Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 261 - 13: Mortal Enemies (Second Update)

The shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion was introducing a set of red gold inlaid with rubies headpieces to a customer. Although the gemstones weren’t big, they came from Sri Lanka and had a unique cherry red color, perfect for a young lady. Of course, the price was not cheap, and it wasn’t something just any girl could afford.

However, the customer in front of him perhaps lacked other things, but not Silver, for she was the daughter and only child of the wealthiest man in Hami.

It was said that this girl was different from other girls, not fond of the scent of spices and perfumes, but loved the smell of fruit.

Wherever she was at home, there had to be several plates of fruit around, replaced with fresh ones daily.

In summer and autumn, this was fine as the Hami fruits were so abundant they lined the streets, but in winter, fresh fruits were costlier than gold, yet she still insisted.

The shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion mused at the unique hobby of wealthy people when he suddenly felt a wave of hostility approaching. Looking up, he saw a girl confidently striding over.

Seeing this person, the shopkeeper silently cursed, "Why did she have to come today? If these two meet, for sure there’ll be trouble, and they’ll probably tear down the Treasure Pavilion."

The girl, who was playing with a golden hairpin in her hands, casually raised her head when the shopkeeper fell silent. Following his gaze, she saw Yue Baiyou who appeared like a raging bull.

Yue Baiyou approached them, eyeing the red gemstone inlaid golden headpiece on the counter with intense jealousy.

Even though Hong Sheng treated her well, providing two taels of Silver as a monthly salary and an extra three hundred taels for seasonal clothes and jewelry, she did not possess such headpieces. The three hundred taels were probably not even enough to buy two of the hairpins in the set.

People fear nothing more than being unsatisfied, and even more, ignorant comparisons.

Previously, Yue Baiyou probably couldn’t even get enough to eat. Only after entering the Hong Mansion did she feel like she had landed in a nest of fortune.

Hong Sheng truly wanted to treat Yue Baiyou as a sister due to a fellow soldier’s entrustment, but the girl was unwilling to recognize him as a brother.

Nonetheless, Hong Sheng didn’t feel being misunderstood as having malicious intentions; after all, there were inherent differences between siblings, let alone unrelated males and females.

He could only provide money for her expenditures and instruct the elder servants in the house to take extra care of her.

Three to four hundred taels of Silver indeed wasn’t much for Hong Sheng’s household, but the fact that he could provide such an amount for a stranger showed his deep commitment to promises and friendships.

Moreover, even for well-off families like Yang Fang’s, as the youngest and favored daughter, she only got three to four new outfits a year, a few hairpins and rings, using up to a hundred taels of Silver, which already pained her mother.

It’s a mystery why the young women under Hong Sheng’s care looked down on Yue Baiyou.

Firstly, her reputation wasn’t great; secondly, no one was a fool willing to be a stepping stone; and thirdly, there was some jealousy involved.

Previously just an impoverished girl struggling for meals, she now enjoyed good food, frequent new clothes, and accessories. Where did this luck come from, just from losing a brother and gaining favor from high places? Why act so high and mighty?

Yue Baiyou used to be quite haughty, believing she was destined for wealth.

But after encountering more affluent and powerful people, she slowly started feeling that even Hong Sheng’s treatment wasn’t enough, thinking her life could be even better.

With Hong Sheng possessing such wealth, why did she only receive this amount of allowance? How could this betray her dying brother’s wishes and her affections towards him?

Amongst the wealthy folks Yue Baiyou knew, Bai Lili, daughter of Hami’s wealthiest Bai Wansan, struck her the most.

Even as a sole heir, Bai Lili had the best of everything. With her yearly expenses only hitting three hundred taels, Bai Lili spent no less than three thousand taels custom-making a pearl shirt; while she had to shop around for the best deal on hairpins, Bai Lili was the top VIP at the Treasure Pavilion.

Even if Yue Baiyou tried her hardest, she couldn’t rival Bai Lili, seething with envy every time she saw her.

Not to mention the Bai Family’s intention to make Hong Sheng their son-in-law. As soon as they met, Yue Baiyou and Bai Lili became arch-enemies, frequently mocking and undermining each other.

