Chapter 582: Chapter 582: Can’t Stand a Full Pocket

In her past life, Qin Yuan had also socialized with these two women after returning to the capital with Lin Ziqi. At that time, they were already in their thirties. Although they loved to talk about mundane matters, they didn’t wear everything on their faces as they do now.

Qin Yuan found it both amusing and puzzling. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed a maid in a pink blouse entering in a hurry, bearing a tray with a teapot and teacups, and nervously apologizing.

"Ladies, my apologies for bringing the tea late."

"It’s no problem, there are many guests at your home today, it’s understandable," someone responded.

Qin Yuan didn’t speak, only raised her eyebrows slightly.

Logically, someone should be waiting nearby to serve, with tea regularly placed on the stone table and replaced as needed. Now it was peculiar for a maid to rush over with tea.

Moreover, the maid’s attire was slightly different from the maids they encountered along the way.

Qin Yuan had already considered this.

After thanking the lady who spoke, the maid lowered her head in embarrassment and hurried towards the stone table. Yang’er slightly stepped aside to let her serve the tea.

As she got closer, she stepped on something, lost her balance with a cry of alarm, and the teapot tilted towards Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan: The banquet hasn’t even started, are you in such a hurry?

Hong Ye let out a cry, while Hehua, who was standing behind, extended her arm sideways, striking the tray so that the teapot and cups fell back in the opposite direction. Yang’er turned around to shield Qin Yuan thoroughly.

The maid couldn’t avoid it and was drenched with tea, and the tray fell on her face, leaving a red mark.

The crowd exclaimed.

The maid stood there in a daze, soaking wet, her clothes clinging to her body, with tea leaves sprayed all over her hair and face, and the two ladies from Wuding Marquis Mansion were also affected, with some tea splashed on their dresses.

"Why are you so clumsy, girl?" The younger one couldn’t help but scold, but considering the Duke Mansion’s Old Madam’s birthday, she could only glare angrily at the maid and swallow her anger.

The maid looked disappointedly at Qin Yuan, who remained untouched by even a drop of water, and softly sobbed, "I was too hasty just now and carelessly stained the noble’s dress. I deserve to die. I beg all the ladies to forgive me for the Old Madam’s birthday. I’ll escort the ladies to change clothes right away."

With that said, the ladies who had been splashed with tea had no choice but to suppress their anger again.

"For the Old Madam’s sake, we will forgive you. But your actions are indeed careless. Fortunately, we brought extra clothes, but if we encounter such careless behavior again, no amount of changes would be enough."

The maid apologized profusely.

Qin Yuan stood up and said, "Let her guide us, we should all go change."

"...Uh, but you weren’t splashed..."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "If it weren’t for my maids protecting me, I would have been splashed. Let’s consider it my apology. Besides, I’m worried letting this clumsy maid guide the sisters, especially since the hosts are busy today and many things might be neglected. It wouldn’t be good to be clumsily bumped into."

The two ladies from Wuding Marquis Mansion gave a complex look at the two maids behind Qin Yuan, then at the clumsy maid, and also had some thoughts. They said, "It’s wonderful for you to join us. We were just having an interesting conversation before being interrupted by this maid. It would be hard to find you after changing to continue our talk."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "It’s as if we were meant to be friends at first sight. I feel the same way. If the sisters enjoy these conversations, feel free to visit the mansion often. I’m the only young daughter-in-law at home, and I do worry about not having companions."

"Then it’s settled," they said, laughing and leading a group of maids away from the pavilion.

The maid in the pink outfit led the way. The autumn wind was chilly, making her shiver. A few maids coming from the opposite direction found it strange and asked, "Zhuye, why are you here to serve, and what’s going on?"

Zhuye hurriedly said, "The master went up high and saw the ladies sitting in the pavilion without tea, afraid of neglecting the guests, so I was sent to serve tea. I ended up spilling it, so I’m taking the ladies to change clothes. Can you, Xiao Si, take the ladies instead? I need to change right away."

The maid named Xiao Si thought for a moment and said, "We were originally serving at the pavilion, but the housekeeper called us away for something, so we had to trouble you. You go change your clothes, and Ping’er and I will guide the ladies."

Zhuye thanked them repeatedly, then turned around, with tea leaves still on her head and body, to apologize to the ladies before leaving.

Xiao Si and Ping’er led them to the guest courtyard. It was elegantly arranged, and the ladies with soiled clothes went behind the screens to change, while Qin Yuan and others sat by the table outside, waiting.

Qin Yuan then asked, "Which master does Zhuye serve in the mansion?"

Xiao Si smiled and said, "She’s from the Book Pavilion. Today, many guests have come to the mansion, and some of the gentlemen might have taken noble guests to the Study Pavilion for discussion. Seeing them sitting in the pavilion without tea, she was asked to serve. Who knew she’d be clumsy? Please, don’t laugh, madam."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "How could I? It was a kind gesture from the host family."

She thought to herself, today’s guests are mostly nobles, and few enjoy reading. Even those who pretend to be cultured wouldn’t discuss scholarly matters at this time. It must be that esteemed guests arrived, hence being invited to the Study Pavilion.

For someone honored as a distinguished guest by the Duke Mansion and arranged to enter the Study Pavilion, there wouldn’t be more than five people.

Qin Yuan took two plump, golden peanuts from her pocket and handed them to Hehua and Yang’er, "You two served diligently today. Keep them and enjoy them slowly."

Hehua and Yang’er knew their earlier actions had pleased Qin Yuan, so they took the golden peanuts, tucked them into their waistbands, and said joyfully, "Thank you for the reward, madam."

Ping’er and Xiao Si, standing by, looked enviously.

Hong Ye blinked and joked, "These golden peanuts are worth quite a bit of silver. It would be a shame if they didn’t sprout into little peanuts."

Hehua asked, "How can they sprout?"

Hong Ye wanted to say more but was poked by Cui Ming. She said, "It’s simple. When we return to the mansion, I’ll tell you slowly."

Ping’er and Xiao Si, who had their ears pricked, looked disappointed.

Hong Ye then smiled at Qin Yuan, "Madam’s pocket is full of peanuts. We should work harder."

Hehua and Yang’er couldn’t help but laugh.

Qin Yuan scolded, "You can’t stand to see my pocket full, huh? I’m not a stingy person; as long as you do well, there will be rewards. Even if I empty this pocket today, it wouldn’t matter. But the Duke Mansion is such a noble family, there won’t be that many opportunities for rewards."

Hong Ye took it seriously, "Since madam has said this, I’ll believe it. The Duke Mansion is well-managed, but some guests might be inattentive. It’s possible this servant might earn a golden peanut or two."