick eyebrows, a low nose, and thick lips. The only good-looking detail was her big watery eyes, but people would probably stop looking at her before they got to her eyes. They had been together for a few years, so she was used to her. Now, Fu Rong didnât think that Qin Xiang was ugly, and asked her with a smile, âHave you arranged your accommodation? Is there anything missing from your room?â\n
Qin Xiang hurriedly said, âI thank my lady for your concern, everything is pretty good. Living in the room next to Mei Xiang Older Sisterâs, the two older sisters both take care of me.â\n
Two maids turned their heads and snickered, then were taken to the side by Mei Xiang and didnât dare to express anything else because of the glare she gave them. With this kind of care, Qin Xiang was happy and uneasy at the same time, thinking that she was a newcomer and should not be so important.\n
It could be said that Fu Rong had lived two lives, and Qin Xiang was not good at covering up, so it was easy to see her concerns. She beckoned for Qin Xiang to come closer. Fu Rong took off her forehead pendant and said as she pointed to the little pit, âThis was left after my illness. I donât want others to see it, so I chose you to serve me. Qin Xiang, besides Master and Madam, the only people in Xindu City who know of this Are Nanny Sun, Mei Xiang, and Lan Xiang. I trust you, and I hope that you will keep your mouth shut for me.â\n
Only if she showed Qin Xiang how large her pit was could she make the most suitable flower ornament.\n
Qin Xiang was ugly but pure, and she immediately knelt, âMy lady, please rest assured. Qin Xiang swears to the heavens that I will not tell anyone about this. If I violate this, Iâll still look like this next life!â To be ugly by doing nothing, she would be a laughingstock of others.\n
Fu Rong didnât smile. On the contrary, she felt a little apologetic for her initial thoughts.\n
Slipping on her shoes and walking over, Fu Rong helped her up, âI naturally trust you. About your appearance, I canât do much, but as long as you are by my side, I will immediately drive away any person who dares to laugh at you.â\n
Her voice was gentle, but her words were full of firm support. Qin Xiang lowered her head, crying silently. Her parents hadnât treated her like this.\n
Fu Rong handed a handkerchief over to her, âOkay, you are excused now. Write down the materials and tools needed for the flower ornaments. Iâll have someone go buy them tomorrow. Thereâs no rush to make them, as the ones brought from Ruyi House are enough for me to use for a while.â\n
âYes, lady should rest assured, Qin Xiang will serve lady well.â Qin Xiang promised again and left with red circles around her eyes.\n
Fu Rong lay back down on the couch and fidgeted with the hairpin that was put to the side.\n
What was going on with that little driver?\n
She didnât bump into him in Ruyi House in the previous life but did see him a few times at her father-in-lawâs side. Could it be that he originally was a person from Ruyi House, and went to rely on the prince manor when Liu Ruyi and Ms. Gu and all the others of Ruyi House disappeared overnight?\n
But there was only a six-month gap between Liu Ruyiâs departure and her marriage, so isnât it weird that the little driver became a subordinate of her father-in-law so quickly? If it was true, he wouldnât be succumbing in Ruyi House and would have already gone to rely on a higher branch.\n
Or maybe, he originally was a subordinate of her father-in-law and was ordered to go to Liu Ruyiâs side?\n
Then did Liu Ruyi know about this?\n
If she knew, then there only remained one explanation, right?\n
Fu Rong held up her hairpin and stared at the delicate pink wings, feeling a little complicated.\n
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