Since Qi Desheng sent Chu Jinyao five or six mahogany boxes, Chu Jinyao's life could no longer be peaceful.

Everyone wanted to know what was in the boxes. Qi Desheng had already packed two boxes of silk for Chu Jinyao that day, so why did he send another one?

Chu Jinyao didn't know these questions. She saw with her own eyes that the servant carried the mahogany boxes from Rongning Hall to Chaoyun Courtyard, but did not open them. Instead, he directly had them carried into the warehouse and locked them in front of everyone. She suddenly got so many things, which was enough to make people jealous. Before her yard was cleaned up, Chu Jinyao didn't dare to open the boxes to look at the things in front of these people. Chu Jinyao had an inexplicable intuition that the things in the mahogany box were not of the same quality as what the storekeeper Qi gave her that day.

Chu Jinyao lived alone, and the place was quite spacious. She lived in the five main rooms. The side rooms on the east and west sides were not needed, so she cleaned up the east room to entertain guests and do needlework, and used the west room as a storeroom. The nanny, maids and others all lived in the southern room at the back. One nanny plus six maids, plus Chu Jinyao, eight people filled up the small courtyard. Originally, the west room was very empty, but now there were many mahogany boxes, and it was crowded.

After Chu Jinyao had dressed up today, she sat in the west room to do needlework. The other maids all gathered around her, either clasping hands or chatting and laughing. Nanny Sun came in from outside, saw Chu Jinyao, and said with a smile: "Miss, you got up very early today."

In fact, Chu Jinyao always got up at this time. Chu Jinyao was too lazy to talk to her, but wanted to see what this old woman was going to say. Sure enough, Nanny Sun paused for a while and then said: "Miss, it's a sunny day today. It's rare to see such good weather in spring. The wind is most comfortable at the end of April. Why don't we move the things outside and let them dry in the sun to prevent them from getting damp after being stored for a long time."

When the maids heard this, they also looked up at the sun outside the window. Dingxiang said, "It's a nice day today, and it's time to dry the quilts. If you dry the quilts regularly, the girl will sleep more comfortably."

Chu Jinyao thought to herself that Nanny Sun didn't just want to dry the quilts. She simply put down her needlework and said, "This horse-faced skirt is almost finished, only the hem is left. Platycodon, you can sew the hem, my eyes are a little tired, and I'm too lazy to move."

Platycodon quickly agreed and took the needlework basket from Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao sat up straight and looked at Nanny Sun: "Mammy, you are right. While it is still early in the day, we should clean up and move all the soft items in the house out to dry them in the sun. By the way, the books in my study must not be left behind. You should put the books carefully under the eaves and find one or two people to read and flip through them. Books are delicate and it will not be good if they get scratched or wet."

The maids responded in unison. Nanny Sun rubbed her hands and said, "Miss, do you want to move those boxes of cloth in the warehouse out and dry them together?"

Chu Jinyao smiled and her eyes swept past Nanny Sun lightly. Obviously Chu Jinyao didn't show a too fierce look, but this look was as heavy as a sword, and Nanny Sun shrank inexplicably.

Someone finally mentioned this, and although the maids didn't say anything, they were all waiting for Chu Jinyao to express her opinion. Chu Jinyao had everyone lock up all the things as soon as she came back. Until now, no one knows what's inside, not even Chu Jinyao herself. However, the more Chu Jinyao did this, the more curious others became. These boxes looked heavy, and the wood used to make the boxes alone was worth a lot of money. What was inside that made Chu Jinyao so alert and didn't even let outsiders see it?

Chu Jinyao knew that she would live in a mansion in the future, and it would be impossible for her to hide her private property secretly like she did in her previous farmhouse. Most of her affairs in the future would have to go through the hands of maids and servants, and her property and dowry would hardly be an exception, so she had to cultivate a group of loyal and reliable people.

It was urgent to rectify Chaoyun Courtyard. In the past, she didn't have anything urgent, so it was okay for Zhao and Chu Jinmiao to stay in the courtyard, but now, it was obviously not possible. If she still wanted to sleep well, she had to send these people with ulterior motives away.

