Chapter 159: Silver Is Still Beautiful

"Really, you see how, by chance, I got close with Ru'er and, by chance, caught the old lady's eye; tell me how lucky I am—one is a princess, the other is the Grand Preceptor's daughter, oh dear, the second half of my life is carefree."

The old lady chuckled and then let out a long sigh.

"Those without money envy the rich; the rich envy power. You have to know the higher you stand, the harder you fall. Look at those high officials in Jingcheng—they're all forming cliques; a slip and their lives are in danger. I still think staying in Tianshui Town is quite good."

"Wealth and honor are sought amid danger; they pursue wealth and honor, so naturally they bear that risk."

"Ru'er doesn't aim to climb the tall branches, but the climbers happen to set their sights on her—truly a fool's luck."

"Ru'er is innocent and carefree, yet she's not that kind of foolish; she sees many things quite clearly."

"Not talking about her, how about your visit to the Wang Family today?"

"What else could it be? It's just a perfunctory walk. After many years apart there's nothing warm to be said; our relationship is better than that."

"Distant relatives aren't as good as close neighbors; after all, we live close to each other."

"Let me tell you, today when they saw my look, my hair, they were all stunned—ha ha, you have no idea."

Three days later Jingcheng returned to normal, the Fu Family affair fell apart, perhaps the Yamen is still investigating covertly.

"Let's go, stop her and ask?"

"Me too, Mother!"

"Right, this is something a friend of mine brought over from abroad, each set with tiny diamonds."

"Because wealth and honor are sought amid danger, the more perilous the place, the more power and money it holds."

"The emperor is the supreme ruler you mentioned, right?"

One by one hidden in the shadows, seeing such protection, she relaxed.

"Whose is it? Let's hear."

"I don't know; she didn't manage to snatch it, then changed to wanting to buy; I wouldn't sell it, so she left."

"The way you say it, it must be that Fu Family person; I heard her face was ruined—she got what she deserved. She hasn't stopped snatching from us; we used to dare not go out. We heard her house was robbed and her face became like that, so we went out together."

"Yes, the gemstones above are all crystallized blocks of volcanic lava; they glow on their own without sunlight, and shine even brighter under the sun."

"Heavens, such a tiny hairpin is so expensive?"

Then, stepping in the moonlight, she went to the Wang Family; this Wang Family is no worse than the Fu Family. The guards hidden in the shadows, the Dark Guard, she evaded them all.

Three older brothers laughed at her, "You're a little girl; stay at home and learn cooking from Mother, learn women's work. When we brothers make something of ourselves, we'll definitely look after you."

Their relationship is like that of grandparents and grandchildren, yet also like mother and daughter—heart to heart, with no distance.

"Is this called a hairpin?"

Completely at ease, she returned to Haitang Courtyard and moved the children out to continue sleeping.

Not a single trace, where to investigate? But that's all she said.

At night, the people of Bichun Yuan were all asleep; she as usual placed the children in the space.

"Excuse me, sister, where did you and the children get the headwear bought?"

"But as ordinary folk, they get bullied a lot."

"Ha ha!"

"Then it depends on how you choose."

When out in the world, she must be doubly careful; she can say whatever about herself, but the children must not make mistakes.

So she didn't return to the house, but sat cross‑legged in the courtyard, meditating and cultivating.

Feng'er said, "Mother, I don't know if I can pass; we have to keep testing. If I can become an official, I'll do so; if not, I'll go home to farm."

"Of course, this is where the emperor resides."

Around the moat, a ring of soldiers stood, every few steps, standing perfectly upright.

Miss Fu certainly wouldn't let them do that; at this point she couldn't even think about Longji brother.

"We just say, how beautiful—silver is still beautiful—we really can't afford it. Can we at least look at it, maybe touch it?"

"I see, looks like from now on my child's hairpin can't be worn publicly."

"How come I've never seen such hair accessories in the Jewelry Pavilion?"

