The Lin Clan was still smiling as they helped their daughter comb her hair and tried on the hairpin, but after a quarter of an hour, they began to look outside. Half an hour later, their faces were distorted, so they sent a servant girl to look for it.
Shopkeeper Qian opened the remaining red lacquer boxes and eloquently introduced their jewelry, which eased the awkward atmosphere.
After a short while, Mama Kim came in with a box.
"Why did you take so long?" The Lin Clan questioned in a deep voice. Yu Miaoqi was holding a golden hairpin and putting on makeup in front of the mirror, as if she hadn't heard anything.
"Madam, Miss Three searched for a long time before finding this box. She said she wanted to give it to Second Miss, so she was delayed." Mama Kim handed the box over and found that it was covered in dust. It was obviously something that Yu Xiang had abandoned. She felt very embarrassed and quickly wiped the dust off with her sleeve.
Mrs. Lin's originally gloomy face was now dripping with water. Just as she was about to reprimand them for going too far, shopkeeper Qian exclaimed, "Aiya, isn't this our Jinxiu Pavilion's one and only Luan and Phoenix Circling Pearls Golden Buyao? Not to mention that each of the three Eastern Pearls on the buyao is the size of a longan, which can be considered rare in the world, just this box alone is expensive. This box is carved from a whole piece of Phoebe zhennan wood, and the lid is inlaid with several begonia flowers. The petals are cut and pieced together with the best red jade. The color is tender and beautiful, and it looks like a real flower under the sun. It makes people want to reach out and touch it. "
As she spoke, she took the box and turned it in the light. She clicked her tongue in admiration. "Two, three. Miss Xiang 'er is so generous. This box alone is the treasure of our shop, not to mention the ornaments. Even if we sell each Eastern Pearl separately, it will cost this much. "She stretched out a hand and shook it.
Today was strange. Marquis Yongle had a Second Miss who appeared out of nowhere and said that she was Miss Xiang 'er's twin sister. The two of them didn't look the least bit alike, and their temperaments were completely different. She didn't know where they came from.
She didn't care, as long as she could earn money.
Shopkeeper Qian muttered in his heart, but on the surface, he praised Yu Xiang's gift. Only then did the Lin Clan's gloomy expression soften a little. He handed over the matching cards and said, "Take the matching cards and withdraw the money."
"Thank you for your patronage, Madam. Next time, if you need anything, just send someone to call this commoner woman. This commoner woman's things can be considered one of the best in the capital. I definitely won't let Madam down. "Shopkeeper Qian smiled as she received her tile. After she left, she let out a sigh of relief.
The Lin Clan ordered Mama Kim to put away all the jewelry on the table. When they turned back, they saw their daughter crying over the opened begonia box.
"Qi 'er, what happened to you? Who made you unhappy? "She hurriedly walked over and pulled her daughter into her arms to pat her.
"Mother, this box alone is so valuable, not to mention the jewelry inside." She closed the box and pushed it away. Her tears fell even more fiercely, "And when I was in the Family Shen, I never even saw what Dongzhu looked like. For me, those were things that I could only hope for, but could never obtain. It was a life that I would never dare to live. But what was the truth? In fact, these things originally belonged to me, but she took them all away! Mother, I even have to report to her when I buy some clothes and jewelry. Am I really the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Family? If I have to live under her whims in the future, why would I come back? It would be better to send me back! "
The more she spoke, the more upset she became. She untied a pouch from her waist and choked with sobs, "Mother, other than you, who else in the Marquis Family cares about me? Look at what Grandmother gave me. It's just a protective talisman. A protective talisman that can be bought with a single copper coin from a temple, but she gave it to me as a meeting gift. She despises her daughter from the bottom of her heart! "
In fact, Yu Miaoqi misunderstood. This protective talisman wasn't something that could be bought with a single copper coin. It was a protective talisman that was personally written and consecrated by the Han Dynasty's Divine Monk, the Kuhai Monk. If it was taken out, it would be a good thing that everyone would fight over. Fortunately, Yu Xiang had a good relationship with the Kuhai Monk over the years, so he made an exception even though he had stopped writing for ten years.
Unfortunately, the old madam's painstaking efforts were all fed to a dog's stomach. Not only did Yu Miaoqi not appreciate her kindness, she even secretly hated her.
When the members of the Lin Clan heard this, they couldn't calm down. While cursing the old madam for being biased, they walked out of the room and threw the protective talisman into the brazier that was burning the yellow joss paper. When the flames licked the talisman, it emitted a strong fragrance, but it disappeared in a flash.
She turned back and hugged her daughter. Gnashing her teeth, she whispered, "Qi 'er, don't worry. From now on, Mother won't let you suffer the humiliation you suffered today. In any case, Mother is still the mistress of the Marquis Household. After being idle for fourteen years, it's time for me to take control of the household again. It's not certain who will live under whose nose! "
"Mother, only you treat your daughter the best. Your daughter can only rely on you! "Yu Miaoqi threw herself into her arms and sobbed. Her tear-filled eyes quickly flashed with a dark light.
Mama Kim had a stomach full of words to say to persuade her master, but she discovered that the second miss had already said everything she wanted to say. If her master took control of the household again, she would be the Marquis Household's respected steward. How much money would be waiting for her? Thinking of this, she couldn't suppress the joy in her heart. She quickly used her handkerchief to cover the smile on her lips, but the corners of her eyes drooped as if she was very sad.
-----
In the main courtyard, the matriarch was flipping through a scripture book when she saw Wan Qiu come in with a solemn face. He whispered something into Mama Ma's ear. She could vaguely hear the words' Madam, burn it, dislike it '.
