Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots -
Chapter 1163: Pay a visit at 3 AM.
Chapter 1163: Pay a visit at 3 AM.
The Tian Mansion was quite reserved, but everywhere there was an air of Jiangnan’s gentle grace.
"Miss Lin, this way, please."
Passing through the porch, the group arrived at the living room. Lin Yuan, remembering Lady Liu’s instructions, went to pay her respects to Madam Tian and had Shuishui lead her there.
This was their first visit to the Tian Mansion, and it was customary to meet the family elders first.
Just as they reached the front courtyard, a clever maid had already dashed into the house to announce their arrival, so by the time they approached the door, the people inside were already hurrying out to greet them.
"Yuanyuan, you’re here."
A figure in light green flashed by as Tian Hui quickly stepped out to welcome her. It was clear that she had been living very comfortably in the mansion these days, her face brimming with the happiness and sweetness of soon becoming a bride.
"Sister Hui," Lin Yuan replied delightedly, raising her eyebrows and whispering with a light laugh in her ear, "A few days not seen, and you have become even more beautiful, Sister Hui."
Teased by Lin Yuan’s obviously playful words, Tian Hui’s ears turned red at once. She took Lin Yuan’s hand and chided her with a glance while walking into the house: "There you go again, how formal sending a maid with a note. Didn’t I tell you that you’re welcome to visit me anytime you’re free?"
"Didn’t I tell you I was afrain you’d be too busy with your dowry to see me?"
Lin Yuan chatted with Tian Hui and had already entered the room, only to suddenly find that there were indeed many people inside!
Sitting at the top was an old lady with white hair, kindly looking and benevolent; it must be Tian Hui’s grandmother. Compared to the shrewdness of the Old Lady Jin, Old Lady Tian genuinely radiated kindness and warmth.
Next to the old lady sat a middle-aged woman bearing a resemblance to Tian Hui, with bright eyes and a pleasant face, hinting at the beauty she must have possessed in her youth.
This was Tian Hui’s mother, Madam Tian.
Lin Yuan quickly paid her respects to Madam Tian, thanking her for the bird’s nest she had sent to Lady Liu and presented her own gift as well. Compared to the Blood Swallow Madam Tian had sent, her top-grade donkey-hide gelatin might not have been as prestigious, but it was indeed rare.
Madam Tian was a very gentle person, her smile revealing two faint dimples. She asked Lin Yuan about her mother and siblings.
Lin Yuan answered all her questions.
At that moment, a charming young lady nestled next to Madam Tian suddenly asked with wide eyes, "Miss Lin, I heard you have a sister who loves embroidery?"
This talkative young lady was Tian Xuan, Tian Hui’s full sister. Lin Yuan had heard about her from Tian Hui; she was the same age as Lin Wei and Xiao He, which explained her interest in Lin Wei.
Lin Yuan admired Tian Xuan’s lively nature as she looked into her expectant eyes and nodded: "Yes, my second sister Lin Wei enjoys embroidery and often practices on her own at home."
Seeing her nod, Tian Xuan’s eyes gleamed even brighter: "Then is Second Miss Lin participating in the Red Smoke Pavilion’s selection this time?"
Lin Yuan was taken aback, but understanding Tian Xuan’s hopeful look, she replied: "She is participating. Is Second Miss Tian also taking part?"
"Of course!" Tian Xuan exclaimed with joy, her entire face lighting up with a smile. Only then did Lin Yuan notice that like her mother, Tian Xuan’s cheeks also bore two deep dimples, making her sweet and adorable.
"Xuanxuan, that’s no way to behave," Tian Hui scolded with a frown, then apologetically smiled at Lin Yuan: "My sister can be quite boisterous, still like a little child at times. Even my brother is more composed than she is. He should be studying in the library and can’t meet you today. Please forgive him."
Lin Yuan shook her head to show she didn’t mind; she hadn’t come to see Tian Jiaze, after all.
However, her eyes were directed at the other people in the room.
Apart from Old Lady Tian and Madam Tian Xuan, there were four or five other women of various ages in the room, but they all appeared younger than Tian Hui.
Following her gaze, Tian Hui’s face momentarily betrayed a flash of embarrassment, yet she maintained a smile and said to her, "These are my sisters."
Although she didn’t explicitly say so, Lin Yuan guessed from her expression and previous remarks that these were not simply sisters; they must be her half-siblings from her father’s concubines.
With as many as five half-sisters from concubines alone, what about half-brothers?
Lin Yuan couldn’t help but click her tongue in wonder, thinking that Madam Tian truly had a remarkably good nature to be able to tolerate her husband taking so many Little Concubines and to endure them giving birth to her husband’s children. Such a thing would certainly be absolutely intolerable in other families.
However, with two exceptionally outstanding daughters like Tian Hui and Tian Xuan, and a son like Tian Jiaze, Madam Tian must not be worried about these children from concubines overshadowing her own children.
Although they were born of concubines, these young ladies were all very proper in their manners. Even though some of them looked rather shrewd, none seemed to have a bad heart, and Lin Yuan found herself reassured.
Old Lady Tian’s hearing was poor due to her age, and Lin Yuan had to speak loudly through Madam Tian for her to hear, which was quite troublesome. Additionally, the old lady would sometimes give unrelated answers, which was really quite amusing.
After chatting with the elders for a while, Tian Hui took Lin Yuan to her own courtyard.
As soon as her sister left, Tian Xuan also cheerfully got up from Madam Tian’s side, "Mother, I’ll go over to my sister’s place and see if she needs my help."
Madam Tian gave her a reproachful look and, after repeatedly reminding her to behave and stay polite, allowed her to leave.
Seeing that the legitimate daughters had left, the several daughters born of concubines also got up, preparing to leave.
Madam Tian instructed them to read more books and practice their writing before letting them go.
Tianhui’s courtyard was filled with the sweet atmosphere of impending marriage, her bridal seamstress basket still sitting on top of the wardrobe.
Lin Yuan covered her smile with a hand, "Sister, did you hide your bridal gown on purpose because you knew I was coming?"
Tian Hui bit her lip, her cheeks coloring as she pushed Lin Yuan down to sit on a stool and personally poured her a cup of tea, "Are you just here to make fun of me?"
"Of course not," Lin Yuan shook her head. "I am here to ask for sister’s help."
After speaking, she told Tian Hui about receiving Yao Hanai’s invitation the day before.
Tian Hui was surprised, "She sent you another invitation?"
She laughed after saying this, realizing it was natural for another invitation to come after a few days, as the last one was turned away by her. But hadn’t she warned Lin Yuan to try not to attend? Why had she accepted it?
Knowing that Tian Hui was also concerned for her, Lin Yuan shared her thoughts with her, for as a fellow woman, Tian Hui could understand her feelings better than Xia Zheng could. Moreover, Tian Hui was also aware of the many in the Capital city who admired Xia Zheng.
"Actually, I have been worried about you being bullied by them since you’re new to the Capital, but rest assured, since you’re going, I’ll accompany you that day too," Tian Hui said.
Before Tian Hui could finish, her words were cut off by the arrival of Tian Xuan, "Sister, where are you going? Have you forgotten what Mother told you yesterday? Before you get married, you shouldn’t even think about going anywhere. Just stay at home and prepare to be wed."
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