Seeing Su Hui's embarrassment, Su's mother did not dare to refute her. But when Chu Jinmiao said this, Su's mother suddenly remembered why they came here today. As long as today's matter is accomplished, Chu Jinmiao can participate in the selection of the prince's concubine. This is a great fortune for their Su family! In order to let her daughter become the queen, Su's mother was completely desperate and yelled at the top of her voice: "I'm not crazy, you unfilial daughter, how dare you curse your mother and father!" Su's mother

pushed Su Hui away and said to Chu Jinyao: "Although we treated you badly in the past, a filial son is born under the stick. I did it for your own good, but you hold a grudge in your heart. It's a pity that all parents in the world have a kind heart, but you don't know the good heart, and we still want to... I will hold you back and will never let you go astray. You now think that having money every month is a good thing, but can you know what the other party is thinking? You are young and easily blinded by the benefits in front of you, and you even complain and remind your parents. But we, as adults, will pull you back even if we are hated!"

Su's mother suddenly realized that she came to help Chu Jinmiao today, and she had gone astray by arguing about the original account with Chu Jinyao. She only talked about Chu Jinyao's ill-gotten money, and now she had ruined Chu Jinyao's marriage, so she asked her to give this good thing to Chu Jinmiao. After Chu Jinmiao became the prince's person, Su's mother would come back to clarify things for Chu Jinyao. Anyway, Chu Jinyao is the real daughter of the Marquis's Mansion. If one marriage fails, there is always another one.

Lin Xiyuan frowned immediately after hearing these words. He only heard that the women in the family were arguing. He thought it was still about trivial matters. He didn't expect this village woman to say such things as soon as she opened her mouth. Today I am here to discuss the engagement with the Chu family. I can't let this village woman talk nonsense. Lin Xiyuan turned his head and told his attendants to help Su Hui take the person away, but before Lin Xiyuan could do anything, the Princess of the County came over and held Lin Xiyuan's hand: "This is none of our business, don't interfere."

Lin Xiyuan simply couldn't believe what he heard: "How can the fifth sister's business be none of our business?"

Look at what she said, the Princess of the County glared at Lin Xiyuan unhappily and threatened: "Don't mind it."

Lin Xiyuan was so angry that he could hardly stand, but in front of everyone, he couldn't not give face to his mother. Lin Xiyuan forced himself to suppress his thoughts and immediately went to see Chu Jinyao. There was a lot of noise all around, and Chu Jinyao stood quietly aside, as if everything had nothing to do with her. Lin Xiyuan felt distressed by Chu Jinyao's stubborn and cold expression, but he couldn't do anything with the Princess of the County around.

Chu Jinyao almost laughed. She had known Mother Su for so many years, but this was the first time she saw Mother Su being so smart. It was a pity that she was so smart just to deal with her. Chu Jinyao was really disappointed with the warmth and coldness of human feelings in the world. Zhao had raised Chu Jinmiao for more than ten years, and she still doted on her even after the truth was revealed. And when the adoptive mother Su's family got into trouble, they would also side with their own daughter. So, what on earth was she?

Chu Jinyao looked at Mother Su coldly, feeling disheartened for several times. She retorted almost mechanically: "If you follow this logic, then there is no need to do any business in the world. Whose lady doesn't have a few manors and shops under her? If the shopkeeper sends dividends on time, it means he has evil intentions. What will these ladies say?"

Su's mother panicked and said quickly: "I didn't say that. I only told you about this matter. If the Wei family didn't have other intentions, then tell me, why did he let you invest for free and send you money on time every month?"

Chu Jinyao only knew that money could move people's hearts, so she had been hiding these days and didn't show her wealth. But she didn't expect that people's jealousy and greed were so terrible. Just because she had ready-made dividends every month, Chu Jinmiao instructed Su's father and mother to say this?

At this time, even the other people who were standing by and watching the excitement were muttering in low voices: "Yeah, why? Maybe there really is something we don't know about."

The second wife, Yan, thought of Chu Jinyao's large boxes of unknown use, and said without hesitation: "I remember the fifth girl had five or six mahogany boxes. Mother was partial to her and gave them directly to the fifth girl. We don't even know what's inside."

Chu Jinyao sighed deeply. The man was innocent, but he was guilty of possessing a jade. She explained for the last time: "It's just repaying a favor and making amends. I have a clear conscience. If you don't believe me, go find a witness. I've said all. I don't want to say the rest. You can believe it or not."

