A tangerine orange satin blouse with chrysanthemum branch patterns, paired with a light-colored floral pattern pleated skirt, a yellow silk jacket with intertwined peony and lotus patterns, paired with a moon-white floral Hunan dress with eighteen panels, a bright red robe adorned with lifelike fluttering butterflies, a green embroidered coat with colorful hibiscus patterns sprinkling gold, a lynx fur cloak, and a bright red feather gauze cloak.
Liu Ya, Xingzhi, and others held up the clothes for Sang Wan to see. They dazzled with colors and splendid brocades, making them extremely gorgeous and eye-catching, leaving everyone in awe. Amidst laughter, they praised, saying that only someone of Sang Wan’s character deserved such rich colors, patterns, and materials. They giggled and teased that the young master truly had no one above Sang Wan in his heart, as they had never seen the young master make clothes for anyone else!
Sang Wan listened and couldn’t help but slightly smile, Shi Fengju was indeed very good to her at times, to the extent she could no longer differentiate between true and false. If it weren’t for the nightmarish past life, she would have been completely lost in his kindness. However, that nightmare, like a thorn, deeply lodged in her heart, stirring whenever she felt a hint of happiness, reminding her of the past.
Sang Wan smiled and instructed Liu Ya and others to put away the clothes, her eyes landing on the raden-embedded box.
Mrs. Li picked it up and opened it, laughing, "Just looking at the exquisite craftsmanship of this box, the contents must be extraordinary! Madam, look! Oh, this jewelry is truly beautiful, these beads, and this kingfisher feather, they are so well made!"
Mrs. Li couldn’t stop praising as she pulled out a hairpin with butterflies and flowers, the antennas of the butterfly were still trembling, and the wings inlaid with kingfisher feathers and beads seemed as if they were about to flutter gently. She held it out to Sang Wan with a smile: "Madam, look! This set of kingfisher jewelry matches perfectly with these vibrant clothes, the young master really has superb taste!"
Liu Ya and Xingzhi exchanged looks, both somewhat surprised. This jewelry set was the very "Lantian Pearl" they had seen a few days ago at Qiongfang Pavilion.
One hundred and twenty thousand silver taels, no wonder it’s beautiful! Liu Ya muttered in her heart, but she was sincerely happy for Sang Wan.
Sang Wan took the hairpin with a smile, feeling its substantial weight in her hand. The colors of the kingfisher feathers changed, displaying a dazzling array of hues under different angles and lighting, an incomparable beauty.
"Madam, let me put it on for you!" Mrs. Li said with a beam.
"Keep it stored for now!" Sang Wan replied with a smile, "It’s clearly a fine piece, best saved for wearing during the New Year!"
"That’s also good, lest it damages Madam’s hairstyle and necessitates a redo! Anyway, Madam looks good in everything due to her fortunate life," Mrs. Li said cheerfully, instructing Liu Ya and Xingzhi to store everything away.
Sang Wan smiled, thinking to herself that when the time came to wear this set, Shi Yumei might not know what to say! She didn’t want to hear those idle talks. Unless Shi Fengju was present, she would never wear it.
Mrs. Li continued to incessantly praise Shi Fengju, inadvertently urging Sang Wan to treat him better and show more concern. Sang Wan almost couldn’t cope and suddenly recalled something which she used to steer the conversation away, gesturing for everyone to leave as she mentioned, "I have something to ask you, Mrs. Li, you don’t have other matters now, do you?"
"Whatever Madam commands, just say the word, I’m listening!" Mrs. Li quickly sat up straight and listened intently, halting the previous topic.
Sang Wan thought for a moment, then cautiously said, "I vaguely overheard yesterday that Xingzhi’s mother wanted to ask for a grace to let her go out and get married, is that true?"
Mrs. Li’s expression changed slightly at the mention, immediately becoming a bit anxious as she hurriedly smiled, "Not to deceive Madam, Xingzhi’s mother, from the Yang family, does have this idea. However, Xingzhi is only seventeen this year and can still serve Madam for two or three more years. I see her as stable and reliable, a real support for you. This isn’t much of an issue, I’ll speak to the Yang family later and suggest they delay it."
In large households, maids usually get married at around twenty or even twenty-two or twenty-three years of age. The Yang family likely wanted to seek a grace for their daughter due to longstanding family dignity.
"I didn’t mean to stop it," Sang Wan hurriedly smiled, "It’s really up to Xingzhi herself. If she wants to leave, I approve. She’s not that young anymore; forcibly keeping her isn’t right either. But if she leaves, Mrs. Li, you must find someone reliable to replace her soon."
Not long ago, Sang Wan had helped Xingzhi escape Ren Zhixian’s clutches. If just a month or two had passed and Xingzhi was eager to marry and leave, it showed she was still a self-preserving ingrate at heart. Keeping her wouldn’t be of much use and would only leave a lump in Sang Wan’s heart; it was better to let her go cleanly and maintain their master-servant affection.
Moreover, Sang Wan subtly suspected that although this was initiated by Xingzhi’s parents, who could say it wasn’t Xingzhi herself who had secretly communicated with her parents first to expedite her departure from this troublesome place? If that was the case, Sang Wan definitely couldn’t keep her.
Mrs. Li listened and stayed silent for a while before finally nodding with a smile, "Madam is truly merciful. Indeed, the Yang family intends to bond through marriage with Butler Jin’s youngest son; the two families have almost settled it privately! It’s all within the estate, so this marriage can be arranged first, there is no rush to marry right away. Madam, Xingzhi has served in Ningyuan for many years, she knows everything about here. If another new person comes, who knows how long it will take for them to get used to it! At that time, if Madam finds it inconvenient or uncomfortable, it would be less than ideal!"