TRBDM -Chapter 47 Choosing Gifts

“Old Madam, Miss has replied.” The maid handed a letter to Wei Zhaorong.

“Rou’er’s letter?” Wei Zhaorong immediately took it.

Xie Wanrou’s handwriting was just like her—delicate and gentle, giving anyone who looked at it a very comforting feeling.

Reading the words felt like seeing her in person, and Wei Zhaorong’s usually stern expression softened instantly.

Xie Wanrou first sent her regards to Wei Zhaorong, then congratulated her third brother, Xie Lan, on being accepted by Mr. Dong, and afterward inquired after her eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, and even Nanny Qi was not forgotten.

Such a thoughtful and gentle daughter—Wei Zhaorong in her previous life had truly been blind, unable to see her sincerity and effort.

The letter said that Xie Wanrou would return home in five days.

But Wei Zhaorong could not wait to see her.

Her heart trembled. “Nanny Qi, Nanny Qi.”

“Miss, I’m here.”

“Tomorrow, you personally go to General Wei Yuan’s residence to bring Rou’er back home.”

“Tomorrow? So soon?”

“Yes, just tell them I miss her.”

Though Nanny Qi felt a little puzzled, she still agreed.

Thinking of the time Xie Wanrou had spent at General Wei Yuan’s residence, Wei Zhaorong nearly wished she could punish Lei Lieshan herself.

Clenching her fists, she vowed silently that Lei Lieshan would pay for what he had done.

“Also, quickly tidy up the Moyun Courtyard. Replace all the bedding with new ones, and place more fresh flowers in the rooms. Rou’er likes flowers—having their fragrance around will help her sleep better.”

Moyun Courtyard was where Xie Wanrou had lived before her marriage. Since she had married, it had been left unused for a long time. The servants who had worked there had all been reassigned elsewhere, and now that Xie Wanrou was returning, there wasn’t even anyone to attend to her.

“Transfer six maidservants and six male servants from my courtyard to Moyun Courtyard to take good care of Rou’er.”

The servants in Anhe Courtyard were the best, showing how much Wei Zhaorong cared for Xie Wanrou.

Nanny Qi received the orders and immediately began arranging everything.

Tomorrow they were to fetch the young lady back to the residence, so starting to prepare the courtyard today left very little time.

Recently, because everyone in the household was busy preparing for Xie Lan’s birthday banquet, most of the staff had been reassigned, and Nanny Qi had to exert a lot of effort just to find enough people.

Fortunately, Moyun Courtyard was not large—only half the size of Linshui Courtyard—and the layout was simple, unlike the Linshui Courtyard with its rockeries, flowing water, gardens, and long corridors, which took much time and effort to clean.

Moyun Courtyard was not far from Lan Courtyard, and every time Xie Lan returned to Lan Courtyard, he would inevitably pass by Moyun Courtyard.

He walked quickly, unwilling to waste even a moment on the way.

Just as he passed Moyun Courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

The courtyard gate, which had been closed for years, was open today.

Curious, he stepped inside and found the place bustling with activity.

“What’s going on here?” Xie Lan asked, stopping a passing maid.

“The young lady is returning to the residence tomorrow, Old Madam ordered us to tidy up the courtyard.”

Xie Lan’s eyes lit up. “Eldest sister is coming home!”

Since Xie Wanrou had married, Xie Lan had only seen her twice. She had come and gone in a hurry both times, and his own circumstances then were difficult—he had only dared to hide in the shadows and steal a glance at her from afar.

They hadn’t even exchanged a single word.

The longing in his chest surged violently, and Xie Lan could barely wait for tomorrow to arrive.

“Do you know what time eldest sister will return tomorrow?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

Standing in the courtyard, a thought suddenly struck him—tomorrow, he would ask Mr. Dong for leave; he had to see his eldest sister.

The thought flashed quickly, and Xie Lan stopped himself just in time.

He had only just entered Mr. Dong’s tutelage; now was the time to focus on diligent study. Asking for leave would make Mr. Dong think him frivolous and lazy—he could not be so reckless.

