"Yes, yesterday Second Brother took Momo to the textile factory and said he wanted Momo to work there," the little dumpling tilted her head, looking innocent.
Su Siqi's lips twitched, and one foot already touched the ground. "Momo, you can't talk nonsense. How could Second Brother do such a thing?"
He chuckled dryly and looked at Zhou Wanyou. "Mother, the little girl is young and misunderstood. Actually, I planned to let her learn some skills."
Zhou Wanyou narrowed her eyes. "Oh?"
Su Yunmo took a big gulp of soup, swallowed the food in her mouth, tilted her head, and extended her hand to Su Siqi. "Second Brother, Momo wants pocket money."
Su Siqi instinctively covered his money pouch at his waist and widened his eyes. "Doesn't the manor give you pocket money every month? Why are you asking me?"
"That's different. The money from the textile factory is what Momo earned by working," the little dumpling pouted.
Zhou Wanyou placed the peeled fish meat to the little dumpling's mouth. "Then how much did Momo earn?"
The little dumpling opened her mouth and took a bite. "Momo earned two thousand taels, so Second Brother has to give me half."
Su Siqi almost spat out his mouthful of saliva. "What two thousand taels? It was clearly one thousand taels!"
Besides, this money wasn't earned from the textile factory; it was given by Prince Yu!
This girl was trying to freeload!
Zhou Wanyou gave him a long look. "You earned quite a lot, didn't you? Mother didn't know before that our second young master was so capable."
What textile factory would give so much money? Nine times out of ten, this brat had used some trick to get it.
Su Siqi: "..."
It was over. He had confessed without being prompted.
"Mother, Momo wants this much money too," the little dumpling stretched out her small hand and tugged at her sleeve, shaking it.
"Good girl, Mother will have Second Brother give it to you." Zhou Wanyou looked at Su Siqi. "Hand over the money."
Su Siqi's head buzzed. "Mother~"
It wasn't easy to earn money. This little girl was too black-hearted.
Zhou Wanyou smiled. "One, two..."
"I'll give it, I'll give it, alright!" Su Siqi immediately covered his head in surrender and handed the money pouch to the little dumpling.
The little dumpling took it and opened the money pouch.
Inside were rolled-up silver notes worth one thousand taels.
"Thank you, Second Brother. Second Brother, you're the best."
Su Siqi was miserable and mournful.
He was good, but the money was not.
He would never let this little girl earn money for him again, otherwise, he wouldn't feel at ease holding it.
This meal had some happy and some sad people.
Su Siqi couldn't eat anymore halfway through and went back to his room to sleep.
Su Yunmo, on the other hand, ate a lot, her little belly becoming round and full by the end.
Zhou Wanyou then held her to wash her face and went back to her room to sleep.
Those one thousand taels of silver notes were clutched in her hand all night.
In the middle of the night, Zhou Wanyou wanted to take them out and put them aside, but as soon as she touched them, she would wake up.
Zhou Wanyou was truly helpless. "Why can't you learn something good, but instead learn to be a money-grubber like your Second Brother."
The little dumpling was sleeping soundly and didn't hear Zhou Wanyou's words.
She slept until dawn.
When morning came, and Lülüo knocked on the door to come in, she was already awake.
The little dumpling was burrowing in the quilt, her backside sticking out, counting something.
Lülüo put down the basin of water, looking a bit surprised. "Miss, why are you awake so early today?"
Normally, the young lady would need to be called three times or more to wake up. This was only the first time.
The little dumpling didn't turn her head and was still counting.
Lülüo curiously leaned closer and found that not only were her clothes on, but her shoes were also on.
The little dumpling was holding a large handful of beads, counting them back and forth. Every time she finished counting a handful, she would put it into a small box.
The entire bed was covered with gold and silver treasures, with a thousand taels of silver notes placed on top.
Lülüo couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss, where did you get so much money?"
Su Yunmo put the last handful of beads into the silver jar, closed the lid, and turned to see Lülüo, looking surprised. "When did you come back?"
Lülüo was helpless. "Your servant returned early this morning. Not only did I return, but I've been inside for quite some time."
As a result, the young lady was too busy counting to hear her calling her.
"Oh, I was busy just now and didn't hear you." Su Yunmo turned sideways and showed off all the good things on the bed. "Look, aren't they pretty?"
"They're beautiful!" Lülüo's eyes sparkled as she leaned closer. "Miss, did you rob the national treasury?"
Su Yunmo looked at her disdainfully. "If I had robbed the national treasury, do you think you would still see me?"
However, it was true that most of these things came from the palace.
"They were all given to me for free," Su Yunmo stroked her chin, thinking of a compromise answer.
"Who gave them to you? She's such a good person." Lülüo's eyes were full of envy, and she rubbed her hands.
"Miss, you don't usually spend this much money, and with so much money just sitting there, why don't I help you spend some?"
The little dumpling glanced at her, opened the box, and put the jewelry and jade ornaments on the bed back one by one, then closed the box. "No."
She refused very decisively.
Lülüo sighed.
The young lady was different from other children; she wasn't easily fooled.
"Then what do you plan to do with this money?" she turned to soak a towel.
The little dumpling jumped off the bed and followed her. After a moment of thought, she said, "I haven't thought of it yet, but it will be useful sooner or later."
Who would think they had too much money?
Lülüo wiped her face.
Su Yunmo: "Did you see Ziyuan when you came back?"
"Ziyuan's matter should not be finished yet, but Miss, don't worry, she will definitely be back tomorrow." Lülüo placed a cup of water to the little dumpling's mouth.
The little dumpling took a sip, swished it in her mouth, and spat it out. "How do you know?"
"Tomorrow is New Year's Day, she will definitely come back to celebrate the festival with Miss." Lülüo wiped her mouth dry.
Su Yunmo sat down at the dining table.
"According to the rules of previous years, His Majesty will hold a palace banquet today, and Madam left early this morning," Lülüo put a small apron around her neck.
"Miss will have to go later too, and I want to go with you."
Having followed the young lady for so long, the young lady usually took Ziyuan with her when she went out. She herself had never been to the palace.
"Alright, then you'll go with me this time." Su Yunmo picked up her chopsticks, ready to eat.
The carriage to the palace was prepared in advance, so there was no need to prepare anything.
Su Yunmo was used to entering the palace. Upon arriving at the palace gate, she got out of the carriage and walked straight in, not needing anyone to lead the way.
Lülüo followed behind her. Although a little restrained, her face was always filled with excitement, looking around everywhere, finding everything fresh.
At this hour, people hadn't arrived yet. Generally, the emperor would only personally attend the banquet in the evening.
At noon, the servants would serve some fruits and pastries, and everyone would just have a light meal.
Lülüo rarely showed such strong interest in something.
Su Yunmo also took her to wander around places with better scenery.
There weren't many people in the imperial garden at this time, so the mistress and servant walked towards that direction.
Su Yunmo: "There's a large lake there where you can scatter fish bait, and the fish inside are very big."
"If we could catch one, wouldn't that be enough to eat for many days?" Lülüo's eyes were shining with greed.
A maid suddenly ran from around the corner and bumped into Su Yunmo.