The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1070 - 243: Comparison One by One_3

Chapter 1070: Chapter 243: Comparison One by One_3

Pei Qin also looked over. Seeing Madam Dou’s eyes full of goodwill, she laughed, "I’m afraid if I go crazy, I might scare Madam Dou!" That Dou He is really his mother’s son!

"I do love a lively scene, and this one of mine loves to laugh and play as well. Madam Yuanyang must definitely come to visit our residence one day!" Madam Dou watched her composed smile with amusement, thinking of the stories about General Pei going crazy and laughed heartily.

Dou Mingying was also puzzled about why her mother wanted to befriend Pei Qin, thinking that Mo Heng now held a higher status than her elder brother, and Pei Qin was Mo Heng’s wife, she also flashed a friendly smile.

In the elite circles of Capital Jingcheng, literary officials and military generals each formed their own circle, but relations between the literary and military were not always harmonious. The people felt Madam Dou’s kindness towards Pei Qin was because both Mo Heng and Dou He were military generals.

Great-grandmother Shen caught her mother-in-law’s eye and smiled, "Today, we’ve invited all the ladies and misses here just for a good chat. It is getting late, so why don’t we all head over to Longcui Pavilion?"

The crowd rose and made their way to Longcui Pavilion.

Madam Dou came over to speak with Pei Qin.

Pei Qin chatted about family matters as they walked out.

Seeing her mother hit it off so quickly with Pei Qin, Dou Mingying noticed the knowing yet puzzled looks from the crowd and felt confused as well. Even if it’s because big brother and Mo Heng were both military generals, her mother, being the elder, shouldn’t need to be so overly kind to Pei Qin right away!

The mourning period for the late emperor had just ended, and the women were still dressed in simple elegance. Though they would not indulge in music, literary contests were to be expected. Madam Dou, thinking Pei Qin was a rustic newcomer devoted to firearms and marching, feared she might be ridiculed. Upon reaching Longcui Pavilion, she said to her daughter, "I got along well with Madam Yuanyang, forgetting she’s barely older than you. Why don’t you young ones go boating and pick some lotus pods?" Since she led troops in battle, she surely knew how to handle herself physically, and boating would keep her from being teased.

Dou Mingying glanced at the sun outside, not really wanting to boat. Seeing her mother hinting, she laughingly pulled Pei Qin along, "Yes, Madam! We young people should indeed play together! Let’s go boating! After picking lotus pods, we can peel the seeds and make a deliciously fragrant porridge!"

"Alright! Flower viewing isn’t my forte, but picking them is!" Pei Qin replied, not wanting to gossip much with the noble ladies, thinking of collecting lotus pods and flowers to take home for Little Radish.

Wei Shu was still pondering Mo Heng’s words about Pei Qin not understanding poetry and painting—those common things. What she knew was beyond the comprehension of others. Every time she thought of it, it made her distressed.

As everyone grouped up and began to play, Lady Mo saw Pei Qin leaving, pursed her lips coldly, smiling before speaking to Great-grandmother Shen about starting a poetry society, "With such a poetic and picturesque scene, it would be a shame not to incorporate it into poetry and art."

Hearing this, Great-grandmother Shen knew she intended to make things difficult for Pei Qin. With a wayward master in her own home still unmarried due to Pei Qin, she naturally didn’t have a great impression and responded with a laugh, "Knowing you come from the Mo family, a clan of great scholars, and that Miss Wei Shu is also a renowned scholar, naturally today’s gathering includes many educated individuals. Forming a poetry society is only natural!"

Pei Qin had already boarded a boat with Dou Mingying, and the boatwoman began to row out.

"Now is the best time for eating lotus pods!" said Pei Qin, reaching out and snapping off a stalk.

Dou Mingying picked a few lotus flowers, together with a lotus pod and leaf, "Bring these ashore, they’ll last a few days once placed in a vase!"

In her past life, Pei Qin found these elite gatherings most frustrating—even more when the excitement centered around her, which she did not enjoy. Selecting the best lotus pods and just-bloomed flowers to take home to Little Radish, it would only take half the effort to clean up the remnants.

She valued efficiency, quickly finishing the task of picking lotus pods. Seeing Dou Mingying’s face turning red from the sun, she said, "It’s going to get hot soon, let’s go back to the shore!"

Dou Mingying, more than eager, readily agreed.

On shore, the poetry society had already been established, with the talented ladies ready to showcase their skills beside a pool of lotus flowers.

Lady Mo saw Pei Qin and Dou Mingying coming ashore and signaled her maid.

Her maid stepped forward to receive the lotus flowers and pods from Pei Qin’s hand, "We were just discussing getting a closer look. It is so thoughtful of Madam Yuanyang to bring these! I’ll go place them now." Taking them, she respectfully bowed and turned to leave.