“Alright—” The shop assistant’s voice hadn’t even fallen when a sharp, bright, and sarcastic female voice rose from behind the counter. “We won’t sell to you!”
As the voice fell, a young woman emerged from the inner room, wearing a lotus-pink long skirt and a peach-red riding jacket. Her hairstyle was that of an unmarried woman, with only a pearl silver hairpin on her head and a jade bracelet on her wrist. Although her accessories didn’t seem particularly expensive, she carried herself with confidence and authority.
The woman’s tone was unpleasant, and Autumn Lotus halted in front of Lu Lingyun and Xing Dai Rong, flashing them a bright smile. “Oh, isn’t this the Young Madam of Ningyang Houfu and Concubine Autumn?”
Xing Dai Rong’s tone was malicious, and Autumn Lotus shot back, her manner unrestrained, “Oh, isn’t this the Xing girl from the Leisure Pavilion?”
As soon as the three words “Leisure Pavilion” were spoken, Xing Dai Rong’s anger flared up again. She bit her back teeth and sneered viciously, “Concubine Autumn, it’s been a while. You still have that slave-like demeanor, huh?”
“It’s just tit for tat. You, a shameless prostitute, trying to escape your status as a concubine. You’re not much better than me.”
Xing Dai Rong was furious, “Hah! You have a foul mouth that deserves to be ripped apart. Lu Lingyun, you’d better control your dog, or else I’ll take care of it for you!”
“Ah…you’re the one…” Autumn Lotus raised her hand in anger.
Just then, Lu Lingyun called out to her, “That’s enough, Concubine Autumn.”
Autumn Lotus reluctantly lowered her hand, her anger unconcealed.
Seeing Autumn Lotus back down, Xing Dai Rong couldn’t help but feel smug, “Hmph, a dog is a dog, and you still claim you’re not a slave?”
As Autumn Lotus looked like she was about to explode again, Lu Lingyun’s patience began to wear thin, “What do you want, Xing girl?”
“I don’t want anything. This is my shop, and I can sell to whoever I want.”
“Is this your shop?”
“Of course, it’s mine. My business is doing well, and the soap I developed is selling like hotcakes all over the capital.”
Xing Dai Rong beamed with pride, her face radiant with the expectation of seeing shock and regret in their eyes. Unfortunately, Lu Lingyun remained calm and smiled faintly, “Congratulations.”
Xing Dai Rong’s jealousy deepened as she glared at her, “I’m not like some people who are just parasites, utterly talentless!”
Just then, Autumn Lotus’s voice chimed in, “I know, some people rely on their skills in bed to climb from one man’s bed to another.”
“You’re asking for death!” Xing Dai Rong couldn’t hold back anymore, raising her hand to hit Autumn Lotus.
Just in time, Lu Lingyun grasped Xing Dai Rong’s arm, her grip firm as she gazed coldly at her, “What do you want to do?”
“Did you hear what she said? She humiliated me!”
“That doesn’t give you the right to teach her a lesson!” Lu Lingyun’s cold tone sent Xing Dai Rong’s hand flying back.
Xing Dai Rong’s face turned red with rage as she glared at Lu Lingyun, “Do you know who I am now?”
“Who?” Lu Lingyun looked at her, her tone tranquil, “A Miss or Lady from some noble house, or perhaps a concubine?”
“Luo Heng said he’d take me as his main wife! We’ll have a grand wedding with eight sedan chairs and a grand procession!” Xing Dai Rong’s voice grew more agitated and proud, “By then, my status will be the same as yours, Lu Lingyun! We’ll both be the mistresses of our households! You can just keep clinging to Cheng Yunshuo, that scoundrel!”
Lu Lingyun gazed at her, a faint smile on her face, and waved at her dismissively, “Let’s go!”
(Note: I’ve maintained the original tone and style of the novel, preserving cultural references and idioms, and provided brief explanations in parentheses where necessary. I’ve also split the paragraphs as needed for better clarity and flow.)
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