♂?，，

  "Just look at it ~" Han Qiuyue smiled lightly.

  Lin Lan didn't beat around the bush with her either. Although she was good at playing Tai Chi, when dealing with shameless people, it's better to be direct.

  "My mother said the same thing, this time my daughter-in-law and Mingyun are not at home, it's really added a lot of trouble for Father and Mother. Now that my daughter-in-law is back, I don't want to bother Mother with these things anymore. Later, I'll let someone come and move the gifts back, and tidy them up properly." Lin Lan said with a slight smile.

  On the side, Tian's mother sneered: "The second young lady is afraid that things are not safe with the madam."

  Lin Lan smiled and said, "Auntie Tian, are you trying to drive a wedge between us?"

  Tian Mama originally wanted to take advantage of Er Shao's naivety, but she didn't expect Er Shao to counterattack so mercilessly, leaving her momentarily stunned. However, she only hesitated for a moment before coming up with a response: "Er Shao has not been in the Li household for long and is still unfamiliar with its rules. All income must be stored in the warehouse, and all expenses require Madame's approval. Er Shao is young and inexperienced in managing the household, and since they have not yet divided the family property, it is only natural that Madame should take charge."

  It's going to be a robbery!

  Lin Lan pretended to be surprised: "I didn't know there was such a rule in the mansion!"

  Han Qiu Yue smiled and said, "The list of gifts is all there, it's clear what was received. If in the future you have an urgent need, come and tell me then. If in the future we were to separate, these things will certainly not be lacking for any of us."

  Lin Lan's humble expression asked: "Mother's meaning is that we have anything that needs to be spent on, will all be prepared by mother?"

  Han Qiu Yue nodded slightly: "Of course."

  Lin Lan let out a sigh and smiled, "That's great, to be honest, my wife is really not good at managing the household, just thinking about it gives me a headache. Luckily, Mother is helping with the management, that's the best solution." After a pause, Lin Lan changed the subject, "However, recently we spent a lot on gifts for Ming Yun's recovery, and my wife has already been feeling embarrassed about our empty pockets. Yesterday, Ming Yun said that we need to send expensive gifts to the Marquis of Jing's household for their child's full moon celebration, and also to his brother who was promoted in the army... and then there are the Fourth Prince, the Crown Prince, Chancellor Pei, and Master Chen... all of whom require return gifts." Lin Lan counted on her fingers, but even ten fingers weren't enough, and she saw the old lady's face slowly sink.

  Lin Lan smiled secretly and said, "These gifts can't be taken lightly. My wife is having a headache not knowing where to go to prepare these gifts. Since Mother said she would help us save money, that's the best. My wife has already drafted a gift list according to Ming Yun's meaning. My wife doesn't know what things are available in the mansion, so she can only draft it based on the gift list sent by others. This is handed over to Mother."

  Lin Lan took out a stack of gift certificates and handed them to Ruyi, asking her to give them to the old witch. She had anticipated that the old witch would not hand over the items so easily, so she made two preparations: if they were not handed over, she would slowly bleed until it hurt, until there was no blood left to return.

  Han Qiu Yue looked at the receipts one by one, almost fainting. Lin Lan was clearly extorting her. But these expenses were legitimate, and she had already said nice things beforehand, who knew Lin Lan would open her mouth so wide?

  "If Ming Yun passes the imperial examination this time and formally becomes an official, I'm afraid he'll have more and more social engagements in the future. Alas... it's really worrisome." Lin Lan sighed with feigned anxiety.

  Han Qiu Yue broke out in cold sweat, Lin Lan's meaning was that these were just a prelude and hadn't gotten to the main topic yet?

  Even if she was calm, she couldn't be calm at this moment. She had originally thought of withholding the gift, and if they didn't mention it, that would be best. If they did mention it, she would drag it out for a while, and then secretly replace it... But unexpectedly, Lin Lan didn't mention taking back the gift either, instead following her words to give her a difficult problem.

  Tian's mother was twitching at the corner of her mouth and eyes, looking worriedly at Madame Tian, who this time feared would lose everything.

  Han Qiu Yue quietly adjusted her breathing and calmed herself down. How could she let Lin Lan lead her by the nose?

  "Ordinary socializing is necessary, but our household has always had a set of rules for gift-giving. These gift lists you've prepared are somewhat inappropriate. If we give gifts in this way, even if our family had mountains of gold and silver, they would be depleted. Let me take care of the arrangements instead!" Han Qiuyue said with a faint smile.

  Lin Lan said with difficulty: "But Ming Yu has already seen the gift list and said it's good. Anyway, they sent so many things over, let's just consider it a return to its rightful owner."

  Han Qiu Yue smiled and said: "I told you that we young couple don't understand anything, so let's not interfere with this matter, I will arrange everything properly for you."

  Lin Lan cursed in a low voice, this old witch was very cunning. It seemed that this matter still needed some effort.

  "It doesn't matter about the daughter-in-law, I'm just afraid Li Mingyun will be unhappy." Lin Lan left it at that, and if Li Mingyun became unhappy later on, whatever happened wouldn't be her responsibility.

  Han Qiu Yue still had some reservations about Li Ming Yun, who was now at the height of his power and might not take her, his stepmother, seriously.

  As soon as Lin Lan came out of Ninghe Hall, her face fell. The old witch was too difficult to deal with.

  Mrs. Yao came forward with two maidservants and, seeing Lin Lan, hastily curtsied: "Your humble servant greets the Second Young Mistress."

  Lin Lan was a bit unfamiliar with this Mrs. Yao, and Ruyi whispered in her ear: "This is Mrs. Yao."

