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

Chapter 23 Birthday

As soon as Jiang Su was arrested, the entire capital city knew about it.

Of course, Qin Yao was involved in this.

Even if those above want to appease the public, they still need to consider whether the people below agree.

Everyone gathered outside the Jingzhao Yin's residence to watch the spectacle. The two people who should have been released due to insufficient evidence were forced to give up because of the large number of people watching.

The most important thing now is evidence. Qingzhi took the complaint on behalf of Jinyou. If Jinyou doesn't wake up, they won't be able to do anything to them.

However, it doesn't matter. It would be better if we could strike them down, but even if we can't, it's still nice to see them suffer, isn't it?

When Qin Yao returned, Jin You was still unconscious.

Dr. Shen examined him several times, and his words remained the same: whether he would live or die depended on fate.

Qin Yao didn't say anything more and returned to her own courtyard.

As soon as I entered the room, Granny Zhao came over.

"Granny, has the person been brought over?" Qin Yao stood up to greet her.

"We've taken her in, and she'll be settled in the side courtyard." Granny Zhao held Qin Yao's hand as they sat down together.

"This old servant knows that Miss is kind-hearted, but Miss must also act on the premise of protecting herself. Don't push him to the brink, or you'll have to be wary of him later."

"It's worry," the old woman said.

Saving Jinyou was already a good deed, but to bring her family over was even more important, and the young lady even had someone file a lawsuit.

If those wolves in the Marquis's mansion found out, they would surely try every means to frame the young lady.

A thief can steal for a thousand days, but you can't guard against thieves for a thousand days.

One careless move and you could end up losing everything.

Qin Yao knew that the nanny was worried about her, so she held her hand and acted coquettishly.

"Granny, even if I don't do anything, they might not let me go."

"You don't know, Jiang Su and Xia Qiutang failed to ruin my reputation, so they tried to persuade me to become their concubine in a softer way."

"Although I refused, they are still trying to find a way! If I don't fight back, won't they come after me? I don't want to be a concubine."

Granny Zhao was furious when she heard this:

"To hell with his pipe dream! Why should my young lady, such a beautiful girl, become his concubine! Don't worry, young lady, this old servant will go and buy some more strong men, and we'll definitely surround the Qin family's house completely!"

As she spoke, Granny Zhao got up and walked out. Before leaving, she instructed Qiu Liu Jinyou to let her meet with her family as soon as she woke up, and then send her to the Jingzhao Yin.

We must at least make sure that Liu's crimes are proven.

As soon as Granny Zhao left, Qingzhi came in carrying clothes.

"Miss, the clothes are ready. Please take a look and choose one to wear tomorrow!"

Qingzhi handed the clothes to Qin Yao so she could take a look.

"I'll take the blue one," Qin Yao said casually after glancing at it.

"Hmm?" Qingzhi asked, puzzled. "Won't you take another look, Miss? This pink one is even prettier! The embroiderer just told me that you'll definitely outshine everyone tomorrow if you wear this."

"Tomorrow, Sister Chen will be the focus. I'm dressed too glamorously and attract too much attention."

Qingzhi nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Qiu Liu took the clothes, took out the blue dress, and put the other two into the closet.

He then checked the birthday gift prepared for Miss Chen before returning to Qin Yao and saying:

"Miss, everything is ready. We can go there on time tomorrow."

Qin Yao looked over and saw a set of jewelry neatly placed on the box.

The entire headpiece is inlaid with sparkling diamonds, which shimmer and shine under the light.

This is Diancui Pavilion's new work this year. The diamonds came from the Western Regions and have been polished since last year. The results are only beginning to show this year.

And so, this set of headdresses was made.

This was the new wedding that Diancui Pavilion had prepared for her, but she no longer needed it. She had one in her previous life, but Jiang Xiaoxiao took it away before she could get married.

She had no choice but to settle for ordinary headdresses.

Jiang Xiaoxiao wore this headdress when she got married, and she stole the show in front of everyone.

Because of the large number of people attending the ceremony, and because the Marquis's mansion had changed its status since Jiang Su entered officialdom, the attendees were all wealthy and powerful.

Jiang Xiaoxiao's husband's family is the youngest son of the Marquis of Pingxi, so the people who came were naturally of extremely high status.

Therefore, Jiang Xiaoxiao's headdress reached the ears of the imperial concubine in the palace the very next day, and Jiang Xiaoxiao thus gained the imperial concubine's favor, and her status in the capital rose accordingly.