Yan curled her lips after hearing this, thinking that this was an attempt to cover up the truth. Even Old Lady Chu helped Chu Jinyao cover up. But if Yan was asked to find a witness, she would not go.

Old Lady Chu was furious after hearing what Yan said: "The guests are still here, shut up!" After scolding Yan, she turned to the Princess of the County and said: "Princess of the County, let's sit inside and don't worry about these nonsense."

The implication was that Old Lady Chu wanted to continue discussing the marriage.

The Princess of the County looked at her coldly for a long time, and now she has put her hands high in her sleeves. Whatever the truth of this matter is, Chu Jinyao is stubborn and unruly. She doesn't look like an obedient and filial daughter-in-law. Chu Jinyao dared to contradict her adoptive mother in front of everyone. Even if what her adoptive mother did was wrong, she should listen to her elders when they are wrong and not embarrass them. But look at Chu Jinyao, she didn't do any of them. How could the Princess of the County dare to marry such a person? The

Princess of the County said to Old Lady Chu, "Old Lady, it's getting late. We won't sit down. Today's matter is your family's business. We shouldn't listen to it. But it's a serious matter. I dare not make the decision. Let's go back and let our old lady make the decision."

Old Lady Chu was inexplicably shocked when she heard this. What does the Princess of the County mean? Will this work out or not? She wanted to stop the Princess

to explain in detail, but she insisted on leaving. Lin Xiyuan was also pulled out of the door unwillingly. Before he left, he looked at Chu Jinyao hesitantly, but Chu Jinyao was listening to the maid with a wooden face and did not notice him. Lin Xiyuan sighed deeply and followed the Princess out of the door.

Lin Xining came with his eldest brother to help, and he did not say a word at all. Now that he was about to leave, Lin Xining suddenly stopped, turned around and stared at Chu Jinmiao stubbornly.

"Fourth cousin."

"Hmm?"

"You really don't know these two people, and you have never seen them?"

Chu Jinmiao smiled at Lin Xining calmly: "Of course. Cousin, you have known me for so many years, and you actually doubt me?"

Lin Xining pulled the corner of his lips with a strange look: "Yes, how can I doubt you? Even if I am blind, I can't help but believe you."

Before Chu Jinmiao had time to think about what Lin Xining meant by this sentence, she saw Lin Xining striding away. Chu Jinmiao called him several times, but he did not turn back abnormally.

Chu Jinmiao did not take these to heart.

Old Madam Chu had no choice but to send the Princess off. After she came back, she sighed and said, "How could such a good thing have so many twists and turns?" She thought of the person who had caused the trouble and asked with gritted teeth, "Where is that crazy woman?"

"They are being detained. That woman and her husband are yelling and hollering that our mansion is oppressing innocent people. They are so quiet after being scolded by her daughter that they dare not say anything."

Old Madam Chu sneered, "Who knows if they are playing the villain and the hero in a big drama? Don't worry about them for now, it's more important to be busy with business."

Nanny Gu sighed, and then said, "Grandfather, they are farmers, not scumbags. Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, if we can quickly deal with them, it will be fine, but the old ancestor has other things to do, and I'm afraid he won't have time to deal with them for a while. It's not appropriate for us to detain them for too long."

Old Madam Chu was also worried after hearing this. She thought for a while and said, "Forget it. Let's send them home first. Let's arrange someone to keep a sharp eye on them and never let them sneak away."

Nanny Gu responded and took the order. Old Madam Chu was worried about the affairs of the Huailing County Prince's Mansion. The attitude of the County Prince's Consort today was really subtle. She didn't say anything definite, but only said that she would let the old princess make the decision when she got back. This made Old Madam Chu unsure for a while whether the Prince's Mansion minded today's events.

Old Madam Chu sat at the top, feeling sad, and the other wives and girls stood below waiting. Old Madam Chu thought for a while, but she was still worried and decided to go to the County Prince's Mansion in person. After making up her mind, Old Madam Chu's majestic eyes slowly swept over the people in the hall, and those who were seen bowed their heads one by one. Madam Chu said, "I have been busy these days and have no time to punish you, but I have remembered everything that was said and done today. When I am free, I will settle accounts with you one by one." Madam Chu looked

at Chu Jinmiao with an especially unkind look, "You don't have to be so happy and think you can outwit me. I tell you the truth, I played this trick forty years ago when I was a girl. "Over the years, I have seen countless cunning servants, restless concubines, and ambitious maids. If you think you can hide it from me, you are totally wrong. I will tell you today that I will find out who is involved or who is secretly pushing it in a few days!"

