"Three Madam, you really are a blessing in disguise for us. Our Qingfeng shop is just doing some small business, and these past few days we've been busy helping Miss Jinse of the Baifang Building with her errands, so we missed out on this good opportunity to serve you. I came today specifically to apologize, hoping that Three Madam won't look down on our humble skills at Qingfeng shop." Qin Miao bowed respectfully towards Third Madam who was sitting on an embroidered stool.

  Third Aunt raised an eyebrow, seeing that Qin Miao didn't put on any airs at all, and instead flattered herself as the mistress. She had originally wanted to take down Qin Miao a peg, and even sent someone to keep watch at Qingfeng Pavilion for several days, but hadn't seen anyone. Her heart wasn't feeling too great about it. Now that things have turned out this way, with Qin Miao coming to her seeking favors in a proper manner, she didn't need to make things difficult for the other party.

  "Alright, alright, I wouldn't dare underestimate you, a busy person like yourself." Those who are used to being concubines also have a clever mouth, and since they need something from others, they can't be too proud. "I really do have some good news waiting for you."

  "The shopkeeper said, 'Does the lady want to make a spring dress? Is there any style or pattern she has in mind?'"

  Third Aunt said, "If I had the skills, I wouldn't have come to ask you. In another month, it will be Master's birthday. I want to ask you to make me a set of clothes that will make me look refreshed and stand out from the crowd."

  Ugh... these three aunts are indeed worthy of being the daughters of a scholar's family, and they even know idioms like "a new look" and "standing out from the crowd". But when Qin Miao heard this, her mind went blank. She had heard strange requests before, but at least they made some sense. This time... who could tell her what kind of clothes would make someone "stand out from the crowd"?

  Qin Miao secretly admired this woman, her thinking was indeed extraordinary. She tried to ask: "Madam, that day, did you want to make the Magistrate look at you with new eyes, or did you have another intention?" Women's nature is to compete and outdo each other, especially for a concubine who serves with her beauty. So Qin Miao dared to guess in this direction, hoping to give herself some insight into the situation.

  Third Aunt was taken aback, her apricot-like eyes slightly dimmed, and then she smiled quietly again: "Your full name is Qin Miao, right? Ah, you're indeed a wonderful person. However, I don't just want Master to stare at me alone, but also want everyone present that day to remember me, not allowing them to look at anyone else. Can you do it?" She had planned to beat around the bush some more, but the other party had already guessed in the right direction.

  Seeing her smile, Qin Miao knew he was right. "Madam is overpraising me. But I still have a question, will there be other young ladies present that day, perhaps wanting to compete with you?"

  "You're so clever, I won't hide it from you, it's exhausting. On the old master's birthday, the one in the main house is said to be giving him a personal gift. So I have to make a move, divert his attention, and nip that little flower bud before it even blooms. Isn't that right?"

  Ugh... Qin Miao is embarrassed again... Ever since Jin Se, it seems like she's been walking further and further down the path of being a "helpful accomplice" in the harem struggles. Whatever, whatever, if she wants to make Qing Feng Pu's reputation shine brighter, all these nobles in the city have to be catered to, can't afford to offend them.

  At that time, Qin Miao asked San Niang about the situation of the concubine who was competing for favor, such as her appearance, figure, temperament and so on. As soon as San Niang understood her intention, she let the mother take Qin Miao to the outer house where the concubine lived in seclusion, and secretly took a few glances. After seeing it and combining it with San Niang's advantages, Qin Miao also had some confidence in her heart.

  However, these days frequent visits to the Zhang Mansion, in addition to getting the approval of San Niangniang, Qin Miao didn't like this mansion at all. It is said that after Zhang Daren saw Qin Miao in San Niangniang's courtyard, he would often come across her when she left the mansion, and each time his eyes were not very subtle, staring at her with a sly gaze. But since he was a fourth-rank official, the parent official of Zhenyang City, no matter how much Qin Miao disliked him, she still didn't dare to be too reckless on the surface.