If she had mentioned Qin Yao, Qin Yao wouldn't have been so indignant.

It could also boost the Qin family's business, but unfortunately, in order to gain exclusive favor, Jiang Xiaoxiao concealed the origin of the jewelry.

She gave away her jewelry and became close friends with the Imperial Concubine. She frequently went to the palace and looked down on Qin Yao, who came from a merchant family, even more. She repeatedly complained to the Imperial Concubine about her background, which made the Imperial Concubine dislike her and spread the reputation that the Qin family's adopted daughter was not virtuous.

Jiang Xiaoxiao gained the approval of the imperial concubine in the palace, and her life in her husband's family became even more comfortable. The only one who was hurt in the whole incident was Qin Yao.

Giving it to Jiang Xiaoxiao is impossible in this lifetime.

On the contrary, Chen Yiru, who is about to have her coming-of-age ceremony and marriage, and who has shown her kindness, is the one who deserves this set of headdress.

Even if Chen Yiru obtains the headdress, she won't betray her. On the contrary, she believes that Chen Yiru will properly spread the word about the headdress's origin.

At that time, Diancui Pavilion's reputation will only grow even greater.

Business will only get better and better.

Qiu Liu carefully packed the jewelry and other items, and the next day she carefully placed them in the accompanying carriage and sent them to Chen Yiru's residence.

When Qin Yao arrived, quite a few people had already come. She followed the maid from the Chen family to the area for female guests, and Qin Yao casually found a place to sit down.

It was still early, so they were all resting in the Chen family's garden, with pastries and tea laid out nearby, and the young ladies chatting in twos and threes.

Next to Qin Yao was a round-faced girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old. Like Qin Yao, she seemed not to know her well and sat there without saying a word.

Qin Yao sat for a while before she mustered up the courage to look up.

"This sister..."

Qin Yao turned to look at her, and she continued, "This is my first time here, and I don't have any family with me. Can I come with you, sister, later?"

Qin Yao glanced behind her; there was only one maidservant following her, and no one else.

Conventionally, such occasions are usually attended by the lady of the house, unless, like Qin Yao, there are no elders in the family.

"Where are your elders?" Qin Yao asked.

"No... he didn't come."

Judging from her bowed head, Qin Yao could roughly understand that this was probably a concubine's daughter from some family. The main wife had no legitimate daughter and was unwilling to take her along, so she had sent her out alone.

"Okay, you can come with me later!" Qin Yao agreed.

"Thank you, sister. My name is Liu Qingping."

"Yes!" Qin Yao nodded. "My name is Qin Yao."

"Ah? My sister is the only daughter of the Qin family?" Liu Qingping's eyes widened suddenly. "I thought my sister was like me, all alone!"

Although Liu Qingping doesn't go out often, she still knows a bit about what's happening outside.

The affairs of the Qin family and Prince Jiang are naturally included in this.

Before we could discuss anything else, a maid came to deliver a message.

"Ladies, please proceed to the main hall."

Qin Yao stood up and went to the main hall with everyone.

Liu Qingping hurriedly followed, staying close to Qin Yao.

Soon everyone arrived at the main hall.

Several young ladies who knew Qin Yao nodded in greeting, and Qin Yao responded politely.

Looking at Qin Yao's effortless demeanor, Liu Qingping was filled with envy. She wished she could be like that too, so that the mistress wouldn't look down on her for being stingy.

Soon, Chen Yiru came out, and the coming-of-age ceremony began.

Most of the girls who come here are around the same age. There aren't many who have passed the coming-of-age ceremony; most haven't reached it yet and are looking forward to their own coming-of-age ceremony.

Everyone watched attentively, and when the ceremony was over, they all happily rushed over to congratulate Chen Yiru.

At this point, everyone's gifts were brought over.

Chen Yiru thanked them one by one, but when it was Qin Yao's turn, the entire main hall was shocked as soon as the item was taken out.

It wasn't just the quality of the gift; more importantly, the moment it was opened, the entire room lit up by a degree.

"What is this? This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it!"

"Yes! It's so beautiful!"

"It's so sparkly! Much prettier than gold or silver."

……

While everyone was still discussing it, Chen Yiru had already gotten started.

Especially when she touched the special pattern, her delight was palpable.

"Sister Qin, you should have taken it out sooner! I need to wear it today!"

Before Qin Yao could reply, a deep male voice interrupted.