The girls all bowed their heads respectfully, not daring to speak loudly. Yan Shi, who had been gossiping, turned pale. Old Madam Chu seemed very tired. She waved her hand and said to them, "Go away, let me be alone for a while."

Chu Jinyao responded and walked out with her sisters. Although her face was pale, her expression was very calm. The third girl was originally gloating and wanted to pretend to comfort Chu Jinyao, but when she saw Chu Jinyao's expression, she couldn't say a word.

Chu Jinyao dismissed all the sisters and servants who had their own thoughts, and walked out with Linglong and Jiegeng. When Zhao saw Chu Jinyao, she wanted to say something but stopped: "Jinyao..."

Chu Jinyao stopped and asked calmly: "Mother, what do you want me to do?"

Zhao hesitated for a long time and couldn't say anything. She only realized today that the Su family was not a good thing, and she felt distressed and guilty for Chu Jinyao. But facing Chu Jinyao's cold and indifferent face, how could Zhao say words of reconciliation?

Zhao hesitated for a long time but still couldn't say anything. Chu Jinmiao saw it from a distance and immediately called Zhao: "Mother, where are you?"

Zhao's words froze. Chu Jinyao smiled softly and said: "Mother, since you want to go, forget it. If you have anything to say, talk about it later."

After that, she turned around and left without waiting for Zhao's reaction.

Aunt Zhang followed Zhao and sighed deeply when she saw this. People are all made of flesh and blood. Not to mention the fifth lady, even an old woman like her with thick skin and flesh should be cold after this one or two times. Forget it, she will no longer persuade her like this in the future.

After Chu Jinyao said goodbye to the Zhao family, she walked quickly towards Chaoyun Courtyard. Linglong and Kikyo followed silently. As soon as she entered her room, cracks immediately appeared on Chu Jinyao's indifferent face. She always showed everyone that she was strong and she didn't care, but how could she not care?

Chu Jinyao covered her face with her hands and said to Linglong and others: "I'm tired, you are not needed here, you go out."

Chu Jinyao's eyes were blocked by her fingers, and she saw a light red, so she couldn't see the situation outside. After Chu Jinyao spoke, the room was quiet, and no sound of people walking was heard for a long time.

After a while, a line of clear tears leaked from between her fingers. Chu Jinyao took a deep breath and said, "I thought that even if they didn't like me, after living together for thirteen years, they should have feelings for me even if it was a cat or a puppy, but they don't have that towards me."

"Father and Mother Su sided with their own daughter, and my mother couldn't bear to part with the girl she had raised for thirteen years. They all sided with Chu Jinmiao, so what am I?"

Chu Jinyao's voice was calm when she said this. If her tears hadn't been streaming down her face, no one would have been able to tell that she was crying.

Platycodon grandiflorum was young and couldn't help crying after hearing this. Linglong was more cautious and said worriedly: "Girl, please stop crying. It's not worth it for these people. Be careful of hurting your eyes."

How could Chu Jinyao not know this truth? She had long known that she was embarrassed in both families, so she told herself not to force it. As long as there were no expectations, she would not be disappointed. But she didn't expect that she didn't have the weight to do this.

Linglong looked very distressed. She was originally Mrs. Chu's person, and she was sent to the fifth girl. On the one hand, she was a helper, and on the other hand, she was also an informant. But after following Chu Jinyao for a long time, Linglong gradually became reluctant to let go. In addition, she was older than Chu Jinyao. In Linglong's heart, Chu Jinyao was just like her sister. Linglong felt that the Fifth Lady was a lovely girl. She would always stand quietly aside when she saw people. When you looked over, she would smile sweetly at you. She would try not to trouble others as much as possible and would do everything by herself. She was not as proud as a rich lady. How could such a sensible and considerate girl not be loved by anyone?

Linglong felt sad and anxious. She wanted to persuade her again, but someone knocked on the door. Linglong knew that it was someone outside who reminded her. She had to swallow her words, told Jie Geng a few words, and quickly opened the door and went out.

After a while, Linglong pushed the door open and came back: "Fifth Miss, the old lady just sent someone to inform you that we will visit the Prince of Huailing's mansion in three days, and asked you to make preparations early."

Chu Jinyao had wiped away her tears, leaving only red eyes. She nodded like an obedient puppet and said, "I know."

