Since Bi Qiao went to the Lin family to find Lin Xiuxue with the order last time without success, Zhao Shu has not urged Bi Qiao again, and Lin Xiuxue has pretended not to hear and acted as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Shu knew perfectly well why they kept coming to her door.
Lin Xiuxue walked in, and even though she had been to the Prince's Mansion many times, she was still dazzled by the luxurious furnishings inside Qionghua Courtyard.
She forced herself to appear nonchalant, but Zhao Shu knew she envied the wealth and luxury of Qionghua Courtyard.
Since her rebirth, although she is no longer as extravagant as before, she does not intend to completely change or replace the furnishings in the courtyard and house all at once, so she has left them as they were.
Take the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, for example. They are priceless treasures from the previous dynasty, bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Emperor Mingde wanted them back then, but the Empress Dowager refused.
And then there's the porcelain, the exquisite porcelain vase, as tall as a person, produced in small quantities and exclusively for high-ranking officials and nobles. Ordinary people, even if they had money, couldn't buy it, let alone the Lin family, who couldn't afford such an ornament.
Under the wisteria blossoms in Qionghua Courtyard, Prince Yong had a swing built for Zhao Shu to play on. At that moment, she sat on the swing and swayed back and forth leisurely.
When Green Ivy saw that the swing was about to stop, she gave it a gentle push. Little Guozi, standing beside her, gently fanned himself, enjoying himself like an empress dowager.
When Lin Xiuxue saw Zhao Shu, her eyes darkened, and she thought to herself, "Some people are not naturally gifted and don't work hard, yet they can live a life of luxury with a large retinue of servants, while I have to scheme and plot to have a good marriage."
Why is life so unfair!
When Zhao Shu saw her come in, she didn't get up. In the past, she would have greeted her at Qionghua Courtyard long ago.
"Ah Jun." Lin Xiuxue bowed respectfully.
Zhao Shu looked at her and said awkwardly, "Miss Lin, please sit down."
Lin Xiuxue frowned slightly in displeasure upon hearing her address, but quickly relaxed, her composure reflecting the speed at which she changed her expression – befitting a lady from a prominent family in Tokyo.
She gave a sarcastic smile, saying that this kind of person was best played to death slowly.
Xiao Zhuzi brought over a stool, and Lin Xiuxue pretended not to see Zhao Shu's sarcasm. She sat down nearby and gestured to Baihe, who was standing next to her, saying, "This is an invitation to the tea party. I thought I hadn't seen my sister for many days, so I brought it to you personally. Firstly, to see you, and secondly, because I have a favor to ask of you. I hope you can help me."
Although I was unwilling, I didn't want to talk to Zhao Shu much because of my previous experience. I was afraid that she would make me forget the purpose of my visit, so I went straight to the point.
Zhao Shu smiled and asked Xiao Zhu to fetch the invitation from Baihe's hand. Xiao Guozi respectfully bowed his head and handed the invitation to Zhao Shu. She lazily opened it and saw that it was indeed for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
"I wonder if there's anything Miss Lin can help with? If I can, I'll do my best to assist her." Zhao Shu casually placed the invitation aside, seemingly not caring much about it.
Lin Xiuxue frowned almost imperceptibly, a flash of anger crossing her face. That was a tea party she had organized; countless noble ladies longed to attend but were struggling to find invitations. Yet Zhao Shu had casually set it aside.
Moreover, she spoke to me like this even though I had lowered my stance today. Sure enough, the royal family is a bunch of vulgar and rude nouveau riche!
She felt a pang of sadness, but her face remained affectionate. "It's nothing serious. I've never hosted an appreciation event before. I'd like to invite you to co-host this tea party so that all the ladies and noblewomen can see my capable management skills and insightful mind."
Lin Xiuxue was indeed quite clever. No wonder she was manipulated in her previous life. In her previous life, Zhao Shu also held poetry gatherings and flower appreciation parties, but the people who came were all sycophants. Noble ladies from prominent families never came. Therefore, she valued the tea parties organized by Lin Xiuxue and supported them wholeheartedly every year.
This time she seemed very unenthusiastic and even asked Bi Qiao to ask for the tea money. Lin Xiuxue knew that she couldn't get the money she wanted so easily, so she asked her to treat everyone.
Why not host the tea party at Prince Yong's Mansion?
She smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Miss Lin. I've been rather lazy lately and am not in the mood to host a tea party with you. I would appreciate it if Miss Lin could find someone else. It's getting late, so I won't keep you for dinner."
Xiao Guozi, quick-witted as ever, immediately walked over to Lin Xiuxue's side and said, "Miss Lin, please."
Baihe glared at Xiao Guozi, wanting to say that our young lady hadn't even had a cup of tea yet, but before she could speak, Lin Xiuxue stopped her, "Little sister, are you really going to miss this opportunity?"
Zhao Shu ignored her and closed her eyes.
Lin Xiuxue was both angry and anxious. In the past, with Zhao Shu's help, the tea parties were elegant and exquisite, and the flowers for display were the most expensive in the flower market. Now that Zhao Shu has suddenly stopped investing, is she going to hold a tea party that is as plain as a breeze?
The summer dress for this year's tea party hasn't been made yet. In the past, she always got Shu brocade from the Prince's Mansion, but this year it's suddenly not available. What will people say about her?
If she can't put on a high-class tea party, what's the difference between her and those impoverished people?
"Little sister, you're nine years old now. If you don't plan for yourself, you'll regret it later. Don't blame your older sister for not helping you." She still wanted to make one last effort.
Xiao Guozi was impatient. In the past few days, she knew that the princess was nothing like the rumors. She had never made things difficult for them, the servants, nor had she looked down on them because they were eunuchs.
The young lady Lin's words were all aimed at belittling and threatening their princess. "Miss Lin, aren't you leaving? If you disturb the princess's rest, don't blame me for being impolite."
"You! You're just a eunuch. Your princess hasn't even spoken yet. What are you?" Baihe finally found an opportunity to glare angrily at Xiao Guozi.
Zhao Shu still didn't open her eyes, but said, "Little Guo, who is making such a racket? As my person, you are too weak."
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