In the afternoon, Lady Wei brought gifts and entered the Liu Mansion. Nanny Xie went to greet her and led her to the front hall. The old lady was already sitting in the main seat. She greeted Lady Wei with a smile.
Liu Yushu and Liu Yumei politely bowed to Lady Wei. Lady Wei was a seasoned person. In order to choose a daughter - in - law, she had almost seen all the daughters of the famous and powerful families in the capital and had met many beautiful women. When she saw Liu Yushu, she was momentarily stunned. After regaining her senses, aware of her rudeness, she covered her embarrassment with a smile. "Miss Shu has grown up so much. I like this child at first sight. Come to my mansion often when you're free to have tea and chat with me." She also gave Liu Yumei a sidelong glance.
Lady Wei held the teacup and sized up Liu Yushu from head to toe with her beady eyes. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips. She thought that such a graceful and incredibly beautiful woman, who was also the legitimate daughter of a good - family, should be married into her family as soon as possible, lest someone else snatched her away. It was really a great loss that her eldest son had rejected this marriage before. Comparing her current eldest daughter - in - law with Liu Yushu, the former was just a country bumpkin and looked unpleasant in every way.
Liu Yushu pretended to feel unwell. After informing the old lady, she withdrew.
Lady Wei couldn't sit still. "Hey, Miss Shu, are you feeling unwell?"
"Shu girl caught a cold yesterday. Let her go back and rest. Mei girl can accompany you. It's the same," the old lady said with a smile.
Lady Wei didn't dare to chase after her. She could only smile and agree. "Yes, yes." But she rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking that Miss Mei couldn't be compared with Miss Shu at all. It was like comparing a pheasant with a phoenix.
When they came to visit today, Zhao Qin also came. But Lady Wei told him not to enter the mansion, as it would seem too eager. He could only wait anxiously outside. However, just thinking that Liu Yushu was inside, his heart felt like it was being fried in a pan, suffering and itching with impatience.
No, he couldn't wait any longer. He had to go in, even if it was just to take a far - off look at Liu Yushu.
The attendant searched around the Liu Mansion and finally found a small dog hole at the back door.
Zhao Qin asked the attendant to buy a shovel on the street to widen the dog hole. Then he bent down and crawled into the Liu Mansion through the dog hole. Before he could steady himself, his hand suddenly felt itchy. Looking closely, he saw it was a woman's skirt.
"Who are you?" Liu Yuyu was frightened by Zhao Qin. But seeing his rich clothes, she didn't think he was a bad person, so she didn't shout out.
Zhao Qin was also startled. But he thought that since he had already come in, it would be a great loss if he didn't see Liu Yushu. So he asked Liu Yuyu, "Do you know where Miss Shu is? I'm her friend. We made an appointment to meet today." He just made up a lie.
A sly smile appeared in Liu Yuyu's eyes. She instantly understood Zhao Qin's intention. Pretending to be innocent and believing him, she said, "So that's the case. You're elder sister's friend. Go straight ahead, pass the rockery and then turn right. That's elder sister's residence." Finally, she deliberately told Zhao Qin that Liu Yushu was taking a bath at this time. As soon as Zhao Qin heard this, his eyes immediately lit up and he kept swallowing his saliva. He thought that he must enter Liu Yushu's courtyard today.
Inside the room, Liu Yushu felt a bit hot. Her grandmother wouldn't let her eat ice. Zui Tao suggested soaking her feet in water with some ice chips, which might relieve the heat.
Zui Tao fetched the foot - washing water and placed it beside her feet. She helped Liu Yushu take off her shoes. Liu Yushu put her feet into the basin. After soaking for a while, she really felt less hot. She closed her eyes contentedly and drowsiness came over her. Zui Tao dried her feet, and she went to the couch to take a nap.
Zui Tao carried the foot - washing water out of the door to pour it away. Just as she went out, she remembered that she had forgotten to light the agarwood for Liu Yushu. So she put the foot basin at the door and went back into the room to light the incense.
Zhao Qin, who was hiding in the dark, quickly rushed out. He leaned forward obsessively and peeked into the window. He vaguely saw half of Liu Yushu's fair ankle exposed. His heart immediately fluttered.
Zui Tao came out after lighting the incense. She found that the foot basin at the door was gone. Puzzled, she went to the kitchen.
Zhao Qin was hiding under the wall. He was holding the foot basin. Looking at the water inside, he lowered his head close to the water surface, closed his eyes and took a deep sniff. His expression was very enjoyable. He couldn't help but murmur, "Ah, Miss Shu's feet smell so good. Even the water is so fragrant. Her soft and white little feet, I really want to kiss them." Opening his eyes, he stared fixedly at the basin. Suddenly, he plunged his head into the basin and drank the water in big gulps. His lower body trembled, and his body jerked. He took his head out of the basin and slumped weakly against the wall, sitting there blankly. With water all over his face, he murmured, "Miss Shu, as long as I can marry you as my wife, even if you want my life, I'll give it to you right away."
"Who, who, who are you? What are you doing with my young lady's foot - washing basin?" Zui Tao just happened to see this scene when she came back.