Chapter 23: Sweet Talk"Ten taels of silver," Jiang Yiyue said."What ten taels of silver?" Jiang Mingzhu asked.Jiang Yiyue patted the pump head. "We agreed that if I made it, Second Sister would give me ten taels of silver.""Who agreed with you?" Jiang Mingzhu only received three taels of silver in monthly allowance.Her parents would secretly supplement her with quite a bit more.But she needed money for eating, drinking, entertainment, and tipping servants.By the end of each month, she wouldn't have a single copper coin left.Now she did have ten taels of silver on her.But this was her spending money for an outing in a few days.How could she give it to Jiang Yiyue?She was absolutely unwilling!"Second Sister, how can you go back on your word?" Jiang Yiyue accused.Jiang Mingzhu retorted guiltily, "Who's going back on their word?""Grandmother." Jiang Yiyue didn't argue with her further and turned to the Countess of Jingnan. "Second Sister is going back on her word.""Fourth Sister, don't talk nonsense!" Jiang Mingzhu was displeased."I'm not talking nonsense." Jiang Yiyue grabbed the Countess of Jingnan's sleeve with both hands. "Grandmother."The Countess of Jingnan was not an amiable grandmother.Although she favored the eldest branch of the family more, the children of that branch did not dare to get too close to her.When attending banquets outside, she would see other grandparents and grandchildren being affectionate with each other, feeling both envious and thinking it somewhat improper.She had stopped paying attention to such matters.Unexpectedly, Jiang Yiyue had so naturally grabbed her sleeve to complain.Her words and actions carried a somewhat coquettish, childish charm.Her heart softened inexplicably."You heard my conversation with Second Sister just now, didn't you?" Jiang Yiyue asked.The Countess of Jingnan nodded involuntarily. "I heard.""I made the device, so Second Sister should give me ten taels of silver, right?" Jiang Yiyue asked."That's right," the Countess of Jingnan said."Second Sister, did you hear that?" Jiang Yiyue immediately became as delighted as a child receiving approval. "Grandmother says you have to give me ten taels of silver. Hurry up and give it to me."For the first time, the Countess of Jingnan found her somewhat cute."Grandmother!" Jiang Mingzhu protested."Second Sister, you must accept the consequences of your bet!" Jiang Yiyue chimed in."Jiang Yiyue, shut up!" Jiang Mingzhu grew angry.The Countess of Jingnan frowned. "Mingzhu, what are you doing?"Realizing her rudeness, Jiang Mingzhu quickly lowered her head.The Countess of Jingnan raised her voice slightly. "As an elder sister, not only do you fail to take care of her, but you also go back on your word?"Angering the Countess of Jingnan held no benefits.Jiang Mingzhu had no choice but to grit her teeth and admit her mistake. "Grandmother's reprimand is justified."The Countess of Jingnan commanded, "Then give your fourth sister the ten taels of silver."Jiang Mingzhu had to look at her maid, Feng'er. "Feng'er.""Yes, Miss." Feng'er took out a silver ingot from her bosom.Jiang Mingzhu snatched it and slapped it in front of Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue pretended to be startled.The Countess of Jingnan shot Jiang Mingzhu a displeased glance.Jiang Mingjiao subtly tugged at Jiang Mingzhu's sleeve, signaling her to watch her attitude.Jiang Mingzhu also sensed the Countess of Jingnan's displeasure.Softening her voice, she attempted to remedy the situation. "Fourth Sister, here are ten taels of silver for you."Jiang Yiyue picked up the silver and turned to the Countess of Jingnan. "Grandmother, let's split it evenly. I'll give you four taels."The Countess of Jingnan was surprised. "Give me four taels?""Yes," Jiang Yiyue nodded."Since it's an even split, shouldn't you give me five taels?""We need to deduct the costs first, then split it evenly.""What costs?""My hairpin was worth two taels of