They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 342 Deliberately making things difficult
The ladies were about to agree when Qin Xiuhe objected. Hearing her sister-in-law mention those precious peonies, she became even more jealous—those peonies were indeed rare and beautiful flowers, specially bought from the provincial capital. How much silver must have been spent?
My sister-in-law is so extravagant for her birthday, yet she's so stingy with herself.

It's infuriating and disheartening to think about it.

Qin Xiuhe immediately feigned a naive smile: "Sister-in-law, we can admire the peonies later. Why don't we take a look at Madam Shanci's congratulatory gift first? Are you perhaps keeping this a secret from us? Are you unwilling to let us see it?"

The women: "."

Madam Qin: "."

Madam Qin was furious. She knew Qin Xiuhe had done it on purpose and cursed the fool inwardly! What benefit did she gain from embarrassing Madam Shanci in public? Making enemies for no reason was something only a pig-brain would do.

No wonder the Qi family is declining more and more.

If she really angered Madam Shanci today, she vowed that she would never let her sister-in-law show her face again if anything happened in the family in the future.

Granny Qin Qing remained expressionless, but inwardly she couldn't help but feel anxious and annoyed.

It's her fault.

She had forgotten about this incident at the birthday banquet; otherwise, she would have definitely told the madam beforehand and discussed a solution with her, just to save face.

Not like now
It’s too late to say anything now!

Madam Qin looked at Xu Zhichun with a troubled expression. Qin Xiuhe had said so much that she had nothing more to say.

Granny Qin Qing had already decided that if this young lady from the Qin family continued to make impolite remarks, she would definitely retort.

She's so spoiled!
So what if the gifts from my kind and benevolent wife are ordinary and unremarkable?
The fact that Madam Shanci was willing to come is already a great honor for Madam Qin.

If it were this Qin family aunt, even if she personally went to invite her, her own wife might not agree.

Right, that is it!

Xu Zhichun was a little confused.

She didn't quite understand why Madam Qin and her own Qin Qing nanny seemed so nervous.

She doesn't quite understand.

Does that mean that the gifts I give are not allowed to be shown to others?

However, if Qin Xiuhe's request is not in accordance with the rules and etiquette, not only will her own Qin Qing nanny not be polite in rebuking her, but Madam Qin will also not allow her sister-in-law to be so presumptuous.

Xu Zhichun smiled thoughtfully: "I wonder if this is appropriate?"

Qin Xiuhe covered her mouth with her embroidered handkerchief and chuckled softly: "Perfect, perfect, what's wrong with it? It's very suitable!"

Madam Qin smiled and said, "Madam Xu's presence today is a great honor for the Qin family. Whatever gift Madam Xu brings, it is the most precious gift."

The clever and sensible ladies and young wives all smiled and agreed.

"Yes, yes, whatever the gift is, it represents Madam Shanci's heartfelt sentiments, and sentiments are priceless."

"That's absolutely right!"

Qin Xiuhe curled her lip and sneered silently: A bunch of sycophants.

Xu Zhichun felt a little embarrassed by everyone's comments and smiled, "Madam Qin is too kind. Since everyone wants to see, then please do. I don't have anything particularly special, so please don't laugh at me."

"No, no! Who would be so short-sighted as to make fun of Madam Xu?"

"exactly!"

"Look at this, everyone, it's good to share in the good fortune."

"Yeah yeah."

Qin Xiuhe simply let out a cold laugh, "Madam Xu really knows how to talk."

She immediately and impatiently ordered someone to open the two gift boxes sent by Xu Zhichun. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the maid's hands as she unwrapped the gifts, making her very nervous. Her hands trembled and she looked clumsy. It took her a while to finally open the larger gift box.

Inside were two pieces of fashionable silk. A bolt of such silk would cost around twenty taels of silver, which was quite presentable. Of course, the Qin family was wealthy, so this was not surprising.

Everyone praised it.

"This material is really beautiful, it must be the latest style, right? I saw it at Cheung Fook Kee a few days ago."

"Madam Xu has excellent taste; the fabric she chose has a beautiful color and auspicious pattern."

"Yes, yes, the color and pattern suit Madam Qin very well. It would be perfect for her to wear after the dress is made."

"Yes!"

Madam Qin also praised the fabric with a smile, "I was just looking for this pattern. What a coincidence! Madam Xu is so thoughtful! Granny Xi, have someone bring this fabric to make a dress for me tomorrow."

Qin Xiuhe cursed the sycophant in her heart, but deliberately asked aloud, "Was this fabric bought in the capital?"

Xu Zhichun looked puzzled: "Of course not, I just bought them in the county town. If I have the chance to go to the capital in the future, I can buy some."

Is this person crazy? It's two thousand miles from the capital. Who would go to the capital for no reason?

Qin Xiuhe chuckled: "So it was bought in the county town. Hearing everyone praise it so much, I thought it was some rare item from the capital."

Everyone: "."

Get sick!
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Then you're mistaken."

Madam Qin gave a slight, cold laugh: "Yes, why would you think that way? You're completely different from everyone else!"

Qin Xiuhe said irritably, "There's still one gift box left, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and open it."

"Yes"

The maid had no choice but to continue dismantling the structure.

Inside the small gift box were four exquisite porcelain vases.

Although small and cute, it is just an ordinary product sold on the market, which can be said to have taken the word "plain and unremarkable" to the extreme.

Qin Xiuhe almost laughed out loud, but before anyone could praise her, she blurted out, "Oh, what's this now? Madam Xu's gift is quite unique!"

Madam Qin wished she could slap Qin Xiuhe.

The others didn't know what to say either; it was just awkward.
Is this Qin family aunt really insane?

However, these tiny bottles that Mrs. Xu gave me look like ordinary commercially available items. Could there be something inside them? But they're so small!
Madam Qin: "I like whatever Madam Xu sends! Madam Xu's thoughtfulness is more important than anything else."

Qin Xiuhe was still watching the spectacle with a smile: "Madam Xu is so thoughtful, no one else would have thought of such a small porcelain vase."

Xu Zhichun: "These four bottles contain some essential oils extracted from flowers. It's a bit too little, no wonder Aunt Qin laughed at us."

Qin Xiuhe was taken aback.

Madam Qin hurriedly asked, "Essential oils? All four bottles are essential oils?"

"Yes."

"This is a rare item!"

"Yes, so many! And this is considered little? You couldn't buy this even with money."

“I asked someone to buy me a bottle of osmanthus-scented osmanthus syrup from the provincial capital a while ago. It was only a little over half full, but it cost a hundred taels of silver! I wanted to buy some other kinds, but I couldn’t find any at all.”

Everyone was stunned, taken aback by Xu Zhichun's extravagant gesture.

Qin Xiuhe quickly unscrewed a bottle and sniffed it.