The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme - Chapter 533

Chapter 533: Chapter 520: No Disgust

Chu Jinnian laughed, saying, “The Chinese New Year is just a few days away, I’m afraid we won’t be able to get much done before then. I’ll send instructions for someone to meet with Miss Zhuang after the New Year to discuss the soap business in detail. When that time comes, Miss Zhuang can make the decisions after discussing with my representative.”

“Alright, then let’s follow Master Chu’s suggestion.” Zhuang Qingning nodded, and a smile filled her upturned mouth.

Something that originally did not bear much hope had unexpectedly resulted in such a satisfactory outcome. It was an unexpected joy for Zhuang Qingning. It made her genuinely happy.

“After all the talking, Miss Zhuang might be thirsty already. This tea has gone cold. I’ll have someone bring a fresh cup.” Chu Jinnian raised his hand and instructed Jing Zhao standing nearby, “Bring a fresh cup of tea for Miss Zhuang.”

“Yes.” Jing Zhao accepted the order and left. After a while, he hurried back to serve Zhuang Qingning a fresh cup of tea, also bringing over a brocade box and handing it to Chu Jinnian before retreating.

Chu Jinnian opened the box and pushed it towards Zhuang Qingning.

Zhuang Qingning looked up and glanced over.

Inside the box were several hairpins.

There was a gold rose hairpin, hollow-carved and looking extravagant and imposing, a jade one, which looked delicate and exquisite, one made of silver, embellished with red agate, contrasting beautifully with the silver, as well as an ebony one that, despite its simple design, was smoothly polished and had intricate carvings at the tip …

Some were hidden underneath, their designs unrecognizable, but at first glance, each of these seven or eight hairpins was unique and elegant.

“Master Chu, this…”

“Last time when I returned, my grandmother indeed inquired about my marital affairs, even threatened to arbitrarily arrange a suitable match for me. Fortunately, I used the situation with Miss Zhuang to dissuade her, thus avoiding the trouble.”

Chu Jinnian smiled, “Grandmother didn’t initially believe me, but when she saw how earnest I was and saw the hairpin of Miss Zhuang, she finally believed me and didn’t arrange any more matches for me. After all this, Miss Zhuang, you truly helped me out.”

“Among these hairpins, some are given by my grandmother, and there are a few that I picked for Miss Zhuang to embellish her daily attire. On one hand, it’s to express my gratitude for Miss Zhuang’s help and to compensate for the previous gift of hairpin. On the other hand, by accepting these gifts, Miss Zhuang won’t raise too much suspicion from my grandmother in the future.”

If it were merely to express gratitude, Zhuang Qingning intended to only accept those simple-looking hairpins and decline those extravagant ones. But after hearing Chu Jinnian mention the issue of dealing with his grandmother, Zhuang Qingning nodded, “I understand Master Chu’s intention, and I will accept these gifts.”

“Thank you, Master Chu.”

“I should thank Miss Zhuang for her help. Please, do not be so polite.”

Chu Jinnian lifted his gaze, smiled, and said, “It’s almost time for lunch, Miss Zhuang, please dine here in the garden.”

“Coincidentally, I had ordered the delivery of several fresh fishes. The cook in this garden excels in preparing fish dishes. This would be an excellent opportunity for Miss Zhuang to try the delicacy.”

Was it already almost lunchtime?

Zhuang Qingning raised her head and glanced at the half-risen sun. She blinked, slightly confused.

However, preparing meals in a large household like this one was indeed quite complicated, and it would be more convenient for the kitchen to know in advance whether she planned to dine here.

That was what Zhuang Qingning thought.

There wasn’t anything pressing to attend to that day, and knowing Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli’s habits, they had probably already gone to play with Chu Jinzhou, and they wouldn’t be willing to leave until lunchtime anyways.

Since Chu Jinnian had already made the offer, Zhuang Qingning nodded in agreement, saying, “Then I will impose on Master Chu.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Chu Jinnian’s eyes curving into a joyful smile.

Zhuang Qingning also chuckled lightly, taking a sip of tea from her cup.

Compared to the first cup of tea, this one seemed to use a different type of tea leaves. It was gentle and refreshing when it entered her mouth, even carrying a trace of plum fragrance, which pleased her heart and spirit.

Delicious.

Zhuang Qingning took another big gulp, the fragrance of the plum blossoms lingering in her mouth for a long time.

“I added some plum blossom stigmas to this tea. I was initially worried Miss Zhuang might not like it, but now it seems we both share a fondness for the fragrance of the plum blossoms,” Chu Jinnian chuckled.

“Plum blossoms brave the frost to bloom and their fragrance is rich. It’s a rare floral scent in winter, which I like very much.”

Zhuang Qingning laughed, “There’s a plum blossom tree at home, which is in full bloom right now. I have only used the petals to make plum blossom cakes, but it never occurred to me to put some in tea. I’ll try it in the future and see if it’s as good as the tea here at Master Chu’s place.”

“Miss Zhuang has a plum blossom tree in her courtyard?” Chu Jinnian raised his eyebrows. “Odd that I didn’t notice when I visited before. If it can supply enough petals for Miss Zhuang to make plum cakes, then the blooming must be strong and pleasing.”

“Many bamboo trees are planted in Qingzhuyuan, and even the flowers in the garden, despite being meticulously cultivated by gardeners, rarely bloom brilliantly. For that reason, every time I think about flower-viewing, it’s always been somewhat unsatisfactory. It always frustrates and confuses me.”

“Since Miss Zhuang has such splendid plum blossoms at home, would it be possible for me to come over and enjoy this extraordinary bloom?”

The garden flowers aren’t blooming well?

But she remembered clearly that after being trapped on Cuiwei Mountain, she visited Qingzhuyuan one night out of boredom and strolled in the garden. There, she saw an enchanting and colorful moonlit night filled with blossoming flowers.

Could his standards for judging the bloom be different from others?

Or was it that all other flowers were indeed flourishing, but the plum blossoms he desired to see were not and thus skewed his overall perception?

Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder…

As Chu Jinnian wished to see the plum blossoms in her courtyard, it wasn’t an impossible request. Moreover, the plum tree that had been given as a task reward by a user had flourished under her careful care. At this point, it had grown tall and its vibrant red blossoms contrasting the white walls were stunning. Its presence alone could be described as a sight to behold.

Zhuang Qingning nodded with a smile, answering, “Master Chu, you are welcome to come watch the flowers anytime.”

“That’s settled then. After I’ve settled the case of the Ma family estate, I will come and impose.”

The face of Chu Jinnian was filled with smiles. Following their conversation about the plum blossoms, they carried on chatting about the plum blossom cakes Zhuang Qingning mentioned earlier and then moved onto the flower petal soaps she had mentioned previously.

The two were very much engrossed in their conversation.

The tea in the cup was refilled time and again, and when the fragrance faded, a new pot would be poured.

As drinks alone would have been a bit dull, the servants had long since brought some snacks for them to enjoy as they chatted.

Before they knew it, the sun was already high in the sky.