Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Made to Look a Little More Youthful

Zhi Wan took the brush. "Then what should I paint?"

"Don’t all elderly people hope for a long life? Just paint a Pine Crane Longevity Painting. It’s a symbol of good fortune and longevity, you know," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

Heeding her words, Zhi Wan took up her brush and began to paint in earnest.

Unlike the sensual paintings she usually created, this was a birthday gift for Mr. Wei and required a more formal approach.

Watching her paint so meticulously, Ouyang Zhenzhu was very impressed.

After a small meal in the evening, Zhi Wan once again immersed herself completely in her painting.

While she painted, Ouyang Zhenzhu sat to the side, eating snacks and reading storybooks.

By midnight, Zhi Wan had finally finished. When she turned her head, she saw Ouyang Zhenzhu had fallen asleep slumped on the soft couch, a storybook still in her hand.

Zhi Wan was worried she would get a stiff neck sleeping like that, so she had no choice but to wake her. "Zhenzhu, go sleep on the bed."

Ouyang Zhenzhu grumbled, turned over, and went back to sleep.

With no other choice, Zhi Wan fetched a thin blanket and draped it over her.

After a quick wash, Zhi Wan fell into bed and was asleep in an instant.

「The next day.」

When Lady Wei came to pick up Zhi Wan, she was surprised to learn Zhi Wan wasn’t awake yet. But when she heard that Ouyang Zhenzhu had stayed the night, she understood.

"The two young ladies must have stayed up talking too late," Lady Wei said with a smile.

However, since they were on their way to her father’s birthday celebration, being late would be improper. She had no choice but to ask someone to wake Zhi Wan.

Learning that her aunt had arrived, Zhi Wan woke up immediately and also shook the deeply sleeping Ouyang Zhenzhu awake.

After the two of them hurriedly washed up, they went out to see Lady Wei.

Seeing the two young ladies looking so sleepy-eyed, Lady Wei said with an amused laugh, "It seems I’ve come at a bad time and disturbed your sweet dreams."

The two were a bit embarrassed. "We were the ones who stayed up too late."

"When you young ladies get together, you have endless things to talk about. Staying up late and waking up late is perfectly normal. I was young once too, I understand," Lady Wei teased the two with a smile.

Seeing that she didn’t put on the airs of an elder at all and didn’t scold them, Ouyang Zhenzhu, who had been a little worried, was now completely at ease.

She nudged Zhi Wan’s arm and said with a deliberate sigh, "Wanwan, I’m so jealous of you."

"Jealous of what?" Zhi Wan was bewildered.

"I’m jealous that you have such an open-minded mother-in-law," Ouyang Zhenzhu said teasingly.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan understood what she meant.

’Her aunt really is very open-minded. But she hasn’t even officially married into the family yet, and Zhenzhu is already calling Lady Wei her mother-in-law. It’s mortifying.’ She glanced shyly at Lady Wei.

Seeing Lady Wei looking back at her with a beaming smile, Zhi Wan couldn’t help but turn beet red.

But Lady Wei didn’t tease her. Instead, she looked at Ouyang Zhenzhu and said, "I think I see what’s going on. It seems Zhenzhu is thinking about marriage herself. I’ll keep that in mind and help you look out for a match someday. Don’t you worry, your future mother-in-law will definitely be open-minded too."

At the mention of marriage, Ouyang Zhenzhu blushed for a change. "Lady Lu, you’re just teasing me! I’m not talking to you two anymore. I’m leaving." With that, she ran off.

"That girl, Zhenzhu, can actually be shy," Lady Wei said, shaking her head with a smile.

After a moment’s thought, Zhi Wan decided to tell her that the Wei Family had sent her an invitation directly. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lady Wei’s brow furrowed at the news, but she didn’t comment on it. She only said, "Don’t worry about it. I’ve prepared a birthday gift for you, so you won’t be caught in an awkward position."

