Chương 409: Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, and others meet Cai Wan

Upon arriving at the east courtyard, Steward Wang opened the door and said, "Miss Cai, this is the courtyard that has been prepared for you. It's next to Madam Yin's and Madam Feng's courtyards, making it convenient for you to move around. Please take a look, and if there's anything you're not satisfied with, just tell this old servant."

Cai Wan walked in, her eyes lighting up.

The courtyard was exquisitely decorated.

Several clumps of green bamboo grow by the entrance, rustling softly in the wind.

There is an osmanthus tree in the yard, its golden fragrance filling the air with a sweet aroma.

The furniture in the room was all new: a huanghuali wood table, a carved bed, and a bronze mirror polished to a shine on the dressing table.

The bedding was made of the finest silk, as soft as a cloud, and was specially scented with her favorite floral fragrance.

Fresh fruit and hot tea were laid out on the table, along with a plate of exquisitely made osmanthus cake.

She was also provided with maids and servants: two personal maids and four maids who did odd jobs. They were all quick and efficient and greeted her with smiles.

Seeing all this, Cai Wan felt a sense of relief.

She gave a slight bow to Butler Wang and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Butler Wang. It's very nice here."

Butler Wang smiled and said, "Miss Cai, you're too kind. Please rest for a while; the ladies will come to see you later. The master said you shouldn't be shy and should make yourself at home."

Cai Wan nodded, feeling a warm glow inside.

..................

After Cai Mao left the Prince of Yan's residence, Liu Ce went to the backyard.

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, He Lian, Mi Zhen, Gan Mei, Yin Ying, Feng Yu, and more than ten other ladies were sitting in the flower hall, drinking tea, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

Liu Ce went to the backyard and told them about Cai Wan.

Zhang Ning was the first to speak, jokingly saying:

"Husband, not bad, another little sister has arrived?"

Liu Ce coughed twice and said in a serious tone, "There's nothing I can do, your husband is just that capable."

Zhang Ning pouted, looking disbelieving, "How come I didn't see that?"

Liu Ce stepped forward, pulled Zhang Ning into his arms, and whispered in her ear, "You'll see tonight."

Zhang Ning's face flushed red instantly, and she shoved him, saying, "It's broad daylight, how annoying..."

Everyone laughed.

Cai Yan, holding her teacup, smiled and said, "Alright, alright, stop fooling around. Sister Cai has just arrived at the manor; we should go and see her, so she doesn't feel uncomfortable being alone."

Zhen Jiang nodded and said, "Yes, let's go together and have some fun."

The women all stood up and headed towards the east courtyard in a grand procession.

...

Cai Wan had just sat down in the courtyard and hadn't even had a sip of tea when she heard a cacophony of laughter and chatter coming from outside.

"Where's the new little sister? Let us see her!"

"I've heard that Miss Cai is a famous beauty in Jingzhou. I must take a good look at her!"

She quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, and went out to greet them.

Upon raising her eyes, she saw more than a dozen beauties dressed in different styles walk in. Leading the way was Cai Yan, dressed in an elegant dress, gentle and dignified, with a smile on her lips, clearly displaying the demeanor of an empress.

Following behind were Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, He Lian, Mi Zhen, Gan Mei, Yin Ying, Feng Yu... Each and every one of them was beautiful and had a great presence.

Cai Wan's heart skipped a beat, and her palms started sweating with nervousness.

Cai Wan quickly stepped forward, gave a proper curtsy, and said, "Cai Wan greets all the elder sisters."

Cai Yan stepped forward, took her hand, looked her up and down, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Good sister, get up quickly. You are indeed a beauty, no wonder your husband likes you."

Zhang Ning leaned over and casually grabbed Cai Wan's hand, saying, "Little sister, you're so pretty! Your skin is as white as jade. How do you take care of it? Teach me sometime!"

Cai Wan blushed at the praise and whispered, "Sister, you flatter me..."

Ren Hongchang smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, sister. There aren't that many rules in our household. From now on, we're all family. Just tell us what's on your mind."

Zhen Jiang took her hand and said gently, "Sister, you've come all the way from Jingzhou. You must be tired from your journey. Hot water has been prepared in the manor. Take a nice bath later to relax."

He Lian stood behind, watching this scene, and nodded slightly.

The greatest blessing is a harmonious household.

She stepped forward, took Cai Wan's hand, and whispered, "Sister, rest assured and stay here. We'll take care of you from now on and won't let you suffer any injustice."

Yin Ying and Feng Yu also came over and started chatting with Cai Wan.

Yin Ying smiled and said, "My sister's courtyard is next to ours, so we can visit each other often in the future."

Feng Yu smiled and said, "I'll take you over there later. There are lots of flowers there, they're so beautiful."

Surrounded by the crowd, Cai Wan's nervousness gradually dissipated.

She blushed and responded to each question, her voice soft but sincere.

"Thank you for your concern, sisters. I lack nothing, and I am already very content."

"Sisters, you can just call me Wan'er."

Everyone chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere became more and more harmonious.

Looking at the group of friendly older women in front of her, Cai Wan felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

The backyard of the Prince of Yan's mansion was infinitely better than the backyards of those aristocratic families she had heard about in her old residence in Jingzhou.

..................

In the evening, a huge round table was set up in the flower hall.

This was Cai Wan's first family banquet after entering the household.

With no outsiders present, Liu Ce sat together with Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, He Lian, Mi Zhen, Gan Mei, Yin Ying, Feng Yu, and Cai Wan, who had just entered the mansion.

The palace lanterns in the flower hall were lit with a warm glow, and the evening breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from the courtyard, mingling with the aroma of food on the table, creating an incredibly cozy atmosphere.

They ate like ordinary people, without any of the strict rules of the royal palace.

But Cai Wan was so nervous that her palms were sweaty.

She only dared to touch the edge of the chair with her buttocks, her back ramrod straight.

Even when picking up food, he only dared to take the greens in front of him. His chopsticks trembled like a leaf. He tried to pick up a peanut three times, but it all fell onto the table.

She was feeling very uneasy.

I heard in Jingzhou that His Highness the Prince of Yan is decisive in killing, holds the reins of power over the world, and is very imposing.

Today, upon entering the mansion, I was once again overwhelmed by its grandeur.

Sitting opposite Liu Ce, she didn't even dare to lift her head, afraid that she might make a mistake and be impolite.

Sitting next to her, Feng Yu couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her face turn pale with nervousness.

She reached out and placed a piece of soft, sticky osmanthus-flavored lotus root on Cai Wan's plate, smiling gently, "Don't be shy, little sister. There aren't so many rules in the manor. Just pick whatever you want to eat, no need to be so careful."