The atmosphere in the room was a little awkward for a while.
Mrs. Liu sat there with her head lowered, pretending not to see her mother-in-law's face.
She didn't care. Whoever wanted to make a fool of themselves would go to that place. With all the money she had, she still wanted to keep it to buy a better house.
In order to lighten the atmosphere, the old lady was about to say: "Sister-in-law..."
Luo Ran stood up and said, "Grandma, great-uncle."
The old lady looked at her: "Ran'er, do you have anything to say?"
Luo Ran nodded, Ming Youqing brought the things up, and a lacquer plate was full. Just looking at it, every piece was of good quality.
"Before dad left this morning, he said that the emperor had something to do. He might come back later, so he asked Ran'er to prepare a gift for his cousins on his behalf. The gift is not heavy, but it represents the sincerity of dad and Ran'er. .”
Although it was her natal family, her natal family was not up to par, and the old lady felt uncomfortable.
What's more, in her heart, no matter how good her nieces and nephews are, they can't compare to her biological son, and her nieces and nephews can't even compare to her biological granddaughter.
The old lady nodded with satisfaction: "Since you have this intention, then go ahead."
Luo Ran nodded and asked Youqing to walk through the Li family's children one by one with the lacquer tray. She stood behind Youqing and said slowly: "I didn't know what my cousins liked in advance, so I liked everything." We’ve prepared some, let everyone choose according to their own preferences.”
Li Yutang, the eldest son of Li, is eighteen years old this year. He failed to pass the imperial examination after several years. He has learned nothing else, but he has mastered the skills of a romantic and talented person.
In the middle of winter, he held a folding fan, opened it and shook it twice, then closed his fists and said, "Thank you cousin, you're so polite."
Youqing stood in front of the young lady, and the wind brought by the fan fell on her face. Although it was warm in the crowded room today, she couldn't help but shiver.
Luo Ran lowered his head and smiled distantly: "Cousin, you're welcome."
Li Yutang glanced at her again. This cousin had a slim body and fair skin, especially her voice. Perhaps it was because she grew up in the south of the Yangtze River. Wu Nong's soft words were so soft that it touched people's hearts.
He still wanted to say a few more words, but Youqing was already impatiently holding the lacquer tray and was about to leave. Li Yutang quickly picked up something and took a closer look. It was a sapphire wolf-hair brush. Although it was not made by everyone, it was Also makes a great gift.
Li Yutang took the pen and thought he was suave and recited: "The pen has great power, and the ink conveys eternal love. My cousin really has a vision."
"Cousin, thank you."
Luo Ran replied lightly, signaling You Qing to continue.
The second young master, Li Yuren, took an inkstone, but unlike his elder brother, he thanked him politely.
When she arrived at Li Xinyue, she could hardly look past her. She liked both the precious gold hairpin with the magpie wrapped around the branch, and the fresh and elegant jade hairpin. She couldn't take her eyes away from the pearl earrings that were larger than her fingernails.
Li Xinyue stroked the broken hair on her temples, pretending to be shy and said, "I'm sorry to have to spend money on my cousin."
Li Xinyue turned sixteen, one year older than Luo Ran, and was at the age to propose marriage.
But Ms. Liu had long heard her husband talk about the possibility of being transferred to the capital. In order to find a good family for her daughter, Ms. Liu had delayed getting engaged until now.
Luo Ran smiled and replied with the same words as Li Yutang: "You're welcome, cousin."
Li Xinyue rolled her single-lidded eyes and said jokingly: "My cousin didn't make it clear just now. How many things can each person choose?"
Luo Ran took his time and said, "You can choose whatever my cousin likes, no matter the quantity."
Li Xinyue's eyes lit up. If it weren't for the first time they met today and there were so many people around, she would have wanted to hold the whole plate in her arms.
But he was still reserved: "Since my cousin is so kind, I would not give my cousin face if I didn't choose."
Luo Ran: "Cousin, it's up to you."
Li Xinyue then stretched out her hand and picked up the gold hairpin and jade hairpin and pearl earrings without hesitation. After thinking about it, she chose a glass bead chain and a gold and purple pendant before giving up.
The two concubines standing below her were so anxious that they almost burst into tears.
Finally I saw Youqing coming over. Just as he was about to stretch out his hand, he glanced at Luo Ran timidly.
Luo Ran smiled: "You're welcome, two cousins, they are all yours."
"Thank you, cousin."
"Thank you, cousin!"
Li Xinhua and Li Xinrong looked at each other and thanked them happily.
The jewelry given by this cousin alone was much better than the jewelry given during the New Year. Together with the old lady and Li's jewelry, the two of them finally realized what the capital was.
Luo Ruxue felt a little embarrassed by her aunt and cousins. She claimed that she felt unwell and went back to her yard early, without even having lunch with the two old ladies.
Mrs. Li also took everyone down to rest, and everyone would gather together for dinner in the evening.
Returning to Ningxiang Garden, Youqing couldn't help but said: "Who are these Li family people? Mrs. Li is so embarrassed to be able to get these things. What our lady rewards the servants are many times better than what she does." . And those young ladies, their eyes almost fell out when they saw those jewelry."
Chunyu has lived in the market since she was a child, and she knows these things best.
He smiled and said, "Sister Youqing, don't be angry. It's not all about their birth. If they were born into a wealthy family, they probably wouldn't be like this."
Youqing was a little embarrassed and explained in a low voice: "I, I didn't mean that either. We all come from bad backgrounds. Is it possible that we all want to imitate those shallow-skinned people?"
Chun Yu said: "That's why we are so lucky to serve the young lady. Think about it, if you were entrusted to be the maid of the Li family, you would have such a good life now."
Youqing nodded: "That's true."
Suddenly, I sympathized with the two concubines of the Li family. Although the clothes they wore looked new, the materials and styles looked like they were from a few years ago. Comparing them with Li Xinyue, it was obvious that Mrs. Li was not a generous person either. people.
Luo Ran interrupted the two of them and said to Chun Yu: "Let Youqing and Zi Fu guard the courtyard tomorrow. You, Zizhu and I will go out. I have something to tell you."
The two agreed and went to work.
As for Wutong Courtyard, Luo Ruxue was so angry that she cried.
"Mom! Look at how stingy my aunt is today, as well as my cousin and those two concubines. They really embarrass grandma!"
Ms. Li was also angry, but she always felt that even in front of her daughter, she didn't want to say anything wrong with her mother's family. Finally, he advised: "If you don't like it, just don't look at it. Well, don't be angry. The day after tomorrow is when you get your haircut. Go and look at the clothes and jewelry again. Don't make any mistakes then."
Luo Ruxue pursed her lips angrily and suddenly said: "By the way, mother, didn't you say that my aunt has a cousin coming? Why didn't you see her today?"
Mrs. Li sighed unhappily: "It's also something that cannot be put on the table. Your aunt said that she ate something bad before leaving last night this morning. She needs to rest for a few days. Your eldest cousin will pick her up in two days."
Luo Ruxue couldn't hold it back in the end, and said before leaving: "Mom, you have to keep an eye on her, don't let her fall by the wayside. I don't want to see Luo Ran being in the limelight like he did today!"
Mrs. Li said impatiently: "I know, I know, please leave!"
Luo Ruxue then returned to her yard.
