Chapter Twenty-Six: Receiving Guests

Xu Ruojin had already made up her mind: for every pang she felt, she would display tenfold pain; if the pain reached tenfold, she would shed tears. It would be disgraceful if the esteemed manager of the first embroidery workshop in Zhonglin County couldn’t even pierce an ear properly—such rumors would not reflect well on Lady Bi either.

Resolute in her heart, Xu Ruojin felt as though two grains of soy were kneading her earlobes. When the numbing sensation set in, a sudden, gentle prick from a needle was followed by a pure silver earring dangling from her ear. Without waiting for her reaction, the other ear was swiftly treated in the same manner.

“How is it? My handiwork is quite good, isn’t it? Does it hurt?” Lady Bi’s question and gaze made Xu Ruojin smile with a hint of embarrassment. “I didn’t feel any pain at all—like being nipped lightly by a mosquito. Your skills are superb, Lady Bi. I must thank you!”

“As long as it doesn’t hurt! My heart can finally rest easy. It’s been ten years since I last pierced someone’s ears. My hands itched today, so I tried them on Miss Ruojin, afraid I’d make a fool of myself!” Lady Bi promptly instructed the embroiderers to teach Chun Cao how to care for the piercings in the coming days, then rose and addressed Madam Yang, “It’s getting late; I must return. When you become a mother-in-law, I’ll demand a cup of that wedding wine myself!”

“Absolutely! I’d never forget you, not for anything!” Madam Yang had no desire to continue entertaining Lady Bi, her thoughts still lingering on the woman who had cursed the birth of Xu Ruojin. “I’ll see you out.”

“How can I let the wife of the registrar see me off?”

“You’re embarrassing me with those words!” The two women walked out together, Xu Ruojin following behind to see Lady Bi off.

As Lady Bi and her retinue exited the Xu residence, Madam Yang turned and glared coldly at Xu Ruojin, scrutinizing her from head to toe. “I hadn’t noticed before, but you truly have the face of a sly fox. Seducing men comes easily to you!”

Xu Ruojin frowned slightly. “A daughter remains her mother’s child. Should such words spread, outsiders might speak ill of you.”

“Your clever tongue is clear enough. Be glad I didn’t have a daughter—otherwise, you’d never have inherited this fine skin. Don’t get any wild ideas. The master favors you because you’re still of some use. I tolerate you now only so that, once you’re wed, you can help my two sons.”

Madam Yang’s expression grew even more sinister. “Don’t think that once you marry, I can’t control you. Your heart must still belong to the Xu family!”

“I am, after all, a member of the Xu family. How could I not care for my father, mother, and brothers?” Xu Ruojin’s reply brought only a cold laugh from Madam Yang.

“That’s enough. Go back and ponder how to properly serve Young Master Zhang. If you fail to impress the day after tomorrow, I’ll strip your skin!”

With a wave of her hand, Madam Yang dismissed Xu Ruojin, unwilling to argue further.

Xu Ruojin’s heart grew colder still. It seemed Madam Yang had been fully persuaded by her father and was determined to push her into the Zhang household. Otherwise, after her retort, Madam Yang would have quarreled endlessly.

As she walked back with Chun Cao, the pain in her pierced ears began to swell. “Hiss…” Xu Ruojin wanted to rub them, but Chun Cao stopped her. “You mustn’t touch! The embroiderer said to use a little salt water or diluted wine to clean them.”

“How long does that take?” Xu Ruojin trembled at the thought.

“Three days!”

Upon returning to her courtyard, Chun Cao immediately prepared the items, bringing a small bowl and soaking a cloth to press against Xu Ruojin’s ears.

Several cries echoed from the courtyard as Xu Ruojin rolled her eyes and bit her lip. Piercing hadn’t hurt, but caring for them was agony—she’d been tricked!

For two days, Xu Ruojin nursed her ears and attended lessons. On the third morning, before dawn, Madam Huang arrived with a host of maids.

After several days of repairs, Xu Ruojin’s courtyard had taken shape. It wasn’t as luxurious as Xu Zimo’s incessant boasting, but a row of hibiscus trees had been planted, and a tea table set beneath them. The wood was ordinary, not rosewood, but it sufficed. The bed inside was much wider than before, the damaged desk replaced with a spacious redwood table, and a row of bookshelves borrowed from Xu Zimo’s study lined one corner. These books would need to be returned once she finished with them.

A vanity stood in the room, and at last, it resembled a lady’s chamber rather than a ramshackle yard.

Lifted into a bath, Xu Ruojin noticed the tension on Madam Huang’s face. Various flower petals and fragrances were poured in, making her unable to discern her own scent.

Chun Cao was now unable to assist; Madam Huang herself dressed and applied makeup for Xu Ruojin. “Second Miss, you must be spirited today. The Zhang family always worries about your frail health. Let them see for themselves that Second Miss is no ordinary beauty.”

“You exaggerate. I’m only to appear in the main hall, perhaps exchange a few words—most matters still depend on Mother, don’t they?”

Madam Huang shook her head, reminding her, “The master will be present today. Second Miss must perform well. This concerns your future; you know that without me saying so.”

Xu Ruojin nodded gently, sitting upright with seriousness. Regardless of her own willingness to marry, she must fulfill the occasion flawlessly, leaving no room for reproach from her father or Madam Yang.

As for Young Master Zhang, she could only curse him in her heart to fall off his horse, take a tumble in the mud, be bitten by rats, or frightened to death by cockroaches.

What else could she do?

After more than an hour of preparation, Madam Huang finally finished attending to Xu Ruojin. Outside, matrons had readied a light sedan chair—worried she might sweat and tire on the way, they would carry her to the main hall.

Never had she enjoyed such treatment. Settling herself in the sedan, Xu Ruojin couldn’t help but mutter inwardly: being valued felt undeniably good—is this the true motivation behind people yearning to climb the social ladder?

In the main hall, Xu Yaohui and Madam Yang were already waiting. Seeing Xu Ruojin arrive, Xu Yaohui couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at his daughter. He had neglected her for so many years, yet she had grown into such a beautiful, captivating girl. Only when Madam Yang cast him a resentful look did he nod slightly and return to his tea.

After greeting them, Xu Ruojin withdrew to a corner to wait.

A quarter of an hour later, a young servant rushed in. “Master, Madam, Young Master Zhang has arrived!”

“Invite him in quickly!” Madam Yang was especially excited, rising to her feet at once.

Through the lattice window, Xu Ruojin saw the crowd usher in a man dressed in white. Upon closer inspection, his build was much like her third brother’s—not as stout as Xu Zimo, but still lacking a visible neck.

Though not unattractive, the way he strode in with his head held high radiated a sense of privileged arrogance; his sly, disdainful eyes regarded everything with barely concealed contempt.

No wonder he had once pushed her predecessor into the lake. Looking him up and down, it was clear—he was a spoiled young master.

Xu Ruojin formed her judgment. Her heart sank further.

If she married such a man, his sheer weight would crush her before anything else. What kind of life would that be?

Absolutely not—she could never agree to marry him!