Chapter 11 Who Can Cheat the Prince?
Back in the house, Qin Xiaoning took off the gold hairpin and weighed it in her hand. It weighed at least three taels.

She was happy and wanted to report to the housekeeper immediately. Seeing that it was already dark, she was hesitating when there were two crisp knocks on the door. Amber walked in with a smile, handed the oil paper bag in her hand to Qin Xiaoning, and asked jokingly, "Are you reconciled again?"

Qin Xiaoning looked at what Amber handed over and saw that it was the bag of honey chestnuts in Lu Ji's hand just now. The round little fruits were wrapped in honey icing. As soon as the oil paper package was opened, a sweet smell went straight into her nose.

This is her favorite snack, which is only sold in shops outside.

Qin Xiaoning picked one and put it in her mouth, it was so sweet and refreshing, she took another one and put it to Amber's lips, Amber smiled and declined, "The prince bought this specially for you, I dare not be greedy."

Despite Amber's refusal, Qin Xiaoning insisted on stuffing the fruit into her mouth and asked casually, "Did he ask my sister to deliver it?"

Amber chewed and swallowed. The sweet taste aroused her appetite. She ate some, so she picked one from Qin Xiaoning's hand and ate it. She smiled and replied to her, "Master didn't say a word after he came in. He just threw this on the table with a 'click' sound, as if he was afraid that no one could hear it. If I don't even have this kind of understanding, I won't be the head aunt in the future."

Lu Ji has always been like this. Even if he is nice to her, he has to pretend to be polite, as if he is afraid that others will see it and it would be embarrassing.

Qin Xiaoning said nothing and smiled.

After eating the fruit with Amber, Qin Xiaoning thought of something serious. She took out the golden hairpin given by the Duke's wife and handed it to Amber: "This is what the Duke's wife gave me today. Please report it to me later, sister."

There are rules in the mansion that if you receive any rewards, you must report it. This is to explain the legitimate source of the money and property. For example, if a maid with a living contract redeems herself and leaves, if she wants to take the rewards she received in the mansion out, she must report it first. She must know when and by whom the rewards were given, and the source of the money and property, so that she can take it out.

Amber nodded in agreement, then took the golden hairpin and looked at it, saying, "It is indeed a genuine and valuable item." Then, she teased Qin Xiaoning, "You are by the side of the prince, you have seen all kinds of good things, but it's just a golden hairpin, why do you treasure it so much?"

Amber was the one in charge. She didn't know much about the things going on in the house. She always thought that Lu Ji doted on her, and she probably had saved up a lot of wealth. Qin Xiaoning was too lazy to explain, and only said, "I just want to save more for the future."

"Are you afraid that the mistress will treat you harshly when she comes home in the future?"

As she spoke, Amber laughed and said firmly, "With the prince's temper, who would dare to treat you badly? Even if there is a mistress in Qingsong Garden in the future, the prince will never let you suffer any injustice."

Qin Xiaoning smiled bitterly: "No one can predict what will happen in the future. Anyway, saving more money will make you feel more at ease."

The Crown Prince has just returned to the capital, and people from outside have been coming to propose marriage to him one after another. The decree for promotion has not yet come down, so I think the man must be a prominent official. Just wait and see, in a few days, the Crown Prince's marriage will become the hottest topic in the capital.

Which wealthy family wouldn't want to associate with such a young, promising, and noble-minded son of the rich and powerful?

It is normal for a little girl to worry about gains and losses and feel uneasy.

Amber thought about it and advised her gently, "Don't worry. Although the prince is not the kind of person who favors concubines and ignores his wife, he is definitely not irresponsible. Even if the mistress comes into the house, he will definitely make the decision for you."

"I know his goodness."

Qin Xiaoning subconsciously glanced outside the door, fearing that her words of leaving a way out would be heard by Lu Ji. After making sure it was safe, she lowered her voice and whispered in Amber's ear, "Who's afraid of having too much money? I want to save some money before the mistress comes in, so that if things don't go well in the future, I won't be left without a way to make a living."

As she spoke, she looked at Amber, and the meaning in her eyes was self-evident. Amber understood what she meant and sighed slightly: "Are you thinking about making money with me?"

Amber's man Chang Desheng is Lu Ji's long-term attendant. The Chang's father is the steward of the mansion, and the mother is the chief steward of the duke's wife. Although their family is slaves, they are truly wealthy, and their wealth is even richer than that of the gentry outside. Although Amber has been married to Desheng for less than two years, she also has her own shares in a shop outside and receives dividends every year.

Qin Xiaoning held Hubo's hand and begged her, "Sister, I don't ask for anything else. The cloth shop you bought a stake in years ago is going to open a branch, sister, I'll give you ten taels of silver, and you'll let me buy a stake."

"No, this won't work." Amber frowned and refused: "It's not difficult to let you invest, but if the prince knows about it, I will lose my life."

"If you don't tell me and I don't tell him, how would he know?" Qin Xiaoning pulled Amber and begged her.

Amber waved her hands and sneered, "The prince is such a smart person, unless he pretends to be confused, who can deceive him?"

"I dare not do this."

As she spoke, Amber walked out and said to Qin Xiaoning when she reached the door, "I'll report to you about the hairpin tomorrow morning."

Qin Xiaoning asked, "You didn't report the monthly allowance, did you?"

Amber laughed: "I'm stupid. You guys made up after a night of quarreling. How could I be so stubborn?" She said hurriedly: "Don't worry, it's still two taels per month."

Having said that, he walked out of the house, still not believing that she was short of money, and muttered, "I really need these two taels of monthly salary."

Since returning to Beijing, Lu Ji has been very busy. He did not return until the full moon rose into the sky.

The maids didn't dare to go to sleep because their master hadn't returned yet. They left Songzhi and a maid called Si'er to watch over him. When they saw the young master return, they hurried forward to serve him. One poured tea, and the other took his clothes. Lu Ji sat down on the chair and asked, "Where is he?"

Si'er was pouring tea, closest to him, and suddenly heard his master say this, not knowing who he was referring to, and looked confused. Songzhi reacted quickly and replied: "A Ning has fallen asleep."

Seeing that the prince remained silent but had a gloomy look on his face, she asked tentatively, "How about I go and call her over?"

Lu Ji did not respond, but asked: "What time is it?"

"It's the hour of Hai." Songzhi replied.

Si Er handed over the freshly brewed fragrant tea, but Lu Ji did not take it. He just said calmly: "You guys go down."

After the two maids left, Desheng came in and reported, "Someone came from the palace today and said that the decree for the promotion of the prince has been issued. Please go to the imperial study to receive the decree after the court session tomorrow."

Lu Ji just nodded lightly.

(End of this chapter)