Chu Jinyao thought about it for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out. She had to put aside the matter of her aunt's return home. After a while, the maid came back with the silver. Zhao gave them a few more instructions, and then let the girls prepare their own clothes and headgear for the guests.

The girls had a lot of free time in the family, and most of their time was spent in front of the elders. They stayed with their mother, talked with the maid, and sewed a few needles, and the afternoon passed. This is what most families do, but when she arrived at the Changxing Marquis's house, Chu Jinxian did not choose to stay in front of her mother to do needlework, but bowed and said, "Mother, you still have to meet with the maids and old women who report to you, so I won't disturb you. I'll go back to my room to do it."

Chu Jinyao saw this and quickly said, "The daughter will also take her leave first."

Chu Jinxian turned her head and looked at Chu Jinyao without saying a word. Zhao did not try to keep them, but waved and let them go.

In the end, the concubine's daughter, the third lady, saw that the two legitimate daughters had left, but she and Chu Jinmiao stayed with Zhao. Who was Zhao's child after all?

The third lady took the six-year-old eighth lady into the second room to choose patterns, and Aunt Huang and Aunt Fu also followed to help their daughters with needlework. Soon, only Chu Jinmiao was left by Zhao's side.

Chu Jinmiao leaned on Zhao and said, "Mother, why do we have to prepare so much for aunt's return this time? We've never seen this before."

Zhao smiled but said nothing, "You just need to listen to me. Dress up carefully this time and embroider your clothes well. Remember?"

Chu Jinmiao snorted softly and said, "I want to dress well, but if I don't reward the servants, they won't embroider for you."

"It's not a big deal. I still have some gold thread left here, you can take it all, don't save it. Do you have enough head ornaments? A few days ago, someone sent me a set of ruby ​​head ornaments. If you don't have enough, take them first."

"Thank you, mother!" Chu Jinmiao agreed immediately, "Mother is the best to me!"

Mrs. Zhao looked at Chu Jinmiao dotingly. She didn't know what she thought of, and sighed again: "You are also pitiful. As a mother, if I don't subsidize you, what else can I do? Who do you expect? Although your father doesn't say it, he is very fond of it. Your eldest sister is subsidized by your grandmother, and the old lady may have a lot of money! After all, you are alone. "

"I don't have a mother!" Chu Jinmiao hugged Zhao's arm. Although she was smiling on her face, she felt a thump in her heart. She is used to the life of the fourth girl who is always top-notch, she doesn't want to be compared to her sisters! Chu Jinmiao started to think, why did her aunt come back to her parents' home this time?

Zhao was devoted to supporting Chu Jinmiao, not to mention Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian, even the second young master Chu Chengye could not compare.

There was a reason why Zhao doted on the second daughter so much, even more than the eldest daughter and eldest son.

The second young master was Zhao's only legitimate son, the eldest son of the first wife, but the second in the family. When Zhao married into the family, she gave birth to Chu Jinxian as her first child, who was taken away by the old lady as soon as she was born. Zhao did not give birth to a son, and tried hard to get pregnant again, but there was no movement for two years. Instead, the daughter-in-law of the second wife gave birth to the eldest grandson of the Changxing Marquis's Mansion. Zhao was under great pressure and had to stop giving her concubine the medicine. Soon after, she finally gave birth to her second child, the second young master Chu Chengye.

But before Zhao could breathe a sigh of relief, the other two concubines also gave birth to two illegitimate sons. Because Zhao was too worried when she was pregnant, the second young master was not very strong after being born. His body was very weak. Zhao was a marquis' wife. Not only did she not have a legitimate grandson, but the son she gave birth to with great difficulty was not in good health. On the contrary, the other two illegitimate sons were stronger than each other.

Zhao could not swallow this breath, and she could not stand up in her husband's family. Later, the Tatars invaded the border, and Zhao and the old lady's team were separated. She fled alone, with only her wet nurse Zhang by her side. Zhao didn't know how much resentment and hatred she had in her heart. Later, she gave birth to her second daughter in a small farmyard. Chu Jinmiao cried breathlessly, but her little hands kept clutching her clothes. At that time, Zhao felt that this was her daughter, and she must fight for her daughter. Later, when she returned to the Marquis's mansion, the old lady felt bad and gave Zhao a lot of support. Zhao was also very kind to Chu Jinmiao, almost praising the fourth girl to the sky, even the eldest girl and the second young master were not as good as her.

Later, Changxing Marquis brought back Chu Jinyao, and Zhao felt that the world had collapsed, and she refused to accept it no matter what. Chu Jinyao has been back for a month, and even the concubines can smile and joke with Chu Jinyao, but Zhao has always been cold and indifferent to Chu Jinyao.

And Chu Jinyao... to be honest, she has already looked down on her a lot. When she first came, she longed for her mother, but after she got through the most difficult hurdle, she felt that this was just the icing on the cake. Zhao didn't like her, so there was no need for her to keep chasing after her.

Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian resigned from Zhao together. After they went out and reached a deserted place, Chu Jinxian stopped and said to Chu Jinyao: "Why did you follow me out?"

