Chapter 12 Mooching off food and drinks

 Chapter 12 Mooching off food and drinks

Xie Jing originally wanted to hear more about what happened in the dream, specifically about the reasons behind his early death.

Due to business commitments, I can only leave first.

Jiang Youning withdrew her gaze and noticed that Jiang Yanran's pair of shear-water autumn eyes had been fixed on Xie Jing all along.

In the dream's storyline, they did not break off the engagement; instead, Xie Jing decided to marry her.

Speaking of which, it's a bit of dog blood. Jiang Xubai wanted to marry Jiang Yanran into the General's residence and arranged for Xie Jing to catch a glimpse of Jiang Yanran's body. However, due to Xie Jing's mind-reading ability, he accidentally ended up in her room.

These days, Jiang Youning has made another peony velvet hairpin, even more exquisite than the previous rose one.

"Chuntao, sell this peony for at least two taels of silver. After selling it, remember to buy half a pound of meat and bring it back. We'll have an extra dish for lunch."

Complex velvet flower hairpins are targeted towards affluent consumers; they cannot be sold at a low price.

Chuntao has sold these hairpins so many times; she naturally knows where it's best to sell them.

"Understood, Young Lady."

After going out, Chuntao disguised herself, dressing up as a servant boy, following Jiang Youning's earlier instructions to avoid being recognized.

She noticed that after the Young Lady recovered from her illness, her mind became sharper than before, and she could still create intricate hairpins.

An hour later, Chuntao returned with half a pound of meat, placing the money pouch in front of her, even more excited than the last time.

"Young Lady, the peony was sold to Miss Du for four taels of silver. She didn't even bat an eye when paying."

Jiang Youning picked up the money pouch, weighed it in her hand, and chuckled, "Rich people can be quite extravagant."

Chuntao nodded vigorously, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Young Lady's words.

For lunch, Chuntao made braised pork.

Jiang Youning satiated her cravings, while Chuntao ate heartily, energized by the prospect of earning money.

When Lin Rushuang came to visit Jiang Youning, she learned that Jiang Youning had moved to the West Wing, a remote location, and her furniture was all old.

She felt a sense of schadenfreude but appeared indignant on the surface, saying, "Ning'er, even Uncle is like this; how can he let you live in such a shabby place? It's even worse than where the daughters of concubines live."

Jiang Youning crossed her legs casually, leisurely cracking melon seeds, "Is there something you need?"

Lin Rushuang smiled and said, "Miss Du has invited all the sisters to a tea gathering at the Qinyuan. I came here to inform you."

Jiang Youning had heard about Miss Du; she was a second-generation official's daughter, wealthy and influential. The tea gathering would undoubtedly have lots of delicious treats...

"I will attend."

"I'll be waiting for you at the Qinyuan tomorrow," Lin Rushuang said with a smile before leaving.

Chuntao expressed her concern: "Last time, those misses made fun of Young Lady at the tea gathering. Why would you still want to go?"

Jiang Youning replied confidently, "But there will be many delicacies I haven't tried yet."

Chuntao had no words to respond; not only did the Young Lady's mind become sharper, but she also became quite indulgent in her eating habits~

On the day of the tea gathering, Chuntao decided to dress up Jiang Youning nicely, so that everyone could see how beautiful the Young Lady was.

The attempt was halted by Jiang Youning, her reasoning being, "We're there to freeload on food and drinks; the lower the profile, the better."

To put it bluntly, being too conspicuous would interfere with her mealtime freeload!

Chuntao didn't fully understand but still followed Jiang Youning's idea, ensuring they didn't look worse than usual.

When Jiang Youning arrived at the Qinyuan, she discovered that Jiang Yanran was also there. The round table was already full of people, so she found an empty seat and sat down.

Just as she sat down, she heard someone say, "I heard you've become more beautiful. I didn't believe it at first, but seeing you today, it's true. If Shen Tanhua saw you, I wonder if he would regret it?"

