Second Marriage

Chapter 58 Part 2

The Marquis Residence did not have any female adults, so they held very few banquets. Even if they had guests, it would be male. Xiao Youning had grown up and this was the first time she was solemnly receiving a guest.

She pondered over the appropriate etiquette and when walking down the corridor ordered some servants to tidy up the reception room and prepare hot tea and pastries.

Eldest Madam Ye was already seeing Marquis Ningyuan. As a woman, she seemed to be out of place among men. After sitting down, she looked out at the Marquis’s courtyard and happened to see Xiao Youning coming from the corridor.

The little girl’s waist was slender, like a willow branch swaying gently in the wind as she walked.  The figure alone was enough to bring out countless amorous feelings. After seeing how her face was more beautiful than the clothes on her body, Eldest Madam Ye could understand why her Fifth Brother-in-law liked her.

As she walked, she gave orders to the servants around her. She looked calm and reserved, smiling occasionally. The cinnabar mole seemed to be charming with that smile.

The Young Miss in Marquis Ningyuan’s family was unexpectedly such a stunning girl!

She only remembered seeing her a few years ago when she was still childlike and had a round face. Her eldest sister-in-law actually caused the divorce of this beauty. But was Li Qingzhi blind?

Eldest Madam Ye was silently making criticisms as Xiao Youning arrived.

She first bowed to greet her father and brother and then to Eldest Master Ye before she finally spoke to Eldest Madam Ye.

“I’ll take madam for a walk elsewhere. It’s no fun for my father to talk about things women don’t like to hear.” She smiled as if she had made a slip of the tongue, and hurried to let the madam see her smile. “I’m young. I don’t see people very often, and I spoke a bit clumsily. Madam, don’t take it personally. Please accompany me for some fresh air.”

It showed an energy and brilliance that fit her age. It made her appear close, instead of expressing pretentious pleasantries.

Eldest Madam Ye smiled again and again and stated, “This young lady has a kind personality.”

Marquis Ningyuan saw that his daughter was very adept in dealing with her future sister-in-law, but he did not feel comfortable. Once he saw his daughter lead Eldest Madam Ye out, he thought of how it wouldn’t be long before she would be a member of another family.

This was the second time he had experienced this kind of feeling, and his reluctance to accept it had doubled. It made him sigh with melancholy. It made Eldest Master Ye nervous and wondered if Marquis Ningyuan was unwilling to have an association with the Ye Family.

It was symbolic for Xiao Youning to lead Eldest Madam Ye along the long path that held seasonal flowers and trees, and they walked around the garden.

Eldest Madam Ye looked at the half-blooming bud in the flower bed. The smile in her eyes grew. The flowers improved the spacious and beautiful scenery inside the Marquis Residence. She complimented Xiao Youning for being young but kept the residence in good order.

In short, these nice praises made Xiao Youning finally understand what was called lotus flower tongue1. Old Madam Ye really had an eloquent tongue.

When they got to the reception room, a servant brought in hot tea. Eldest Madam Ye sipped a few mouthfuls to moisten her throat, and her narrow eyes curved. She said, “There were some chrysanthemums in the small garden just now that have not bloomed yet. We have a batch of chrysanthemums at home that have just bloomed. It just so happens that Old Madam has come home, so the servants have tried their best to make a batch bloom earlier to let Old Madam take a look and be happy.”

Xiao Youning did not know that Ye Shen had left the Ye Family to live outside. She thought that Old Madam was still in the Ye Residence, and nodded. “That is kind.”

Eldest Madam Ye’s voice followed. “That’s right. Our residence will have a flower viewing banquet the day after tomorrow in order to enjoy this wonderful experience. If you are free, then please attend and join the fun.”

“Madam, how can I not? I am overwhelmed by your invitation.” Xiao Youning was shocked and soon realized that this was the intention behind Eldest Madam Ye’s visit. She wanted her to be a guest at the Ye Residence.

But didn’t Ye Shen say that he hadn’t told the Ye Family about them?

Eldest Madam Ye either discovered it or it was a coincidence since she was here to apologize and was conveniently pulling their connection closer.

But whatever it was, Xiao Youning seemed to have no reason to refuse.

As she was thinking, Eldest Madam Ye twisted the handkerchief and happily decided. “Then I’ll ask someone to send an invitation over. Without your agreement, I was afraid of being rude.”

“Madam is too polite.” Xiao Youning went along with what was said and smiled.

Eldest Madam Ye was really magnanimous, and said it bluntly herself that she came over to ask her about this.

Well, she would have to go to the Ye Family sooner or later.

Although she was thinking like this, Xiao Youning hesitated after Eldest Master Ye and his wife left.

No matter how she thought of it, she’d be nervous when she sees Old Madam Ye.

They had never met before.

She looked down at the small card she had been holding and ran to ask her father and brother what gifts they would bring to other people’s homes.

Apart from being teased by the two, she got nothing. She had no choice but to go back to her room and call for the steward to ask if there was anything nice in the storage room.

Yuan Guo was trying to be clever and said to her, “Young Miss, you can find someone to ask Fifth Master what Old Madam likes, right?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to ask him. I don’t think Eldest Madam Ye mentioned Fifth Master. I guess she didn’t tell him I was going to the banquet. I’m going to surprise him, so don’t let it slip out.”