Are we bullying him"But in the end, that punch the eldest brother threw was indeed bullying.That's what he deserves, who told him to be so rude!"The point isn't whether or not we're going to bully him...Chapter 1089: I've Never Made So Much Effort Talking in My Life

The madam received her medicine and carefully handed it to the maid.

"Thank you, Madam Wu."

Although their interactions were limited, Lady Wu admired Fang Jinshu's calm demeanor and her capabilities as a talented woman. She hesitantly tried to probe further.

"It's too formal to always call you Lady of Wuhou. I see you're younger than me. If you don't mind, could we call each other by our given names"

Fang Jinxiu nodded cheerfully.

"I also think calling her Sister Mingyue feels more approachable."

"Just call me by my name, MingYue."

In theory, Xiao Xuan should call her sister, making the Duchess a senior relative to her.

But ancient people got married very early. The Duchess, who didn't look to be over thirty, was too young to be called "Auntie," and she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Alright, let's just call her a bargain.

The Consort was not expecting Fang Jinxiu to be so understanding, even laying out a path for her. She happily exclaimed in delight.

"Splendid."

"You saved Xiaoyu, and to me, that makes you a benefactor. Now that we call each other sisters, Xiaoyu will be your nephew from now on. If there's anything you need, just ask him."

What people say is just politeness, Fang Jinshu wouldn't take it seriously and treat the Duke's grandson like a nephew.

"Good, Sister Mingyue."

There was one thing Fang Jinshi had always been puzzled about: the Duke's Mansion treated Bai Yu with significantly more importance than Bai Xuan. Moreover, despite their own biological daughter's tragic death, the Prince and his wife didn't seem to show much sadness on their faces.

Instead, she cared more about her son.

Until now, the Guogongfu has not hung white mourning banners or set up a spirit tablet for Bai Xuan. Why is that

The Crown Princess saw her frowning.

Jinshi, just say what you have to say.

Fang Jinshui came to her senses and smiled.

"Sister Mingyue, why didn't I see Xiao Xuan's spirit tablet"

The expression on the madam's face faltered, and the smile faded from her lips.

Xiao Xuan's memorial hall is not here.

She sighed, "Actually, there's no point in telling you. Jinxiu is so intelligent, she must have already seen through it. Xiaoxuan isn't of the Bai family bloodline."

“She was a child adopted into my family from my mother’s side.”

When Xiao Yu was born, a high monk once predicted that he would have a tribulation in his life.

Hearing this, Fang Jinshu's heart skipped a beat and her brows furrowed slightly.

"Could it be that Xiaoxuan is..." the one the Duke's Manor raised to protect Bai Yu

Is that so superstitious

"Yes, it was Xiaoxuan who helped Yuer resolve her tribulation. She grew up alongside Yuer as the eldest daughter of a marquis's family."

"The master said, 'This child is destined to live no longer than twenty years, therefore.'"

Fan Jinshi was a little indignant, her hands under the table clenched into fists.

Could she even use her life to protect Bai Yu from danger if she didn't live past twenty

This was cruel fate for Xiao Xuan. She thought she was coming to live a good life, but her destiny turned out like that of a caged animal, ending in death.

"I know this is cruel and unfair to Xiao Xuan, so from a young age, we showered her with more love and constantly reminded Yu'er to be kind to her older sister."

They hope to make up for Xiaoxuan in this way.

"No matter how much you spoil her, she will still die in the end."

The Crown Princess turned her head away, shame coloring her voice with a sob.

"Actually, we've raised Xiao Xuan for so many years, watching her grow up day by day, and we do have feelings for her."

We never imagined she would die such a terrible death.

"We will definitely investigate to the end and catch the murderer of Xiaoxuan to avenge her."

Fang Jinshui pondered, could it be that Bai Yu's sudden madness wasn't caused by excessive stimulation, but a response to something else entirely

Back then, she would have definitely thought these were outlandish claims, but her very existence in this world was the biggest absurdity of them all. Who would believe that she came from another world thousands of years in the future

There is also a magical space.