Nan Mianmian raised her handkerchief to cover her mouth and chuckled, "Is Miss Mei telling a joke? Shen Tanhua is well-educated; why would she like a mere vase?"

"Exactly, someone worthy of Shen Tanhua must be a talented and refined young lady," Miss Wu implied in her words that Jiang Youning was nothing more than a vase, even inferior to the concubine's daughter.

While they were talking, Jiang Youning ate three pieces of peach pastry and two pieces of pineapple pastry. She casually responded, "Makes sense."

Everyone present was stunned for a moment, then laughed again, still as stupid and ignorant as before.

Lin Rushuang looked at the silk flower on Nan Mianmian's head and praised, "The style of the silk flower in your hair is really beautiful; it complements your outfit today."

All the young ladies' eyes turned towards Nan Mianmian, and they saw the silk flower in her hair was a rose. Its petals were delicate, layered clearly, vivid, and lifelike.

She wore a golden hairpin with gemstone inlays on the left, dressed in a peach blossom-patterned robe made of ethereal cloud-like silk. It was paired with a silver-thread embroidered skirt adorned with butterflies and flowers, making her look elegant, rosy, and charming.

On her fair wrists, she wore a pair of pure gold bracelets with intricately carved rising dragon motifs.

Dressed in pearls and radiating splendor, she caught everyone's attention instantly.

"The delicate flowers in Mianmian's hair are truly unique, they look so real."

"Mianmian, is this a new design from Wanbao Pavilion? It's so beautiful."

Listening to everyone's compliments, Nan Mianmian raised her hand to adjust the velvet flower hairpin, sounding quite proud, "This isn't a silk flower hairpin; it's a velvet flower hairpin, something you can't find at Wanbao Pavilion."

"No wonder the texture isn't as coarse as silk flowers; it's delicate and glossy and looks so real. Mianmian, it looks great on you," Lin Rushuang praised with a smile.

Miss Mei looked at the rose on Nan Mianmian's head, puzzled, "Velvet flower hairpin? How come I've never heard of this kind before? Where did you buy it?"

"Velvet flower hairpins are very rare. I had a hard time finding this one too," Nan Mianmian said, noticing everyone's envious looks. She felt even prouder; her taste was indeed excellent. She had bought it on sight, and if she had waited a moment longer, someone else might have taken it.

Lin Rushuang praised, "Mianmian, you have a great eye. You managed to find such an exquisite hairpin."

Jiang Youning took a bite of almond pastry and glanced at Nan Mianmian. She instantly recognized the rose velvet flower hairpin as the one she had made herself.

Hearing everyone's praise, she felt delighted too, rewarding herself with two more bites of almond pastry as if in celebration.

Miss Wu smiled and reminded, "Du jiejie has finally arrived."

Everyone's gaze turned towards Miss Du, curious about her outfit for the day.

She was wearing an embroidered butterfly-themed floral gown today, made from delicate and lightweight fabric that complemented her skin tone perfectly.

Paired with a satin-embroidered skirt adorned with butterflies in the same color palette, as she walked, she appeared light and graceful.

Du Huilan is the daughter of General Zhongwu, while Nan Mianmian is the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor.

Whenever the two young ladies from the Du and Nan families are present, there is always a scene of them competing in elegance and beauty.

Du Huilan walked over gracefully and took her seat in the main position. She casually adjusted the velvet flower hairpin on her temple and said, "I'm sorry, sisters, for being late."

Miss Mei immediately noticed the peony on Du Huilan's head and then glanced at the rose on Nan Mianmian's. She pretended to be surprised and said, "Sister Du, you look exceptionally beautiful today. That peony is especially exquisite."

"Oh, really?" Du Huilan smiled and adjusted the peony on her temple once more. She glanced at the rose on Nan Mianmian's temple, her smile growing even more triumphant.

"This peony looks so realistic, the texture..." Miss Wu looked at the rose on Nan Mianmian's head for a moment and then said, "It's similar to the rose on Nan meimei's head."

Miss Mei carefully examined both and remarked, "Indeed, they look similar, but the peony is more delicate."

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