Yun Shuyao had set her sights on her. Whenever Li Si’er went out, she would place a trigger on her body.

She didn’t need to watch constantly. Just a few more times, and presumably Li Si’er would lose her enthusiasm for going out.

If she couldn’t control herself and scratched the rash on her face, leaving scars, Yun Shuyao really wanted to know whether Longkodo’s deep affection would remain unchanged at that point.

If so, aside from the words “true love,” there would probably be no other explanation.

Many people were paying attention to them. With imperial physicians frequently being summoned, and these were physicians who treated the Emperor and imperial consorts, they wouldn’t fear Li Si’er.

That they were willing to come examine her was already out of respect for Longkodo and the Tongjia clan. Otherwise, why would they diagnose a mere concubine?

Illness was unpredictable—who could say for certain?

No matter how angry or unwilling Li Si’er was, in her current state she probably had no mood to bother with others anymore.

News of her illness spread. Many households showed nothing unusual on the surface, but privately they wished they could set off firecrackers.

Evil begets evil! This retribution had finally come, though it was somewhat delayed.

They hoped her illness would never recover. Didn’t they say she couldn’t be exposed to wind? Then let her stay in her room and not go out—she couldn’t harm others that way, and she wouldn’t fall ill again.

Moreover, this kind of rash was said to be very uncomfortable. What a gratifying development!

Wu shi’s cousin and the child from Chen shi’s relative’s family didn’t work out. Yun Shuyao chose a date and invited them to view flowers. Her sister-in-law Chen shi knew about this matter—the other party’s elders had already found a suitable family and were just waiting to exchange betrothal documents.

Hearing this, Wu shi was somewhat disappointed, but she was used to it. Fortunately, her uncle hadn’t directly approached them to inquire, otherwise it would have been a bit awkward, since they were after all the bride’s side.

When discussing Li Si’er’s situation, Wu shi’s face showed obvious amusement. Every night before bed, she now prayed that Li Si’er’s illness would recur and be incurable. This was the sentiment of many who had been bullied by Li Si’er.

Though she didn’t say it explicitly, Wu shi asked: “Has everyone heard about the recent happy event?”

Chen shi: “Yes, I have.”

The two women exchanged a smile, understanding each other perfectly.

Yun Shuyao thought of Longkodo. Li Si’er was detestable, but supporting her was Longkodo—he was the real culprit. Unfortunately, his path didn’t intersect with hers, so she couldn’t be too obvious. Moreover, if both of them had consecutive accidents, it would be too coincidental. Yun Shuyao planned to wait a while before acting.

Having taught them a lesson, Yun Shuyao was in good spirits and planned to go shopping before the New Year to see if there were any new and interesting things.

She didn’t know if it was because she had done a good deed that good fortune came.

While out shopping, seeing if she could stumble upon any heavenly treasures, she noticed someone with their head lowered hastily leaving the pawnshop across the street.

The person was trying to avoid being recognized, but Yun Shuyao had excellent eyesight. At such a close distance, she could recognize anyone she had seen before.

She really did recognize them. She had seen this face at the Jia family residence—it seemed to be one of Wang Xifeng’s people.

Yun Shuyao stopped in her tracks.

Before long, that same person returned with others, hurriedly carrying things into the pawnshop. Yun Shuyao understood what was happening.

Lin Ruhai knew about this matter, and she knew about it too, but neither had any intention of interfering. If people were selling their own household items, what business was it of outsiders?

Normally Yun Shuyao wouldn’t care, but at such close distance, her spirit mirror, which she carried with her, had a reaction—there was something good there!

Yun Shuyao suppressed her somewhat urgent feelings and waited for them to leave. They must have already negotiated the price earlier, because after moving the items inside, they quickly left with silver.

After watching them depart, Yun Shuyao entered the pawnshop.

With her attire, as soon as she entered, the shopkeeper knew she was a major customer and personally came out to greet her: “Madam, what would you like to see?”

People who came to pawnshops fell into three categories: those pawning items, those redeeming items, and those buying unredeemed goods.