"Aunt, actually, the reason I stayed up late last night was because I was working on a painting I intend to give as a birthday gift..." Zhi Wan said, bringing the painting over for her to see. "Aunt, do you think this painting is presentable? If not, then I’ll forget it."

Lady Wei took the painting she offered, her eyes wide with surprise. "I had no idea Wan’er could paint! And so wonderfully, too."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan said uncertainly, "Aunt, do you really think it’s good?"

"Of course it’s good," Lady Wei nodded, praising her. "This Pine Crane Longevity Painting is a perfect birthday gift. It’s very thoughtful of you."

"But I’m not some famous master painter. I’m worried Mr. Wei won’t think much of it," Zhi Wan voiced her concern.

"He won’t. Ah Zhan’s grandfather isn’t that kind of person. He doesn’t care about famous masters; he only cares about the sentiment. You stayed up half the night to paint this. That’s more meaningful than any other gift. He will love it," Lady Wei said.

Only then did Zhi Wan feel relieved. "Since Aunt thinks it’s alright, I’ll give this painting as my gift."

"It’s more than alright, don’t worry," Lady Wei said with certainty.

’A painting made by her future daughter-in-law’s own hand? Of course her father would love it. As for the rest of the Wei Family, she couldn’t care less what they thought. If they dared to look down on it, she’d tear them to shreds.’

Mindful that she was going to meet an elder, Zhi Wan chose a dress in a more reserved color.

Lady Wei disliked her dressing so frumpily and picked out another dress for her directly from the wardrobe.

"Why would a young lady like you dress so stodgily? I think this goose-yellow dress suits you much better. Go on, change into it."

Zhi Wan hesitated.

’The goose-yellow was too bright, too eye-catching. For a birthday banquet, something more understated would be better.’

With this in mind, she pointed to another, light green dress. "Aunt, I’d like to wear this one."

Although Lady Wei preferred seeing her in bright, dazzling colors, she wouldn’t force her own opinion on her. She nodded. "Alright. As long as you like it."

In the end, Zhi Wan put on the light green dress.

Her skin was already fair, and the light green dress made it seem even more so, lending her an air of fresh, otherworldly refinement. It did, however, also make her appear somewhat more youthful.

’Looking at the youthful girl, Lady Wei felt more and more that her son, who was so much older, was completely unworthy of her.’

Zhi Wan was unaware of her aunt’s thoughts. After changing, she put on some simple makeup and then followed her aunt out.

On the way to the Wei Mansion, Zhi Wan remembered something and asked, "Oh, by the way, Aunt, did you tell Uncle everything yesterday? Did Uncle send anyone to meet Cousin?"

"Yes, I told him. He sent out all his trusted aides. Don’t worry, nothing will happen," Lady Wei reassured her.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan did feel a bit more at ease.

When they arrived at the Wei Mansion, Zhi Wan got out of the carriage and followed Lady Wei inside.

It was still early, so not many guests had arrived. Lady Wei took Zhi Wan to see Mr. Wei first.

When they reached Shoukang Residence, where Mr. Wei lived, they saw that all the younger members of the Wei Family had gathered there, kneeling to wish him a long life.

After the younger Wei Family members had finished paying their respects, Lady Wei led Zhi Wan forward.

"Father, may your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountains. I’ve brought my future daughter-in-law to wish you a happy birthday today," Lady Wei said with a broad smile.

When Mr. Wei saw her, a hint of a smile appeared on his usually stern face. At her words, he immediately looked at the young lady standing beside her. "So this is Jinzhi’s fiancée?"

At this, Zhi Wan walked forward and knelt before him, saying sincerely, "Grandfather, I am Zhi Wan. I wish you the everlasting youth of the pine and crane, and a life untouched by the years! I have painted a Pine Crane Longevity Painting myself to give to you, Grandfather. I hope you will like it." As she spoke, she took the brocade box from Shuang’er and presented it to Mr. Wei with both hands.

Mr. Wei was just reaching out to take it when a sarcastic voice cut in, "Who do you think you are, some great master? How dare you present a painting you made yourself as a birthday gift to my grandfather?"