068 Counterattack

Having some backing is hardly anything unusual, but with the name of Prince Li Yexuan behind me, at least I won’t be oppressed. Has Yun Rong really not had enough? She still dares to make trouble. Is she simply idling away her time, stuffed full with nothing better to do? As the General’s younger sister, she could have chosen to be a proper noble lady or a heroine among women, yet she spends her days seeking out trouble. Bullying the little maids in the manor is one thing, but now she’s making a spectacle of herself in public, and Yun Heng doesn’t even bother to rein her in.

Sure enough, when I arrived at the hall of Jade and Gold Pavilion, Yun Rong and Qiao Ruoqing were seated in the place of honor. One of my pavilion maids went forward to serve tea, only to have the teacup knocked aside, sending the frightened girl retreating.

“Is there no one left in this grand Jade and Gold Pavilion?” Yun Rong shouted, as if afraid those outside might not hear her.

“Please calm your anger, miss, please calm your anger,” Uncle Jin could only repeat anxiously from the sidelines.

“I wonder, what brings you to my Jade and Gold Pavilion today, miss?” I spoke up, and the crowd parted to let me through. I entered without the slightest hint of fear and met her gaze directly.

“It’s you—the steward. The hair ornament you sold me is faulty.”

“If there is an issue with any ornament from Jade and Gold Pavilion, we naturally offer double compensation. But may I ask, miss, where exactly is the problem? Our humble shop would also like to improve.” Even I had to admire the composure with which I spoke.

“Qiuling, bring it here.”

Qiuling, Yun Rong’s maid, came forward carrying a box and opened it. The hair ornament she produced, once a fine hairpin, was now snapped in two.

“I thought the ornaments from Jade and Gold Pavilion were supposed to be excellent, yet it’s broken right in half. Steward, let’s see what you have to say for yourselves.”

“Uncle Jin, fetch the records.” With a wave of my hand, Uncle Jin disappeared inside and emerged with a ledger.

I took it and began to flip through. “There’s something you may not know. Every piece of jewelry from Jade and Gold Pavilion is recorded in our archives, and each item is engraved with the character ‘Yu’—jade. For the sake of aesthetics, the engraving is always placed in a concealed spot.”

Yun Rong, you think you can make trouble? Why shouldn’t I use this opportunity to advertise Jade and Gold Pavilion? Free advertising is not to be wasted.

“Found it. According to the records, the hairpin in question should bear the ‘Yu’ character on the second petal carved at the top right. Aunt Jin.”

I closed the ledger and handed it to Uncle Jin. Aunt Jin hurried over to examine the broken hairpin.

“Miss, young master, there is no ‘Yu’ character on this hairpin.”

“You’re lying! I bought it right here!” Yun Rong pointed accusingly at Aunt Jin.

“Miss, the workmanship on this hairpin is quite rough, clearly lacking proper craftsmanship. It is not from Jade and Gold Pavilion.”

“Impossible! Stop spreading malicious rumors!” Yun Rong was so agitated she nearly jumped up.

“If you don’t believe me, feel free to check. Compare this ledger with the items sold or unsold—any ornament. I dare say, perhaps you simply made a mistake.”

“You—” Yun Rong began to protest, but Qiao Ruoqing tugged at her sleeve.

“Rong’er, let it go,” she whispered, softly but loud enough for many to hear.

Yun Rong jerked her sleeve free and snapped at Qiao Ruoqing, “Cowering like that, what does it make you? No wonder you’re just a concubine, never fit for the spotlight.”

Qiao Ruoqing’s face flushed pale, then green, under the cutting remark.