That's incredibly rude!
"Yao'er! How can you be so rude! The county princess hasn't even touched her chopsticks yet, how can you behave like this!" Madam Lin said coldly.
Although Madam Lin indulged Lin Xiyao, she also strictly educated Lin Xiyao on matters of seniority, etiquette, and respect for elders.
Upon hearing this, Gu Lili quickly interjected, "Madam Lin, Yao Yao and I are like sisters, and we don't care about these formalities."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiyao bit her lip and lowered her head.
Mother is right. We shouldn't relax our manners just because we have a good relationship with Gu Lili.
"Mother, I was wrong," Lin Xiyao admitted.
Actually, Madam Lin should have told Lin Xiyao about this afterwards.
But for some reason, seeing Han Mingyue ignited a nameless fire within me.
That's why I lost my sense of proportion.
Madam Lin took a deep breath and looked at Gu Lili apologetically, saying, "Princess, I'm so sorry. I acted rashly in my haste and made you laugh."
Although Han Mingyue saved Lin Xiyao and was Lin Xiyao's savior.
But she just inexplicably disliked Han Mingyue.
Or perhaps, he simply didn't like Mrs. Han.
Han Mingyue's mother was the head of the Han family and a wealthy merchant.
When noble ladies from the capital gather, the head of the Han family is almost always present.
Wealth and honor are inseparable.
Because of their wealth, the Han family could sometimes even get into banquets hosted by royalty and nobility.
As a businessman, the head of the Han family should have kept a low profile among the officials' families.
But this woman, apart from royalty, always looked down on everyone else.
The two had also argued about some things.
Therefore, even Madam Lin, Han Mingyue, couldn't like her.
Most importantly, her daughter looked at Han Mingyue with a very different gaze.
She had grown up to be Lin Xiyao's age and could tell at a glance that Lin Xiyao was probably experiencing her first love.
She was terrified that Lin Xiyao and Han Mingyue, who spent every day together, had developed feelings for each other.
It wasn't that she looked down on the Han family's status as merchants; it was just that she really disliked the head of the Han family.
If the two of them really are...
Then her precious daughter was controlled by someone she didn't like, wasn't she?
Gu Lili smiled faintly, "It's alright, Madam Lin, these crabs should be eaten while they're hot."
Gu Lili felt that Madam Lin was definitely not angry just because Lin Xiyao was the first to pick up her chopsticks.
There are probably other reasons as well.
Gu Lili took a crab from the plate and began to teach Madam Lin how to eat it.
The initially strange atmosphere gradually warmed up again.
However, when Lin Xiyao glanced at Han Mingyue from time to time, Madam Lin's gaze grew colder and colder.
Gu Lili saw it all and roughly understood why Madam Lin was angry.
They're probably worried that their precious cabbage will be eaten by pigs.
Han Mingyue also sensed the subtle coldness in Madam Lin's eyes, and was somewhat puzzled.
So, when Gu Yanyu and Li Qimu finished eating and left the table, Han Mingyue also took the opportunity to discuss the lessons taught by the teacher that day with them before leaving.
After Han Mingyue left, the atmosphere finally improved.
Lin Xiyao originally wanted to go with them, but after being glared at fiercely by Madam Lin, she had no choice but to sit down again.
Seeing this, Gu Lili felt that her guess had been confirmed.
Unfortunately, Lord Lin and Lin Xiyao were unaware that once they returned home, a storm was brewing for them.
Even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes; Lord Lin and Lin Xiyao can only hope for the best!
"Thank you so much for your hospitality today, County Princess. I have learned so much!" After the meal, Madam Lin thanked Gu Lili while drinking tea.
Putting aside the matter between Han Mingyue and Lin Xiyao, the meal at Gu Lili's house today was indeed a delight for Madam Lin.
In particular, the stir-fried bok choy that Gu Lili mentioned made her eat half a bowl more rice than usual.
If her stomach hadn't been so full, she would have eaten some more.
"Mrs. Lin, you're too kind. You've thanked me so many times in just half a day," Gu Lili said, waving her hand.
Looking at Gu Lili, Madam Lin grew increasingly fond of her.
She was about the same age as Lin Xiyao, but she was much more mature than Lin Xiyao.
“Princess, if you don’t mind, please don’t call me ‘Madam’ anymore. Just call me Aunt Jin.” Madam Lin said generously.
Madam Lin's original name was Mu Jin.
Gu Lili agreed wholeheartedly; calling her "Madam" over and over again did create a sense of distance.
Gu Lili nodded and said, "Okay! Aunt Jin, then you can call me Lili from now on, don't call me County Princess anymore!"
The two exchanged a smile, reaching a consensus.
Madam Lin originally wanted to chat with Gu Lili for a few more minutes, but she noticed that Lin Xiyao's soul had already drifted outside the courtyard.
I immediately decided to take the father and daughter back first to resolve their internal conflict.
Anyway, she has now decided to stay in Donghai Town for a long time until Lord Lin returns to the capital.
There were plenty of opportunities to chat with Gu Lili.
“Lili, we’ll head back now. When you have time another day, Aunt Jin will come to your house to find you and learn a few dishes from you.” With that, Madam Lin stood up.
Lord Lin also got up, preparing to go back.
Gu Lili nodded and said, "Okay, Aunt Jin must be tired from the long journey, so she should go back and rest first. Wait for me a moment, I'll get some things for you to take with you."
With Mrs. Lin bringing so many gifts, how could Gu Lili let her go back empty-handed?
Before Madam Lin could refuse, Gu Lili turned and went back to her room.
When they came out again, they were carrying things in their hands.
This is a set of rouge and skincare products that Gu Lili bought from the mall.
There were also a few bars of soap and essential oil soap.
"This is soap!" Mrs. Lin exclaimed in surprise.
In the capital, soap had already become popular among the women of the inner quarters.
The Han family head was able to mingle in the gatherings of royalty and nobility only because of soap.
Many ladies are very proud of owning a bar of soap.
Of course, Madam Lin also grabbed a piece, which cost her ten taels of silver.
Unexpectedly, Gu Lili gave her six yuan right away.
And the colors are different too.
Ten taels is not expensive, but the soap is scarce.
That's why it's so sought after by wealthy women.
Gu Lili nodded and asked, "Madam must have bought and used it from the Han Family Trading Company, right?"
That's the only reason.
"Yes! This soap costs ten taels of silver! I almost couldn't get it! I didn't expect you to have so much, Lili!" Madam Lin exclaimed in surprise.
Gu Lili was utterly shocked when she heard this.
No wonder the Han family became one of the wealthiest families; they are truly ruthless.
She only sold it for one or two taels of silver, but she didn't expect the Han family to dare to sell it for ten taels of silver.
That's a full tenfold increase!
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