Hearing Lu Baichuan's words, he instantly sobered up. He responded softly, then left with his head down.

He Jiuniang asked, "What happened? Isn't Xu Dashan always been quite honest?"

“He said something wrong on the street just now. It’s not a big deal, but his actions were wrong. I’m giving him a warning so that he doesn’t make a big mistake later.”

In Lu Baichuan's view, loose lips sink ships. Although it was a small matter today, he couldn't just let him continue like this, or he would cause a big disaster in the future.

"Yes, that's definitely how it should be."

He Jiuniang agreed wholeheartedly, glancing absentmindedly outside. She felt that Yuyuantang's response was a bit slow; why hadn't they arrived yet after so long?

Just then, Sister Wang rushed in to report: "Third Master, Madam, the Prefect's carriage has arrived outside, carrying many gifts. They say they've come to deliver lucky charms that you forgot to bring back from the banquet."

He Jiuniang blinked. Wasn't the only prize she won at the banquet a jade hairpin? Why was a whole cartload sent over? Is the prefect's wife really that generous?

She thought for a moment and said, "Ask the person if they gave you a jade hairpin. If it is, accept the hairpin and return the rest. I don't care for things that aren't mine."

She had been thinking it was a waste not to get the hairpin back, but they delivered it to her door. She was the one who was petty.

"Mrs. Qian is sending gifts to apologize to me now, but unfortunately, I'm just that petty. She kicked me when I was down at the banquet, and I won't forgive her so easily."

He Jiuniang had a haughty look on her face. She was just sulking, but Lu Baichuan next to her burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at how cute you are."

Lu Baichuan blurted out that this was the first time he had ever heard someone say that he was petty and narrow-minded. How could he be so cute even when he was angry?

Suddenly taken aback by these slightly greasy words, He Jiuniang didn't know what to say. She smiled awkwardly, tugged at the hem of her skirt, licked her lips, stood up, and said, "I'll go see what Madam Qian has sent."

Just as she was about to leave, Lu Baichuan grabbed her hand.

"Don't go, Sister Wang is already here."

Lu Baichuan tried his best to suppress his laughter and gestured with his chin toward Sister Wang. Sister Wang was almost there, how could she not have noticed?

He Jiuniang naturally noticed, but she just wanted to find an excuse to leave. She didn't expect him to not give her that chance.

hateful!

She gave an awkward laugh, then deliberately asked Wang Sao, "How was it?"

Aunt Wang nodded with a smile: "There is indeed a jade hairpin, but the person who delivered the gifts insisted on leaving the other gifts as well, saying that they were Madam Qian's apology to you, hoping that you could forgive her inappropriate behavior today."

He Jiuniang frowned and said, "I won't accept it. Go and tell them that Madam Qian's actions today were not inappropriate. It was I who didn't know the rules and upset so many ladies. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."

These words carried a certain degree of personal emotion, and He Jiuniang said them on purpose, just to let Madam Qian know that she was not so easy to bully.

Not every "I'm sorry" can be met with "It's okay".

Today, Lu Baichuan holds a higher official position, ranking one level above their husbands. But what if it were someone else? Wouldn't they be so humiliated that they couldn't even lift their heads?

Sister-in-law Wang responded, handed the hairpin to He Jiuniang, and said, "This servant will go and tell her now."

He Jiuniang nodded and sat down, examining the hairpin from all angles.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this today. If there are similar occasions in the future, you don't have to go if you don't like it."

Lu Baichuan offered a word of comfort, something he had said before, but it seemed to have no effect, so he repeated it this time.

He Jiuniang said calmly, "Of course I like it! Why wouldn't I like it? I went there today and won a hairpin! See? It's of very good quality!"

He Jiuniang held up the hairpin in her hand and waved it in front of him, speaking in a boastful tone. Lu Baichuan felt a mix of emotions, but was also deeply moved.

He knew his wife didn't like it, but she insisted on going only to help him balance some power in the officialdom. Although he felt it was unnecessary, doing it or not doing it made a difference.

He smiled, but before he could speak, He Jiuniang, the little medicine boy, came over.

"Dr. He, the girl's injuries have been treated, but she's been staying at the clinic, saying she has no money for treatment and wants to help out, but she doesn't know how to do anything. So Dr. Song sent my doctor to ask you what you think."

Because the girl was sent there in Lu Baichuan's name, Doctor Song didn't know who she was, so he could only send someone to ask.

Hearing what the young medicine boy said, He Jiuniang immediately showed great interest.

"She's even trying to extort you?"

The young apprentice nodded speechlessly. He had never seen such a shameless girl before. Even though Doctor Song had told her not to pay him, she just wouldn't leave.

"Alright, since that's the case, have her come to me. Tell her I took pity on her, that she's all alone and I'm keeping her as a maid. But remember, don't tell her I'm at Xishui Garden. If she's capable, she can come to me herself."

He Jiuniang explained seriously that everything before was just her and Lu Baichuan's guess. Now they could take this opportunity to test the waters. If the girl was really forced by life, then they would have wronged her and would definitely help her if they could. But if she was sent by someone else, then they could use the tricks they had planned beforehand.

In short, He Jiuniang is still looking forward to her performance.

The young apprentice was puzzled: "If we don't tell her, won't she go back to the clinic if she can't find it?"

"If she really goes back, you should personally bring her here, and I'll give you a reward, how about it?"

Upon hearing this, the young medicine boy nodded repeatedly. Of course, he was willing to do such a good thing!

After the young medicine boy left, He Jiuniang said, "It's getting late, let's go eat first. We'll see when that girl finds her way here."

She casually tossed the hairpin to the maid beside her and strode out.

Lu Baichuan was also very interested in what the girl was doing, so he followed He Jiuniang to dinner.

Surprisingly, the girl arrived halfway through the meal.

It was Xu Dashan's turn to guard the gate. When he came in to report, He Jiuniang had just finished eating a bowl of rice and was about to get a second bowl.

"So fast?"

He Jiuniang blinked, looking quite disbelieving.

Xu Dashan lowered his head and replied, "Madam, it is indeed that young lady. When I asked her how she found this place, she said that she saw the Lu family mark on our carriage and asked people on the street to find her way here."

He Jiuniang: ...I was careless.

Lu Baichuan held an official position, and a lantern with the character "Lu" written on it would be hung on the side of his carriage to make him easily recognizable.

He Jiuniang had never paid much attention to that thing, but she never expected to suffer a loss because of it today.

However, even if she knew Lu Baichuan's surname was Lu, she couldn't have found Xishuiyuan so quickly, could she? Otherwise, those ladies wouldn't have kept making mistakes today.