The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

For the old lady of the Wu family's birthday banquet, Qin Yao had a longevity pine tree prepared for her, as it symbolizes good fortune.

With the princess making arrangements for her, Liu Qingping was happy to be a hands-off manager.

On the day they left, the two agreed to meet at the gate of the Wu family's house. Liu Qingping had someone send the things in first, and then she and Qin Yao went in together.

The Wu family's courtyard was quite large; it took a long time to walk to the backyard with the help of a maid.

The room was already full of distinguished guests, so Qin Yao's arrival went unnoticed.

Of course, Liu Qingping was low-key and didn't like people to bow to her, so she passed by quietly without anyone noticing.

"look!"

Liu Qingping raised her chin, gesturing for Qin Yao to look ahead.

Qin Yao looked up and saw Wu Shiqi standing next to an old lady dressed in gold brocade.

This must be Madam Wu.

Wu Shiqi helped her, and the two walked out hand in hand. Old Madam Wu sat in the main seat and pulled Wu Shiqi over as well.

"If you didn't know better, you'd think she was the eldest daughter of the Wu family!"

Liu Qingping remained silent.

Such blatant favoritism is something even Old Mrs. Wu is capable of.

Wu Shiyun and her mother stood there greeting guests, their faces expressionless, but they were clutching the handkerchiefs in their hands tightly.

They may not have the authority to manage the household, but they still have to do a lot of work.

Surely the old lady, who is celebrating her birthday, can't come out to greet the guests?

The ladies who are here are all shrewd and intelligent; how could they not understand the underlying reasons?

Everyone pretended not to know, and after exchanging pleasantries with Madam Wu, they went to say a few auspicious words to the old lady.

But no one paid any attention to Wu Shiqi, whom she was protecting.

Old Mrs. Wu was, after all, a peasant woman. Although her son had become successful, it couldn't change her perspective.

Just like now, she tries to promote her favorite granddaughter to everyone she meets, praising Wu Shiqi to the skies.

Not only would it make you a laughingstock, it would also lower your social standing.

Madam Wu did not stop her, but let her do as she pleased.

She also figured it out: rather than being called unfilial and unvirtuous, she was subjected to the rules and torment imposed by her mother-in-law.

It's better to be relaxed like this now, where she can do whatever she wants, since it's her son who's losing face anyway.

With the banquet about to begin, Wu Shiyun finally had some free time and came over to find Qin Yao and Liu Qingping.

However, as the host, she still had to return to her original position.

When it came time to present gifts, everyone took out their presents.

The repeated wishes for a long and healthy life, and boundless happiness, kept Old Madam Wu smiling.

Wu Shiqi took out her embroidery before everyone else.

"Grandmother, this is something your granddaughter spent three months embroidering." She said, not forgetting to show off her injured hand.

This made the old lady feel sorry for her for a long time, and she hugged her and kept saying how filial she was.

However, apart from them, no one at the table looked well, including Lord Wu.

He loved a concubine's daughter, but what kind of occasion was this?

It doesn't matter how much he spoils his wife at home, but if he takes it out on the public and slaps his wife and children, wouldn't that be saying that he has failed to raise his daughters properly and that his household is in chaos?

Of course, if Madam Wu makes trouble.

Why would Madam Wu cause trouble? She came out, first congratulating the old lady, and then sent someone to fetch the things.

He didn't pay attention to the person still lying in the old lady's arms the whole time.

Wu Shiqi felt embarrassed, so Old Madam Wu patted her back and helped her get up.

It can be considered a form of appeasement.

Wu Shiqi got down and was about to return to her seat when, just then, her maid brought over something.

Wu Shiqi thought of the broken hairpin in Diancui Pavilion.

"Ah!" The maid lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Everyone was stunned. The box in the maid's hand fell to the ground, and the hairpin inside fell out and shattered.

Wu Shiqi, who had already sat down, gave a satisfied smile.

If you want to steal her thunder, you'd better see if you're qualified!

While everyone was still in shock, Old Madam Wu began to berate Madam Wu.

"Duan! How can you do your job like this! You can't even handle such a small matter! What use are you?!"

Wu Shiyun looked at her with coldness and hatred in her eyes, but the next second she was pulled by Madam Wu and lowered her eyes.

"Mother is right!" Madam Wu readily admitted, then stood up and asked the maidservant below, suppressing her anger:

"what happened?"

"Madam! Madam! It wasn't me! It was her, she just tripped me." The little maid pointed to the maid beside her.

Qin Yao looked at the maid, who turned out to be an acquaintance, Jiang Xiaoxiao.

It's quite a rare thing; she actually became Wu Shiqi's maid.

"Madam, I didn't! I'm the Second Miss's maid, how could I possibly do such a thing!"

Having received Wu Shiqi's instructions, Jiang Xiaoxiao naturally knew who to approach.

Sure enough, the old lady spoke.

"Alright! Duan family, if something goes wrong with the people you arranged, don't blame others!"

“Mother is right!…” Madam Wu immediately admitted her mistake.

The old lady was pleased with her sense of propriety, but punishment was still necessary.

"Since that's the case, then you'll be punished..."

Just then, a lady stood up.

"Madam Wu! I wonder if I could be a witness?"

She is the wife of the Grand Tutor.

Who would dare refuse to give them face?

"I just saw this maid trip someone with her own eyes. Madam Wu is kind-hearted and doesn't want to hold a grudge, but she can't just let someone else take the blame, can she?"

These words, coupled with Madam Wu's aggrieved expression and Old Madam Wu's livid face, created a truly remarkable scene.

Jiang Xiaoxiao's initial confidence suddenly surged.

Wu Shiqi, who was sitting down, also looked unpleasant.

"Snapped!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao was stunned by the beating and looked at the person who hit her in confusion.

"Xiaoxiao, although I know you resent your mother and sister for not standing up for you, you can't do something like this!"

As soon as Wu Shiqi finished speaking, she ran to Old Madam Wu and tearfully recounted how Jiang Xiaoxiao had sold herself to bury her mother.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was stunned. Was it because of this?

“You wretched servant, how can you stay here any longer and be sold off! Shiqi! You’re just too kind.”

Madam Wu sighed.

You have to admit that the people below are all shrewd; how could a maid do such a thing without her master's permission?

But that's how it is; it's common for servants to take the blame, so there's nothing strange about it.

Liu Qingping tilted her head and looked at it for a while, then said to Qin Yao.

"That's strange! Sister Qin, does that thing look familiar?"

Qin Yao chimed in, "It looks familiar! It seems to be something from Diancui Pavilion."

"Oh dear, sister, you forgot, this is the second one! Didn't Miss Wu's maid just break one in front of you? This is the second one that Madam Wu asked you to have made!"

"I can't believe it, another one happened, and it was all by Miss Wu's maids. How strange!"

Liu Qingping's exaggerated voice reached everyone's ears, and everyone's gaze towards Wu Shiqi became even more strange.

What kind of mistake could happen twice in a row? And both times it was her maid.

Madam Wu gave Wu Shiqi a deep look. After all, she was her beloved granddaughter, and she couldn't bear to see her lose face.

Therefore, Old Mrs. Wu chose to attack Liu Qingping.

"Whose girl are you! You have no manners!"

"Mother!" Just as Madam Wu was about to go over and persuade her, Old Madam Wu glared at her.

"Shut up! This girl has no manners at all, can't I, an old woman, say anything about her!"

Madam Wu's thinking was very simple; she couldn't say anything to the Grand Tutor's wife.

This girl can't be told yet.

If we can teach this ignorant girl a lesson, then what just happened can be covered up.

As for the hairpin, we'll talk about it behind closed doors later!