Two sisters

  The emperor and the empress dowager's reward was like timely rain, proving that Yang Lan was still as favored as ever, even after disappearing for two years, indirectly proving that the Yang family still had the emperor's trust and reliance, and the aristocrats in the capital naturally understood.

  As expected, the second day's invitations floated onto Yang Lan's desk like snowflakes. Yang Lan picked up a few familiar ones to take a look, and the rest were unfamiliar people trying to curry favor with her. She could put them aside for now and wait to see how things developed before making any moves.

  Bi Yun lifted the curtain and came in, holding several sets of neatly stacked clothes and asked: "Miss, the needlework room has finished making the clothes, a total of four sets, all thin shirts, one set each of lilac, pink, and crimson. There are also four separate skirts. The empress dowager and the emperor have also rewarded us with a lot of fabric, the person in charge of the needlework room asked if we want to make a few more jackets for summer wear or choose some other colors and patterns to match."

  Yang Lan casually picked up the lavender-purple embroidered pink chamomile soft satin oblique collar round-necked lace shirt, took a look, and nodded slightly at the exquisite embroidery. "Mm, then let's do it! Let the person in charge take care of it, I've been attending more banquets lately, just make sure she knows what to expect. These are well-made, tell the person in charge that I'm very satisfied, reward the needlework room!"

  "Yes!" Biyun responded with a single word and put her clothes away in the wardrobe.

  "Miss, are you going to attend Lady Wanyu's birthday banquet tomorrow?" asked Bimonth after tidying up the invitation.

  Yang Lan thought for a moment, it's been more than two years since she last had fun in the capital city, and it's about time to come out and take a turn. "Mm, I promised to go. You tell him personally, and I'll be there on time tomorrow."

  Bixue nodded in agreement. She immediately let the servants go to inform Madame Wanyu, and then asked: "What should I wear tomorrow?"

  "Wear that bright red one, it looks more vibrant! Take out the butterfly hairpin set your grandmother gave you and wear it tomorrow. When going to someone's birthday party, it's not good to dress too plainly, it's like being in mourning, it makes people feel uncomfortable!" Yang Lan thought about it and felt that wearing something eye-catching on this spring day wasn't bad either.

  "Exactly! Actually, miss looks very beautiful and elegant in red, it's really becoming on her! Miss should wear more red. Now that she's grown up, she's not as young as before, today is the perfect time to show off her beauty!"

  "But, the other day, the person in charge of the needlework room said that Miss looks good in red and couldn't help but make two red ones. He also said that in the summer, she can wear pastel colors too. The embroidery workshop even sent over several pieces of beautifully colored silk gauze, soft satin, and plain brocade. Miss should choose some nice colors to make clothes, her old clothes can't be worn anymore, it's time to sort them out." Biqing also took the opportunity to chat about family matters.

  Yang Lan also nodded in agreement, thinking that she hadn't been back for two years. The clothes from before were indeed unwearable, all a size too small, but the fabrics were all top-notch. Some had only been worn once, and some hadn't even been tried on. Her mother doted on her, and whenever there was good fabric, she would definitely make sure to have a dress made for her. Her clothes filled up two entire closets!

  "Alright, Biqing and Bilian, for the next few days, try to stay in less and not go out unless necessary. Take some of my clothes that I can't wear and give them to the younger maids who are not yet married. That woman has a daughter, so don't forget to reward her if she does well with her chores. Even if you can't wear it yourself, giving it away is still useful. Don't forget to send some rewards to the Hou household as well. As for the clothes that are forbidden to wear because of their rank and quality, pick out a few new ones and take them apart to make something like a handbag or a pillow cover - they can still be used somehow. Being frugal is important when living at home. You two can also choose a couple of dresses in your favorite colors to take back and wear. I love seeing you both look lovely and spirited."

  There's no way, she has too many clothes, and a lot of them are not something that maids can wear. For example, embroidered satin is only for those above the third rank, and Shu brocade is even more so, it's tribute satin, which is definitely not something that maids can wear.

  Biyun thought for a moment and smiled, "I remember that Miss has a pale purple embroidered white jade orchid pouch made of Shu brocade! It's very valuable, it would be a waste to use it as a lotus bag. Why not give it to the Fourth Young Lady instead?"

  "Bai Yue snorted with a smile, 'You'd better not! It's all because of Miss Yang's household, if this is sent over, who knows what people will say? Those who know will say that the missus is kind to her sister-in-law and doesn't want things to be difficult for her, but those who don't know will think that our missus is deliberately showing off and slapping people in the face!'"

  Actually, Yang Lan wasn't thinking of not giving gifts to her sisters. The third sister was okay, she had a biological mother and was born legitimate, so she didn't lack anything. But the fourth house was different, they weren't well-treated, and the fifth sister was even more unhappy, with many things not going her way. Several times she saw that the fifth sister's clothes were all repeated, and the fourth sister wasn't much better off, just changing styles to wear.