Mama Ma's expression changed greatly, and the hand holding the handkerchief unconsciously trembled.
"What are you saying? Let me hear it too? "The matriarch turned a page of the Buddhist scripture and slowly opened her mouth.
Mama Ma sent Wan Qiu away with a hesitant expression.
The matriarch sneered, "Is the Lin Clan up to no good again? Speak! "
Mama Ma knelt at her feet and sorrowfully said, "Replying to The Old Lady, Miss said that you disliked her and gave her a gift of a protective talisman that could be bought with a copper coin from the temple. Madam was furious when she heard this and threw the talisman into the fire and burned it."
Ever since the matriarch found out about her granddaughter's fate, she had sent Yu Xiang to ask for the talisman and enshrined it in the Zhen Guo Temple. Every day, a senior monk would chant sutras to bless the talisman. This enshrining of the talisman lasted for four years. Every month, the incense oil offered to the Zhen Guo Temple cost two hundred taels of silver, all of which came from the matriarch's own pocket. Not to mention her sincerity, just the money added up to more than ten thousand taels of silver. How could she burn it all in one fire?
You burned it, but you had to slander the matriarch verbally. What kind of heartless and ungrateful person is this! Anyone who had a trace of respect for the matriarch wouldn't do such a thing!
Mama Ma hated that she couldn't rush to the main room and give the Lin Clan and Yu Miaoqi two slaps each.
However, the matriarch didn't get angry. Instead, she chuckled softly. When she spoke again, her voice was filled with vicissitudes of life, "Yan'er was right. That Yu Miaoqi has a cold temperament. She holds grudges and doesn't remember kindness. I should stay away from her. No matter how I treat her, how can I compare to the Chen couple who raised her? She could even abandon the Chen couple just like that. How could she remember my kindness? Forget it, forget it. In the future, I won't do this kind of thing. After raising her for a year or so, I'll marry her off. She's just like Yu Siyu. She's also a troublemaker. "
Mama Ma repeatedly nodded. After deliberating for a while, she said, "That girl also said that Madam might want to snatch the power of the family from Miss Xiang'er. The Old Lady, what do you think … "
Hearing this, the matriarch was truly furious. She coldly snorted, "The power of the family? With just her? The current Marquis Household isn't the same as the Marquis Household during the Junjie era. With her little ability, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it. However, if she dares to open her mouth, I can fulfill her wish. "
Mama Ma was greatly alarmed when she heard this. She reminded, "The Old Lady, what if something goes wrong?"
Just as the matriarch said, the current Marquis Yongle was very different from the past. Although Yu Pinyan had the title of General of the Light Cavalry, he had already returned the Tiger Tally to the Emperor. He wholeheartedly wanted to be the Emperor's sword, cutting through thistles and thorns to advance forward while bathed in blood. In order to pave the way for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, the Emperor had already gotten rid of a few princes with different surnames. In the coming year, he would make his move against the entrenched and complicated aristocratic families. Under this situation, Marquis Yongle could only be a solitary official. He definitely couldn't associate himself with any party.
Not only did Yu Pinyan have to control this, but the interactions between the women in the inner compound also couldn't cross the Emperor's bottom line. In the past, Yu Xiang had done very well. In the matriarch's opinion, he couldn't be any better. She didn't expect Xiang 'er to be so intelligent. She could even figure out the Emperor's intentions so thoroughly. She didn't even need to remind her.
Before the Lin Clan became muddled, they were very clever and capable. However, that kind of cleverness was limited to the inner compound's small calculations and careful schemes. They couldn't compare to Xiang 'er's broad horizons.
If this family was handed over to the Lin Clan, there would definitely be trouble.
The matriarch thought it over, then waved her hand and said, "If she dares to open her mouth, then let her handle it. Xiang 'er and I will watch from the side. Nothing big will happen. Xiang 'er managed the Marquis Household with an iron fist. She had learned it from her brother. With the Lin Clan's petty tricks, it will collapse in just a few months. All these years, she has stubbornly stayed in the main room and indulged in the past. I can't find anything wrong with her. This time, I'll let her run wild. Once I find something to use against her, I'll have her take the divorce letter and go home. Her maiden family won't be able to say anything. "
After hearing this, Mama Ma finally understood the matriarch's plan. That's right. Missing her late husband wasn't a mistake. The Old Lady didn't want to tolerate the Lin Clan anymore! After fourteen years, she should be reaching the end of her tolerance.
"Master Hou …" Mama Ma couldn't help but remind her.
"You should go ask Yan 'er if he still recognizes the Lin Clan as his mother." The matriarch sneered. Previously, she didn't make a big fuss because she was worried about her grandson's face. This time, after bringing back Yu Miaoqi, she finally saw her grandson's true heart. She was afraid that her grandson didn't want to recognize the Lin Clan anymore. He also didn't want to recognize Yu Miaoqi. Otherwise, how could he have such an indifferent attitude?
"She doesn't recognize Master Hou. Naturally, Master Hou won't recognize her either. She doesn't have Master Hou in her heart. All she thinks about is Second Miss. She doesn't even think about who earned her good days all these years. "Mama Ma shook her head and sighed.
The matriarch also sighed deeply. She picked up a Buddhist scripture and chanted in a low voice.
In the main room, the Lin Clan didn't know that except for Mama Kim and her two daughters, the rest of the servants in their courtyard had become the matriarch and Yu Xiang's informants. They still thought that they were the old matriarch who always kept their word. They didn't hide anything from others at all.
Yu Miaoqi didn't know the inside story. Seeing her act so recklessly, she also relaxed. The mother and daughter discussed how to tell the matriarch. They didn't sleep until a quarter to nine.