Lin Shi was originally smiling while pulling her daughter’s hair to try on a pearl hairpin. She repeatedly looked outside after a quarter of an hour but when half an hour had passed, her expression became distorted and she sent a little maidservant to go find out.
Shopkeeper Qian opened the remaining red lacquer boxes and eloquently recommended her shop’s jewelry, which alleviated the awkward atmosphere.
After another moment later, Jin Momo came in with a small case in her arms.
“What took you so long?” Lin Shi interrogated in a deep voice while Yu Miao Qi took a golden hairpin to the mirror to try it on, as if she hadn’t heard anything.
“Back to Madam, Third Young Miss searched for half a day to find this box and said she wanted to give it to Second Young Miss, which is why the delay.“ Jin Momo handed a box over and noticed it was covered with dust which was obviously abandoned by Yu Xiang. Feeling utterly embarrassed, she hurriedly wiped the dust off with her sleeve.
Lin Shi’s gloomy face could drip water now. When she was about to rebuke the verse of ‘intolerable bullying[1]’, Shopkeeper Qian exclaimed, “Aiya, isn’t this our Jin Xiu House one and only golden phoenix embellished wing pearl buyao[2]? Not only these three pearls on the buyao the size of a dragon’s eye, they are considered hard to find. This box alone is also costly. The lid of the box is carved from a single piece of golden-silk-nut wood and the inlaid petals of several begonia flowers are made of top-grade red jade, which are delicate and lustre in colors. Under the sunlight, it looks just like the real flower that makes others desire to reach out and touch it.”
As she spoke, she took the box then placed it in the bright light and rotated it. Clicking her tongue and exclaimed in admiration, “Second, third, Miss Xiang’er is truly generous. This box alone is a treasure in our shop, not mentioning this buyao. Taking apart each of these pearls, it could be sold for this amount.” She held out one palm and shook it.
It was rather strange that a second young miss appeared out of nowhere in Marquis Yongle manor, claiming to be Miss Xiang’er twin elder sister. However, both looked nothing alike, and their temperaments were so different that unbeknownst what actually was her background.
It doesn’t matter anyway, as long as she makes profit.
Shopkeeper Qian muttered in her heart but her mouth praised Yu Xiang’s gift a good deal, which eased up Lin Shi’s gloomy face a bit as she handed over the matching tablet, “Take the matching tablet and go draw the silver.”
“Thank you, Madam for your patronage. Next time if you need anything, just have someone summon this matron. This matron’s goods are among the best in the Capital and will not let Madam down.” With a genial smile, Shopkeeper Qian received the matching tablet and went out with a sigh of relief.
Lin Shi ordered Jin Momo to put away all the jewelry that was piled on the table, however, when she turned around, she saw her daughter tearing at the opened begonia box.
“Qi’er, what’s wrong with you? Who has upset you?” She hurried over and took her daughter in her arms and patted her.
“Mother, this box alone is so valuable, not to mention the jewels placed inside.” She closed the box and pushed it farther away with intense tearing. “I have never even known or seen what an eastern-pearl looks like in the Shen family. To me, it was all but unattainable, a life I would never dare to dream of. But what’s the truth? The truth is, all these should have been mine, but she took it all away from me! Mother, I even have to report to her for the purchase of some clothes and jewelry, so am I the Di daughter of the Marquis manor? If I have to look on her face to live the rest of my life, why should I come back? Why not just send me back again!”
The more she spoke, the sadder she became. She undid the small purse on her waist and choked with sobs, “Mother, who else but you in Marquis manor would take me to heart. Just look at what Grandmother has given me as the first meeting gift, a piece of protective charm which can be bought for one copper coin in the temple. This is disliking this daughter from the bottom of her heart!”
In actuality, Yu Miao Qi had misunderstood. That piece of charm was not bought with one copper coin. In fact, was personally written and also consecrated by the divine monk of the Great Han Dynasty, Ku Hai which was a good item that nobody could even get their hands on, even if they broke their necks trying to snatch it. Thanks to the friendly relations Yu Xiang had with Master Ku Hai over the years, he was able to make an exception for monk who had sealed his writing brush[3] for ten years.
It was a pity that the effort and pains taken by Old Madam were all fed into the dog’s belly that not only was Yu Miao Qi not grateful about it, she also secretly hated her.
When Lin Shi heard this, she was furious that she condemned Old Madam for being biased as she walked outside then threw that piece of charm into the brazier where sacrificial offerings were burning. When the fire licked the paper, a strong Zen fragrance was released and gone in an instant.
She turned around and embraced her daughter. Gnashing her teeth, she whispered, “Don’t worry, Qi’er. From now on, Mother will not allow you to suffer such humiliation like today. In any case, Mother is still the main wife of the Marquis manor. After idling for fourteen years, it’s also time to take charge of the household management again. It’s not certain who will see whose face to live by!”
“Mother, only you treat this daughter the best. Daughter can only count on you!” Yu Miao Qi threw herself into her arms and sobbed despairingly. A dark light flashed across her tear-filled eyes.
Clamping down a stomachful of words to persuade her master, Jin Momo found out the second young miss had said all that she wanted to say. If her master is back in charge of the household, she will be the revered momo-in-charge of Marquis manor again, how much profit is waiting for her to pocket? She somewhat couldn’t contain the joy in her heart thinking of this that she had to hurriedly hide the smile at the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, yet she lowered eyes seemingly in sorrow.