Lin Fangruo came back to her senses and forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Fangruo doesn't feel unwell anywhere. I'm just a little envious of my sister-in-law. Mother treats her like her own daughter, and even the aloof Young Master treats her as the apple of his eye."
Da Qinshi and Qi Zhenzhen exchanged confused glances. What did she mean? Was she complaining that Gu Siya wasn't good to her? Or was she accusing Da Qinshi of not treating her like a daughter? Was Lin Fangruo truly as cunning as people said? Yet, what she had just said was truly perplexing.
As the words left her mouth, Lin Fangruo realized something was wrong. How could she have said such a thing without paying attention?
While Lin Fangruo was contemplating how to smooth things over, Da Qinshi smiled and said, "Aya also calls me Mother, and you are naturally my daughter-in-law. Rest assured, I am very fair and treat everyone equally."
Treating everyone equally? They all called her Mother, but could a legitimate child and a concubine's child be the same? Especially when this concubine's son was ambitious, relying on his birth mother being the Duke's cherished white moonlight, and was determined to replace the legitimate son. Although they hadn't officially fallen out, anyone with eyes, who wasn't foolish or dull-witted, knew their relationship was like fire and water.
In such circumstances, treating them equally was truly laughable.
Lin Fangruo understood the logic, but she could say nothing.
"Before I married, my mother told me that Mother's temperament was the most amiable. She said that after I entered the Duke's mansion, I wouldn't have to worry about being bullied by my mother-in-law. So, not only is my sister-in-law fortunate, but Fangruo is also fortunate," Lin Fangruo said with a smile.
Da Qinshi pursed her lips and smiled. "Indeed, your mother and I have some acquaintance, and I know her character."
Madam Lin was very capable, and Lord Lin was affectionate. There were many women in the back courtyard. At first, Madam Lin had argued with Lord Lin, but later, she simply maintained her position as the main wife. Although those flirtatious women leaped and danced, none of them could get the better of Madam Lin. In this regard, she was more insightful than herself. If only she had Madam Lin's skills…
Da Qinshi withdrew her thoughts. "Nanny, didn't we arrange for Linglong Pavilion to send jewelry today? Why haven't they arrived yet?"
"They were scheduled for the hour of巳 (si), and it's only the hour of辰 (chen) now. They'll be here in another half an hour," Nanny Jiang replied.
Da Qinshi nodded. "If you can't sit still, you two can go back first. When the people from Linglong Pavilion arrive, have them go to your courtyards."
"There's nothing to do if we go back. Mother has delicious pastries and fruits. As long as you don't mind my sister-in-law and me being noisy," Qi Zhenzhen picked up a red bean white jade roll and took a satisfied bite.
"My sister-in-law is right, Mother's pastries are delicious," Lin Fangruo agreed.
"If you are willing to eat them, then eat more. If you want them in the future, just come to me. I guarantee you won't be shortchanged," Da Qinshi said with a smile.
The three chatted and laughed for a while, and then the manager of Linglong Pavilion, along with their attendants carrying several boxes, was led in.
"Greetings, Madam Duke, Young Madam, and Eldest Young Madam. I am the manager of Linglong Pavilion," said a young woman wearing an apricot-red vest. "These are all newly released styles. Please examine them, Madam."
Besides their daily sales of hair accessories and jewelry, Linglong Pavilion's main business was serving these noble families. Whenever new styles were released, they were sent to various households for selection. This selection process had its own rules. For example, each set of jewelry was unique. Once a noble chose a set, it would no longer be sold in Linglong Pavilion. After all, banquets were constant in the capital, and it was impossible for one madam or young lady to wear the same jewelry as another.
"A few days from now, Princess Rui will be hosting a lotus appreciation banquet. You can each choose the jewelry you like, so you can dress up beautifully to attend the banquet," Da Qinshi called out.
"Sister-in-law, you choose first," Qi Zhenzhen made a gesture of invitation, asking Lin Fangruo to pick first.
"You should choose first, sister-in-law," Lin Fangruo declined. It was already generous of Da Qinshi to allow this unconventional daughter-in-law to choose jewelry, so how could she be so thoughtless as to pick first?
"I see that Linglong Pavilion has brought quite a lot. You two sisters-in-law don't need to be so polite. Just choose what you like. Each item is a set, so there's no fear of picking the same thing," Da Qinshi said.