Many thrifty housekeepers came here to find bargains, buying household items at lower prices.

Yun Shuyao glanced at the heavy table that hadn’t been moved yet: “What kind of wood is this? Huanghuali, I presume? It looks quite nice.”

Shopkeeper: “Madam has excellent discernment!”

“This uses fine materials. Madam, look at this luster, this grain.”

Yun Shuyao smiled: “Indeed, fine materials. Just a pity it’s not a matching set, and this isn’t the style currently fashionable in the capital.” She examined it carefully: “This style is at least twenty-some years old.”

The shopkeeper didn’t deny it. This style was indeed not from recent years, and not being a complete set was a drawback, but the materials were genuine and solid.

“This represents heritage—only wealthy families from the past would have such fine pieces.”

Since Yun Shuyao wanted to buy it, she nodded in agreement with the shopkeeper’s words: “That makes sense. How much silver?”

The shopkeeper was delighted—a deal had just walked in?

He immediately doubled the price he had just paid for the goods. Even if bargained down by half, it was still easy profit made in the time it took to turn around. This money came easily.

Yun Shuyao didn’t care about that bit of silver. With the item acquired, where should it be moved?

Moving it to the Lin residence would be odd, so she had people move it to her shop—that was her territory.

When she arrived, the people at the shop didn’t understand why a table had been moved in, but this was the master’s business, so they kept quiet.

Yun Shuyao had everyone else leave, then looked at one of the table legs. There, the spirit mirror sensed something good.

The wood was undoubtedly solid, but with a gentle pull, Yun Shuyao snapped it off, revealing the gemstones hidden inside the hollow table leg.

Rubies, sapphires, cat’s eye stones, and a piece of amber.

Just four items. Yun Shuyao’s target was that piece of amber.

The amber was pale yellow and somewhat transparent, but when picked up, one could see something seemingly flowing faintly inside. In the center was a blooming unknown small yellow flower, very fresh.

Yun Shuyao’s heart stirred with excitement.

However, she wasn’t moved by the flower’s beauty, but because this was probably some remarkable treasure. Not just the spirit mirror—Yun Shuyao herself could feel it. This restless feeling wasn’t transmitted by the spirit mirror; it was her own. Suddenly, Yun Shuyao thought of something. Could this flower affect her supernatural ability?

Could this be a heavenly treasure perfectly suited for ability users?

Yun Shuyao suppressed the spirit mirror, secured the items, and planned to study them carefully after returning home.

As for this broken left leg, she could only say her luck was bad—she hadn’t noticed when buying it that it already had cracks, and the inside had even been eaten by insects.

Having someone dispose of the table, Yun Shuyao returned to the Lin residence. That very night, Yun Shuyao confirmed it.

The amber itself was a treasure, and the small yellow flower inside was also a treasure.

The spirit mirror wanted both.

But the small yellow flower was useful to her too. Yun Shuyao decided to use it herself.

She had been stuck at the level five threshold for a long time. With this flower’s help, she should be able to reach level six.

Deciding to act, a night passed. The amber turned to ash, the spirit mirror had cumulatively recovered to forty percent, and she had successfully upgraded to level six.

She experimentally took a vegetable seed, channeled her ability, and watched with her own eyes as it transformed from seed to mature plant within a minute or two.

The consumption was high, but the speed was much faster.

It was just somewhat regrettable that she could only use this flower as a major tonic pill, not as a weapon seed to keep with her.

Ordinary plants were still too weak.

However, the existence of this item meant this world had them—they were just probably very rare.

Take it slowly.

Yun Shuyao exhaled, feeling her stronger body and the supernatural ability flowing within it, gradually suppressing her excited emotions.

During her upgrade that night, she caused some energy overflow. After one night passed, the surrounding flowers and plants were especially verdant. Taking a breath felt like it could cleanse one’s spirit.

When the maids rose early, they discovered that the familiar flowers and plants seemed more eye-catching than usual.

“Did you notice? It’s already winter—why are the leaves even greener?”