Chu Jinyao stood up and said, "There is only so much space in the yard. I think there won't be much space left after we move the bedding and books out. Drying things takes more than one day. You guys move the books first. If there is still space after I come back, we can make plans then."

Chu Jinyao pushed the matter over again. Nanny Sun was a little unwilling, but there was nothing she could do. After hearing what Chu Jinyao said, she asked curiously, "Miss, where are you going?"

"I'm going to visit my grandmother." Chu Jinyao said, "Although my grandmother asked us to pay respects on the first and fifteenth day of the month to save us from running back and forth every day, we, as the younger generation

, can't really be so lazy." Sun Mama wanted to say that you really only paid respects on the first and fifteenth day of the month in the past... But Chu Jinyao is now well versed in the ways of the inner house. Once such high-sounding principles are put on the table, no one can say anything.

Chu Jinyao vaguely felt a few days ago that the elders in the family treated her differently. Last time, Marquis Changxing asked her if she was short of people, and said that Old Madam Chu would arrange for her to go to Rongning Hall more often. Marquis Changxing didn't care about the affairs of the rear house, he wouldn't say these words for no reason.

She needed to confirm it.

Chu Jinyao arrived at Rongning Hall, and before she entered the door, she was seen by the maid of Rongning Hall. A maid in lake green silk welcomed her in with a smile, and said: "Fifth Miss is here early, such filial piety is really heartwarming."

Chu Jinyao just smiled and replied: "How dare I accept this compliment from my sister. Is grandmother in there?"

"Of course she is." The maid took Chu Jinyao through the screen wall and walked through the western corridor. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she pulled a little maid over and said, "Fifth Miss is here, why are you still playing here in a daze? Why don't you go in and tell her!"

The little maid with two buns heard what she said and ran in to tell her. The maid turned around and said, "These little girls are always so confused. They are not as good as the old people who are used to it. Don't blame Fifth Miss."

Chu Jinyao kept smiling and watched all this. When she came to Rongning Hall in the past, how could she have been treated like this? The maids in front of Old Madam Chu were more precious than the young ladies. Who dared to tell them to do anything? Now this maid was so attentive to Chu Jinyao. If someone said that there was no one behind this, Chu Jinyao would never believe it.

After Chu Jinyao entered the house, he was led to the west. The first thing he saw was a row of antique shelves, on which were placed incense burners, agates, corals, etc. Behind the antique shelves, there was a layer of green gauze cabinets carefully covered with gauze, and on both sides were hung heavy embroidery, with tassels one layer on top of another. Now it is spring, and the green gauze cabinets have been replaced with goose yellow light shark gauze. In a few months, in early summer in June, all these gauze will be torn down and replaced with fresh and breathable smoke gauze. Smoke gauze is very valuable in the market. A piece of gauze is still very light when lifted, just like smoke, and its color is slightly green, so it is named smoke gauze. Because this kind of gauze is light and breathable, many wealthy families like to use this kind of fabric to make small clothes, so that they will not be stuffy and sweaty in summer. However, in the Changxing Marquis's Mansion, whole rolls of smoked gauze worth thousands of gold are used to paste windows and wall cabinets for the old lady, just to make the old ancestor feel better in the midsummer.

This is the treatment of the old lady in the Changxing Marquis's Mansion. Nothing will be used a second time. The gauze on the windows must be changed once a season, not to mention the brocade and bed curtains hanging in the room. Chu Jinyao walked through the goose yellow gauze cabinet and saw the old lady Chu wearing a jacquard dark gold double-breasted jacket, a dark crimson vest, and a dark blue large horse-faced skirt, leaning on the Luohan bed. Several maids were kneeling on the footstool, carefully massaging the old lady's legs.

When the maids saw Chu Jinyao, they all stood up and saluted. The maid who was massaging the old lady's legs also wanted to stand up, but Chu Jinyao quickly stopped her: "Sister, don't worry, you should take care of grandma first, I won't be in any trouble."

Madam Chu watched all this with a cold eye. After Chu Jinyao bowed, she said lightly: "Sit down first. Why are you here today?"

