A Stubborn Plaster (continued)

Second Concubine laughed and said, "You came empty-handed but took a basket of vegetables home. I'll have to come more often."

After Er Ya saw her out, she came back and squatted on the ground to sort through the things.

Gu Wanning laughed and said, "So you went home to beg for money? Didn't your parents scold you? Other people bring maids home, but you're the one bringing people out of the house."

"What good stuff do peasants have? You're doing them a favor by eating their food! Don't say I didn't bring some home; I was able to get my mother to wear a two-ounce gold bracelet, all thanks to you! My mother's got such a big head on her shoulders; she'll roll up her sleeves and deliberately show off to anyone who comes over, without even waiting to be asked. I'm so embarrassed."

Er Ya rattled off a whole bunch of things.

Gu Wanning couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.

It's truly lonely in this house without Er Ya.

Everything changed the moment she returned.

"I wouldn't dare claim credit for the gold bracelet," Gu Wanning corrected her. "It was clearly the Marquis who rewarded you with the silver."

Xu Weibei spending.

Last time it was Er Ya's birthday, Gu Wanning just mentioned that Xu Weibei should also give her something.

--On this day, the birthday person is the most important, and the more gifts the better.

Xu Weibei was straightforward and blunt, giving Er Ya a hundred taels of silver directly.

Er Ya was terrified and came to Gu Wanning with the silver notes. "Miss, is the Marquis going to send me away? If the Marquis weren't so incompetent, I would have thought he wanted me to be his concubine."

One hundred taels of silver!

Gu Wanning was Er Ya amused and exasperated, only then realizing that it was actually inappropriate for Xu Weibei the items separately.

What's remarkable is that Xu Weibei didn't say anything, but directly gave him the silver.

"The Marquis also sent me to inquire about you."

Gu Wanning said it was a gift she had asked for on her behalf.

Er Ya then happily said, "Then I'll give you ninety taels, but I'll only take ten. Oh, am I being too greedy? How about two taels?"

Gu Wanning smiled and told her to keep them all as part of her dowry.

Er Ya was overjoyed; she brought her mother a gold bracelet as a gift when she went back home.

Although she sometimes complained that her mother favored boys over girls and paid more attention to her brother, she was grateful that her parents had been very good to her.

"I told my mother that this bracelet must be left to me after she passes away. If she leaves it to someone else, I won't burn paper money for her."

Gu Wanning burst into laughter.

Did your mother agree?

"Of course I agreed. My mother is sensible; she said whoever gave her the jewelry should take it back after she passes away. I don't really need it; I just think that even if it's given to my nephews and nieces in the future, they should remember my kindness and not forget that I bought it."

"You're right," Gu Wanning agreed. "By the way, weren't you supposed to stay home and help out for a few more days? Why are you back today?"

"Because today is the First Madam's birthday, and my birthday is less than a month apart from hers."

Looking at her beaming face, Gu Wanning couldn't help but think, "It's really a shame that the three of you didn't spend time together properly."

"You prepared a gift for your sister-in-law?"

"It's ready." Er Ya raised her head. "This servant bought a set of clothes for the First Madam at the Jinxiu Pavilion."

"Jinxiu Pavilion? That must be very expensive."

"It wasn't cheap, it cost this much." Er Ya held up a six.

"Six taels of silver!"

"It's sixty taels." Er Ya glanced outside the door, lowered her voice, and put her index finger to her lips. "Shh, don't tell anyone. I'll just say that this is fabric given to me by the Marquis, and I made it myself. Please don't give me away. The First Madam works so hard every day, she's so frugal, she doesn't even have many nice clothes to wear."

Gu Wanning wanted to say that it was too expensive, but then she thought that this was something that would make Er Ya happy, so she decided to let her do it.

Life is not easy, and to have a life that goes smoothly is an extremely rare thing.

Not everyone has to follow the rules and live according to worldly definitions.

Er Ya felt that she was fine as she was, and that was enough.

However, she hadn't remembered her sister-in-law's birthday, so she needed to prepare a gift quickly.

Fortunately, Xu Weibei simply and crudely filled the three-tiered box where she kept her jewelry. She went to pick out a headdress to match her clothes, which was very simple.

My sister-in-law is indeed hardworking, but her husband is refined and successful, and her three sons are obedient. She lives a happy life and is a winner in life.

Er Ya carefully took out the clothes embroidered with gold and silver thread, which shimmered brilliantly in the light.

She didn't even dare to reach out and touch it, afraid that her hands were too rough and would snag her clothes.

She looked at the clothes, a most expectant smile on her lips.

No woman doesn't love beauty, so the First Madam should be very happy; if the First Madam looks good, the Master will be happy too.

Their happiness is her happiness.

Er Ya brought out some more vegetables. "These cowpeas are Master's favorite, He Ge likes them too. Master is the most like the Master, He Ge is the most like Master. He Ge is so sensible; he even gave me a painting for my birthday last time, a painting of me. There really isn't a better child than him..."

Gu Wanning listened to her rambling with a smile.

Actually, if you could live like this for the rest of your life, seeing the people you love happy and fulfilled, and being able to see them often, that would be a very happy thing.

Er Ya went to deliver things to He Shi, Gu Wanning was planning what vegetables to buy today.

Although her sister-in-law would invite her to dinner on her birthday, she wouldn't even look at her father's awkward face!

What kind of food did she cook for Xu Weibei?

A woman with a romantic mindset always wants to treat a man better.

She had just stepped outside when she encountered Yiling, who had come looking for her.

Upon hearing Gu Wanning say she was going out to buy groceries, Yiling said, "What a coincidence, I also invited you out."

Gu Wanning: "What, are you going to buy groceries too?"

"I'm not buying groceries, I just want to go out for a walk. Perfect, I'll go grocery shopping with you, and you can show me around for a bit later."

Gu Wanning: "... I don't have time to wander around, I have to go home and cook."