Chapter 13 Meeting Again, It Was Him Again
For the next few days, Jiang Shiyao stayed in her embroidery room day and night.
Through the open window, one can see the vibrant life in the courtyard and hear Fu'er's cheerful laughter.
Outside the courtyard wall, the Duke of England's mansion was filled with joy as everyone busied themselves preparing for the upcoming wedding of the heir apparent.
As Shuangjiang helped Fu'er put the woven flower wreath on her head, she turned her head and saw Jiang Niangzi lying on the embroidery frame through the window.
Since returning from Yubaolou that day, Madam Jiang has not left the house for five whole days.
I've been embroidering day and night, and I can barely lift my hands to eat.
Her lips were slightly pursed; when the master was unhappy, it was always the subordinates who suffered.
Even with the protection of the prince, Lady Jiang could not escape disaster.
Once the new mistress enters the household, if she wants to use the maid to control the wife, what can the wife do?
To outsiders, it may look like a riot of flowers and brocade, but only those involved truly know the bitterness within.
Everything is predestined, and nothing is up to us.
"Frost's Descent".
When Shuangjiang came to her senses, Jiang Niangzi was standing by the window calling her.
Jiang Shiyao removed the embroidery from the embroidery frame.
“Take this to the old lady now and see if the bead in the auspicious beast’s mouth is made of pearl or embroidered with silver thread.”
This auspicious beast was embroidered by Jiang Niangzi under Shuangjiang's supervision.
Only when it was taken down did I realize that the auspicious beast seemed to come alive.
Looking at the empty spot on the longevity peach, Shuangjiang felt extremely sorry for Jiang Niangzi. "You've been working on this embroidery for more than half a month, and now you can't even pick up your chopsticks to eat."
"Miss Song embroidered a tiny peach on it, and she's going to steal all the credit!"
Jiang Shiyao rubbed her wrists. "I don't care about empty fame; I just want some real benefits."
"On the day of Frost's Descent, do you think it's better for an auspicious beast to hold a real pearl in its mouth or a fake pearl?"
Shuangjiang's gaze slowly shifted from the embroidery to Jiang Niangzi's wrist, while outside the window, Fu'er's clear laughter could still be heard.
Even without the addition of pearls, such an embroidery piece could fetch at least a thousand taels of silver in an embroidery shop.
Jiang Niangzi worked herself to the bone, not only without pay, but also having to resort to such methods to get even the slightest benefit.
She slowly opened her mouth and said, "Of course, pearls are better."
Jiang Shiyao smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Take it and show it to the old lady."
After the frost had passed, she took out a round pearl the size of a thumb from her sleeve.
Pearls of this size and quality cost at least three thousand.
But the one in her hand weighed thirty taels.
The flawed beads are made by grinding and pressing them, and cannot withstand the ravages of time.
It's realistic enough to fool people.
"Frostfall, what are you thinking about? Did you hear me talking to you?"
Seeing her absent-minded look, Gao's mother was somewhat displeased.
“You’ve become even more lax since you went to Madam Jiang’s courtyard.”
Shuang lowered her head. Just now, the old lady praised her daughter's embroidered auspicious beasts, but then she said—
"If we can truly gain the Empress Dowager's favor, it will be a great boost to Yun'er's reputation."
She bit her lip. "This servant just feels that Madam Jiang has had a hard time. This was clearly embroidered by Madam Jiang working late into the night, but the old lady wants to use this embroidery to enhance Miss Song's reputation."
Mrs. Gao poked her head in exasperation, "You feel sorry for others, but who will feel sorry for you!"
"Don't forget, from now on you will all be serving the Crown Prince under the same roof."
"If you don't learn your lesson now, we'll see if you'll shed any tears later!"
Shuangjiang didn't say anything, but took the embroidery and turned back to the courtyard.
Jiang Shiyao, unusually, didn't stay in the embroidery room but instead played with Fu'er in the courtyard.
