Chapter 533 - Chapter 533: Chapter 520: No Disgust (1/2)
Chapter 533: Chapter 520: No Disgust
Chu Jinnian laughed, saying, “The Chinese New Year is just a few days away, I’m afraid we won’t be able to get much done before then. I’ll send instructions for someone to meet with Miss Zhuang after the New Year to discuss the soap business in detail. When that time comes, Miss Zhuang can make the decisions after discussing with my representative.”
“Alright, then let’s follow Master Chu’s suggestion.” Zhuang Qingning nodded, and a smile filled her upturned mouth.
Something that originally did not bear much hope had unexpectedly resulted in such a satisfactory outcome. It was an unexpected joy for Zhuang Qingning. It made her genuinely happy.
“After all the talking, Miss Zhuang might be thirsty already. This tea has gone cold. I’ll have someone bring a fresh cup.” Chu Jinnian raised his hand and instructed Jing Zhao standing nearby, “Bring a fresh cup of tea for Miss Zhuang.”
“Yes.” Jing Zhao accepted the order and left. After a while, he hurried back to serve Zhuang Qingning a fresh cup of tea, also bringing over a brocade box and handing it to Chu Jinnian before retreating.
Chu Jinnian opened the box and pushed it towards Zhuang Qingning.
Zhuang Qingning looked up and glanced over.
Inside the box were several hairpins.
There was a gold rose hairpin, hollow-carved and looking extravagant and imposing, a jade one, which looked delicate and exquisite, one made of silver, embellished with red agate, contrasting beautifully with the silver, as well as an ebony one that, despite its simple design, was smoothly polished and had intricate carvings at the tip …
Some were hidden underneath, their designs unrecognizable, but at first glance, each of these seven or eight hairpins was unique and elegant.
“Master Chu, this…”
“Last time when I returned, my grandmother indeed inquired about my marital affairs, even threatened to arbitrarily arrange a suitable match for me. Fortunately, I used the situation with Miss Zhuang to dissuade her, thus avoiding the trouble.”
Chu Jinnian smiled, “Grandmother didn’t initially believe me, but when she saw how earnest I was and saw the hairpin of Miss Zhuang, she finally believed me and didn’t arrange any more matches for me. After all this, Miss Zhuang, you truly helped me out.”
“Among these hairpins, some are given by my grandmother, and there are a few that I picked for Miss Zhuang to embellish her daily attire. On one hand, it’s to express my gratitude for Miss Zhuang’s help and to compensate for the previous gift of hairpin. On the other hand, by accepting these gifts, Miss Zhuang won’t raise too much suspicion from my grandmother in the future.”
If it were merely to express gratitude, Zhuang Qingning intended to only accept those simple-looking hairpins and decline those extravagant ones. But after hearing Chu Jinnian mention the issue of dealing with his grandmother, Zhuang Qingning nodded, “I understand Master Chu’s intention, and I will accept these gifts.”
“Thank you, Master Chu.”
“I should thank Miss Zhuang for her help. Please, do not be so polite.”
Chu Jinnian lifted his gaze, smiled, and said, “It’s almost time for lunch, Miss Zhuang, please dine here in the garden.”
“Coincidentally, I had ordered the delivery of several fresh fishes. The cook in this garden excels in preparing fish dishes. This would be an excellent opportunity for Miss Zhuang to try the delicacy.”
Was it already almost lunchtime?
Zhuang Qingning raised her head and glanced at the half-risen sun. She blinked, slightly confused.
However, preparing meals in a large household like this one was indeed quite complicated, and it would be more convenient for the kitchen to know in advance whether she planned to dine here.
That was what Zhuang Qingning thought.
There wasn’t anything pressing to attend to that day, and knowing Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli’s habits, they had probably already gone to play with Chu Jinzhou, and they wouldn’t be willing to leave until lunchtime anyways.