Ling’er glared resentfully at Shen Yuanqiong, who was full of disdain, her heart seething with anger.
Turning her gaze, she noticed the pearl hairpin on Shen Yuanqiong’s head, which looked all too familiar.
She frowned, thinking for a long while before finally recalling the hairpin.
That hairpin was clearly a birthday gift the master had given to the mistress when he was still alive.
Such a large, warm, and translucent pearl could not be found anywhere else in the entire Suzhou Prefecture, yet now it was blatantly worn on Shen Yuanqiong’s head!
Ling’er stamped her foot in anger and was about to step forward when Luo Shi firmly held her back.
Anxious and pouting, Ling’er was pushed behind Luo Shi, who remained calm and composed.
Shen Yuanzhu had not failed to notice what Shen Yuanqiong was wearing on her head. Her gaze lingered on the pearl hairpin for only a moment before she turned away as if she had seen nothing, still walking affectionately beside Ye Yunyi.
“Sister-in-law treats Yuanzhu so well.”
“Look at what you’re saying. Who else would I treat well if not you? Both you and Yuanqiong are dear to my heart.”
Ye Yunyi held Shen Yuanzhu’s hand, her eyes filled with reluctance. “Actually, even if you didn’t say it, I know why Xuchuan came today—it must be to discuss the marriage between the two of you.
“Thinking that you’ll be married off soon, my heart…”
Pressing a hand to her chest, Ye Yunyi wiped away nonexistent tears from the corner of her eye. “I can’t bear to part with you.
“My Yuanzhu is gentle and obedient. I’ve raised you like my own daughter for so long, nurturing you into such a radiant and well-rounded person. I wonder if you’ll be as carefree in your husband’s household as you are now.”
Shen Yuanzhu said affectionately, “I’m afraid it will be difficult. After all, there is no one in this world who treats Yuanzhu as kindly as Sister-in-law.”
“As long as you know that your sister-in-law and your elder brother care for you, that’s enough. Your elder brother may not say it, but he holds both of you closest to his heart.”
Shen Yuanzhu smiled, her eyes curving like crescents, but she remained silent.
“Ah, look at my forgetful head. There’s something I forgot to tell you.”
Ye Yunyi held Shen Yuanzhu’s hand and patted it gently. “Do you remember the incident a while ago when my younger brother ruined a batch of goods?”
Ye Yunyi’s maternal family specialized in cotton cloth and was a reputable old shop in Songjiang.
However, compared to the Shen family, they were somewhat inferior, so the Ye family relied on the favor of the Xie and Shen families.
Since Ye Yunyi married into the Shen family, she had often used the Shen family’s wealth to support her own family.
Hearing her mention this, Shen Yuanzhu tilted her head and said, “I remember now. Sister-in-law borrowed three thousand taels of silver from me for an emergency back then. Can you repay it now?”
Ye Yunyi’s expression cooled slightly. “Yes, my younger brother passed through Suzhou Prefecture a few days ago and returned the money. I’ve already added it to the family’s public funds.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu revealed a faint smile.
The silver she had coaxed and pressured out of her was now claimed to have been returned to the public funds. In the past, she had only thought Ye Yunyi was somewhat petty, but now she saw her as greedy.
Seeing that Shen Yuanzhu remained silent, Ye Yunyi continued, “You know, the Shen family’s business has been far worse in recent years than when Father was alive.
“Since your mother passed away, many rare dyes in the Shen family dye workshop have been sealed away. With the most profitable business cut off, the family’s fortunes have naturally declined.
“But the Xie family…”
Ye Yunyi sighed. “Using the Shen family’s Dyeing Manual, their business has grown larger and larger over the years. It’s truly frustrating.
“Just think, our own family comes from a dyeing background, yet the colors we can produce now are simply not as good as the Xie family’s. How can that be satisfying?”
“Your brother runs around with the merchant guild for business, and only I, as his wife, truly care for him.
“Outsiders profit handsomely from the Shen family’s craftsmanship, yet we ourselves cannot use our own creations. If word gets out, we’d be condemned as traitors who bite the hand that feeds them.”
Ye Yunyi looked up, meeting Shen Yuanzhu’s gaze. “Yuanzhu, don’t you agree?”