"My lady," Shuangjiang said, her expression changing quickly as she entered, "the old lady said to use pearls!"
As she spoke, she took out her money pouch from her bosom with sincere eyes.
"Pearls are precious, but I am a lowly servant. You should buy them yourself, madam."
Jiang Shiyao looked at the money bag in her hand that she hadn't taken several times.
The fish are plump; they're ready to be harvested.
She smiled and took the money bag. "Fu'er has been cooped up at home these days and hasn't gone out for a long time. Why don't you go out and get some fresh air today?"
Fu'er accurately caught the word "go out" and immediately jumped up happily.
Besides Dexinglou, Huaiyuelou is another famous restaurant in Beijing.
The only difference is that, in addition to its food business, Huaiyue Tower also has a building connected to it that specializes in brothels.
Most of the people who go to Huaiyue Tower are people who seek pleasure and entertainment.
However, the chef at Huaiyuelou is so skilled that he introduces new dishes every month, allowing you to enjoy different flavors from various regions.
Therefore, there were quite a few servants from various households who went to Huaiyue Tower specifically to buy vegetables.
When Jiang Shiyao and the others got out of the car, Mrs. He almost thought the driver had gone to the wrong place.
"My wife, this...this is..."
Jiang Shiyao: "This building is full of restaurants, Mom, why are you panicking?"
It's not that no young women come to Huaiyue Tower for meals, it's just that very few do.
When the waiter saw the group, he immediately led them to a side room on the third floor.
Opening the window of the side room reveals a view of the courtyard.
Artificial hills and flowing water, a garden full of spring colors, with red flowers and green willows.
The scenery is good and the taste is delicious.
If it weren't for the brothels that followed, Dexing Tower would have to give way to the top spot.
"Mother, this place is so beautiful!"
Fu'er stood on the stool with her two little hands, and clung to the windowsill with her other two little hands.
She saw a figure flash by on the first floor across the street, and she grabbed her mother's wrist and leaned out to get a better look.
Jiang Shiyao grabbed her by the back of her collar with her other hand and pulled her back, "Fu'er, it's dangerous!"
Fu'er loosened her grip on her mother's small hand, hooked her fingers around the red string on her wrist, and actually broke the knot.
Jiang Shiyao's jade pendant, which was tied to her wrist, fell off.
"ah!--"
"It's so high, it'll probably break if it falls." She peered down and saw ripples spreading across the small pool below.
Frost's Descent, "It fell into the pond, it shouldn't be broken, let me go pick it up."
The jade pendant had always been on her wrist. After it broke at the White Horse Temple, she tried several knots but none of them worked.
They dispersed again today as expected.
Jiang Shiyao leaned against the window, recalling scenes from her childhood.
I only remember a gentle figure from behind, who could braid beautiful knots and even make them into hair ornaments.
Her other memories consisted mainly of her brother secretly taking her to a private school.
He would also secretly take her to pick the village chief's mulberries.
Her older brother taught her to read and write.
Her brother had repeatedly told her to keep this jade pendant safe and not to lose it.
As Jiang Shiyao was lost in thought, a hand reached out from under the eaves and picked up the jade pendant from the pond.
"That's mine," she said hastily.
The owner of that hand peered up from under the eaves.
It's that sucker.
Jiang Shiyao straightened up instinctively. "Thank you, young master. My maid has already gone downstairs. You can put it back where it was."
Xiao Shu glanced upstairs, then held up the jade pendant to the sunlight. "It's alright, I'll just wait here."
With the help of the daylight, he was able to see the words on the back of the jade pendant.
Blue lotus.
"Young master, this is my wife's jade pendant."
As soon as Shuangjiang opened her mouth, she was bumped by a burly man and nearly flew out of her hand.
"Master, we haven't caught the person!"
Shuangjiang leaned against a pillar, swallowing back the words she was about to say.
There was blood on the man's knife!
