When Li Shiyue returned from the front yard, there was no trace of the aggrieved look on her face that she had just had in Xu Yunci's study.

She did it on purpose. Old Madam Xu alone probably wouldn't be able to keep Xu Yunyang in check, but it would be different if it were Xu Yunci.

In her past life, she believed Xu Yunyang's two-faced nature, but this life is different. She fears that someone like Xu Yunyang, seeing that she is unyielding to both soft and hard approaches, might resort to force.

If she were to barge into Chengyu Pavilion and something were to happen unexpectedly, she would rather die than submit to Xu Yunyang's filthy heart.

Chunling seemed thoughtful, then said with concern, "Does Miss really trust the First Madam with all of that?"

Li Shiyue smiled and said, "Why don't you believe me? Even if those things were exchanged for cash, compared to the entire Duke's mansion, it would be nothing. My aunt comes from a prominent family and is the matriarch of the Xu family. Why would she covet such a small amount of money from me?"

“My aunt is an older woman with a lot of experience, and she has a set of rules for doing things. This matter can only be handled by my aunt; I don’t trust anyone else. In the future, if anyone from the west courtyard sends you anything, don’t rush to accept it. If it’s something that shouldn’t be accepted, send it to your grandmother and let her handle it.”

Speaking of the West Courtyard, Chunling thought of Xu Yunyang. In the morning at Chengyu Pavilion, she saw the way the Third Young Master looked at his young lady, and his expression was no better than Meng Zhuo's.

It's a shame she thought Third Master was such a gentle and refined gentleman; it seems he's just like Meng Zhuo.

"That's right, we don't care. We'll buy whatever the girl likes herself."

Li Shiyue glanced sideways and looked at Chunling with approval: "That's right. We have money now, and we can't accept things indiscriminately."

"Come with me to the market tomorrow and see if there's anything you like. Consider it my New Year's gift to you."

Chunling's eyes lit up: "You're so kind, young lady!"

·

The capital city is right under the emperor's nose. During the reign of the late emperor, he governed the country with "benevolence and filial piety." After the emperor came to power, he continued to promote the late emperor's "benevolence and filial piety" and also supported scholars from poor families. Therefore, it was not necessarily the case that one's noble birth was the first criterion for becoming an official in the court.

The streets were bustling and noisy, with vendors' carts displaying all sorts of items on both sides of the seemingly endless street.

Xu Lingzi led her younger brother Xu Yunxu, looking around at this and that. Before long, the two siblings gradually disappeared from the crowd.

Xu Yunyao was worried and was about to call out to her when Xu Yunci said, "It's alright, let her have some fun today."

"Sixth Sister, it's not easy for you to go out of the manor these days. As for Cousin, why don't I accompany you?" The maid standing next to Xu Yunyao took two steps forward and grabbed Li Shiyue's wrist.

Her name was Xu Lingqing, Xu Yunyao's younger sister from the same mother, and the ninth child in the Xu family. She resembled her mother, Zhou, only in facial features; when she smiled, she lacked some of the shrewdness and possessed more tranquility.

Xu Lingqing's gaze fell on Li Shiyue. This cousin had been in the household for quite some time, but this was the first time she had been so close to her.

I heard from my mother and father's discussion last night that they were probably thinking of finding a wife for my mentally challenged brother. I wonder what my cousin is thinking.

"My silly brother is stubborn and sticks to his beliefs. If he offends you in any way, please don't hold it against him, cousin."

Li Shiyue didn't have much of an impression of Xu Lingqing, only remembering Zhou's two children. Xu Yunyao was brave and straightforward, while Xu Lingqing was quiet and rarely appeared in the inner quarters, preferring to spend his time in the study.

After all, she was Zhou's biological daughter, so she didn't become a bookworm, and her speech didn't sound abrupt.

"How could that be? My fifth cousin helped me out of that predicament the first time, so I should thank him properly. Whatever you all like today, I'll take out some money as a gift."

Li Shiyue grasped Xu Lingqing's hand in return. She liked Xu Lingzi's carefree attitude and Xu Lingqing's gentle and mild nature.

Xu Lingqing didn't hesitate and covered her mouth with a smile, saying, "That would be great. I liked the things my cousin sent earlier. She must have excellent taste. Why don't we pick out a hairpin?"

“My aunt sent me a new dress the other day, and I was just worried about not having any jewelry to match it.”

Even if the daughters of the Duke's mansion are not born to the eldest son, how could they not have a few pieces of jewelry? As long as they ask, they will be brought into the mansion by the boxful.

Xu Lingqing was willing to give her this way out, so how could Li Shiyue refuse?

The brothers Xu Yunci and Xu Yunyao remained silent, following behind their sisters and having them wrap up whatever the sisters liked.

When Xu Lingzi pulled Xu Yunxu back, they saw that her two older brothers were carrying a lot of things.

Upon seeing Xu Lingzi, Li Shiyue greeted her with a smile that crinkled her eyes: "You're finally back! I picked out a pair of earrings for my cousin, I guarantee you'll like them."

Xu Lingzi's eyes lit up: "Really?!"

Looking back, Xu Lingqing was wearing the hair ornament that she and Li Shiyue had just chosen. Xu Lingzi smiled even more happily and reached out to pinch Li Shiyue's cheek: "I didn't appreciate you for nothing. You always think of me when you have something good."

Xu Lingzi wasn't very strong, but Li Shiyue had fair and delicate skin. When Xu Lingzi removed her hand, Li Shiyue's cheeks flushed slightly.

Li Shiyue didn't care and took a wooden box from Chunling's hand: "I don't know what my cousin likes, so I asked my cousin Shizi to choose a jade pendant for me. I hope my seventh cousin won't find it distasteful."

"And mine too." Xu Yunxu's eyes shone brightly; she was practically a carbon copy of Xu Lingzi.

The two cousins ​​chose the jewelry, and the cousins ​​chose jade pendants and the like, but Xu Yunci didn't want anything.

Seeing her younger siblings huddled together, laughing happily, Xu Yunci stood with her hands behind her back, her smile growing even wider.

"My cousin really doesn't want anything."

Li Shiyue looked troubled. If she were to give a gift, the one she should give to most was Xu Yunci. Since arriving in the capital, Xu Yunci had helped her a lot, but who knew that Xu Yunci would refuse to accept anything today?

Xu Yunci shook his head slightly: "I have already received it."

Li Shiyue was puzzled and followed Xu Yunci's gaze to see Xu Lingzi and the other three looking at the things they had received, their faces beaming with joy.

I appreciate your kind gesture.

Xu Yunci's voice was steady and powerful, with a clear smile at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were upturned at the corners, and his phoenix eyes were so captivating that it was impossible to look away.

Today he was wearing an indigo robe with gold thread patterns, and his tall, slender figure made him stand out in the crowd with his hands behind his back.

Li Shiyue lowered her eyes, her earlobes felt hot. She seemed to need to remember not to look at what was improper.

"By the way, I'm afraid the matter of the shops and estates will have to wait until after the New Year. With the end of the year approaching, very few people are willing to sell. My mother asked me to tell you today, don't worry, good things take time."

When Li Shiyue looked up, she smiled sweetly and said, "Okay, I'll listen to my aunt and cousin."

Xu Yunci's gaze fell on his little cousin's face, recalling the cautiousness she showed when they first met, and how she now wore a smile.

Sure enough, my little cousin looks better when she smiles.