"I'm really sorry, Miss Biao. Third Madam is not in the fu, so we servants cannot make the decision."

Although Xiyan's tone was tactful, the meaning behind her words was clear. The clothes that Princess Wei had given Chu Lian could not be lent to her.

Pan Nianzhen twisted her handkerchief, clearly unwilling to give up. She wanted to say more, but Nurse Liu saw that the situation was not good and quickly interrupted, "Miss Biao, look at the clothes here. Both the color and the style are fashionable in Shengjing this year. If Miss Biao wears them, they will definitely look good."

Pan Nianzhen's expectations were not met and she still chose the winter clothes that the fu had added for Chu Lian at the end of the year. She seemed unwilling and picked five or six sets in one go, almost taking all the winter clothes that Chu Lian had added.

Xiyan stood to the side and watched. Although her heart ached, she was just a maidservant and could not say anything, especially when the mistress of the third branch was not in the fu.

In the end, she could only respectfully send Miss Pan Nianzhen off.

Seeing the group of people carrying boxes full of clothes out of Songtao Court, Bai Cha, who had been promoted to a second-rank maidservant, said with distress, "Sister Xiyan, are we just going to let Third Madam's things be taken away like this?

In this servant's opinion, this Miss Biao is not a good person. "

Xiyan turned back and glared at her. "We are servants. No matter how much we want to protect Third Madam, we cannot surpass the mistress of the fu. It is good that we know everything and remember it clearly. When Third Madam returns, we will tell her everything. Third Madam will naturally make a decision then.

Also, you can say these words in front of me today, but you cannot say them in front of others. Otherwise, you will make enemies for our mistress for no reason.

When the mistress is not here, we, the people of Songtao Court, must restrain ourselves. "

Bai Cha nodded. "Bai Cha will remember Sister Xiyan's teachings."

"Alright, you don't need to stand by my side. Go and put away Third Madam's clothes and record down all the clothes that Lady Biao took today. Our courtyard's accounts must be strictly controlled."

Bai Cha received the order and quickly turned to do her work.

Xiyan looked at the little girl's bustling back and nodded with a smile.

Although Bai Cha was not very old, only twelve years old, he did things well and was much more useful than Jing Yan and Fuyan.

Liu momo returned to Qingwen Hall and hesitated for a long time before telling Old Matriarch about Pan Nianzhen's actions in Songtao Court.

Old Matriarch He paused and then sighed, "All these years, that child has grown up by her mother's side and hasn't seen much of the world. It's forgivable that the fu is a little short-sighted.

Xiang Yun, go ask the housekeeper's wife to buy some more jewelry for the mother and daughter. In addition, pick two sets of jewelry from my storeroom for them. "

Mammy Liu didn't expect that Matriarch not only didn't put up her guard, but also cared about First Aunt and her daughter. Although she wanted to persuade her, she knew that Matriarch wouldn't listen to her at this time, so she could only give up for the time being and take the order to make arrangements.

First Aunt, He Ying, was in her forties this year and was slightly plump. She had a round face similar to Matriarch He and didn't have many wrinkles, but the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth were obvious, making her look much harsher.

After the afternoon break, He Ying strolled around Qingwen Hall. She carefully looked at every corner. This courtyard hadn't changed much since she left, but some of the details had changed a lot.

Whether it was the layout or the scenery in the courtyard, they were all much more exquisite than before. It could be seen that after she married far away to Siyang, Qingwen Hall had been renovated and expanded at least twice.

And from the moment she entered Count Jing 'an Estate until the end of lunch today, she could clearly feel that the current Count Jing' an Estate couldn't be compared to the Count Jing 'an Estate of twenty years ago.

In these twenty years, Count Jing 'an Estate had probably gained a firm foothold in Shengjing.

The corners of her mouth curled up. This action deepened the wrinkles on her face, making her look even harsher.

She turned around and looked into the room through the half-open window.

This corridor was right next to Qingwen Hall's small study.

The small study used to be the place where the Matriarch handled general affairs. However, after the old Count Jing 'an passed away, the Matriarch missed her late husband and moved her study to the large study in the old Count Jing' an Estate, leaving the small study empty.

Now, it was a place for a few servant girls of high status in Qingwen Hall to handle matters.

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The person sitting in the small study right now was the Matriarch's most trusted servant girl, Mu Xiang.

Great Grandaunt He Ying thought for a moment and walked over.

The small study was very quiet. There was only a servant girl guarding the door. She was even dozing off by the brazier because she was too lazy. He Ying tiptoed into the small study.

Mu Xiang's abacus made clicking sounds as she diligently recorded the accounts. She didn't hear any footsteps at all.

Great Grandaunt He Ying looked at the accounts that Mu Xiang had spread out on the pear wood table from a meter or two away. Her eyes instantly widened and she sucked in a breath of cold air.

Why was this shop so profitable? There were actually three to four thousand taels of silver coming in every month!

Burning with impatience, she looked at the beginning of the account, only to see three words at the beginning — Guilin Restaurant.

Guilin Restaurant?

Wasn't this her mother's dowry shop?

Even at its best, it was just an old restaurant with no special characteristics. How did it become a money tree now?

