Today's banquet was indeed for the only daughter in her family. However, the Earl of Yongcheng's wife, who was preoccupied with something, didn't stay in her daughter-in-law's courtyard for long. But she gently patted Wen Yuwan's hand, her eyes brimming with affection, and added, "Alright, it's not easy for your mother to visit, make sure you entertain her properly."
Wen Yuwan readily agreed, "Wan'er understands."
Madam Shen followed with her suggestion, "Mother-in-law, you go and be busy. We will manage here as Weiwen is with us."
After thinking for a moment, Earl of Yongcheng's wife said without any further refusals, "Then, after all the guests arrive, let Wan'er take you over."
Madam Shen nodded with a smile.
Subsequently, Earl of Yongcheng's wife left their son and daughter-in-law's courtyard along with a host of maids and servants.
After her mother-in-law left with the servants, Wen Yuwan immediately called out to Madam Shen, "Mother."
Taking her hand, Madam Shen asked, "Is Yu asleep?"
With her mother, Wen Yuwan looked genuinely weary and confessed, "Yu happens to be fussier than the others."
Patting her daughter's hand sympathetically, Madam Shen said, "Little children are like that."
Wen Yuwan nodded, then addressing those at her side she said, "Elder sister-in-law, younger brother's wife, fourth sister."
Madam Yang and Madam Liu responded in unison, "Madam Crown Prince."
/
Marrying into the Yongcheng Earl's Mansion, Wen Yuwan could be considered as having 'married up'. The Earl and his son supported important official positions; her influence as the Crown Prince's wife was not light.
Thus, what Madam Yang and Madam Liu said was appropriate.
Wen Yuwan personally helped Madam Shen into the room. Hearing the way her two sisters-in-law addressed her, she showed a hint of amusement and said, "There's no outsider here; elder sister-in-law and younger brother's wife, you don't have to be so formal."
Madam Shen also echoed, "Listen to what Wan'er is saying."
After hearing their mother-in-law, Madam Yang and Madam Liu also adjusted their calling – "younger sister/big sister".
Their words now had a sense of closeness.
Listening and being satisfied with their responses, Wen Yuwan then turned her attention over to Wen Ye, whose presence was always inconspicuous. Looking at her more carefully, she said, "It's been several days since we last met, fourth sister, you have grown even more beautiful."
Wen Ye politely replied, "Thank you for your compliment, elder sister."
Neither humble nor pushy, always the same.
Finding Wen Ye unchanged, Wen Yuwan retracted her gaze, instructed her to find a seat and began conversing with Madam Shen.
During the conversation, Wen Yuwan sent a maidservant to call her daughter. In the Yongcheng Earl's Mansion, apart from her mother-in-law's legitimate child, the other common-borns didn't receive much attention. Fortunately, her daughter was born at the same time as the eldest son.
Being twins gave her daughter the privilege of love and favour.
Madam Shen was also fond of this only granddaughter of hers, so upon seeing her granddaughter, she quickly requested Nanny Han to bring over a box of gifts, which had been prepared much earlier.
Wen Yuwan visibly disapproved after glancing at it: "Mother, today is not Shuer's birthday; these gifts are a bit too much."
Holding her obedient granddaughter, Madam Shen replied, "Not all of them are from me, some were added by your two sisters-in-law, and your fourth sister."
Upon opening the wooden box, it revealed several layers. The top layer contained several finely made summer dresses; they were clearly meant for Lin Shuer.
In addition to these, there was a piece of mutton-fat jade token. Madam Shen said, "This is a peace jade token I got for Shuer at Puqing Temple, blessed by Master Xuanqing."
With only one daughter of her own, and a granddaughter who resembled her daughter so much, Madam Shen was undoubtedly devoted to her.
Patting the little plaits on both sides of her granddaughter's head, Madam Shen lovingly asked, "Shuer, do you like them?"
Lin Shuer hugged Madam Shen with an adoring look in her eyes, "I like it. My grandma's the best."
The layer below contained two sets of refined jewelry. Madam Yang laughed, "I and your second aunt didn't consider as carefully as your mother. These two sets of jewelry are gifts for Shuer's future dowry."
Madam Liu also added, "Shuer is so well-behaved. I hope she could share some of the familial fortune."
Her words trailed off as she blushed.
Wen Yuwan smiled and said, "Shuer, come and thank your two aunts."
Upon hearing her mother's words, Lin Shuer got out from Madam Shen's arms and greeted Madam Yang and Madam Liu with an appropriate respect of a younger relative. Her voice was childish, "Thank you, first aunt, second aunt."
As her sons were cared for by their grandmother, grandparents, and husband, Wen Yuwan naturally favored her daughter a little more.
She watched her daughter give the formalities tenderly.
Madam Yang, who had no daughters, saw in Lin Shuer a politeness that exceeded her own sons' at this moment. Her eyes filled with love as she said, "There's no need for formalities. In the future, if there's anything you like, just tell your aunts."
Madam Liu beside her nodded in agreement.
The last layer contained the gifts from Wen Ye, which were sparing by comparison to Madam Shen's thoughtful gifts and the wealthy gifts of Madam Yang and Madam Liu.
These gifts had only been given a glance by Madam Shen. Except for her, everyone else was puzzled upon seeing what was in the box.
It contained wooden objects that looked like toys – small wooden dolls less than a palm-length tall, wearing mini dresses, along with small tables and chairs, toy kitchen utensils, small wardrobes, and small wooden beds.
Wen Yuwan was the first to question, "Fourth sister, what are these?"
At first glance, she thought the fourth sister had intentionally sent some inexplicable items, but she realized a moment later - that was impossible. Mother wouldn't let her behave so willfully.
The fact that these items had left the Wen Mansion and arrived here meant mother knew about and approved of them.
Wen Ye explained, "They're handmade toys."
Luckily, she had mastered woodworking skills in her past life to secure a quirky business partner.
Unexpectedly, she had use for them in this life, too.
She had made these as a way to kill time, but not long after they were finished, Madam Shen informed her that they would be attending a banquet at the Yongcheng Earl's Mansion.
Having nothing worthy of gifting, she decided to give this set of 'playing house' wooden toys, which was quite suitable.
Most importantly, it was cost-saving.
Under the scrutiny of the others, Wen Ye started demonstrating how to play with the toys. She made the little wooden doll sit on the small chair, lie in the bed, and even pose as if writing at a desk, only missing a piece of paper to complete the scene.
The wooden doll was smoothly polished, with a cute expression carved on its small face. Its eyes were painted so that its pupils stood out; even its tiny lips were stained with a faint layer of lipstick.
"It's quite interesting." Wen Yuwan observed for a moment before understanding what they were, adding her comment.
She glanced at her daughter, cradled in her mother's arms. The girl's eyes were glittering, her attention riveted on the doll in Wen Ye's hand. Evidently, she was very fond of it.
Wen Yuwan couldn't help but smile, her younger sister really was as unique as their mother had said.