Perhaps what the high monks calculate about fate is not entirely unfounded.

The Siyi Trade Fair is just around the corner, with only a little over a month to go.

After returning from the National Duke's Mansion, Zongyu seemed to have become busy as well. He was now in charge of the city defenses of the capital. With envoys from the four nations arriving soon, a whole host of tasks popped up: ensuring the safety of the envoys and maintaining order within the capital city.

He could hardly be seen at home anymore.

Fang Jinshu also had something to do. Bai Xuan's death was still under investigation. She told everything she could remember about the situation at the time and provided all the clues she had, but there was nothing else she could do.

Actually, she hadn't thought that those people were coming for her, but looking at the entire capital city, the only one who could hire such skilled assassins to kill her was Yuan Buyu.

But Yuan Buyu's people did not attend the grand recruitment event. Afterward, she also sent people to keep an eye on the Zhou residence for a period of time. There was nothing unusual there, and no new servants were added to the household.

As for her side, the emperor actually asked during court this morning why Zong Yu hadn't moved into the Wuding Houfu yet. He wondered if there was something wrong with the bestowed residence that made her dissatisfied.

As Aiyu lacked understanding of court politics and social etiquette, he was often impeached by officials. This time was no exception, as a pile of impeachment documents were submitted, accusing him of disrespecting the emperor, betraying his imperial grace, being arrogant and conceited.

There are all kinds of harsh words.

Although most of these people were from Yuan Buyu's side, even with the emperor's protection, they were ultimately still under the emperor's authority. They had gone too far, not giving the emperor any face. In time, even the emperor would not be able to bear it.

Thus, Fang Jinshu's busiest task during this period was tidying up the Wuding Hou Mansion.

She first sent the slaves she had bought to Jinshu Mountain Villa. Although it wasn't as luxurious and delicate as Hou Mansion, the villa was breezy and picturesque, quite comfortable to live in.

Since she could always come back to the city for a break later, she didn't want to move anything out of the place. She decided to just leave all the furniture and decorations as they were.

Everything in the new house was bought brand new.

The Hou residence was vast, with numerous courtyards of varying sizes. To thoroughly clean and organize every nook and cranny would be a monumental task, taking several days at least.

Therefore, she decided to tidy up the yard first and prepare the guest rooms.

We'll discuss other courtyards later.

She spent three days shopping with Yu Lian, Xia Yue, and Jin Yu on the street. Her spending was enormous, her actions were decisive, and her bargaining skills were so sharp that all the merchants and commoners in the capital opened their eyes once again in awe.

The wives and daughters of wealthy families wouldn't haggle over prices like Fang Jinshu did. The more noble their status, the less they would stoop to bargaining.

But Fang Jinshi couldn't just ignore this, what identity or no identity, a set of rosewood cabinets cost her 2000 taels of silver, as if her money came from the wind

You don't fleece a sucker like that!

If this were on a wild mountain, just going deep into the mountains to look at a fir tree and make a wooden cabinet, both the quality and the wood grain would be hundreds of times better than this.

It's a shame she didn't pack more wood into the spatial storage before leaving.

This kind of poor quality wood is sold as furniture for thousands of dollars, wouldn't the good wood found in the wild be worth a fortune if it were made into furniture!

Finally, she managed to negotiate the price down to eight hundred taels with her skillful bargaining, and only then was she satisfied enough to leave with her purchases.

Even 800 taels was a lot, considering the high land prices and labor costs in the capital. After sending off Fang Jinshi, the shopkeeper wiped his sweat, feeling both tired and pained.

I've never earned money so hard in my life!ch pulled his eldest son aside and whispered, "Remember to protect Jinxiu well when you're out. Don't worry about home, your mother will take good care of everything here."Zong Yu nodded, even if his...