"Mother, you've been working like a slave for them in this family for so many years, but what have you gotten in return? You can't even protect your own daughter's dowry!"
"My daughter doesn't want to get married!"
Chi Qingqing covered her face and ran away as she spoke. Seeing her heartbroken daughter crying, Chi Ling'er also felt bad.
What my daughter just said is right. She has worked so hard for this family, but in the end, she couldn't even protect her daughter's dowry.
Her parents really deserve to die.
If it weren't for her, would this family have survived until now?
"Oh, my dear sister, you're finally back! What's wrong? You look so pale?"
Chi Hongcai strolled in slowly with his pigeon-toed gait, and when he saw Chi Ling'er still sulking, he curled his lip in disdain.
"I thought you were so capable, but it turns out you can't even protect your own daughter's dowry. Tsk tsk tsk, we're both pitiful little things that nobody wants. Qiao'er is the one who's truly our parents' biological daughter!"
Chi Hongcai spoke sarcastically. Normally, Chi Ling'er would say a few words to him, but she wasn't in the mood today.
What are you doing here?
Chi Ling'er knew Chi Hongcai very well; he was just a rich young master who was good for nothing.
Now that her parents are alive, she naturally won't hold it against him. Otherwise, would she be able to give him so much money every month?
She's not stupid, is she?
Thirty percent—over the years, Chi Hongcai must have made quite a bit of money.
But this person doesn't know how to save money; he can spend all his money in a month.
Chi Ling'er was also responsible for the Chi family's expenses.
Chi Hongcai has one wife and five or six concubines and maids in his room. I don't know how he manages to keep up.
Chi Ling'er also knew that he had other women outside. He spent almost all the money he had on these women.
"Your mother gave them what they had, and then snatched the dowry you prepared for Qingqing. Chi Ling'er, don't tell me you don't feel anything at all?"
Chi Hongcai looked at Chi Ling'er with a knowing expression.
"That's Mother's wish, what can I do?"
"Really? But I heard that Qiao'er has a daughter and a son."
"Qiao'er's son should be different from a good-for-nothing like me, right? Mother has prepared so many things for Han Luoxue, what do you think we should prepare for her other two children?"
We can't just give it to one person, can we?
In fact, Chi Ling'er also suspected that Old Madam Chi had nothing left to give, so what she would give would be something she would have to squeeze out of herself.
What are you trying to say?
"It's nothing, I'm just worried about your current situation."
“I remember that in the past, Mother really adored Qiao’er. She was more talented than you and learned things much faster. Now Qiao’er is a village girl, but I think some things are etched into our bones and can never be forgotten, don’t you think?”
"Han Luoxue has already entered the capital, and she is pregnant. Do you think it's far off for Qiao'er to enter the capital as well?"
After Chi Hongcai finished speaking, he suddenly got up and walked outside:
"Ling'er, tell me, compared to the business of the Silk Embroidery Pavilion, what does Mother care about more?"
What was she worried about? Chi Ling'er clenched her fists tightly.
How could she not know what she cared about? In terms of past favoritism, Qiao'er was more pampered than she was. In terms of talent, she was inferior to her.
In terms of strength... just look at the current business situation of the Silk Embroidery Pavilion. Although she keeps saying it's due to the poor harvest year, but...
She knew very well what kind of year it was.
Those in embroidery shops with good business, like Sister Zhen's, have much better business than theirs.
Sister Zhen is skilled, and there are more embroiderers in the shop than in their shop, so naturally, they have more business.
But she refused to admit that it was because of her own incompetence.
"Mother, is what Uncle said true?"
Chi Ling'er was still lost in thought when Chi Qingqing returned, unaware of what she had overheard.
Seeing her cautious gaze and the barely concealed unease on her face, Chi Ling'er felt a tightness in her heart.
This daughter was, after all, her only daughter.
My daughter has always been willful and unrestrained since she was little. When has she ever been this careful?
What happened these past few days has really frightened her.
Feeling guilty, Chi Ling'er waved to her.
Chi Qingqing hesitated for a moment, but still slowly walked over.
As she approached Chi Ling'er, Chi Ling'er suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm, sighing softly:
"What are you thinking? Qingqing, the Silk Embroidery Pavilion will always be ours."
Madam Chi has been neglecting this matter for over a decade; why should she just take it back whenever she wants?
"But... what did Uncle just say?"
It is said that even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and even if their embroidery shop is not doing well, they still have a considerable amount of money coming in every month.
If she lost her management position, Chi Qingqing didn't know how she would survive.
She would no longer be the eldest daughter of the Chi family. The thought of that despicable woman, Han Luoxue, about to ride roughshod over her made Chi Qingqing even angrier. She refused to be subdued by her!
"Don't be afraid, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Really, Mother?"
Chi Qingqing looked delighted, and Chi Ling'er nodded hurriedly.
"Oh, right, Mother, I know what kind of person I like now."
Speaking of her beloved, Chi Qingqing blushed slightly. Although it was their first meeting, the current Prince Zhen was truly captivating.
"who?"
Chi Ling'er raised an eyebrow and said haughtily:
“Qingqing, you are of noble birth. I, from a humble family, would not agree to marry him. Let me see if he is a good match for my precious daughter.”
Although they were a merchant family, she wanted her daughter to marry an official. Firstly, it would give her support, and secondly, of course, it was for her own social standing.
"Mother, I am not good enough for him!"
Thinking about their identities, Chi Qingqing felt bitter.
"Who is he? Who is unworthy of my Qingqing?"
"yes……"
The words "King Zhen" lingered in her mouth, but Chi Qingqing was still too embarrassed to say them.
"Are you shy? You won't even tell your mother?"
“I… Mother, is the Prince Zhen.”
"King Zhen? Qingqing, you like King Zhen?"
Chi Ling'er was also startled; those words were not spoken by her.
At the door, Old Madam Chi walked in. She looked at Chi Qingqing with disapproval and sighed:
"Qingqing, you should give up on this idea."
"We are not worthy of being associated with King Zhen."
Madam Chi initially felt somewhat guilty about the dowry issue.
She had come back to comfort Chi Qingqing, but who knew that Qingqing would give her such a big surprise as soon as she arrived.
"Mother, you're wrong. What's wrong with my Qingqing? How is she unworthy of Prince Zhen?"
At first, Chi Ling'er also felt that her daughter was a bit arrogant. So many noble ladies in the capital were eyeing the Zhen Prince's mansion. What business was it of people of their status?
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