"Xia Lu, do not speak nonsense. Sister Feng is so kind, there must be a reason for this arrangement, right, Embroidered Ball?"
Although she said this, she deliberately used Xia Lu's mouth to slap Feng Jin Yao in the face.
How could Embroidered Ball not know her intentions? She still maintained an honest demeanor and replied respectfully.
"Since winter began, my mistress has been ill. It's been nearly two months and she hasn't recovered. Although her cough is not contagious, the mistress has strictly ordered people to avoid the inner courtyard, for fear of spreading the illness. My young lady thinks the same, but all the warm places in the house are close to the back courtyard. Only this Moonlit Pavilion is far away."
"Indeed, I knew Sister Feng's arrangement had a deep meaning. When she comes later, I must thank her properly."
With a face full of spring breeze and rain, Embroidered Ball felt a great deal of disdain in her heart.
She had seen hypocritical young ladies before, but it was rare to see someone so brazenly trying to curry favor and build relationships.
She arranged for a maid to bring a pot of hot tea and a few plates of pastries, then withdrew.
Xia Lu stepped forward a few paces, poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Wen Yu Wei, asking with some confusion.
"In this cold weather, why did you bother to make this trip, Miss? Aren't you going to the Bai family's banquet tomorrow? You can just give this jade pendant then, why go to such lengths?"
"You are still so naive. Coming here early today to greet her will build a connection with this jade pendant, and tomorrow we can be more familiar. The Bai family's old madam's birthday banquet will be attended by no ordinary people. If I can borrow her influence to meet more young gentlemen, it will be a good thing for me, won't it?"
"Miss, you and the young lady from the Duke of Wei's household are like sisters. With her around, where would you not find a good match? Just ask her to introduce you."
"Hmph, do you think she would be so kind?"
Xia Lu looked doubtful. Weren't they on very good terms with Miss Wei in the past?
"Forget it, pour me another cup of tea. This tea is quite sweet."
Wen Yu Wei drank her tea while making calculations in her mind.
Xia Lu had been by her side since childhood. She had only come to Dongdu a few years ago and had received proper training, but compared to Feng family's maid, she was far inferior.
Her speech and demeanor were graceful and appropriate. She was indeed a maid from a noble family, much better than those from her uncle's household.
Xia Lu's abrupt and impolite words earlier had not caused that maid to blush or argue, which showed how important the rules of noble families were!
Such a family, or one even higher in status than hers, was where she should marry!
Wei Lan Xuan had never truly considered her a sister; she was merely a foil. Since that was the case, she naturally had to place her bets on multiple horses.
When she married into a prominent family in the future, she could finally show off in front of everyone and let them know her capabilities!
After making the arrangements, Embroidered Ball quickly returned to Ning An Courtyard.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Yun Xu arranging for people to pick some red-hearted plum blossoms, saying that the young lady wanted them in a white porcelain vase to add some life to the room.
"Where is the young lady?"
"She's resting in her room. She went to the mistress's courtyard early this morning and must be tired. She didn't sleep well last night, so she's probably catching up on sleep."
Hearing Yun Xu's words, Embroidered Ball thought, "As expected, the young lady doesn't like her."
"What don't like her?"
Seeing Yun Xu's bewildered look, Embroidered Ball explained the whole story, expressing her disdain for the actions of that Miss Wen as she spoke.
"Alright, you know our young lady's temperament. She is the most gentle and kind. Perhaps she forgot about Miss Wen. Why don't you go in and report it? It wouldn't be good if it delayed the young lady's important matters."
"Really?" Embroidered Ball was suspicious, but thinking that Yun Xu knew the young lady best, she still lifted the curtain and went in.
On the couch by the bright window in the main room, a plush cushion was spread out. The underfloor heating was on, so it was very warm to sit on.
Feng Jin Yao was using the sunlight from outside to flip through a miscellaneous book called "Atlas of Water Regions," which discussed many methods used by previous dynasties to solve flood problems.
This book had been given to her by her elder brother long ago, but she had never read it before.
Having been reborn, she knew some things in advance, so it was natural to make arrangements early.
Therefore, as soon as she returned, she quickly asked Yun Xu to find the book, and now she was reading it with great interest.
When Embroidered Ball entered, she heard her and asked before she could reply.
"Are the arrangements made?"
"Replying to the young lady, everything has been arranged. However, I do not know when the young lady wishes to see her."
Taking a bamboo slip and placing it in the book, Feng Jin Yao focused her gaze before looking at Embroidered Ball and said with a sneer.
"My mother's illness is recurring, how can I, as her daughter, leave? Have someone watch her and prevent her from running around the mansion. Send her away in two or three hours."
As expected, Embroidered Ball thought that the young lady indeed cared about her.
However, it was better not to interact with such a person, lest she become a sticky candy that couldn't be shaken off, which would be troublesome.
"Understood. Your servant will go and make the arrangements now."
After Embroidered Ball left, Feng Jin Yao calmly recalled the events of this day in her previous life.
On that day, Miss Wen had also visited and returned her White Jade Twin Fish Pendant, which she had lost for many days. It was not originally an important item, but after she made such a fuss to deliver it, it changed its meaning.
Not only did she befriend her "good sister," but she also introduced her cousin Wen Meng Sheng at her maternal grandmother's birthday banquet. He was elegant and refined, like a clear moon and a gentle breeze.
Unfortunately, one wrong step led to a cascade of errors.
She had originally thought that the people of the Wen family were as kind as their name suggested, but she never expected that the downfall of the Feng family began with her receiving this Miss Wen.
The jade pendant she sent played a significant role. The Wen family used it to solidify the claim of their mutual affection, and then pretended to be a noble family and came to propose marriage.
Their humble demeanor even made her parents relieved that she had found a good family, but they did not realize their wolfish ambitions and that it was all a calculation from the very beginning.
Now she was an impenetrable fortress. Even if the Wen family had iron jaws, they would never be able to harm the Feng family through her again.
Hmph, want to harm my Feng family? No way!
Let her sit in the cold wind for two or three hours, so she can clear her head and know what kind of people she shouldn't provoke.
Sitting in the Moonlit Pavilion now, Wen Yu Wei, who was getting colder and colder, gradually sensed something was wrong.
Since she entered the Feng family, apart from the maid Embroidered Ball and the two who brought tea and pastries, there had been no one else.
Could it be that she was deliberately avoiding her?
There was no reason for it. They had never had any conflict. Who among the noble daughters of Dongdu valued their reputation more than themselves? Wouldn't neglecting someone like this cause her to spread rumors outside and damage her reputation?