A shrill sound was heard, causing other customers in the shop to look towards the door.
The woman was wearing a rose-red brocade jacket and a silver-white long skirt. She slowly put away her umbrella and walked straight up the stairs. The woman following her was also dressed elegantly. At a glance, one could tell which noble lady from the capital was this.
Ling Qingwan knew the two of them. They were people in the Marquis's Mansion. One was from the third house, and the other was the daughter of the sixth house's wife. The one who just spoke was Miss Ling Long from the third house.
"Fifth sister is here to buy some jewelry too?" Ling Chuchu asked in a gentle voice, as if she couldn't hear the sourness in her words.
Ling Long glanced at the hairpin in Ling Qing's hair and covered her mouth with her hands, revealing a look of disgust.
"I originally came here to take a look, and I didn't see anything that was an eyesore." Ling Long spoke in a sarcastic tone, her beautiful eyes flickering as she looked at Ling Qingwan for a moment, then retracted her eyes.
Ling Long was one of the most beautiful young ladies in the Marquis' Mansion. Who could have expected that she would be skinned alive by her half-brother in the future
Ling Qingwan looked at her with a hint of pity. Ling Long was stunned, thinking she was seeing things.
"What do you mean?" Ling Chuchu frowned and stood in front of Ling Qingwan without making a sound. "The so-called eyesore you mentioned is probably referring to me and Wanwan."
"Big sister, you are worrying too much. You are a famous talented woman in Dongjing City and a legitimate daughter of a marquis. How can I not take you seriously?" Ling Long raised her lips slightly. When she spoke to Ling Chuchu, her expression changed and she looked much more obedient.
Most people in this mansion treat people differently, and Ling Qingwan had had enough of this in her previous life. So even though Ling Long spoke with contempt just now, it didn't make her angry at all.
"Wanwan is also a lady from the Marquis's Mansion. In terms of seniority, you should call her second sister." Ling Chuchu spoke for Ling Qingwan.
“But she was born in the countryside and grew up with a group of poor kids. She is not a member of the Marquis’ Mansion at all, so she is certainly not as precious as us.” Ling Long raised her head slightly with a smug look on her face.
Some passers-by who were there to join in the fun vaguely heard them talking about the family affairs of the Marquis' Mansion, so they did not dare to get involved and quickly left the shop. In the blink of an eye, they were the only ones left in the shop.
"Ladies, please don't be angry. We are all..."
The shopkeeper hadn't finished his words to smooth things over when Ling Long glared at him fiercely, forcing him to swallow them back.
"Linglong, if these words get to our grandparents, you will definitely be punished. As the eldest sister, I have reason to teach you and discipline you. You'd better take care of yourself." Ling Chuchu suddenly became serious and blamed Linglong earnestly.
Ling Chuchu acted like an elder sister, which immediately annoyed Ling Long. Her face turned red and she looked at Ling Chuchu with a face full of resentment.
"You scolded me for such a wild girl?" Ling Long couldn't believe it. "Chu Chu, you know that when she disappeared, the first lady took you to her side. It was just to express her longing for her daughter. In these years, you are nominally the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion, but in reality you are just a foil. Do you think that if she comes back, the first lady will still have a place for you?"
“Bang!”
As soon as Ling Long finished speaking, a crisp sound spread throughout the store. Ling Qingwan withdrew her hand and casually glanced at Ling Long and the woman next to her.
Several people looked at Ling Qingwan, all of them were stunned.
"You dare to hit me?" Ling Long's eyes widened.
"Wanwan?" Ling Chuchu was surprised.
No one could have imagined that Ling Qingwan would slap Ling Long in front of everyone. Moreover, this was the first time they met each other, and they had such a big grudge.
"I just heard the eldest sister call you the fifth sister. In that case, I should be your eldest sister. Even a country girl like me knows the etiquette of respect and inferiority, but you don't. It is reasonable for me to punish you on behalf of your grandparents." Ling Qingwan opened her red lips slightly and said slowly.
She had a pretty and harmless face, but she was very bold and decisive in her actions. Ling Qingwan's big contrast made everyone unable to recover for a long time.
"Ling Qingwan! Are you crazy? You've only been back for a short time, and you dare to use your Second Young Lady's airs to suppress me! Believe it or not, I'll tell Daddy and let him make the decision for me." Ling Long's fair cheek suddenly had a red mark. She covered it with one hand and glared at Ling Qingwan fiercely.
"This is not the Marquis's residence. Don't embarrass yourself here." Ling Chuchu glanced at Ling Long helplessly, urging her to leave quickly.
If the matter got out of hand, not only Ling Long, but all four people present would have to copy the family motto.
Ling Long knew that she couldn't win the argument with Ling Chuchu and Ling Qingwan, and that staying any longer would only cause her to suffer even greater losses. She snorted coldly, turned around and walked away.
I don't know when it started snowing outside, and the snow was as white as goose feathers, falling on the stone road and on the shoulders of pedestrians.
"Boss, can I borrow an umbrella?" Ling Qingwan asked the shopkeeper in a raised voice while taking Ling Chuchu's arm affectionately.
The shopkeeper hurriedly brought over an oil-paper umbrella made of lotus root powder and handed it to the two of them respectfully.
"I'll return it to you next time I come." Ling Qingwan said with a smile.
After saying that, she opened the oil-paper umbrella and pulled Ling Chuchu out of the store.
A gust of wind blew by, making people feel cold, and Ling Qingwan unconsciously wrapped the jacket around her shoulders tightly.
"Why did you slap Ling Long just now?" Ling Chuchu asked curiously as they walked side by side with Ling Qingwan.
"She said bad things about you." Ling Qingwan didn't care.
She naturally didn't have that much energy to watch Ling Chuchu's acting. Ling Qingwan knew very well that if Ling Chuchu had stayed in the Marquis' Mansion and had not colluded with Song Zhiqing later, she would not be able to touch her.
Ling Qingwan just waited for the day when Ling Chuchu would reveal her true colors.
"I see." Ling Chuchu couldn't hide her excitement. She stopped and clenched Ling Qingwan's other hand. "When you first came to the Marquis' Mansion yesterday, I saw you and I thought you were very pleasing to the eye. The Marquis' Mansion is so prosperous that intrigue is inevitable. You and I are both from the first house, so we should be of one mind."
"Don't worry, I will treat you as my own sister in the future." Ling Chuchu's tone was sincere, her almond eyes were full of affection, making it hard to tell whether she was real or fake.
I have to say, Ling Chuchu is really good at acting.
Living a new life, if Ling Qingwan hadn't known Ling Chuchu's character well, she would have been fooled by her sincerity.
Ling Qingwan wanted to help her grandfather pick out a gift, so Ling Chuchu accompanied her to the teahouse. When the two of them returned home, it was already getting dark.
"Miss, Miss. The master wants you two to go to the North Courtyard."
As soon as Ling Qingwan and Ling Chuchu stepped into the gate of the Marquis' Mansion, they were stopped by servants.
"Grandfather is back?" Ling Chuchu's eyes lit up.
"Yes." The servant lowered his head and answered truthfully.
"Let's go." Ling Chuchu was delighted and pulled Ling Qingwan to the backyard.
Ling Qingwan turned around and glanced at the servant.
After passing through the long corridor and the courtyard, and stepping through the flower gate, the two of them finally stopped in front of a courtyard after several twists and turns.