Chapter 16: The Long Song—Moonlit Faces, Dark Hearts (3)

“Fifth sister, do you really think I’m coveting that ugly wretch’s belongings? Think about what Father has been worrying about lately.”

Chang Yujiao paused for a moment, then replied, “The military wages.” In truth, she had no idea why their father was troubled.

But it all came down to money, didn’t it?

Chang Yuqing quickly nodded, “We’re not stealing from that ugly wretch, but trying to ease Father’s burden.”

Chang Yujiao was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile she thought was gentle. “Right. As the legitimate daughter, Chang Yue has so many precious things yet refuses to help Father. She’s truly unworthy of being the legitimate daughter!”

Chang Yuqing hurriedly nodded, clutching a piece of white jade porcelain tightly, unwilling to let go.

Bamboo, watching these women trying to snatch her lady’s possessions, cried out, “Put them down! Put them down! Those were left to the young mistress by the madam, meant for her alone.”

Biye stepped forward and fiercely kicked Bamboo. Gritting her teeth, Bamboo said, “Biye, the young mistress has cared for you well all these years, yet you—”

Biye sneered coldly. “Cared for me? What a joke. Has she ever given me a golden hairpin? A set of silk clothes? Could she even—could she have made me a concubine?”

“You’re heartless! When you were nearly dead from smallpox, it was the young mistress who begged Master to bring a doctor for you,” Bamboo said through clenched teeth, glaring resentfully at Biye’s self-righteous face.

Biye laughed bitterly. “So what? She saved my life, but that means I deserve a better one. I’d rather be dead than a servant forever.”

Besides, didn’t Chang Yue save her only so she could serve her?

“When the young mistress was unconscious, I thought you had changed when you brought her medicine. But I never expected—” Bamboo’s voice was full of anger.

Biye just sneered, looking at Bamboo as if she were a fool. “Medicine? Do you even know what I gave her? Ha! I’m still surprised that poison didn’t finish off that poor girl!”

Bamboo was stunned, staring at Biye in disbelief. “You actually poisoned the young mistress!”

Biye grunted. “Don’t put it so harshly. She’s not dead, is she?”

Chang Yujiao quickly scooped up the genuine “Mr. Nangguo” piece, then opened a jewelry box nearly half a meter long.

“So hard to open?” She struggled with all her might. “My goodness…” The box was filled with shining gold jewelry.

Though she was the general’s legitimate daughter, the Chang family was not a noble house. In terms of heritage, her maternal grandfather’s family, the Zhuge clan, was the true aristocracy. Unfortunately, she was only a granddaughter-in-law.

So even as a legitimate daughter, she did not possess such wealth.

Chang Yuqing felt her breath falter. She put down the white jade porcelain and grabbed handfuls of golden hairpins and necklaces, stuffing them into her bosom.

Chang Yujiao swallowed hard. “Biye, take off your outer jacket.”

Biye hesitated, clearly reluctant. Chang Yujiao gave her a sharp look, and Biye hurriedly removed her jacket. Underneath, she wore a thin silk garment, and without the jacket, all that remained was her undershirt. How was she supposed to go out like this?

But Chang Yujiao paid no mind, stuffing the jewelry desperately into Biye’s outer jacket.

Chang Yuqing was not to be outdone. “Bihua, take off your outer jacket too…”

Chang Yue entered her boudoir and saw these two “noble” young ladies fiercely pulling off their maid’s clothes while desperately snatching her belongings. She rubbed her forehead wearily and said in a cold, clear tone, “Before you start undressing, shouldn’t you have asked your mistress first?”