Ling'er here quickly raised her small hand, "Ling'er too."

"It's terrifying, yet why do those people still serve as officials in the court?"

"Exactly, where did she buy this?"

It's all because of this hairpin; it seems women will go to great lengths for beauty.

"What is that she wears, stuck on the hair, looks really nice."

"Sorry about that; a few days ago a miss came up and snatched it. I don't want such incidents again."

"How many silver pieces is this hairpin?"

"Mother, are the houses here the best?"

"Oh, you're talking about the hairpin?"

"Yes, he governs all the territories within the Great Ming Dynasty, wielding life‑and‑death authority. There's a saying: 'Accompany the ruler as you would a tiger'; one must think thrice before any action, a single mistake can be a death sentence."

"Miss? Snatch? You can't be talking about that Fu Family lady, right?"

"Since there's nothing else, shall I take the children out to play?"

"Look quickly at that woman hurrying for a carriage; her clothes and hair accessories match perfectly, really beautiful."

"As long as we don't meet her, it's fine. Which family's daughter are you?"

Jiang is still sharp with age; Wang Zongsheng, though he didn't come over, regarded his daughter's marriage as top priority and arranged it so well.

"It's at Shun Prince's Mansion, Little Prince's wedding, and the bride is my sworn sister."

In the end Qiao Mai was stopped by a group of maidens, but they were a hundred times stronger than Miss Fu.

"Me too!"

Qiao Mai touched a hairpin and thought, "This is a high‑end custom hairpin from some brand on Earth, encrusted with Diamonds; of course there are none here."

Some people even set off firecrackers on the street on purpose; Miss Fu really has lost the people's favor.

Undoubtedly, the scenery on this side of the moat is nice, attracting many people.

Ling'er's bright, sparkling hair ornament on her head dazzles the tourists, especially the girls' eyes.

And the fact that her face was ruined has gradually become known; many people are more than eager to vent their hatred.

Whether they can accept it or not, they are scholars who will take the Merit exams in the future; Ling'er wants to tell the children these things.

So she drives the carriage straight to the Imperial Palace; outside the Imperial Palace is a moat, and beyond the moat there is no Imperial Guard protection. The carriage and pedestrians can travel along the outermost track to admire the Imperial Palace's grandeur.

"Um, I'm coming with the Wang Family to Jingcheng to attend Wang Jiaru's Wedding."

The children sit in the carriage, leaning on the windows to look toward the Imperial Palace.

Laughter draws the attention of some nearby people; the city has been locked down for several days, and many who were cooped up at home have come out to have fun.

Some people burst out laughing, "Who is this, so good? It's almost like doing a great deed, left and right is a bitch, up and down is a scoundrel, haha, well written, well written, this really matches her temperament; she is a scoundrel plus a bitch."

"Oh my god, so you are the future princess's sister, my apologies, my apologies."

Miss Fu's face—calling in the palace's Imperial Doctor was of no help; she torments herself in the house, crying and wailing every day. She tried many methods without success. Someone suggested cutting off her facial skin; if she did that, would she then be without face or skin?

Qiao Mai and the children naturally can't stay in Bichun Yuan forever; they came out to have fun, so she personally hurries the carriage, taking the children out to play.

That does put her at ease; she doesn't know if it's Wang Zongsheng's doing, but around Jiaru's house are all dark sentries and Dark Guard.

Originally they planned to guard her for a few nights, then leave after her marriage goes smoothly, but it seems she overthought it; such protection can only be entered by a master like her, otherwise it would have been discovered long ago.

Indeed, having money is good; with money you can support so many hands.

"Together, the silver here is about ten thousand taels, right?"

When coming to Jingcheng, at the very least you have to see the Imperial Palace; even if you can't go inside, you should at least get a glimpse from outside.

"Sister, do you still have such a new hair ornament there?"

"Yes, but it's expensive!"

"Where do you live?"

"Bichun Yuan"

(End of Chapter)