Chapter Twenty-Four: The Guest Arrives

  "Hey guys, update 2 is here...... O(∩_∩)O haha~ If you like it, please leave a comment and vote! Mwah mwah!"

  On April 1st, it was indeed lively on this side of Xiang Rong Yuan.

  The master and servant saw a large crowd coming out from the main courtyard, among the people dressed in red and green, Jinzi only recognized one familiar face, which was Song Niang.

  Everyone left the hospital gate and dispersed separately.

  The courtyard has a winding corridor, pavilions and waterside platforms, with flowers and grasses looking luxuriant, presenting a thriving scene. Jinzi couldn't help but take a deep breath, as if he had personally visited the Suzhou gardens.

  It's really extremely luxurious!

  There were several young maidservants under the corridor who saw Xiaoxiao and Jinzi, their eyes involuntarily revealing confusion. Whose daughter is this? So early in the morning, how did she end up at the Jin Mansion?

  Hesitating and unsure whether to go in and report, several little maids pushed and shoved each other, dragging out their voices and frolicking.

  Qing Dai, the senior maid, walked out of the house with a gloomy face and glared at several mischievous little maids, saying in a cold voice: "The mistress is inside concentrating on checking accounts. You few little rascals are making such a racket here, disturbing the mistress. Be careful or you'll get a whipping!"

  Several little girls busily bowed their heads and quietly came to a stop, shutting their mouths tight.

  Qing Dai had just finished her lesson and was about to enter when she saw two people standing in the courtyard.

  A pair of eyes widened in surprise, was this Jin San Niang?

  Under the bright sunlight, her skin was so white it seemed almost transparent, and the dazzling light made her unable to open her eyes. The aura emanating from within her made it hard for people to imagine that this was the same silly girl who had nearly gone to see King Yan just a month ago. San Niangzi now looked even more radiant than before...

  "Third... Third Sister is here?" Qing Dai came back to her senses and called out softly.

  "Today is the first day of the month, and a lady from our household has come to pay her respects. Please go in and announce it, Qing Dai sister!" he said with a smile, taking a step forward.

  Qing Dai's gaze was still fixed on Jinzi's face, and she nodded dully, responding: "Third Madame, please wait a moment!"

  After Qing Dai went in, Jinzi and Xiao Xiao stood in the courtyard waiting. The little maid under the corridor seemed to have forgotten her lesson again, with a curious and admiring gaze, she looked up and down at this abandoned third wife, whispering and discussing something, occasionally making sighs of admiration and praise.

  Smiling impatiently, she glared at them with her eyes, but Jinzi seemed to be completely unaware, still admiring the flowers and scenery in the courtyard.

  In the east wing, Lin was carefully examining an account book. After hearing Qing Dai's words, her face, which had been smiling, suddenly sank, and she slammed the account book onto a low table.

  "How are you? Ah, seeing her face that resembles her deceased mother's, I recall those years of suffering...". Lin's teeth were clenched, her red-painted fingers tightly grasped, and the fine blue veins on her pale palm stood out. After taking a deep breath, she said: "Are you here to ruin my good mood early in the morning? This unlucky person is going to spoil it..."

  Raise her sharp phoenix eyes, looking at Qing Dai said: "Go, let her roll back for me, no need to give me a salute, her gift, I can't afford it!"

  Qing Dai deeply understood Madame's temperament. If she truly disliked someone from the bottom of her heart, she wouldn't change her attitude just because of a sudden show of kindness.

  "Yes, I'll let Third Madam go back!"

  Mrs. Feng, sitting opposite Lin's family with a smile, handed over a cup of tea and advised: "Madam doesn't like her, not seeing her is fine, why bother arguing with this kind of person early in the morning, it's not worth it!"

  Lin took over Mrs. Feng's teacup and drank a mouthful, only then did the suffocating feeling in her chest ease up a lot.

