"Madam Shen." Xiqiu smiled as she welcomed her in: "You are certainly a rare guest."
Madam Shen was dressed in a crimson gown with gold borders on her overcoat and a parrot-green Lan Border Skirt, her hair styled in a peony bun adorned with a Jade Butterfly hairpin, a comb with deep red coral and two pink Gu Rong silk flowers. After two years, she hadn't changed at all but appeared even more charming and beautiful than before.
"I've always wanted to visit, but truly couldn't leave the house." Madam Shen walked over with a warm smile and took Xiqiu's hand: "Like you, my two children always need tending to, keeping me busy!"
Xiqiu agreed, leading her into the secondary room: "Exactly as you said."
Bihuai and Biwu had already tidied the room. Bihuai presented tea, and Madam Shen, sitting on the rose bed, glanced around before nodding in approval: "Truly exquisite!" as if she had heard of it before.
