Fu Niu will give you the little fish."As she spoke, she held up the jade goldfish in her hand.I don't know where Mr. Wang got this trinket, a jade piece that was green with pale red at both ends. It w..."What did Miss Jia do last night Did she not sleep at all Why is she so sleepy"

The speaker was a young woman in red, her appearance unremarkable. But she held her chin high, as if looking down on everyone with disdain.

I wonder if she thought her father and brothers were high officials in the six ministries, otherwise how could she have such an arrogant demeanor

The other girls turned to look at Baozhu upon hearing the sound. Some were intrigued, some indifferent, and some frowned and looked down...

The pearl just let out a little snort, never expecting that it would offend someone.

She was a little confused, blinking her big eyes twice and asking, "Are you talking about me, Ms. Wu"

Then Miss Wu nodded, becoming even more cryptic.

"Yes, I'm just curious, how does Miss Jia stay up all night A well-behaved young lady wouldn't be doing anything sneaky at night, would she"

Bao Zhu finally realized the malicious intent behind her words and blushed in anger, retorting, "I'm curious too. I didn't know Miss Wu before and wouldn't have offended her. Why is Miss Wu speaking to me like this"

"To say that someone is always up at night, stealing chickens and dogs, is simply too harsh. "

"Didn't your family hire a nanny to teach you manners Haven't you learned any rules How could your family let you out like this Aren't you ashamed"

Bao Zhu's tone wasn't particularly cold or harsh; mostly, she was truly confused.

After all, there was no prior grievance between them. This Ms. Wu just slandered her out of the blue, it's really too much.

Miss Wu's face darkened with each question, and she regretted her quick words for a moment, having stirred up trouble with Baozhu.

I thought she was an easy target, but she turned out to be sharp as a tack and came back at me with every word.

Another girl in green, perhaps a close friend of Miss Wu, quickly chimed in, “Miss Jia has misunderstood. Miss Wu was just curious and asking a few questions. She wasn't being aggressive at all.”

"Miss Jia is unwilling to chat with us, but it's not right to treat people like this."

Bao Zhu's heart was filled with grievance, she missed Jia Yin sister ten thousand times.

No wonder Jia Yin sister is unwilling to play with these young ladies, they are really too mean.

The yin and yang are so bizarre, biting back with such skill! Simply amazing!

This sweet little girl, she really can't handle it!

Jia Dafu and the others were chatting and drinking tea over there, it was also lively.

The girls had spoken before, but they hadn't paid attention.

But at this moment, the girls started arguing and it became impossible to ignore.

Although Jia's senior madam didn't like how her sisters-in-law pampered their niece, she wouldn't allow anyone to bully her own children.

She understood the whole story and chuckled, "We got here early to line up at the palace gates. Baozhu this child didn't get enough sleep, so it's no wonder she seemed out of sorts. It seems Miss Wu was led astray."

Ms. Wu dared to bully Baozhu, but she didn't dare to confront Madam Jia.

After all, Xindu is too small, and the relationships between families are intricate.

If Mrs. Jia ever went out of the palace, and gossiped about her with familiar ladies-in-waiting, she probably wouldn't be able to find a good husband.

At this moment, she quickly forced a smile that was both awkward and flattering, replying, "I misunderstood. I was just joking with Sister Baizhu for a while, but it seems I have made Sister Baizhu feel wronged."

"Madam Jia smiled without answering, then turned to Madam Wu and asked, “Your daughter’s manners are truly excellent. I wonder where you found such a skilled nanny It must have taken considerable effort, wouldn't you say With such a silver tongue, she will be a blessing to whichever family she marries into. At the very least, she could make her mother-in-law cheerful every day.”

A virtuous woman from a good family is known for her modesty and quietness.

To praise someone's eloquence is to subtly imply that they are prone to using their words for malicious purposes.

Of course, Mrs. Wu heard the sarcasm in Dr. Jia's words. She glared fiercely at her daughter and finally personally poured tea for Dr. Jia, replying, "Dr. Jia, please don't say that like this. This girl is spoiled and out of control. I will teach her a lesson."

