Chapter 7

The elegant speech is indeed not to be trifled with. She invited the noble consort to sit and directly asked her, "Is Miss Zhou's bracelet the same as my second sister-in-law's? Was it also purchased at Longfeng?"

The expression on the concubine's face darkened, her lips painted in a fashionable shade of black-purple moved slightly, making her look as if she were poisoned. After holding back for a while, she suddenly smiled and said slowly, "Oh dear, you have misunderstood; this bracelet was not given to me by the second young master." She tapped a few times on her towering bosom, "I bought it myself. At the time, I thought the design was nice and didn't care whether it was pure gold or 18K. Now that the fourth young lady mentioned it, it does seem so. I didn't buy it for a bargain, and now all that's left is a brand that still has some appeal."

The noble consort possesses discernment and is adept at strategizing. In the competition among women, there is no need for a protracted battle; a mere exchange of a few moves suffices to reveal the general outcome. Originally, she and Nan Qin were not adversaries; Feng Liangyan, being a coveted prize, was not intended as a trophy. She was merely bored and sought to gauge the situation. She often mingles in affluent circles, exerting her influence where she can, and where she cannot, she merely demonstrates her values through grand gestures of benevolence. As for whether others regard her as significant, that is their concern and has no bearing on her.

No amount of embellishment can conceal Feng Liangyan's lewd habits. Nan Qin felt that it was truly humiliating to have fallen to the level of vying for attention and banter with courtesans. She increasingly adopted an air of indifference, took a sip of her juice, and gestured towards Qing Fei's wine glass, saying, "Miss Zhou's rouge seems to have faded a bit, and the brand isn't very good. Would you like me to recommend a handmade workshop to you?"

Her sisters were desperately trying to distract her, and Nan Qin knew they were attempting to divert her attention. However, the actions of Liang Yan felt like knives carving into her heart, rendering notions of love and indifference suddenly trivial. She was utterly alone, with no relatives in Yangzhou, and her husband's erratic behavior made her feel more isolated than ever. This sense of self-pity expanded infinitely, enveloping her entirely, as if she were trapped in a net, and after the initial agitation, she could no longer muster any spirit.

Yayan and Shouyun exchanged a glance, which was not a good omen. They could hardly speak, and it seemed that a major upheaval was imminent. Yayan wanted to offer some advice but found it difficult to articulate, so she could only follow him out and murmured, "Aren't you going to walk with your second brother? A married couple shouldn't separate like this. There are many reporters outside. Moreover, if you don't keep an eye on yourself, you might get flattered by someone else..."

The car arrived, he pushed her inside, sat down in the driver's seat, and with a press of the accelerator, quickly left the Grand Duke's residence

The noble consort was momentarily taken aback, gazing at her wine glass, where a crescent-shaped mark at the rim corresponded with the remnants of red wine at the bottom. The man appeared alluring, yet in the eyes of a woman, he seemed rather disheveled. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she stammered, "These imported goods are unreliable; a single tube of lipstick costs as much as three months' worth of rations for a family, and it has faded after purchase. How embarrassing!"

Nan Qin ignored him, growing increasingly impatient with pretending to be affectionate in front of others. In the past, they both valued appearances, and even when their hearts were distant, they would still consider the reactions of those around them. However, now the good times had become elusive, and sometimes they would commit cruel acts without even realizing it. Nan Qin began to doubt whether there was any necessity to continue their marriage, yet when she thought of Nan Jia, she feared that the sisters would fall into this strange cycle one after another, and that news of it would reach their hometown, causing people to gossip behind their backs. This struggle could only be contemplated briefly before it was forcibly suppressed.

She stood up, pressing her forehead and said, "I have a severe headache and really cannot sit still. Since there is nothing urgent coming up, I will head back to the garden first." To Yayan, she said, "Please help me inform my mother that I will come early on the day of De Yin's return visit." She pressed down on Shouyun's shoulder, "I have kept the matter of Counselor Hong in mind; it is the same whether I discuss it with Liang Yan or seek out Deputy Officer Yu."

This enclosed space contained only two people, and Nan Qin could smell the alcohol on him. She turned her head to look out the window; the fog was too thick, and even with the headlights on, they could only illuminate a short distance ahead. Fortunately, there were streetlights along the way, so they were not completely unable to move. However, he was driving very fast, which made her feel frightened

The noble consort smiled and said, "Indeed, you all know that such precious jewelry is generally made in a single style, and you cannot find a second piece throughout the entire Yangzhou." As she spoke, she leaned forward to examine Nan Qin's wrist; the fair skin contrasted with the gold, appearing not gaudy but rather sacred, making one feel ashamed of their own appearance. She took out her own piece for comparison, pointing at it meticulously like a primary school student, "Look, the shape is quite similar, it's just that the design here is different... Oh, and I have three more gemstones than you do."

Nan Qin smiled sadly and said, "I am not angry; I have experienced this too many times. I have become accustomed to it, even if I am not used to it." As he spoke, he rubbed his temples and sighed deeply, "I have been delayed for too long today; I have a bit of a headache. Please find someone to bring me a tablet of aspirin."

Indeed, there are three rubies, which must have been given to her by Liang Yan. Nan Qin felt extremely embarrassed, as the bracelet on her wrist burned fiercely, growing hotter and hotter. She wished she could immediately take off the bracelet. Wearing it made her nothing short of a laughingstock. What exactly did Feng Liangyan intend to do? Who was he ultimately insulting by equating his wife with his mistress?