Looking at the set of cherry-red gemstone inlaid golden headpiece, Yue Baiyou felt the jealousy burning, wishing she could scratch Bai Lili’s face.

She also pondered over why the maid Susu had such lavish attire, food, and trousseau. Wasn’t it all given by Hong Sheng?

Consequently, even Hong Sheng appeared increasingly detestable in her eyes. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Nonetheless, Yue Baiyou could still maintain her composure, smiling as she said, "How could such a thing suit Miss Bai’s status?"

"Indeed, it doesn’t!" Bai Lili interrupted before Yue Baiyou could finish, tossing the hairpin onto the glass counter with a ’clink’, nearly bringing the shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion to tears. Miss, we’re running a small business; if this gets damaged, who’s held accountable?

The hairpin was crafted with fine filigree, and the soft gold wires could easily warp with a misstep. Without completely melting it down and remaking it, any repairs would no longer fetch a new piece’s price.

Just as the shopkeeper was lamenting, he heard Bai Lili nonchalantly say, "Only garnet red gemstones would be suited, but coincidentally, my family’s second concubine is about to celebrate her fortieth birthday; this headpiece’s color is just appropriate for her. Buying it as a birthday gift for her seems apt. However, if Miss Yue likes it, I wouldn’t mind letting you have it."

After speaking, Bai Lili finally glanced at Yue Baiyou, smiling, "Shopkeeper, tell Miss Yue how much this set costs."

Before the shopkeeper could respond, Bai Lili added, "However, if Miss Yue can’t afford it, I won’t be courteous."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Yue Baiyou’s face disappeared, and she glared viciously at Bai Lili.

The shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion secretly wiped his sweat; this Miss Bai truly had a sharp tongue. You already mentioned this set is for your concubine, yet asked if the other would buy it. Isn’t that insinuating Miss Yue’s eagerness to become a concubine?

Not even mentioning that you knew she couldn’t afford it yet offered to let her have it, wasn’t this hitting her where it hurt?

Bai Lili watched, bored, as her few words rendered Yue Baiyou speechless. Shaking her head with disinterest, she disregarded Yue Baiyou’s murderous gaze and said to her maid, "Let’s go back. I should’ve checked the almanac. My joyful mood is utterly spoiled."

Then, turning to the shopkeeper, whose face betrayed losing a big sale, she said, "If this headpiece doesn’t sell, just deliver it to our residence tomorrow. Our family isn’t one to pretend to be richer than we are."

After speaking, she didn’t glance at Yue Baiyou again and headed towards the door.

Unable to anger Bai Lili, Yue Baiyou herself was trembling with rage and as Bai Lili was about to step across the threshold, she charged out recklessly, colliding with Bai Lili hard enough to knock her over.

If it weren’t for her maid catching her just in time, she might’ve fallen face-first.

Outside the door, Yue Baiyou turned back, grinning and saying, "Good dogs don’t block the way, hasn’t Miss Bai heard this saying?" Having said this, she left with her maid without waiting for the Bai family servants to react.

This act only incensed Bai Lili’s maids and matrons to the point of jumping in fury. Once Bai Lili steadied herself, she let her maid tidy her outfit and stopped her servants from pursuing.

"Forget it. If a dog bites you, do you bite back? I’ve heard the Grandma of Hong’s family is tough to deal with; she’s just an autumn grasshopper."

The head maid, in tacit understanding with her mistress, added, "Today, Hong Mansion is hosting a banquet, and many knew about it. Why would she choose this moment to go out? Could it be she’s been kicked out? Truly the hateful have their pitiful moments."

Bai Lili and her servants didn’t lower their voices, and those around overhearing such gossip certainly sparked discussions.

However, no one noticed the exchange of knowing glances between arch-enemies Bai Lili and Yue Baiyou, or the intentional hand contact when Yue bumped into Bai Lili.

If any martial artist were present, they would likely lament that even great houses aren’t so simple, detecting some light-footed skills in these young women.

Regrettably, this peculiar behavior went unobserved, as everyone focused on the sensational gossip.

Susu and Hong Sheng could never have anticipated that these seemingly unrelated people would later bring them significant trouble and pain.