Ji Xinyi has a nice-sounding name, but she looks somewhat like her father, who is a military officer. Even though she is the legitimate daughter of the Pacification Commissioner and has a high status in the area, her high status cannot change the fact that she is not good-looking.

She hates it when people say she's not good-looking.

Ming Shu, however, loves to use her appearance as a point of contention.

Both were housekeepers' daughters, their fathers were of the same rank, and they had both committed the same shady business. Logically, the two shouldn't be so at odds.

However, unexpected things always happen.

Their relationship wasn't always like this; this story goes back a year.

Although Ji Xinyi's appearance is rather plain, she comes from a good family and is pampered by others, so she doesn't feel that her looks are anything to be ashamed of.

Moreover, as she reached a certain age and her heart began to stir with love, she also had someone she liked: Ming Xuan, Ming Shu's elder brother.

She also loved reading storybooks, and perhaps influenced by the love stories in them, Ji Xinyi mustered up the courage to give her purse to Mingxuan.

This is obviously against the rules, and if discovered, one would inevitably be charged with illicit exchange.

Ji Xinyi didn't care about any of that; she was confident!

When she handed the purse to Mingxuan, it was naturally refused.

Ji Xinyi was heartbroken and couldn't understand why. Her family background was not bad, and she and Mingxuan were a good match in terms of social standing, so why couldn't it work out?

At that time, her cousin always praised her in her ear, saying how good she was and how well she and Mingxuan were matched. After being rejected, Ji Xinyi was extremely heartbroken. Just when she was about to let go, she attended a banquet and suddenly heard Mingshu talking badly about her to her girlfriends.

She should take a good look in the mirror and see her own character. A toad trying to eat swan meat, she's overestimating herself...

He launched into a long and scathing critique of Ji Xinyi, and then added, "You don't know, my older brother was so disgusted after he gave him the purse that he lost his appetite for three days."

Ji Xinyi listened to their mockery from the shadows, her face turning ugly. She couldn't help but go up and argue with them.

The final result was naturally not good, because it caused quite a stir and attracted the attention of elders.

After inquiring about the reason, Ji Xinyi's reputation was completely ruined. Even though she came from a good family, no one was willing to marry a woman who was not good-looking and had been having an affair in private.

Ming Shu's reputation isn't exactly bad; her behavior of talking behind people's backs is certainly not what a woman of good character would do, but it's still better than Ji Xinyi's.

Because of this incident, the two have become enemies.

Ji Xinyi and Ming Shu both felt that their reputations were ruined because of each other, and they would argue whenever they met, which often turned into an ugly argument.

This wasn't the first time the two had bumped into each other outside.

The shopkeeper and his servants at Treasure Pavilion felt exhausted every time they saw both groups of people entering the shop.

Both of them came from prominent families and always argued over things.

Ji Xinyi's cousin, Liu Yu'er, spoke softly from the side: "Cousin, Sister Mingshu is the daughter of the prefect, and the eldest daughter of the main wife. You won a pair of vases last time, so why don't you let it go this time?"

Liu Yu'er's words made Ji Xinyi and Ming Shu quite uncomfortable.

Ji Xinyi was unhappy because she had an older sister who resembled her mother in appearance, was beautiful, and married a man who was good-looking, well-educated, and from a good family.

She hadn't noticed any difference before, but as time went on, she realized the gap between the two sisters and began to feel uncomfortable.

When Ming Shu heard Liu Yu'er mention vases, she remembered that Ji Xinyi had snatched two vases that she had her eye on from the antique shop last time.

This grudge must be avenged.

Both men were burning with anger and refused to back down.

Ming Shu said to the shopkeeper, "How much silver? I'll take it. Pack it up for me."

Ji Xinyi: "Pack it up for me, I'll add fifty taels."

The shopkeeper felt a chill run down his spine; both sides were people he couldn't afford to offend. He regretted not accepting the jewelry.

The two sides kept arguing.

Yinzhen then took Tong Cheng'er to the side to look at jewelry.

Although their clothes were ordinary, they had a remarkable air about them. Only upon closer inspection could one see the hidden meaning in their attire.

The servant responsible for entertaining the two became much more attentive.

"What would you two gentlemen like? I'll get it for you."

Tong Cheng'er said, "Just browsing."

The two looked around casually. The designs of the items were not bad, but the materials were not high-quality enough. Tong Cheng'er was a little uninterested, as she might not be able to take these things out even if she bought them.

Seeing that the two seemed somewhat unimpressed, the waiter said, "There are some rare and valuable pieces on the second floor. Shall I take you up there to have a look?"

Yinzhen nodded: "Alright."

Yinzhen led Tong Cheng'er upstairs. The second floor was more spacious than the first floor, and there were hardly any people there. The decorations were not displayed in the open. The waiter served tea and then brought over two sets of jewelry that Tong Cheng'er, who was about the same age, would wear.

Tong Cheng'er took a look and thought it was actually quite nice.

With such quality, it would be worth a place even in the capital.

Seeing that she liked it, Yinzhen had Su Peisheng pay for it.

Seeing this, the waiter worked even harder.

They brought out a few more sets for Tong Cheng'er to choose from.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the Eighth Prince led his wife into the Treasure Pavilion.

The Eighth Prince had specifically inquired and found that the Treasure Pavilion did indeed have some jewelry of good quality, which is why he came.

When they came in, Ji Xinyi and Ming Shu were still arguing, and with Liu Yu'er and Ming Shu's two half-sisters fanning the flames, the argument was getting more and more heated.

Jewelry was no longer important; for the two of them, failing to buy it would mean losing all face and dignity.

After the Eighth Prince's wife went in, she heard the noise inside. She frowned and said, "What's going on? It's so noisy."

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