Shou Yun said: "It is better to consume this type of Western medicine sparingly, as it can cause significant harm to the body. In the event of an unintentional pregnancy, excessive consumption could lead to serious consequences"

"Go bring the car over." Liang Yan's expression was also quite unpleasant. He instructed Yu Rao Liang while reaching out to pull her, "Today I will be your driver; wherever you need to go, I will take you."

The noble consort is meeting the wife of Feng Liangyan for the first time. Previously, it was said that the second young master took great care of his wife, and since she is not one to enjoy socializing, there has been no opportunity to appreciate her charm for a long time. Upon seeing her today, I realized that such a complete person truly exists in the world. No wonder the second young master Feng finds it hard to let go of her; it is a fact that she is beautiful. Those who are excessively beautiful often carry an air of distant coldness. Ultimately, it is also a kind of strategy, and this strategy is her high demeanor. Her past with Bai Yinchun, even if brought to light, would seem utterly insignificant in comparison to her.

Nan Qin spoke with a hint of mockery: "I trust your second brother."

He pressed his lips tightly together, gripping the steering wheel with both hands so hard that his nails lost their color. Suddenly, he slammed on the brakes and, trembling, asked her: "Nanqin, tell me, what did you and Yinchu talk about outside?"

The atmosphere became somewhat tense, and Yayan gently reassured, "Such inconsequential people, Second Sister-in-law, do not take them to heart. What is her status? If you take her seriously, wouldn't that be degrading yourself? The door to the silver shop is wide open; anyone with money can enter. Second Brother may not be particular about details, but he wouldn't make such a low-level mistake. Second Sister-in-law, please do not get angry; it is not worth damaging your health over it."

This is a matter of common sense, not a profound academic issue. It is a pity that I did not study medicine at that time; given the current situation, I can only become a primary school teacher.

Her words carried a subtle sting, and anyone with discernment could pick up on it. Ya Yan mockingly smiled, "Miss Zhou truly loves to joke; no one has said this was a gift from my second brother. My second brother is quite busy with many affairs, with so many military matters at the Air Force Department awaiting his attention, the only thing he would personally inquire about is my second sister-in-law's matters." He adjusted the southern cap on his shoulder, "Sister-in-law, don't you think so"

Everyone smiles ambiguously; among those seasoned in the realm of romance, how many are not skilled in the art of subtle seduction? Leaving a trace of rouge on the cup, gently pushing it towards a man to request a refill, that lingering, poignant undercurrent is something most men cannot resist. Baoyu even enjoys the rouge on women's lips, which shows that those adept at stirring emotions may indeed be influenced by a woman's seemingly trivial negligence and the allure of a corrupt world. However, women of good families are particularly disdainful of these deliberately revealing tricks, as they are well aware of such small ploys. While men gaze at each other with affection, when it comes to women, all that remains is boundless contempt and disdain.

Is that so? The person who came out from the door replied without looking at her, twisting their neck to gaze at the sea of fog, and said softly, "It is truly my honor to have earned your trust like this"

The road ahead was invisible, and the surroundings were eerily silent, as if navigating through the sea. Although his driving skills were commendable, and he was quite adept at handling the curves, Nan Qin felt an intense anxiety within her. Suddenly, the wheels rolled over a piece of gravel, causing the vehicle to jolt violently, nearly throwing her into the air. She had never possessed a spirit of adventure, and the uncertainty of the future was truly testing her endurance. Anger bubbled within her, and she raised her voice to scold, "Are you crazy? This is so dangerous!" She had never possessed a spirit of adventure, and the uncertainty of the future was truly testing her endurance. Anger bubbled within her, and she raised her voice to scold, "Are you crazy? This is so dangerous!"

However, what she feared most were people like Nan Qin, who struck with the intention to hit, only to find their blows landing on a cotton bag, leaving them feeling somewhat bored. The Feng family is a prominent clan, and the women of the Feng family tend to look down their noses at others. She gritted her teeth, realizing that her eloquence seemed to have no place today, and that it would be fine to fight another day. She turned her head and suddenly spotted an old acquaintance, calling out sweetly, "Director Gao," and slightly bowed to the people present. "Next time I have the opportunity, I will host and invite the young madam and the ladies for afternoon tea. I have matters to attend to today, so I will take my leave early." With that, she swayed her graceful waist and elegantly went to link arms with someone.

Shou Yun glanced at Ya Yan, feeling somewhat guilty. She blamed herself for being talkative and for mentioning the encounter with Liang Yan, but no one expected that the ruby bracelet would appear so soon. Nan Qin's face turned pale, clearly agitated by the provocation. She herself was like a gourd with a sawed-off mouth, relying solely on Ya Yan to take action, as she could not allow this woman to flaunt her power.

He pulled her painfully, and Nan Qin struggled a few times but could not break free. The two of them continued to tug and pull each other down the steps.

When she said "you don't have it," she was quite animated, almost as if she were saying "you have lost." Yayan chuckled and said, "Miss Zhou may not know, while they may look similar, the quality is vastly different! Pure gold is too soft to hold anything, only the less valuable 18K is used as a base. I see that your ruby's carat weight is not significant; it can only serve as an embellishment. You also know the current market price of gold; it is better to buy pure gold when purchasing jewelry in the future. Some things may look beautiful, but in reality, they won't fetch much at a pawn shop."

Nan Qin chuckled and spat, "Children really understand quite a lot!"