My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 140 - 139: Currying Favor

Chapter 140: Chapter 139: Currying Favor

The next morning, Mrs. Xie came out wearing a newly made cloak and at the sight of a brand new mink cloak on Mrs. Wang standing in front of the carriage, her face changed several times.

"This cloak of my big sister..."

Seeing the expression on her face, Mrs. Wang knew what she was thinking and said with a slight smile, "Xixi sent this over last night with a maid. Perhaps she thought I looked too thinly dressed; she does have a filial heart."

Another gift from Qin Liuxi?

Mrs. Xie glanced at the jade hairpin on her head and said with an envious tone, "Big sister is indeed lucky. Although young Qin Liuxi was sent to the old house and, by all rights, should not be so closely bonded with you, she is very obedient and respects you in every way, even more so than her own mother is capable of."

Envious and sarcastically spoken!

Mrs. Wang replied, "When it comes to good fortune, who can compare to you, with several children all staying by your side?"

Mrs. Xie was startled and quickly cheered up but dared not show it too much, only saying, "Big sister, don’t be too sad. Things will get better."

Yes, no matter how filial, what is it worth if your legitimate son is not by your side to offer joy?

"Alright. Let’s go, or we will be late." Mrs. Wang stepped onto the carriage.

Mrs. Xie hurriedly followed.

Inside the residence, Qin Liuxi had just finished her cultivation practice when she heard that Song Yu Yan had arrived.

"Cousin Liu Xi, I don’t really have anything decent to give, but I made these shoes for you. I’m not sure if they’re the right size."

Qin Liuxi looked down at the pair of embroidered shoes Song Yu Yan held in her hands. The blue silk shoes were embroidered with two lifelike pomegranate flowers, as exquisite as those on the pomegranate tree in the courtyard.

She found it a bit strange and, withdrawing her gaze to look at Song Yuqing again, said, "Why are you doing this for me? We’re not close."

Seeing that she wasn’t accepting the gift and again mentioning their lack of closeness, Song Yu Yan felt a bit flustered and her face grew warm as she clutched the embroidered shoes and said, "We... since we are staying at the old house, we have nothing to offer in return. I can only do some needlework. Do you find it distasteful, cousin?"

"You don’t need to make these for me." Qin Liuxi said, "Since Grandmother has brought you back, you just need to live peacefully, no need to try to curry favor with me."

Song Yu Yan’s face turned red with embarrassment, "I’m not..."

"If you truly want to show your gratitude, you may do so for Grandmother and Mother. There’s no need for mine. It’s not that I find it distasteful; it’s just that I have people who already provide me with such items, so you need not trouble yourself."

Song Yu Yan was on the verge of tears from the cold response.

"I’ll accept these shoes, thank you." Qin Liuxi took the shoes, "You needn’t make any more in the future. It’s too exhausting. Auntie goes out to work, hoping to save some money for you, given your difficult circumstances. Why don’t you put some thought into this as well? The embroidery on these shoes is quite fine, were you taught by a famous master?"

Song Yu Yan nodded, "In the past, I learned from a concubine in the mansion."

Qin Liuxi was surprised. A legitimate daughter like herself, associating with a concubine?

Song Yu Yan seemed uncomfortable and lowered her head, "She was originally my mother’s maid, very skilled at needlework. I also know double-sided embroidery."

"Double-sided embroidery is indeed very valuable. You can embroider some beautiful designs for fans and screens. Many embroidery workshops would accept them. Once you’re finished, give them to Mother, and she will have Chief Li sell them. The money you receive will be for your own use; you don’t have to worry about it being embezzled." It’s better to rely on oneself than others; embroidery might strain the eyes, but it can be exchanged for Silver, so why not do it?

Song Yu Yan felt somewhat tempted, but she lacked fine materials to work with.

"Qi Huang, go get half a bolt of embroidery silk for her." Qin Liuxi instructed Qi Huang and then said to Song Yu Yan, while raising the embroidered shoes in her hand, "Consider it payment for these shoes."

...

Song Yu Yan, holding half a bolt of top-grade autumn fragrance colored embroidery, walked out of Qin Liuxi’s courtyard still in a daze. She had indeed intended to please Qin Liuxi with a pair of shoes, especially after hearing that this residence was under Qin Liuxi’s name.

Dependent on others, one must act deferentially, observing words and expressions carefully. Having come to Li City only recently, she could tell from how even her overbearing and hot-tempered second aunt bowed before Qin Liuxi, and even Qin Mingqi could not gain the upper hand in an altercation with her, that Qin Liuxi was not someone to be trifled with.

Therefore, she was willing to keep her head down and act humbly, seeking favors from Qin Liuxi, which was better than being kicked out after angering her someday.

She had not expected, however, that the other party would give her a bolt of embroidery in return.

Song Yu Yan caressed the smooth, high-quality embroidery, inevitably feeling a bit of joy in her heart.

Although she was also directly descended, her father was a legitimate son born of a concubine. Only because he was somewhat clever did he gain their grandfather’s favor, who valued her second uncle, the legitimate son, and his family even more.

Moreover, her mother had only given birth to her and her sister over a span of more than a decade. Despite being the principal wife, she was not as favored and proud as Aunt Cheng, who had borne two sons. Consequently, their everyday necessities were not the finest either.

She had only seen such fine embroidery once when she was eight; that year her maternal grandfather was promoted to a third-rank position, and their living standard improved substantially.

Song Yu Yan’s nose tingled as she sniffled.

"Cousin?"

Song Yu Yan stiffened slightly and turned around, her face breaking into a smile: "Cousin Ming Yue."

She and Qin Mingyue were of the same age, she was born in February and Qin Mingyue in June, but in terms of social status, they were worlds apart.

Qin Mingyue’s gaze fell on the embroidery she was holding, her eyes brightened: "Where did this embroidery come from? It’s really beautiful."

Song Yu Yan’s hand tightened as she said, "It’s Qin Liu Xi’s coming of age this year. I made her a pair of embroidered shoes, and she gave me this half bolt of embroidery to use for a fan cover."

Qin Mingyue paused for a moment and then spoke softly, "Big sister is really good to you. We, as her close sisters, haven’t received such beautiful embroidery. I’m afraid big sister doesn’t like us very much."

Song Yu Yan laughed forcedly: "Cousin, you’re overthinking it."

"Cousin, I have a skirt, but I’m just missing a top in this color to match it. Can you spare me some of your embroidery? I’ll replace it with other embroidery for you later?" Qin Mingyue came forward, holding her hand and coquettishly said: "Cousin, can you bear to part with it?"

Song Yu Yan’s lips quivered, her fingers curled, and after a long moment, she said, "Of course not."

"Then let’s go."

Qi Huang, who was behind the courtyard door, watched as the two walked away together, then turned around to report back to Qin Liuxi. Seeing that she had no reaction, she couldn’t help asking, "Miss, do you have no objections?"

Qin Liuxi, who was drawing talismans, didn’t even lift her head as she said, "What objections could I have? Once I’ve given her the item, it’s hers. Whether she can keep it or whom she gives it to, that’s her business, not mine. People must rely on themselves to stand firm. Can one really rely on others for protection their whole life?"

Right, it’s the young lady’s style!

Qi Huang said, "Miss, what about these shoes?"

Qin Liuxi glanced at the embroidered shoes placed to one side, "Put them away. It’s getting cold; there’s no use for them now."

Qi Huang listened and put away the shoes.

It wasn’t that they were of no use, but anything she needed was made and sent over by embroidery ladies who were familiar with her size and preferences.