Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan, said, "It was that trip to Tiger Hill to admire the peonies, wasn't it? Prefect He arrived, so I turned back halfway, and you went roaming the mountain with Chen Caozhi-ah, I'm to blame for this too. I shouldn't have given you the chance to be alone together. Just look, a young lady letting someone see the mole on her ankle! Aren't you ashamed?"
Lu Weiwei blushed down to her neck, not daring even to breathe deeply. She thought, Luckily, Aunt Zhang only thinks Master Chen saw the mole when I took off my shoes and stockings to wade across the stream. If she knew I deliberately took them off to show him, I really would die of shame.
Zhang Wenwan said, "Roll up that painting. What are you hiding your face for? How long can you keep hiding?"
Lu Weiwei slowly rolled up the painting, her head lowered, not daring to look at Aunt Zhang. Neither sweetness nor shyness could hold back the heavy anxiety in her heart.
Zhang Wenwan asked, "That Chen Caozhi knew today was your birthday. Did you tell him?"
Unable to conceal it, Lu Weiwei bit her lip and murmured an assent.
Zhang Wenwan said softly, "He certainly is thoughtful. Judging by character and talent alone, you truly couldn't find anyone among the younger generation in the Three Wu who surpasses Chen Caozhi. This painting would hardly suffer by comparison with the Gu family's Infatuated Young Master, would it? His talent truly deserves cherishing. But marrying him is absolutely out of the question-"
Lu Weiwei summoned her courage. "Aunt Zhang, but I-really do like Master Chen-" Her face was red enough to drip blood, but this time she did not lower her head to evade Aunt Zhang's piercing gaze.
Lady Lu,