In the dining hall of the Pingning Marquis Mansion.
The Pingning Marquis Mansion had a large population. Usually, everyone had dinner together. But at the special request of the Pingning Marquis's wife, the other branches and concubines didn't show up.
In the huge dining hall, there were only the maids and nannies attending them, herself, Pei Qing'an, and Jiang Fuyue, who was about to serve the dishes.
Whether it was because of Pei Qing'an's presence or she had truly realized her mistake, Jiang Fuyue was extremely respectful. "Mother, I was wrong today. I shouldn't have offended you. Fuyue comes to apologize to you. I'll serve the dishes for you now."
Looking at the seemingly attentive figure in front of her, the Pingning Marquis's wife replied coldly, "Hmm."
As soon as Jiang Fuyue turned around, the Pingning Marquis's wife kept winking at Pei Qing'an, as if to say, Qing'an, look at the new wife you've married!
Noticing his mother's dissatisfaction with Jiang Fuyue, Pei Qing'an frowned deeply, his heart filled with anger.
He had repeatedly told Jiang Fuyue to serve his mother whole - heartedly. What on earth was she doing?
Jiang Fuyue, who was concentrating on serving the dishes, was completely unaware of this.
She was still happily immersed in her fantasy: Once she presented that headdress, the Pingning Marquis's wife would surely like it!
Pei Qing'an would see with his own eyes how hard she tried to serve his mother, and he would surely think she was a virtuous and kind wife and mother!
In front of her eyes, there seemed to emerge a beautiful future where her mother - in - law doted on her and her husband loved her.
Just thinking about it, Jiang Fuyue showed a brilliant smile.
Seeing her moving slowly, the Pingning Marquis's wife coughed unhappily, "Cough, cough."
Jiang Fuyue was startled. She quickly served the dishes for the Pingning Marquis's wife and said respectfully, "Mother, Fuyue has prepared a surprise for you. I hope you'll accept it."
Finally, it came to this moment!
The Pingning Marquis's wife gave Pei Qing'an a meaningful look before saying, "Hmm, you're quite considerate."
Just this one sentence made Jiang Fuyue overjoyed.
Look, the Pingning Marquis's wife, who used to scold and punish her, actually gave her a kind look and praised her!
She knew this method would work!
"Qiuyue, quickly present the gift I prepared for mother!" she said excitedly.
As Qiuyue presented the eight - treasure inlaid red - jade headdress, Jiang Fuyue couldn't help but secretly observe Pei Qing'an's expression.
After seeing his calm face, she felt as if she had been splashed with a basin of ice - cold water, shivering with cold.
Pei Qing'an was so filial to his mother. When he saw her being so sincere, shouldn't he praise or appreciate her?
Why was Pei Qing'an so calm, and his look at her even carried a sense of... scrutiny?
Jiang Fuyue's heart suddenly twitched, and a bad premonition arose.
But Qiuyue had already walked in front of the Pingning Marquis's wife with the headdress.
At this point, she had to present this surprise bravely!
To achieve a better effect, Jiang Fuyue softened her voice and pretended to be gentle. "Mother, this headdress is the treasure of the Zhenbao Pavilion. I think its quality and appearance match you very well. I specially bought it back as a surprise for you."
The Pingning Marquis's wife glanced at the headdress indifferently and said symbolically, "The quality is really good. Your taste is excellent."
As she was speaking, Nanny Liu took the headdress knowingly.
"Thank you for your praise, mother. Fuyue is ashamed..."
Jiang Fuyue was extremely happy. But her humble words were mercilessly interrupted.
"Fuyue, this headdress must be very expensive. Where did you get so much silver?" the Pingning Marquis's wife suddenly changed the subject and asked sharply.
Jiang Fuyue was stumped.
Where else could the silver for buying the headdress come from?
As the wife of the heir of the Pingning Marquis Mansion, of course, she used the public funds of the mansion when she needed to spend money!
Of course, in front of Pei Qing'an, she only dared to mutter these words in her heart.
Seeing her silent, the Pingning Marquis's wife sighed again and said helplessly, "Fuyue, you don't know how hard it is to manage a household. Usually, to maintain the expenses of the mansion, I've told the steward to be extremely thrifty."
