Huo Yuan said respectfully: "These are the jewels which the Old Master of the mansion ordered from my ’Masterpiece Building’ yesterday for Young Miss Biao from the mansion to wear when entering the palace. There were a few items that were not available in the ’Masterpiece Building’, so I had to gather them from other shops. It took me until now to gather them all. I personally delivered them and would like to ask Young Miss Biao to check if she is satisfied. If there is anything that needs to be changed, I can go and exchange it."
Having said that, he raised his hand to signal the little boy to open the brocade box.
The brocade box was opened, revealing a dazzling array of priceless jewels that were rarely seen.
Upon seeing this, the Old Madame widened her eyes in disbelief.
Even in their prime, the Duke An’s mansion did not possess such exquisite jewelry!
At this moment, Lady Wang felt a pang of jealousy. She resented Lady Mei, who could raise such a competent granddaughter who has captured the heart of Young Master Huo, the richest man in the Great Jin Nation, and made him serve her so willingly. How delightful she would be if her own granddaughters could do the same!
However, despite her jealousy, Lady Wang still managed to smile politely, saying, "Young Master Huo, you are too kind. Even I have rarely seen such fine items. How could the girl not like them?"
Huo Yuan replied gently: "Madam, you are too humble. Whether Young Miss Biao likes them or not, I hope she can check first."
Lady Wang said: "In that case, Hua Mei, please take the box to the back hall for your Young Miss Biao to see if there are any unsatisfactory parts."
She lifted her hand slightly, and Hua Mei took the box and left.
Behind the screen, the ladies were stunned at the sight of the jewelry box in Hua Mei’s hands. They were all green with envy, their eyes glued to the dazzling jewels in the box.
Hua Mei brought the box to Cai Wei and bent over to whisper, "Young Master Huo asked Young Miss Biao to look and check whether there is anything inappropriate in these head decorations."
Cai Wei glanced slightly at the jewelry. They were exquisitely made, studded with rare gemstones, beautifully colored, and masterfully crafted. Each piece was an expensive and ingeniously crafted treasure.
So she nodded, saying, "They are very good, I am satisfied."
When Huo Yuan outside heard her say ’satisfied’, he felt relieved. He sat for a while and then took his leave gracefully.
He was in a very good mood at this point.
In the morning, he had the chance to meet Consort Huo, his older sister, and he candidly revealed his feelings to her. Being very fond of her younger brother and trusting his judgment, Consort Huo promised to help him obtain another invitation and to promote his marriage proposal at the Shangsi Festival if she, too, found Cai Wei to be a suitable match. This promise gave Huo Yuan hope for the upcoming Shangsi Festival.
With his sister’s promise and the potential blessing from the Empress or Consort Huo for their marriage, she, with her entry into the Huo family, would certainly gain respect!
Seeing Huo Yuan’s attentiveness to Cai Wei, Du Wanqiu felt a sting of jealousy. She commented with a skin-deep smile, "Sister is so fortunate to have received such wonderful items. Wearing these jewels into the palace would surely steal the limelight."
Cai Wei didn’t like to hear these hypocritical courtesies and simply responded, "Sister, you’re too kind." She then lowered her head to continue eating.
After the meal, Lady Du, needing to take Cai Wei back for dance practice, said goodbye to Old Madame Wang, took the jewelry box, and returned to Changchun Garden with Cai Wei.
On the way back, they passed through the back garden of the Mansion, which was quiet, probably because everyone was taking a nap. Cai Wei and her mother saw Madam Yue’s daughter who was to be sent for the arranged marriage, in the distant Fangfei Pavilion.