  Qing Dai respectfully told Jinzi in the courtyard that Lin Shi was carefully checking the accounts and it would take a long time before she could see her, so let San Niangzi go busy with her own affairs first.

  Jinzi knew this was just a polite phrase from Qing Dai, but Lin Shi's refusal was stark naked.

  Never mind, she came to pay her respects, whether I see her or not is her business.

  Actually, Jinzi didn't even bother to make small talk with this kind of person, so he smiled and bid farewell, taking Xiaoxiao out of Xiangrongyuan.

  "Miss, Madam is intentionally making things difficult for us!" said with a smile and indignation.

  "I'd be delighted if she could just draw a clear line with me, instead of pretending to be a loving mother and filial daughter when we actually can't stand each other. That's what really makes people sick!" Jinzi said with a faint smile.

  Smiling and nodding, holding Jinzi's arm, she asked: "Wife, are we still going out today?"

  "What do you think?" Jinzi turned his head to look at her,

  "Heh heh, it seems like we didn't stroll around much yesterday, wife!" Smiling slyly at Jinzi.

  "You little scamp!" Jinzi stretched out his hand and gently tapped the smiling forehead.

  The master and servant walked up the corridor and saw from a distance a maid in dark green uniform leading a noblewoman walking towards them.

  The noblewoman was about thirty years old, with a smooth and lustrous complexion. Her raven-black hair was coiled into a flat bun, and on her plump earlobes she wore a pair of jade earrings that swayed as she moved. On her wrists were two golden bangles, and around her neck hung a strand of oriental pearls that shone with a rich, full luster, clearly very valuable. She was dressed in a crimson jacket with a high collar, made from the finest brocade silk with subtle patterns of flowers woven into it, which gave off a soft sheen in the sunlight.

  Her whole body was radiant with jewels and treasures, making Jinzi feel that this noblewoman had a strong aura of wealth.

  Four people met unexpectedly, Jinzi smiled slightly and nodded slightly, standing aside with his feet, letting the noblewoman go first.

  The noblewoman had a favorable impression of Jinzi's behavior and gentle smile, and responded with a friendly smile as they passed each other by.

  "That young lady is born so beautiful, just like a fairy. Whose family's daughter is she?" the noblewoman asked.

  The woman in black clothes lowered her eyes, pursed her lips and smiled faintly: "Madam is overpraising, the one just now was San Niangzi!"

  The noblewoman's eyes suddenly widened in horror and she exclaimed: "Idiot?! Oh...my heavens!"

  Inside the house, Lin closed the account book and looked up at Mrs. Feng with a faint tone: "This month's extra expenses are not clear in detail, I don't like ambiguity, since Master has entrusted me to manage this household, I dare not slack off for a moment!"

  Madam Feng's eyebrows furrowed, and she replied solemnly: "I understand, these several items, I will carefully investigate and give you a clear account, milady!"

  "Alright! Down you go!" Mr. Lin curled up his legs, reclining on the low couch with a languid air, but this movement was really not elegant.

  Mrs. Feng curtsied and withdrew, then stood up and walked out.

  Qing Dai's face was flushed with joy, and she hurried along, almost colliding with Old Lady Feng who had just emerged from the inner house.

  "Sorry, Aunt Feng, are you okay?" Qing Dai hastily asked.

  "Nothing's wrong, it's rare to see Miss Qing Dai so excited. What's the good news?" asked Mrs. Feng.

  "Isn't there good news!" Qing Dai poked her head in and said to the inner room: "Madam, Auntie is here!"

  Lin of the inner house heard the words "Auntie's here" and couldn't help but smile, hastily getting up to personally welcome her.

  "Come in quickly!"

  Qing Dai lifted the curtain and welcomed the noblewoman inside.

  The two of them smiled at each other, and Lin's wife stepped forward, took the noblewoman's hand and walked towards the inner room, saying: "Why didn't you send word ahead of time? I would have sent someone to meet you at the city gate. Now people will say that I, as your elder sister, treated my own younger sister poorly!"