Although his heart was eager, he reasoned that since Mother had ordered the courtyard to be prepared, Eldest Sister might stay at the residence for a few extra days.

Moyun Courtyard was close to Lan Courtyard, so after school, he could come see her.

Xie Lan pressed back the smile at the corners of his lips and returned to the Lan Courtyard.

Today, his mind was somewhat elsewhere. Just as he opened his book, he suddenly asked Shi Yi, “Shi Yi, do you know where the best rouge and powder shop in the capital is?”

“I do. Second row on East Street, third shop.”

“After school tomorrow, we’ll go buy some things.”

Shi Yi, like a worm wriggling in Xie Lan’s stomach, asked cautiously, “For Eldest Miss?”

“Yes. Before, it was always Eldest Sister giving me gifts. Now I have money, so I can buy something for her.”

Xie Lan knew that the capital’s noble ladies all loved makeup, and Xie Wanyi’s room was full of it.

It was the first time he had ever given something to his sister. Not knowing what to choose, he thought: since they all liked rouge, surely Eldest Sister would too.

The next day, Xie Lan took all the money from the Lan Courtyard and headed to the Dong Residence.

“Third Master, why bring so much money? Rouge and powders are expensive.”

“It’s not just that. If we see other nice things, I’ll buy them too for Eldest Sister.”

Now that Xie Lan had money, he wanted to buy everything as gifts for Xie Wanyu.

His elder sister deserved the best things under heaven.

Today, he was unusually distracted in class, constantly thinking about whether Xie Wanyu had already arrived at the Marquis House. For this, he got scolded soundly by Mr. Dong.

But being scolded didn’t upset him; he forced himself to concentrate and pay attention to the lesson.

Finally, the long day ended. Xie Lan dashed out of the Dong Residence and headed straight for the rouge shop.

When he and Shi Yi reached the shop’s entrance, both froze.

No one had told him there were dozens of colors of rouge, and all kinds of pearl powder, eyebrow colors, and fragrant powders—so many that it was dazzling.

“Third Master… which… which should we buy?” Shi Yi stammered.

Xie Lan had no idea.

The shop was full of women, pointing and whispering occasionally, some even laughing softly.

A flush rose to Xie Lan’s cheeks. He randomly pointed at a few items: “This, this, and that one.”

The shopkeeper wrapped them up, and Xie Lan hurriedly carried the delicate little wooden boxes out of the shop.

As he walked with his head down, passing a jewelry store, he suddenly stopped.

A pair of jade-green teardrop earrings caught his eye.

If his elder sister wore them, she would be stunning.

Xie Lan was enchanted and refused to leave. In the end, he spent almost all the silver in his bag just to buy these earrings.

“She’ll definitely like them,” Xie Lan murmured, gently stroking the jade-green teardrops.

“Third Master, your taste is impeccable. These earrings suit Eldest Miss perfectly,” Shi Yi said, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful earrings.

The two young fools were equally dazzled.

Xie Lan carefully packed the earrings, excitement written all over his face. “Hurry back to the mansion—Eldest Sister is home.”

The two of them ran all the way back. By the time they reached the Marquis House, it was still daylight.

Xie Lan ran straight to the Moyun Courtyard.

“Eldest Sister! Eldest Sister! Are you back?” he called as he ran.

After two days of tidying, the Moyun Courtyard looked completely refreshed. The once-empty yard now had transplanted peonies and magnolia trees, filling the air with floral fragrance and lifting the spirits.

Xie Lan reached the main hall but still didn’t see Xie Wanyu.

“Could she be with Mother?” he murmured.

A maid approached and said, “Third Master, Eldest Miss didn’t return to the mansion today.”

“Huh?” Xie Lan asked, disappointed. “Why not?”

The maid shook her head. “I don’t know, but the Old Madam just threw a huge fit.”

Xie Lan hid the smile on his face. “I’ll go ask Mother myself.”