"I'm very happy that you're kind - hearted enough to give me this headdress. But the shopkeeper of the Zhenbao Pavilion who came to collect the debt has already come to the mansion. Tell me, what should we do about this..."
The Pingning Marquis's wife shifted her gaze and deliberately said to Pei Qing'an, "Our Pingning Marquis Mansion is a well - known family. It's just unfortunate to encounter such a thing. Where can we put our face in the future?"
Pei Qing'an's face was as gloomy as a storm. He looked at her coldly. "Fuyue, is what mother said true? Did you buy the headdress without paying the Zhenbao Pavilion yet?!"
"Qing'an, I, I was thinking... to give mother a sur - surprise, so I..."
Seeing her stammering and evasive, Pei Qing'an understood everything.
He scolded coldly, "So you just used the excuse of giving mother a surprise to spend money extravagantly and tried to use the public funds?!"
Jiang Fuyue was startled. Her eyes immediately filled with tears. "Qing'an, I didn't mean that. I did it for mother..."
"For mother? Did mother force you to give her this headdress?"
"Moreover, you're so perfunctory when giving a gift to an elder. How dare you mention it!"
Scolded like this, Jiang Fuyue burst into tears.
She wanted to defend herself but found she had nothing to say.
She did want to use the public funds to buy this headdress, and she really hadn't paid for it.
But her intention was sincere!
She secretly glanced at Pei Qing'an's expression and saw the disappointment on his face.
At this moment, Jiang Fuyue was completely flustered.
She wanted to win Pei Qing'an's heart by pleasing the Pingning Marquis's wife, not to push him further away!
"Qing'an, I did something improper this time. I forgot to explain clearly to the shopkeeper." She explained in a hurry, "I didn't want to spend the public funds. It was because my maid didn't bring enough silver. I told her to let the shopkeeper come to the mansion to collect it. Who would have thought that the shopkeeper passed on the message wrong..."
Saying this, she immediately pushed Qiuyue out. "Qiuyue, quickly tell the heir that it was your incompetence in handling things?!"
Hearing what her mistress said, Qiuyue immediately understood. She knelt down. "Heir, it was my incompetence in handling things. It has nothing to do with the mistress."
"Qing'an, you heard it!" Jiang Fuyue grabbed his sleeve excitedly and quickly declared, "I'll pay for this headdress from my private savings. I'll send Chunhua there right away. I definitely won't implicate the reputation of the mansion!"
As she said this, Jiang Fuyue's heart was bleeding.
But she still thought this money was well - spent!
Compared with affecting her image in Pei Qing'an's heart and making him dislike her, spending a little silver was nothing!
Moreover, the Pingning Marquis's wife had accepted the headdress she bought at a high price. She would surely appreciate her kindness and be nicer to her in the future.
"Do as you see fit." Pei Qing'an brushed off her hand without hesitation and said coldly.
This dinner tasted like wax to Jiang Fuyue.
Her mind was full of memories of her past life.
The Marquis of Zhennan had made great military achievements, and the emperor had bestowed a generous reward. The eldest branch of the Lu family was richer than anyone else.
Although Mrs. Lu was weak - willed and incompetent, she was extremely willing to spend money on her.
In the past, when she was in the Lu family, she had her share of all good things and rare treasures. Even if she spent money like water, Mrs. Lu never asked a single question. How different it was now!
The Pingning Marquis's wife only criticized her. She would be questioned if she wanted to use the public funds!
Thinking of this, Jiang Fuyue tightly grasped her handkerchief, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
But she soon felt relieved.
In her past life, Mrs. Lu was generous because she was likable!
In this life, since they had swapped marriages, Mrs. Lu would surely not like Jiang Fuying, who was so dull - witted!
In her opinion, there was nothing about Jiang Fuying that could compare with her!
It was just that Jiang Fuying had good luck in her past life. She had married Pei Qing'an and had been the mistress of the family for ten glorious years.
This kind of good fortune should belong to her in this life!
Jiang Fuyue showed a smile that she thought was dignified and gentle. She picked up a piece of antler velvet for Pei Qing'an. "Qing'an, you should eat more to nourish your body. Tonight, we..."