Chapter 98: Matchmaking for Little Yaoer

Madam Wei did not hurry to take her seat. She merely drew Wang Qiuman from behind and stepped forward, smiling as she spoke: “Man, this is Madam Song—go and offer your respects.”

Wang Qiuman advanced with measured steps and made a graceful, deep bow. “Wang Qiuman of the Wang family respectfully greets Madam Song. May the Madam be blessed with peace and good health.”

“Good, good. No need for such ceremony; come here and let me see you,” Song Ci said with a warm, twinkling smile, beckoning her over. Turning to Madam Wei she added, “I’ve just come through an illness. Other than my own girls, I have not seen any other young maidens. You know me well enough—did you bring this flower-like girl here on purpose to cheer me?”

She winked at Madam Wei. “Is she the one meant for my son?”

Madam Wei gave the slightest nod. “The older a person grows, the more they long for fresh young faces and fresh things. I know that well enough to bring her along. You cannot deny that with this child near me, I feel, absurdly, that I have grown younger.”

Wang Qiuman moved closer to Song Ci, who took her hands and asked the old familiar questions—her age, her daily habits, and so on. Qiuman answered clearly and with easy grace.

Song Ci patted her hand. “You are a good girl.” She then reached to the side table, took a strand of tourmaline beads, and slipped it onto Qiuman’s wrist. “This is our first meeting, and I have nothing worthy to give you. Wear this in your daily life.”

Qiuman looked down at it once. The beads gleamed in many colours, each bead round and translucent, with an elegant sheen, so costly it looked. She demurred, “Madam, this is far too precious.”

“It is not precious for me. This old skeleton of a body of mine is not fit for such things; it is perfect for girls like you. Wear it,” Madam Wei said.

“…” Qiuman hesitated, then glanced at Madam Wei. Seeing her nod, she accepted, then bowed once more to Song Ci in sincere thanks.

“Since you have come to visit us, take some time to wander about. Mrs. Gu, Qier is here—send her with Little Man,” Song Ci said.

Mrs. Gu answered with a laugh, “My daughter-in-law has already sent a maid to fetch the girl.” No sooner had she spoken than a maid announced Song Ruqi’s arrival.

Song Ruqi entered, first paying respects to Song Ci, then was pointed to Madam Wei and given a bracelet as a greeting present before she exchanged courtesies with Wang Qiuman.

“Qier, do stay and keep Little Man entertained,” Song Ci instructed.

Song Ruqi smiled and agreed. Madam Wei also said to Qiuman, “You have only just arrived in the capital and have not yet made many girls your friends. Go, play for a while.”

Qiuman nodded and followed Song Ruqi down.

As they walked out of Springlight Hall, Song Ruqi said with a cheerful tilt of her head, “You seem older than I am, so I’ll call you older sister, if that is all right.”

“This is too kind,” Qiuman replied with a gentle smile. “Forgive my bold visit and for intruding on your arrangements, Sister Qier.”

“I have no great arrangement,” Song Ruqi said. “I was just in my chamber playing the zither and writing. What is your usual life like?” Her eyes drifted to the ornate pouch tied at Qiuman’s waist. “This purse is lovely. That butterfly on it almost looks as if it is about to fly away. Did you make it yourself? May I see it?”

Qiuman removed it and handed it over with both hands. “I make it myself. It is not exceptionally fine, and it is already my own. If you like it, I will make one for you another time.”

Song Ruqi’s eyes brightened. “How excellent! I am quite good at the zither, but at women’s handiwork I am terribly poor, and embroidery is even worse. If you are willing, I’d be in your debt. By the way, I adore peonies. Could you embroider peonies for me?”

Qiuman nodded.

“These grandmothers and elders around us could go on talking for a long while,” Song Ruqi said. “Come, let us go to my courtyard and draw a pattern.”

Song Ruqi’s spirits rose, and without waiting for Qiuman’s formal reply, she took her hand and led her away.

Her devotion to the Great Ancestor was truly fierce, astonishingly so. Everyone, please mark this as a favorite. The Sect of Peerless Tang is updating with unmatched speed.