Only the shopkeeper from Jinyu Hall was in Shi’an Garden.
Jinyu Hall is a renowned jewelry store in the Capital, known for its unique designs and unmatched quality. Most importantly, their jewelry isn’t sothing you can simply buy with money.
Today, the shopkeeper personally visited the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, bringing boxes of jewelry, which shows the prestige of the Marquis Mansion.
Lin Youning, knowing she would be selecting jewelry today, took special care with her attire, wearing an orange embroidered cassia straight gown, layered with a peach red jacket, looking extra cheerful.
Mrs. Gu Sr. loves to see young girls dressed cheerfully, especially those who usually wear plain clothes. Such attire today shows her attention to detail.
Normally, what one wears isn’t important, but when guests co to the mansion, wearing sothing drab would have people gossiping that the girls raised by the Marquis Mansion are poorly provided for.
When Lin Youning entered dressed like this, Mrs. Gu Sr. understood her intention and grew even fonder, pulling her onto the couch, "I think these pieces of jewelry are all good. Take a look, if you like them, keep them all. The silver will co from my personal account."
"I know Aunt loves . Sothing rare is more precious. Besides, you’ve bought plenty over the years, many of which I haven’t even worn. If you really care for , don’t adorn with more; I feel they weigh on ," Lin Youning said playfully, lightly shaking Mrs. Gu Sr.’s arm.
Mrs. Gu Sr. laughed heartily at her words, "You little girl. Then have it your way. I won’t spend money on you, only to be blad for it."
The shopkeeper, a woman in her fifties, often visited prominent families and understood their nuances well.
She naturally knew Lin Youning’s status and spoke with a smile, "The young lady in the mansion is more charming than a flower, with an unmatched presence. I happen to have a set of head ornants made of white and green warm jade and Jade Orchid. Perhaps Madam and the young lady could take a look."
As she spoke, a female assistant pulled out the box from the bottom, revealing a flower carved from white and green warm jade in the center, flanked by crimson gold butterflies, a set of three pieces—a hairpin, tassels, and a comb—with green gemstones dangling below.
Elegant yet luxurious, without being gaudy.
Lin Youning, having lived two lifetis, saw such a simple yet not dull piece for the first ti and instantly took a liking to it.
Mrs. Gu Sr. wore a faint smile, clearly pleased to see Lin Youning’s delight, and, with just a glance at Nanny Chi, had her go over to receive the box from the female assistant’s hands.
"It’s rare to have such exquisite items; our Madam will take the whole set." Nanny Chi smiled, "If more items like this beco available in the future, we would often need to trouble Nanny Xu to think of our mansion, so she wouldn’t have made a trip in vain."
A young maid, catching Nanny Chi’s signal, went to slip a purse into Manager Xu’s hand.
Manager Xu smiled and bowed, "It’s our honor to have caught Madam and the young lady’s eyes. With the young lady’s beauty, only she can match such fine items."
Mrs. Gu Sr. was very pleased with Manager Xu’s words; who doesn’t like hearing praise about their children?
Before letting soone take Manager Xu to the account room in the front yard to settle the paynt, a young maid ran in to report, "Madam, several young ladies have arrived."
This ti, Mrs. Gu Sr. had not included the girls from the mansion when choosing jewelry for Lin Youning, so no notice was given.
She didn’t allow anyone to visit at will, especially after the onset of the winter month, when people from those two courtyards were seldom seen.
Now the girls ca to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s place, all at once and right at this mont, which suggests they were tipped off beforehand.
Manager Xu, being astute, was well aware that there were several legitimate young ladies in the mansion, yet only an adopted one was summoned today, indicating she was the sole focus.
But now, more have suddenly arrived.
The backyards of grand mansions are often deep waters; the deeper you go, the deeper it gets. Even a casual remark usually involves several implications.
In such situations, especially for businesspeople like them, it’s crucial to play dumb and act unaware.
If you let on that you understand, it could cause embarrassnt and end future dealings.
Mrs. Gu Sr.’s eyes paused, but her expression didn’t change as she said with a smile, "It’s cold outside; let the young ladies co in quickly."
Before the little maid could leave, the maids outside had already heard and lifted the curtain, allowing several figures of varied colors and graceful postures to enter.
They all paid their respects to Mrs. Gu Sr., with Sister Yue even moving up to Mrs. Gu Sr., acting coy, "Grandmother is so biased, picking out jewelry for Aunt here without us. Are we not your own granddaughters?"
Mrs. Gu Sr. smilingly tapped her head, "Such cheek! Your aunt is coming of age next year; she doesn’t have a mother to provide items for her, while your mother’s collection is abundant. Since when did you beco so narrow-minded?"
Teasing indeed, but it conveyed a sense of distance.
Sister Yue felt a twinge at heart, her smile becoming more playful, "Yes, yes, I was narrow-minded; I’m here to apologize to Grandmother."
"You little monkey, always causing trouble. Fine, fine, since you’re here now, each of you may choose a piece. I should not be accused of being a biased grandmother," Mrs. Gu Sr. said amiably. Seeing they hesitated to move, she beckoned them over, and they thanked her and stepped forward to choose.
Sister Hui, however, had no interest in selecting those items; she was brought here by Sister Yue, including the two concubine’s daughters from the main branch. Upon entering and seeing Manager Xu from Jinyu Hall, she realized she had been used.
Her mother had taken her to Jinyu Hall to buy jewelry before, so she recognized Manager Xu imdiately and was amazed that Grandmother could invite soone of her status.
The four each chose a hairpin. Nanny Chi led the way to the account room in the front, while Mrs. Gu Sr. claid fatigue and dismissed them all.
Leaving Shi’an Garden, Sister Yue moved to hold Lin Youning’s arm, "Aunt, what did you choose?"
"You’ll see at the banquet; why rush?" Lin Youning replied with a gentle smile, "It’s rely so jewelry. If you wish to see, just co with ."
Sister Yue’s eyes flickered as she smiled, "It’s cold outside; I won’t trouble Aunt then."
Lin Youning nodded with a smile, saying nothing more, and headed towards the main house with her company.
As Sister Yue and the others exited the East Corner Gate, Sister Hui couldn’t help but speak, "Fourth Sister, don’t call on for such matters in the future. With fewer people, there’s more to share. How can an elder sister compete with her younger sibling?"
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