Su Xian’s face was filled with worry. “It’s only a matter of opening a few days later. Just listen to me, all right?”
“There’s no need to rush to make money.”
“If you’re truly short on funds, your mother has money. I’ll have Lianxin bring you some!”
Duoduo hurriedly grabbed Su Xian’s hand.
“Mother, I’m not short of money!”
“Actually, Father also advised me just now to open the shop a few days later.”
“I just feel that this shop should have opened long ago.”
“But one thing after another kept coming up, and it’s been delayed until now.”
“If we can’t open it this time, I’m worried we may never get it open.”
When Su Xian heard that even Xiao Yi had tried to dissuade Duoduo, yet Duoduo remained determined, she sighed.
“You really are becoming more and more like your father—always acting on impulse!”
Duoduo beamed at Su Xian.
“Mother, I’m Father’s daughter, so of course I take after him!”
“Of course, I take after you too!”
Xu Jinxin smiled and comforted Su Xian. “Since the child has already made up her mind, we should support her.”
“Duoduo has a point. Once enthusiasm wanes, it’s hard to recover. We have to strike while the iron is hot and see it through!”
Hearing that Xu Jinxin shared her opinion, Duoduo was delighted.
“Aunt Xu, that’s exactly what I mean!”
“Mother, I’ve thought it through. I’ll stay behind the scenes and give directions. The shopkeeper and the others can handle everything else!”
Earlier, in the study, Duoduo and Xiao Yi had discussed the matter and reached the same conclusion.
Judging from the masked men’s actions, they were probably targeting all the princes.
The servants who had gone out to purchase supplies had not encountered any attacks.
Therefore, as long as they refrained from going out for the time being, they should be safe.
Baihe, who was standing behind Su Xian, suddenly spoke up. “Princess, isn’t Old Madam Su going out tomorrow to attend a banquet?”
Su Xian froze, then pressed a hand to her forehead.
Oh no! She had forgotten about that!
“I’ll go and tell Mother myself later. She’s always been cautious; she should understand.”
Only then did Duoduo remember her maternal grandmother. Since returning the previous day, she had yet to see her grandmother or the others.
“Mother, I’m going to check on Cousin Yunxi.”
Su Xian was reluctant to let her go, but eventually released Duoduo’s hand.
“All right. Go keep your third cousin company.”
“She’s been cooped up in her room for days. No matter how I call for her, she refuses to come out.”
A flicker passed through Duoduo’s eyes.
“Sister, are you coming with me?” Duoduo turned to Yingniang, who was silently working on her embroidery nearby.
Yingniang raised her head and smiled at Duoduo.
“I want to study this stitch a little longer. You go ahead.”
Duoduo nodded, bade farewell to Su Xian and Xu Jinxin, and headed toward her own courtyard.
Before she even reached it, Duoduo heard arguing from inside.
“You’re already making one garment, so what’s the harm in making two? What difference does one more make?”
“Besides, Grandmother ordered you to do it! If you refuse, I’ll go tell her!”
The shrill, grating voice made Duoduo recognize it immediately.
It was her seventh cousin, Yunmeng.
“Seventh Sister, I’m making clothes for Grandmother as an act of filial respect.”
“Why should I make your clothes too?”
“I’m your older sister, not some embroidery maid!”
Yunxi’s voice was louder than usual as well. It was obvious that she was angry.
When Qingliu saw Duoduo stop, she was just about to alert the people inside.
But then Duoduo waved a hand, signaling her to remain silent.
The mistress and maid stood outside the courtyard, listening to the quarrel within.
Yunmeng had never expected her usually reasonable third sister to refuse her. She was instantly furious.
She stepped forward and shoved Yunxi hard.
Yunxi had not expected Yunmeng to resort to violence without warning, and she fell to the ground.
The skin on her hand was scraped raw, and blood seeped from the wound.
Tears streamed down Yunxi’s face from the pain.
Yunmeng froze for a moment, then turned and ran outside.
As she fled, she kept glancing back, afraid that Yunxi would chase after her.
She failed to notice that there were other people in the courtyard.
She was about to run straight into Duoduo when Qingliu hurried forward and stepped in front of her.
“Which blind—” Yunmeng slammed into Qingliu and immediately flew into a rage. She opened her mouth to curse, but when she saw Duoduo standing nearby with a stern little face, her voice faltered.
“Your maid has no eyes! Why was she standing there and letting me run into her?”
“Serves her right!”
Yunmeng finished speaking and was about to flee.
“Grab her!” Duoduo ordered without the slightest hesitation.
Qingliu seized Yunmeng in one swift motion.
“Take your filthy hands off me! Why are you grabbing me?” Yunmeng shouted, putting on a brave front.
She flailed her claws, trying to scratch Qingliu’s hands.
Qingliu had already been hurt when Yunmeng crashed into her. She had held back only because Yunmeng was a young mistress and Qingliu had not dared use her full strength.
But after Yunmeng scratched her twice, Qingliu twisted both of Yunmeng’s arms behind her back.
Yunmeng could no longer move.
“Qingliu, hold her tight. I’m going inside to check on Cousin Yunxi.”
Duoduo found Yunmeng’s panicked behavior highly suspicious.
After giving the order, she ran into the room.
Sure enough, she saw Yunxi sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees, quietly sobbing.
“Third Cousin! Are you all right?” Duoduo hurried over and crouched beside her, asking with concern.
Yunxi’s sobs stopped for a moment.
“Princess, I’m fine.” Her voice came from beneath her knees, thick with tears.
Duoduo clearly didn’t believe her.
“I heard everything you and Seventh Cousin said from outside.”
“Did Seventh Cousin bully you?”
“Come on, let’s go find Grandmother and get justice!”
As she spoke, Duoduo reached out to pull Yunxi up.
By coincidence, she grabbed Yunxi’s injured hand.
“Ow!” Yunxi cried out in pain.
Duoduo released her as if she had been shocked. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
Yunxi lifted her head and opened her hand, her face tight with restrained pain.
Only then did Duoduo see that Yunxi’s entire palm had been scraped raw, with blood still seeping from it.
“Ah!”
Duoduo drew in a sharp breath.
She remembered her mother telling her that a young woman must not be left with scars, or her future husband’s family might look down on her.
Yunxi was already at the age when marriage arrangements were being discussed, so naturally she cared about it even more.
No wonder she had been crying so bitterly.
Duoduo hurriedly searched through her sleeve for medicine. Her wound powder would not leave a scar.
But after searching for a long while, she finally remembered that she had given all of it to the guards.
Seeing the regret written all over Duoduo’s face, Yunxi sniffed.
“Princess, it’s nothing. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
As she spoke, she gave a self-mocking smile.
“Now I can refuse to make clothes for Seventh Sister with a clear conscience.”
Duoduo glanced at Yunxi. “Third Cousin, kind people are always bullied.”
“Come on! We’re going to find Mother!”
Without giving Yunxi a chance to refuse, Duoduo pulled her to her feet and led her outside.
