“Miss, we’re almost at Treasure Pavilion,” Qiuzhi said, peeking out through the lifted curtain and quickly reminding Gu Nanyin in case she hadn’t noticed.
Treasure Pavilion was an extremely famous shop in the Inky Moon Kingdom. It not only carried various gold and jade items, jewelry, and accessories favored by young ladies from noble families but also had a wide range of stationery beloved by scholars, such as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The variety was extensive, and the designs were exquisite, which often drew crowds of customers. Of course, the prices of the items inside were also shockingly high.
“Let’s go take a look,” Gu Nanyin said with interest. Jewelry held an irresistible allure for women.
The carriage stopped outside Treasure Pavilion, and Gu Nanyin and her companions entered. She had often visited Treasure Pavilion before, but back then, she had always brought Gu Qinglian along. Gu Qinglian had extravagant spending habits, and her monthly allowance was never enough to cover her expenses. Gu Nanyin, on the other hand, had extra funds from her mother’s support and was financially comfortable. Whenever she saw Gu Qinglian eyeing a piece of jewelry she liked but couldn’t afford, Gu Nanyin would take the initiative to buy it for her.
As soon as Gu Nanyin entered the shop, before she could even take a proper look around, the shopkeeper recognized her and approached with a smile. After all, she was a wealthy customer.
“Miss Gu, what would you like to see today? Our shop has recently acquired many fine pieces of jewelry,” the shopkeeper enthusiastically began to introduce. Just then, a young lady nearby, hearing the shopkeeper’s address, quickly turned to look at Gu Nanyin.
“Oh, isn’t this Miss Gu?” the girl in a pale yellow dress said in an exaggerated tone.
Hearing the unfriendly tone, Gu Nanyin glanced coldly to the side.
“Might I ask who you are?” Gu Nanyin asked indifferently, pretending not to recognize her.
“Miss Gu, you truly are forgetful, aren’t you? We met just a month ago. I’m from the Liu Minister’s residence…” Their fathers served together in the court—one was the Minister of Personnel, the other the Minister of Rites.
Before she could finish, Gu Nanyin interrupted, “Oh, so you’re the eldest daughter of the Liu Minister’s family. I fell into the water a month ago and had a high fever for several days, so I’ve forgotten many people and things. Please don’t take offense, Miss Liu.”
Qiuzhi wore a troubled expression. “Miss, this isn’t the Liu family’s eldest daughter. She’s the second daughter, born of a concubine.”
Of course, Gu Nanyin remembered. She had only said it deliberately because of the girl’s arrogant tone. This Liu Wan’er had always hung around with Gu Qinglian, considering herself Gu Qinglian’s close friend. Little did she know that Gu Qinglian was merely using her as a pawn. Though both were daughters of concubines, this Miss Liu was far more foolish.
Liu Wan’er stared at Gu Nanyin and her maid with an unpleasant expression. She refused to believe that Gu Nanyin truly didn’t remember her. The way the master and servant played off each other was clearly meant to humiliate her. She had always said this Gu Nanyin was no good, yet Qinglian, with her simple nature, constantly defended this elder sister in front of her.
Liu Wan’er’s face darkened, and she deliberately raised her voice. “I visited your residence recently and saw that your second sister was beaten so badly she couldn’t get out of bed. You even drove her and her mother to the most remote courtyard in the mansion. With such a venomous heart, mistreating your younger sister born of a concubine, you have none of the grace befitting an eldest daughter.” Liu Wan’er’s words were filled with indignation on behalf of Gu Qinglian. Qinglian’s injuries had been shocking to witness, yet she had still tried to hide the matter for the sake of her elder sister, Gu Nanyin, and prevent it from spreading.”Snake-hearted? I mistreated Gu Qinglian?” Gu Nanyin found it laughable. How had this Liu Wan’er managed to survive to this age with such a dim mind? Could it be that the wives and concubines in the Liu family’s inner quarters were exceptionally harmonious?
The young ladies and madams browsing jewelry in the shop immediately pricked up their ears upon hearing their exchange. Their attention shifted entirely from the accessories, turning instead to watch the two, eyes gleaming with lively curiosity.
Qiuzhi frowned, casting a cold glance at the Liu family’s young lady, her tone sharp. “Miss Liu is neither a party involved nor an eyewitness, and thus unaware of the truth. Yet today, in front of so many people, you slander my young lady so recklessly. As a fellow woman, are you not aware of how crucial a woman’s reputation is? Forgive my bluntness, but I truly cannot admire Miss Liu’s upbringing.”
“You…” Liu Wan’er’s face turned pale with anger. She raised her hand and swung it toward Qiuzhi’s face. “You’re just a lowly maid. How dare you interrupt when your betters are speaking?”
She had put all her strength into that slap. Had Qin Xue not swiftly pulled Qiuzhi back, Qiuzhi’s face would have been swollen on the spot.
Seeing the near-miss, Gu Nanyin was genuinely angered. Initially, she had considered Liu Wan’er as being misled and had not wanted to make an issue of it. But now, this person had grown so audacious as to dare strike someone.
Gu Nanyin stepped forward, her cool eyes seeming to hold boundless chill. Liu Wan’er, her hand still raised, suddenly met her gaze. In that instant, she felt her entire body stiffen, a cold shiver running through her as if she had been targeted by a malevolent spirit. Terrified, she involuntarily took a step back. How had Gu Nanyin developed such a fearsome presence in such a short time?
“Originally, I considered Miss Liu’s youth and did not wish to argue with you. But Miss Liu not only publicly slandered me but also attempted to assault my maid in broad daylight. I now realize that Miss Liu is not merely naive or ignorant but inherently malicious, rotten to the core. Given your own conduct, I wonder where you find the audacity to question me?”
“Gu Nanyin, you—” Liu Wan’er tried to retort, but Gu Nanyin cut her off.
“As the legitimate daughter of the Minister’s household, my actions naturally represent the dignity of the Minister’s residence. Miss Liu’s slander not only tarnishes the reputation of the Minister’s household; if rumors spread, people will assume my mother failed in raising her daughter properly. Would that not also implicate the Prime Minister’s household, from which my mother hails? With just a few words today, have you considered how many people might be affected? I will report today’s incident to the authorities, seeking accountability for Miss Liu’s reckless spreading of rumors, slandering a loyal official, and attempting public assault. Moreover, I will have my grandfather speak with Minister Liu to see if he holds any grievances against my grandfather, thus allowing you to publicly insult me in broad daylight. As the old saying goes, ‘Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.’ If Minister Liu cannot even discipline his own daughter, how is he fit to stand in the imperial court?”
“Why trouble yourself so, young lady? Simply inform the Prince and have him dismiss Minister Liu from his post. After all, Minister Liu is only a third-rank official—someone dispensable. We can easily promote another from below to replace him,” Qin Xue suggested earnestly. This was an excellent opportunity for the Prince to show his support.Liu Wan’er’s face was deathly pale, her fingers clutching the handkerchief in her hand so tightly they turned white. She had never imagined that this master and servant pair would so casually decide the fate of the Minister’s household. She was already an unfavored daughter born of a concubine—if her father lost his official position because of her, how could she and her mother possibly maintain their standing in the Minister’s household? Her father had toiled in the court for twenty years before finally rising to the position of Minister of Rites. Could it all vanish just because of a few words she spoke today? How could she ever face the people of the Minister’s household again?