As soon as the jewelry box was opened, a lustrous light flashed from within.

Immediately after, the surrounding madams and young ladies all gasped.

It was a set of smooth, round, and white pearl jewelry.

It consisted of a headdress, necklace, bracelet, earrings, and a ring.

These noble madams and young ladies had seen plenty of pearl jewelry, but this was the first time they had seen such an elegant and dazzling jewelry set.

The pearls used weren't of the highest quality, but the patterns of the jewelry stunned everyone present.

Among them, the pearl necklace was the most eye-catching. There was a thin silver chain at the top, and the white pearls on both sides were separated by small golden flowers made of gold. Near the bottom of the necklace, there were two intertwining golden lotus flowers with complex patterns.

In the center of the pattern was a golden pearl the size of a pinky finger. Its color was smooth, and it didn't lose its luster against the gold. Instead, it became even more lustrous and exuded an air of luxury and nobility.

In actuality, this golden pearl was the highlight of the entire set of pearl jewelry. It was precisely because of the golden pearl that the white pearls beside it appeared even more beautiful and white.

Everyone was stunned. They had never seen such a novel design of pearl jewelry before. Even the imperial palace's Imperial Jewel Master wouldn't be able to produce such a thing!

For a moment, these noble madams were so dazzled by the lustrous light from the pearls that they forgot to speak.

Madam Zou's smug expression instantly darkened when she saw the opened jewelry box. No matter how composed she was, she couldn't hold back the anger in her chest at this moment.

Regardless of whether they were noble madams or young ladies, they all lived a life of luxury, so they were naturally most interested in jewelry and clothing.

A hundred-year-old ginseng might be enough to make them gasp in surprise, but a rare set of jewelry was enough to excite them.

Countess Jing 'an didn't look at the jewelry box at first, but when she noticed that the surrounding madams' expressions were off, she turned to look at her side.

Even she was taken aback by it.

She hurriedly rebuked, "Third Husband's wife, how could you give such an expensive congratulatory gift?"

There were very few women who didn't like to dress up. Everyone in the world loved beautiful things, and even the seriously ill Countess Jing 'an was no exception.

She wouldn't blame Chu Lian even if her gift was mediocre. However, if her gift was amazing, she would be even happier.

This time, Countess Jing 'an felt that her love for her youngest daughter-in-law hadn't been in vain. Chu Lian was a good child who knew how to repay others.

Chu Lian was praised by her mother-in-law in front of everyone. Unlike Madam Zou, Chu Lian didn't say a bunch of good things to gain more affection.

She stood up and bowed to Countess Jing 'an in a junior's greeting. Then, she smiled faintly and explained, "Mother, please don't misunderstand. This set of jewelry isn't as expensive as you think.

The pearls used in the jewelry can all be bought from Golden Stone Pavilion. However, the design of the jewelry was personally drawn by your daughter-in-law and made by a master from Golden Stone Pavilion. "

Chu Lian really didn't spend much money. Two sets of pearl headwear and a few bracelets didn't even cost five hundred taels of silver.

Not only that, the shopkeeper of the Golden Stone Pavilion even gave her a few trinkets.

The shopkeeper of the Golden Stone Pavilion wanted to keep it to study it!

Countess Jing 'an's heart softened even more when she heard Chu Lian's words. Her gaze was doting and helpless at the same time. "You're too honest, child."

The noble matrons weren't ignorant women and children. It was precisely because new designs were so rare that Golden Stone Pavilion was willing to make jewelry for Jinyi Village Lord.

They were envious, but if they wanted a similar set of jewelry, it would probably cost at least a thousand taels of silver in Golden Stone Pavilion.

Everyone became even more envious when they heard this.

One of the matrons laughed and said, "That's true, but it's even rarer that Jinyi Village Lord personally drew a new design for Madam.

That being said, pearls aren't like those precious stones and gold and silver. They're the most nourishing to wear. I heard that if you wear them for a long time, you can calm your mind and beautify your skin! "

Countess Jing 'an's heart warmed when she heard this madam's words. She looked at Chu Lian even more warmly.

Meanwhile, Madam Zou, who had been ignored by everyone, gritted her teeth so hard that they almost broke. She felt more and more indignant.

Perhaps it was because she had a grudge against Madam Zou, but when she was arranging the banquet, she made many mistakes and made a fool of herself.

In the end, Matriarch He couldn't bear to watch any longer and ordered Senior Servant Liu to help her. Only then did the birthday banquet go on successfully.

When all the guests had left and only Count Jing 'an's family was left, the first branch was asked to stay by Matriarch He and Countess Jing' an in front of everyone else.

Chu Lian then brought the servant girls and senior servants back to Songtao Court.

On the way back to Songtao Court, Fuyan couldn't help but complain to Chu Lian.

"Third Young Madam, Eldest Madam went too far today. Do you think that Matriarch asked Eldest Madam to stay to teach her a lesson?"

Chu Lian turned around and glanced at Fuyan. "It's none of our business what Grandmother asks Eldest Madam to do. We just have to do our own things."

Her expression was indifferent. It was obvious that she was dissatisfied with Fuyan's gossiping. Fuyan knew that Third Young Madam was angry, so she immediately lowered her head and shut up.

