The Jie Family’s butler and eldest son were extremely busy and seldom involved in the household affairs, with all the major and minor matters in the house managed by the second son of the Jie Family and that concubine from the Du Family.
It wouldn’t have been a big deal to deny that Du Concubine entry, after all, in such grand households, only the male head of the household and his legitimate wife held sway. A concubine was merely a step above a servant. So, there was no complaint if a concubine was denied entry.
But they could hardly stop Jie’s second son from entering.
After all, Madam had come that day to ask for a favor, and Jie’s second son was the master of the house.
"Second Master Jie, please!"
Jie’s second son grimly took the Du Concubine by the hand and entered, and with the second master leading, those old women had no grounds to stop them, and could only let her pass.
Upon entering the flower hall, they saw Madam leisurely drinking tea and enjoying some pastries. Meanwhile, Miss Du was sitting by the window, earnestly embroidering something—a beautiful collar tie, upon closer inspection.
Jie’s second son stood awkwardly at the doorway, hand in hand with the Du Concubine, and everyone inside turned their heads to look at them.
He quickly let go of the Du Concubine and saluted Madam.
"Your humble servant Jie Zhonglin greets Madam!"
Madam gently put down her teacup and softly said, "Master Jie, please, there’s no need for formalities."
Miss Du gave him a small nod and then lowered her head to continue her stitching.
This was his first time seeing Miss Du so focused on her work. The sunlight streaming in from outside the window was dazzling, and it stunned him for a bit.
And the look the Du Concubine gave to Miss Du was strange. Just now, she had claimed to be worried about her sister’s health, but now, her gaze held not a trace of sisterly affection.
This was a woman who loved to play roles.
Madam noted the actions of these three and chuckled softly, "Second Master Jie, I’ve imposed on you rather abruptly, asking your ailing wife to mend this collar tie for me. I hope you don’t mind?"
Jie Zhonglin, returning to his senses and hearing the word "wife," quickly looked toward the Du Concubine by his side.
The Du Concubine’s expression instantly became amiable, and in the very moment the second master looked at her, she switched to a beaming, lotus-like smile.
Madam instantly understood.
She wondered if this skill was acquired or innate, no wonder nobody liked that Du Concubine, yet Jie’s second master treated her like a treasure.
Seeing his beloved concubine not showing much of a reaction, Jie’s second son breathed a sigh of relief and said to Madam, "It is my humble wife’s honor to be able to mend a collar tie for Madam. How could I, Zhonglin, possibly mind?"
"Hmm, as long as you don’t mind, that’s good," Madam nodded and then praised, "Yu Family’s Manxiu Building has already closed down, and I thought my collar tie was beyond repair. Fortunately, we have Xintong, the sole inheritor of Manxiu’s craft. It would really be a pity if this skill were lost, as not many know it."
Miss Du slightly bowed and said, "Thank you for your praise, Madam. Xintong will ensure that Manxiu’s legacy does not end with me."
"That would be very good, it would be such a pity if it were lost."
Jie’s second son, who had been listening, frowned. Miss Du intended to divorce him, and a woman who was divorced or abandoned was called a discarded wife. Naturally, a discarded wife would no longer remarry.
In that case, how would she carry on the legacy of Manxiu?
Would she take on disciples, passing it on to outsiders?
He looked at his beloved concubine, the Du Concubine, and said, "How could it be lost? Aqing is also a daughter of the Du Family, and she knows Manxiu too, just not as expertly as... Xintong. In the future, Aqing will surely carry on the craft of Manxiu..."