Yue Chu brought people to the storehouse of Old Madam Lu to move furs at the beginning of the month.
"Grandmother, Xiao Xia and I have bought quite a few furs, and we are having them made," Li Xin declined, not wanting to take more, as Old Madam Lu always gave her a lot. Li Xin did not want Old Madam Lu to roll her eyes at her behind her back.
Of course, Li Xin did not know whether Old Madam Lu actually rolled her eyes or not. However, when chatting with Li Xia, Li Xia said those words, which always made Li Xin feel that they aptly described some of Old Madam Lu's behavior.
Seeing Li Xin's demeanor, how could Old Madam Lu not understand what was going on? She was old, but not senile. What was wrong with giving her own private belongings to her granddaughters?
"Listen to me, do it this way," Old Madam Lu insisted. "I don't know how many more years I have left. If I don't give these things to you, they will just mold and be eaten by insects in the storeroom. You young ladies will look lovely wearing them, and it will make me happy and help me live a few more years."
"Grandmother, don't say such gloomy words," Li Xin hurriedly stopped her, as she loved Old Madam Lu dearly and hoped she would live a long and healthy life.
"Okay, okay, I won't say it. And you shouldn't refuse, either," Old Madam Lu enjoyed her granddaughter's concern for her.
Feeling warm inside from the care of her loved ones, Li Xin replied, "Alright, I'll do whatever Grandmother says."
"That's my good granddaughter," Old Madam Lu gripped Li Xin's hand tightly.
Just then, a maid's voice came from outside, announcing that Lu Madam had arrived with several young ladies of the Lu family.
Li Xin glanced at Li Xia, who gave her a knowing look. On their way here, Li Xia had guessed that since it was getting cold, Old Madam Lu would surely give Li Xin some furs due to her affection for her, and the Lu family ladies would certainly show up to take advantage of the situation. And that was indeed the case.
Old Madam Lu also noticed the exchange of looks between Li Xin and Li Xia. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, regretting that she had listened to her son back then and allowed him to marry such a petty and jealous wife, who even envied her own children.
Lu Madam brought five young ladies from the Lu family. It seemed they had gotten wind of the situation, which was why the two young misses had come to the Eternal Bliss Pavilion, something they rarely did in the past. Lu Madam led the five young ladies to greet Old Madam Lu.
Li Xin and Li Xia stood up to greet Lu Madam, and after exchanging courtesies, they sat down. Lu Madam spoke first, "Xin'er, it's been quite a while since you last came. What have you been busy with?"
"I've been preparing for the New Year with Auntie Mei. Since we arrived in the Capital City this year, there are many customs here that I'm not very familiar with, so it took us some extra time," Li Xin explained with a smile.
"How could you let a lowly concubine manage the household?" Lu Madam remarked with disdain after hearing this, feeling that this young niece-in-law was far too rude. Letting a concubine manage the household was truly disregarding rank and status. It was fortunate that she had not agreed to let Third Miss Lu marry into the Li family back then.
Uncle Lu had seen Li Hui interacting with noble ladies and felt regretful, expressing his regret to Lu Madam. Lu Madam, already in a foul mood after hearing her husband's regret, made no attempt to conceal her displeasure, which did not sit well with Li Xin and Li Xia.
Li Xin straightened her posture and looked at Lu Madam. "Auntie, Auntie Mei was entrusted by my mother to accompany Xia Xia and me to the Capital City and assist me in managing the household. In my eyes, she is my elder."
Taken aback by the direct rebuttal, Lu Madam snorted coldly, "She's just a concubine, and you call her an elder? How did your mother teach you?"
Old Madam Lu let out a light huff, her expression darkening. Was this a show of disrespect towards her daughter or towards herself, an old woman?
Realizing she had spoken inappropriately in front of the younger generation, Lu Madam wanted to explain herself but also felt she was in the right, so she sat frozen, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.
As soon as Lu Madam's words left her mouth, Third Miss Lu knew it was not good and gave Lu Madam a warning look.
Seeing that Lu Madam had no intention of apologizing, Third Miss Lu could only put on a smile and say, "Grandmother, as I entered, I saw Yue Chu sorting through furs. Are you going to make sleeve guards, Grandmother? I've recently learned quite a bit about color coordination from the palace embroidery teachers. I can help you choose a prunus pattern that you like when the time comes."
Old Madam Lu understood her granddaughter's intentions and went along with Third Miss Lu's words. "What sleeve guards? I'm just sorting through them to see if there are any good ones to make fur coats, fur collars, and sleeve guards for you young ladies. An old woman like me doesn't need to wear such things."
"Grandmother is not old at all. You're still so youthful, aren't you, Cousin?" Third Miss Lu leaned against Old Madam Lu affectionately.
Li Xin remained silent. Before coming to the Capital City, she had not interacted much with Auntie Mei and did not have any particular feelings toward her. But now that she and Li Xia were close, she had also developed a better opinion of Auntie Mei. Lu Madam's words had upset her.
However, Old Madam Lu held her hand and patted it gently several times. Li Xin suppressed her apology towards Li Xia and Auntie Mei and continued conversing with Old Madam Lu.
Li Xia maintained a calm expression, her eyes downcast, revealing nothing of her thoughts.
Yue Chu led the maids in carrying several large boxes of furs. When opened, the furs were of pure, beautiful colors and well-preserved, with no odor.
"You can look through them and take any you like to make fur coats," Old Madam Lu said.
"Wonderful, let's do it together, Cousin," Third Miss Lu stood up and pulled Li Xin's hand, and they went to examine the furs together. The maids opened the boxes for the young ladies to inspect. Third Miss Lu took the lead, and the other Lu family ladies followed suit, discussing what each fur could be used to make.
"This white one is quite nice, with a good color. It's a bit small, but you could use it to make sleeve guards, Cousin," Third Miss Lu held up a piece of white fur and demonstrated it against Li Xin's arm.
"Thank you, Third Cousin. This red fur is smooth and lustrous. Such a large piece would make a beautiful cloak," Li Xin pointed to the red fur inside. Third Miss Lu had also set her eyes on the red one.
"You're right, Cousin," the maid beside Third Miss Lu picked up the red fur.
Second Miss Lu also wanted the red fur, but since Third Miss Lu had spoken first, she did not dare say anything. However, she felt resentful towards Li Xin for speaking up. Her gaze landed on an even larger silver-gray fur, but before she could touch it, Fourth Miss Lu snatched it quickly, saying, "Thank you for letting me have it, Second Sister."
Second Miss Lu's eyes blazed with anger, but she could only pick another fur that was not as nice as the bright red one chosen by Li Xin and the others.
After everyone had made their selections, Li Xia finally stepped forward and casually picked two pieces. She had worn enough fur in her previous life and would rather wear a cotton coat than these garments.
Lu Madam also got two fur coats. The remaining gifts were taken away. Lu Madam's complexion improved a lot after receiving the presents. The steward left under the pretext of tending to other matters. Old Madam Lu's expression grew even more displeased. Third Miss Lu did not show it on her face, but she was inwardly anxious as well. Her own mother was becoming increasingly disrespectful towards her grandmother.
"Grandma, I often hear from my mother that the Laba porridge you make is delicious," Li Xin changed the subject.
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Old Madam Lu's face. "Your mother loved eating the Laba porridge I made when she was little. The Laba Festival is coming up, and I will personally make the Laba porridge for you all to taste."
"Then I will be very fortunate to taste the Laba porridge made by Grandma's own hands," Li Xin said with great anticipation on her face.
"I want to try Grandma's Laba porridge too," Third Miss Lu clung to Old Madam Lu's arm and acted coyly.