Chu Jinyao was surprised: "Yes, this... is there anything wrong?"

Chu Jinxian didn't know what to say, and she felt a little disappointed in her heart: "You are so honest. I have my grandmother to take care of me, and I will get married in a few days, but what about you? The men in the inner house can't be relied on. You are only thirteen this year, and you will stay in the marquis's mansion for many years. If you don't stay with your mother to do needlework and hang out with her more, what will you do in the future? What should I do? Don't forget that you still have to get married."

Chu Jinyao didn't dare to say anything back. Chu Jinxian took a deep breath, calmed down her anger, and then said, "Be smart next time. Didn't you see that the fourth lady didn't come out? When there is no one around, she and mother will definitely get more things by being coquettish. The expenses in the back house are so high, who can survive on the monthly salary? They are all subsidized by the elders in private. If you are not smart, you will only make mistakes step by step, and in the end she will suppress you. If the marriage is suppressed by her in the end, I want to see what you will do."

"Sister, I was wrong." Chu Jinyao honestly bowed her head and admitted her mistake. Chu Jinxian was relieved to see that she had a good attitude in admitting her mistakes. She hinted, "People are all made of flesh and blood. You should stay in front of your mother more often. She will always see you. I'm going to get married soon, and your father is not in the inner house all year round. You have to make plans for yourself."

How could Chu Jinyao not understand? Chu Jinxian wanted her to get close to Zhao and act coquettishly so that she could have an easier life in the future. Chu Jinyao understood the truth, but she really couldn't do it. It's okay to plot against her stepmother, but Zhao is her biological mother.

Chu Jinxian had said this, and it was inconvenient to mention the rest. As they were talking, they had already arrived at Chu Jinxian's yard. She stopped and said to Chu Jinyao, "Keep the thirty taels well. There are many expenses in the inner house." She wanted Chu Jinyao to find a way to save more money, but after thinking about it, Chu Jinxian couldn't think of any suitable way for Chu Jinyao to make money. In the end, she could only sigh, "You should bear with it for now, and it will be better in the future."

Will it be better in the future? Chu Jinxian couldn't say. If Chu Jinyao was alone, Chu Jinxian wouldn't worry so much, but Chu Jinmiao was there too. Originally, Chu Jinxian and Chu Jinmiao had a very weak relationship. Now that she knew that Chu Jinmiao was a fake, Chu Jinxian didn't care about her anymore. How could she not stand by her only sister? But Chu Jinmiao was full of thoughts and good at flattering others. Chu Jinmiao had everything, and Chu Jinxian was worried.

Chu Jinyao understood Chu Jinxian's thoughts. She smiled and said to her, "Sister, you don't have to say anything. I understand. Money is dead, but people are alive. Can a living person be troubled by dead money? Just focus on embroidering your trousseau, and don't worry about me."

Chu Jinxian knew that it was pointless to say more, so she nodded and said, "Okay. You can go back like this today, but you can't do it next time. You have to stay in front of your mother to compete for her favor. Otherwise, all the advantages will be taken away by that person."

Chu Jinyao agreed with a smile, and then parted ways with Chu Jinxian at the fork in the road. Chu Jinxian returned to the house, while Chu Jinyao walked towards the remote Chaoyun Courtyard.

When they were in a deserted place, Chu Jinyao asked Ding Xiang to follow them from a distance, and she whispered to Qin Yi: "Qi Ze, my two sisters are both good people."

Qin Yi smiled: "Is this all you have? She is right, your current situation is indeed not good."

"But there is already a relative who is willing to consider me. This is already a very good start, isn't it?" Chu Jinyao said, "It will only get better in the future."

This is the first time Qin Yi has seen such a person, who is obviously helpless, but still vows that it will only get better in the future.

The people Qin Yi knows can turn against each other and stab him in the back for a little bit of profit. He had been living in endless calculations and betrayals since he was five years old. He really didn't expect that someone in such a deep and unfathomable mansion could say such naive words.

Qin Yi paused for a long time, but in the end he didn't have the heart to expose her fantasy. He said, "Yes." He also hoped that Chu Jinyao could always be so optimistic.

"Qi Ze, do you still remember the prince your father talked about?"

Qin Yi paused and hummed softly.

"He dared to shoot palace maids in front of everyone... I think he must be very young."

"Huh?" Qin Yi's voice suddenly became sharp, "What did you say?"

"I think I guessed right. But I guessed this not because he shot palace maids in public. In his heart, the military drum should be an extremely sacred thing, so I can understand why he did this. If he dared to do this, he must be a very upright and open-minded person!" Chu Jinyao finished speaking, waited for a while, and asked curiously, "Why don't you refute me? I thought a smart person like you would not easily admit others."

Qin Yi sighed softly: "He is not upright, nor open-minded. He just can't stand it."

"But among all the civil and military officials in the court, only he dares to do this! I know you will definitely say that this is because he is the prince, but not all princes dare to directly confront the emperor and the empress. I guess he is young, that's why. He would rather go to the border to blow the cold wind than to surrender to the empress. He still has the temper of a child."