  On this day, Qin Miao came alone to find San Niang with a flower pattern, wanting her to try out the color and pattern to see if they matched. Just as she was leaving San Niang's courtyard and walking towards the corner gate that was open on one side, a figure suddenly darted out from the shrubs and blocked her way.

  Qin Miao couldn't help but rub her forehead, it's all a trap. But on the surface, she was still very obedient and paid respects to Zhang: "Greetings, Lord Zhang."

  Magistrate Zhang is around forty years old, with a pale complexion and a somewhat refined appearance. He must have been quite handsome when he was younger. However, due to his many years of indulgence in the official circles, his eyes are always shifty and uncertain, lacking the calm demeanor of a scholar. Upon hearing that Qin's wife had arrived at the mansion again, he hastily left his study and stationed himself on the path she would inevitably take.

  "Why are you leaving so soon, my dear? The weather is gloomy, why not stay a while longer and have some tea?" Zhang was a refined man, although he had ulterior motives, he still wanted to indulge in a romantic tryst with the beauty.

  Qin Miao's heart had already burst with anger, and she wished to kick the hypocritical face in front of her. "Lord Zhang is too polite, Third Aunt wants the clothes urgently. Our Qingfeng shop really can't afford to delay, so I won't linger any longer, and hurry back to arrange things." After speaking, she turned sideways, wanting to slip away from the small path on the side.

  Director Zhang, who had been patient for so many days, couldn't help but feel anxious when he saw Qin Miao wanting to leave. He stepped forward and grabbed Qin Miao's wrist. Qin Miao was shocked and hadn't expected Director Zhang to take action in broad daylight, and she struggled to break free.

  "Good maiden, I have long admired you from afar and truly love you with all my heart. Seeing my sincerity, would you grant me the chance to get close to your fragrance? Magistrate Zhang grasped her wrist and pulled her into his arms, taking in the faint scent of perfume on Qin Miao's body. The fragrance was even more elegant and refined than those of the courtesans in the mansion. Such a beauty would be truly wasted if missed."

  "Sir, I implore you to restrain yourself. I am already married, how can..." Qin Miao's eyes welled up with tears as she stiffened her body to keep distance from him.

  A beauty sheds tears, and it's really a different flavor. Director Zhang sees Qin Miao's eye sockets wet and misty, with a look of "I see you still", he is even more resentful, hating that he can't do things straightforwardly at once, instead of pretending to be a humble gentleman.

  Qin Miao saw that the man's eyes were slightly dark and red, and she thought to herself that this was not good. She closed her eyes and went all out, lifting her foot to kick the man in his lower body. As expected, the man took the bait and clutched at his groin, hopping on one foot. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Qin Miao immediately turned around and ran away. By the time Zhang Da Ren came back to his senses, the beauty had already disappeared from sight.

  "Hum! You want face but don't know how to give it, next time you won't be so lucky! Hum!" Magistrate Zhang flung his sleeve in anger towards the direction Qin Miao had run off in. The duck that was supposed to be in hand flew away, and this breath of air was truly not something that the spoiled and self-indulgent Master Zhang could swallow.

  In a secluded pavilion not far away, Mrs. Zhang and her maid happened to stumble upon Mr. Zhang's clandestine affair. However, in Mrs. Zhang's eyes, things were not seen that way.

  "Where did this vixen come from, daring to seduce men so brazenly?" Mrs. Zhang angrily pulled at her handkerchief, thought for a moment, and then had the maid go ask if there were any outsiders in the mansion today. It would have been better not to ask, but after asking, she found out that this woman was actually brought by Third Madam, and the vinegar jar in her heart was smashed to pieces. Fine, it's one thing for you to be flirtatious and showy on your own, but you also dare to invite outside help? Don't even think about it!

  Qin Miao, who fled back home in disarray, had no idea that she would inexplicably incur the wrath of the most noble woman in Yangdu City. She thought to herself that next time, she must bring Yulü with her and absolutely cannot be alone again. Thinking further about how she offended the parents of Yangdu City today, she couldn't help but sigh at the difficulties of life, wondering how this mess could be cleaned up.