Zhixia turned around and saw a woman in a goose yellow skirt standing at the door, her face full of resentment and disdain - it was Gu Yanran's former close friend, Han Yuyao.
Seeing that Zhixia was going to buy the small bronze tripod, Han Yuyao said to the shopkeeper without thinking, "How much is this tripod? I'll buy it."
Zhixia raised her eyebrow, without even looking at her, and told the shopkeeper: "Send someone to the princess's mansion to get the silver later. I'll take the things first."
Han Yuyao got furious when she saw that she was being ignored.
"Hey! Did you hear me? I want this tripod!"
"Why do you want to snatch it from me?"
Zhixia glanced at her calmly, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery: "Are you such a young lady from Grand Tutor Han's mansion? I was the first to see this tripod. Everything should be based on first come first served. Don't you understand?"
Han Yuyao was humiliated and angry: "So what? You are a maid in the princess's mansion, do you have so much money to buy it?"
Turning around, Han Yuyao said to the shopkeeper, "I am willing to pay double, no, triple the price, to buy this tripod."
Seeing this, Zhixia smiled.
But the smile didn't reach his eyes at all.
"Miss Han is really wealthy, but I don't know what's behind it? Is it your grandfather, Master Han?"
Han Yuyao's face turned pale, and she was about to speak when she heard Zhixia say, "But as far as I know, Master Han's annual salary is only one thousand taels of silver. Miss Han is offering three times the price..."
She deliberately dragged out the ending of her words: "Do I have reason to suspect that Master Han's reputation for being clean and honest was also bought with money?"
"You——" Han Yuyao's face turned pale in an instant.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"Ms. Han, please be careful with your words!" At this moment, a majestic and unquestionable voice sounded at the door.
——It’s Li.
Zhixia was riding a horse, so she naturally arrived before her, but Li didn't expect that in just a short while, she would see Han Yuyao bullying Zhixia in public and saying wild words!
She quickly stepped forward, protecting Zhixia behind her, her eyes as sharp as a knife.
"Miss Han is so arrogant! How dare you insult my Gu family's daughter in the street? Do you think there is no one in my Gu family?"
Han Yuyao's eyes were red, and her voice was choked with sobs: "Madam Gu! How can you be so partial? If Sister Yanran is still alive, she would see you treat her good sister like this for a girl of unknown origin..."
"Shut up!" Li interrupted her harshly, "Don't mention her to me. She has been enjoying the glory and wealth for more than ten years. She should be content. But in the end, she brought that kind of filthy thing to the princess's banquet and almost implicated my entire Gu family. Not to mention that she is dead now, even if she was not dead, I would never recognize her again!"
Li's words made Zhixia slightly stunned.
At this time, many people had gathered at the door to watch the excitement. Li looked around at everyone, took a deep breath, and said, "Zhixia is my own flesh and blood. From now on, anyone who dares to bully her will be an enemy of my Gu family!"
When the onlookers heard this, they began to whisper.
"So this is the real daughter of the Gu family..."
"I heard that the fake daughter had a scandal before her death..."
"Mrs. Gu's words seem to indicate that she hates that faker very much..."
Zhixia stood behind Li with a slightly complicated expression.
So this is what it feels like to have a mother protecting you?
Han Yuyao not only got what she wanted, but also almost implicated her grandfather. She stomped her feet in anger and left Mo Yunxuan with gritted teeth.
At this time, the shopkeeper had already packed the things and handed them to Zhixia.
"Miss, the total is five hundred taels of silver." The shopkeeper was also a discerning man. Knowing that Zhixia came from the princess's mansion, he did not dare to neglect her and was very respectful in his words.
Zhixia was about to take out the banknote, but was stopped by Li who was standing beside her, "I'll pay for this money."
Zhixia frowned slightly, and subconsciously refused: "No need——"
"Just consider it as your coming-of-age gift." Li stuffed a stack of banknotes into the shopkeeper's hand without hesitation, her voice gentle but unyielding, "Over the years... I owe you too much."
Zhixia's fingertips trembled slightly, and the words "no reward without merit" engraved in her bones were already on the tip of her tongue.
But when he saw Li's cautious look, he swallowed it back for some unknown reason.
"...It's up to you." She turned her face away, her tone still cold, but she acquiesced to Li's actions.
The Gu family doesn't lack this little money. Since the other party is offering it to them on their own initiative, why not take it?
It would be a waste if you don’t take it!
She took Gu Tingyuan's money without any psychological burden.
But even if he took the money, there was no room for negotiation on the matter of adopting her as his daughter.
She also needs to buy a garden, which will cost a lot. Although the princess has never treated herself badly over the years, she can still save a lot, right?
Li was overjoyed when she saw this. She quickly pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and told the shopkeeper, "Wrap it carefully and don't bump it."
The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly and wrapped the bronze tripod securely with swift and skillful hands and feet.
He secretly looked at the mother and daughter, one pretending to be indifferent and affectionate, the other trying to hold back tears but full of joy. The shopkeeper couldn't help but sigh in his heart - the grievances between these wealthy families are really more exciting than a play.
Meanwhile, in Tingxuexuan, Xie Yunqi had already settled the matter regarding the garden after playing a round of hand-to-hand combat with Old Master Shen.
Old Master Shen came back to Beijing to visit a friend. When he heard that Xie Yunqi had taken a fancy to his garden, he was very confused.
As the young star of the Xie family, Xie Yunqi was known in Jiangnan as a rare talent with both talent and virtue.
He was very curious. With his status and position, he should have no shortage of places to live, but why did he choose his own garden?
Although his garden has a good geographical location, it is not very large and has been in disrepair for many years.
In Tingxue Pavilion, Old Master Shen stroked his graying beard and suddenly realized, "Prime Minister Xie chose this garden. Could it be that he was interested in..."
Xie Yunqi paused for a moment while holding the chess piece, but he did not hide anything and simply admitted generously: "Mr. Shen is wise."
The two smiled at each other, understanding each other tacitly.
…
After Xie Yunqi left, Old Master Shen stood in the corridor, looking at his receding figure, shook his head and sighed: "Young man..."
At this time, the housekeeper pushed the door open and reported to him: "Master, there is a girl outside who claims to be a maid from the princess's mansion and wants to see you. She said she came to discuss the garden."
Old Master Shen paused as he stroked his beard, a hint of suspicion flashed across his old eyes, and then he suddenly realized.
"You came to me so soon?"
He smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Thank you, ah, thank you, this move of yours will probably annoy the beauty..."
——
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