Three thousand taels of silver!

This wasn't a small amount. Some noble families didn't even get three thousand taels of silver when their daughters were married off. Guilin Restaurant's monthly profit was three thousand taels of silver.

Back then, Matriarch He had only given her ten thousand taels of silver to carry around when she banished her to Siyang.

He Ying's eyes instantly turned red.

Mu Xiang turned and saw Great Grandaunt standing not far behind her. Her expression changed again and again. Finally, she hurriedly closed the accounts and stood up to bow. "Great Grandaunt, why are you here at nubi's place?"

He Ying also reacted at this moment. She concealed the greed in her eyes and lifted her chin. "I have nothing to do, so I casually walked around. Why, do you want to interfere?"

"Great Grandaunt, what are you saying? If Great Grandaunt wants to walk around, nubi can arrange for a few clever servant girls to accompany you.

Although it's winter, there are still many sights to see in our residence. "

He Ying looked at the chief servant girl, Mu Xiang, who had a stony face and was completely unmoved. She rolled her eyes. "No need to trouble you. I'll go to Matriarch's place. You can continue with your work!"

Mu Xiang sent Great Grandaunt to the door and turned to deal with the slacking servant girl.

The servant girl trembled and begged for mercy, but Mu Xiang's face was twisted with viciousness.

The servant girl standing at the side looked at Mu Xiang and couldn't help but tremble with her.

On New Year's Eve, everyone who came to He Residence for New Year's ate to their heart's content. They sat in the reception hall and stayed up until midnight. Chu Lian ordered the servants to bring them back to their rooms to rest.

Chu Lian still returned to her own courtyard. She placed the red packets and sachets she received that night on the table. She sat to the side and used the dim light to open the red packets.

Opening a red envelope was like opening a gift. She enjoyed the moment of surprise. She was already in her twenties in her previous life, and no one had given her red envelopes during Chinese New Year. Now that she had such an opportunity, she naturally wanted to enjoy it.

On New Year's Eve, He Sanlang's face was cold in the room in the front courtyard. Everyone in the room was frozen like ice.

Lai Yue stood by the bed with a bitter expression. He didn't know whether to stand or sit.

He rubbed his hands and said in a low voice, "Third Young Master, it's getting late. Your injuries haven't healed yet. You should rest early!"

He Changdi didn't look at him. Instead, he stretched out his hand towards Lai Yue, "Where's the thing?"

Lai Yue quickly took out a slender and exquisite wooden box and presented it to his master with both hands. "Third Young Master, it's here. I always carry it with me. I don't dare to be careless."

He Changdi took the wooden box and didn't say a word.

Lai Yue suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He coughed lightly and suggested in He Changdi's ear, "Third Young Master, it's only right for a married couple to reunite. Tomorrow is the first day of the New Year. You should go to Third Madam's place to rest for the night.

Although Third Madam hasn't said anything, she must be thinking about you. It's just that she's young and thin-skinned. "

When He Changdi heard Lai Yue's words, the ice on his handsome face melted a little. He held the wooden box with his slender fingers and paused for a moment before saying, "You're right. Let's go to your grandmother's place tonight!"

When Lai Yue heard his master's words, his face lit up. When He Changdi wasn't looking, he wiped the sweat off his forehead and let out a huge sigh of relief. He thought to himself, 'Ah, I've finally pushed him to Third Madam. Now, no matter how unstable Third Young Master's mood is, it's none of my business.

Do you think it's easy for him to be a good servant?

Not only does he have to take care of his master's daily needs, he also has to guess what his master is thinking and find a way out of this embarrassing situation. If this goes on, his lifespan will be shortened by ten years. '

Just like that, Lai Yue quickly ordered people to carry He Sanlang to Chu Lian's courtyard. As soon as He Sanlang was dropped off, he disappeared without a trace.

Chu Lian was happily opening red envelopes at the table.

Suddenly, she heard voices coming from outside. Curious, she called out twice and Wenqing hurried in. "Third Madam, Third Young Master is here."

Ah?

Chu Lian's mouth fell open. She was a bit speechless. It was already so late. Why wasn't he resting and recuperating? What was he doing here?

Chu Lian put down the embroidered pouch that Sima Hui had given her and stood up to go outside with Wenqing.

He Changdi still couldn't walk, so he was carried into Chu Lian's courtyard by Lai Yue and a few guards. At this moment, he was placed on the heated kang bed in the outer room.

He was wearing a black bear fur cloak. Because of the blood loss from his injuries, his handsome face was a bit pale. His long and narrow eyes were slightly narrowed and his thin lips were slightly pursed. He was lying on his side on the heated kang bed. Because of his height, the narrow kang bed couldn't accommodate him, so he had to stretch out his long legs and place them on the armrest of the kang bed.

His long and slender fingers with distinct joints played with the sapphire ring on his left thumb.

Chu Lian realized that ever since she had unintentionally given the sapphire ring away, He Changdi would always do this whenever he was thinking.

Chu Lian was momentarily stunned by his handsome appearance. She stood behind the curtains for a while before coming back to her senses.

(Two more chapters to come ~)