Servant: "......"

Whose important person is this?

That's incredibly extravagant!

He dared not delay, taking small, quick steps and bending low to approach: "Third Miss Chu, Fourth Miss..."

The master specifically instructed that two people should be given special care.

Chu Jinjin waved her hand and tossed a silver peanut.

Servant: "......."

What a scene!

He truly deserves to be one of the top ten richest businessmen in Beijing.

Chu Jinjin dressed relatively simply. Now that she was the head of the family and made the decisions herself, and her reputation had spread, she simply stopped pretending and did whatever made her comfortable.

Just then, another carriage stopped, and a woman dressed in a bright red dress stepped out. She glanced in their direction and snorted coldly.

Chu Jinjin didn't recognize her: "Who is she?"

Chu Lanlan whispered, "My future cousin, Yang Minjing."

Chu Jinjin frowned: "You seem a little afraid of her?"

Chu Lanlan felt a little ashamed: "I wouldn't say I'm afraid, since her father is the eldest."

The Yang family had three brothers, and their parents died early. In other words, the eldest brother was like a father to them.

Don't be fooled by Yang Yu's father's usual stubbornness; he's terrified of this older brother.

When the engagement was first made, the eldest son of the Yang family strongly opposed it, believing that it would be a disgrace for a scholarly family to marry a merchant's daughter.

Chu Jinjin nodded.

I'm not in the mood to bother with it.

From what I can see, Yang Yu is a good man and shouldn't let Chu Lanlan suffer any injustice.

The servant led the two into the courtyard.

Even at night, the spring breeze in April is not very cool.

The banquet was held in the back garden.

The matriarch of the Li family had the character "pear" in her maiden name, and there were many pear trees in the family home. This was quite attractive to young women who rarely had the opportunity to go out and enjoy the spring scenery. The pear blossom banquet held by the Li family every year during this season was also quite famous.

Many distinguished young ladies had already arrived at the pavilion.

When the initiator, Li Yulu, the eldest daughter of the Li family, saw the two, she warmly went forward to greet them.

Chu Jinjin returned the greeting calmly.

I really don't want to pretend to be enthusiastic; we don't know each other well.

As she expected, everyone was stunned by Chu Lanlan's outfit tonight.

Every circle has its own rules. Given the Li family's status, a merchant's daughter like her wouldn't be qualified to participate unless she got married and relied on her husband's family's position.

The invitation was made specifically to indicate a certain purpose.

Furthermore, Chu Jinjin could sense that despite their enthusiastic smiles, they were all faking it.

It makes sense, really. For many years to come, the Imperial Concubine will be incredibly powerful, her status second only to a few, and above all others.

Chu Jinjin meaningfully instructed the maid accompanying her: "Take good care of the Fourth Miss. Losing even one item could cost several hundred taels of silver."

Isn't it because they look down on female shopkeepers?

Chu Lanlan had attended similar events before, but to be honest, she was always on the fringes; those rich young ladies were all incredibly aloof.

But today is different.

The gazes directed at her contained disgust, contempt, but even more so—envy!

Except in very rare cases, these people earn at most a few dozen taels a month, while she, at this moment, carries ten thousand taels!

It would take them twenty years to save up enough money, even without spending a single penny.

Chu Lanlan straightened her back without realizing it.

Someone scoffed, "So what if you're rich?"

Chu Jinjin was just worried that no one would drive there, and she accurately located her position: "Yes, do you have one?"

As she spoke, she took off the dagger studded with colorful gems from her waist and gently played with it: "It's pitiful to be broke."

Those who came all considered themselves to be of high status; scheming and intrigue were acceptable, but cursing in the street was beneath their dignity.

Li Yulu broke the awkward silence: "Sisters, don't stand—the two younger sisters from the Chu family, please sit down."

Social skills are an essential skill for everyone present.

Chu Jinjin sat on the edge of the pavilion, glancing at Li Yulu who was walking back and forth from time to time.

As the initiator, she didn't neglect anyone, including Chu Lanlan.

What exactly is the purpose tonight?

Clearly, it wasn't about building a relationship. Inviting her and Chu Lanlan without any reason, like Xu Xun, might be for some benefit, or it could simply be to curry favor with the Imperial Concubine.

Either way, something's definitely going to happen tonight.

Before long, the girls suddenly cheered excitedly.

Enjoying flowers shouldn't be just about admiring the flowers; finding enjoyment within limited resources is the main theme.

Tonight, the initiator, Li Yulu, has set up a treasure hunt game.

That is, a treasure is hidden in the garden as a prize, and everyone relies on their own abilities to find it first.

At this moment, these women dropped their pretense and came alive, each one excitedly whispering to each other.

Chu Lanlan ran over and took her arm: "Third sister, you should join too."

Chu Jinjin naturally wanted to participate, but she needed to do something beforehand, so she raised her hand and asked, "Miss Li, what are the prizes?"

"They're just some worthless trinkets, jade pendants, little ornaments, and the like." Li Yulu wanted to be modest, but as she spoke, she realized that they really weren't worth much to Chu Jinjin.

The most expensive one costs no more than a few dozen taels of silver.

There was no other way; this was my mother's secret stash of money.

Chu Jinjin casually plucked a golden flower from Chu Lanlan's body and said loudly, "This is my first time visiting the Li residence, so let me add a little something for good luck."

It was a pure gold flower, exquisitely crafted, with a fine red gemstone inlaid in its stamen, weighing over five hundred taels.

Chu Lanlan felt a pang of heartache: "......."

Everyone has a good eye, and many people have even seen this latest golden flower from Yu Bao Tang.

it's beautiful.

That's really expensive!

I really want it, but I don't have the money.

In an instant, his eyes lit up very honestly.

"In that case, Miss Chu, you've gone to so much trouble." Li Yulu hesitated slightly before smiling and bowing in thanks.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!