"Eight, over eight hundred taels? Is this a meal or a life? Gu Peilan only had this much silver on her. If she gave it all away, how would she settle the accounts later?
Seeing Gu Peilan frozen for a long time, Shui Ling paused and said, "Judging by Madam's attire, she doesn't seem to be without money. Or has Madam spent all her silver on her appearance? If that's the case..." Shui Ling's eyes flickered, and then fell on Ji Renran again. "Just now, Madam's daughter wasn't trying to share a chicken, but was using the excuse of sharing a chicken to try and forge connections with the powerful figures in the imperial city?"
The other madams in the private room also turned their gaze to Ji Renran upon hearing this. Their words were not without merit. If they truly had money, wouldn't they have produced it earlier? What was the point of being so stingy now? As expected, daughters from humble families lacked proper upbringing, spending their days trying to lure men with their looks. Fortunately, today, the person sitting in the Heavenly chamber was the eldest daughter of the Ji family. If it were other noblemen, Renran might have already thrown herself into their arms. This was from a novel on Su Dan.
Ji Renran's entire face hurt and burned, and she was so anxious that large tears rolled down her cheeks. However, in the eyes of the madams present, these tears were as frivolous and worthless as Ji Renran herself. Gu Peilan still hoped her daughter would marry well and naturally couldn't let her reputation be ruined. Despite her heartache, she took out a bank note from her embrace and stuffed it into Shui Ling's hand.
Shui Ling counted the bank notes but remained standing still. "This Must-Water Beggar's Chicken was ordered by our young lady for the servants in our mansion. Now it has been given to this young lady. Doesn't this young lady plan to thank our young lady?" Just now, she had witnessed how this mother and daughter had belittled the young lady, and now she intended to retaliate tenfold.
Gu Peilan: "..." Is this never-ending? But whether it was endless or not, Ji Renran had to thank her, both in reason and in emotion. Even if it meant snatching food from a servant of their household. Ji Renran felt her standing legs grow unsteady, her voice a mere whisper like an insect, "Thank you to the eldest daughter of the Ji family for yielding."
The surrounding madams found this scene hilarious. It was the first time they had heard of someone snatching food from a servant and then thanking the master. They must have been blind to think such an unpresentable mother and daughter could be related to the Ji family.
Shui Ling held her head high, clutching the bank notes, and returned to the Heavenly chamber, finally venting her anger. Ji Zizhao, however, said to Shui Ling, "The weather is getting cold, and the winter clothes for the servants in the mansion have not yet been made. When we return, give these bank notes to my third sister. Let's get your winter clothes before the new year."
Shui Ling was overjoyed to hear about new clothes. "Thank you, Miss." It wasn't just the winter clothes, but also the fact that Miss had stood up for her. Ji Zizhao smiled knowingly. Her people were not to be dictated to by others.
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, seemed rather absent-minded, eating little. Ji Zizhao specially served her mother, "Is Mother feeling unwell?" The First Madam Lin Wanyun came back to her senses and smiled, "I just find it too noisy outside. It's much more peaceful inside the mansion." Ji Zizhao knew her mother always preferred quiet, so she nodded, "Once our chickens are delivered, I'll accompany Mother back."
The First Madam Lin Wanyun seemed to recall something and quickly took out a silver pouch from her embrace and handed it to Shui Ling. This meal would likely cost a lot of money. Fortunately, she had brought out all her personal savings. Ji Zizhao, however, held her mother's hand. "Daughter is out to dine with Mother. How can Mother be made to spend money?"
The First Madam Lin Wanyun thought of the dozens of beggar's chickens from earlier, and her daughter hadn't even batted an eye. "Zizhao, tell Mother the truth, where did you get so much money?" Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "For the past few years, I've been doing some small business with my fourth sister, and we've earned quite a lot." The First Madam Lin Wanyun knew that Bi Jie'er was busy working beside her daughter, but she thought it was just a small venture, never expecting it to be so profitable.
"A daughter shouldn't show her face too much. Even if you divorce the Fifth Prince, in the future..." Before she could finish, the First Madam Lin Wanyun found it difficult to continue. Her daughter was pure and innocent, but her reputation was ruined. With the title of being divorced, what good family would be willing to take her in the future?
"Mother, you don't need to worry. Since I've decided to divorce, I never thought of remarrying. Wouldn't it be good for me to stay by Mother's side forever?" Marriage was something Ji Zizhao was once indifferent to, but now she truly had no intention of it. The First Madam Lin Wanyun knew all too well that her daughter was just saying pleasantries; in reality, she was worried about her family. Looking at her sensible and mature daughter, her heart ached intensely.
Ji Zizhao leaned into her mother's embrace playfully, "They say daughters are mothers' little cotton-padded jackets. If I get married, won't Mother freeze to death? Where will I find someone who dotes on me like Mother then?" The First Madam Lin Wanyun, tears turning to laughter, poked Ji Zizhao's nose, "When did you become so glib?" "Daughter is speaking the truth." "Yes, yes, yes, you are the most eloquent."
Shui Ling stood by, watching silently, her heart filled with astonishment. One moment she was facing a decisive and formidable young lady, and the next she was acting cute... The difference was simply too great.
Laughter and joy filled the Heavenly chamber, while the atmosphere in the adjacent private room was heavy. Shui Ling had left, but the events that had just transpired were still fresh in everyone's minds. Especially when they saw the Must-Water Beggar's Chickens lined up on the table, the madams' hearts couldn't help but bloom with joy.
Ji Renran knew that no matter how she and her mother explained today's situation, they would become a laughingstock in the eyes of others. So, she leaned back limply against her mother, her face looking weak and unwell. Gu Peilan quickly feigned that her daughter was feeling unwell and made her apologies to the madams present, promising to meet again another day. These madams were not fools and could see the intention to withdraw. Since they had eaten their fill and had their fun, they naturally wouldn't expose anything, and each one understandingly got up and left.
After everyone had left, Gu Peilan couldn't help but curse, "That little bitch Ji Zizhao, how dare she humiliate our mother and daughter like this! I'll go find the old madam later and complain, letting her properly discipline that little bitch!" Ji Renran opened her eyes and frowned slightly, "I have a feeling something is not right about today's events. The way Ji Zizhao looked at me had a peculiar meaning, as if she knew my identity."