She looked at the small porcelain bottle on the table and found it quite interesting.
It is said that the backyard of a grand mansion is as deep as the sea, and now it seems that this is indeed the case.
There are many rumors in the capital about Lord Lu and his late wife, mostly about their loving relationship. I never expected there to be such a secret between them.
She was genuinely curious as to why Lu Chengyuan had poisoned his late wife.
If it were said that he had a deep affection for Chen Shuyu and wanted his late wife to make way for him, it doesn't seem likely.
Chen Shuyu's gaze just now didn't seem triumphant or excited; instead, it carried a hint of fear, which was the reason for Chen Shuyu's fear.
Just as I was about to leave the private room, an incredulous exclamation suddenly came from outside the door, "It really is you!"
Xue Lingyu was filled with surprise, staring intently at her with a mixture of curiosity and confusion in her eyes.
She thought she would come over to say hello after seeing Chen Shuyu, but she didn't expect that Chen Shuyu had already left with his entourage.
She was about to leave when she turned around and saw that there was still someone in the private room, Jiang Yimian.
She really couldn't understand why this woman would be involved with the Lady of Anding Marquis.
A noblewoman from the Lu family and an ordinary shopkeeper—these two should be completely unrelated, and it's highly unlikely they would meet at Yingchun Restaurant.
The girl in the pink shirt glanced at Jiang Yimian before asking curiously, "Does Sister Xue know her?"
Xue Lingyu snorted and said with an unfriendly look, "How could I know a merchant like her? I suppose you came to see Madam Lu today because you want the Marquis's mansion to buy rouge and face powder from Baoxiangfang from now on."
"Hmph, let me tell you, you're dreaming. Once I'm in the Marquis's mansion, I will make sure Madam Lu has nothing to do with your Baoxiangfang."
Having offended her, this woman still wants to do business with the Marquis's mansion? She's dreaming!
This person must have somehow found out that Madam Lu was coming to Yingchun Tower today, and came here specifically to wait for someone.
Wanting to do business with the Marquis's mansion? Don't they know their place?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuyao looked at Jiang Yimian with a hint of disdain. "So you're from Baoxiangfang. I was wondering how Madam Lu could know someone like you."
It's just that Madam Lu is kind-hearted. If it were me, I would definitely kick you out of the private room immediately.
"Sister Xue, you'll be the eldest young mistress of the Lu family from now on. We can't bring sycophants like these into the household, especially lowly merchants like them."
Her father was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and he already had a close relationship with the Xue family. Now that the Xue family was going to marry into the Lu family, it was a good match and a powerful alliance. Her Zhang family would also be able to benefit from it.
She's now favoring Xue Lingyu, and the benefits will only increase.
Thinking about it, she glanced at Jiang Yimian again, then suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, "Sister Xue, the palace banquet is in two days. Didn't you want to buy some hairpins and jewelry today?"
Why don't you have this young lady send some to the Xue residence? I've heard that Yunniang from Baoxiangfang is an excellent jewelry maker."
The Xue family is currently enjoying great success, and many people in the capital are eager to curry favor with them. Since this person wants to do business with the Lu family, he naturally won't miss this opportunity.
However, whether the deal goes through depends on them.
As for how to make it happen, she's done that kind of thing far too often.
These merchants only managed to survive in the capital by currying favor with powerful figures. They would fawn over them whenever they saw them, no matter how much they were humiliated.
She didn't believe that the person in front of her would dare to disrespect them.
Upon hearing this, Xue Lingyu straightened her back considerably.
Her father said that at the palace banquet, the Marquis of Anding would have His Majesty bestow a marriage upon her and the Heir Apparent of Lu, at which point she would be the Lu family's undisputed daughter-in-law.
She had planned to deal with this man after the wedding, but now she suddenly couldn't wait any longer.
Now that the marriage is arranged, she doesn't need to worry about her reputation affecting the wedding. Her father is currently very happy and shouldn't mind if she scolds someone.
It's time to settle accounts between this person and her.
She glanced at the person inside the room and said smugly, "Since you want to do business with the Marquis of Anding's mansion, why don't you serve me first? If you serve me well, I might just wipe the slate clean between us."
Nowadays, many people in the capital are eager to curry favor with her, and she figured that no one would dare to offend her casually.
Otherwise, at the next banquet for the young ladies of the capital, if she casually says a few words that Baoxiangfang's products are not good, Baoxiangfang will be out of business.
Jiang Yimian glanced at the two of them lightly and said indifferently, "Miss Xue has probably forgotten that there is still a sign at the entrance of Baoxiangfang that says Xue Lingyu and dogs are not allowed to enter."
It might be difficult for Miss Xue to buy anything from Baoxiangfang.
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Xue Lingyu was furious and quickly stepped forward to block her way, saying incredulously, "How dare you insult me? Who do you think you are? You're just a merchant's daughter, yet you dare to oppose me."
I'm going to teach you a lesson today.
It's truly hateful that this dignified Miss Xue was compared to a dog by this vile woman.
She will not let this person off easily today.
As soon as he finished speaking, he slapped Jiang Yimian across the face.
However, before the slap could land, Jiang Yimian gripped her wrist tightly. The strength of her grip was terrifying, and the pain brought tears to her eyes. Her face changed drastically. "Jiang Yimian, are you crazy? Let me go!"
I'm destined to become the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family. By offending me today, you've offended not only the Xue family, but also the Lu family.
Even if you don't respect the Xue family, you should still consider whether you can afford to offend the Lu family.
Jiang Yimian scoffed, shoved her aside, and said coldly, "Miss Xue is far too confident. How do you know you will marry into the Lu family as you wish?"
"It's best for Miss Xue to be cautious about things that haven't been decided yet, lest she embarrass herself."
After saying that, he turned and left, completely ignoring the person who had fallen to the ground.
Xue Lingyu was furious. She glared at Jiang Yimian's departing figure and said with a grim expression, "That bitch, I will never let her go."
It's a done deal that she'll marry into the Lu family. Just wait and see what happens after the palace banquet.
She ordered the Baoxiangfang to be demolished.
This woman is only so arrogant because she has Xie Yu's favor. Once she becomes the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family, she'll be doomed. Even Xie Yu won't be able to protect her.
Jiang Yimian didn't take the little incident to heart; all she could think about was the truth behind Lu Cijian's mother's death.
Although she hadn't heard much about Lu Cijian's past from him, she could tell that Lu Cijian actually had a deep affection for his mother.
Or rather, he desperately wished his mother hadn't died and longed to be enveloped in maternal love.
He kept it all to himself, as if as long as he didn't speak, he wouldn't reveal that he was actually a person who craved love.
If Lu Cijian knew that her mother was poisoned by Lu Chengyuan, she would probably hate Lu Chengyuan even more.
Just then, a laugh suddenly came from beside him, "Miss Jiang is indeed extraordinary, no wonder Lord Lu likes her."
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