Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Shortly after Luo Yi’er returned, the outcome of the incident in the garden was decided. Hongdou recounted the events with a hint of exaggeration, “Miss, you should have seen the scene. Second Miss ridiculed Eldest Miss quite harshly. Biyu’s face was slapped until it swelled, and she was fined a year’s worth of her monthly allowance. She’s still kneeling in the garden, and she’s supposed to kneel there until evening.”
“Apparently, Biyu’s family isn’t well off, and they rely on her monthly allowance to get by. Now, with a whole year’s allowance gone, they’re in trouble.” Hongdou nodded sympathetically as she spoke, seeming to feel a bit sorry for Biyu’s plight.
Luo Yi’er glanced at her sideways and smiled lightly. “You’re feeling sorry for her?”
Hongdou paused, then quickly shook her head. “No, no, I wasn’t feeling sorry for her.”
“It doesn’t matter if you are.” Luo Yi’er curved her lips into an enigmatic smile.
“It’ll serve as a reminder for all of you to be more cautious in the future.”
“Today, Second Miss was just venting her frustration. Although Biyu was punished, at least she wasn’t sold off.”
Luo Yi’er’s words were light, but Hongdou’s face paled. For servants like them, being beaten or punished wasn’t the worst fate; the worst was being sold to unknown places.
The thought of being sold to a brothel was especially terrifying. Hongdou forced a smile. “You’re right, Miss. Biyu should be grateful.”
With that, Luo Yi’er withdrew her gaze and smiled softly. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.”
“Linglong, go see the steward tomorrow,” Luo Yi’er instructed, turning to Linglong.
Linglong had accompanied her to Fang Yun Hall and naturally knew what Luo Yi’er wanted her to do at the steward’s. She bowed slightly. “Yes, I will remember, miss.”
The next day, as Luo Yi’er was leaving Yunxia Courtyard with Linglong and Hongdou, she heard someone calling her from behind. She turned around, lips slightly pursed, and saw Luo Ying running towards her with a cheerful expression. Luo Yi’er’s eyes flickered as she waited for Luo Ying to approach her, then smiled faintly. “Why is Fifth Sister out today?”
Luo Ying usually avoided the heat and rarely went out unless there was something exciting happening. Luo Yi’er’s gaze swept over the group of servants around them, her eyes lingering for a moment. If someone hadn’t informed her, she wouldn’t have arrived so timely.
Luo Ying hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary yet. She smiled brightly. “I was going to look for Second Sister, but I happened to run into Third Sister.”
She tried to grab Luo Yi’er’s sleeve affectionately, but Luo Yi’er subtly dodged her touch. Luo Ying’s movement paused, but she quickly composed herself and asked with some surprise, “Third Sister, are you going out?”
Luo Yi’er slightly arched her eyebrows and smiled faintly. “Yes.”
“Can Third Sister take me with you? I haven’t been out in a while,” Luo Ying’s eyes lit up, and she quickly spoke up.
Luo Yi’er’s smile deepened, and her beautiful eyes swept over Luo Ying’s face. “Didn’t Fifth Sister want to go find Second Sister?”
Luo Ying’s eyes sparkled, and she continued to smile. “I didn’t have anything important to discuss with Second Sister. Third Sister, can you take me with you?” As she spoke, she began to pout.
Luo Yi’er leaned on Linglong’s arm and, seeing that Luo Ying wasn’t giving up, suddenly chuckled. “If Fifth Sister wants to follow, then let her follow.”
With that, she turned and headed towards the mansion gate. Luo Ying’s eyes lit up, and she followed closely behind. Only Linglong cast a subtle glance at Luo Ying and shook her head slightly.
The group boarded a carriage and arrived at Jinxiu Pavilion in less than half an hour.
Jinxiu Pavilion was managed by a skilled embroideress from Jiangnan, known for its unique embroidery style. Every garment in the pavilion was one-of-a-kind and extremely expensive. Due to the exclusivity of each piece, Jinxiu Pavilion attracted many noble ladies who wanted to avoid wearing the same outfit to social gatherings.
As they entered Jinxiu Pavilion, the embroideress, recognizing Luo Yi’er as a regular customer, put down her abacus and approached her with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Miss Luo, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
Luo Yi’er nodded at her with a smile and casually browsed the garments in the pavilion. Not finding anything that caught her eye, she slightly furrowed her brow.
Luo Ying’s eyes shone with excitement. No woman didn’t love being fashionable, and she was captivated by the exquisite and luxurious garments. However, as a concubine-born daughter, although the mansion provided new clothes every season, the quality and design were never comparable to those of Luo Yi’er, the legitimate daughter. Many things that Luo Yi’er had were not available to her.
Despite her excitement, Luo Ying, being a noble lady, managed to maintain her composure. As more customers entered Jinxiu Pavilion, some of whom were familiar with Luo Yi’er, Luo Ying felt out of place following behind her.
The embroideress noticed Luo Yi’er’s furrowed brow and knew that she hadn’t found anything she liked. She stepped forward and said, “Miss Luo, we recently made a new garment using Su Luo Sha fabric from the south.”