“I noticed too. Though the variety is evergreen, it’s still quite novel.”

Yun Shuyao heard their quiet discussion. This was within her expectations.

She was delighted, but at the same time somewhat regretful.

The Jia family had been selling things for so long—if there were more items like this inside, how many treasures had she missed?

She immediately had people keep watch. If the Jia family went to pawn more of these heavy large items, they should buy them.

As long as one of them contained something, it would only be profit, no loss.

Even if there was nothing, this one harvest was already enough.

Before the New Year, there was more good news. Because of Li Si’er’s recurring illness, Longkodo was distracted and fell from his horse. After the imperial physician’s diagnosis, he had injured muscles and bones and needed three months of recuperation.

This wasn’t Yun Shuyao’s doing.

When the news came, she couldn’t help but exclaim “Excellent!” This was Longkodo’s own doing. Moreover, because of this matter, even his parents were angered, feeling that his distraction over a mere concubine was improper. They scolded him, and even Li Si’er was disciplined, ordered to stay in her room without going out to reflect properly.

Just like that, both of them couldn’t go out.

When Wu shi learned of this, she laughed coldly without saying anything, but the mockery in her eyes was obvious.

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t known before how their son doted on that concubine—they just hadn’t cared.

Now seeing that Longkodo had harmed himself over this matter, only now did they get angry.

“Birds of a feather.”

Old Madam nodded in agreement: “The Tongjia clan, in terms of character…” She shook her head: “We should just know this ourselves. Don’t speak of it outside.”

As long as the Emperor lived, his maternal clan would not decline.

There was no benefit in opposing them.

Wu shi nodded: “Great-aunt, we understand. We only dare speak of this among ourselves.”

The Spring Festival of the forty-fourth year of Kangxi’s reign passed amid various pieces of good news.

In the first month, Luo Yu completed her third month of pregnancy, and only then was it announced publicly.

Yun Shuyao took this opportunity to visit again.

After hearing this good news, Grandmother Jia’s desire to bring together the two Yus intensified.

“This is joyous news. Feng girl, prepare a gift. Don’t make it meager—this is to be sent to the Prince’s residence.”

Wang Xifeng: “…Yes, Old Ancestor.”

She could barely maintain her smile.

The heavy items in the storeroom… weren’t endless.

She couldn’t sell everything—some had to be kept for appearances.

Once everything was sold, what else would the household have to sell?

Wang Xifeng returned with a worried, bitter expression.

Ping’er: “Mistress…”

Wang Xifeng said gloomily: “If pushed to desperation, I’ll sell those ornamental pieces from the other storeroom too.”

Ping’er: “…” Ornamental pieces? Many of those were needed for use! It felt like they couldn’t stop anymore.

“Mistress, can’t we increase income and reduce expenses?”

Wang Xifeng sneered: “Then you tell me—how do we increase income and reduce expenses?”

Ping’er thought of the household’s situation. Whether increasing income or reducing expenses, they couldn’t do either.

They could manage themselves, but could they manage Old Madam and the Masters?

Ping’er couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

It just so happened that at this time, silver and a letter needed to be sent to the palace. Grandmother Jia mentioned Luo Yu’s pregnancy in the letter.

When Jia Yuanchun saw this letter, she froze for a moment. She was already twenty-one years old this year.

Her best years were nearly past.

She was still just a female official in Noble Consort De’s palace.

How much longer could Grandmother and the others support her?

If she really had to wait until she was old enough to be released from the palace, what about all the silver spent on her over these years?

What about her future?

In that case, she would be the family’s sinner!

“Now even my cousin is pregnant. She’s pregnant already…”

Jia Yuanchun wiped the tear tracks from her eyes, then remembered that this cousin was from a dragon-phoenix twin birth, an extremely rare twin pregnancy.

When she gave birth, might it also be twins?

If so… perhaps she could borrow some advantage from this.

Thinking this, Jia Yuanchun had a vague idea forming in her mind. She made up her mind—at the latest, this year she must obtain a result. She couldn’t drag this out any longer!