"Replying to Miss, only five hundred taels can be withdrawn at a time?"
Xiao Dai had a big mouth, and Miss actually agreed to give her two thousand taels at once, but the manor couldn't afford so much money. What should she do now?
The third girl was a little worried. Mu Qingyao's eyes flickered. In fact, after Xiao Dai finished speaking, she had counted, and there was almost that much.
"Lu'er, go to Uncle Zhong and withdraw five hundred taels of silver for me. Also, Meixin, take all my jewelry and clothes to the pawnshop to exchange for silver."
"Miss?"
The faces of the three little maids changed. What was Miss doing? Pawn all that jewelry and those beautiful clothes? Although the jewelry and clothes were valuable, they wouldn't be worth much in a pawnshop. It would be good to get back half of it.
Miss actually pawned all her jewelry and clothes to buy a maid. If the master knew about this, he would skin them three maids alive. Thinking of this, Meixin's scalp tingled.
"Miss, no. If the master knows, we will?"
As soon as Meixin finished speaking, Mu Qingyao sat up from the soft couch and glared at Meixin eerily, scaring her into silence. She carefully said, "Miss, I, I?"
After stammering for a while, she dared not say another word. Mu Qingyao, seeing their fear, softened her expression and coldly warned Meixin.
"Meixin, you are my maid. If you question me again, I will drive you out."
"Yes, Miss," the three maids replied in unison, not daring to say another word. Mu Qingyao waved her hand, "Go and do it."
"Yes, Miss," Meixin and Lu'er acted separately, and Xiao Lian stayed in the room to serve her. Seeing Meixin pack the jewelry and clothes, she was about to leave.
Mu Qingyao calmly instructed, "Meixin, change your clothes before you go. If you go to the pawnshop like this, people will think the Mu family is in trouble, and it will cause great chaos."
"Oh, I forgot."
Meixin nodded in agreement, turned around, and tidied herself up, looking like a married woman. Then she carried the bundle and left through the northwest side gate.
Meixin and Lu'er went out to do their errands, and Mu Qingyao lay back on the soft couch to ponder the matter of the assassin earlier.
The assassin clearly knew her and blocked their carriage directly, but it didn't seem to be a killing blow, more like a probe. Who wanted to probe her?
The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows through the green bamboo, slanting onto the luxurious pink brocade curtain.
The room was exceptionally quiet, and Xiao Lian fanned Mu Qingyao gently with a feather fan.
The Miss had been keeping her eyes open, thinking, and then slowly closed her eyes as if falling asleep.
Her long eyelashes cast a small circle of shadow, and her entire face, devoid of its usual indifference, was exceptionally peaceful. Her skin was soft, and a smile played on her lips, pure as a newborn infant. Xiao Lian was mesmerized.
Footsteps sounded outside the corridor, followed by a crisp voice: "Sister Xiao Lian, the eldest miss wants to see Miss!"
Xiao Lian came back to her senses and hurried forward, intending to refuse the little maid. However, as soon as she reached the door, she heard a lazy voice from inside: "Xiao Lian, let her in."
"Yes, Miss," she replied after a moment's pause, turned, and ordered the little maid outside, "Let the eldest miss come in."
"Yes, Sister Xiao Lian."
With that, footsteps sounded, and the little maid left. Xiao Lian walked into the inner room and saw that Miss had opened her eyes.
Her dark eyes were as lustrous as grapes, and a smile played on her lips. She was sitting on the soft couch looking at her: "It's so hot, Xiao Lian. I really don't know how you get through the summer."
"Miss, come, let me fan you."
Xiao Lian looked at Miss strangely. What did she mean by that? What did she mean by "you"? xxs1
Just as she was about to ask, the bead curtain tinkled, and the eldest miss's laughter drifted from afar, along with her unusually gentle voice.
"Third sister, your eldest sister has come to see you? I haven't disturbed you, have I?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she had already turned the screen and stood before them.
Mu Qingzhu was wearing a Guangling Hehuan long dress, her black silk hair tied high, and a golden hairpin swaying gently, looking exceptionally beautiful and enchanting.
She was radiant and cheerful. Upon seeing Mu Qingyao, she became extremely enthusiastic. She took two quick steps and sat opposite her, smiling at her.
Mu Qingyao snorted inwardly. Since she was here, why ask so many questions?
She really didn't know why this woman was so happy. It was just entering the palace to be a concubine, wasn't it? No, she should only be a candidate for the harem. Only after the Emperor bestowed a title would she be a concubine. She was happy about this?
Mu Qingyao turned and ordered Xiao Lian, who was fanning her by her side, "Go and fetch a cup of tea for the eldest miss. It's hard for her in this hot weather."
With a lukewarm tone, if it were the former Mu Qingzhu, she would have stared at her and shouted. But now, she was neither angry nor annoyed, and with a smile, she swept a glance at Baozheng behind her.
Baozheng immediately said obediently, "Sister Xiao Lian, no need to trouble you. Let me do it."
After speaking, she handed a brocade box in her hand to Mu Qingzhu. She nimbly went to pour tea for the two young ladies.
Xiao Lian rolled her eyes. These two mistress and maid were truly pragmatic. They used to bully the people of Qing Yuan, but now, seeing that Miss was about to become the Empress, their attitude changed immediately.
Mu Qingzhu ignored the strange behavior of Mu Qingyao and her maid, and with a beaming smile, opened the brocade box in her hand.
"Third sister, I was too reckless in my actions before. Please don't mind it. This is my favorite piece of jewelry, a Chai Tou Feng. I'm giving it to you to wear for fun."
She called her "third sister" repeatedly, sounding so affectionate. Xiao Lian wanted to vomit, and Mu Qingyao also wanted to vomit, but she didn't show it.
Her gaze shifted to the brocade box. Inside the box was a magnificent Chai Tou Feng, gleaming gold, with exquisite craftsmanship. It was clearly a good item.
She shouldn't refuse something given to her. She wasn't sure if what Meixin pawned was enough for two thousand taels yet. Since the eldest miss was generous, she would reluctantly accept it.
"The eldest miss is thoughtful."
Mu Qingyao took it and placed it on a high table nearby. Seeing that she had accepted her gift, Mu Qingzhu's face beamed with joy.
She thought Mu Qingyao no longer minded her past actions, so how could she not be happy? If her sister was the Empress, as long as she didn't remember her past actions, she might become a veritable concubine when she entered the palace.
Although she was a bit unwilling in her heart, it was better for her own sister to be the Empress than someone else.
Baozheng poured the tea and brought it over. She first offered a cup to the third young lady, then to her own young lady, and then stood obediently to the side.