Delicate Beauty Steals the Spring [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 17

After learning about the things Yu Luo possessed, Liu Yanran was so angry that she couldn’t eat for a whole day.

Although she had taken away Yu Yuan and Yu Che’s affection for Yu Luo, Yu Yuan and Yu Che were after all the young masters of the mansion.

In the Shunning Marquis Mansion, the real power was held by the Shunning Marquis and Madam Yu.

These two elders were authoritative in the household; their words were final.

Cai Die also felt unfair for Liu Yanran: “Miss, you are a guest in this mansion, and everyone here likes you. I really don’t understand why the Marquis favors that spoiled woman Yu Luo, completely ignoring your efforts.”

Liu Yanran pursed her lips.

She was also dissatisfied with the Marquis’s actions.

However, she didn’t want to say it out loud, choosing instead to pass her feelings through the mouths of her maids.

Cai Die said, “Speaking of which, it’s all because Madam Yu favors Yu Luo. If someone were to say good things about you in front of the Marquis, letting him know your merits, I think he would treat you like his own daughter.”

Liu Yanran’s eyes suddenly lit up.

She knew that Hui Xiang, who served Madam Yu, had always liked her.

Earlier, Hui Xiang and a nanny had lost a bet of more than ten taels and, having no money to pay, went to steal Madam Yu’s jewelry but were caught by Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran had kept this secret for Hui Xiang, and since then Hui Xiang often spoke well of her in front of Madam Yu.

The Shunning Marquis was in his forties, handsome and refined. Hui Xiang had a good impression of him and always hoped to become one of the Marquis’s concubines.

Madam Yu, somewhat oblivious, didn’t know this, but Liu Yanran was fully aware.

If she helped Hui Xiang become the Marquis’s concubine and let Hui Xiang subtly praise her in front of the Marquis

Liu Yanran’s thoughts drifted off, and she stood frozen.

Cai Die called her several times before she reluctantly came back to reality.

Liu Yanran said, “The rouge and face powder that my eldest cousin gave me yesterday, go get them so I can see.”

Upon hearing this, Cai Di hurriedly brought them over.

These two boxes of rouge and face powder were the best sold outside, costing ten taels of silver each. Liu Yanran loved them dearly and hadn’t dared to open or use them yet.

She looked at them carefully.

If she didn’t spend any money, how could she catch a big fish in the future?

Liu Yanran said, “Give them to Hui Xiang, tell her they are from me.”

Cai Di’s mouth immediately opened wide: “Miss, these are such good things, and you don’t even want to use them yourself, but you’re giving them away?”

“I told you to do it, so just go.”

Cai Di was heartbroken but dared not disobey Liu Yanran’s order and quickly took the items away.

Hui Xiang was sewing in her room and was a bit surprised when Cai Di called her out.

Cai Di took out two exquisite little boxes from her sleeve and said with a smirk, “These are gifts from our Miss.”

Hui Xiang couldn’t read, but just by looking at the floral patterns on the boxes, she knew they were the famous Yu Xiang Zhai’s rouge and face powder.

The rouge and face powder from Yu Xiang Zhai were especially famous and only the wives and daughters of wealthy families could afford to use them.

Hui Xiang’s cheeks flushed bright red, and her eyes suddenly gleamed: “Really for me? You won’t take them back?”

Cai Di said, “Do you think our Miss is the kind of person who would take back gifts? Rest assured, these are hers. The eldest young master gave them to her yesterday. She still has other rouge and face powders but wanted to give you these because of your good relationship.”

Hui Xiang happily took them: “Please thank Miss for me. I always knew our Miss was kind, much better than the other one.”

She couldn’t resist dipping a little rouge on the back of her hand. The bright red color looked especially beautiful, and she could already imagine how lovely she would look after using them.

Since the Shunning Marquis had returned home this time, Hui Xiang would have to make sure she showed herself well in front of him.

If the Marquis took a fancy to her and made her a concubine, that would be wonderful.

The more Hui Xiang thought about it, the more beautiful her plans became. Her eyes darted as she said to Cai Di, “Don’t worry, I will make sure to say many good things about Miss to the Marquis and Madam.”

Cai Di smiled, “It’s good that you have such intentions.”

After Cai Di left, Hui Xiang hurried back to her room with the gifts.

Madam Yu was not in her room at the moment.

Hui Xiang used Madam Yu’s dressing table to freshen up in front of the mirror.

Later, Madam Yu returned.

Earlier, Madam Yu had asked for several clothes made with embroidered satin for Yu Luo. She was sitting on the couch, carefully examining them, imagining how beautiful they would look on her daughter.

The Shunning Marquis also came in from outside.

Seeing the refined and handsome Marquis, Hui Xiang’s heart pounded wildly.

She had just dressed up and was determined to show herself off to the Marquis.

Hui Xiang quickly stepped forward: “Marquis, do you want to change your outerwear? I can hold it for you.”

The Marquis paid no attention to her and waved his hand, “No need.”

He walked over to Madam Yu and smiled: “Are these new autumn clothes, Madam? They look very suitable for you.”

Madam Yu smiled, “I’m old now, I don’t wear such bright colors or styles. These are for Luo’er; she said she liked them, so I had them made quickly.”

The Marquis held Madam Yu’s hand, “Old? You look about the same age as Luo’er. If you two went out together, people would probably think you were sisters.”

The Marquis was dignified and serious outside but gentle and tender at home with Madam Yu.

This made the maids serving them very envious.

Such a man, with looks, status, and personality all rare to find, was hard to come by even with a lantern.

Hui Xiang felt jealous of Madam Yu and imagined that she was the one sitting there with the Marquis.

At this moment, Granny Zhang returned.

The Marquis asked, “Have you delivered the things for the eldest young lady? Did she like them?”

Granny Zhang smiled and said, “The eldest young lady is very fond of them. How could she not like them? Our eldest young lady is really filial. She even asked me if Madam had these. If the Marquis forgot to bring them to Madam, she wanted to bring some for Madam to choose first.”

The Marquis was busy with official affairs and sometimes wouldn’t see his children for ten days or half a month. Although he favored Yu Luo, he often heard that Yu Luo wasn’t very filial to Madam Yu.

Granny Zhang had served him for decades, so what she said was naturally reliable.

Madam Yu was somewhat touched. She was a sentimental woman and couldn’t help wiping her eyes, “Look at our daughter, she’s really grown up and knows how to be filial.”

The Marquis patted her shoulder: “That’s because of your good upbringing. Without your teaching, how could the children all be so outstanding? Luo’er’s filial heart is rare. Let’s raise her monthly allowance to fifty taels.”

Hui Xiang hurriedly interrupted, “Miss’s allowance used to be the same as the young lady’s. Since the young lady’s was raised, will Miss’s be raised too?”

The Marquis was annoyed by her interruption and said coldly, “Others remain the same, only the young lady’s allowance is increased.”