Chu Jinyao knew the purpose of her visit today. In fact, she should act coquettishly and squeeze next to the old lady, but she really couldn't do such a thing. She just stood on the ground for a while, and immediately a smart maid brought a round stool to Chu Jinyao. After Chu Jinyao thanked her, she sat on the stool vacantly. Chu Jinyao sighed in her heart. As expected, no wonder the ladies of the Zhao family and the Yan family did not dare to embarrass the maids around the old lady. Look at these maids, each of them has been trained to be a smart person.

She sighed quietly, and her guess in her heart became clearer. Chu Jinyao simply didn't beat around the bush and said directly to Madam Chu: "Grandma, two days ago, Shopkeeper Qi sent me a few mahogany boxes. It was too late when I carried them back that day, so I didn't open them. The sun is good today, and Madam Sun said it's suitable to dry things. If there are fabrics in the boxes, we should also take them out and dry them properly. Grandma, I'm young and don't understand these things, so I want to ask you, how to take care of fabrics such as silk and gauze?"

This is incoherent, because Madam Sun said that she wanted to dry things first, and then asked about taking care of fabrics. Moreover, what do you mean it's too late to move back? The old lady saw Shopkeeper Qi and Chu Jinyao leave with her own eyes, and the sun was at noon when they left. How can it be said that it's too late?

Old Madam Chu understood what Chu Jinyao meant, and she secretly felt satisfied. It seemed that Chu Jinyao was a smart person who didn't show off every good thing she got. The most taboo for noble families to cultivate young ladies is to be superficial, and Chu Jinyao's patience in waiting for so many days was beyond the old lady's expectation. After all, if someone suddenly gave her so many things, even an experienced adult would want to open them and take a look, but Chu Jinyao, a little girl who grew up in a poor family, could actually hold back. This mentality alone is better than many people, not to mention the young ladies of the Chu family, and I'm afraid that the daughters-in-law of the Zhao and Yan families are not as good as her.

Old Madam Chu changed her mind and her evaluation of Chu Jinyao was even higher. It is a good thing to have patience and not be blinded by money, so that you can withstand greater wealth in the future. The old lady said, "You are still young, and it is normal that you can't handle many things. There is always a first time for everything, so just try it with confidence."

Chu Jinyao lowered her head and said, "I am afraid that my child is young and can't grasp the right measure. If I have grandmother to teach me, I will be relieved."

"If you ask me, just try it bravely." Old Lady Chu smiled and finally said, "Since you are always afraid, I can't force you. Well, I have a maid here who is quite good at dealing with people. If you are unsure, take her back first and let her help you for a while."

After hearing this, Chu Jinyao finally had a feeling that the dust had settled. She didn't dare to offend people herself. If these scolding words came from the nanny beside Old Lady Chu, then everything would be justified. Moreover, with Madam Chu's people watching, even if someone wants to take her property, they will think twice before taking action.

Naturally, by doing so, her wealth and background will be completely exposed to Madam Chu's eyes. Chu Jinyao didn't think it was a big deal. Rather than being secretly besieged by everyone, it would be better to expose it to the hands of the family's ruler from the beginning. Since Madam Chu would let her move her things and leave, she would not do so in the future, and she would not be embarrassed to regret it. To put it another way, even if Madam Chu really wanted to take advantage of the money, Chu Jinyao would not be able to stop it with her current self-protection methods. In this case, why bother to be prepared for the east and the west and offend Madam Chu?

What's more, Chu Jinyao is now certain that Madam Chu has something to ask of her. Maybe it's not a request, but a plan.

In the eyes of Old Madam Chu, Chu Jinyao must be more valuable than those boxes of heavy property.

Chu Jinyao was docile on the surface, but she was confused in her heart. She was a woman who could neither fight in battle nor pass the imperial examination. Why else could Old Madam Chu cultivate her so carefully? Chu Jinyao almost guessed it. Perhaps Old Madam Chu was planning to marry her off to a noble family?

