Superstar's Development Diary-Chapter 732 - 733: A Startling Dream in the Garden (9)
The nanny’s eyes flickered uncertainly.
He Jinxia’s eyes harbored a coldness, yet she spoke with a smile, "When He Yaqin set the fire intending to burn me to death, although I didn’t die afterward, she must have ransacked my dwelling thoroughly, hadn’t she?
What she couldn’t find even if she searched every inch of the ground, I found as soon as I woke up. Do you think this letter in my hand is the one you are looking for?"
The nanny’s brow furrowed, "You’re deceiving me?"
He Jinxia shook her head, "Not at all, Nanny. Jinxia is merely trying to protect herself."
The nanny was a clever person. He Jinxia’s repeated inquiries about the letter clearly indicated she was considering giving it to the Red Building.
But she didn’t hand it over directly, which was definitely a move to negotiate terms and gain something from the Red Building.
Just now, she was considering, since this was her territory with no one else around, could she forcibly take the letter?
The reason for her hesitation was that the letter was fragile, and if it were to be damaged even slightly during a struggle, it would be heart-wrenching, and its influence greatly reduced.
But what He Jinxia had just said had completely dissuaded the nanny from that idea.
Who knew whether the letter was genuine or fake!
If it was real, taking it by force would be worthwhile; if it was a fake, it would be a losing proposition!
Thinking this, the nanny stared coldly at He Jinxia and said, "What are your terms?"
He Jinxia replied indifferently, "Just now, Jinxia was thinking about what the nanny said, and I feel that you were quite right.
The Sheng Family can give me a betrothal gift, but I can’t offer a dowry in return. After all, I was once an Oiran in the Red Building and had my days of glory. Now that I’m starting anew and marrying, I must follow the ways of a noble lady. Please have the Red Building prepare a dowry for me."
The nanny cursed angrily, "You have the gall to ask for that!"
He Jinxia smiled gently, unyielding, "Why not? I devoted the first half of my life to the Red Building, toiling till death. Having barely survived and given a second chance, why can’t I seek a grand marriage?
A woman’s marriage is the biggest event of her life. If others can ask, why can’t I?"
She raised the envelope in her hand, "Besides, it’s not just the Red Building that wants this letter. Noble ladies from other prestigious families want it too.
I believe, compared to the Red Building, those noble ladies can offer me much more. However, Jinxia still remembers the kindness of the Red Building and wishes to discuss with it first."
He Jinxia stood tall, without remorse, "If the Red Building can’t even fulfill this small condition of mine, then don’t blame Jinxia for handing the letter over to someone else!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
The nanny slammed her hand on the table, "How dare you!"
He Jinxia’s eyes showed a fierce glint as she articulated each word sternly, "What’s there to fear?"
At that moment, the atmosphere fell into a deadlock, with both the nanny and He Jinxia refusing to yield, each waiting for the other to concede first.
But He Jinxia was destined to be fearless!
The commotion she made at the entrance of the Red Building today had already attracted the attention of others. Surely many noble ladies had already received the news and were thinking of ways to inquire from the direction of the Red Building.
With so many noble ladies inquiring, they would undoubtedly exert pressure on the Red Building.
If the Red Building dares to detain her and casually dismiss these people, it would be extremely unpleasant for them.
Therefore, Jinxia was confident that the Red Building wouldn’t dare to do anything to her. On the contrary, to secure the real letter from her, they would have to pamper her with good food and care!
With the letter in her hands, all she could do was exchange it for money, but once it fell into the hands of the Red Building, they could do much more with it.
As the saying goes, money has a set value, but favors are priceless. To win over some prestigious families, the Red Building could completely offer up the letter, gaining a bit of face in front of those influential and wealthy individuals, making things easier in other matters.
Compared to selling herself outright, she put more emphasis on long-term benefits.
Moreover, she was already the wife of the Eldest Son of Sheng Family, a local wealthy household with connections to several government officials. Rationally and emotionally, Red Building couldn’t force her hand, nor did it dare to!
He Jinxia had calculated all of this clearly, which is why she was so confident and unafraid!
In the midst of a deadly silence, suddenly, a clear and crisp female voice came from behind the nanny’s screen: "Agreed."
He Jinxia’s expression changed slightly as she raised her eyebrows and bowed toward the screen, loudly saying, "Thank you, Boss, for making this happen!"
"Tomorrow at noon, the letter will be presented," the Boss said indifferently.
He Jinxia responded loudly, "As long as nanny can prepare for me a splendid dowry, I will offer it with both hands."
Having received the reply she wanted, He Jinxia did not linger in the side hall any longer. She turned and left, glancing at the nanny’s dark countenance and He Yaqin’s expression that was a mix of joy and sorrow before she went.
She tugged slightly at the corner of her mouth, certain that the nanny wouldn’t dare to shortchange her belongings.
The mastermind behind Red Building... was far from simple as others imagined, terrifying yes, but also a person whose word was as good as gold.
Upon returning to her residence, He Jinxia found the place bustling with activity, with many sisters gathered together in a busy throng.
They were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not even notice He Jinxia approaching from behind.
"I heard He Jinxia possesses a letter from Young Master Lan, is all of this true?"
"Of course, it’s true! Making up rumors on the spot is illegal. So many people heard it at the time, and everyone took it for real. If He Jinxia cannot produce that letter, there will definitely be someone who will fix her!"
"I also think nobody wants their own death. What’s more, He Jinxia is about to get married, she has no use for that letter anyway."
"If I had that letter, I would definitely not get married. I’d just take the letter and go directly to Young Master Lan!"
"You should take a look at yourself first, would Young Master Lan even spare you a glance!"
"Humph, no matter how lacking my looks may be, I’m still better than a woman disfigured, right?"
"That’s why she announced the letter, she has far more self-awareness than you!"
"You!"
"Stop quarreling, will you? Do you intend to let people sleep or not!" Lv Zhu stormed out from inside, broom in hand, looking every bit the shrew, instantly causing the group of chattering young women to step back in fright.
Lv Zhu said unapologetically, "My Miss is not here, so you should all stop coming over. If you can’t find her, please disperse. Once she returns, the Miss will send someone to inform you."
"Lv Zhu, don’t be so unreasonable. It’s not like you can monopolize Miss Jinxia all to yourself. We come here because we genuinely admire her elegance!"
"That’s right, Miss Jinxia is skilled in all the arts including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her Jinghong Dance is peerless throughout the capital. We come here hoping to discuss dance techniques with her!"
"Since Miss Jinxia isn’t here, we’ll just wait for her here."
...
Caught in their words, Lv Zhu was unable to outtalk them and found herself unable to chase them away. She could only wield her broom and swipe at the ground furiously, saying fiercely,
"Keep your voices down, you all! The Miss’s residence is not large and cannot accommodate all of you. Gather at the entrance, lest the newly crowned Oiran comes along looking for trouble and badmouthing the Miss!"
The other women hastened to say with giggling smiles, "Miss Lv Zhu, we understand. We won’t cause any disturbance to Miss Jinxia."
"Yes, yes, there won’t be any disturbance."
...