Jia Dafu's wife saw that things were going well and smiled, saying, "Miss Wu is still young, and her temperament isn't fully developed yet. With a few more lessons, she'll understand."

A few other ladies joined them soon after, and the conversation quickly changed to talk about which jewelry store in town had a new master craftsman. They were all very impressed by the exquisite craftsmanship of his creations.

Miss Wu, beaten repeatedly, lost her pride and dared not speak again, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

The little pearl kept hiding behind her grandmother, letting out one sigh after another.

The other girls looked at each other and then lowered their heads to count the ants on the ground.

Just then, the Noble Consort finally made her appearance, surrounded by a throng of noble ladies.

Everyone stood up and bowed, greeting each other with respect.

The Noble Consort was in high spirits, wearing a silver-red gown embroidered with peach blossoms and pomegranate flowers. Her long skirt trailed behind her, and she wore a jade-studded crown on her head as she walked gracefully, beautiful and noble.

The flattery of the crowd was like money, coming at him without end.

No matter how proud and reserved the noblewomen were in their everyday lives, now they have all transformed into the most enthusiastic and eloquent parrots to ensure their daughters' happy marriages and their sons' bright futures. They flatter the Empress, making her smile with delight.

Some women even brought their daughters to the Noble Consort's presence, just like farmers selling cheap cabbages, relentlessly promoting them...

The ladies simply hadn't developed the thick skin of a mother. Some blushed with embarrassment, some covered their faces with handkerchiefs, refusing to look up. But most smiled obsequiously, trying to leave a good impression on the Consort...

The pearl still stood behind her aunt, watching the commotion before her, she was simply dumbfounded.

If she weren't inside the palace, she would have suspected these people had eaten some crazy grass…

Finally, after much commotion, the Noble Consort spoke up, requesting everyone to take their seats. The scene then quieted down.

Palace people gradually stepped forward, changing the tea and refreshments. The summer banquet was officially underway.

Perhaps someone hadn't given their daughter a chance to show her face earlier, and now, unwilling to be outdone, quickly stood up and suggested, "Your Majesty, the banquet is lacking in entertainment and feels too dull. If you don't mind, my daughter would like to offer a song."

The Noble Consort would naturally not refuse, smiling gently and replying, "Of course. I've long heard that Miss Lu is proficient in all the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—a rare talent indeed. Today, this palace is fortunate to have her grace us with her presence."

Mrs. Lu, who was speaking, was overjoyed and immediately told her daughter to make preparations.

The onlookers naturally wouldn't be outdone, and one by one they offered to have their daughters perform as well.

But in a short while, the banquet had more than twenty programs to liven things up.

At this moment, a eunuch guarding the gate suddenly shouted in a loud voice, “Princess San is here, along with Princess Kangle!”

Everyone unconsciously looked over. On the Han-bai jade bridge leading not far away, two young ladies were walking, followed by two teams of palace attendants, full of momentum.

A tall and beautiful young lady with an elegant and proud demeanor. She was the most beloved third princess of the Emperor.

Another young lady was slightly shorter, with delicate features and a charming appearance. She was the jewel in the palm of Lord Xingting, the eldest daughter of Li's family, known as Princess Kangle.

Bao Zhu excitedly stood up and was about to run over, but she was pulled back by Mrs. Jia's sleeve.

Pearls, feeling wronged, whispered back, “Aunty, elder sister Jiayin loves me the most. I want to go be with her.”

Mrs. Jia glared angrily, snarling, "If you're going, wait a moment. There are so many people here, what kind of fuss are you making Afraid everyone doesn't know how close you are to the princess!"

Baozhu shrank her neck and quickly stood obediently behind her aunt, but she couldn't help peeking around, afraid that Jiayin had forgotten about her... cutting boards in the middle of the house, used for chopping vegetables.A small well was dug in the innermost corner, and two pools were built beside it with bluish-gray stones. Each pool had an outl...