Bai stopped and turned to look at the fifth lady, and then the lady held her hand.
The lady came closer to Bai and said, "Niece-in-law, Auntie always praises you for respecting the elderly and loving the young. Let's visit each other more often in the future."
Slightly breaking free from the Fifth House Madam's hand, Bai smiled and said, "Very good. How can a junior refuse the kindness of an elder? If the Madam comes to visit, I will treat my niece well."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two of them left in different directions. Chang'er, who was accompanying them, asked, "Miss, does the Fifth House Madam really want to visit you often?"
With her hand on Chang'er's arm, Mrs. Bai stood by the lake, feeling the cool autumn breeze and said, "Of course. From now on, you should visit the fourth and fifth rooms more often." After she finished speaking, a hint of sarcasm flashed in Mrs. Bai's eyes.
The greediest Fifth Lady had spoken similarly to Bai in her previous life. After successfully securing a sum of money, she began spreading rumors about Bai's shameful deeds. They claimed the merchant's daughter had forced the original wife to death in order to become the marquis's principal wife, and that Bai was actually a concubine. Bai initially believed the rumors were spread by the Fourth Lady, but before her death, she learned it was the Fifth Lady who started the story, and that the Fourth Lady, upon seeing the outsiders' comments, had joined in.
The world is full of ungrateful people, but in this life, the Fifth Lady can no longer expect to get a penny from Bai. When Bai returned to the main courtyard, she saw Concubine Xia kneeling in the corridor. She pretended not to see it and went into the main hall on her own.
When Liu Er saw Bai return, she hurried over to report, "Madam, Concubine Xia knelt down in the corridor as soon as she entered the main courtyard two quarters of an hour ago, and I couldn't stop her."
Bai went straight to the inner chamber and ordered, "Madam Xia is praying for the prince. You must not disturb her. When she finishes praying, send her back to her own courtyard. By the way, tell her that a concubine in the mansion is not only to serve the master, but also the mistress. All the clothes that the master has must be prepared for the mistress. The more the better, and the sooner the better."
Chang'er, who was covering her mouth and laughing, stopped laughing instantly when she saw Bai's glance and served Bai seriously.
During lunch, Aunt Xia was supported by her maid as she left the main courtyard. She hung her head and looked very aggrieved, with a fierce look in her eyes that no one could see.
"Oh, niece-in-law, these are pearls from the East China Sea. They are really big and glowing. They look very valuable." The fifth lady came to Jiaxiju with the eldest lady of the fifth room. When she saw the pearl headdress on Bai's head and neck, her eyes suddenly lit up. Bai could even see her swallowing her saliva.
Inviting the two to take their seats, Bai Shi took the lower seat and spoke, "Aunt, this is nothing. Shipping is more convenient in the south than in the capital, so the prices of jewelry everywhere are quite reasonable. Did you know? The same jewelry can buy a set and a half in the south for the price of Beijing."
Bai kept talking about all kinds of good things, and seeing the greedy eyes of the Fifth Lady, she did not reveal a word about giving them away. The Fifth Lady was also the wife of an official, and her family seemed to be poor. She could not let go of the gold, silver and jewelry when she saw them.
Seeing that the Fifth Lady's hand was about to reach Bai's pearl necklace, the Fifth Lady coughed lightly a few times. The Fifth Lady then raised her hand, brushed the gold hairpin on her head, and sat upright on the chair.
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