Chapter 1492 - 1490: Do You Like It?
Chapter 1492: Chapter 1490: Do You Like It?
Front Courtyard Council Hall.
The three of them left the courtyard together, Zhao Junyao and Xia Jingfeng went to the front courtyard.
Xia Ruqing followed the servant to the back courtyard.
At that time, she was still unaware.
Just a casual movement down the steps earlier had already been twisted and conveyed through the servant’s mouth to Tang Xun’s ears.
Moreover, it led people down a completely unrelated and ludicrously wrong path.
Actually, it’s not entirely the servant’s fault.
Servants in noble households are naturally gossipy, and with new guests today, their curiosity peaks.
They could only watch from afar since the master had dismissed them.
Even though Xia Ruqing was not young, she was well-maintained, slender, and dressed neither old-fashioned nor plain, but in a simple and elegant manner.
Her jet-black hair was casually tied up, from a distance, her silhouette resembled a youthful young woman.
...
When Tang Xun, dressed elegantly and stunningly, was about to go out to greet the concubine to assert her status as the mistress.
The back courtyard door suddenly opened.
A simple woman around forty years old appeared before her.
Though she dressed simply and elegantly, her noble aura seemed to emanate from her bones, making one unable to look away and want to kneel immediately.
Looking at the maid respectfully serving by her side, and then at the unfamiliar and complexly dressed woman standing behind her.
The clever Tang Xun immediately realized that this person’s status was noble and surely not from Jinling.
Such an age couldn’t be a concubine.
Judging by attire and aura, she’s not from an ordinary family.
Seeing the master’s attitude... sending her out to greet?
After pondering for a moment, Tang Xun hurriedly knelt down in panic.
"Empress Dowager’s arrival, this humble woman failed to welcome from afar, I hope Empress will forgive!"
Upon her kneel, the few senior maids beside her realized immediately, knelt down asking for peace.
Looking at the suddenly kneeling crowd below, Xia Ruqing felt a bit uncomfortable but was unsurprised and waved her hand.
"Rise! No need for formalities among family!"
Tang Xun awkwardly thanked her and stood up, quickly welcoming Xia Ruqing inside.
But internally, she couldn’t help but reproach herself.
’What a humiliation, not only mistaking the Empress Dowager for a concubine, but also scrutinizing for so long, this is truly...’
Her face flushed with embarrassment, for the first time blaming Xia Jingfeng.
’Why didn’t the master send someone to clarify, why make her guess!’
...
Xia Ruqing, however, didn’t think much of it, walking slowly and observing along the way.
Noticing the back courtyard’s decor was much more exquisite than the front courtyard.
Pavilions, towers, mountains and waters, flowers and birds, plants and trees, everything was present.
Though the pavilion towers’ style was ordinary, it was simply elegant.
Though the mountains and waters weren’t anything precious, their arrangement added a refined touch.
Though the flora and trees were common bamboo and elm trees, even the garden path lacked pebbles, just paved with bluestone.
Yet, these elements combined and meticulously maintained, were captivating.
She smirked and praised all the way.
"The sister-in-law has great taste, it’s both simple and serene, exquisite and elegant, well-coordinated!"
Tang Xun was zoning out when she heard this, quickly refocused, and responded awkwardly.
"Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s praise!"
"These are all the master’s handiwork, I only handle the maintenance..."
Xia Ruqing chuckled.
"No wonder it looks so simple!"
"It really is him!"
Tang Xun steadied herself and nodded with a smile.
"The master enjoys painting, likes to draw bamboo, plays the zither in the bamboo grove, and listens to the rustle of bamboo leaves!"
"We originally didn’t reside in this courtyard, but the master loved it, so we moved!"
Tang Xun finally recovered from the initial shock and surprise and quickly adjusted her mindset.
After all, she was educated and had seen some of the world.
She was smart and insightful, not one to dwell on the servant’s mistake.
The person before her was the current Empress Dowager, the husband’s biological sister.
Coming all the way from the Capital City, she naturally yearned for her brother.
As the sister-in-law, it’s rightful and reasonable to greet and properly entertain, no fault of the master.
She took a deep breath, focused on hosting without further thoughts.
...
Upon reaching the back courtyard.
Tang Xun had completely adjusted herself.
She personally served Xia Ruqing, made tea herself.
After half a stick of incense, handed a freshly brewed cup of bamboo green tea to Xia Ruqing, smiling.
"Not sure what the Empress Dowager likes, so I impromptu made a cup of bamboo green for tasting!"
Xia Ruqing received it politely.
"No problem, I am not picky about tea!"
She took a sip, praised it as good, then set it aside.
Tang Xun was busy arranging snacks, sending someone to the school to excuse the children, and ordering servants to prepare meals.
Meanwhile, other servants came to report on matters, all seemingly bustling and complex.
Yet she remained calm, cautiously thought, and gave orders.
Amidst the hustle, she was methodical.
No matter how chaotic the matter, it seemed she could quickly sort it out and organize it well.
Xia Ruqing held her cup thoughtfully.
"So... Jingfeng likes this type!"
She seemed quite nice.
Gentle and kind, calm, serene and elegant, beautiful and graceful, yet not a mere ornament.
She exuded a feeling of ’my lord shall be a rock, and I a reed; fragile yet unyielding.’
A woman to grow old with.
Bashful, flustered, jealous, yet with minor flaws.
But these flaws weren’t annoying, instead, seemed real, even slightly adorable.
...
That day, Xia Ruqing sat in the back courtyard for a long time.
After Tang Xun hosted her with tea and snacks, she called for the children.
A boy and girl around five to six, three to four years old, sweetly called her aunt in soft, cute voices.
Xia Ruqing’s heart melted.
Happily hugged both on each side, quickly asked someone to prepare gifts.
Since there was no special preparation, Zi Yue and Zi Ning could only select valuable items.
Thus...
Five and a half-year-old Xia Zerun received a half-foot long, one-inch thick Jade Ruyi, entirely green, rich and vibrant, worth a fortune.
Three years and eight months old Xia Zeyu received a whole set of exquisite golden locks, heavy and vibrant, engraved with characters of blessing and longevity, all imperial styled, rare and equally valuable.
Tang Xun was somewhat apprehensive and at a loss over Xia Ruqing’s generous gifts.
"Empress Dowager this..."
Xia Ruqing waved her hand to stop her from speaking, only held the two children and asked with a smile.
"Do you like it?"
Curious little Xia Zerun looked at the Jade Ruyi in his hand, wondering why this toy seemed so big.