The embroideress saw the interest in Luo Yi’er’s face and smiled even more warmly. “If Miss Luo is interested, she can follow me to the second floor to take a look.”
“It seems the owner has been saving the best for herself,” Luo Yi’er said with a smile, glancing at Luo Ying with her peripheral vision.
“Fifth Sister, wait for me here.” Without another word, she followed the embroideress to the second floor.
Luo Ying responded with a clear “yes” and began to explore the store with Fu Ling. She didn’t have to wait long before Luo Yi’er came downstairs with the embroideress, followed by Ling Long carrying a large, exquisite box. Luo Ying’s eyes turned, and she hurried over, smiling. “Third Sister.”
Luo Yi’er glanced at her. “Did you find anything you liked?”
Luo Ying’s eyes lit up, but remembering her purpose, she said, “No, Third Sister, shouldn’t we head back to the mansion?”
Luo Yi’er raised her eyebrow slightly. “No, I still need to go to Juman Tower.”
As they left Jinxiu Pavilion and headed to Juman Tower, Luo Ying kept glancing at Luo Yi’er, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated. Luo Yi’er noticed and knew she was waiting for her to ask, but she just smiled lightly, pretending not to see.
After a while, Luo Ying couldn’t maintain that expression anymore and asked curiously, “Third Sister, you’re going out to look at clothes. Are you attending some kind of banquet?”
With that question, Luo Yi’er knew what Luo Ying was getting at, and the smile in her eyes deepened. “Yes.”
“Third Sister, are you going to the palace?”
“Of course. Prince Jing is returning to the capital, and the palace is hosting a welcome banquet for him,” Luo Yi’er mentioned casually.
Luo Ying’s eyes sparkled. “Prince Jing’s return must make Third Sister very happy.” She spoke with enthusiasm, her face seemingly filled with sincerity.
However, Luo Yi’er’s brow furrowed, and she reprimanded her. “Fifth Sister, be careful with your words.”
Even though she was engaged to Prince Jing, speaking so openly in public could damage her reputation. Luo Yi’er glanced at Luo Ying indifferently and then ignored her.
Luo Ying’s expression froze. She had intended to flatter Luo Yi’er, as being engaged to Prince Jing was certainly a good thing. But it seemed she had misspoken. Before she could say anything more, Luo Yi’er had already walked past her into Ju Man Lou.
Frustrated, Luo Ying stomped her foot lightly and followed her inside.
The two remained silent until they returned to the mansion. As Luo Yi’er was about to head back to her courtyard without stopping, Luo Ying couldn’t hold back anymore and ran up to her. “Third Sister, I…”
Luo Yi’er stopped and looked at her with a hint of confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Luo Ying bit her lip, looking slightly embarrassed. “Third Sister, can I go to the palace with you?”
As soon as she spoke, she saw Luo Yi’er’s eyes lift slightly, with a cool smile in their depths. Luo Ying’s face stiffened, and she heard Luo Yi’er say, “Fifth Sister, didn’t you say you wanted to go out? Third Sister took you. But now you’re asking to go to the palace?”
Luo Yi’er smiled softly. “I’m not sure about this. Maybe Fifth Sister should ask Father. Perhaps he’ll agree out of pity for you.”
Luo Ying wanted to say more, but Luo Yi’er glanced at her with an indifferent expression. Luo Ying lowered her head and said softly after a moment, “I… understand. Third Sister, take care.”
Luo Yi’er patted her shoulder lightly, her eyes slightly lowered, and she spoke softly, word by word.
“Fifth Sister has always been obedient, and it’s not in vain that Father and Mother have spoiled her all these years.”
Luo Ying’s body seemed to tremble slightly, and it wasn’t until Luo Yi’er walked past her that she slowly raised her head, her face slightly pale. Only then did she realize clearly: today, she had made Third Sister unhappy.
As soon as Luo Yi’er entered Yunxia Courtyard, her expression turned cold. She glanced at Linglong indifferently, her voice soft but with a hint of chill, “It seems Linglong hasn’t been managing this courtyard very well?”
Linglong’s face turned white, and without hesitation, she knelt down in front of Luo Yi’er. “This servant has not managed properly, please punish me, Miss!”
Hongdou and the others were surprised, but they quickly reacted and knelt down together.
“Investigate,” Luo Yi’er said, her eyes lowered, a cold glint in their corners. “I want to know the result tomorrow.”
Linglong bowed her head, her voice also carrying a hint of coldness. “Yes, this servant will take the order.” Since she had been promoted to the position of head maid, Luo Yi’er had never spoken to her in such a tone. Whoever it was, she would not spare them if Luo Yi’er found out!
The room was silent for a while, Luo Yi’er didn’t speak, and Linglong and the others didn’t dare to get up. After a long time, the coldness in Luo Yi’er’s eyes faded, and she glanced at Linglong lightly, her voice still soft, “Get up. A month’s allowance will be deducted, and this will not happen again.”
Linglong breathed a sigh of relief. “This servant thanks Miss.” She stood up, bowed slightly, and then turned to leave with a cold expression. She wanted to know who had dared to leak news from Yunxia Courtyard.
Hongdou and the others also stood up, their heads bowed, and returned to their duties.
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