Xiao Shu tossed the jade pendant to Shuangjiang, saying, "Tell your wife that it would be best to leave as soon as possible."
Shuangjiang grabbed the jade pendant and ran upstairs.
Huaiyuelou is a mixed bag; no matter how delicious the food is, you shouldn't go there!
She had just run back to the side room, panting, when she saw several people suddenly appear in the room!
Jiang Shiyao looked pale as Zhou Congxian embraced her.
She could smell a faint scent of blood on the tip of her nose, and the back of her clothes were gradually becoming damp from Zhou Congxian's arm.
She had just finished speaking to the gullible man downstairs when Zhou Congxian pushed the door open and came in.
He had just said "Don't move" when three or four men with menacing expressions entered a moment later.
Fu'er sat in her mother's arms, unaware of what had happened.
She broke the silence with her childish voice, "Mother, why hasn't Fu'er's chestnut cake arrived yet?"
Zhou Congxian picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip. "What are you all doing here? Are you afraid I won't pay?"
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
They are not yet certain that the man in black robes is the Crown Prince of England.
One of them clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Huaiyue Tower has been robbed. I chased them here and have disturbed Your Highness's enjoyment. Please forgive me."
Zhou Congxian snorted coldly, "Thief? Did I steal your vegetables or rice?"
"Call the manager here!"
Jiang Shiyao's lower back was gently pinched.
She reacted quickly, "They are just doing their duty. Let it go today, Your Highness. Didn't you promise Fu'er that you would take her to fly kites after dinner?"
Fu'er raised her two chubby little hands and cheered, "Flying kites!"
Zhou Congxian's expression softened slightly.
"Get out of here right now."
After the others left, Zhou Congxian finally relaxed, his face turning pale.
Shuangjiang walked over and noticed the bloodstains behind Jiang Niangzi. "Madam!"
"Shh." Jiang Shiyao took the jade pendant. "Bring over the bundle that Wen packed."
Although she rarely goes out, Jiang Shiyao always makes sure Fu'er is well-dressed.
Besides Fu'er's spare clothes, shoes, socks, some snacks, and some simple medicine for her injuries, the bundle contained Fu'er's bundle.
Zhou Congxian looked at the small bundle that resembled a treasure chest and said, "Why did you bring so much stuff?"
It's even more complete than fleeing a disaster.
Jiang Shiyao took out the medicine and gauze, "Fu'er is young and curious about everything. I'm afraid something might happen, so it's better to prepare more just in case."
As she spoke, she glanced at him and said, "I may not know how to teach my daughter, but at least I should ensure her safety!"
The powder was sprinkled on his affected area, and when the gauze was applied, his hand "accidentally" trembled and pressed too hard.
Zhou Congxian's face paled. "Jiang Shiyao!"
He knew she still harbored resentment towards the White Horse Temple.
He took a breath, pointed at Jiang Shiyao, and finally at Shuangjiang, "That..."
After thinking for a long time, I still couldn't remember her name. "Go to the intersection and call Wei Xun over. When he comes in, buy a rabbit kite."
Jiang Shiyao found the meal utterly tasteless.
She couldn't understand why the heir of the Duke's mansion would be chased and killed, and why those fierce-looking men would keep appearing outside the room.
What's so interesting about stealing from Huaiyu Tower?
The recipe or the beauty.
When Wei Xun came in with a paper rabbit kite, no one was happier than Fu'er.
"Fly kites!"
Zhou Congxian's eyes swept over a passing waiter.
"Fu'er wants to fly a kite, let's go."
He carried a kite and, with his concubine holding his daughter, walked out of Huaiyu Tower.
Watching the backs of the group, they reappeared in a room on the second floor.
"Master, no injuries were found on Zhou Congxian."
Xiao Shu stood by the window with his arms crossed, "Which hand did you injure?"
"Right hand."
His gaze fell on Zhou Congxian's right hand holding the kite, the large kite covering most of his arm.
"Hehe, interesting."
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