She was uneasy when she didn't know, but now that she had a clue in her heart, Chu Jinyao suddenly calmed down. If this was the plan, then Chu Jinyao had nothing to worry about. Although the Chu family used their daughter to climb up the social ladder, people always want to move up, and the daughters who are married off to higher positions have nothing to complain about. Old Madam Chu wanted to use Chu Jinyao's body to climb up, and Chu Jinyao also wanted to use the old lady's power to build up power. They now have a mutually beneficial relationship. The only question now is, where is Old Madam Chu going to put her? If she is to be sent to an old man in his seventies as a concubine, then forget it. Chu Jinyao will risk her life to make this a mess.

Old Madam Chu watched Chu Jinyao's expression change from suspicion, to sudden realization, and then to calmness. Old Madam Chu was very satisfied. This is a talent worthy of the family's efforts to cultivate. It will be of great help to herself, the family, and the future husband's family. Only people like this can form a noble marriage and establish friendship between the two families.

Otherwise, it is not marriage at all, it is enmity. The

reason why Old Lady Chu could talk to Chu Jinyao to this extent today was because she wanted her to get to the bottom of it. Chu Jinyao pressed on: "Grandma, I am very grateful that you took the trouble to arrange a foster nanny. But Jinyao is stupid and I am afraid that I will not be able to repay you in the future."

Old Lady Chu heard Chu Jinyao's temptation. She wanted Chu Jinyao, the person involved, to know more about what she and Marquis Changxing were going to do. Therefore, Old Madam Chu did not hide it, but said directly: "Since ancient times, the elders have been pitiful. We, the elders, are satisfied to see you live well. How can we care about your return? Look at your aunt. Although everyone says that she married into the royal palace and lived a decent life, the royal palace is a place with strict rules. For many years, she couldn't even go back to her parents' home. I only have this one daughter. I don't expect her to be rich, but I just hope that she is safe and harmonious. Fortunately, the royal palace will select a few girls to stay there in a few days. If you can accompany your aunt more and take care of her more for me, this is the greatest filial piety."

Chu Jinyao was obviously very surprised when she heard this. Old Madam Chu meant that she wanted her to go to the royal palace as a companion? Did Marquis Changxing mean the same thing the last time he said that? Chu Jinyao was really surprised this time. She had no intention of getting involved in the palace, but she didn't expect that in the eyes of the elders, she had a completely different plan. Chu Jinyao was not stupid. She didn't mention that she didn't want to go to the palace, but tried: "The matter of companion study is for the princess to review, I'm afraid I won't be able to say anything then and disappoint my grandmother."

"How could that be." The old lady laughed and said meaningfully, "You are the legitimate daughter of our Marquis Changxing's mansion. You are both good-looking and talented. You are closely related to the palace. The princess loves you as her own daughter, so how could she object?"

Chu Jinyao was even more stunned after hearing this. She was stunned and could hardly close her mouth. "Grandma, what you mean is..."

Old Madam Chu did not answer, but suddenly said something completely irrelevant: "The last time the prince came to visit our house, he was really in his prime and full of vigor. Such a good boy is really lovable."

Old Madam Chu's target is actually the prince? Chu Jinyao was really angry this time. She thought that Old Madam Chu and Marquis Changxing wanted to have a cousin marriage with Chu Zhu, but she didn't expect that they actually set their sights on the heir of the royal palace, the prince Lin Xiyuan.

Ouch, Chu Jinyao almost couldn't stand it: "Grandma, you may have overestimated me. I..."

But Old Madam Chu stretched out her hand to stop Chu Jinyao from speaking: "It's too early to say these words. You don't have to worry about these now. It's better to take care of your own affairs first."

No, Chu Jinyao really had a lot of troubles. Old Madam Chu and Marquis Changxing actually planned to let Chu Jinyao become the Crown Prince's consort. They really think highly of her! Chu Jinyao was filled with bitterness when she thought of her unforgettable first meeting with Lin Xiyuan, but when she opened her mouth, she didn't know how to explain to Old Madam Chu.

Could it be that she secretly climbed over the wall and was caught by the prince?

Chu Jinyao couldn't say anything for a long time, and finally she could only bow her head and said: "Okay, thank you, grandmother. But I am a stupid granddaughter and I am afraid of disappointing you."

Chu Jinyao felt that she had said it here, and if it didn't work out in the future, Old Lady Chu couldn't blame her.

