"I have no daughter of my own, who else would I give this to? Take it," Ms. Liu said, placing the box in Li Xin's hands. At the same time, she glanced at Li Xia, noticing the joy in her eyes for her sister rather than any signs of envy or jealousy. She wondered if Li Xia was merely pretending or truly indifferent.
Li Xin thanked Ms. Liu as she accepted the box. As the two sisters left, Maid Yan brought in the gifts they had brought. Upon opening the box, Ms. Liu found a statue of a Bodhisattva, embodying compassion and pity for mankind. This gift truly touched Ms. Liu's heart, as she had been thinking of acquiring a similar statue herself.
Upon their return to Osmanthus Alley, Li Hui was waiting for them. Li Xin shared what she had learned about the upcoming plum blossom feast from Ms. Liu. Similarly, Li Hui relayed the information that Cao Fugui had provided about the feast.
Back at the Plum Blossom Pavilion, Qiu Ling was already waiting. She relayed all the information she had found about the plum blossom feast to Li Xia.
Among the attendees were three individuals that Li Xia needed to be wary of. The first was Princess Yunxia, a woman of high status who disliked any girl more beautiful than her. In the past, she had bullied a young official's daughter who was more attractive than her, making the poor girl hide at home for a month before venturing out again, always with her face veiled.
The second was Miss Ning Zhi from the Ning Family, known for their political disagreements with the Feng Family. Miss Ning loved to instruct others to adhere to the virtues of obedience and propriety, always conducting herself according to traditional female virtues.
The third was Wu Huaner, the third daughter of the Wu Family. Her mother had a strained relationship with Mrs. Lu before her marriage, so she might target Li Xin and Li Xia.
Li Xia praised Qiu Ling, saying, "Good job, you've put a lot of effort into this."
Flattered by Li Xia's compliment, Qiu Ling modestly replied, "It's all thanks to the money you provided."
"What do you think Qiu Chan could find out if I gave her the same amount of money?" Li Xia's question made Qiu Ling laugh. Overhearing their conversation through a window, Qiu Chan, who had just returned from outside, objected, "Miss, I'm also very competent."
"Yes, you're very competent," Li Xia replied, noticing Qiu Chan's sweaty appearance, "Have you been searching for someone again?"
At this, Qiu Chan clenched her fist, "Miss, don't worry, I'll definitely catch that despicable thief. How dare they steal my pork head meat."
Earlier that day, Qiu Chan had taken some money from Li Xia to buy some braised pork head from Wang's Braised Pork. The secret recipe that Wang used was very popular, attracting a large crowd.
As Qiu Chan waited in line, drooling over the large pork heads displayed, she got increasingly anxious as each pork head was sold, afraid that they would sell out. When it was finally her turn, only one pork head was left. She quickly asked the vendor to pack it for her. However, just as she was about to pay and take the pork head, it disappeared from the vendor's hand, replaced by a silver piece.
Without her pork head and only a fleeting shadow to chase after, Qiu Chan sprinted away, determined not to let her pork head be stolen. But after chasing the thief through two alleys, she lost sight of them. Disappointed, she bought two roast ducks instead and returned home.
From then on, whenever Qiu Chan finished her chores, she would stroll down the main street, hoping to find the thief who had stolen her pork head.
The others in the courtyard did not understand Qiu Chan's actions. However, Li Xia comprehended her intentions. The stolen pork that she had been longing for left a sour taste in Li Xia's mouth. "Qiu Chan, you will definitely find that thief," she assured.
"Don't worry, miss. I will look again in the afternoon. I am sure to find him," Qiu Chan declared, her hands clenched into fists as she left.
Li Xia turned back to look at Qiu Ling. "You should also try finding him. Let's see who among you find him first?"
"I will surely find him first," Qiu Ling didn't believe that Qiu Chan's approach of aimlessly wandering the streets would lead her to the thief.
