The bracelet was lost, which was not a big deal in itself.
However, when the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family lost her bracelet, it became no small matter.
Everyone attending the banquet today knew that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family was no longer as prominent as she once was. Many people who had longed to curry favor with her but couldn't, had finally found an opening.
Without any need for mobilization, the people in the courtyard spontaneously embarked on a search for the bracelet.
It was Zhong Shaowen, in the front courtyard, who heard that Ji Zizhao's bracelet was lost. How could this be?
His adopted sister hadn't even entered the household yet, and she had already lost something. How inauspicious that would be.
Seeing Zhong Shaowen's anxious expression, the other young gentlemen felt their heads begin to ache.
They had lived for so long and were skilled at losing things, but what was this business of finding them?
Upon hearing the news, Madam Zhong quickly found Ji Zizhao. "Is it very valuable?"
Ji Zizhao apologized, "I've made Mother worry. It's not something particularly precious, but I've worn it for a long time. If it's lost, I'll feel uneasy."
Xue Yinuo: "..."
When you threw the bracelet back then, I never saw you feel uneasy.
Madam Zhong smiled and said, "Enduring affection is a good thing. Since that's the case, I'll help you look for it too."
Ji Zizhao looked at Madam Zhong with a guilty expression. "It is my fault for making Mother go to such trouble."
Madam Zhong quickly patted Ji Zizhao's hand. "What nonsense are you saying? We'll be family soon."
Given the Zhong family's status in the imperial city, who had ever seen Madam Zhong speak so accommodatingly?
Among the ladies surrounding them, many had never seen Madam Zhong smile before.
Yet, this person, who was so proud that everyone catered to her, was indulging a junior in every possible way. And this junior had once been nothing more than a discarded woman from the Fifth Prince's mansion.
Who would have thought that these two people, who seemed to have no connection whatsoever, would become family?
Truly, even looking at it now felt like a dream.
Xue Yinuo was also stunned.
This was the first time she realized Ji Zizhao could lie so naturally, without even batting an eye.
Now, even she was beginning to wonder if Ji Zizhao had been possessed by a ghost when she threw the bracelet earlier.
Madam Xue had always liked Ji Zizhao from the bottom of her heart. Even when there were troubles in her own household, she had never blamed Ji Zizhao. Now, seeing Madam Zhong offer to help, she quickly stepped forward.
When Madam Xue took the lead, the other ladies naturally couldn't continue to feign ignorance in the crowd.
Looking at this scene, Concubine Xue's face turned ashen with anger.
She thought she was coming here to enjoy herself, but instead, she was doing the work of a servant.
Seeing Ji Zizhao doted on like a precious pearl by Madam Xue and Madam Zhong, Concubine Xue felt a wave of nausea.
But no matter how disgusted she felt, she had to resign herself to joining everyone in searching for the bracelet.
Suddenly, a perfectly good banquet turned into a treasure hunt.
It was quite bewildering.
Seeing this, Ji Zizhao also stood up.
Xue Yinuo: "What are you doing now?"
Ji Zizhao said matter-of-factly, "Looking for the bracelet."
Xue Yinuo was speechless.
Seriously, was there really a need for this?
Ji Zizhao felt that there absolutely was a need.
Otherwise, wouldn't her preparations over the past few days have been in vain?
Looking around, she saw many people searching in the back garden, but most of them were just going through the motions.
Seeing Ji Zizhao joining the search, everyone naturally followed behind her.
After all, it was Ji Zizhao who had lost the bracelet.
Following the host's search would increase their chances.
As a result, the crowd was so focused on following Ji Zizhao that they didn't even realize they had walked out of the back garden.
After searching for an unknown amount of time, they suddenly heard voices not far away, seemingly arguing.
Ji Zizhao was also puzzled and looked at Madam Zhong beside her.
Madam Zhong's expression changed slightly, and without a second thought, she walked over.
The Zhong family was hosting the banquet today. She wanted to see who dared to disrespect the Zhong family so brazenly.
Everyone's necks were already sore from searching for the bracelet. Now that there was a commotion to watch, they all followed along.
Rounding the rockery, they saw a man and a woman.
Before the crowd could get a clear look at the two figures, Xue Xiaochun in the crowd froze.
Because she recognized the man as Sun Lu at a glance!
Sun Lu, at this moment, was furious and completely unaware of the people on the other side of the rockery.
With bloodshot eyes, he tightly gripped the woman's slender wrist. "Speak! Did you follow me here?"
The woman said in a low voice, "You could say so."
Sun Lu gritted his teeth in anger, glaring ferociously at the woman. "I told you, if you follow me again, I'll kill you!"
The woman slowly raised her head, looking at Sun Lu with a hint of indifference. "I just want you to return the money you owe me."
Sun Lu sneered, "I don't recall owing money to a beggar like you."
The woman was unfazed by Sun Lu's sarcastic words. She simply stated, word by word, "When I married you back then, I took care of your elderly parents and supported your studies for the imperial examinations. Later, after you came to the main city, you cut off contact with your family. I raised your parents alone, endured their deaths, and bore the ridicule of the villagers."
Many women stood behind the rockery.
Regardless of whether they were married or not, they were all shocked by the woman's words.
If these things had happened to them, they would have cried themselves to death.
But looking at the woman, whose hand was tightly held by Sun Lu, her coldness and calmness...
It was likely that only when one was hurt to the extreme could one achieve such a state.
"I had no complaints about any of this. Even when I came to the main city and learned you had attached yourself to a young lady from a powerful family, I didn't argue with you. I only hoped you would return the money I invested in you over the years. From now on, we would owe each other nothing."
The woman did not argue or cry, but calmly stated the facts.
Yet, even so, she still managed to infuriate Sun Lu.
"Don't think that just because you spent a little money on me, you can boss me around now. Since you married me back then, you deserve to work like a beast of burden for our Sun family! To tell you the truth, I will soon become the son-in-law of the Xue family. It doesn't matter if I marry a concubine's daughter, as long as my father-in-law is a general in Yulin!" Su Dan Novel Network
Sun Lu had realized today that to integrate into the powerful circles of the imperial city, he had to rely on the Xue family as a stepping stone.
As for the woman in front of him...
"If you dare to block my path to wealth, I will take your life!" Sun Lu said, and suddenly reached out to choke the woman's neck.
"Stop it!" Xue Yinuo truly couldn't stand it anymore and charged towards Sun Lu without a second thought. She really couldn't comprehend how such a despicable man could exist.
Sun Lu, now enraged, mistook her for some meddling servant.
After all, all the dignitaries were in the back and front courtyards.
Facing Xue Yinuo, who was rushing to stop him, Sun Lu, without even looking, swung his hand.
Xue Yinuo never expected Sun Lu to dare to hit her and momentarily forgot to dodge.
At the same time, Ji Zizhao stepped in front of Xue Yinuo.
With one hand, she pulled Xue Yinuo behind her, and with the other, she blocked Sun Lu's arm. As she moved her hand, she slapped Sun Lu across the face.
"Slap—!"
Instantly, the entire world fell silent.