On the other side, after Su Hui went back with her parents, she completely frowned as soon as she closed the gate: "I was wondering why you were so quiet these days, it turns out you were plotting against others. If I hadn't come back to get something today, I don't know how long I would have been kept in the dark by you! Tell me, were you instigated to go to Yaoyao today?"

Su's mother was pointed at by her daughter and scolded, her face was very ugly, she shouted: "You... "You are a daughter, you are already married, why do you care about your parents' affairs?"

Su Sheng also said: "That's right, this is not your family's business, you just need to do your own duty."

Su Hui was so angry when she heard it, she picked up a broom from the corner and hit Su Sheng: "You eat and live in my house, and now you dare to say such things? I will beat you to death, you black-hearted ghosts! Have your consciences been eaten by dogs!"

After all, Su Hui was the younger generation, so it was not easy to hit Su's father and mother, so she vented her anger on Su Sheng and cursed all three of them. Su's father was embarrassed when he heard it, and Su's mother saw that Su Hui dared to hit her darling, and she also jumped up to grab Su Hui's hair. When Su Hui's husband Zhang the Butcher saw this, he turned gloomy and pushed Su's mother away.

"Try it again?"

Su's mother was almost pushed to the ground. She felt cold in her heart and dared not go up to pull Su Hui again. She could only stand aside and curse angrily. After Su Hui vented her anger, she put her hands on her waist and asked Su's mother unhappily: "You just came to the city, even the officials are afraid of you, how can you have the courage to go to the marquis's mansion to cause trouble. Let me ask you, did you listen to someone's instigation, so you had the courage to embarrass Yaoyao?"

Su's mother denied: "No..."

"Did Chu Jinmiao secretly come to see you?"

Mother Su's expression changed drastically when she heard Su Hui tell the truth. Su Hui saw it and knew immediately that she had guessed right. She was furious: "Do you know Chu Jinmiao? How could you help her to harm Yaoyao? Listen to what you have made up. After all, she has been raised in front of you for thirteen years. How can you be so heartless?"

Su's father looked down on him: "She is not our girl. We can give her food to eat, which is already kind enough. But Miao'er is the blood of our legitimate Su family. How can this be compared?"

"I knew it was the idea of ​​Chu Jinmiao, the venomous snake. Did she ask you to say all these things?"

Su's mother was very unhappy when she heard it: "That's your sister. How can you side with an outsider and say that about your sister?"

"I don't have a sister like her." Su Hui snorted, looked at the sky, and said to herself, "The embroidery shop should not be closed yet, I'll go find Wei Xiao, the shopkeeper."

When Su's mother heard this, she became anxious: "Are you going to harm your own people for an outsider?" Su's mother wanted to pull Su Hui away, but was held by Zhang the butcher. Su Hui took this opportunity to run out.

The embroidery shop was already locked. Wei Liang checked the doors and windows and was about to go home, but was stopped by Su Hui from a distance. Su Hui ran to Wei Liang breathlessly and without even saying hello, she hurriedly said, "Little Shopkeeper Wei, I have something to tell you."

Wei Liang was surprised, "What must we say now? I've already knocked on the door."

"No, it will be too late tomorrow." Su Hui recounted to Wei Liang everything that happened in the Marquis' Mansion today. Not caring that telling the truth might offend Wei Liang, she pleaded, "Little Shopkeeper Wei, my sister, the Fifth Miss Chu, is really wronged. I hope you can talk to Big Shopkeeper Wei and ask him to speak for my sister and dispel the rumors."

After hearing what happened to the Fifth Miss Chu, Wei Liang's eyes changed. He was no longer in a hurry to go home. He simply changed direction and said, "Madam Su, since you have come to me for begging, I will say it for you. Whether the matter will succeed or not depends on my father's opinion."

Su Hui immediately thanked her profusely. They must be lucky. Wei Wu was in the house today. He usually went out to do business or inspect industries elsewhere. Even Wei Liang might not see him once a month.

Wei Wu seemed to be busy with something important. When he looked up and saw Wei Liang, he asked indifferently, "What's wrong?"

But Wei Liang knew that even though Wei Wu had a good tone, if he couldn't say something serious, he would definitely scold him. Wei Liang lowered his head and said respectfully, "Dad, it's about the fifth lady of the Chu family." Wei Wu's

face really turned ugly, and he waved his hand to let Wei Liang get out. Wei Liang didn't dare to disobey. He was about to go out with a drooping brow, but after taking two steps, he was called back by Wei Wu: "The fifth lady of the Chu family you are talking about, is it the fifth lady of the Changxing Marquis' Mansion?"

