Yan Ruxue naturally felt it was not acceptable and was momentarily tongue-tied, "Jiaojiao, that, Young Master Sheng's affairs, of course... I'm really used to wearing this jade pendant, so please let me keep it. Young Master Sheng can definitely explain it clearly."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled indifferently.
She hadn't expected Yan Ruxue to be so sensible, prioritizing business over romance. She'd rather give up Sheng Mobai than hand over that Green-grade Spiritual Jade.
But Yan Jiaojiao wanted the jade pendant back.
After all, Yan Jiaojiao was already looking for spiritual artifacts to help her cultivation. Although the spiritual jade was only Green-grade and hadn't reached the level of spiritual artifact she desired, it originally belonged to her. Why should she look far and wide when she could try to get it back first.
Yan Ruxue, however, could no longer stay calm. Seeing Yan Jiaojiao only smiling, she said to her, "How about this? Father will indeed return in three days. We will report this matter to him then. If Jiaojiao, you truly don't wish to marry Young Master Sheng, then let Father decide again."
Her plan was already as clear as the sky.
Everyone in the Yan family knew that Yan Zhengfeng was being urged back by Chen Wenyu and others as if their lives depended on it, all to hold Yan Jiaojiao, the "murderer," accountable.
When Yan Zhengfeng returned, to vent his anger on behalf of Yan Ruoliu, he would surely punish Yan Jiaojiao.
Based on this alone, let alone Yan Ruxue having already set her sights on taking over the Sheng family's marriage proposal, even if Yan Ruxue hadn't, Yan Zhengfeng would absolutely not allow Yan Jiaojiao to marry smoothly.
Reporting the marriage proposal to Yan Zhengfeng was essentially waiting for him to order Yan Ruxue to replace Yan Jiaojiao.
Yan Ruxue was very pleased with her sudden brilliant idea and felt somewhat reassured. She didn't give Yan Jiaojiao any more chances to speak. She also picked up a piece of fried lotus chicken with her chopsticks and smiled, "It's settled then. Let's eat."
She was absolutely certain that Yan Jiaojiao could not refute her.
Yan Jiaojiao merely smiled and picked up her chopsticks again, signaling Rong'er, who looked displeased, to continue eating.
She certainly wasn't afraid of Yan Zhengfeng's return now. After all, she had Xiao Hei. The fact that she had survived several dangerous encounters recently showed how capable her little spirit beast was.
Just Yan Zhengfeng? Xiao Hei could definitely handle him. Yan Jiaojiao believed Xiao Hei would never let her suffer a loss!
Little did she know, Dongfang Cangwu, who was resting somewhere, suddenly shivered. As if sensing something, he couldn't help but think of Yan Jiaojiao.
Bad luck!
Dongfang Cangwu immediately cut off the thought, changed his position irritably, and put Yan Jiaojiao out of his mind again before resuming his feigned sleep.
And so, the meal between the Yan sisters ended in an atmosphere of unspoken thoughts.
Without any further delay, Yan Jiaojiao rode her horse away with Rong'er, disappearing into the distance. Yan Ruxue, however, got into her carriage and vanished at some unknown corner.
By the time Yan Jiaojiao and Rong'er returned to the Yan family gate, even the shadow of Yan Ruxue's carriage was nowhere to be seen.
Yan Jiaojiao, of course, wouldn't meddle in others' affairs. She led Rong'er inside and instructed her, "Once we're back, wash up properly."
Rong'er was still sulking. As she followed Yan Jiaojiao towards the courtyard, she grumbled indignantly, "Eldest Miss, why didn't you let me say the jade pendant was yours just now? And why did you let Miss Ruxue replace you? That's the Sheng family of Jiangnan! If you married there, you'd be well-fed and clothed for life and wouldn't have to suffer and be bullied in the Yan family anymore!"
Rong'er had been muttering all the way. Yan Jiaojiao helplessly tapped her forehead, "Alright, do you think marrying into a wealthy family is a good thing? If someone like me, without power or influence, married in, I might be treated like a servant by my mother-in-law."
Rong'er was stunned. Such things weren't unheard of. The First Madam was a tragic example. She could only stubbornly mutter, "That would still be better than being in the Yan family."
Yan Jiaojiao chuckled and shook her head, walking into her room.
Rong'er knew that according to Yan Jiaojiao's usual routine, it was time for her to cultivate. But looking at the closed door of Yan Jiaojiao's room, she remembered Yan Jiaojiao's miserable state when she returned, having had her good bones removed and her inner core destroyed. She felt a surge of pity for Yan Jiaojiao once again.
Sighing worriedly a few times, Rong'er turned and went into her small side room.
Meanwhile, Yan Jiaojiao resumed cultivating her inner core. Even with the reinforcement of her good bones, absorption and circulation were not optimistic. A slight mistake would stir up the chaotic spiritual energy within her, causing Yan Jiaojiao to tremble in pain.
After a few cycles, Yan Jiaojiao's clothes were soaked with sweat, yet the absorption of her inner core remained ineffective. A large portion of the spiritual energy even sank into her meridians and merged with the previously chaotic spiritual energy.
The situation was now like a tangled mess, causing Yan Jiaojiao a great headache.
Yan Jiaojiao forced herself to circulate a few more times. Only when the pain became unbearable did she stop her cultivation and sit up.
It was already late. Yan Jiaojiao pushed open the door and stepped out, only to find that Rong'er's lamp had already been extinguished, indicating she had fallen asleep.
Yan Jiaojiao's body felt sticky. She could go without eating, or use cultivation techniques to keep herself clean, but she still wanted to take a bath.
Seeing that Rong'er had already rested, Yan Jiaojiao didn't wake her to fetch water. Instead, she walked towards a hot spring in the Yan family residence herself.
This hot spring was specially diverted from the back mountain at great expense by Yan Zhengfeng to appease Chen Wenyu. The spring water flowed continuously into the pool, always as fresh as if it had just been refilled.
If it were the original Yan Jiaojiao, she would never have wanted to bathe there. But the current Yan Jiaojiao felt it was her right.
It was just a hot spring. Where could a thousand-year-old ancestor like her not go?
The hot spring pool under the moonlight was even more misty. The warm and humid atmosphere was incredibly comfortable. One had to admit that Yan Zhengfeng was indeed attentive to Chen Wenyu.
Yan Jiaojiao found a secluded corner. The surrounding bushes provided a private space. Yan Jiaojiao soaked comfortably in the hot spring, leaning against the stone wall and looking up at the moonlight.
Yan Jiaojiao's long hair, like a bolt of fine black silk, floated on the water. Her exposed skin was soft and fair, her small face delicate and beautiful. Bathed in moonlight, she seemed to emit a faint glow, like a perfect jade doll.
"Miss, walk slower."
Suddenly, Cui Lian's voice broke the silence.
Yan Jiaojiao opened her eyes and looked through the gaps in the bushes. She saw Yan Ruxue, supported by Cui Lian, walking towards the hot spring pool.
Seeing Yan Ruxue's attire, Yan Jiaojiao knew she had just returned to the mansion. She had gone out in the afternoon and only returned late at night. Moreover, she was acting so furtively. What had Yan Ruxue been doing?
Yan Jiaojiao's heart stirred. A talisman paper floated from her clothes. She caught it with her delicate white hand, activated the talisman paper, and instantly became invisible.
This was the last invisibility talisman the original owner had refined. Yan Jiaojiao felt a pang of heartache as she continued to observe Yan Ruxue and her servant.