Qin Mo’an remained silent after listening.
He gazed into Lin Tangtang’s bright eyes, which still held a hint of cunning.
“Focus on your tasks. The fourth day is about to end.”
Without giving a clear approval or refusal, Qin Mo’an simply left those words behind.
Lin Tangtang showed no urgency, lying on the bed as she sorted through her thoughts.
Yang Chen and Luo Chi were already secretly competing, and their rivalry would only intensify.
Tomorrow promised an interesting showdown between the two.
Moreover, the Flower Viewing Banquet at the Marquis Estate would feature even more drama.
Lost in her thoughts, Lin Tangtang drifted off to sleep and slept soundly until dawn.
It was the most peaceful night she had enjoyed since escaping from the Northern Territory.
Xiangxue entered with a basin of water. “Miss, as you predicted, Miss Yang did indeed visit the gold shop.”
“That family is inherently greedy. Whenever they know I have something, they always try to take advantage of me.”
After finishing her breakfast, Lin Tangtang said, “Let’s go and see the excitement for ourselves. First, we’ll nurture their greed. When the fish is plump enough, we’ll catch them all at once.”
The mistress and her maid took a carriage to Lin Tangtang’s gold shop, Yu Xiu Pavilion.
Yang Xiao was there, arrogantly directing the shop assistants to pack a headdress set for her, putting on an extravagant display.
When she reached the second floor, her attention was immediately captured by a Diancui Inlaid Pearl Headdress.
“You have excellent taste, miss. This is the latest style, the only one of its kind in the capital,” the shop assistant promptly explained.
Yang Xiao was mesmerized.
If she wore such a beautiful headdress, wouldn’t she outshine everyone?
Her mother had always complained about the family’s tight finances, unwilling to buy her the finest headdress sets, which left her overshadowed by Princess Baozhu at every banquet.
With this headdress at tomorrow’s banquet, she could finally turn the tables.
“If you like it, miss, you can try it on. With your beauty, wearing it would surely make you the talk of the capital!” The shop assistant continued to flatter her.
“Wrap this up for me—” Before she could finish her sentence.
“Wait!” A commanding female voice interrupted.
“This is what I’ve chosen. You can’t take it,” Princess Baozhu declared as she strode in, exuding an imposing aura.
But Yang Xiao refused to back down. She immediately placed the buyao in her hair. “Whoever wears it first, owns it!”
“You—” Princess Baozhu trembled with anger. How could she use a headdress that Yang Xiao had already worn?
She issued a haughty command, “Shop assistant, bring me the finest headdress sets in your shop. I want them all!”
…
Lin Tangtang sat in a private room on the second floor, lifting her teacup and blowing gently on the floating tea leaves.
Watching the tigers fight from a distance felt quite satisfying.
In her past life, this Princess Baozhu had been no pushover either.
In the end, Yang Xiao had her maid carry large and small packages back to the South Courtyard, where she eagerly began dressing up.
She swapped her bracelet for a Jasper Inlaid Gold Bracelet and adorned herself with a Crystal Tassel Buyao, convinced she looked stunning.
If only she had known earlier that Yu Xiu Pavilion was Lin Tangtang’s business.
Carrying a few pieces of jewelry, she excitedly went to Yu Shi’s room.
Yu Shi was giving instructions for the next day’s banquet.
The Flower Viewing Banquet had been scheduled well in advance, and invitations had already been sent to prominent noble families, so it couldn’t be changed at the last minute.
Fortunately, after receiving medical treatment, Yu Shi was now free of any discomfort.
“Mother, look, don’t I look beautiful?”
Yu Shi glanced up, a flash of admiration in her eyes. “Lovely, very nice.”
But then, as if remembering something, she asked, “Where did you get the gold to buy this headdress set?”
“Money, Mother, you only care about money.” Yang Xiao pouted discontentedly. “Don’t worry, I didn’t spend a single coin of yours. All these were obtained on credit from Lin Tangtang’s shops!”
After saying this, she produced a box from her hands. “This is your daughter’s gift to you.”
Lin Tangtang actually owns a Gold Shop? Yu Shi marveled inwardly, She truly is wealthy.
Since she’s so rich, it’s perfectly acceptable for the Marquis Estate to obtain Headdress Sets and jewelry on credit from the Gold Shop.
Soon enough, this Gold Shop will become the Marquis Estate’s property. Yu Shi thought gleefully.
“Did Lin Tangtang say anything?” Yu Shi asked.
“Mother, don’t worry. She didn’t even utter a word when you obtained those expensive medicinal herbs on credit, so what are a few Headdress Sets worth? She’s been living and eating in our estate for free, so it’s only right that she shows us some respect. Try wearing this jade hairpin first. Look, the quality of this jade is excellent.”
Yang Xiao cheerfully adorned Yu Shi. “There’s a lantern festival in the city today. With this outfit, Mother is sure to attract countless admiring glances.”
Soon enough, every word of this conversation reached Lin Tangtang’s ears.
After noon.
Yang Xiao had the coachman prepare the carriage.
She went to the study to fetch Yang Chen;
Then she went to the West Garden to summon Lin Jiaojiao.
Together with Yu Shi, the four of them chatted and laughed merrily as they headed to the street lantern festival.
Lin Tangtang watched the carriage disappear into the distance without saying a word.
“Miss, Madam of the Hou Estate and Miss Yang eat your food and take your things. How come they didn’t invite you when they went out to have fun?” Xiangxue truly wanted to see whether this family had black hearts.
“Yes, they’ve always been like this.” Lin Tangtang’s tone was flat and unruffled.
From her previous life to this one, the Marquis Estate had never changed.
In her previous life, when her father and brothers urgently needed rescue and she was desperately in love with Yang Chen, she had repeatedly comforted and deluded herself, thinking that if she gave just a little more, eventually they would notice her and be moved.
Yet, even until her death, she never received any warmth from them.
Even in her previous life, when she lost her virginity, it happened only when Yang Chen was drunk.
His intention was to make her lose her purity, completely control her, ensuring she could never escape the Marquis Estate’s cage, making her more useful to them.
“But this is just as well. I don’t have the slightest attachment to them anymore.” Lin Tangtang collected her wandering thoughts and took another carriage to a nearby alley.
At the spring lantern market, warm breezes brushed past, lifting the strands of women’s hair. Under the lantern lights, it created a uniquely charming atmosphere.
Young men and women walked together in groups, some singing and dancing, filling the air with the vibrant atmosphere of human life.
Yang Chen and Lin Jiaojiao walked side by side.
Yu Shi and Yang Xiao had gone off somewhere unknown.
The edges of their sleeves occasionally brushed against each other, spreading an ambiguous atmosphere around them.
They stopped in front of a shop selling masks.
“Jiaojiao, choose one you like.” Yang Chen’s voice carried a hint of softness.
“Mm.” Lin Jiaojiao nodded, her face flushed.
While paying for the selected mask, a young beggar suddenly rushed out and snatched the money pouch from Yang Chen’s waist.
“How dare you!” Yang Chen immediately gave chase.
Meanwhile, Luo Chi was wandering aimlessly through the lantern festival with his wife.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure he had been longing to see day and night.
“It’s Ru Er!”
His heart racing, he hurried after her.
But when he turned a corner, Song Ru Er suddenly vanished from sight.
As he searched around, he spotted Yang Chen ahead, panting heavily and preparing to run away.
“Damn it! So it was you who hid Ru’er! You’re going too far!” Luo Chi’s eyes burned crimson, his hands clenched into fists as he charged toward Yang Chen.
He was going to make Yang Chen pay dearly!