Having said that, to show her sincerity, Jiang Fuyue promptly removed her gold hairpin. "I'll swap!"
Since the other party was so eager to make the swap, Jiang Fuying would, of course... fulfill her wish!
"Since my younger sister sincerely wants to swap," Jiang Fuying deliberately paused. Under Jiang Fuyue's expectant gaze, she took the hairpin, then picked up the wooden box herself and placed it in Jiang Fuyue's palm. "This glowing jade bracelet was a carefully - selected gift for our return - visit to my natal family. I hope Mother and Sister will like it."
After receiving the wooden box, Jiang Fuyue secretly felt smug.
She had only been reborn for a few days. Not only had she successfully married Pei Qing'an, but the return - visit gift she received was such a mediocre item.
Fortune changes. In this life, it was finally her turn to enjoy the good fortune that Jiang Fuying had in her previous life!
However, what Jiang Fuyue didn't notice was that not far away, a handsome man and a beautiful woman were whispering to each other.
"If the glowing jade bracelet the heir brought is too valuable, I can..."
"Don't worry," Lu Huaizhou deliberately glanced at the An mother - daughter pair, who were indulged in the joy of getting a treasure, and said with a smile in his voice. "This pair of jade bracelets are just flashy little things. They're not worth a cent."
Not worth a cent?
Doubt was clearly written in Qiushui's bright eyes.
She had long heard about the value of night pearls. A glowing jade bracelet, which was even rarer, should be worth even more...
Unexpectedly, Lu Huaizhou beamed and took the initiative to reveal the secret to her.
"The jade bracelets are just defective items bought casually on the street. As for the glowing effect..." He took out a small porcelain bottle like a magician. "Here. Grind fluorite into powder, mix it with lard, and then just apply it thickly on the bracelets."
Jiang Fuying stared at him in shock.
She really didn't expect that this heir, who was notorious in the capital for his dissolute behavior and lack of learning, was not just a good - for - nothing playboy.
At least, when it came to dealing with villains -
He had plenty of tricks and determination!
Anyway, he had helped her today, and Jiang Fuying felt a bit grateful.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your help."
With star - like twinkles in her bright eyes, she sincerely praised him. "Your Highness is so intelligent and resourceful. You're truly extraordinary."
Lu Huaizhou was stunned for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze, seemingly modestly waving his hand.
"It's just a trifle. It's not worth mentioning."
Was it really not worth mentioning?
Of course not!
In fact, his heart was already filled with excitement.
As a playboy, he rarely received recognition and praise from others, let alone from Miss Jiang, his current nominal wife.
Lu Huaizhou's lips uncontrollably curled up into a big smile.
What he didn't expect even more was:
Just by using a bit of modern chemistry knowledge, he could achieve such a perfect result!
...
Maybe it was because Jiang Fuyue had just gotten the glowing jade bracelet, or maybe it was out of consideration for Lu Huaizhou's status and the face of several families. In any case, this return - visit lunch was surprisingly free of major incidents.
But there were definitely minor incidents.
Like right now.
At the dinner table, instead of eating properly, Jiang Fuyue insisted on affectionately holding Pei Qing'an's arm and casting proud glances at them from time to time.
"Sister, Brother - in - law is usually idle. Unlike Qing'an, who is busy with official duties. I'm sure he has a lot of time to accompany you, right?"
Every word successfully hit Jiang Fuying and Lu Huaizhou's sore spots.
Jiang Fuying looked at her with a half - smile and said mercilessly, "Sister, are you regretting the swapped marriage and still brooding over entering the wrong bridal chamber?"
As soon as these words were out, the gentle Pei Qing'an and the boastful Jiang Fuyue both changed their expressions.
"Sister, you—"
Lu Huaizhou squinted at her and suddenly asked with a smile, "Madam, have you ever heard a story?"
Jiang Fuying instantly understood his intention and followed his lead. "What story?"
"Once upon a time, there was a cricket who found a katydid as her groom. Guess what the ending was?"
"What was it?"
"The cricket became a katydid and was extremely noisy."
The faces of that despicable couple were as ugly as the filth in the mud.
Jiang Fuyue opened and closed her lips, trying to fight back, but embarrassingly found that she couldn't argue with them!
Pei Qing'an's eyes darkened, and he coughed lightly. "Ahem."
Seeing that something was wrong, Mrs. An immediately came out to smooth things over. "Fuying, your sister was just joking with you. As the elder sister, you've always been magnanimous. Don't take it to heart."
Jiang Fuying slowly tightened her fingers around the silver chopsticks.
Just because she was born half a quarter of an hour earlier than Jiang Fuyue, did she have to be bound by the title of "elder sister," swallow her grievances again and again, and be bullied by them again and again?
It was like this in her previous life. Would it still be like this in this life?
With a glimmer of hope, Jiang Fuying looked at Minister Jiang, her good father, who was sitting in the main seat.
"Father..."
As soon as she spoke, Minister Jiang glared at her coldly and shouted sternly, "You're the elder sister. You should give in to your younger sister!"
That glimmer of hope was like a fragile piece of glass, shattered into pieces by a heavy hammer.
She had heard such words countless times since her mother's death. After living two lives, it was really her who had expected too much!
Jiang Fuying lowered her eyes, seemingly calm.
But Lu Huaizhou still noticed the slight tremor of her fingers.
He quietly handed her a handkerchief and whispered, "Watch me handle this."
Jiang Fuying suddenly came back to her senses. Just as she was about to stop him, she saw him raise his handsome eyebrows and suddenly throw the silver chopsticks onto the dinner table.
"Smack!"
The clear sound startled the Jiang family and Pei Qing'an.
He didn't give them any time to react. "Cousin really has the elegance of a scholar. He learned from Auntie to play the victim on the day of the return - visit!"
"Father - in - law is truly worthy of being the Minister of Rites. He preaches filial piety and fraternity but can't tell right from wrong!"
Lu Huaizhou's attacks were merciless. He then turned to Mrs. An and her daughter. "You two are a bad example. If you have no shame, just donate it!"
The large dining hall fell into complete silence.
Mrs. An and Pei Qing'an were filled with hatred.
They all considered themselves gentlemen, noble ladies, and well - bred young ladies. If they were to argue with a playboy, wouldn't they be lowering their own status?!
Minister Jiang was so angry that his face turned a mixture of purple and blue. He wanted to scold Lu Huaizhou but didn't dare to easily offend the heir of the Southern - pacifying Duke.
So, Minister Jiang could only take his anger out on Jiang Fuying. "Ungrateful girl! It must be you who sowed discord and made the worthy son - in - law misunderstand!"
She sowed discord?
A bunch of shameless people. They dared to do something but were afraid to be criticized?
Jiang Fuying suddenly woke up.
They had already pinned the blame on her. Was she still going to endure it?
She had been reborn. Whoever wanted to be the pushover could have the job!
Anyway, she wasn't going to be one!
"This return - visit lunch is over!"
She also threw down her silver chopsticks without hesitation.
"Smack!"
The Jiang family was extremely annoyed and wanted to scold her, but she suddenly stood up and, with lightning speed, reached out and overturned the table -
"Crash!"
All the bowls and dishes on the table slid to the ground, and the soup from the food splashed everywhere.
Jiang Fuying glanced at them coldly and said word by word, "Since Father and Mother don't welcome my husband and me back, we don't need to stay anymore!"
"Husband, let's go!"