The Reflection mansion has become busy. Madame Wei, Aide Fei and Fu Lin are involved in cleaning and maintaining the entire mansion.
The Refection mansion is at the dead end of the Xu residence. It is at the extreme end and outside the boundary walls is the east street. The path leading from the main hall to the reflection mansion is long and at the left is the moon gate, entrance to the mansion plot. A long passage of garden unmaintained for long and has a stone pathway leading up to the flight of stairs into the woody mansion structure. The gallery is long with low rise table and floor chairs arranged on the left side of the structure. The main door in the centre is grand and has three windows on each side. Once entering the main door is the main hall that stretched out from right to left. To the right is the eight chair seating with two in the centre for the family heads that being General and Madame and rest can be occupied by anyone. At the left side is the table and chair like a study arrangement. The centre of the hall has round six seat table. and pass that is another door leading to corridor. The reflection mansion is a square structure. To the south of the mansion in the main hall, to the east is the room currently occupied by Madame Wei, to the west is General's room, main courtyard in the centre with a blossoming plum tree and the north is not entirely connected. The right side has male servants room big enough to house three males. Left side female servants rooms. In between these two rooms runs a passage to the outside of the mansion. This area has a deck on the right used for storing fire wood and an ashy pit where the water is boiled. Backyard is wide, with untamed grass patches. There is a well in the backyard, making this unit the only independent plot in the Xu residence.
There was loads of work cut out to do, clear the weeds from the garden, check for repairs, deep clean the entire mansion, polish the wooden flooring, clean the ceiling from cobwebs, stack the wood at the storage, clean up the long grass patch around the well and check the roof for any broken tiles.
Madame Wei was in an unusual work clothes. She opted for a beizi which is more fitted and up to the length of her knees, ru (shirt type) and a skirt tied at the waist, over the ru. She had a plan wooden hairpin twisted all hair into a one bun. Fu Lin gave Wei an earful about her clothing, as she is the Madame of the house and must not be wearing hemp paupers clothing. But Wei wanted to help around. They have been working for four days. The main courtyard pathway was weeded and the window panes were cleaned. They cleaned every nook and cranny of the house. She bribed Fei with meat filled buns every morning for letting her work. Fei and Lin were both against Madame helping them. But the food as bribed worked, it took Lin two boxes of rice sesame cakes to agree. Meanwhile Fei devoured four buns, everyday. That gave him extra energy to work.
Fei : "Madame you do not need to do this with us."
Madame Wei : "I'll be bored. This way I'm being useful." Lin came from the main hall, setting the lunch the main kitchen sent. Fei and Madame came to the main hall to eat lunch.
Fei : "Hmm braided fish, lotus root soup, mixed greens, braised tofu and rice. Everything looks delicious."
Lin : "Madame let's not continue after lunch I'm tired." Agreed Fei to the suggestion, "Yes Madame, please."
Madame Wei : "Alright, we won't contintue. Tomorrow we'll hire some help. We won't be able to do everything in one day and it is not fair that you all are burdened with so much without external help. I was hard on you'll."
Fei : "No Madame it is out work."
Madame Wei : "I'll hire help, tomorrow to weed out the entire garden, courtyard and backyard. We can plant some beautiful flowering plants after weeding. And clean out cobwebs from ceiling and high beams. Tomorrow Fei go to the workers union street to fetch helpers for the same, I think seven to eight people should do for a weeks time."
Fei : "Alright Madame, I'll do so tomorrow. After this, I'm going to sleep after eating lunch."
Lin : "I'll draw water for your bath Madame."
Madame Wei : "You should rest."
Lin : "No Madame, to have the Madame of the house in this attire and state, I would be condemned. I'll dress you up and then I'll rest."
Wei could not put off Lin again, so she agreed. After a bath Fu Lin convinced Madame to be dressed. So Lu Wei wore a light flowy fabric of blue and creme colour. With light floral embroidery. Her hair was done with simple with one big silver hair pin with a dangling ornament on it, and some pearl embellishments. Silver drop earrings, necklace and bangles.
Wei was sitting out at the gallery leisurely, with her painting equipment at the low rise table. Lu Wei saw a painting brush set prepared by Madame Rong in her dowry. It was a special set, she remembered Madame saying she brought it from overseas. After seeing it Wei was eager to try it. Fei who was still drowsy from his afternoon nap came by and sat at the side of the table. Lin helped with pigments and grinding inkstone. Wei painted a blooming lotus and an accompanying small budding lotus, with a big lotus leave standing tall above mud.
