Liu Mei, her face flushed with embarrassment and puffing with anger, huffed loudly, and just when everyone thought the two of them were going to start arguing, they were surprised to find that Liu Mei, who was known to not tolerate any dissent, did not say a word and kept silent.
This was not a good sign. Lady Liu knew Liu Mei fairly well, it would have been better if she had started arguing right then and there. Now, was there something else going on?
Because of the tension between Lady Liu and Liu Mei, the reunion among the sisters gradually lost its warmth. The other women, seeing that things were amiss, excused themselves one by one.
Lady Liu still had a favorable impression of these women and promised to visit the Lin family valley more often in the future.
Before leaving, Lin Yuan had thoughtfully prepared a box of Rice Flower Fragrance pastries for each of them as a gift. Although the pastries from Rice Flower Fragrance were delicious, they were no longer a novelty for the Liu family who often enjoyed them.
Lin Yuan had intentionally prepared many pastries before her arrival because she wasn’t clear about the other elders in the Liu family and didn’t know if Lady Liu would visit other relatives for the New Year, which was why she had prepared extras. Now, they would make perfect gifts for the aunts.
Upon seeing the prominent "Rice Flower Fragrance" characters on the pastry boxes, the women were overjoyed. Not to mention Rice Flower Fragrance pastries, even ordinary pastries were not something some of them could enjoy regularly. They grew to like Lady Liu’s eldest daughter even more, and their envy for Lady Liu edged on boundless.
Liu Mei had not intended to take one, but she could not resist the delicious pastries. Even though she had only bought the cheapest products from Rice Flower Fragrance once, she still vividly remembered the taste.
As she took the pastries from Lin Yuan’s hands, Liu Mei smiled, "Alright then, my dear niece has been thoughtful indeed. Bring your brothers and sisters over to Aunt Mei’s place to play sometime."
Lin Yuan had a good impression of the earlier aunts, but she really couldn’t bring herself to last one, even finding her superior attitude somewhat repellent.
"Of course," she replied politely, nodding her head. Lin Yuan didn’t say anything more to her and didn’t even extend the same invitation to visit Rice Flower Fragrance that she had made to the previous women.
Lady Liu and Lin Yuan escorted them to the door where the guests departed happily for home, except for Liu Mei who lingered behind, hesitating. Sensing that this woman had something to discuss with her mother, Lin Yuan, though concerned her mother might be at a disadvantage, made an excuse to leave but didn’t go far.
"Ahem, Xianshu, there’s something I don’t know whether I should remind you of."
Lady Liu was clearly still hung up on the earlier argument, her expression cloudy as she coldly responded, "If you want to say something, say it. If not, I’m leaving."
Hiding and eavesdropping, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle. It turns out her worries were unfounded; ever since she had a son, Lady Liu had become much sharper with her words.
Liu Mei was so choked up by the response that it took her a long time to squeeze a sentence through her teeth, "I’m someone who speaks her mind. As your good sister, whether you like it or not, I feel compelled to remind you."
Lin Yuan curled her lip—is that really speaking your mind? It was clear she just looked down on others, not filtering her words. If she were facing Lady Jin, the Madam County Magistrate, would she still be so blunt? Not bowing and scraping would be strange indeed!
Lady Liu also curled her lip—thinking she’s a good sister? Wishful thinking!
After making sure no one was eavesdropping in the courtyard, Liu Mei continued, "Xianshu, I’m not trying to criticize you, but you can wait a few more years for your daughter’s marriage. However, your younger sister’s marriage can’t be put off. She’ll be twenty-one after the New Year. It’s unheard of in rural areas, towns, or even in the Capital city for a girl of her age to be unwed. Oh yes, there might be, but those girls either have a hidden illness or did something shameful when they were younger."
Without letting her finish, Lady Liu snapped back, "What? Damei, what are you implying? That my sister has a hidden illness or that she’s done something shameful? Hmph, don’t you go making wild guesses here. I’m telling you, my sister is a capable woman. She opened her own distillery in the town! It’s not that no one wants her; it’s that she doesn’t find those men worthy. Just you wait, she will definitely find an exceptional man!"