After Li Jiaojiao and her group left, the onlookers dispersed, chatting and laughing.
The maid in green looked at Ye Caiping:
"Ye Yiren, is that right? My wife witnessed everything that just happened. Ye Yiren is of upright and noble character, and my wife would like to invite her upstairs for a gathering."
Ye Caiping politely replied, "Thank you for the invitation, Madam, but we have urgent matters to attend to, so we will not be going."
The maid in green didn't insist: "Alright."
Ye Caiping nodded and left with Jin'er and the others.
Once outside the teahouse, Jin Hua whispered, "Didn't they say there were no seats upstairs?"
Ye Caiping said, "That's because we're not old enough."
Ye Jin'er asked, "Who is that lady?"
"Hehe, I don't know."
As Ye Caiping spoke, she raised her eyebrows slightly.
Madam... Madam Lin, surnamed Lin, is someone the Duchess is so wary of...
Could it be such a coincidence?
Shen Zhiyan's ex-wife—Lin Yaxian?
According to Shen Manman, Lin Yaxian's father was the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty and one of the three regents.
She didn't need Madam Lin's maid to come out and help her out.
If she doesn't come, Ye Caiping can talk to Li Jiaojiao about going to jail and see if they'll still let her kneel.
Jiuqin Tea House —
After Ye Caiping and the others left, the maid in green went upstairs.
On the second floor, in a private room separated by a screen, a beautiful woman in white leaned against a rosewood couch with cloud patterns, calmly watching the bustling hall below.
The maid, Shangxue, stepped forward and said, "Madam, Lady Ye said she had urgent business and left."
Lin Yaxian responded lightly, "So what if he's leaving? It's no big deal."
Given her status and position, she would naturally not bother with such a minor noblewoman of the seventh or eighth rank.
This happened right before her eyes, and she felt that Ye Yiren's way of handling things suited her taste, so she wanted to invite her over to pass the time.
Shang Xuedao shook his head and chuckled, "This Ye Yiren has no idea what she's missing."
Lin Yaxian did not respond.
Shangxue sat down to the side and used a small pole to stir the silver charcoal in the charcoal brazier: "I heard... Second Master and Miss are back. The streets were closed the night before last."
Lin Yaxian's heart trembled slightly, but her face remained calm: "It's time to come back."
Around this time every year, the father and daughter would return.
It was to celebrate the old lady's birthday, and also to prepare for the Lunar New Year.
Around February next year, they will leave again, like migratory birds.
Lin Yaxian clutched her chest tightly, her eyes closed, and her already pale face grew even paler.
After a while, she opened her eyes and said, "Let's go back! Have someone bring out a serving of laurel milk pudding and deliver it to the Shen family later."
"yes."
Laurel milk pudding is Manman's favorite dessert.
She came here today only to see Manman, but she left disappointed.
......
Duke Ping's Mansion——
The Duchess sat angrily on the long couch, slamming her hand hard on the kang table: "What a shrew! Indeed, shrewish people come from poor and remote places!"
Li Jiaojiao stood at the lower end, her face pale, twisting her handkerchief tightly: "Mother...it's all Jiaojiao's fault."
She then knelt down with a thud: "Please punish your daughter, Mother."
"Oh, what's it to you?" The Duchess quickly reached out her hand.
Granny Yu, who was standing to the side, secretly rolled her eyes and stepped forward to help Li Jiaojiao up.
“Mother…” Li Jiaojiao’s eyes reddened, “Mother, you are so good to me.”
"Speaking of which, how did you two get into a fight? Do you know her?" The Duchess took the tea handed to her by the maid.
Li Jiaojiao's face stiffened slightly. She had already prepared an excuse: "I don't know him... we just argued over a table."
"Hmph, that shrew, I wonder how she got to the capital."
Li Jiaojiao felt a little nervous upon hearing this, fearing that the Duchess would say she wanted to investigate.
I'm afraid they'll find out they know each other, and then they'll find out about her background.
My background isn't a big deal, but I can't wear this outfit because I've been to prison.
Li Jiaojiao said anxiously, "Let's ignore her. It was just a quarrel... Um, Mother said that our family has a beautiful estate in the capital. Could you come with me to visit?"
The Duchess laughed and said, "You little rascal, aren't you supposed to be learning etiquette and manners? There aren't many days left until the Marquis of Dingguo's birthday banquet, and you're still playing around."
“I can learn even if I go to the village!” Li Jiaojiao said as she walked over and affectionately took her arm. “The scenery at the village is so beautiful. If we can enjoy the scenery while we learn, we might improve a lot. Mother, come on over!”
"Alright, alright, I'll go then."
"It's still early, shall we go now?"
"Look how anxious you are... anything is fine."
As he spoke, he pinched Li Jiaojiao's nose, having long since forgotten about Ye Caiping.
To her, Ye Caiping was nothing more than a lowly clown.
Li Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief.
After comforting the Duchess, Li Jiaojiao took Xiao Lü back to pack their belongings.
She felt a burning hatred for Ye Caiping.
She sent the Duchess away because she was afraid Ye Caiping would come to her door and expose her past imprisonment.
We can't let my mother's people have any more contact with Ye Caiping.
Li Jiaojiao closed the door: "Xiao Lü, find a way to get that Ye Caiping out of the capital."
Xiao Lü's face froze: "Miss, what are you saying? If that's the case, why not let the Duchess do it?"
Li Jiaojiao's face stiffened: "We can't let Mother know. Anyway... you take care of it."
Xiao Lü's face twisted in pain: "If it were Madam, it would only take a word. Miss... how could this servant possibly do it?"
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