Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 503 - 187 Red Gold Jewelry_2

Chapter 503: 187 Red Gold Jewelry_2

Yueyao said curiously, "When did I stop eating meat? It’s just that the flavor you like is too strong; I prefer something lighter." Mingzhu enjoyed dishes like braised pork, which were rich, oily, and heavy, and Yueyao was not used to eating them.

Mingzhu, realizing her mistake, felt a little embarrassed and muttered, "You really should have told me earlier if our tastes didn’t match. You kept silent for two months, making me think you didn’t eat meat!"

Yueyao laughed, "It’s okay, it’s not too late now."

Seeing Bai Yi instructing someone to pick lotus pods, Mingzhu immediately called out, "Bai Yi, it will take them a while to come back; go pick a couple yourself."

Yueyao finally had the chance to witness Bai Yi’s martial skills. With a push from his feet against the ground, he flew towards the lake, stepping lightly on the lotus leaves as if he were a dragonfly skimming the water. When Bai Yi bent down to pick the lotus pods, Yueyao’s heart leapt to her throat.

While Yueyao was still in shock, Bai Yi had already returned to his original spot, holding two huge lotus pods in his hands. Zhi Qin took them to open.

Mingzhu knew Yueyao was particular and waved at Zhi Qin, saying, "No, let her open them herself."

As Yueyao started to peel the lotus pods and ate the lotus seeds, she listened to Mingzhu playing tunes. Halfway through, she turned to Xiang Wei and asked, "Between you and Bai Yi, who is more skilled?"

Xiang Wei glanced at Yueyao, and after a thoughtful look, said, "I used to be on par with Bai Yi, but after my injury, I have fallen far behind him." Xiang Wei saw Yueyao’s calm expression and did not show any signs of disappointment, which for some reason warmed her heart.

Mingzhu played two complete tunes.

After listening, Yueyao stood up and repeatedly praised, "You have really improved a lot. Just keep working hard, and in less than a year, you will definitely play better than me." Yueyao was getting better at encouraging Mingzhu.

Mingzhu smiled so broadly that her eyes curved into crescents.

Bai Yi and Xiang Wei exchanged a look, amusement twinkling in their eyes.

The atmosphere at the Water Pavilion was joyous, with laughter occasionally drifting out. A beautifully dressed maid, adorned in gold and silver, passed by and paused outside upon hearing the cheerful laughter. She hesitated whether to enter and disturb them, but Zhi Hua spotted her.

The maid then entered the Water Pavilion and bowed to Mingzhu, saying, "Miss, Madam wishes to see Miss Lian."

Mingzhu frowned. Bai Han had spoken ill of Yueyao in front of her mother, and even when she had sent Yueyao an invitation this time, her mother was not pleased. Why would she want to see Yueyao now?

Mingzhu was willful, but she was very obedient to her mother. She turned to Yueyao and said, "Yueyao, come with me to see my mother, will you?"

Yueyao was reluctant inside. The Lady of Marquis Jingning didn’t like her but wanted to see her, definitely not for anything good. However, being at someone else’s residence, it was hard to refuse a meeting with the lady of the house.

Yueyao entered the main house. The Lady of Marquis Jingning’s residence was decorated with extreme opulence, the most luxurious Yueyao had ever seen.

Upon entering the room, Yueyao noticed that the floor was entirely covered with gold bricks. When she walked into the bedroom, she discovered that even there, the floor was gold bricks, and the room was sumptuously decorated.

Yueyao looked at the Lady of Marquis Jingning lying on the bed. She was dressed in indigo clothes and wore a red Forehead Cloth with a large red ruby in the middle. The gem’s sparkling light was dazzling enough to blind someone. This gem even overshadowed the Lady herself.

Ever since Yueyao had entered, the Lady of Marquis Jingning had been sizing her up. Today, Yueyao was wearing a moon-white blouse embroidered with plum blossoms and a fragrant-colored long skirt.

The Lady of Marquis Jingning, observing Yueyao, saw her as the calm and likable child her daughter-in-law had described, and found herself less adverse to Yueyao.

Yueyao approached and bowed to Lady Bai. Her efforts over the years in learning proper etiquette had not been in vain; her manners were impeccable, beyond reproach even in the imperial palace.

The Lady of Marquis Jingning felt a pang of regret. With such beauty and impeccable manners, plus an impressive literary talent, Yueyao would have been an excellent study companion for her daughter, had it not been for her strong personality.

The Lady softly said, "Please, take a seat."

Yueyao sat on a rosewood chair, which was cushioned with a leopard skin pad. Yueyao, being a discerning person, recognized the superior quality of the leopard skin; its texture was soft and even, the patterns were clear, and the colors were vibrant.

Yueyao was speechless; sitting on such a pad in winter would surely be warm and comfortable. But now in September, it would be nothing short of torture.

Now Yueyao understood the source of Mingzhu’s willful and obstinate personality, which clearly stemmed from the Lady of Marquis Jingning.

Once Yueyao had taken her seat, the Lady of Marquis Jingning gestured to a maid beside her. The maid immediately picked up a carved, redwood box from the table and handed it to Yueyao. Even without knowing what was inside, the box itself, with its ancient carvings, was quite valuable.

Yueyao did not accept it and looked puzzled at the Lady of Marquis Jingning.

The Lady nodded at the maid, who then opened the box to reveal a set of red gold jewelry.

Yueyao was momentarily dazzled by the jewelry and stood up, saying, "Madam, I haven’t earned such a reward; I cannot accept such an expensive gift." Yueyao was genuinely puzzled, wondering why she was being given such a lavish gift.

Mingzhu, watching the set of red gold jewelry, did not look pleased; her mother wouldn’t normally give such a gift. If jewelry was to be gifted, it should have been a jade ornament or pearl jewelry, not a set of red gold jewelry, which seemed too ostentatious.

The Lady of Marquis Jingning smiled and said, "What talk of rewards? This is just a gift from your aunt to meet you."

Unable to refuse further, Yueyao accepted the gift. Although Yueyao wasn’t against wearing gold, she would never wear a full set of gold jewelry. Daughters of prominent families would avoid wearing a full set when socializing, or else they might be ridiculed as nouveaux riches.