Cold Fragrance In Spring Boudoir - Book Three

Chapter 401: Birthday Celebration at the Lu Family

That ox cart was probably from outside the city. Its wheels were covered in mud and water, staining the snow-covered ground with filth. The ox had defecated on the road, which was why Qin Shuying found it so foul-smelling.

The wealthy families in the capital were very particular about the horses pulling their carriages, generally not allowing horses to defecate on main roads—it would be too embarrassing if word got out. Only poor people raised oxen to pull carts, especially those coming into the city from outside. After oxen walked all that way, it was impossible for them not to defecate or urinate.

Several servants were walking on the road, apparently from some high official or wealthy merchant's household on this street. Because the road was somewhat blocked and the snow water had melted, they couldn't pass, so they stood by the roadside talking.

"Whose family is this really? So ignorant of proper conduct, letting this beast behave so on the road. Truly country folk with no manners—the stench is killing me."

"From the looks of it, this is probably relatives of the Lu family."

"The Lu family? The Salt and Iron Commissioner's household?"

"Besides them, who else could it be?"

"The Lu family manages the Salt and Iron Commission—they're extremely wealthy. How can they still have such poor relatives?"

"Look at that mouth of yours. Being able to afford an ox cart means they're a comfortable family in the countryside—it's not as bad as you make it sound."

"Isn't the Lu family from the capital? Where would countryside poor relatives come from?"

"No, I heard they're from South Sea."

"From South Sea? That area borders Yue Prefecture and specializes in salt and iron, plus has mineral deposits—shouldn't they be even wealthier?"

"The capital also has poor people like you and me, let alone South Sea."

...

The two continued their discussion, and Qin Shuying caught an earful—so the Lu family was from South Sea.

When the road ahead cleared, Qin Shuying discovered that the people from the ox cart had indeed entered the Lu residence. However, they appeared to be just a few servants.

Qin Shuying stepped in her deerskin boots and ascended to the Lu family's main gate.

At the second gate, the one receiving guests was Lu Ruyang's mother, also the Lu family's household matron—First Madam Lu.

She was about thirty years old, graceful and elegant, with features somewhat different from capital people—clearly someone from the south. Her cheekbones were slightly higher, but this didn't make her appear mean; rather, it made her features distinct and left a deep impression.

Lu Ruyang didn't much resemble her mother, looking more like Eldest Aunt Liang—with grand, refined features, she was a true beauty. Anyone with blood relations to the Liang family was very attractive.

Seeing Qin Shuying, who was about the same age as her daughter, First Madam Lu couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Qin Shuying's name was naturally already thunderously familiar to First Madam Lu.

First Madam Lu had wanted to meet her at banquets many times, but when Qin Shuying was still unmarried, she rarely went out after the Flower Pinning Banquet. When she did go out, those families were not places First Madam Lu could attend.

Later, when going to the imperial palace, Lu Ruyang's health hadn't yet recovered, so even if First Madam Lu wanted to meet Qin Shuying at the palace, she couldn't fulfill this wish.