On the day of the plum feast, Li Hui rode on a horse, while Li Xin and Li Xia traveled by horse carriage to the Feng Family's Plum Garden. Along the way, they saw many grand carriages heading towards the Plum Garden. They were still some distance away from the entrance when they were stopped and told that they could not pass and would need to alight and walk. Seeing the grand carriages continue to pass by, Li Hui realized that it was because of their lower status.
"Why have you stopped here, Brother Li?" Cao Fugui's voice came from behind. Li Hui turned around to see Cao Fugui, who had arrived on horseback. Cao Fugui was accompanying Lady Luo and Lady Feng to the Plum Garden today. He glanced at the servant blocking Li Hui's way.
Seeing Cao Fugui's attitude towards Li Hui, the servant hastily stepped aside to make way. Li Hui followed behind the carriage of the Luo family, entering the inner parts. At this moment, Li Hui profoundly understood that he needed to work harder.
Sitting inside the carriage, Lady Luo lifted the curtain and took a look at Li Hui, observing a young man with a serious demeanor. He was riding alongside Cao Fugui, without any flattery, perfunctory attitude, jealousy, or disdain, but rather an attitude of gentlemanly interaction, as calm as water. Lady Luo let the curtain fall, thinking to herself that it's no wonder Cao Fugui had a good impression of Li Hui.
Upon reaching the parking area, Li Yu jumped down from the carriage, brought out a stool, and then assisted the two ladies in alighting. Li Xia could have easily jumped down from that height, but she maintained her ladylike demeanor in this setting.
Lady Luo and Lady Feng also alighted from their carriage. Lady Feng, seeing that Lady Luo had not walked away, also stopped to follow her gaze. Her eyes first landed on the elegant and beautiful Li Xin, then on the person who had alighted from the carriage behind her. Being a woman herself, Lady Feng couldn't help but show a look of admiration. She wondered which one Lady Luo was interested in. Considering Cao Fugui's age, she assumed it must be the former.
As Lady Feng was speculating, Cao Fugui led the three Li siblings to Lady Luo and introduced them, "Mother, sister-in-law, this is my friend Li Hui, and his two sisters." The fact that Li Hui had saved someone couldn't be mentioned in public.
The three Li siblings bowed to Lady Luo and Lady Feng.
"Good children, please rise," Lady Luo pulled Li Xin up and appraised her. She was beautiful and had a good temperament, though her family background was somewhat lacking. Glancing at the standing Cao Fugui who was not standing properly, she sighed inwardly, fearing that Li Xin might not accept her son.
Lady Luo's unusual kindness towards Li Xin led Lady Feng to speculate that she might be her future sister-in-law. With this thought, she also put on a smile and started talking to Li Xin.
Li Xin, feeling somewhat flattered, accompanied the two ladies in conversation as they entered the garden. Li Xia followed behind the three, showing no signs of discontent. Lady Luo was even more satisfied, praising the Li family's upbringing.
The matriarch of the Feng family, Lady Li, personally received the Chengen Marquis' Wife and Lady Feng. Seeing the Li sisters with them, she guessed that these must be the people her younger sister had asked her daughter to invite with a special invitation card.
While Lady Li was having a conversation with Lady Luo and Lady Feng, Feng Zhenzhen found it dull and made a gesture to Lady Li.
Lady Li didn't notice, but Lady Feng did. She spoke up, "Mother, sister-in-law, our chat may not interest the young ladies. Zhenzhen, why don't you take the Li girls for a stroll in the Plum Garden to see the plum blossoms?"
Upon hearing her aunt's suggestion, Feng Zhenzhen put on a bright smile, stood up, and left the courtyard with Li Xin and Li Xia. She introduced herself to them, "My name is Feng Zhenzhen."
"One of us is named Li Xin, and the other is my sister Li Xia," they revealed their names in return. Feng Zhenzhen's lively and adorable nature delighted the sisters.
The Li sisters, one dignified and polite, the other honest and courteous, were both quite attractive. Feng Zhenzhen, who had a soft spot for good looks, was quite pleased as she happily held their hands.
