Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

72.Request to meet Cousin

The knot in Lian Fang Zhou’s heart loosened a lot. She was initially worried that the wealthy family’s doorman would have been so high and mighty and look down on people. She was already prepared to break her wallet; never expect that she would meet an amicable one.   

“Is your esteem manor’s Young Madame home? I'm looking for her! Must trouble you to pass a message over!” Lian Fang Zhou cordially beseeched. 
   
“Please help us out, brother!” Ah Jian took out his hand, stuffed few silver nuggets that was around half liang into the doorman’s hand.

The doorman was used to handling these kinds of matter. With just a squeeze of a hand, he can estimate how much is inside. He gave them a once over with a strange look. Though they dressed up so ordinarily, they display such generosity.

“Looking for our Young Madame? May I ask what relationship do you have with our Young Madame? Our Young Madame is very busy! Not just anyone can meet her!” the doorman stated.

Lian Fang Zhou started to feel somewhat embarrassed. If she says she’s their young madam relative, most definitely will receive a shock expression or an eye roll?

“Just say Lian Family from Da Fang village in Yunhe county. Your Young Madame should understand!” uttered Lian Fang Zhou.

“Yunhe County?” the doorman eyes lit up and grinned. “Our Young Madame’s family is from Yunhe. However, I never heard of something Lian Family, Da Fang village. Alright, I’ll get someone to help you send a word. I cannot guarantee, if Young Madame would meet you!”

“That's of course. We are already deeply grateful that you can help send a word!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled.

“Then you wait here!” Seeing Lian Fang Zhou speaking so politely and sounded so pleasant to the ear, he merrily grinned, closed the door and went to call the old woman at the second gate to help pass a word.

The three of them had waited a full half an hour. There wasn’t a single movement from the inside. Lian Ze whispered, “Sister, do we still have to wait? It couldn't be that the doorman was fooling us?”

“Since we are already here, it goes without saying we need to wait! Otherwise, we wasted a trip to here!” Lian Fang Zhou responded

Ah Jian then followed up, “Don’t worry too much. Didn’t they say Su Young Madame handle most of Su Manor business? Therefore she should regularly be out. If we can't enter, we can wait outside. We'll eventually be able to wait it out.”

“En!”Lian Fang Zhou heart warmed and cheerfully nodded at Ah Jian.

 

Over-dress

Right then, the door squeak as it opened. Beside the doorman, there was also a middle-aged woman, dressed in claret blossom design on a the over-dress, and stone green long skirt and her hair were shaped into a flattened bun and secured by a silver hairpin.

The doorman pointed toward the middle-aged woman and courteously said, “You're in luck. This is Li ma, part of Young Madam's retainers.”

“Greetings to Li ma!”Lian Fang Zhou affably nodded.

Li ma had already studied them a few times. Though the three's clothes were ordinary and old, it was clean and tidy. Appeared to be upright and straightforward. The younger youth was a bit nervous, but that was normal and not have a glimpse of groveling or flattering expression.

Li ma nodded in approval in her mind. And smiled, “I heard that Miss is from Lian Family in Yun He county? May I ask what relation do you have with Liu Family's Liu Su Mei.”

Lian Fang Zhou eyes slightly darkened and replied, “She’s my mother.”

“So it’s like that!”Li ma exclaimed. “That means Miss is our Young Madame’s cousin! How is Mrs. Lian doing? Our Young Madame has been thinking about her!”

Lian Fang Zhou bitterly revealed, “My mother …have passed away!”
   
“Ah!”Li Ma's expression slightly changed and rapidly enquired, "When did this happen?”

Lian Fang Zhou answered, “It was half a year ago. She and Father were working in the mountain. Suddenly a torrent of water rushed down the mountain, and the two of them passed away.”

Li ma lightly sighed in lament; internally thought ‘no wonder they came knocking on the door!’ Seeing how they dressed so tidily, it wasn't so easy for them.
  
She led them to side hall to sit down and ordered the maid to serve tea and cakes. Politely smiled, “Miss, please wait here for a moment! ”
  
“En,” Lian Fang Zhou dipped her head in response and did not question anymore. She knew that she will go report to cousin.

Maybe this cousin had previously planned not to meet them. Just treat them as coming to extort money. So it made no difference, letting Li ma take care of it. But hearing her parents have passed away, she must at least meet them.
   
Without a doubt, Li ma came back not long later and apprised, “This gong zi please enjoy tea and rest here. Miss Lian and Lian gong zi, follow me. Young Madame wants to see you. ”
    
“You guys, head over. I'll wait for you here! ”Ah Jian spoke.

Lian Fang Zhou and Lian Ze agreed. And turned to Li ma and said 'Must trouble you' and followed her.

 

This image is the most similar one I can find to the description given.
Veranda + Tasseled Lantern + Speckle of flower

 After they entered the second gate, they walked for a good bit before Li ma led them into a courtyard. The door that came into sight was a spacious patio with greyish green tile paving. There were several green flower jars placed on both sides of the road. Presumably, it'll be gorgeous during summer with the lotus flourishing with green jade leaf. On the flat ground, a few pomegranate, cape jasmine,  lilac, and similar flowers were planted with the bricks at the bottom. On the two sides was a mirror copy veranda. Tasseled octangular lanterns hung on the roof of the corridor and roses were planted on the alongside the veranda. At this moment, there were speckles of pink and yellow flower buds.
 

Moon Gate

The courtyard was very spacious and serene.  The left and the right side also have a moon gate successively connected to the compound. In the distance were landscaped trees and flowers, a cascade of rockeries and many houses. 

 

I imagine the room is a smaller version of this

After passing through the patio, the raised steps pass through a lobby. The patio at the front was separated by a five-opened large room. The middle of the room is higher, while the sides are slightly shorter. Everything was meticulously arranged, from the carved beams and painted rafters to the bright red door and green jade windows. Li ma guided to the left side veranda to go around, and pleasant mentioned, " You came at a good time today. Young Madame has just woken and not go out yet!"
   
The four maids, in a different shade of the blue and white long dress, was initially standing attention at the entrance saw them come over. One of them raised the bouncy, dark green curtain and entered to send words. The other three came up to welcome and called, "Li da niang!"
   
Li ma acknowledged. The maid that previously went in to notify returned. She conveyed, "Li da niang, Young Madame request that you lead the guest inside!"

"Miss Lian, Lian gong zi, this way please!" Li ma then grinned as she raised her hand to signal.

"Must trouble da niang!" Lian Fang Zhou returned a smile. With Lian Ze, she followed her from behind.

As they just enter, a beautiful woman, in peach pink with grape purple design and high collared sleeved over-dress and brocade, multi-folded skirt completely covered in blushing red, which was like a good harvest, came into view as the maids cluster around to welcome her. She got almond eyes with peach-like lids, skin fairer than snow and hair was slanted and coiled up. The beaded pendant enchantingly swayed. She was beautiful that she stood out. The light within her eyes shimmered, as if gleaming pond ripples. From one glance, you can tell she is a talented person.
  
Lian Fang Zhou was hesitating whether she should call her 'Su Young Madame ' or 'Cousin Fang.' Fang Qing had already stridden forward and held her hands. After studying her a bit, Fang Qing cheerfully opened her mouth, "You are Fang Zhou right? Do you still remember me? At that time when Aunt brought you over to my home, you were a little girl! This is Ah Ze then? I heard Aunt mention you before, but we have never met! Your eyes are just like Aunt's!"
   
Lian Fang Zhou's heart was warmed and was feeling mixed up.  She chuckled, "I can't remember at all, I was really young then. Coming over today, I have trespassed on your hospitality. It is really presumptuous ..."