It wasn't a big deal for Fuyan to be so talkative in the third branch's courtyard, but if word got out, people would accuse her of not being strict with her subordinates.

Moreover, a loose tongue could cause trouble, especially for her personal maidservant. Talking too much wasn't a good thing.

Actually, she could more or less guess why Matriarch He and her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, had both asked the first branch to stay.

This matter should have happened a long time ago, but because she had interfered with the fire in the kitchen to save Eldest Madam Zou, the matter had been delayed. She originally thought that as long as Madam Zou was fine, the first branch wouldn't develop to that extent. However, some things couldn't be avoided just because she interfered.

Ice wasn't built in a day, and the hidden dangers of the first branch hadn't suddenly appeared in a day.

Chu Lian sighed. Now that things had developed to this extent, it wasn't something that she could solve even if she interfered.

At this moment, the eldest lang, He Changqi, walked out of Countess Jing 'an's main courtyard. However, this time, it wasn't just the two of them. Behind him was a young girl with her head lowered and face flushed.

This young girl was none other than Countess Jing 'an's personal maidservant, Miaozhen.

Oh, Miaozhen was no longer Countess Jing 'an's maidservant, but Eldest Lang He Changqi's servant.

This was something that Matriarch He had personally decided just now. Matriarch He even ordered that Eldest Lang He and Miaozhen would consummate their marriage tonight.

He Changqi's expression was cold and hard. He looked like Countess Jing 'an. His face was square, he was tall and well-built, and his skin was dark. His stern expression made it even harder for people to get close to him.

Madam Zou, who was following behind He Changqi, was deathly pale. Halfway there, she wanted to tug on her husband's sleeve, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. In the end, the couple didn't say a single word until they reached the first branch's courtyard.

Matriarch He's servant, Senior Servant Liu, followed behind them. She looked at the couple coldly and didn't say a single word.

When they reached the reception pavilion of the first branch, Madam Zou didn't plead with He Changqi in a soft voice. She just stood there with a pale face and slightly pursed lips, feeling empty and disappointed.

Even Senior Servant Liu, who was not far behind the couple, shook her head inwardly. It had to be said that Madam Zou was truly a failure as a wife. She didn't lower her head in front of the love and loyalty between husband and wife. She only acted arrogantly and forcefully. What good would she get in the end?

Originally, Senior Servant Liu didn't say anything along the way because she wanted to give Eldest Lang and his wife a chance. This was also Matriarch He's secret order. Unfortunately, Madam Zou didn't take advantage of it.

When they reached the reception pavilion of the first branch's courtyard, the husband and wife were both silent and in a cold war. He Changqi was a rather old-fashioned person to begin with. How could he soften his body to coax his wife? The more they argued, the more tense the situation became.

In the end, Senior Servant Liu had no choice but to step forward.

"Heir's Wife, it's getting late. You've been busy the entire day, so you should go rest early. This old servant will help make arrangements for the heir." Although Senior Servant Liu's words were polite, there was a hint of forcefulness in them.

Madam Zou had been suppressing her anger for a long time. Now, Senior Servant Liu's words were like the fuse that ignited a barrel of explosives.

In front of her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, she could force herself to suppress her anger. However, in front of an old servant, she completely couldn't endure it anymore.

She didn't know where she got the strength from, but Madam Zou suddenly stood up and pushed Senior Servant Liu hard. "You old servant, who do you think you are? Since when did you have the right to meddle in our affairs?!"

Senior Servant Liu never expected that the heir's wife, who was usually dignified and dignified, would suddenly get angry. She actually behaved like an unruly shrew.

After being pushed by Madam Zou, Senior Servant Liu fell to the ground on her butt.

Senior Servant Liu wasn't young anymore. How could she fall like this? She immediately fell to the ground with a "thud" and couldn't get up.

Madam Zou didn't know how to hold back her strength. When she saw Senior Servant Liu's pained expression, she finally realized that she was in trouble.

She was momentarily stunned and didn't know what to do.

He Changqi's eyes widened. By the time he reacted and wanted to support Senior Servant Liu, Senior Servant Liu had already fallen to the ground.

He took two steps forward. "Senior Servant, what's wrong?"

He Changqi was already angry at Madam Zou. Now that he saw with his own eyes that Madam Zou had personally pushed down the old servant who was by his grandmother's side, he couldn't restrain his anger.

He glared angrily at Madam Zou and shouted angrily, "Madam Zou!

Look at what you've done!

Calling you a shrew is really letting you off easy! "

Madam Zou was already frightened to begin with. Now that her husband shouted at her like this, her expression immediately turned ugly. "He Changqi, who are you calling a shrew?!"

"I'm talking about you!"

"Alright, He Changqi, you heartless man! You scum!

How dare you scold me like this?! "

Madam Zou had never suffered such humiliation before. Moreover, this person was the person who had shared the same bed with her for almost ten years.

She was so angry that her face paled and her chest heaved. With a flick of her sleeve, the teapot and cups on the table all fell to the ground.

Crash! There was the sound of porcelain falling to the ground.

She still felt that this wasn't enough. In the end, she picked up a cup that hadn't fallen to the ground and threw it at He Changqi. He Changqi coldly stared at her and didn't dodge. The cup hit He Changqi's forehead. In the next second, dark red blood flowed down He Changqi's forehead and dyed half his face red.