The mother and her two daughters from the second wife learned that the Baozhu Pavilion was sending its abundant goods to the main wife's courtyard.
Even someone as perceptive as Ding Wanyue could no longer remain seated.
She said, "Let's go to the main courtyard."
After saying that, she took the lead and walked out of the house.
As the three of them walked through the long corridor, they were about to cross the mountain pass to reach the main courtyard.
Suddenly, Ding Wanyue stopped in her tracks.
Chen Siqi asked, puzzled, "Mother, why did you stop?"
Chen Siyi also said, "Our aunt's courtyard is just ahead. Shouldn't we go and ask what happened?"
Ding Wanyue twisted her handkerchief in her hands, pondering for a while, and said, "If we can find out that people from Baozhu Pavilion have entered the mansion, then the old lady will naturally find out as well."
"Let's go to the old lady's courtyard."
The main house was close to the old lady's courtyard, and soon the three of them entered the house.
Upon entering the house, Ding Wanyue saw Xuan Wenying sitting next to the old lady.
The two sat together chatting and laughing, as if nothing had happened that day.
"Mother, my sister-in-law is here too."
After Ding Wanyue spoke, the two sisters from the second branch of the family also bowed to the two people seated above them.
When Xuan Wenying saw the two sisters coming over, she smiled and said, "You've come at the right time. Today I took Qiqi and Ayao to Baozhu Pavilion to choose some jewelry."
Although you sisters bought quite a lot during the holidays.
But since the young lady likes jewelry, I took the liberty of picking out two hairpins for you both. Let's see if you like them.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Siqi stepped forward to make a selection.
Chen Siyi glanced at Ding Wanyue's face and, finding nothing amiss, followed her sister forward.
Both hairpins that Xuan Wenying chose were gold hairpins.
One is adorned with exquisite pearls, while the other is inlaid with red coral.
In the presence of the powerful and wealthy, most people would not wear gold hairpins in their hair, as it would appear too materialistic.
However, these two gold hairpins, through their subtle embellishment, significantly reduced the sense of money, demonstrating the care taken in their selection.
Chen Siyi was more astute than her sister, and since the two gold hairpins were priced similarly, she naturally understood Xuan Wenying's intentions.
It's just that I'm afraid the sisters will fight over it, which will only cause resentment.
Xuan Wenying's move was unexpected and caught Ding Wanyue off guard.
She took Lu Qiqi and her sister to Baozhu Pavilion, and upon returning home, she didn't forget to give her daughter a gold hairpin.
The housekeeper's ability to do this is something even she couldn't match.
This left her speechless.
Xuan Wenying wasn't stupid. When she saw Ding Wanyue rushing over, she knew that she wanted to confront Ding Wanyue.
Her purpose in coming to the old lady's courtyard was to first silence the three men with the gold hairpin, and then slowly explain the matter clearly.
But things don't always go as planned.
Chen Siqi picked up the gold hairpin adorned with pearls, examined it for a moment, then let go and threw it back onto the tray with a thud.
Ding Wanyue was startled when she saw this. She first looked at the old lady's face and found that the old lady's deep eyes revealed a hint of displeasure.
Startled, she quickly scolded, "What's going on? Your aunt gave you something."
"Didn't you eat enough? How come you can't even hold it steady!"
To everyone's surprise, Chen Siqi not only failed to understand her mother's intentions, but also spoke without any politeness.
“Mother, we sisters are not beggars who can be easily dismissed with a couple of hairpins!”
She walked up to Xuan Wenying and questioned, "Aunt, as the person in charge of the household, you buy things for yourself and carry them into the yard in a long line."
If my father knew that he worked so hard to earn money, yet it wasn't even used for his wife and children, I don't know how heartbroken he would be!
Upon hearing Chen Siqi's words, Ding Wanyue broke out in a cold sweat. She reacted quickly and rebuked, "Siqi, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"Get back to your own courtyard right now! You're not allowed to eat tonight!"
After these words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.
Madam Chen said, "Let her continue. I want to hear just how much dissatisfaction the second branch of the family has with the head steward of the first branch."
Chen Siqi shook off Chen Siyi's hand and muttered under her breath, "Coward!"
Then she looked at the old lady and said, "My aunt took the steward's key and went on a shopping spree at Baozhu Pavilion today, using public funds."
Grandmother, I know you like my aunt, and you especially favor the Lu sisters.
My aunt took them to Baozhu Pavilion today, and I'm sure they got a lot of good stuff.
But you must know that we are your own granddaughters, and those sisters are just outsiders.
"We spent so much money on those counterfeit goods before, haven't we learned our lesson yet?"
Every word Chen Siqi said made Ding Wanyue's face grow even paler.
Fueled by anger, Chen Siqi voiced all her grievances.
This infuriated Old Madam Chen. "Do you know that the things that Baozhu Pavilion sent to the main courtyard today did not cost the Lin'an Marquis's mansion a single penny?"
The sisters received two hairpins, one of which was bought by Ayao herself.
The amount of money those sisters spent is the same amount your sisters spent on your hairpins.
Wenying has done all this, yet you still dare to say such heartless things.
It seems you've had it too easy, and are so oblivious to everything!
After speaking, Madam Chen coughed coldly, and Xuan Wenying quickly got up to pat her back.
After she caught her breath, she asked again, "Second son's wife, why doesn't the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion split up?"
The younger generation may be ignorant, but do you think you're ignorant too?
These words immediately made Ding Wanyue straighten her back, and a chill instantly spread to her limbs and bones.
"mother."
Madam Chen looked at her and said, "Zirong entered officialdom and Ziye went out to do business. The two complement each other and neither can be missing."
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