Concubine Fang gently responded with an "Mm," handed over the IOU to Xiao Jizi, and gave him a particularly friendly smile, causing Xiao Jizi to have goosebumps all over.
They set off as soon as they said they would, with Lian Hua leading a crowd majestically towards Qianqiu Hall. Just before leaving, Xiao Linzi scratched his head, "Master, what should we do with this hairpin?"
Lian Hua glanced at it, also somewhat undecided. Then she turned her head and saw Beauty Zhao secretly watching her. Struck by a sudden idea, she proclaimed, "Just give it to Beauty Zhao." She hadn’t taken Silver from anyone originally, but they insisted on making her sign IOUs. It was only right to give them something in return; it’s like adding a little something extra to a deal, to ensure future business, right?
Beauty Zhao’s face subtly changed, and she hurriedly tried to decline with a forced smile, but it was too late. Lian Hua, with her entourage, noisily left. Xiao Linzi picked up the hairpin and stuffed it directly into the hands of her Palace Maid and quickly followed after them.
"Beauty, this hairpin..." The Palace Maid’s eyes flickered as she presented the hairpin in her hands.
Beauty Zhao frantically waved her hands as if she were facing a flood or wild beast, knocking the hairpin away, "Take it away—don’t touch me." No woman should touch this hairpin. The thin layer of black ebony wood conceals something that if a woman were to touch too often could poison her. It would weaken her body, deplete her from Qi and blood, and eventually cause death. This, she knew all too well.
"What’s wrong with Sister Zhao?" Changzai Zhou’s eyes showed a fleeting trace of mockery before she inquired with feigned concern.
Beauty Zhao realized her reaction was overblown. She composed herself, adopting a smile once more, and offered an explanation, "The winnings that Sister Lian took from us, all the sisters traded Silver to redeem them. I couldn’t possibly be the exception and covet these benefits, especially since the black ebony wood hairpin isn’t mine to begin with."
Her words carried an undertone, hinting that Changzai Zhou was eager for unwarranted benefits, effectively mocking her while also emphasizing that the hairpin was not hers.
Changzai Zhou’s eyes turned a shade colder. She did not respond but simply said indifferently, "Consort De has arrived, let’s go as well." In the past, no matter how much she tried to please Beauty Zhao, she was an ungrateful wretch who never warmed up to her.
Without waiting for Beauty Zhao, she elegantly led her Palace Maids towards Qianqiu Hall, where groups of Concubines were also headed in twos and threes.
Beauty Zhao’s normally gentle face took on a hint of coldness. She then instructed her Palace Maid to put away the hairpin, making a roundabout before the hairpin unexpectedly ended up back in her hands. Beauty Lian was truly lucky.
She let out a bitter laugh. She didn’t want it, but... alas. Original content can be found at novel_fіre.net
Soon, the area for playing the throwing game became deserted, and Qianqiu Hall became lively instead.
Along the way, Xiao Linzi scratched his head and caught up with Xiao Jizi. After thinking for a bit, he murmured, "Brother Xiao Ji, I feel like I’ve seen that magpie ascending branch plum blossom black ebony hairpin before."
Xiao Jizi was taken aback and quietly asked a few questions. It turned out that when Noble Consort Xue arrived, Xiao Linzi vaguely saw her Senior Palace Maid, Cai Qin, wearing it. At that time, they were all bowing their heads, and Xiao Linzi wasn’t entirely sure. It was just as Noble Consort Xue was leaving that he unintentionally looked up and caught a glimpse of it. He wasn’t near and hadn’t paid special attention. Regular people wouldn’t notice, but Xiao Linzi had a photographic memory. After looking at that hairpin for so long and searching his memory, he managed to retrieve that impression.
Xiao Jizi’s gaze turned cold, his mind quickly thought of something. No wonder the hairpin had no takers, no wonder nobody knew to whom it belonged—only that someone had lent it to the concubines, but even they didn’t know who had lent it. They had thought the hairpin was too ordinary for anyone to want to redeem it, but now it all made sense, fearing there was a serious problem with that hairpin!
He broke out in a cold sweat on his back. No wonder Nanny Qi had warned them repeatedly, even under their watchful eyes and right under their noses they almost fell for it; it was truly hard to guard against.
Unfortunately, the hairpin had been given away and was out of sight; they had no idea what kind of tricks had been done to it. The other party had come prepared, and even if they went back, they would probably not find any clues. With only Xiao Linzi’s vague impression and no physical evidence, they couldn’t punish the perpetrator. He suspected that nine times out of ten, it had been someone sent by Noble Consort Xue—a relentless desire to harm their master.
Xiao Jizi’s eyes revealed a hint of fierceness as he whispered instructions to several people to be careful and vigilant. If anything seemed wrong—no matter if it was against the rules—they must stop it. Lian Hua, who had been talking to Concubine Fang Pin, saw them whispering and told the Concubine to go ahead. Then she pulled the three of them into a corner and whispered together.
When Lian Hua heard how much the others cared about her protection, a fierce light flashed in her eyes, "Any brat who dares to bully you is challenging me. And to challenge me is to challenge... cough cough... to challenge, huh!" The coughing referred to His Majesty. There were too many people around now; it wasn’t advisable to mention him directly.
The others felt much more confident. Xiao Jizi thought for a moment and then quietly reported the hairpin matter to Lian Hua, saying how lucky it was that Xiao Linzi had a good memory. It was a close call indeed.
Upon hearing this, Lian Hua was overjoyed and repeatedly praised Xiao Linzi’s memory. Despite not being very capable on ordinary days, he never failed at critical moments. She had been wrong to think he only squandered their provisions. Xiao Qing also echoed the praise for Xiao Linzi’s meritorious deed and for improving in his fire-making skills, making him shy but happy, his tiger teeth showing in his smile.
Xiao Jizi was stunned. This was not the right direction. With someone plotting against them, how could they still be happy? Shouldn’t they be discussing the matter, focusing their attention on it...?
He hesitated to speak up, but finally found the opportunity to ask what had been on his mind—what if the concubines didn’t redeem their jewelry? If they brought it back, wouldn’t they fall into the trap?
"Alas... then we can only be kind and return it to them," Lian Hua said pensively. It was useless for her to keep it; it would just take up space and invite resentment.
The group paused, "Then why did the master engage with them in a match in the first place?"
"If I didn’t play along, they would cling to me like before. How would I win the golden melon seeds? Besides, playing with them makes winning the melon seeds faster!" If it hadn’t been for that, who knows how long the dawdling would have lasted? She wouldn’t be able to win all those melon seeds now.
"Oh..." It was that simple, and the group suddenly understood. But something was still amiss, "Master, hadn’t you already thought of having them exchange the jewelry for silver?" They knew their master well; surely that was the reason she had been playing so happily.
"Ah, haha, how did you know? Indeed, I had such thoughts. But most of them don’t like me, and if the prideful ones refuse to exchange, then I’d be out of options and have to play the good person like Noble Consort Xue, alas."
Hearing this, Xiao Jizi silently marveled. He couldn’t see at all how their master appeared out of options. From the beginning of the match, she had dragged everyone down with her, stirring up the concubines to no end. Later, when people came to redeem their jewelry with silver, she had one move after another, each hitting the mark, forcing the concubines to painfully accept it. Afterwards, they actually thanked their master for her kindness. He had seen everything clearly and found it truly amazing.