Yun Xu smiled, her hands still busy as she deftly tied her hair into a bun, inserting a jade hairpin she often used.
Lamei chose a light pink horse-face skirt, paired with the newly delivered rabbit fur vest, which best complemented her complexion, making her appear delicate and lovely.
"Miss slept late yesterday, so your maid didn't have the heart to wake you. Besides, you still have to send a congratulatory gift to Miss Bai today. If your dark circles are too obvious, it might worry the Old Madam and the others. Wouldn't that be bad? Don't you agree."
As Yun Xu spoke, Xiuqiu brought in the freshly baked milk soft cakes.
The fragrant aroma made her feel ravenous. With milk tea, she ate four or five pieces before feeling satisfied.
While Feng Jin Yao ate, Yun Xu replied.
"The Eldest Madam has already sent the gift list and the items. Miss, you can leave directly later."
"Is Yun Li recovering well?"
"Your maid asked Yue Gui and heard that he can eat now." Feng Jin Yao nodded upon hearing this. Children recover quickly. If an adult went through something like this, they would likely be bedridden for more than half a month.
"Good, then prepare to go out."
"Yes."
As they stepped out of the courtyard, they encountered Mama Bai leading people, followed by a嬷嬷 from Elder Xu's household, whom Feng Jin Yao had seen before.
But why would she be here now?
"This old servant greets Miss."
"This old servant greets Third Miss Feng."
"Mama Bai, please rise. Mama Xu, please rise as well. You wouldn't come without a reason, would you? Does Sister Xu have something to convey?"
The Mama Xu had heard much good about Feng Jin Yao at home, so her impression was very favorable. Seeing her polite reply, her good feelings deepened.
"It is not that Miss has something, but my Elder Xu heard about the events at Fahua Temple and sent this old servant to deliver a gift of gratitude. He said to thank Third Miss Feng for her assistance, otherwise, my master's Tuanrong would truly have been lost."
So it was Elder Xu's command. Feng Jin Yao was not surprised.
However, several days had passed since the incident. Why were they only thinking of sending a gift now?
Whether it was a gift or not was not a major issue, but Feng Jin Yao found it a bit strange.
Yet, she showed no outward reaction, politely saying to Mama Xu, "Thank you for the Elder's high regard. It was merely a small effort, and I do not deserve such thanks."
"You know my master's temper. If you do not accept this gift, this old servant will not be able to explain when I return." Her expression was one of wry amusement, causing Feng Jin Yao to chuckle lightly.
"It is the junior who has overstepped. I will visit to express my thanks another day."
"This old servant will convey your words." With that, the seven or eight people following behind carried the gifts forward and placed them one by one in Feng Jin Yao's courtyard before respectfully withdrawing.
Looking at the table full of gifts, Feng Jin Yao was truly puzzled now.
Elder Xu came from a humble background, and Madam Xu was not from a noble family. How could they be so generous? It startled her, leaving her somewhat at a loss.
A pair of cat's eye opals the size of a stone, with a lustrous sheen. Even her fourth aunt, whom she had only seen once, had smaller ones, yet her fourth aunt treasured them dearly, using them as adornments for her hair, causing much envy.
A gold-inlaid pearl and gemstone round hair ornament larger than a palm, which even Mama Bai found astonishing. "This old servant has served the Bai and Feng families for many years and has never seen such a large round hair ornament."
Indeed, in the center was a crystal-clear emerald, as green as new willow, surrounded by a large circle of rubies, and then further adorned with layer upon layer of gold beads, making the emerald appear even more brilliant.
The subsequent boxes contained treasures, even unique pieces.
Feng Jin Yao and Yun Xu exchanged glances, speechless.
Suddenly, Mama Bai exclaimed, "Miss, is this a hundred-year-old ginseng?"
Seven liang to a ginseng, eight liang to a treasure. The ginseng in the box, tied with red silk, was clearly a rare item. Even the imperial family might not possess such quality.
At this point, Feng Jin Yao was completely at a loss for words.
"The Elder has maintained a good reputation for many years, and the Xu family has never indulged in extravagance. Why is this gift of gratitude so substantial?" Mama Bai asked, puzzled.
Feng Jin Yao also did not know why, but her intuition told her that these items were not acquired through Elder Xu's corruption.
Perhaps, after serving as an official for many years, he had accumulated some good things.
So she said, "I heard my cousin mention that the ancestor of Tuanrong had saved Elder Ge's life. Perhaps that is why the gift is so exceptionally thoughtful."
Those present, unaware of the true reason, were thus appeased by her explanation.
"Yun Xu, add that ginseng to the gift list. Grandfather and Grandmother are old. If anything were to happen, mountain ginseng can save a life."
"Yes."
Feng Jin Yao had not forgotten that in her previous life, her maternal grandfather had passed away suddenly without being able to catch his breath. With this mountain ginseng, perhaps he could have pulled through.
Seeing her concern for the two elders of the Bai family, Mama Bai's heart bloomed with joy.
Without further delay, Feng Jin Yao hurried to the Bai family.
At the Xu residence, Mama Xu was reporting outside the study.
"The gift was accepted?"
"It was accepted. Third Miss Feng said she would visit to express her thanks another day."
"She is indeed a well-mannered girl. Very well, you may go now."
"Yes."
Inside the study, Elder Xu was playing chess with Xiao Tingyi. He was playing white, and Xiao Tingyi was playing black.
Tuanrong, nestled in his arms, was so comfortable that it almost purred.
Looking at it, he was reminded of that young girl from the Feng family.
He had seen her once at Madam Bai's birthday banquet, but his impression was not deep. However, he was now very curious about this Third Miss Feng.
"Your Highness, speak quickly, have you taken a liking to this girl?"
"The Elder is speaking nonsense again."
"What nonsense? It's the truth. Otherwise, why would you lend me your hand to send such a valuable gift? I have lived for more than half my life and have never even touched a ginseng root. Where did such a large, hundred-year-old ginseng come from!"
His words were tinged with a hint of envy, causing Xiao Tingyi's lips to curve into a smile.
"Don't worry. If you need it, this Prince will send someone to deliver one tomorrow. Anyway, my Imperial Brother has sent quite a few to Prince Ding's mansion over the years, at least seven or eight."
It was rare to see him joke like this, which surprised Elder Xu.
Ever since returning from Nanyue, he had been either receiving medical treatment or recuperating in bed, even becoming gloomy and aged, which was truly regrettable.
But now, it seemed the spirited Seventeenth Prince of the past had returned.
Could it really be related to that girl?
He looked at Xiao Tingyi with a mischievous expression, but Xiao Tingyi remained unmoved.
"If you don't want to say, then don't. This old man has his ways of finding out!"
He stroked Tuanrong's fur with an arrogant air, displaying a "what can you do about it" expression.