Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 395 - 393

Lan Yue just wanted this group of annoying people to leave as soon as possible. She gestured for her maid to bring over a box and then opened it, saying, "These are some handkerchiefs and purses I made. Please choose one you like. I won’t be able to spend much time with you all because I need to bathe and apply makeup."

The unspoken message was to take the gifts and leave quickly.

Those present, upon hearing this, each thought, ’Who wants to stay here any longer than necessary!’

Having said this, Lan Yue then ordered her maid to take the box and let the girls present choose.

The maid approached the crowd with the box.

Fu Ranhui casually picked up a purse from the top of the box.

Xiao’er also casually picked up a purse.

...

When it was Liang Yanli’s turn, she picked up a handkerchief, unfolded it, glanced at it, and smiled lightly, "Sister’s needlework is truly...unexpected."

Upon hearing Liang Yanli’s comment, some girls subconsciously lowered their heads to scrutinize the handkerchief or purse they had received and then noticed the insignia of a certain embroidery shop from the Imperial City.

This was truly ... full of sincerity.

In the Imperial City, such conduct was viewed as disgraceful!

The Imperial City had an unwritten rule that the trinkets given to sisters before getting married must be hand-made to demonstrate sincerity.

"Miss Lan really went to great lengths! However, didn’t you know that these gifts should be hand-made to be sincere?" Chu Die said triumphantly.

Lan Yue’s face flushed—out of shame and anger! A lowly official’s daughter dared to teach her a lesson? Who had given her such courage! She did not hesitate to retort sarcastically, "My needlework isn’t good, the items I make probably won’t be of any use to you! It’s better to choose something everyone can use! Besides, if I were to give gifts made by me, girls as cultured as Miss Chu may laugh even more at me! Why should I make a fool of myself?"

This Chu Die came with Liang Yanli, it was clear she was aligned with her. She had to let everyone know that if they offended her, the rightful Imperial Consort, she wouldn’t spare their feelings!

Some girls initially wanted to say something sarcastic to please Liang Yanli, but didn’t dare utter a word after hearing Lan Yue’s response.

If they were to say something disingenuous now, wouldn’t they become the uncultured ones in Lan Yue’s words!

Chu Die was almost driven to tears, this was ridiculing her for her lack of manners!

After the etiquette competition, she hadn’t dared to go out for a long time. It was only with great difficulty that this matter had finally been forgotten by everyone. Now she was being ridiculed for her lack of culture again, her resentment for Lan Yue deepened!

Lan Yue’s words were quite clever, Xiao’er glanced at her, it seemed even a rabbit would bite when cornered!

This has become more interesting! Xiao’er knew for sure that she made the right choice in coming today, she loved watching those who tried to harm her being consumed by their own scandals!

May the fire in the First Prince’s backyard grow even stronger!

Liang Yanli was furious, when had this woman who was beneath her learned to talk back so cleverly.

She unintentionally noticed Xiao’er’s look toward Lan Yue, mistaking it for admiration! Her rage intensified!

This Rui’an County mistress was the first girl to visit the Lan Mansion, could it be true that their friendship was as close as Lan Yue claimed?

Hmph! Ignoring the daughter of a third-rank official to fawn over a mere county magistrate’s daughter! Clearly, she is lacking in discernment!

The enemy’s friend is an enemy, while Lan Yue had insulted her friend, she could only vent her anger on Lan Yue’s friend!

"I haven’t even given our sisters any trinkets yet. After I marry the First Prince, I won’t be able to get together with you all as freely as before. In a year or two, we each will get married, maybe we’ll go our separate ways, some of us may even never see each other again. I’ve prepared some trinkets for you all as a keepsake, please don’t forget me! Bingxue!" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

The girls present all indicated they would not forget.

As soon as Liang Yanli finished speaking, a maid standing behind her came forward holding a box.

She opened the box herself, then instructed the maid to offer it to the girls present.

The entire box was filled with bracelets woven from pearls and jade beads along with brocade thread.

All the girls present widened their eyes in surprise upon seeing this, considering how much silver heads must have been spent!

Indeed, the Ministry of Revenue is a place full of opportunities for profit!

"Miss Liang’s truly talented! These bracelets are incredibly beautiful."

"The pearls and jade beads are of such good quality, they must be very valuable!"

...

"Yan Li, isn’t it too extravagant of you to give us such valuable items!" Chu Die couldn’t refrain from adoring the pearl bracelet in her hand.

The girls who received the gifts were all full of praise.

This person is not only trying to steal the limelight but also show us up!

"Hiss!" Lan Yue tore the handkerchief in her hand in half forcefully upon seeing this.

Everyone turned their astonished gaze towards her!

"The quality of this handkerchief is too poor, it was torn without any force, next time you should buy from a different shop!" Lan Yue, angrily torn the handkerchief into half, said with a forced smile.

These people are all skittish, they didn’t praise her gift even though she had spent a lot of silver as well!

Liang Yanli’s smile became even brighter!

"It’s not too extravagant, I’m going to marry the First Prince, and the gifts I give out must be top notch, they can’t break at the slightest touch, otherwise, it would disgrace the reputation of the First Prince and the royal family, wouldn’t you agree, Lady of Rui’an County?"

Xiao’er: "..." She mused, hadn’t she been sitting here minding her business! Why was she being dragged into these murky waters?

But since she wanted to drag her into this tumultuous situation, she would not be polite.

"The royal family’s reputation is still maintained by the members of the royal family." Xiao’er replied indifferently.

A flush of anger distorted Liang Yanli’s face. Was she mocking her for not yet being a real member of the royal family and yet pretending to be one?!

"How could you bully Yan Li in such a manner, Lady of Rui’an County?" exclaimed Chu Die angrily.

Xiao’er blinked. She wondered when she had bullied Yan Li. This was so unfair!

"Did I say something wrong? Shouldn’t it be the members of the royal family maintaining their reputation instead of outsiders?" Xiao’er asked innocently.

"You clearly meant something else! You’re obviously ridiculing Yan Li for not being a member of the royal family!"

"These were your words! Don’t blame me for them!" Could her manner of speech be so low!

"You’re making excuses!"

"It’s because you think so in your heart, that’s why you misinterpret my words as your heartfelt words!"

"You’re slandering!" Chu Die, upon hearing this, anxiously glanced at Liang Yanli, hoping she wouldn’t believe it.

"Are you blind? Where’s the blood you claimed I spat?"

"You..." Chu Die was flustered and at a loss for words.

"Let it go, Lady Rui’an. Don’t be bothered with this young girl, Chu Die." Liang Yanli intervened.

"Miss Liang, I’m even younger than Miss Chu, so I can’t afford to show generosity! It’s just that I believe in ’If others do not offend me, I will not offend them’." Xiao’er stared into her eyes and reminded her.

Liang Yanli was taken aback by her gaze and words, and she felt a bit regretful. She shouldn’t have tried to provoke her.