Chapter 16: A Chance Encounter with Bai Luoxue

The three-story building was exquisite, drawing immediate attention as soon as they entered. It was like a paradise for women, filled with stunning jewelry pieces. There were so many beautiful hairpins and ornaments, and Su Nuoli immediately began selecting a nice one for her mother.

She glanced at the hairpins on the first floor, all of which were quite lovely, but something felt missing. She asked the shopkeeper, “Do you have any more delicate hairpins or step-shakers? I’m looking for something more refined. Price is not a concern.”

The shopkeeper, noticing her request, scoffed. “Oh, what’s this? Not concerned about price? You must be quite bold to say that. Even our first-floor items are expensive. Are you sure you can afford these, or are you just making excuses to leave?”

Xueyu tugged gently at Su Nuoli’s sleeve and whispered, “That’s Xieyue, the second daughter of the Minister of Justice. And the one beside her is Bai Luoxue, the second daughter of the Prime Minister’s family.”

Su Nuoli nodded lightly in acknowledgment to Xueyu and was about to speak when Bai Luoxue hurriedly interrupted.

“Yue, this is the family of my father’s deceased concubine’s side. They might not even be able to buy a single pearl, even if they emptied their entire family’s wealth.”

Su Nuoli didn’t bother to spare them another glance and directly beckoned the shopkeeper to take her upstairs. Sure enough, the items on the second floor were far more exquisite.

“Xueyu, what do you think of this hairpin? I think it’s quite grand, and the jade inlay at the bottom is also very fine,” Su Nuoli remarked.

“Hmm, it’s beautiful. It would make a perfect gift for Aunt Wang, but I’d suggest asking about the price first,” Xueyu replied.

Just then, Bai Luoxue’s voice rang out from behind them. “Yue, hurry and ask the price! If you can’t afford it, don’t bother looking. It’s awkward to just admire things without buying them, and who would want something that you’ve already touched? It’s dirty now.”

Su Nuoli ignored her, while Xueyu flushed slightly from the embarrassment. Her two older brothers spoke up. “This one’s fine. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to Zhenxiu Pavilion to pick out a cloak for Mother?”

During this exchange, Su Nuoli hadn’t noticed Xueyu’s nervousness, but she saw that Xueyu’s hands were almost crushing the handkerchief she held.

“Wait a minute. Put down the hairpin. Can you even afford it? That’s the one I’ve taken a liking to,” Xieyue suddenly said, trying to provoke her.

“My eyes aren’t a grinding stone, and I don’t have to accommodate your every whim! I took this piece first. If you want something, go find another one!” Su Nuoli shot back coldly.

“You… you…” Xieyue was rendered speechless with fury.

“Nuoli, you can’t afford it. Why provoke Yue for no reason?” Bai Luoxue said smugly.

Su Nuoli shot back, “You’d better drink more water, so you don’t run out of it when you need to use your brain! What makes you think you know my financial situation? Just because you’re from the Prime Minister’s family doesn’t mean I can’t afford it. Do we know each other that well?”

Turning to the shopkeeper, she asked, “Is it time to settle the bill, or are you going to make me put down this hairpin?”

Her cold gaze turned toward the shopkeeper, who instantly felt the pressure and feared making the wrong comment.

“Of course not, Miss. Since you’ve taken it first, it’s yours. You have excellent taste—this hairpin is one of the finest on the second floor, made with exquisite craftsmanship. It’s priced at 66 taels of silver. I’ll pack it for you, and you can settle the bill here.”

Upon hearing the price, Xieyue fell silent. Her family had been plundered by thieves, and although she had gotten some money from her grandmother, she had to be frugal. She didn’t buy it, muttering curses under her breath at the “thief” she thought Su Nuoli to be.

Bai Luoxue, on the other hand, glared at Su Nuoli with resentment. “You dirty little thing, leaving the Bai family only to act so arrogantly. Just wait until I get back to the Bai household. I’ll make sure to report you.”

She didn’t realize, though, that by the time she returned home, she wouldn’t have the chance to cause trouble. In fact, her sister Bai Luorou had already been sent back. The proud Crown Princess had failed to enter the Crown Prince’s residence, which was utterly ridiculous. The family was in chaos, yet she was still out leisurely shopping.

At the Prime Minister’s residence:

Crash!

“Speak! What’s going on here? How did the dowry turn into a pile of stones? And why were you so foolish? If you only placed a thin layer, why did you open the box so grandly? You’re more trouble than you’re worth!”