Chapter 44: The Peculiar Shang Jinxiu

“What a truly good-hearted person.”

“I told you all, Qin Ci wouldn’t deceive us. She must have sold the ginseng, but to think it fetched three hundred taels!”

“Yes, yes, indeed! Qin’s daughter-in-law, thank you so much. If there’s ever such a good opportunity again, our family will be the first to support you. If you ever need anything, just call, and we’ll all come at once.”

“We’ll do the same. We will.”

“Qin’s daughter-in-law is so capable, earning so much silver at once. The Qin family has truly found a treasure.”

“If only I’d known, no matter how much the bride price was, I would have married Hua!”

Everyone flattered her as they followed Qin Youtian away. Listening to their words, Qin Youtian was pleased, yet a trace of bitterness lingered in his heart.

Everyone rejoiced at their newfound wealth, while Qin Mingyue, watching the bright silver passed away and receiving nothing but scraps of paper in return, felt a deep pang of sorrow and could not help but shake her head and sigh.

Had she known, she would not have lost her temper with Hua Qin Ci, nor struck or scolded her.

Had she known, she would have treated her kindly, and this silver would not have slipped so easily into another’s hands.

So much silver—before it could even warm her palms, it belonged to someone else!

“Ah! What a wasteful family!” After distributing the silver, Qin Mingyue finally tidied up and returned to the county.

The entire village of Xiaoxi was enveloped in both joy and regret, indistinguishable from one another.

Everyone praised Hua Qin Ci to the skies.

Qin Mingyue felt comforted; these past two days, whenever she went out, people helped her left and right, making her life much easier.

Liu Bingbing, meanwhile, was sour and gloomy at home, thoroughly displeased. She simply couldn’t understand—was Hua Qin Ci truly so miraculous? Without doing anything, she managed to sell fake ginseng? Was that young master from a wealthy family out of his mind?

Qin Youtian went to the city to avoid Liu Bingbing, which annoyed her greatly. Madam Liu kept a close eye on her, and she had no idea what the two were plotting in the city.

The next day, Hua Qin Ci kept her appointment and went to Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. Only upon arriving did she understand why that maid had such a powerful presence.

Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion was rumored to be the most luxurious spot in Glazed City, and the sight did not disappoint—glass tiles, lacquered red pillars, gauzy windows, carved doors, even the stairs were flanked by brilliant flowers, blooming in riotous profusion, their fragrance filling the air.

“Miss Hua, this way, please!” Guided by the attendant, Hua Qin Ci passed through corridors lined with blossoms and finally arrived at a lakeside pavilion.

“Miss Hua, please rest here for a moment. My mistress will come as soon as she is free.”

“Thank you!” Hua Qin Ci took in the lotus flowers on the lake. In two months’ time, countless blooms would compete in beauty—a truly elegant place.

As Hua Qin Ci wondered about the mistress of this house, the young lady arrived, dressed in splendid attire, her makeup exquisite, her hair pinned with jade, her brows and eyes shimmering with autumnal grace.

“Forgive me for keeping Miss Hua waiting.” The lady’s voice was gentle and soft, her expression kind, lacking any of the airs of a noblewoman, yet she possessed the bearing of one born to wealth.

“Not at all, not at all, Madam. It’s an honor.” Hua Qin Ci hurriedly rose to greet her.

The lady smiled warmly. “No need for formalities. I am Shang Jinxiu, and I am somewhat older than you. Please, just call me Jinxiu or elder sister.”

“Sister,” Hua Qin Ci found the term a little awkward.

“May I ask, sister—”

“It’s nothing. I simply saw injustice and stepped in to help. I have always scorned those who bully the good and fear the wicked. Do not laugh at me.”

Hearing Bai Su call her ‘sister’, Hua Qin Ci felt a sourness in her chest, emotions swirling.

She studied Shang Jinxiu more closely, finding nothing amiss—her health seemed fine, though she could not say so aloud.