Operation Red Book

There was singing and dancing at the MacMillan Manor, and the mansion's band played cheerful songs on a stage in the hall.

The ladies took off their heavy hats, fluffy shawls and capes, accepted the invitation of the men who knelt on one knee, and danced happily to the rhythm on the dance floor.

One song after another, sometimes it was a cheerful Italian simple dance, sometimes it was a French romantic waltz.

People seemed to have no idea of ​​being tired, and the gentlemen warmly invited the ladies.

The ladies did not refuse and after dancing a song they responded enthusiastically to the men's invitation.

After the show, Mrs. Emerson went up the stairs with Dorian. According to the eldest son, Duke Andrew Emerson, and the second son, Edward, Mrs. Emerson was very tired from preparing for the ball recently and went upstairs to rest.

Ivy and Mr. Zhu were invited up by servants shortly after Mrs. Emerson finished her performance.

At that time, Ivy was still stuffing scones into her mouth. Mr. Zhu grabbed her collar, hurriedly knocked the remaining scones out of Ivy's hand, and followed the butler into the corner of the stairs.

Ivy lowered her head slightly, covered the lower half of her face with the round fan in her hand, and stood silently beside Mr. Zhu who was sitting on the luxurious sofa.

Mr. Zhu's face was full of smiles, and his almond-shaped eyes reflected the shrewdness and cunning of a businessman.

On the glass table nearby was a piece of Suzhou embroidery and a piece of turquoise silk, alongside several exquisite wooden boxes of various sizes.

Opposite Mr. Zhu sat Mrs. Emerson, who was drinking English black tea with her head down, her lips curled up.

Dorian and some maids stood beside the lady with their hands behind their backs. Dorian looked at Ivy with his watery peach blossom eyes, and after a brief eye contact with Ivy, he quickly turned his gaze back to Mr. Zhu.

For some reason, Ivy always felt that there was something off about Dorian that didn't belong to the human world.

"Mrs. Emerson, thank you for your invitation. I have to say that your mansion is truly magnificent and it really opened my eyes."

Mr. Zhu spoke English with a heavy accent, which made Ivy feel a little embarrassed.

"No, it's just a small family, nothing compared to Her Majesty the Queen's Buckingham Palace." Mrs. Emerson responded modestly.

"I am ashamed to say that I have never seen such intricate and exquisite clothing in England. I just looked at it carefully under the light and it was really dazzling."

"My lady, thank you for the compliment. These are just some pieces of silk I brought from Shanghai. I have heard that the British noble ladies like the texture of silk and the beauty of Suzhou embroidery. To thank you for your invitation, I have specially sent a piece of the finest silk and a flower brocade painting made of Suzhou embroidery."

Mr. Zhu glanced sideways and nodded. Ivy immediately understood what he meant. She picked up the cloth on the table and walked towards Mrs. Emerson, presenting the silk and Suzhou embroidery with both hands.

Dorian also took Mrs. Emerson's hint and bent down to take the cloth with both hands.

The narrow and charming olive-colored eyes drilled into Ivy's sight, capturing her heart like magic.

Ivy hastily pulled her hand back, but dropped the fan in her hand in a panic.

Mrs. Emerson noticed the fan on the ground, picked it up and played with it curiously in her hands before Ivy squatted down.

"The flower above is white camellia, the same flower you wear on your hair."

Mrs. Emerson pulled Ivy close to her and asked her gently and kindly.

"Yes, madam." Ivy responded softly.

“My daughter’s favorite flower is camellia, especially white camellia.”

Mrs. Emerson carefully stroked the embroidery on the round fan, her eyes filled with sadness.

"It's called a round fan because it's the same shape as the moon, and the moon represents family reunion in our culture, hence the name."

Ivy took the round fan from Mrs. Emerson's hand and showed it to her from all directions, looking into her eyes without any fear.

"Madam, I understand your pain of losing your beloved daughter. In my opinion, your daughter likes white camellia and is really destined to be with this fan, so..."

Ivy laid the fan flat again and presented it with both hands: "I want to give this fan to you. I hope your love for your daughter can be fully known by her."

Mrs. Emerson took Ivy's fan with surprise, and a layer of mist appeared in her deep eyes again.

She tried hard not to let her tears fall, took Ivy's hand and squeezed it firmly, then let her sit next to her.

Mr. Zhu took a sip of the black tea on the table, savored it carefully, and then put it back on the table.

"Mr. Zhu, how many fans like this do you have? They look small and exquisite, and would be perfect to give to the ladies."

"This..." Mr. Zhu pretended to be embarrassed.

"She is on a long ocean voyage and it will take some time to reach London. Why don't you take a look at her headdresses and bracelets? They are all in stock for you at any time."

Ivy tilted her head slightly and shook the gold hairpins and hairpins on her head slightly, making crisp tinkling sounds.

Mrs. Emerson touched the hair ornament on Ivy's head, and looked carefully at the jade bracelet on her wrist, and immediately finalized the business with Mr. Zhu.

"Everything is decided by my housekeeper. Mr. Zhu can just discuss it with her."

Mrs. Emerson called over the housekeeper with black curly hair, and Ivy also stood up, bowed slightly to the lady, and returned to Mr. Zhu.

"I won't see you off. I hope you have a good time at the dance."

Mrs. Emerson smiled, sat gracefully on the sofa and waved her hands. There was still melancholy in her eyes, but it was obviously softer than before.

After they left, Mrs. Emerson looked at the round fan in her hand, and her tone was like a stream flowing in the green grass: "Dorian, thank you, thank you for inviting Mr. Zhu and Miss Ivy here, which gave me such a great surprise and comfort."

Dorian responded with a smile, his eyes gleaming with pride, and of course, there was also a subtle hint of excitement and murderous intent.

After Mr. Zhu left the house, he told Ivy that he would go back directly after discussing the business with the housekeeper.

"But... I haven't finished my scones yet! I still have soufflés, cherry pie, and cheesecake!"

"Eat, eat, eat yours." Mr. Zhu said impatiently.

"Since you have successfully sold so many orders, take a day off tomorrow and go back with Mrs. Hudson after the dance."

Mr. Zhu waved his hand, patted the dust off his robe, turned and walked to the matron.

"Don't run around here!"

Mr. Zhu called out to Ivy who was jogging with a handkerchief in her hand.

"There is water in the shade here, and tall trees all around. I think the feng shui here is not very good. It is easy to attract bad things. You should be careful. If you feel something is wrong, leave immediately."

Mr. Zhu gave instructions, glanced at the housekeeper beside him with annoyance, and sighed heavily after hearing Ivy's perfunctory response.