Madam Zhou’s generosity not only surprised and delighted everyone but also brought envy and resentment.
Old Lady Zhou, of course, was satisfied. After all, once a daughter-in-law entered the family, she became part of the Zhou household. Whatever she received belonged to her and would one day belong to her grandson as well.
And in front of her own family, the Zhou family’s generosity brought honor to their name.
Old Lady Zhou had always been dissatisfied with Madam Lu’s shallow manners, feeling that she disgraced the family in public. Yet, Madam Zhou’s sudden largesse gave her a sense of turning the tables.
Old Lady Zhou didn’t suspect the source of Madam Zhou’s silver. For one thing, the situation at hand distracted her from such thoughts, and secondly, she knew Madam Zhou had always earned silver through her embroidery. It wasn’t surprising that she had her own private stash.
To the contrary, Madam Lu, seeing Madam Zhou’s grand gesture, seethed with fury.
What was this, showing off her wealth so everyone would know, or was it an attempt to buy favor? Such a generous gift from an auntie surpassed hers by far, putting her in her shadow. What would outsiders think of her now?
And not just that, Madam Lu was infuriated by the fact that Madam Zhou, who clearly had money, wouldn’t even part with a simple hairpin for her and even sent Wufu to snatch it back. Now she was feigning generosity—what cunning.
Looking at the heavy bracelets on Lady Liang’s wrists, Madam Lu was filled with both hatred and envy. Such beautiful things, yet they weren’t for her.
Madam Zhou was truly biased.
As for Madam Zhou’s thoughts, she hadn’t considered too deeply. Seeing her brother and sister-in-law’s smiling faces, she was simply overjoyed. After saying a few words of praise, the newlyweds entered their bridal chamber, while others would playfully disturb them.
Wufu had never seen how the ancients made merry in the bridal chamber. Curious and eager for the excitement, she said to Madam Zhou, "Mother, I’m going to have a look."
Madam Zhou was somewhat worried, but seeing her eagerness, she didn’t have the heart to refuse and simply said, "Go then, but come back quickly. It’s almost time for the feast."
Wufu nodded and followed along.
The ancients’ revelry in the bridal chamber, though conducted with decorum, had its own charm, and Wufu found it quite amusing.
The groom stepped out to entertain the guests, and the bride took a moment to rest. Now, the room was filled with children and young women.
A married woman was introducing Lady Liang to everyone present, mainly the people from the Zhou family.
Lady Liang had also prepared gifts, handing out purses to Zhou Xiuer and the others.
Wufu stood at the door, ready to leave, when Lady Liang noticed her and quickly called out to her.
"Aunt’s craft may not be the best, but please don’t mind. Wear it for fun." Lady Liang also handed Wufu a purse.
Actually, Lady Liang was being modest. The purse was exquisitely made with satin, embroidered with a lifelike peony.
Wufu was somewhat surprised. In her opinion, the purse she held was indeed better than the one Zhou Xiuer had just received.
Zhou Xiuer naturally saw this, and her expression changed.
Lady Liang smiled slightly, returning the favor of Madam Zhou’s earlier generosity.
Wufu hung the purse on her waist belt, thought for a moment, then unfastened her own purse and poured out two pearls.
"I don’t have any gifts to give. These two pearls were ground by my own hand, from the same material as the hairpin on my mother’s head. Aunt, if you don’t mind, take them to make a pair of eardrops." Wufu handed over the pearls, "I wish you and my uncle a joyful marriage and a lifetime of togetherness."
Lady Liang was taken aback, and she instinctively accepted them. Looking down, she saw two peas-sized, water-green, smooth pearls in her fair palm, which made her hand appear especially pale.
She knew quality when she saw it and recognized the excellent jade of the pearls at a glance.
Lady Liang looked up to give thanks, but the young girl had already walked to the door and stepped out, prompting a gentle smile from her.
It seemed her husband’s sister and niece were not as bad as the rumors suggested.