Ever since Zhang Hanyan visited the Lin residence and saw Lin Qianqian’s living conditions, she had been extremely angry.
She waited and waited, finally waiting for a suitable moment to speak.
First, she deliberately pinched her own left cheek hard twice before going to her mother—Princess Jishan’s room.
Her father, Zhang Zhitong, the Minister of Personnel, happened to be there as well.
“Father, Mother, do you still remember what I told you last time? About how the Lin family sister saved me?”
Princess Jishan smiled indulgently. “Of course I remember. I already prepared the thank-you gifts long ago—you were the one who said not to send them to the Lin residence yet.”
“Yes, don’t send them yet. If we send them, they’ll just be taken away by others and won’t reach Sister Lin.”
Zhang Hanyan gritted her teeth. “Mother, do you know? That vicious woman actually made Sister Lin live in a filthy horse stable.”
The capital was large, but anyone with some status had naturally heard of the Lin family.
Princess Jishan also knew Madam Wang’s background well—that she had been involved with the already-married Lin Qingyun and later entered the Lin household as a co-wife. This scandal was already widely known.
Madam Wang had already lost face, yet she still dared to do such shameless things—it was truly outrageous.
“Hanyan, another day invite Qianqian over to our residence. I will properly thank her then.”
“Alright, Mother.”
Zhang Hanyan turned to her father with a pitiful expression. “Father, look at my face—it still hasn’t healed. It was that Madam Lin who hit me. They say husband and wife are one. If she’s so vicious, Lin Qingyun must not be a good man either. Father, you must keep a close eye on your subordinate.”
Zhang Zhitong had four sons before finally getting this daughter, whom he cherished deeply. Seeing her injured face made him heartache.
The next day, Zhang Zhitong made things difficult for Lin Qingyun.
He casually went through several record books Lin Qingyun had organized and found multiple errors, then summoned him and scolded him for half an hour.
Lin Qingyun tried to explain, “There are so many records in the Ministry of Personnel, and the workload is heavy. A few small mistakes are normal—no one is perfect.”
Zhang Zhitong said sternly, “His Majesty repeatedly emphasizes that officials must be meticulous and even more meticulous. Yet you say mistakes are normal—what do you take His Majesty’s words for?”
Hearing the emperor’s name invoked, Lin Qingyun no longer dared to argue.
If he said the wrong thing and was seen as disrespecting the emperor, it would be a serious crime.
“Lord Zhang, this official acknowledges his mistake.”
“Good that you know it,” Zhang Zhitong said coldly. “I also heard you abandoned your own daughter in a snowy mass grave. That shows serious issues with your character.”
Cold sweat broke out on Lin Qingyun’s back. He finally realized why the minister was making things difficult for him.
It was all because of that damn girl, Lin Qianqian.
“Lord Zhang, please do not believe rumors. I did that because the child was born without breath—I thought she was already dead. I was afraid Madam Jiang would be heartbroken, so I replaced her with a healthy child to comfort her.”
He had prepared this excuse over ten years ago.
Even if people didn’t believe it, there was no evidence. What could anyone do to him?
The Great Yan Dynasty did not forbid officials from visiting brothels, so Lin Qingyun often vented his frustrations by drinking with colleagues in such places.
Madam Wang, being naturally petty, was displeased when she learned this.
That day, Zhang Hanyan waited early outside the Lin residence and insisted on taking Lin Qianqian out to buy jewelry.
Mainly because every time she saw her, Lin Qianqian wore no accessories at all.
Since no one cared for Sister Lin, she would.
“Miss Lin, I heard the Mingyue Silver Shop has just brought in many beautiful pieces. Come with me to take a look.”
A carriage was prepared, and they quickly arrived.
Inside the shop, Lin Qianqian took a liking to a jade hairpin made of mutton-fat jade—pure white, flawless, warm and smooth to the touch.
“Miss Lin, you like this? I’ll buy it for you. Clerk, how much is this jade hairpin?”
“Honored customer, this piece is of excellent quality. It costs 200 taels of silver.”
Just as Zhang Hanyan was about to have it wrapped up, someone cut in.
“I offer 300 taels.”
The speaker was Lin Baozhu.
Ever since their first encounter, she had harbored deep hatred for both Zhang Hanyan and Lin Qianqian.
This time, it wasn’t a coincidence. She had been monitoring Zhang Hanyan since she waited outside the Lin residence.
She had followed them all the way.
Since Lin Qianqian liked the hairpin, she would snatch it—she would never let her have what she wanted.
“Shopkeeper, I offer 300 taels. Sell it to me.”
Zhang Hanyan said, “We saw it first.”
Lin Baozhu sneered. “Whoever pays more gets it. Isn’t that the rule?”
The shopkeeper, seeing an opportunity to profit, immediately agreed. “Of course, whoever pays more gets it!”
Lin Qianqian stopped Zhang Hanyan. “Let me handle it.”
“I offer 400 taels.”
“I offer 500 taels,” Lin Baozhu immediately countered.
They continued raising the price in increments of one hundred taels, neither willing to yield.
When the price reached 1,000 taels, Old Madam Fang beside Lin Baozhu panicked.
Spending 1,000 taels on something worth 200 would certainly lead to punishment for servants like her.
“Miss Baozhu, Madam will not be pleased with this…”
Lin Baozhu shoved her to the ground. “Shut up, dog servant!”
This was a silent war, and no one could stop her.
…
“I offer 1,700 taels,” said Lin Qianqian.
“1,800 taels!” Lin Baozhu looked triumphant, waiting for Lin Qianqian to continue.
But instead, Lin Qianqian smiled. “Shopkeeper, that price is quite good. Sell it to Miss Lin Baozhu.”
Only then did Zhang Hanyan realize—it was a trap.
A pit had been dug.
1,800 taels.
Old Madam Fang fainted on the spot from shock.
Zhang Hanyan said, “See? She fainted. If you can’t afford it, don’t bid so high.”
Realizing many noble ladies had gathered around, Lin Baozhu panicked but refused to lose face.
“Who says I can’t afford it? Send it to the Lin residence on Yuban Bridge. My mother will pay!”
The shopkeeper happily agreed.
Then Lin Qianqian asked for another item—a better jade hairpin.
This one cost only 280 taels.
“Wrap it up.”
Lin Baozhu rushed in again to compete—but this time the price soared to 2,500 taels, and she won again.
Old Madam Fang fainted once more upon hearing it.
Then Lin Qianqian picked a multicolored jade necklace and finally bought it without interference.
She said calmly, “I actually liked this necklace the moment I entered. As for the two hairpins, I only asked the price casually. Since you enjoy competing so much, I just played along.”
Lin Baozhu finally realized she had been tricked.
“You—you—”
Zhang Hanyan said lightly, “What? Are you admitting you’re stupid?”