The jewelry box was made of scented rosewood. It wasn't big, but it was quite exquisite.

It was divided into several layers. Chu Lian opened them one by one. Although there was a lot of jewelry inside, there was very little that was of value.

These accessories were fine for everyday wear, but if there was a formal occasion, not many of them would be suitable.

In the jewelry box, there was only a set of red butterfly head ornaments. It was mentioned in the original text that Chu Lian's mother had left it for her.

As for the others, they were the Ten Thousand Fortune Jade Pendant given to her by Matriarch He when they served tea, the blood jade bracelet given to her by Countess Jing 'an, and the red jade bracelet given to her and her sister-in-law the day before yesterday.

Logically speaking, Duke Jing 'an's estate would also prepare some jewelry for the bride. However, for some reason, Chu Lian hadn't seen a single piece of jewelry until today.

Because of this, the maids had all complained.

However, as long as she thought about it, it was clear that since He Changdi didn't like her so much, it was completely normal for him to make her suffer in some places.

In the original novel, Chu Lian was taken care of by He Sanlang when she first got married. At the very least, He Sanlang wasn't harsh on her when it came to clothes, jewelry, and food.

He Changdi had prepared more than ten sets of jewelry for her, which was not a small amount.

Chu Lian pouted and closed the jewelry box.

Hmph, forget it if you don't want to prepare it for me. I don't want it anyway. When I earn money, I'll draw it and send it to the jewelry shop.

Chu Lian was not boasting. She studied design in modern times and was also a food lover. Her usual hobby was to eat delicious food and see the world. She could be considered half a backpacker.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, aside from gourmet food, there was something else she was good at, and that was her painting skills.

Gui Momo and Xiyan, who were standing at the side, saw Chu Lian sitting on the soft couch, pushing the jewellery box away and hugging her knees as if she was lost in thought. Their expressions changed.

The two of them looked at each other and secretly decided that they wouldn't mention the jewelry in front of Third Madam in the future, so that she wouldn't worry about it.

At the same time, Chu Lian's two personal attendants also resented He Changdi.

Which new bride didn't have a few sets of ornaments? Even the daughters of ordinary people would get married with a few new silver hairpins!

Not to mention noble families.

There weren't many who were as sullen as Miss Liu.

"Put them away!

Give the key to Fuyan. From now on, she will be in charge of the jewelry box. Xiyan will help Mammy take care of our courtyard's expenses. "

Gui Momo wanted to say something but hesitated. But seeing that Chu Lian's mood was not very good, she closed her mouth and did not say anything.

In fact, Chu Lian wasn't in a bad mood. She was calculating how much money she had left!

No matter how he calculated, even if he added in the gold and silver nuggets he got after melting the jewelry, he estimated that it would not exceed 600 taels of silver.

The Third Young Madam of Duke Jing 'an's estate only had a total of six hundred taels of silver. No one would believe this!

Based on what she had seen and heard in Count Jing 'an's estate over the past two days, Chu Lian realized that Count Jing' an's estate wasn't as grand and rich as the outside world made it out to be.

At the very least, her life with her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, wasn't very good. As for the old madam's private assets, how could she, a granddaughter-in-law who was a generation removed, have a chance?

If he wanted to eat, drink, and dress well, he had to rely on himself!

Chu Lian sighed. She realized that it was hard to live a comfortable life no matter where she went.

Especially for a worm like her whose husband did not love her.

She had just finished calculating her private assets when a servant girl outside reported that someone had come to Songtao Court.

Who would come at this time?

Chu Lian put on a pair of soft satin shoes embroidered with autumn chrysanthemums and brought Gui Momo and Xiyan to the reception pavilion outside.

She saw three people standing in the middle of the reception pavilion. The one in the lead was a tall and thin middle-aged servant girl. Behind her were two servant girls dressed in light green dresses.

The three of them looked ordinary, but they gave off a strange feeling of incongruity.

Chu Lian sat on the main seat in the reception pavilion and looked at the three people in front of her.

"What are you here for?" Chu Lian asked curiously.

When Chu Lian entered, Senior Servant Zhong was also sizing her up from the corner of her eye.

She saw that this new grandmother was dressed in a peach blossom red dress with a light red veil over it. Because they were in her courtyard, her hair was simply tied up in a bun. She only wore a peach blossom jade hairpin on her soft black hair. Her features still had the tenderness of a young girl, but her face had a good complexion. After a few years, she would definitely be more beautiful than she was now.

However, what attracted her the most was not Chu Lian's outstanding appearance, but her pair of clear and bright eyes. They were limpid and seemed to have the power to cleanse people's hearts.

Senior Servant Zhong was very experienced and subconsciously felt that a woman with such a pair of eyes would not be someone with a corrupt character.

This Third Young Mistress was very different from what she had imagined.

But when she thought of the order that Third Young Master had given her before he left, Senior Servant Zhong put away her judgmental thoughts.

Senior Servant Zhong stepped forward and lowered her head slightly. Her appearance was obviously ordinary, but it made people feel that her temperament was different from others.

"Third Young Mistress, this old servant is Senior Servant Zhong. I have brought Wenqing and Wenlan to Songtao Court under the orders of Third Young Master to take care of Third Young Mistress."

Ah?

Chu Lian opened her mouth. Take care of her?

And under He Changdi's orders?

There were already enough servants in her courtyard. Other than the four Yan's and Gui Momo who usually stayed close to her, there were also five or six second and third ranked maids. There were also those who were originally in Song Tao Yuan and now with another three people being squeezed in, there was almost no place to stay.

Senior Servant Zhong saw that Chu Lian did not say anything and only stared at her with her puffed up cheeks. Her pair of clear eyes blinked, making Senior Servant Zhong feel uncomfortable.

She could only brace herself and say, "Third Young Master said that if Third Young Mistress has any improper words or actions, this old servant is to correct her. Also, this is the letter that Third Young Master left for Third Young Mistress before he left."

As Senior Servant Zhong spoke, she glanced at Third Young Mistress' expression. Seeing that her cheeks were still puffed up and her head tilted to one side, the corners of Senior Servant Zhong's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

Was this Third Young Mistress stupid? If a bride from a normal family heard these words, wouldn't she be so angry that she would start scolding her?

It was one thing for her husband to leave, but he actually doubted her words and actions and specially arranged for a few people to watch over her.

Wasn't this a fiery slap in the face?

Chu Lian's expression didn't change. It was just that she hadn't thought of this. She said to Senior Servant Zhong, "Let me see the letter."

Xiyan stepped forward and took the letter and placed it in Chu Lian's hands.

Chu Lian looked at the few strong and resolute words on the letter. "For my wife, Chu." She was afraid that she would only see him refer to her as his wife on the letter.

Chu Lian opened the letter and took out a thin piece of paper. When she unfolded the paper, there was only a row of ten words on it.

When Chu Lian saw what was written on it, her face immediately turned red with anger.

"My husband is killing enemies in the north. I hope that my wife will abide by the ways of a woman!"

The words "abide by the ways of a woman" were written in bright red ink, as if he was afraid that she would be blind and not be able to see it.