anwhile, Old Madam Pei returned to the Pei Mansion after inviting Shen Wanqing.
As soon as she arrived at the Pei Mansion, she saw Xiang Hui standing at the doorway, and her previously stern face regained its smile.
"Xiang Hui is still the best. Look at Shen Wanqing now, with her daughter becoming the Princess Consort, she’s beco haughty. I have to personally invite her for my birthday celebration."
"That Pei Shu’er is also unruly nowadays. Just because she beca the Princess Consort, otherwise I’d tear her skin off! How dare she speak to in such a manner."
Xiang Hui smiled and said, "Pei Shu’er has never had good upbringing. I was troubled by her when visiting the Prince Zhan Mansion previously."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Pei’s face brightened even more.
She held Xiang Hui’s hand, nodding in satisfaction.
At this mont, Xiang Hui said, "Old Madam, I want Shen Wanqing to co-host your birthday celebration with ."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Pei’s face turned sour.
"No way, Shen Wanqing with her shallow vision, what kind of a birthday celebration can she organize? You’ve been doing it every year, and I trust you more."
Xiang Hui, still smiling, knew her years of effort hadn’t been in vain after hearing Old Madam Pei’s words.
Her dedication, treating the Old Madam as if she were worshiping an ancestor, finally paid off.
But this birthday celebration must be co-hosted with Shen Wanqing.
"Old Madam, the celebration indeed needs to be co-hosted with Shen Wanqing for it to be lively. Due to the impact of the previous plague, the Pei Mansion’s lands haven’t brought in much money this year, and losses are inevitable."
"But Shen Wanqing, I’ve heard she opened a rouge shop previously, selling goods from Pei’s Trading House. She’s made quite a bit of money over the years."
"Having been the daughter-in-law of the Pei Mansion for so many years, it’s about ti she did her part."
Old Madam Pei nodded, "Indeed, now that Ling has beco the Imperial Concubine, our birthday celebration shouldn’t be too humble, otherwise, it’ll be a laughing stock."
"Will you co-host it with Shen Wanqing then?"
Xiang Hui received the order, her eyes filled with delight.
"Old Madam, for this matter, you should write a letter and let the servant deliver it to Shen Wanqing; otherwise, she might evade, and our Pei Mansion won’t be able to host the celebration properly."
Old Madam Pei naturally nodded, "Alright, bring the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Once the preparations were completed, the Old Madam imdiately wrote the letter and handed it to a servant.
An hour after Old Madam Pei left, a servant arrived at the Prince Zhan Mansion.
"Returning to the Princess Consort, this is a letter from the Old Madam."
Shen Wanqing glanced at the letter from Old Madam Pei and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Yet, she couldn’t refuse Old Madam Pei, otherwise, with the old lady’s stubborn nature, she’d co to the Prince Zhan Mansion again.
Pei Shu’er knew her mother’s predicant and gently patted Shen Wanqing’s back.
"Mother, don’t worry. I’ll send a few Prince Mansion guards with you; there won’t be any issues."
Shen Wanqing nodded.
Early the next morning, Shen Wanqing arrived at the Pei Mansion.
Upon seeing the plaque of the Pei Mansion, Shen Wanqing resisted from the bottom of her heart.
Xiang Hui had long been waiting at the doorway, and seeing Shen Wanqing arrive, she pulled a harmless smile.
"Wanqing, you finally arrived. I’ve been waiting at the door for you for an hour."
Seeing the crowd outside, Shen Wanqing found it amusing.
Xiang Hui always excels at surface appearances.
Yet because her surface acts are flawless, her reputation is excellent.
People only know Xiang Hui of the Pei Mansion, not Shen Wanqing, the actual matriarch.
Shen Wanqing said with a smile, "Why are you doing this, sister? The Pei Mansion is my ho; I can find it without troubling you to wait for ."
"If you had treated half as well in the past, I wouldn’t have moved out with my children."
Upon these words, the praise for Xiang Hui’s gentleness shifted to the scent of gossip.
It seed Shen Wanqing had been tornted by this concubine.
Xiang Hui was about to rebut, but Shen Wanqing didn’t give her the chance.
"Where should we talk about matters?"
Xiang Hui said, "No need to talk; we’ll directly go shopping. I’ll inform you about the list on the carriage."
Upon seeing the purchase list, Shen Wanqing raised her eyebrows.
"This ti, it’s quite grand, at least three tis the previous scale."
Xiang Hui said, "Of course, now that Ling has beco the Imperial Concubine, naturally cannot be as slipshod as before."
Shen Wanqing smiled faintly, "Regarding the Old Madam’s birthday celebrations, we’ve never been careless."
Xiang Hui smiled and nodded, "Thank you for the recognition."
Shen Wanqing smiled faintly again, then asked.
"Although I’ve never managed the Pei family’s businesses, I know this year hasn’t had much inco. Any small gains certainly can’t support such a lavish celebration."
Xiang Hui opened her mouth, initially wanting Shen Wanqing to pay imdiately, but decided against it.
With both her and the Old Madam present, Shen Wanqing can’t evade the matter.
She smiled, "We’ll naturally find a solution when the ti cos."
They went shopping at Pei’s Trading House.
Pei’s Trading House now has the most comprehensive offerings; even the prices and quality are the fairest.
If the purchase quantity is high, there’ll be even greater discounts.
The Pei Mansion needed five carriages to transport the goods purchased this ti.
When it was ti to pay, Xiang Hui decisively paid the bill.
Then, they proceeded to Pei’s Pastry Shop. When it was ti to pay, Xiang Hui exclaid in faux distress.
"Wanqing, I see I’ve run out of money. Did you bring any? Can you lend so? I’ll repay you at the Pei Mansion later."
Xiang Hui’s plan was astute: have Shen Wanqing pay now, and promise to repay later. But when that ’later’ would be is solely under her control.
With Shen Wanqing’s pride, she’s unlikely to keep asking.
Shen Wanqing replied blandly, "I didn’t bring any silver, as you didn’t ask to when I left ho."
Xiang Hui refused to give up, "Not a single piece? Could you ask Pei’s Pastry to extend credit based on your good relations here? Maybe they’d offer more discount."
Upon these words, Shen Wanqing’s smile deepened.
She looked at the shop assistant.
"Can it be cheaper if my na is noted?"
Unsure how to respond, the assistant saw Shen Wanqing wink at him.
He imdiately understood and shook his head, "Prices are the sa for everyone. Our shop’s pastries always have fixed prices, regardless of whose na it’s counted under. Moreover, we don’t extend credit here."
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