"That's right."

Wei Wu put down his pen, his face turned strange. Wei Liang asked tentatively, "Dad, the higher-ups have specifically instructed us several times. Do you think we need to report this to them?"

Wei Wu thought of the beating Tang Xinyi received, and Xiao Linzi's winking and ambiguous manner. Finally, Wei Wu said, "I think the prince has a special feeling for this woman. It's his business to report it. If we don't report it, and if we guess wrong, then we will have to bear the consequences of the queen's whispering in our ears. It's better to be cautious, just in case. Tell me everything that happened today, no matter how big or small, and I will consider it and tell the master."

"Ah, yes."

Few people knew that Wei Wu was the prince's man, just as few people knew that Wei Wu, who was famous in the business world and everyone had to bow and call him "Master Wei", was actually a eunuch. Wei Liang was actually his adopted son.

Wei Wu set out for the border in person, and the carriage of the Changxing Marquis's Mansion also drove to the Prince's Mansion.

This year, the Changxing Marquis's Mansion and the Huailing Prince's Mansion had close contacts, and the carriages of the two families often traveled, but not once did it make Old Lady Chu so nervous.

The old princess had already agreed, and she had guessed everything about this marriage, what she should and shouldn't know. At this juncture, there might not be any unexpected changes.

After Old Lady Chu and her entourage arrived at the Prince's Mansion, all treatment was the same as before. Old Lady Chu calmed down and took many granddaughters to find the old princess.

The old princess still looked smiling. Old Madam Chu remained calm and said to Chu Jinyao and the others, "You sisters are having a good time. We won't keep you here. Go out and talk."

Chu Jinyao and the county lord sat outside. After everyone left, Old Madam Chu asked the old princess, "My dear, what do you think about what you mentioned to me before?"

The old princess secretly cursed the old fox. It was Old Madam Chu who first proposed the marriage between the two families. How come it was the old princess who said it first? The old princess chuckled, ignored Madam Chu's trap, and said around the issue, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and we elders should not interfere too much. Yuan'er is a promising child, and has rarely caused us any trouble, so we let him decide on his marriage. We only have one request, that the daughter-in-law be filial and worry-free, and able to settle down and start a family."

Madam Chu frowned unconsciously. Was the old princess secretly mocking their fifth daughter for not being filial enough and not being the kind of person who could settle down at home? Madam Chu sneered: "Elders in every family hope that their children will be filial, and girls are especially nagged about this from childhood. However, it is easy to be obedient and filial. Just respond to whatever the elders say. Many girls and young wives grow up smoothly like this. It's a pity that we elders have a sincere heart of love and care, but we can only teach for a while, can we teach for a lifetime? We are too late. We have to go ahead of them. It's fine when we are here, but when we are gone, they are used to being obedient. Who will they listen to when facing all the relatives? If you love them, you should plan for their long-term fortune. When you marry a wife and educate your daughters, you must teach them to stand on their own feet. "

Mrs. Chu's words were meaningful, and the old princess understood. She said that although Chu Jinyao in their family was not submissive enough, she had the advantages of a strong personality. The old princess thought it made sense, and she also wanted to teach her daughter in this way, but when it came to her granddaughter-in-law, she didn't like the kind with big ideas.

The old princess was satisfied that her family was a prince's mansion, and there would be no day of decline in this life, so the younger daughter-in-law did not need to have her own ideas, and just listened to the elders.

She used to like Chu Jinyao because Chu Jinyao was good-looking, easy to talk to, and kind to servants. For this reason, the old princess used Chu Jinyao as a role model for the county lord. But a few days ago, she heard from the princess of the county that the fifth girl was very tough in her own home and dared to question her adoptive parents in front of everyone. Their county mansion was not a place to listen to slander. The old princess didn't really believe what Su's mother said, but Chu Jinyao's questioning of Su's father and mother made the old princess hesitate.

How could they dare to accuse their adoptive parents of being unfair to them? How dare the younger generation challenge the elders?

The old princess laughed for a while, but they were the men, so they had to be a little bit lower. Even if it was just a letter, and it was not a definite decision, they could not change their words. For the sake of the reputation of the Prince's Mansion and Lin Xiyuan, the old princess took a step back and said, "I see that the fifth girl really likes it. We mentioned this before, and now it's not good to pretend that it didn't happen. In my opinion, why don't we keep the fifth girl and marry her as a concubine with the ceremony of imperial edict."