Chapter 299 - Chapter 299: Chapter 307: Watching Something Fresh (1/2)
Chapter 299: Chapter 307: Watching Something Fresh
In the evening, Su Wenyue discussed the Deng Family with Han Yu, “I plan to visit Deng’s Mansion after I’m done with these busy days. I don’t know what Mrs. Deng is like; is she easy to get along with?”
“Mrs. Deng is straightforward, but I’m not too clear about the rest. However, her brothers are not bad, especially the youngest, Liu Xiu—he’s a man of depth. Deng Chen has spoken highly of him on several occasions. If you get the chance, you should definitely befriend him.”
Su Wenyue had only brought it up casually, and was surprised to find that Han Yu was now intent on making Liu Xiu’s acquaintance, and could discern his extraordinary qualities just from what Deng Chen had said.
“Master Deng has a good eye for people. If he praises someone, they must be remarkable. Moreover, the Liu Family is descended from the Imperial Family. Even though they’ve declined over generations, they are still different from the rest.” Su Wenyue thought that Liu Xiu indeed later raised the banner of his imperial lineage to gather many followers and eventually became emperor.
“Yes, Brother Deng always has insight. Liu Xiu must have something exceptional about him. Acquainting oneself with such a person will not be disadvantageous. It’s just that he has been studying in Chang’an and there hasn’t been a chance to meet. Now that it’s New Year, he should be back. One of these days, when he comes to Xinye, I’ll invite Brother Deng Chen and him to our mansion. Then, have the Kitchen prepare some fine dishes; we’ll need to drink our fill.”
Han Yu was keen on befriending Liu Xiu, and Su Wenyue was happy to see it, smiling as she said, “Understood. When they come, I will take good care of them and not let you lose face.”
As for Deng’s Mansion, Mrs. Deng, knowing the value her husband placed on his friendship with Han Yu and considering Han Yu’s rank as a Sixth Rank Commander, graciously met with Aunt Li who had come to deliver gifts herself.
“Madam, how should we deal with the items sent by Madam Han?”
Usually, gifts from guests would be stored in the treasury, but most of the items Su Wenyue sent were food, which should go to the Kitchen. Not daring to decide on their own, the servant girls sought their master’s instruction, although they looked down on the gifts. Aside from the few pieces of fine cloth, the rest were just food items, particularly those jars, which looked refined and exquisite, but contained nothing more than pickles, making the jars themselves more valuable than their contents.
“Madam, Madam Han is really too stingy. Aside from a few pieces of cloth, everything else is cheap trinkets. Even though the jars look fine and elegant, they are filled with pickles, which seems rather measly. It’s said she comes from the countryside; no wonder she has such a petty bourgeoisie air.”
The other servants might have thought the same, but would never dare to say such things in front of Mrs. Liu, except for Lvru, her personal maid who had been brought from her mother’s family. Mrs. Liu, being straightforward herself, favored Lvru, who was somewhat like her in character, and thus was more tolerant of her.
Mrs. Liu admonished Lvru, “Don’t talk nonsense! You need to fix your habit of speaking without thinking. Though I, your master, overlook such things, the Deng Family isn’t some low-status civilian family that can tolerate indiscretion. If the Old Master and Madam get wind of this, I won’t be able to save you. Besides, considering my husband’s relationship with the Han Family, if he hears such talk, it will upset him, and he might think these are my own thoughts.”