"But what?"
Yan Ruxue didn't blink, but her hand involuntarily moved towards the spirit jade, as if trying to shield it from Yan Jiaojiao's gaze.
Yan Jiaojiao, mimicking Yan Ruxue, suddenly reached out and grasped her wrist, patting her hand. "Jiangnan is a hundred and eight thousand *li* away from the Yan family. I was just afraid you'd miss me after marrying into a distant family. Why don't you give me back this jade pendant? You've worn it, and Mother wore it. If I have it back, I can think of both of you together."
Wasn't this cursing her to die young and early, just like Song Zhi?
Yan Ruxue realized it immediately, but Yan Jiaojiao wore such a sincere and harmless smile that it made Yan Ruxue seem overly suspicious.
Yan Ruxue tugged a few times but couldn't pull her hand away from Yan Jiaojiao. She could only stiffly say, "Jiaojiao, are you trying to get the jade pendant back?"
Yan Jiaojiao nodded seriously. She had made it quite clear: "Yes, I want my jade pendant back!"
To make sure Yan Ruxue understood better, she emphasized the words "my jade pendant."
Yan Ruxue couldn't help but try to yank her hand back harder. Yan Jiaojiao suddenly let go, and Yan Ruxue, losing her balance, stumbled backward and nearly fell.
Cui Lian rushed forward to help, and Yan Ruxue barely managed to stand steady. The smile in her eyes towards Yan Jiaojiao had vanished, and she forced herself to maintain her usual demeanor. "Jiaojiao, how can something given away be taken back? One must have some virtue."
"Virtue?" Yan Jiaojiao smiled. "I'm sorry, but if I recall correctly, the Yan family never sent me to a private tutor. I haven't learned about virtue. That's something for people like you who have attended school."
Yan Ruxue was clearly annoyed. "This is the token of betrothal with Young Master Sheng. If you take the jade pendant, I'll be even more illegitimate. Who will marry in your stead?"
Yan Jiaojiao suspected she had become muddled with anger to use this as a threat.
"Then it's fine not to marry. I'm still young anyway, and Young Master Sheng said he doesn't mind waiting a year or two. Perhaps I'll want to marry into the Sheng family then."
Yan Ruxue was almost angrier than she could bear by Yan Jiaojiao's nonchalant attitude. Had all her elaborate preparations had no effect on Yan Jiaojiao at all?
Yan Ruxue's feigned kindness almost completely fell away. After taking a few deep breaths, she regained her composure and said to Yan Jiaojiao, "What if I refuse?"
Yan Jiaojiao just smiled again.
"Don't just stand there smiling sarcastically!" Yan Ruxue was losing patience, her tone growing sharper, a clear warning in her eyes. "I'm giving you good advice; you'd best listen. Otherwise..."
She had tried to negotiate with Yan Jiaojiao simply to make things easier and appear better to outsiders.
In reality, these matters didn't necessarily require Yan Jiaojiao's consent. After all, if Yan Jiaojiao were no longer around, she could still make them happen!
Yan Jiaojiao feigned a scared expression. "You've frightened me. I just want my jade pendant back..."
Yan Ruxue stared at Yan Jiaojiao, the coldness in her eyes deepening. "Do you insist?"
Yan Jiaojiao nodded, answering meekly, "It's the only memento the former madam left me. She has passed away, and I wish to have this jade pendant back."
"Fine." Yan Ruxue suddenly agreed, yanking the jade pendant from her waist and tossing it to Yan Jiaojiao. "Take it. You can go now."
Yan Jiaojiao caught the jade pendant with ease and asked her, "Then, concerning the marriage with Young Master Sheng, will you still marry in my stead?"
Yan Ruxue suddenly smiled, returning to her usual pleasant demeanor. If not for the lingering coldness in her eyes, Yan Jiaojiao would have believed her emotions could shift so freely.
Yan Ruxue laughed, "Yes, I will marry for you, rest assured."
Yan Jiaojiao, feigning relaxation, smiled back and nodded at Yan Ruxue. "I knew you were the best. I'll be going now."
Yan Ruxue smiled and nodded, watching Yan Jiaojiao walk out of the courtyard.
Cui Lian stood cautiously by her side, head bowed and silent, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She had served Yan Ruxue for nearly ten years and naturally knew that her mistress was extremely angry right now.
Indeed, the next moment Yan Ruxue waved her sleeve, and a sharp spiritual blade shot out, slicing off half of a small rockery by the pond. It landed on the ground with a dull thud, sending dust soaring into the air, like the anger that lingered in Yan Ruxue's chest!
Cui Lian, terrified, closed her eyes, daring not to breathe.
"Send someone to keep a close eye on Yan Jiaojiao!" Yan Ruxue said, still smiling, her face showing no trace of emotion, as if she hadn't been the one to erupt in anger just moments ago.
Cui Lian took her orders and quickly retreated.
Meanwhile, back in her courtyard, Yan Jiaojiao was met by Rong'er, who had been craning her neck waiting for her. Seeing her return, Rong'er immediately stepped forward with concern. "Eldest Young Lady, did Miss Ruxue trouble you?"
"Impossible." Yan Jiaojiao replied with ease, holding the jade pendant up to the sunlight, enjoying the green-grade spirit jade with a cheerful heart.
Rong'er cheered, "It's the Eldest Young Lady's jade pendant! Did Miss Ruxue return it to you? That's wonderful!"
Yan Jiaojiao examined the spirit jade carefully and nodded. "Yes, I asked for it back."
Rong'er felt a sense of shared joy. "The Madam always said this was the Eldest Young Lady's personal jade pendant. I advised you not to give it to Miss Ruxue back then, and now it has finally returned to its rightful owner. Ah! And the marriage contract with the Sheng family, will that be changed back too?"
Seeing Yan Jiaojiao's silence, Rong'er added, "It's just that Young Master Sheng is a bit glib, and seems a little unreliable. Don't you think so, Eldest Young Lady?"
Yan Jiaojiao, lost in thought, observed the spiritual energy surrounding the jade pendant, but felt no other effects. She was somewhat puzzled. Could a mere green-grade magical artifact only promote spiritual energy absorption?
"That shouldn't be right..." Yan Jiaojiao murmured to herself.
Rong'er, mistaking her words as a response, became even more surprised. "Eldest Young Lady, you really can't tell? I think that Young Master Sheng is a bit lecherous. His eyes are practically glued to Miss Ruxue, yet he pretends to be refined and calls himself 'this young scholar.'"
Yan Jiaojiao remained absorbed in her thoughts, wondering if this jade pendant, like some spiritual energies she had encountered before, required enlightenment to be activated, thus failing to display its other functions.
"But how should I enlighten it?" Yan Jiaojiao muttered to herself again.
"Enlighten?" Rong'er gasped in shock. "Eldest Young Lady, you want to enlighten Young Master Sheng? Aunt Li from the kitchen always tells me not to pity men, or you'll be unlucky for your whole life!"
Yan Jiaojiao walked inside, holding the jade pendant, while Rong'er continued to chatter beside her.
Thus, master and servant, talking at cross-purposes, walked further into the courtyard.
It seemed like a time of peace, but little did they know, a storm was brewing...