  Lin Lan smiled and nodded, her voice soft: "No need for courtesy, Aunt Yao."

  Yao's mother left after a simple greeting.

  Ru Yi Fang said: "This Mrs. Yao has been favored by the lady recently, and the people in the house are all saying that Mrs. Yao may replace Tian Mama's position."

  Lin Lan involuntarily turned her head and took a glance.

  Returning to the Luoxiazhai, Li Mingyun had not yet returned. Yu Rong took a look at Er Shao's expression and knew that this trip was unsuccessful. She didn't dare ask anything, only letting everyone be careful in their attendance.

  Lin Lan held her cheek with one hand and turned the tea lid with the other, thinking about what to do. She couldn't bring people to rob, if she had known this earlier, she would have stayed at home to receive gifts, received the gifts and directly transported them to Luoxia Temple, to see if the old witch had the face to transport them away. However, the old witch was shameless, with a thick skin comparable to the city wall, capable of doing anything.

  "Is it that the dowry of Young Master's wife is managed by herself or by Madam?" Lin Lan suddenly asked.

  Ru Yi hesitated for a moment: "I heard it's also under the mistress's control."

  Lin Lan fell into deep thought again, unfortunately she had never seen those treasures before. Otherwise, she would have taken the drawings outside to find someone to replicate them, regardless of whether the old witch had done such a thing as switching them with fakes, this dirty water would be splashed on her, making her unable to speak out her grievances.

  Hey? Not seeing the treasure is no big deal, if there's no opportunity then create one! Lin Lan suddenly felt relieved and couldn't help but chuckle to herself.

  Ru Yi and Yin Liu stared at each other, Second Young Madam thought for a moment, why was it so beautiful?

  It wasn't until late in the evening that Li Mingyu finally returned.

  Bai Hui poured hot tea, and Lin Lan asked everyone to sit down.

  "Where have you been? Why did you just come back?"

  Li Mingyu leisurely sipped his tea: "I'm going to see the teacher, the imperial examination is in two days, I'll go ask some questions, and chatting with him made me late."

  Lin Lan moved the embroidered pillow to sit beside him, and reported to Li Mingyun about what happened with the old witch today. Li Mingyun's expression was stern, and he coldly snorted: "I think she's gone bankrupt."

  Lin Lan's face turned a little red upon hearing this, as if she too loved money. Indeed, it was only after becoming poor that she understood the importance of money. However, she immediately defended herself, saying that while she loved wealth, she obtained it in a proper manner and didn't take it by force like the old witch.

  Lin Lan smiled slyly and said: "I have a trick that will make sure the old witch can't just swallow it and walk away."

  Li Ming Yun looked at her sideways: "Tell me."

  Lin Lan leaned over and whispered in his ear for a while, Li Ming's mouth corners gradually curled up, and he glanced at her again, with a self-deprecating smile in his eyes. If anyone had to say who was the most cunning, no one could surpass her.

  "What do you think?" Lin Lan said with satisfaction.

  Ru Yi and Yin Liu stared at each other, Second Young Madam thought for a moment, why was it so beautiful?

  It wasn't until late in the evening that Li Mingyu finally returned.

  Bai Hui poured hot tea for everyone, and Lin Lan asked them all to sit down. "Where did you go? Why are you just back now?"

  Li Mingyu leisurely sipped his tea: "I'm going to see the teacher, the imperial examination is in two days, I'll go ask some questions, and chatting with him made me late."

  Lin Lan moved the embroidered pillow to sit beside him, and reported to Li Mingyun about what happened with the old witch today. Li Mingyun's expression was stern, and he coldly snorted: "I think she's gone bankrupt."

  Lin Lan's face turned slightly red upon hearing this, as if she too loved money. Indeed, it was only after becoming poor that she understood the importance of money. However, she immediately defended herself, saying that while she loved wealth, she obtained it in a proper manner and did not seize it through force like the old witch.

  Lin Lan smiled slyly and said: "I have a trick that will make sure the old witch can't just swallow it and walk away."

  Li Ming Yun looked at her sideways: "Tell me."

  Lin Lan leaned in and whispered something in his ear, Li Ming's mouth curled up slightly as he glanced at her sideways again, his eyes filled with a self-deprecating smile. When it came to being cunning, no one could outdo her.

  Li Mingyu smiled and said, "I'll have someone prepare it for tomorrow."

  The next day, someone came to deliver a gift again. Li Mingyun was not there, and another gift list fell into Lin Lan's hands. Needless to say, the things were put away in what the old witch called the Li family warehouse.

  Lin Lan went to pay her respects as usual and didn't mention the gift list again.

  Han Qiu Yue worried for a whole night, afraid that Li Ming Yun would make another scene. But looking at Lin Lan's reaction, it seemed like this matter had passed, and she gradually calmed down. It was also because of the way Lin Lan handled things, which made her actions justified, so even if Li Ming Yun was unhappy, he couldn't stubbornly stick his neck out and shout at her to ask for things back.

  The day of the imperial examination finally arrived, Li Mingyun got up early to bathe and dress neatly, with his hair styled in a high bun and adorned with a white jade pin. He wore a moon-white brocade robe with subtle patterns, tied with a belt studded with green jade, and a pair of bi-mu qing silk boots, accompanied by a piece of dark green jade. His overall appearance was low-key yet elegant, looking spirited and refined.

  The imperial examination was presided over by the emperor himself, it was the highest level of examination. Li Mingyu went to take the exam with ease and calmness, but Lin Lan at home was a bit nervous.

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