At this leisurely spent quite afternoon, a servant of the Xu residence entered with procession of people following behind. One was Royal Eunuch and behind him was two porters carrying a big box. And two other men carrying individual smaller boxes.
Maid : "Madame they are from the palace."
Madame Wei : "Thank you, you may leave now."
Madame Wei : "Greeting Royal Eunuch."
Royal Eunuch: "Greeting and congratulations on your wedding Madam."
Madame Wei : "Thank you please come in."
While Fei and Lin whispered to each other. "Its a good thing I cleaned the main hall table and seating arrangement," said Fei. "It's a good think I insisted on Madame being dressed well," said Lin.
Royal Eunuch : "I'm Eunuch Hai, from the moon shadow palace, eunuch of prince Zhou Delun, your brother-in-law." Madame Wei : "Ah yes."
It was a known fact that general was the crown prince of the previous dynastic ruler and that his brother still retains his prince status despite the fact general was reduced to commoner status.
Royal Eunuch Hai : "This is for the lady." Eunuch hands over a the letter to Madame. It reads :
"To Sister-in-law,
Congratulations on your wedding.
Due to certain restrictions I could not attend your wedding, I hope my sister-in-law does not hold this against me.
I extend my care and blessings in the from of presents. If there is any assistance sister-in-law requires reach out to me I will come to your aid shortly.
Signed Zhou Delun"
Royal Eunuch Hai : "The prince has send ten Imperial silk brocade, two Imperial celadon vases, two tea sets, two special tea caddy, five sets of jewellery and four jade works. And this." Eunuch Hai opens a smaller box in front of Wei. A wooden Crescent moon and on it was seated Bodhisattva Guan Yin in pure silver. It was the most extravagant and exquisite work of art. The craftsmanship was awe-inspiring, the face of Guan Yin looked with some much compassion, a gaze at it and you would be filled with devotion.
Madame Wei : "Is the prince religious?"
Royal Eunuch Hai : "Yes."
Madame Wei : "I'll like to reply back to the letter and gift a present if that is acceptable, Royal Eunuch Hai."
Royal Eunuch Hai : "Yes, my lady. It is appreciated."
Madame Wei : "Please serve tea for our guest, Lin."
Royal Eunuch Hai : "Here, my lady. There are some sweets from the Imperial kitchen we have an excellent confectionery chef. I hope these are to your liking." The box contained red bean filled pastry, mung bean cake and osmanthus cake.
Madame Wei : "Thank you, very much Royal Eunuch Hai, this is greatly appreciated. I'll write the letter and come back, I'll excuse myself then."
Wei went back to her room, which is opposite to General's room across the main courtyard. The letter Wei wrote read:
"To Brother-in-law,
Thank you for your presents, there are highly appreciated and I'm filled with content and gratitude. I also thank you fro your acceptance. I will do my utmost to care for this household and General. This care also extends to prince, as well; as you are family. Your presents are generous and in good faith. I'm in awe of the Guan Yin statue. It's the most exclusive work I've seen of this kind. I would like to thank you for your kind gesture therefore please accept this present of mine.
Signed Lu Wei."
Wei gives the letter to the Palace Eunuch and an umbrella that Wei painted herself before treating it to wax for waterproofing the umbrella. Wei seats back at the table and takes a bite of the mung bean cake, and she could not contain her smile.
Madame Wei : "It's different then the usual form other stores. This is much for delicious!"
Royal Eunuch Hai : "I'm glad Madame likes it, Prince would be happy to know. More such confectionary would be send for Madame to enjoy, I'll take my leave for now them Madame."
Wei had asked Lin to give gratuity to the palace eunuch and servants accompanying him. But Eunuch Hai refused.
Royal Eunuch Hai : "Madame I shall not accept any gratuity from you. You are family to prince."
Madame Wei : "Then from here on I'll not make it troublesome for you by extending gratuity. However, I can give you this perfume pouches is this alright?"
Royal Eunuch Hai : "Yes Madame, this is acceptable." Unlike mist perfume pouches that are stitched Wei's were painted on.
Royal Eunuch Hai : "We will be on our way. Take care Madame."
As the palace entourage left, Lin rushed back to the main hall to see the Imperial silk brocade.
Lin : "Madame, let's hire a tailor immediately! To make your clothes!
Madame Wei : "Now calm yourself Fu Lin, we can take our time."