Chapter 154 The Su's Mansion
Cui Qingjun also dressed for the party, wearing a dark silk robe embroidered with cranes, an embroidered silk belt with a pendant made of sapphire.
He walked to his sister and bent slightly to whisper, "With so many guests for the party, our carriage can't even pass. We have to walk there."
Cui Qingyun knew even ladies with much more privileged backgrounds had to walk there, let alone her.
"Alright. Let's get going."
Then they wound up heading for the Su's with Baozhu lifting the skirts for Cui Qingyun.
When they arrived at the gate open to guests in an endless stream, Cui Qingjun showed the guards the invitation and got registered before leading his sister into the yard.
This house, which was only for the general's short stay in Yong Zhou City, was luxuriously furnished with a wide range of buildings. It left people a vision of their house in Capital.
Cui Qingyun's eyes flashed with envy and Cui Qingjun beside her said, "Yunyun, go to the backyard with your maid. I'll pay a visit to the general."
Male visitors were not allowed into the backyard even in an ordinary family, let alone Su's backyard where only Su Yi as an unmarried lady lived.
The Su family was already very upper class. Recently, there had been a rumor that Prince Yan considered the Su family an option of engagement. Since the general had only one daughter, people all had a tacit knowledge of who his daughter would be engaged to.
Cui Qingyun replied, "Don't worry. Baozhu is here with me."
Then the two of them parted. When Cui Qingyun walked through Moon Arch, she came in sight of an arch bridge. To her surprise, the winter yard was still green. Against that, the red bridge was rather a beautiful sight.
She raved, "What a good sight."
The maid who was leading the way said, "It's Miss Su's favorite and needs careful nurturing in the greenhouse. The weather happens to be good today, so Miss Su had it moved outside for visitors to watch."
Then Cui Qingyun gave some more flattering remarks before following the maid across the bridge and to the backyard.
The maid stopped in front of a yard named The Naiad's House and said, "Here we are. I'm not allowed inside, so my job will end here. Please go inside and someone will show you the way."
Cui Qingyun knew some noble families made it a rule that maids who did sweep in the outer courtyard were not allowed inside the inner part. Then she said thanks to the maid and winked at Baozhu.
Baozhu instantly got the message. She took out some money as a tip and stuffed it into the maid's hand.
The maid only bowed slightly before turning to leave.
Baozhu curled her lips. This was the most generous tip Miss Cui had ever given, but it seemed nothing much to the maid.
Seeing that, Cui Qingyun clenched her fists, resolved to ascend into the upper class!
Then she calmed down and said to Baozhu, "Let's go inside."
Upon walking in, she was greeted by a lively mood. Some girls were watching flowers in the garden, some were pairing up to talk with each other, others were playing chess under the trees.
Cui Qingyun looked around and spotted no familiar face.
Fortunately, a maid walked over to make her less embarrassed.
"Miss, this way, please."
Cui Qingyun looked away and felt Miss Su seemed not to be among them although she had never seen her.
So she asked the maid, "Where is Miss Su?"
"She's talking with some ladies inside."
"Please lead me there to pay a visit to Miss Su."
Su Yi was sitting absently in the lounge, surrounded by some girls who were talking.
Since she came to this city with her father for the first time last autumn, she had got few acquaintances here. The only reason why she held this party was her father's insistence on it.
Her mind was straying to the roast lamb Prince Yan had left when a maid lifted the curtains to report, "Miss Su, Miss Cui has arrived."
'Miss Cui? Which one?' Su Yi was somewhat stunned by such a vague introduction which didn't even include the position of her father or brother.
But soon she came to her sense and realized the least she needed was to know the details. After all, the party was full of visitors she didn't know.
"Let her in!"
Upon walking in, Cui Qingyun felt the heat kissing her face and spotted the girl sitting in the host seat. The girl was younger than her and looked pretty in a red embroidered robe with a white fur collar.
As Cui Qingyun walked inside, Su Yi looked this way with her ruby earrings dangling.
Cui Qingyun immediately felt overshadowed by such a fair lady who deserved to marry into a noble family. She was struggling with a mixture of inferiority and bitterness when Su Yi said with a smile, "Here comes another beautiful lady. Come and join us."
Cui Qingyun found it nice and warm inside probably with the underfloor heating, which she thought was better than the charcoal braziers in her family.
She walked over and curtsied to Su Yi. In case it would put Cui Qingyun in an awkward position, Su Yi didn't even ask her about her family and only had a civilized conversation with her.
Then Cui Qingyun was going to show the gift she prepared.
"Besides the cash gift my brother gave, I've got something of a novelty for Miss Su."
Since her father enjoyed great royal favor leading to countless awards every year, Su Yi had got used to whatever curiosities. So it didn't appeal to her at all. But she had to pretend to be delighted not to disappoint Cui Qingyun since she insisted. "What a surprise! Show it to me!"
Su Yi's reaction made Cui Qingyun beamed with pleasure and brought her high hopes that Su Yi would like it.
Then Cui Qingyun turned to look at Baozhu who got the message and handed Cui Qingyun the little box she had been holding.
Cui Qingyun took it and handed it to Su Yi.
There was an air of expectation and great curiosity among the other girls who chorused, "Miss Su, what about showing it to us?"
"Exactly. I'm looking forward to it very much."
"Since it's for Miss Su, it must be a rare sight. I can't wait to see it."
Su Yi's curiosity was also aroused and she looked up at Cui Qingyun, "Could I open it?"
Cui Qingyun nodded. "It's up to you since it's yours now."
Then Su Yi opened it to reveal a rose pouch in front of everyone who craned their necks to get a better view and finally found it very disappointing.