"Are you trying to fool us by offering us the position of a concubine?"

"How could that be? Chun Jiao is now the third most important person on Donglai Street after Brother Nai and Chairman Song. No matter who you are, everyone calls you Miss Chun Jiao. Tsk tsk tsk, she's so impressive."

The maids all wore expressions of envy as they spoke.

Hearing their words, Jiang Shuwan, who had been engrossed in calculating accounts, slowly raised her head, her eyes and brows seemingly smiling. "What, do you also want to go out and do some work?"

"Don't worry, it'll be your turn soon. Then it'll be Chun Jiao Mei Xue who's envious of you."

Upon hearing this, everyone knew what kind of business Jiang Shuwan was planning, and they all crowded around to inquire. Jiang Shuwan just smiled and didn't say a word.

At Li Yuyan's plum blossom viewing banquet last time, many noble ladies wore pearls. In particular, Guo Yaqin's makeup was pearl-covered, with eight pearls on each side of her face, plus a large one on her forehead. Her nine-pearl makeup was very popular with many noble ladies.

With Guo Yaqin recently becoming the Crown Prince's consort, many people have been imitating her makeup, causing pearl prices to soar. This reminded Jiang Shuwan of the business of cultured pearls.

It's simple, makes money quickly, and is unique.

I've been too busy lately to find the time, but I can look into it after the New Year.

"Just wait, it'll be soon."

Smiling, Jiang Shuwan buried herself in the accounts again and continued working on them. The maids obediently sat back down, some doing their accounts and others doing their needlework.

Finally, on the day before the Lunar New Year, all the accounts were sorted out.

The accounts of her private property were handed over to Granny Tao and the wet nurse for storage, while the accounts of the Marquis's mansion were to be reviewed by the old lady.

"Miss, it's windy, please put on a coat."

It was dark and windy. Qingxing told two maids to take the Hou family's account books and follow behind, while she helped Jiang Shuwan put on an extra layer of clothing. Of course, the gilded bronze hand warmer with peony vines was also indispensable.

Jiang Shuwan can't live without a hand warmer in winter.

Holding a hand warmer, Jiang Shuwan was about to walk out against the wind when she saw Qingxing take a palace lantern down from the mahogany cabinet.

A thin layer of white paper was pasted on the palace lantern, on which several magnolia flowers were drawn, their pink and white petals creating a beautiful scene.

This painting was made by Pei Yanzhi herself. She almost took it down and sold it when she was short of cash.

"Miss, wait a moment, I'll go ahead."

As she spoke, Qingxing lit the palace lanterns and ran ahead of Jiang Shuwan to lead the way.

In the darkness, the trees in the garden could only be seen as blurry outlines, baring their fangs and claws, like monsters that might come to life at any moment.

The cold wind howled, like a sharp whistle, whistling through the forest and rustling the leaves, adding to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

That's how it is when the garden is big. You don't feel it during the day, but when you go out at night, it's like exploring a haunted house. It's incredibly eerie and terrifying.

With lights, things are different.

Even if it only illuminates a small area under one's feet, it can make one feel much more at ease.

"Miss, please be careful, the snow has been melting these past few days."

"It's already the end of January, I'm afraid it won't rain after the New Year."

"That's not necessarily true. It snowed all the way into February last winter."

The maid carrying the account book followed behind Jiang Shuwan, whispering among herself. At first, they were talking about the weather, but then the topic turned to the palace lanterns.

"The palace lanterns made by the Crown Prince are excellent; they provide light and are beautiful."

"The lamps in the young lady's room were all of excellent quality, made with the finest materials and craftsmanship. However, the paintings on the palace lanterns were far inferior to those of the young master."

"Of course, our young master came first in the autumn examination last year. He might even become the top scholar in the spring examination in February, achieving the highest honors in all three categories. Among the eight great families, no one is more promising than our young master."

"Young Madam, what brings you here?"

As they were talking, the group had already reached the gate of the old lady's courtyard. They could see lights coming from afar. Mama Chang led the little maid, taking the account book from Jiang Shuwan and leading Jiang Shuwan inside.

"Is the old lady asleep?" Jiang Shuwan asked as she let Chang Mama take off her cloak.

"Not yet." As she spoke, Mama Chang glanced into the inner room, which was brightly lit. Besides the old lady and the maids and servants, there was another figure.

“Miss Biao is here too. Ever since we confiscated Miss Biao’s bright red wedding dress last time, the old lady has not been in good spirits. After that, Miss Biao cooked ginseng chicken soup overnight and brought it over to the old lady to help her recover. She did it despite the wind and snow. We couldn’t stop her. This is the fifth time now. The old lady has finally let Miss Biao into the house.”

She knew that Chang Mama was telling her that the old lady was originally angry with Liu Yunyan, but then she couldn't resist Liu Yunyan's nagging.

"Thank you, Aunt Chang."

Jiang Shuwan nodded gently to Mama Chang, and the maid lifted the curtain, allowing her to walk in with light steps.

Inside the house, the old lady, dressed in a dark blue satin dress with the motif of "a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, longevity and happiness," sat on a cushion, slowly sipping chicken soup from a small white porcelain bowl. Liu Yunyan sat beside her, trying to please her.

When Jiang Shuwan came in, the old lady was obviously stunned for a moment, and looked a little uncomfortable holding the small white porcelain bowl. Liu Yunyan, on the other hand, was much more enthusiastic.

Her eyes lit up, and she greeted him with a smile.

"What brings you here, young mistress? Oh, look at my memory, I haven't even entered the house yet. I still have to call you sister-in-law as before."

"Yes, so you should cherish the days you have now, because there won't be many days when you can see me without having to bow to me."

"..."

As if struck by a pressure point, Liu Yunyan's smile froze on her lips, but being a shrewd woman, she quickly put on a smile again.

"That's right, I will definitely take good care of you, sister-in-law. Please don't look down on me."

Her mention of this reminded Jiang Shuwan of something.

Gently sitting down to the left of the old lady, Jiang Shuwan looked at Liu Yunyan with a smile, "Has anyone taught you manners?"

"..."

Her question stumped everyone, especially Chang's mother.

Chang Mama is now the head of etiquette in the mansion, in charge of all matters related to etiquette and rules. For matters like Pei Yanzhi taking a concubine, she would definitely send someone to teach Liu Yunyan the rules.

However, Liu Yunyan was different from ordinary concubines. She had a special status in the old lady's eyes, as she was from a prominent family in Luoyang, and everyone assumed she knew proper etiquette.

Therefore, Madam Chang did not send anyone to teach.

However, Jiang Shuwan asked this question in front of the old lady...

"Replying to the young mistress, it was my oversight. I will send someone to teach Miss Biao etiquette tomorrow," said Mama Chang, bowing slightly in apology.

Jiang Shuwan reached out and helped Chang Mama up, then smiled and said, "It's not Mama's fault. There have been many things to do in the manor lately. If my cousin hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have remembered either."

Liu Yunyan: "..."

Her face stung with redness, and she couldn't even maintain a fake smile.

"No need, old lady. What rules do I, the Liu family of Luoyang, not know? Do you think I would bring shame upon the Marquis's mansion?"

Liu Yunyan looked at the old lady with pleading eyes.