The Wang family’s flower appreciation banquet was attended by Zhulan with her daughter in company. Zhulan arrived rather late, not to show off her status but with an apologetic tone, she said, "I should have left earlier, but my boy clung to me and wouldn’t let go, causing us to be a bit late."
Madame Tao didn’t mind and said with a smile, "It’s not late if it hasn’t started yet, and today you only brought Xue Han with you. Why didn’t you bring your two granddaughters? I only know their names but have yet to meet them!"
Upon Madame Tao’s words, the gathered officials’ families all glanced over, quite curious indeed. Although Miss Zhou was Zhou Magistrate’s youngest daughter and greatly doted on, even an eventual engagement couldn’t compete with Miss Zhou’s favor, and she would not draw their attention more than necessary.
So they had always been intent on the Zhou family’s granddaughters. Even if Zhou Magistrate’s eldest and second sons were mediocre, a marriage with a Zhou granddaughter was still worth considering, a pity they had never met them.
Zhulan smiled softly and said, "The two girls are still young."
In her heart, however, she felt helpless; they had their sights set on Yushuang and Yu Lu. She really didn’t know what to say.
Knowing that Madame Yang was not willing to talk further, Madame Tao changed the subject with a smile, "The banquet will begin soon; let’s try some fruits first, brought back from overseas."
Zhulan nodded with a smile, her gaze shifting outdoors, then she spotted Young Master Wang followed by several gentlemen. Zhulan understood that today was not simply about admiring flowers.
On the other side, Xue Han delivered a gift into the hands of her future sister-in-law, "This is an inkstone that fourth brother has pawned after borrowing silver from eldest brother to buy for Magistrate sister’s birthday gift."
Su Xuan felt the gift was not only hot to the touch but also scorched her heart. Overwhelmed, she fell silent, and with clenched teeth, asked, "How much silver did he owe?"
Su Xuan was exasperated; although Zhou Changzhi was a Magistrate’s son, he insisted on living like a poor scholar!
Xue Han sensed the Magistrate’s helplessness in her tone and replied with a smile, "He owes eldest brother thirty taels, and by the way, the inkstone was pawned for fifteen taels. When father found out, he was so angry that he confiscated all of fourth brother’s inkstones, and he still doesn’t allow fourth brother to take a single book from the study."
Su Xuan could just picture Chang Zhi struck by lightning. Being forbidden books was like killing him; Zhou Magistrate wanted Chang Zhi to learn his lesson, "The inkstone must have been very expensive."
Xue Han spread her hands, "Not just expensive. Fourth brother sure knew how to pawn, taking only the best inkstones. The one he pawned was worth more than a hundred taels. It was originally given to my father, who conveniently passed it on to fourth brother."
Well, their family truly wasn’t short of inkstones and the like, receiving such items as gifts every time, and over time, they had indeed accumulated quite a lot.
She too felt helpless; no wonder Zhou Magistrate was angry; she would have exploded with rage had it been her!
Xue Han stared intently at the box, "Magistrate sister, why don’t you open it and have a look?"
She had spoken so much, all for the sake of seeing the gift.
Su Xuan had little desire to open it, "The flower appreciation banquet is about to start; let’s go there!"
Xue Han withdrew her gaze and said pensively, "I was thinking of talking more about fourth brother’s preferences, but it’s a shame the flower appreciation banquet is starting. Magistrate sister, let’s go."
Zhou Changzhi might seem simple and easy to bully, but his sister was so astute; Su Xuan realized she had misjudged. This girl didn’t need her protection; she would be doing well not to swindle someone!
As the flower appreciation banquet began, Zhulan and the others rose to go to the garden. The Wang residence was truly vast, much larger than Zhulan’s own garden. At a glance, Zhulan spotted her daughter, knowing well her own child’s feelings. Seeing the smile on her daughter’s face, she knew she was enjoying the spectacle.
She wanted to see it too, but unfortunately, Changzhi had tied up the box. She had thought about opening it to look and then covering it again, but the knot was so intricate that it was hard to recreate it perfectly. It wouldn’t do for the Magistrate to notice.
Ultimately, she thought that her daughter would surely see it, so she refrained. Seeing the Magistrate’s somewhat stiff face, she knew the gift must have been unexpected.
At that moment, in the distance, Zhulan saw Young Master Wang and the others. A cursory glance over revealed they were all gentlemen not yet pledged in marriage, with Yao Zheyu being the most eye-catching of all.