Jiang Shuyue's movements in the pitch-pot game were graceful and elegant, captivating the young ladies.

They only realized they were clapping and cheering after hearing the sound.

Wow, what a beautiful technique!

You Xian'er said softly, "It's only the first one, keep up the good work."

Amid cheers from the crowd, "clanging sounds rang out one after another."

After four sticks were thrown into the pot in a row, Du Yutong couldn't help but jump up and down, "Sister Yue'er, it turns out you're the best!"

"It turns out that true masters don't reveal their abilities, and those who reveal their abilities aren't true masters."

Even the noble ladies, ignoring how unpleasant You Xian'er's expression was, couldn't help but praise her.

"Sister Jiang is a role model for us. She can make money, she is skilled in medicine, and she is even good at playing pitch-pot."

"That's right, that's right. When I host a banquet, I will personally deliver the invitation to Sister Jiang. Sister Jiang, you must do me the honor of attending."

Most of the young girls had eaten at Juxian Pavilion and had also sent their maids and servants to buy street barbecue.

Everyone knows that Jiang Shuyue is older than them, but they don't know exactly how much older.

Rumors circulated that she was already engaged, but no one knew which young master she was engaged to. In any case, no matter how dazzling she was, she wouldn't stand in their way.

Jiang Shuyue smiled gently at the young lady who was showing her goodwill, "I am grateful for Miss Huo's kindness, and I will definitely go to bother you when the time comes."

Jiang Shuyue has an exceptionally good memory; the person who invited her was Huo Ying, the eldest granddaughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family.

She was also the niece of Lady Huo, the wife of the Grand Commandant.

The Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion had been silent for many years. Xiao Jingzhao thought that the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion was also full of loyal martyrs many years ago, so he specially employed the Huo family.

Jiang Shuyue was also very happy to deal with people like that.

You Xian'er put down the melon seeds in her hand and scoffed, "Don't be too happy yet, there's still one last one."

"Even if you lose the last one, you and Sister Yue'er will still be even, and all the bets here will be returned."

Du Yutong was ready to back out at the first opportunity, but You Xian'er wouldn't give her that chance.

A mocking smile played on her lips. "So what if it's a draw? We can just keep playing. Anyone who doesn't want to play can quit; I won't stop them."

Qiuju didn't want Du Yutong to argue pointlessly, so she gently tugged at her sleeve.

Then he leaned close to Du Yutong's ear and whispered, "Don't speak, Miss is sure to win."

Before Du Yutong could ask Qiuju why she was so certain, she heard another "clang" sound.

She looked into the pot and saw an arrow's fletching trembling slightly inside the long spout.

"Wow! All correct! Sister Jiang won!"

"Oh! Money really flies in like water. Sister Jiang just casually raised her hand and easily put it in."

Exclamations of amazement and praise rose and fell.

You Xian'er stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! Five steps is already the limit."

It should be noted that when noble ladies in the capital played pitch-pot, they mostly used arrows to measure the distance, which was only about four steps.

Jiang Shuyue smiled faintly, "I can't cheat under everyone's watchful eyes. If Miss You doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

"We all saw it clearly, there were only five arrows. Can't we all count them?" someone muttered, feeling indignant on Jiang Shuyue's behalf.

You Xian'er's face was ashen. This hairpin was just made for her by her stepmother, so that she could meet the emperor one day.

How am I supposed to explain this to everyone? Should I say I lost? Or should I say I got what I wanted?

No matter how you lie, with so many eyes watching, this matter will soon reach the ears of your stepmother.

Getting a scolding when you get home is fine, but getting new jewelry again will probably be difficult.

She wasn't the only young lady in the household, but her stepmother only provided her with jewelry.

Because of her special birth date and time, her stepmother favored her, which caused her sisters to secretly complain.

In front of so many people, she couldn't very well ask for the hairpin back.

Being humble and subservient is not her style.

The palace maid carrying the prize money handed the tray to Jiang Shuyue, saying, "This servant saw clearly that Miss Jiang won, and the prize money here should rightfully belong to Miss Jiang."

Upon seeing the result, the palace maid standing at the pavilion turned and hurried away.

Jade bracelets are fragile, so Jiang Shuyue didn't take the tray.

She picked up the jade bracelet and slowly put it on her snow-white wrist.

Du Yutong nudged Qiuju, "Sister Yue'er won, quickly put away your prize."

Qiuju stepped forward, took the tray, and slightly curtsied to the crowd, saying, "Thank you all for your good fortune."

She then looked at You Xian'er, "Although I won it through my own ability, I still thank Miss You for the hairpin."

Qiu Ju was neither humble nor arrogant, but polite and courteous, which secretly amazed everyone.

Who said the Jiang family were just merchants who didn't know proper etiquette?

Even the most skilled maids in wealthy households might not be as well-mannered and knowledgeable as her.

The maids' manners and etiquette are so good, which shows that the Jiang family is no ordinary family.

"Hmph! You only won one game, what's there to be proud of? We'll see who's better in the piano later."

You Xian'er led her maid and left in a huff.

Seeing that You Xian'er was angry, Wu Shiyin quickly chased after her to comfort her.

You Xian'er became arrogant and domineering, and when she lost, she looked unwilling to accept it.

After this comparison, even more people wanted to befriend Jiang Shuyue.

"Sister Jiang, the music studio is located in the house next to the plum garden. It's warm there. Let's walk there while enjoying the flowers."

Seeing that everyone was becoming more and more enthusiastic towards her, Jiang Shuyue felt it was inappropriate to correct their way of addressing her.

As long as I don't live under the same roof as them and address them as sisters, I don't need to care about this title.

"Okay, let's go together."

Only a portion of the ladies came to play the pitch-pot game today.

Some girls were wandering around the plum garden in twos and threes.

Whether their purpose was to appreciate the plum blossoms or to be appreciated by the person in a high position, only they themselves knew.

As everyone walked out, Qiu Ju, carrying a tray, followed Jiang Shuyue as she took a step.

"Miss, this hairpin?"

Jiang Shuyue paused slightly, "Keep this for now, and when you get back to the capital, exchange it for silver and donate it to Ciyin Hall."

Ciyintang is a shelter for homeless people and abandoned infants.

She has so many jewelry pieces that she can't even wear them all, so why would she wear someone else's? She'd rather use them for charity and help You Xian'er accumulate some good karma. It's a way of helping others and doing a good deed every day.

"This servant will obey Miss's wishes and donate all the gold and silver melon seeds." Qiuju said, reaching for the purse at her waist.

"No need, you and Zhu'er can share the rest of the gold and silver melon seeds."

"Without her young lady's suggestion, I wouldn't have had a chance to win this prize," Jiang Shuyue said, winking at Du Yutong.

"Sister Yue'er, please stop teasing me. My heart was pounding in my chest just now. I will never be reckless again."

Du Yutong's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her smile looking more like a grimace.

Qiuju gave half of the golden melon seeds and the half of the silver melon seeds to Zhuer.

Zhu'er smiled broadly and bowed to Jiang Shuyue, "Thank you, Miss."

In the attic, Xiao Jingzhao listened to Eunuch Ma's report.

He asked Xiang Song, "It seems the daughter of the Minister of Works has someone she likes, right?"

Xiang Song pulled out a small booklet from his pocket. "It's all written here. Master, would you like to take another look?"