  But it's not necessarily good to send it over like that. The fourth and fifth daughters are about the same height and build as her, so they can wear them. The third daughter is thinner than her mother, so she thought for a moment and beckoned to Biyue: "You go find the third daughter, send a box of pastries over and ask her to try some, and chat with her about family matters."

  Bixue was particularly quick-witted and immediately understood the master's meaning. She patted her chest and laughed, saying: "Master, rest assured, I will definitely get things done properly for you."

  Yang Lan smiled and nodded, "You go! Biyun, take out a few pieces of clothing from my new collection, also pick some good fabrics from the trunk, put them together, and prepare some tea and snacks, they will be here soon."

  Biyun smiled and responded with a "yes", then went to prepare without mentioning it again. On the other hand, Biqing asked in surprise: "How did Miss know they would come? What if they didn't show up despite their good reputation?"

  Yang Lan just smiled, with a certain smile on her face. "Third sister has changed a lot now and can't be compared to her previous temperamental self. With her around, Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister will definitely come. And since Fourth Uncle is far away in Yunnan and Fourth Aunt isn't here either, no one will help them with these arrangements, so there will definitely be some shortcomings."

  Biqing thought for a moment, that's right. The fourth master and the fourth madam went to Yunnan to take office, but the environment there is complex and located in Miaojiang, which is not very peaceful. Bringing children would be more dangerous, so they left all the children at home. Since the fourth house was without a master, Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister temporarily took charge of things in their own courtyard, acting as the manager, but some things were beyond their control.

  The monthly silver allowance in the mansion is fixed, and the young ladies all get ten taels of silver. They each get four sets of clothes for each of the four seasons, including undergarments; if it's not enough, they have to make up for it themselves.

  No young lady can make do with just a few pieces of clothing for the whole year, most of them are subsidized by their parents, so the girls in the four houses must be lacking these now.

  Even if they have their own private money, it's not good to openly go and make clothes, lest people talk and think that the Hou Mansion is mistreating them. Moreover, since they are born out of wedlock, they must be even more cautious and proper.

  Biqing looked at the young lady and nodded thoughtfully.

  Soon, the third sister brought the fourth and fifth sisters together. Before they even entered the door, the third sister shouted loudly: "Sixth sister, what good things have you obtained that you are secretly hiding? I've come today to search for some to take back, don't be stingy!"

  Three girls led the way, lifting the curtain and coming in. Yang Lan hurriedly stood up to welcome them, with a sweet smile on her face. "Look what you said, as if I hadn't given you gifts before! You're saying that I'm stingy, aren't you? What do you think, Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister? Just the other day, she received my good tea, and now she's denying it!" After speaking, she laughed and pulled the hands of the fourth and fifth girls, being affectionate and playful.

  The fourth girl also smiled gently, "She told me yesterday that she wanted to come and sit with you, saying she was going to ask for some good things to take back. I drank your tea, it's so fragrant and refreshing, I love it like something! The maids wanted to try a sip but I didn't even want to give it to them! Today I brought two kinds of rouge that my sister and I made ourselves, just for fun between us sisters, don't think poorly of it!" She glanced at the fifth girl.

  The fifth sister blushed and smiled slightly, "Two colors, peach red and pink, I thought sixth sister might like it. I couldn't think of anything else, what treasure hasn't our sister seen before? I thought this was a token of our sisters' heart, sister definitely won't dislike ours." After finishing, her cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness, but her eyes were sincere and generous.

  Yang Lan's heart was filled with joy, it had been two years since they last met and her sisters had all grown up so much, it really warmed her heart. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she smiled even more sweetly, "What's this about being ashamed or not? Are you guys teasing me?! Let me take a look at what kind of rouge this is, I like lighter colors the most. And I also have some hair powder and pearl powder made by my maids, as well as rice powder. You all try one box each later and see which one works better, if you find something good don't forget to give me a box too!"

  Several girls were asked to sit on the windowsill, Biyun brought several boxes of cosmetics and gave them to the young ladies to play with. A few people put their heads together, smelling this and that. The third girl grabbed a bottle of perfume and a box of pearl powder, and said to the fourth and fifth girls with a big smile: "Don't be polite, take a look at what you want and grab it quickly! After leaving this village, there is no such store! I didn't even ask for it last time I came! Today can't miss it again! These two bottles are mine! Wait until I use them up and then come back to get them!" She looked like a tyrant with her head held high.

  The fourth sister is also a crystal clear person, how can she not understand the good intentions of her sisters! Her eyes are slightly moist, but she still smiles happily, "Well, I won't be polite to my little sister anymore. I want this rice flour, it's what I usually use, although the color isn't as good as yours! I also like this lily-scented floral extract! Fifth sister, choose two more, don't waste sixth sister's kind intentions!" She smiles with a sincere face, tilting her head.

  The fifth girl also chose pearl powder and a box of floral lotion with embarrassment, very measured.

  "Come, try my pastries and see how they are? I snatched two pastry recipes from the Empress Dowager and had the chef try making them. If you eat well, I'll have them give you the recipe!" Yang Lan was delighted to see that her good intentions were not rejected.