silver," Jiang Yiyue said, touching her hair bun.This stinginess didn't provoke dislike but rather had a certain charm.The Countess of Jingnan, with her gentle heart, patted the bamboo tube and said, "Shouldn't my bamboo tube count as part of the cost?"Jiang Yiyue argued her case: "Then shouldn't my efforts count as cost too?"The Countess of Jingnan pondered for a moment. "That's harder to calculate."Jiang Yiyue smiled. "So let's not fuss over the details and just split the eight taels evenly.""Alright," the Countess agreed."Here." Jiang Yiyue took four taels of silver from her pocket and handed them to the Countess.The Countess actually accepted it.The Countess and Jiang Yiyue chatted so intimately and naturally.Jiang Mingzhu found it hard to watch.She had originally come to complain to the Countess.But instead!Instead!Instead, Jiang Yiyue was stealing the spotlight in front of the Countess.Not only had she lost ten taels of silver, but she had also made the Countess fond of Jiang Yiyue.It was truly adding insult to injury.She was both angry and anxious.She wanted to tear off Jiang Yiyue's pretentious mask but couldn't afford to offend the Countess.Her fists clenched involuntarily.Jiang Mingjiao saw that Jiang Mingzhu had reached her limit.She worried Jiang Mingzhu might act impulsively and make a mistake.She quickly said, "Grandmother, it's getting late, and I still have a few volumes of books to read."The Countess looked over. "Then go and read them.""Yes." Jiang Mingjiao tugged at Jiang Mingzhu's sleeve again.Jiang Mingzhu stood up with Jiang Mingjiao."Grandmother, I'll come see you again tomorrow," Jiang Mingjiao said."Alright." The Countess turned to Jiang Yiyue. "Are you leaving too?""I'm not leaving. I want to know how Grandmother makes her hair-washing liquid. It smells so fragrant and must feel wonderful to use." Jiang Yiyue immediately showered her with flattery.The Countess couldn't help but laugh. "Then I'll explain it to you in detail.""Grandmother, you're so kind," Jiang Yiyue said sweetly.The Countess laughed out loud.Jiang Mingzhu was fuming.Jiang Mingjiao grasped her wrist and whispered, "Second Sister."Jiang Mingzhu turned to look at Jiang Mingjiao.Jiang Mingjiao shook her head gently.In the end, Jiang Mingzhu didn't act on impulse.Jiang Mingjiao pulled her out of Qinghe Hall.Jiang Mingzhu finally couldn't hold back. "Mingjiao, look at how hypocritical Jiang Yiyue is!""Second Sister, walls have ears," Jiang Mingjiao whispered."I don't care if there are ears, I—"Jiang Mingjiao cut her off. "Do you want Grandmother to dislike you?"Jiang Mingzhu fell silent at once and turned to walk ahead.Jiang Mingjiao hurried to catch up.The two of them went together to the First Madam's Pine Forest Courtyard and told her what had happened that day.The First Madam was instantly displeased. "Mingzhu, how did you handle things?"Before Jiang Mingjiao could speak up for Jiang Mingzhu, Jiang Mingzhu said angrily, "Mother, it's all Jiang Yiyue's fault!"Jiang Mingjiao kept quiet."She must have spoken ill of me in front of Heir Ji, so he made me look bad."And she made some messy tube thing to curry favor with Grandmother."She also spouted sweet words, pouring honey into Grandmother's ears."She even extorted ten taels of silver from me."She…" Jiang Mingzhu grew more aggrieved as she spoke. "She also—""Enough," the First Madam interrupted impatiently.Jiang Mingzhu fell silent.First Madam pondered for a moment and said, "The matter of Heir Ji requires careful consideration. Leave your grandmother to me, and don’t worry about the ten taels of silver."What Jiang Mingzhu truly cared about was indeed Heir Ji. As for her grandmother and the ten taels of silver, she had no desire to say more.She asked, "Mother, how should we proceed with careful consideration?"First Madam curled her lips slightly.Jiang Mingjiao asked, "Mother, do you have a plan?"

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