Has Everyone Misunderstood Something?
Shangguan Wan'er knew very well that neither Madam Shangguan nor Shangguan Yun'er had any decent clothes or jewelry to offer.
Going there would only make you look foolish.
These days, nobody in the industry wants to associate with them.
Shangguan Wan'er got into the carriage immediately; she didn't want to embarrass herself along with them.
As soon as she left, Madam Shangguan slowly walked out of the house, sighed, and said, "That brat was just trying to embarrass us. Luckily, Wanwan has arranged everything for us. Shall we set off now?"
Shangguan Yun'er slowly walked out of the house.
Everyone stared at her, stunned.
Madam Shangguan was also stunned. "Yun'er, why don't we change our clothes today? This is really too eye-catching."
Shangguan Yun'er wiped the sweat from her face with a handkerchief and said:
"If we don't attract attention, what do our master need us for?"
"I'm going to make Shangguan Wan'er furious today! Doesn't she like Zhou Mingyang? Well, I'll just steal him away from her!"
The maidservant beside her smiled and said, "Miss Yun'er is right. Why must you swallow your anger? You don't need to depend on her now."
Madam Shangguan asked softly, "What if we anger her?"
The maid beside her said:
"You are the wife of the Shangguan Family, she wouldn't dare to do anything."
Moreover, if Young Master Zhou truly likes young ladies, then this is indeed a good place to go.
Don't worry! Miss has considered everything."
Zhou Mingyang is indeed quite old-fashioned, but he is also a very upright man who has not taken any concubines or maids.
Shangguan Yun'er said, "You mean to say that Miss already knew all about Young Master Zhou's situation?"
The maidservant beside him nodded and said, "Yes, don't worry! Zhou Mingyang is a gentleman."
Shangguan Yun'er covered her mouth and chuckled, "I think this guy is just a bookworm. I didn't like him at first, but I might as well give it a try."
Soon someone arrived with the carriage. Madam Shangguan looked at the carriage, her eyes reddening.
"I haven't ridden in such a luxurious carriage in a long time."
Every time I go out, I have to use the cheapest blue cloth carriage, which only lowers my social standing.
The old nanny beside her smiled faintly and said, "As long as you behave, you won't live such a miserable life forever. My young lady is not short of money."
The old woman's tone carried a hint of warning.
Madam Shangguan nodded and said:
"Granny, don't worry, that's the kind of life I want, where I don't have to worry about money every day."
I've experienced hardship myself, and I know how tough it is to be broke. I have no reason to harm our young lady for anyone's sake.
The old woman smiled faintly and said, "As long as you are loyal to Miss, things will get better."
The carriage brought them to the Yongning Earl's Manor.
As soon as they stepped down from the carriage, all the ladies around them turned their attention to them.
"Who are these two? I've never seen them before."
"Don't they know? Those are the wife and second young lady of the General of the Cavalry."
"The General of the Cavalry? I've heard that his wife is very simple and doesn't like to dress up."
And that young lady, last time her clothes were even more shabby than a servant's, why are they different this time?"
As soon as Madam Shangguan entered the courtyard with her daughter Shangguan Yun'er, she immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.
Madam Shangguan wore a dark red brocade jacket, the material of which was thick and soft, and paired with a dark-colored long skirt with subtle patterns.
She wore a set of ruby and gold hairpins in her hair, ruby earrings, and a white jade bracelet on her wrist. The jewelry looked heavy and all of excellent quality.
Beside her Shangguan Yun'er wore a light pink brocade autumn dress with a thin lotus root-colored gauze shirt over it.
Several strings of round pearl hairpins adorned her hair bun, the pearls tinkling gently with every movement. She wore a delicate jade bracelet on her wrist, her attire exquisite and eye-catching.
The ladies nearby immediately stopped talking and quickly came over to strike up a conversation.
A round-faced lady looked on with envy:
"Madam Shangguan, the fabric of your dress is truly exquisite."
And this ruby headdress looks incredibly valuable; even wealthy people couldn't afford it.
Another lady turned to praise Yun'er: "Little girl, your clothes are uniquely styled, and your jewelry is exquisite. It's clear your family is well-off; your attire is always different."
Madam Shangguan said with a smile:
"These things were all bought from the Four Seas Rare Goods Store. Have you been there?"
I think the things inside are truly dazzling.
A lady chimed in, "The Four Seas Rare Goods Store? Isn't that a newly opened one in the capital? How come their goods sell so well?"
Madam Shangguan smiled mysteriously and said:
"You'll know when you go there; the things inside the Four Seas Rare Goods Store are not something ordinary people can afford."
Moreover, the clothes and jewelry inside are all the most fashionable at the moment.
If you go, you can mention my name; I know the owner.
They said they could give me a 20% discount, for example, 1000 taels of silver, and they'd only charge me 800 taels.
The ladies around exclaimed, "Is it really that good? A 20% discount!"
Madam Shangguan nodded and said, "Yes, it's a new shop that's just opened, they're just looking for a lively atmosphere. Once this opportunity is gone, it'll be gone forever."
The ladies around nodded in agreement.
"It really looks great. How much did you pay for this outfit?"
It seems to be Shu brocade. Isn't Shu brocade only seen in the palace?
Madam Shangguan chuckled and said, "That's right! That's why it's so rare!"
Someone looked at the hair ornament on Shangguan Yun'er's head and said, "That pearl hair ornament is really beautiful. I'll go take a look at it another day."
Madam Shangguan said no more.
They followed them into the backyard, Shangguan Wan'er, seeing the clothes they were wearing, was nearly driven mad with jealousy.
My mind was filled with questions: Where did they get their clothes? Where did they get their jewelry?
Madam Shangguan looked at Shangguan Wan'er with a smile and said, "Wan'er, I didn't expect you to arrive first. Why didn't you wait for me?"
Shangguan Wan'er glanced at Shangguan Yun'er's clothes and said, "Mother is really biased. She actually bought my sister such jewelry and such clothes, but I have nothing."
Those around her whispered, "Is Madam Shangguan so biased? She actually bought such nice clothes for her youngest daughter."
"She's not their biological daughter after all; our Wan'er is so pitiful."
The ladies looked at Shangguan Wan'er with heartache.
Madam Shangguan said with a half-smile:
Is there some misunderstanding?
The person who truly runs our household is Shangguan Wan'er; she manages all the family accounts.
So before, my daughter and I were very poor; we couldn't even afford a decent piece of clothing.
Upon hearing this, the surrounding ladies erupted in an uproar. "Madam Shangguan, you can't just say such nonsense!"
"Are you implying that Shangguan Wan'er mistreated you and your daughter? You're the one who's ruthless, and now you're trying to force Shangguan Wan'er to her death in front of so many people?"
Madam Shangguan's eyes reddened as she looked at Shangguan Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, say something for your mother! Who exactly is in charge of our household?"