The Rose Garden was infested with snakes, and Yuan Fuling had long lost her sleepiness. She only breathed a sigh of relief after watching Danruo and her people sprinkle realgar powder inside and out.
"Send more people to patrol and search."
"Don't worry, Madam."
Yuan Fuling was exhausted. She had just sat down in her room when she heard someone shout that a snake had come out. Startled, she stood up and went outside. Sure enough, she saw a snake with half its tail hanging down from a tree, hissing and wriggling rapidly on the trunk.
"Quick, grab it!" Yuan Fuling shouted.
A group of people were circling around the snake.
After killing the snake, Danruo quickly ordered someone to clean it up: "Madam, now only the side room hasn't been searched yet. I'm worried that there might be some that have escaped."
Yuan Fuling didn't think much of it: "Quickly take a few people and check it thoroughly, lest the snakes build a nest inside."
"yes."
The side room was pushed open, and a total of sixty-six loads of dowry were laid out in the room. Danruo called in the boldest people to search it.
Little did she know that someone was perched on the eaves. Song Yue removed the bricks and tiles above the roof and looked down to see clearly that boxes had been opened, revealing the betrothal gifts inside.
The clothes, jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings are exquisite and gorgeous, and look very valuable.
Her gaze remained fixed on it.
An hour later, after finishing her inspection in the side room, Song Yue got up and left. She climbed over the eaves and successfully returned to Yuehua Pavilion. Without stopping, she sat down in a chair and began to write.
The list included most of the items in the betrothal gifts.
Granny Zhang was serving nearby, watching in astonishment. The way she held the pen and the handwriting showed that she was indeed literate, and perhaps even more learned than the Second Miss.
Song Yue looked at the copied list, folded it up, put it in the secret bamboo tube, and hid it in her sleeve.
The next morning, Song Yue was about to go out when the butler stopped her at the door: "Why is Third Miss going out again?"
"I've heard that Zhang Ji's steamed buns are delicious, and I'd like to buy some to try."
Upon hearing that she had gone out for steamed buns, the butler's eyes immediately showed disdain. How petty of a legitimate daughter to go out so early in the morning just for a bite to eat.
“If the Third Miss wants to eat, she can have a maid buy it for her. Why do you have to make the trip yourself? After all, you are the eldest daughter. It would be a disgrace to the Duke’s mansion to show your face in public.”
The butler smiled and pointed to the path behind them, trying to discourage Song Yue from making a decision.
Song Yue raised an eyebrow: "Are you teaching me manners?"
"Third Miss, you're wronging this old servant. I was only doing this for the sake of the Duke's mansion's reputation... Why did you hit me?"
Before he could finish speaking, a slap landed squarely on the butler's face.
The butler covered his face in disbelief.
Song Yue rubbed her numb palms and sneered, "How is it that I'm disgracing the Duke's mansion by going out to eat a steamed bun? What do you have to lecture me about?"
"What happened?"
The Duke of Jingguo's voice came from behind, displeased: "What's all the commotion so early in the morning?"
The steward immediately went to the Duke of Jingguo, pointed to the slap on his face, and said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, this old servant was just feeling sorry for the Third Miss. It's not worth going out to eat a steamed bun so early. I didn't expect the Third Miss to hit me like that."
Song Yue pouted, offering no explanation, and turned to look at the Duke of Jing, blinking as she waited for him to speak.
"Just for a steamed bun?" Duke Jing raised his voice, looking at Song Yue with a hint of disappointment. "So stingy, so greedy!"
Song Yue countered, "I've never been to a morning market in the capital before, and I'd like to check it out. I had some pastries yesterday, and they were indeed quite delicious. I've also heard that Zhang's steamed buns are very famous. If someone asks me about them in the future, and I say I know nothing about them, then the Duke's Mansion will have face."
The Duke of Jingguo discovered that his daughter was very quick-witted and could shut people up with just a few words. He took a deep breath and looked at the steward: "Let the Third Miss handle it."
"The Duke?" the steward asked in surprise.
Whose eldest daughter goes out to buy steamed buns early in the morning?
That would be lowering one's status.
"Let her be!" Duke Jingguo said in a deep voice. Song Yue was rebellious and not exactly a respectable legitimate daughter, so it was understandable that she would do some down-to-earth things.
After comforting himself in this way, the Duke of Jingguo also told the steward: "In the future, if the Third Miss wants to go out to buy food, there is no need to stop her. Just let her go, as long as she returns within an hour."
The butler, embarrassed, nodded sheepishly, "Yes."
After saying goodbye to the Duke of Jingguo with satisfaction, Song Yue left. No sooner had she left than the Duke of Jingguo sent someone to follow her.
This girl has been causing me a lot of trouble lately!
Not long after Song Yue left home, she knew someone was behind her. She wasn't afraid, so she went straight to Zhang Ji's shop and bought some steamed buns. The buns were fresh out of the oven, and the plump, white ones were emitting an enticing aroma. She picked one up and took a bite. They were soft and fluffy, and tasted really good.
"Shopkeeper, give me some more." Song Yue got up and, taking advantage of the crowd, placed the bamboo tube on the table next to her.
Soon someone took it and left the steamed bun shop without making a sound.
After eating and drinking her fill, Song Yue leisurely returned to her residence.
As soon as I stepped into the garden, I saw the housekeeper scolding several gardeners: "Check carefully, don't let snakes or rats escape."
As the butler spoke, he caught sight of Song Yue and instinctively covered his other cheek, leaning back slightly. Song Yue pouted, "A snake is infesting the manor, why don't you go to Yuehua Pavilion to investigate?"
Knowing that Song Yue was a troublemaker, the steward quickly said, "Don't worry, Third Miss, someone will go to Yuehua Pavilion in half an hour."
Seeing that he was sensible, Song Yue left without saying anything more.
Song Yue had a very comfortable day, preparing all sorts of different dishes, as if the affairs of the outside world had nothing to do with her.
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