Chu Jinyao heard her jade pendant and said coldly: "Well, you are short of everything now. I ask you to act coquettishly with Zhao, will you go?"

"I won't go."

Qin Yi snorted, Chu Jinyao was a little embarrassed, and hurried to save face for herself: "That's because I was picked up by the wrong family since I was a child! I didn't grow up with my mother, how can I act coquettishly and ask for everything with a clear conscience. But the prince grew up in the palace, he is different from me."

"There's nothing different." Qin Yi sighed inaudibly, and said, "The queen is not his biological mother. She's his aunt."

"Aunt?" Chu Jinyao was completely shocked. She knew that there were emperors, queens and princes in the court, but she had no idea how these nobles who only existed in legends lived and what their relationships were.

Qin Yi mentioned it, but didn't want to say more. Chu Jinyao didn't wait for an answer, and felt a little disappointed. Suddenly she thought of a question: "Hey, Qi Ze, why do you know so much?"

"You'll know if you ask around." Qin Yi said, and said to her meaningfully, "Use your brain." Qin Yi felt that he had revealed too much information, and if Chu Jinyao could guess his identity from this, Qin Yi would accept it.

And Qin Yi... was really overthinking. Chu Jinyao understood what Qin Yi was hinting at. She thought about it carefully and said, "Yes, I will live in the Marquis' Mansion for a long time in the future. How can I be as ignorant as before? Thank you for reminding me. I will have to inquire about the affairs of the rich and powerful in the future. I can't always rely on you."

Qin Yi was speechless. Seeing that he didn't respond, Chu Jinyao thought he was embarrassed and repeated it deliberately: "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, I didn't remind you."

... Chu Jinyao felt that it was really difficult to chat with Qin Yi.

After walking back to Chaoyun Courtyard with great difficulty, Chu Jinyao ordered someone to open the box, take out Yunjin, and lock up the thirty taels of silver.

While the maids were not paying attention, Chu Jinyao quietly asked Qin Yi: "Is thirty taels really not a lot?"

Qin Yi said: "I don't think thirty taels is a lot."

"You..." Chu Jinyao wanted to be angry, but ended up laughing, "Why are you like this!"

Qin Yi did not refute. In his opinion, thirty taels of silver... no one dared to bring it to him.

Chu Jinyao opened the package and slid his fingers over the shiny silver ingot. Chu Jinyao said to Qin Yi with some emotion: "A month ago, I could not earn ten copper coins in a year, but now I feel that thirty taels of silver are not enough. Isn't the encounter in life very strange?"

Qin Yi was slightly surprised: "You..."

"I'm fine. There is nothing to avoid. I was indeed a poor person when I was young. Even when I came to a rich place, I always felt panic." Chu Jinyao smiled and said, "Being poor is not wrong. Being lazy and greedy is, isn't it?"

Qin Yi felt that the girl in front of him always did something that surprised him when he thought he saw through her. Qin Yi's tone was also filled with emotion when he spoke again: "I have seen many people who, once they became rich, abandoned their wives and children, despised poverty and loved wealth, and refused to admit their past. You are so frank, which is good, much better than the person who replaced your identity."

Chu Jinyao smiled at the compliment, she was a little embarrassed, and changed the subject abruptly: "These thirty taels alone are not enough. They say to increase income and reduce expenditure, I don't think I can save much money, I have to find a way to increase income!"

Qin Yi thought: "This is not a big deal. There will be a way in the future."

"Do you still think that money will fall from the sky for me?" Chu Jinyao smiled, "You look very smart, but sometimes you are very stubborn. I am not a child, how can I believe these? Besides, it's not just me, I also want to help my sister. By the way, the eldest girl is also very good to me, I will repay her in the future." Chu Jinyao frowned as she spoke: "A penny can make a hero fall. Now I understand why it is so difficult to make money."

Chu Jinyao waited for a long time and couldn't help asking: "Why don't you say anything?"

"I said it." Qin Yi's tone was very unfriendly, "You just didn't listen."

"Girl!"

Chu Jinyao hurriedly said "Hey", Shancha stood outside and shouted: "The needle and thread basket has been brought."

"Okay, I'll come out right now." Chu Jinyao stayed in the inner room to pack her things and told the maid not to come in. She chatted with Qin Yi and almost forgot about the outside. Chu Jinyao stood up, picked up the wooden box containing thirty taels of silver, and whispered to Qin Yi, "I'm going out now, don't say anything."

The author has something to say: Chu Jinyao's diary:

Today is February 15th, the weather is fine, the bricks on the construction site are very hot, and the rich woman did not show up.

Today I was exposed to high-profile show of wealth. The eldest sister Chu Jinxian is the big boss of the Hou Mansion, and she is very rich. Chu Jinmiao is very good at dealing with things and has secretly saved a lot of money. Only I was melancholy in the wind with only thirty taels. And my jade pendant elf told me that thirty taels is not money.

I hate these rich people. If it makes me uncomfortable, I have blocked them.