Chapter 125: The Image

The next day, Yan Yan met the owner of the room. Just as the Ninth Master had just left, Madam He Qian arrived with Miss He to pay a visit to Yan Yan. Yan Yan knew that a large part of her role in coming here with the Ninth Master was to handle the lady’s social affairs, so she didn’t feel much resistance.

He Qian’s daughter was thirteen years old this year, named He Xuan’er. Yan Yan had initially thought that since He Qian was Han Chinese, his daughter wouldn’t have to participate in the selection process. Yet, to her surprise, the girl had joined the Han Military Banner, making next year a big year for the selection. The future of this He Xuan’er was truly uncertain—she might very well rise to great heights.

Madam He was like a typical woman from a modest household, her conversation revolving around which family’s daughter was taller or shorter. Yan Yan patiently listened while idly tracing the embroidery on the table with her finger, clearly bored out of her mind.

Fortunately, fate took pity on her. Before long, a message arrived: a British woman’s family member wished to see her. Yan Yan raised an eyebrow, knowing that such a message reaching the back courtyard meant the Ninth Master had already given permission. She nodded and said, “Let her in.”

Madam He seemed equally curious about this foreign daughter-in-law and didn’t take her leave immediately. Soon, a tall woman with blonde hair and blue eyes entered Yan Yan’s reception room, led by maids. Yan Yan couldn’t help but feel a sudden sense of familiarity at the sight of the woman’s vintage court-style dress.

“Madam Wan’an!” the British woman greeted in halting Chinese. Yan Yan glanced at the interpreter behind her, then replied in English, “Please have a seat.” Upon hearing this, the woman’s face lit up with delight and she began chattering away rapidly.

At that moment, Yan Yan was immensely grateful that she had transmigrated here with her soul intact, rather than having lived decades in this Qing dynasty realm. Even so, she found the foreign woman’s words confusing, mainly due to her strange intonation and grammar.

Still, Yan Yan discerned that the woman’s name was Anna, a silk merchant from the East India Company. Hearing this, Yan Yan narrowed her eyes slightly. The East India Company was a name that thundered across history—over a hundred years later, countless Chinese would suffer under the scourge of opium thanks to this very company.

Anna was shrewd and clearly noticed Yan Yan’s change in expression. She asked with curiosity, “Madam, do you know of the East India Company?”

Yan Yan maintained her professional smile and replied calmly, “I have heard a little. Miss Anna, what business brings you to Qing this time?”

Anna hadn’t expected Yan Yan to ask such questions, as she had already done her research on Qing women through missionaries before coming. She knew Qing women generally did not handle business matters.

“Madam, do you want to do business?” Anna asked bluntly, a hint of disdain on her face. Women dependent on men were unwelcome in Great Britain.

Unexpectedly, Yan Yan responded confidently, “Indeed, I do. But it depends on Miss Anna’s abilities.”

Anna immediately felt slighted and quickly said, “If Madam wishes to do business, Anna guarantees she can successfully sell as much silk and tea as needed.”

Yan Yan leisurely sipped her tea and said softly, “Then it will depend on Miss Anna’s sincerity.” As Yan Yan raised her cup, Cui’er bluntly came forward to see the guest out. Anna understood Qing’s customs and did not linger. She had come to scout around, and it seemed effective—after all, she now knew there was an English-speaking Qing prince’s consort who was interested in business.

Once Anna left, Madam He fawned, “Madam is truly learned and talented. To speak so well with a foreigner is impressive.”

Yan Yan looked at Madam He’s flattering expression and thought she would rather spar with Anna in business than endure Madam He’s endless gossip about other families.

“You flatter me,” Yan Yan said without changing her expression.

Madam He continued her compliments before finally saying, “Madam, someone as noble and precious as you, I fear these humble servants might accidentally offend you. Perhaps He Xuan’er could serve you for a couple of days?”

Yan Yan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Madam He was really bold—He Xuan’er was the daughter of a fourth-rank official. To think she wanted to have the girl serve tea and water for her! Only a mother could come up with such a notion.

Yan Yan glanced at the quietly seated He Xuan’er and smiled faintly, “Madam is too kind. A beauty as delicate as Miss He is hardly suited for such tasks. I and the master living here have already inconvenienced Lord He and Madam greatly. If you continue to be so courteous, we will feel even more guilty.”

Madam He opened her mouth but knew the matter was settled. She stood to take her leave. Unexpectedly, the usually silent He Xuan’er spoke softly, “Madam, may I learn the foreign language from you?”

Yan Yan was taken aback and looked at He Xuan’er with surprise. “You want to learn?”

He Xuan’er nodded seriously, “Yes, Madam, I very much want to.”

Yan Yan stared at He Xuan’er for a moment, trying to gauge her thoughts. But she admitted to herself that her insight was too shallow to understand the girl’s intentions.

So Yan Yan decisively acknowledged her limitations and said, “Perhaps another time. Learning a language is not something accomplished overnight.”

He Xuan’er had expected Yan Yan’s warm smile to mean consent, so she was caught off guard by the refusal. For a moment, she couldn’t read Yan Yan’s mind.

Biting her lip and feeling slightly wronged, she lowered her head and whispered, “Yes, Madam, thank you for your guidance.”

Yan Yan raised her brow and looked up just as the Ninth Master appeared outside the reception room. Suddenly, she smiled knowingly. Was He Xuan’er a soothsayer? How could she not hear the Ninth Master’s footsteps when Yan Yan could?

Yan Yan was about to rise and greet the Ninth Master when she saw He Xuan’er turn away, her face forlorn and her expression dazed as she walked out.

Yan Yan remained seated, intrigued, watching the unfolding scene.

He Xuan’er walked forward with her head down, disheartened. Suddenly, startled by a pair of boots appearing before her, she looked up with surprise. Her large, moist eyes were filled with a mix of astonishment and shyness as she gazed at the Ninth Master.

Yan Yan watched from behind, thinking the scene was beautiful beyond words—especially for the Ninth Master standing there. Indeed, the Ninth Master narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze toward He Xuan’er tinged with curiosity.