But why would Old Lady Chu think in this way? Seeing Chu Jinyao's hesitant look, she thought Chu Jinyao had some hidden secrets. Now after hearing these words, Old Lady Chu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this was just the little girl's reserve and pretense, so she deliberately refused. Old Madam Chu was relieved and had already planned her future as the Crown Prince's Consort. She said, "It's good that you understand. I'll ask Madam Gong to see you later. If there's anything you don't know, just ask Madam Gong. It won't be a problem for her to teach you..."

While the old lady was talking, Chu Jinyao was also thinking about this. Chu Jinyao was also an ordinary woman. Which woman would not be willing to marry the Crown Prince of the royal palace, the future Prince of Huailing? Not to mention that this Crown Prince was handsome and had an outstanding temperament. In the face of family background and wealth, mutual affection is just a wisp of green smoke. It means nothing except confusing the little girl.

Chu Jinyao slowly recalled the voice and appearance of this Crown Prince. He seemed to be very tall and always had a smile on his face. What did he look like exactly? Chu Jinyao tried hard to recall, he seemed to have very fair skin, a slender neck, a pair of sparkling eyes, slightly raised eyes, heroic and unrestrained... No, this is not the prince, this is Qi Ze.

Chu Jinyao's heart sank. She had been home for three months, and her family realized her value and wanted to cultivate her and make her the prince's consort in the future. No matter from which angle you look at it, this is a very good thing, you can even say it's a stroke of luck.

But Chu Jinyao suddenly felt inexplicably sad. Qi Ze was gone, and she was finally going to get married.

Old Madam Chu talked for a long time, and suddenly saw Chu Jinyao lowering her head, not saying a word, and didn't know what she was thinking. Although Old Madam Chu was puzzled, she just thought that the little girl was shy and embarrassed to listen to these things. Old Madam Chu stopped talking about this topic and no longer gave detailed hints. Instead, she said: "Okay, that's all I have to say. You can take your people back first. Take good care of the people around you in the future. These people will be with you for a long time."

The last sentence was meaningful. Chu Jinyao understood that Old Madam Chu was saying that these people would follow her and marry into the Huailing Palace in the future. In other words, no matter how much trouble they made, the old lady acquiesced.

Chu Jinyao was not happy to receive such an extraordinary promise. She saluted the old lady in a proper manner, and then led a group of people back to the yard respectfully and politely, looking completely normal.

However, when she walked in the neat and quiet courtyard of Changxing Marquis's mansion, her palm could not help but reach towards her heart. There hung her jade pendant, which had accompanied her through the hard years in the Su family and also helped her through the difficult times when she first returned to the mansion.

Chu Jinyao couldn't help but imagine the same thing as before. She waved away everyone and whispered to Qin Yi, "Qi Ze, I'm getting married. My grandmother intends for me to marry the prince of Huailing Palace, the elder brother of the county lord. If it really happens, my mother-in-law will be the most respected and noble princess in Taiyuan. With such a princess mother-in-law and the county lord's younger sister who is particularly famous for her arrogance, can I really live a good life by marrying high?"

But she couldn't say a word of these words. She was followed by Nanny Gong, who was a shield and a shackle. Nanny Gong would make everyone dare not neglect Chu Jinyao, but at the same time, she was also the old lady's spy next to Chu Jinyao. Until now, she is no longer the weed that no one cared about and no one cared about when she just returned home.

Chu Jinyao, who had inexplicably risen from a weed to a beautiful flower, did not feel happy. She had been looking forward to this day so much, but when it really came, she envied the days when she had Qin Yi by her side, which were difficult but carefree.

"Fifth Miss, what's wrong with you?" Nanny Gong saw Chu Jinyao stop inexplicably, with a distant look in her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking. Nanny Gong was very surprised and had to remind Chu Jinyao in a low voice.

Chu Jinyao came back to her senses, put down the jade pendant, and said, "I'm fine. Let's continue walking."

She said silently in her heart, Qi Ze, you left, and I'm going to get married. It turns out that our fate can only go this far.

I wish you a good life. As for me, I will probably have some more negotiations.