Guanyin's appearance resembled that of Mrs. Zhuang. Mrs. Zhuang said happily: "Girl Ning, you are determined."

Old Mrs. Huangsan interjected: "Girl Ning is so sweet and lovable! Come and sit next to me."

"Chang Ning won't disturb the old ladies chatting here." Jiang Chang Ning declined, bowed and retreated.

At the birthday banquet at noon, there was opera singing on the stage, familiar wives and grandmothers gossiping, the girls were not too reserved, they were talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

The dessert was served. Jiang Changning took a sip and realized something was wrong. This was not rock sugar bird's nest, but white fungus soup.

Both bird's nest and white fungus have the effect of nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness, but they are still different in essence.

The most important thing is that there is a huge price difference between the two, and Wu must have made a profit from it.

Jiang Changning turned to look at the main table and saw that the faces of the people on the main table were as usual, showing no signs of abnormality.

It suddenly became clear that the people at the main table were eating rock sugar bird's nests.

Wu's little trick could be concealed for a while, but not for the rest of her life. Zou would definitely expose her.

At this time, someone suggested going to the garden to see the sunflowers. "There are no catkins blowing up due to the wind, only the sunflowers are leaning towards the sun."

The Wu family is stingy, and the scenery of the village's garden is lackluster.

Jiang Changning was not interested in going and decided to stay here.

But Zhuang Qingmei decided to call her, "Sister Ning, let's go."

"I'm not going." Jiang Changning said with a faint smile.

"Sister Ning, don't sit still all the time. Go out for a walk. It will be good for your health." Zhuang Qingmei said.

"Thank you Fifth Sister for your concern." Jiang Changning sat still.

"Let's go, Sister Ning." Zhuang Qingmei came over and wanted to force Jiang Changning out.

"Fifth sister, I told you I won't go out." Jiang Changning's face darkened and he said displeasedly.

Zhuang Qingyan, who was also left behind, frowned and said: "Fifth sister, if you want to go out, go out. Why are you pulling Sister Ning?"

Jiang Changning's eyes darkened slightly, why did Zhuang Qingmei insist on letting her go out?

Turning her eyes, her eyes fell on the unique pearl flower on Zhuang Qingmei's bun. Zou was always very harsh when it came to concubines.

Zhuang Qingmei's jewelry was all made by the father-in-law during the New Year and festivals, so he only exchanged a few items back and forth.

Her biological mother had fallen out of favor a long time ago and had no spare silver to buy her jewelry.

The origin of this pearl flower...

Jiang Changning's mind was spinning a thousand times, but he didn't reveal anything on his face as he pushed Zhuang Qingmei's hand away forcefully, "Fifth sister, let's go out and play. Don't make trouble here. It won't be good if it disturbs the old lady's fun."

It happened that Mrs. Zhuang looked over. Although Zhuang Qingmei was unwilling to do so, she had no choice but to go out with the others first.

Jiang Changning raised his hand and touched the earring on his left ear. Fang Ju came closer and said, "Girl."

"Go and check if there are any people in the garden who shouldn't be there." Jiang Changning said quickly.

Fang Ju responded in a low voice and went to call the little maid over who was fascinated by the show, "I'll come as soon as I go. You take good care of the girl."

Fang Ju was gone for a long time, and the "Wealth and Everlasting" on the stage changed into two scenes.

Not long after she came back, Zhuang Qingmei and others also came back.

Jiang Changning stood up, and Zhuang Qingmei immediately asked: "Sister Ning, where are you going?"

"Let's go to the cleansing room. Do you want to come with me, fifth sister?" Jiang Changning had a smile on his lips, but there was no trace of smile in his eyes.

Zhuang Qingmei is becoming more and more like a toad lying on her feet, not biting but responding to others.

"I'm not going, I just went there." Zhuang Qingmei laughed dryly.

Jiang Changning smiled, turned his eyes and said, "Third sister, let's go together."

Zhuang Qingyan hesitated for a moment, "Okay."

On the way to the cleansing room, Zhuang Qingyan apologized to Jiang Changning, "Fifth sister has always been stupid, and her words and actions are often inappropriate. I will apologize to Sister Ning on her behalf."

Zhuang Qingyan didn't want to speak for Zhuang Qingmei at all, but Zhuang Qingmei was her concubine. If she behaved badly, others would blame Zou for not fulfilling her upbringing duty.

For the sake of her mother, Zhuang Qingyan had to step forward.

"Third sister, you don't need to apologize. The second wife is not to blame for what happened to the fifth sister. The second wife is good enough to the fifth sister. For the old lady's birthday, she not only made her new clothes, but also bought her new jewelry."

Zhuang Qingyan was startled, buying new jewelry?

No.

Looking at the thoughtful Zhuang Qingyan, the corners of Jiang Changning's lips slightly raised. With Zou's behavior, Zhuang Qingmei would suffer.

When the two of them returned to the living room from the clean room, Zhuang Qingyan stared at the beaded flowers on Zhuang Qingmei's bun.

The birthday banquet lasted until the beginning of Xushi, when the villagers saw off their guests.

Jiang Changning returned to the courtyard, and Fang Ju reported to her, "The person hiding in the garden is Zhuang Yaozong."

"It's really him." Jiang Changning sneered, "Where is he now?"

Fangju replied: "Locked in the stable in the back street."

"Throw him into the well water and let him sober up." Jiang Changning was a little regretful that it was early summer and the weather was not cold enough.

Zhuang Qingyan told Mr. Zou about Zhuang Qingmei's new pearl flower.

Zou asked, but Zhuang Qingmei didn't dare to tell the truth, "I saved up my next month's money to buy it."

Mr. Zou didn't believe her words, "How much money do you have per month? Even if you save for a year, you still can't afford this bead flower."

"My aunt also collected some money for me," Zhuang Qingmei said.

"How much money can a servant get for you? Did the master give you money?" Zou asked sharply.

"No, madam, the master didn't give me any money." Zhuang Qingmei said quickly.

"Stretch out your hand." Zou grabbed the ruler next to her.

Zhuang Qingmei trembled and stretched out her hands.

The ruler in Zou's hand hit her palm hard.

Zhuang Qingmei retracted her hand in pain, her lowered eyes full of hatred.

She completely forgot that she suffered this crime all because of greed.

And if her plan comes true, Jiang Changning's life will be ruined.

"Don't shrink." Zou said loudly.

Zhuang Qingmei had no choice but to stretch out her hand again and let Zou hit her.

Zou slapped her hard for more than a dozen times, until her hands were swollen, and then she calmed down and said, "Go back to your yard."

Zhuang Qingmei sobbed and returned to her yard.

The next day, Jiang Changning looked at Zhuang Qingmei's red and swollen hands like pig's trotters, pursed his lips and smiled.

At noon that day, Jiang Changning had some food and asked, "Is there a change of cook in the kitchen?"

Fangju smiled, "Now the second wife is in charge of the kitchen, so I replaced Chef Wu with Chef Fang."

Jiang Changning smiled, this was the white fungus soup served by Mrs. Zhuang for her birthday, and it was Wu's disease.

The battle between the banker's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has nothing to do with Jiang Changning.

She asked people to check the situation of the two families that the Zou family said they were related to, and reported back. She really didn't know if she didn't check, and she was shocked when she checked.

The third young master of the family of the right servant of the Ministry of Rites was a concubine and a prostitute.

It doesn't matter that his status is low, he doesn't like studying and loves money as much as his life.

All the talk of being polite and striving for advancement are all fake.

The eldest son of the Prime Minister of Kyoto is indeed a direct descendant, and his talents and learning are indeed good.
Chapter completed!