Jiang Liuli looked at the roomful of clothes and cursed furiously. "What is all this garbage? These clothes are already out of season! I want the newest and the best! Are your ears just for decoration?"
The servants silently cursed her up and down.
Everyone had once wanted to serve the second young lady, but only after hearing Jiang Shuyue's inner thoughts did they realize how terribly wrong they had been.
She was either a scheming girl playing innocent or a treacherous little villain.
Not only was she useless and vicious, but she also had a terrible temper.
They had been there less than half a month and had already endured plenty of abuse.
Her personal maid, Sangshen, suffered most of all. "Miss, these were only made half a month ago. They're all fine silks and satins."
"You dare talk back to me!"
Jiang Liuli raised her hand to slap her, but Qin Wanru caught her wrist and stopped her.
Qin Wanru gave her a meaningful look, then turned and smiled. "Her Majesty's birthday is an important occasion, after all. Wearing something inferior would inevitably disgrace the Jiang Family. Liuli is simply anxious. Don't take it to heart, Sangshen."
"This servant wouldn't dare."
Ha! If I didn't know the truth, that venomous scorpion really would have fooled me!
Sangshen had been raised by the first madam since childhood and promoted to first-class maid at a young age. She was deeply grateful to her.
She discreetly adopted a regretful manner, though she was really trying to disgust them. "This servant knows the second young lady is thinking of the Jiang Family's dignity, but the first madam only allotted the usual allowance. Yesterday, she did send someone with a set of hair ornaments for the second young lady to borrow for the occasion. As for the clothes..."
That thought made Jiang Liuli even angrier.
Whenever she attended an event before, she had worn an entirely new outfit. When had she ever failed to outshine every other beauty?
Now there wasn't even money to make her clothes.
And they called a set of malachite hair ornaments a loan? They used to give her pearls and agates outright. Since when had they become so stingy?
"Has our Jiang Family run out of money? Must we pinch pennies even over clothes?"
"That's not the case, but the first madam said the second young master is getting married, so everything in the household must prioritize him. In this servant's opinion, you might ask the master. It is for the Jiang Family's reputation, after all."
It wasn't that Jiang Liuli hadn't considered it, but Jiang An had been so bad-tempered lately, and she still hadn't made any progress. She was genuinely afraid.
Qin Wanru said, "Why not ask the old madam? She should still have some money."
Jiang Liuli was inwardly reluctant.
That old hag was the worst kind of snob. When she thought Jiang Liuli was useful, she had showered her with kindness. Lately, now that Jiang Liuli had fallen out of favor and could no longer trick money out of the first madam, she had turned lukewarm toward her.
Swallowing her irritation, Jiang Liuli went with Qin Wanru to the old madam's courtyard.
They had barely reached the doorway when they heard two voices laughing.
"Mother, you think it's nice too, don't you? The three children bought it for me with their pocket money. Apparently, it's some new style. What would I know about such things? I just thought it looked pretty, so I put it on especially to show you."
"Grandmother, you think it's lovely too, don't you? Look at this hairpin. I received it as a gift two days ago. This is the first time I've ever seen such a large ruby!"
Jiang Liuli clenched her fists at the doorway.
Jiang Shuyue? What was she doing here?
"Oh, is someone at the door? Is that you, little sister? Perfect timing! You've always had a keen eye for clothes. Come help me decide. What do you think of me wearing this outfit to Her Majesty's birthday banquet?"
Jiang Liuli had intended to go in anyway. Now that she had been called out, she could only enter.
But she regretted it the moment she did.
Silk worth a thousand gold pieces a bolt, paired with Gleaming Embroidery, made Jiang Shuyue seem to shimmer. Every inch of her radiated wealth and elegance.
And then there was that hairpin.
Its ruby was blood-red, of the finest quality, and as large as a pigeon's egg!
Together with the matching jewelry, it looked even more magnificent, setting off her rosy, fair skin and making her glow.
They hadn't seen each other for barely half a day. How had she been transformed so completely?
Jiang Liuli suppressed her fury and forced a smile. "You look truly radiant, elder sister. But since it's Her Majesty's birthday, dressing so extravagantly might be inappropriate. What if people think you're stealing Her Majesty's splendor..."
"Oh, I'm not criticizing you, elder sister, but people's tongues can be frightening. If you think I've said something wrong, then I..."
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Crying again! I haven't seen her for a few days, and she's gotten even better at shedding tears.]
The system replied, [Mostly because she's been crying every day lately. First she went to your mother and tried several times without success. Instead, she got scolded for having no manners. Then she went to your brother. She even sneaked off to see your future eldest sister-in-law.]
[But she'd eaten too many beans that day and accidentally let out a fart. The stink drove your future sister-in-law away!]
Jiang Shuyue laughed without a shred of decorum. [So she finally got what was coming to her! I'm dying. That must have been so awkward.]
The system said, [More than awkward! Your eldest brother had already warned your future eldest sister-in-law, and Chu Xin was there too. After hearing Jiang Liuli's snide remarks, she splashed a cup of water in her face and gave her a vicious dressing-down.]
[In her fury, Jiang Liuli let out several more loud farts, which your eldest sister-in-law's family happened to hear. She lost so much face it stretched all the way to her grandmother's house.]
Jiang Shuyue dissolved into laughter. [Hahaha! Jiang Liuli actually fired off a string of farts! That's divine punishment. It has to be divine punishment!]
The system shook its head. [The Heavenly Dao isn't that childish! This was your mother's masterpiece. Early that morning, she had someone prepare a soybean breakfast: soy milk, soybean flour, rice mixed with beans, and a tiny bit of croton slipped in. Jiang Liuli nearly relieved herself right in the carriage!]
Even now, Jiang Mother felt a little regret.
Had she known that humiliating the little bitch would make her daughter so happy, she would have added more croton.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [My mother really is the best. When it matters, she's far more useful than the Heavenly Dao!]
Jiang Liuli had almost cried herself dry, yet no one had said a word.
She shrank timidly against the doorway. "I know I'm insignificant and my words carry no weight. If you're unhappy, elder sister, just pretend I never said anything."
"Jiang Shuyue, how can you bully your younger sister like this? Since your mistake was unintentional, just give this set of jewelry to your sister."
"No..."
"Mother, Grandmother is right. I upset my younger sister, so I ought to apologize. I'll give her this hairpin."
Jiang Shuyue removed the hairpin and personally placed it in Jiang Liuli's hair.
Leaning close to her ear, she sneered in a voice barely above a whisper.
Jiang Shuyue said, "But trash like you is still trash, even dressed up in fine things."
"And trash belongs in a rubbish heap, not bouncing around everywhere, making a nuisance of itself."
Jiang Liuli's scalp prickled. Fury shot straight to the crown of her head, and she shoved Jiang Shuyue away.
"You little bitch! What did you say?"
Jiang Shuyue screamed, covered her face, and fell to the floor.
Before the old madam could react, Jiang Mother slapped Jiang Liuli across the face. "You little bitch! Who are you calling a little bitch?"
Before you continue