Ziyan truly worked day and night, then delivered an exquisitely embroidered purse to the Young Master’s Bamboo Garden.

Li Weiyang saw it all but acted as if she knew nothing, never mentioning it in front of others. However, she soon used the excuse that the purse was too light a gift and sent over an inkstone made of blue water jade. Ziyan knew nothing of this, only rejoicing at having another opportunity to see the Young Master.

Soon New Year’s arrived, and the masters’ moods improved accordingly. The maids and matrons worked even harder, hoping their masters would give more rewards.

On this day, Matron Luo from the Old Madam’s side personally brought over a tailor: “Third Miss, the Old Madam has ordered the storeroom opened and many good fabrics that were stored before taken out to make clothes for the young ladies.”

Li Weiyang smiled and said: “I still have the fabrics Elder Brother brought back last time—”

Matron Luo laughed: “That’s only four bolts in total, enough for two outfits at most. This time the Old Madam wants to make sixteen outfits for each young lady. Third Miss need not decline—come and choose.”

As she spoke, she ordered people to bring up the chest. It was full of silks and satins—though not comparable to what Li Minfeng had brought back, they were still top quality.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Matron, you have the best eye. Please help me choose. What textures should be made? What colors are good?”

Matron Luo didn’t demur. She lowered her head and selected many colors, then smiled and said: “Miss has fair skin, so any color looks good. However, there are many banquets during New Year celebrations, so Miss should wear brighter colors. As for undergarments, underwear, shoes and socks—matching everything accordingly should be about right.”

Li Weiyang listened and nodded, saying: “Then I thank you, Matron.” After finishing, she turned her head and saw Ziyan standing by the table, so she casually had Ziyan escort Matron Luo out. Not long after the two of them left, Baizhi came in to report: “Miss, the silver ingot you prepared earlier for Matron Luo was secretly switched by Ziyan.”

Li Weiyang raised an eyebrow: “Oh? Switched for what?”

Baizhi lowered her head: “A string of copper coins.”

Li Weiyang was so angry she laughed instead: “She’s really good at saving money for me!”

Matron Luo was the Old Madam’s most important confidante and absolutely must not be offended, yet Ziyan had actually switched the silver ingot Li Weiyang had prepared early on—what was her intention! Mozhu frowned and said: “Miss, this way, Matron Luo will only think Miss is stingy and doesn’t know how to conduct herself.”

That was the lighter consequence. Ziyan deliberately showed her financial difficulties in front of the Old Madam’s closest matron—it definitely wasn’t merely to make Matron Luo unhappy! Li Weiyang asked again: “What else did she say?”

Baizhi took a deep breath and answered truthfully: “Ziyan said that Miss has been spending too much lately and is really stretched thin, unable to manage everything, and asked Matron Luo to forgive her.”

Li Weiyang pondered for a moment, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth, then suddenly said: “It seems she wants to serve Elder Brother loyally!”

Baizhi and Mozhu exchanged glances, both puzzled. Ziyan doing this must have been at the Young Master’s instigation, but why would the Young Master do this? To make others think Third Miss was harsh and stingy? No, it wouldn’t be this simple. But thinking deeper, they couldn’t figure it out. At this moment, they heard Li Weiyang say: “Master and servant for a time—since she wants so badly to become Elder Brother’s bedside companion, I’ll help her achieve it!”

Early the next morning, Li Weiyang deliberately delayed by half an hour before bringing Ziyan and Baizhi to pay respects to the Old Madam. Passing by the tea room, she brewed tea according to usual practice, then brought Ziyan into the room, leaving Baizhi outside.

Ziyan naturally liked to show her face, and thinking that once inside she would surely see the Young Master soon, she couldn’t help showing her joy on her face. Baizhi, however, secretly sighed and lowered her eyes.

Miss had already given Ziyan several chances—she had done everything she could.

The First Madam was sitting and talking softly with Li Minfeng beside her. Li Changle wore her hair in cloud-like coils, dressed in a jade-colored bright satin top and a twelve-panel long skirt embroidered with gold and jade peony patterns, appearing graceful and elegant. Just sitting there properly, she completely overshadowed all the other young ladies in the room.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, walked in and paid respects to the Old Madam: “Old Madam, ten thousand blessings.”

Seeing her, the Old Madam’s tone already carried some amusement: “Are the Buddhist scriptures copied yet?”

Li Weiyang smiled and took the Buddhist scriptures from Ziyan’s hands, saying: “I finished copying them just last night and hurried to bring them to you this morning.”

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, the Old Madam smiled and patted her hand: “Buddhist scriptures can be copied any day. Don’t stay up late.”

Hearing this, Li Changle’s eyes showed a trace of disdain. In her view, Li Weiyang’s calligraphy was barely passable, she wasn’t proficient in music, chess, calligraphy or painting, and was even more rusty at composing poetry—she couldn’t show her face in front of others and was only fit to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Old Madam. Yet this old woman just ate this up.

Li Weiyang smiled and nodded, then turned to present a cup of tea she had just brewed. The Old Madam wasn’t in a hurry to drink it and just set it aside.

Li Minfeng’s gaze sharpened, his eyes falling on Ziyan. When no one was paying attention, Ziyan quietly nodded to him. A smile appeared at the corners of Li Minfeng’s lips.

The Old Madam and Li Weiyang seemed to have a tacit understanding, talking among themselves and leaving the First Madam and others to the side. Li Changxi looked quite displeased and turned her face to Li Changle: “Elder Sister, I heard that when Father returned from his trip yesterday, he gave you a pair of ruby earrings that change color in sunlight. Is that true?”

Li Changle smiled slightly: “They do change color. I heard they were tribute from foreign envoys.”

Li Changxi showed envious eyes. Li Changru snorted coldly and turned away. Li Changxiao said: “Elder Sister must show them to us another day for our appreciation.”

Li Changle nodded, deliberately glancing at Li Weiyang and saying: “Didn’t you two each receive a gemstone bracelet? By the way, Third Sister, what did Father give you?”

Li Xiaoran had completely forgotten Li Weiyang’s existence. After several days away, he hadn’t even brought her a blade of grass. Li Changle was deliberately asking this question to see Li Weiyang lose composure in front of everyone.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Father’s safe return is already the best gift for Weiyang. I don’t ask for anything else.”

Hearing this, the First Madam sneered inwardly, but her face showed a loving expression: “Weiyang truly understands propriety. You should all learn from her!”

The Old Madam touched the neat characters on the Buddhist scriptures and said indifferently: “Indeed so.”

The First Madam’s face suddenly couldn’t maintain its smile.

Li Weiyang glanced at the calm-faced Li Minfeng and suddenly said: “Speaking of gifts, I wonder if the return gift Weiyang sent over satisfied Elder Brother?”

Li Minfeng was startled and casually said: “That purse was quite beautiful—”

Li Weiyang blinked her eyes, reflecting flowing light turning and revolving: “Purse? This sister never sent any purse!”

Everyone was stunned by this statement. Ziyan’s expression changed slightly.