Auntie Rong swayed, but fortunately, Sister Su, who was standing next to her, caught her.

Sister Su was also very anxious. Although her sixth sister's life in the Ying household wasn't very good, she had a very headstrong personality. It was extremely unwise for her to stand out at a time like this.

"Sister-in-law, are you alright?" Sister Su asked in a low voice.

Auntie Rong pinched her forehead and waved her hand. "I'm fine."

Now that the situation had developed to this point, even the Eighth Young Mistress, Sister Yuan, was frightened. If Chu Lian had lost face before, she could still make up for it. After all, she was married, and if she lost face, there would be Matriarch He to discipline her. However, the situation had suddenly blown up, and the wife of Marquis Ding Yuan was clearly angry. If Chu Lian really didn't handle this well, neither the Ying Public House nor Count Jing 'an's Mansion would be able to gain any benefits.

She immediately felt a little afraid.

Sister Yuan carefully tugged on Auntie Rong's sleeve and softly begged, "Sister-in-law, let's go."

Auntie Rong looked around. She actually wanted to leave too, but she caught a glimpse of a faintly discernible glance in her direction.

Auntie Rong's body stiffened.

How could she leave in this situation? Although no one said anything, there were many pairs of eyes watching!

If she left now, the bad reputation of not caring about her sisters would spread the next day.

Auntie Rong immediately regretted her decision and secretly blamed Chu Lian.

"I don't think Third Young Madam of Duke Jing 'an's household did it on purpose. A thousand taels is a large sum for a young lady. If Third Young Madam can really make better longevity peaches than Sir Wang, then I'll make the decision to give this coral bracelet to this child to calm her down."

Just as Marquis Dingyuan's wife was about to order Chu Lian to the small kitchen, a woman's voice suddenly sounded.

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd moved aside. A middle-aged woman dressed in a flower-colored dress walked out of the crowd, surrounded by people.

In an instant, whispers of discussion sounded from the side. "Madam Yang is here!

This time, Marquis Dingyuan's wife won't be able to continue being so smug. "

Madam Yang?

Chu Lian opened her clear eyes and looked at the place where everyone's gazes were gathered.

The middle-aged woman was tall and slender. She was dressed luxuriously, but not in a graceful manner. She had an air of elegance about her, and the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned. In this aspect, Chu Lian was somewhat similar to her.

As she walked, she took off the coral bracelet on her wrist and handed it to the head maidservant beside her. The maidservant walked two steps and placed the bracelet on a silver plate on the stone table outside the corridor.

The coral bracelet collided with the silver plate, producing a crisp sound.

The color of the coral bracelet was uniform, and each coral bead was meticulously carved. Complex dark patterns could be vaguely seen on the surface. Between the corals were green jade beads, red and green, and one could tell at a glance that it was not an ordinary item.

Chu Lian suddenly thought of the plot in the original novel.

Madam Yang?

Moreover, his identity, age, and appearance all coincided with a person she had guessed.

The wife of Cabinet Elder Yang!

She was one of the top figures in Shengjing's noblewomen circle. Even Matriarch He had to show her some respect.

This noble-looking madam was actually one of the biggest enemies of the original Chu Lian …

In the end, he was brutally tortured to death by Chu Lian …

Chu Lian sized up Madam Yang curiously.

She had not expected that Mrs. Yang, who was supposed to be her nemesis, would stand on her side at this moment.

What should this be called?

What goes around comes around?

Although Chu Lian did not want to complicate her life, she would not naively believe that Mrs. Yang had interfered at this time because she wanted to help her.

As expected, she heard the people around her discussing.

"Madam Yang and Crown Prince's wife have always been at odds with each other since they were daughters. Now that they have encountered this incident, it's inevitable that they will come to blows. It's a pity that this Third Young Mistress of Duke Jing 'an's residence has become a target."

Chu Lian laughed in her heart. She did not care whether she was a target or not. No matter what, that coral bracelet was indeed quite valuable. That was enough. What she lacked the most right now was money!

"Since Older Sister Yang has put up a stake, I naturally have to put up a stake as well."

The person who spoke was a young madam in her twenties behind Madam Yang. She was dressed in a silk green dress and had a ruddy complexion. She heard the people around her talking about her as the wife of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The wife of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites removed a golden hairpin with a bright green butterfly on it and placed it on a silver plate.

The moment she did this, the other madams around Madam Yang each took out a piece of jewelry that they carried with them. There were hollow golden bracelets inlaid with jade, yellow jade pendants, gemstones … Seven or eight pieces of high quality jewelry made the ordinary silver plate shine brilliantly.

Immediately, the younger madams at the side were dumbfounded.

What was going on?

Why were the wives of these rich and powerful officials fighting?

When the wife of Marquis Dingyuan saw Madam Yang, she fiercely gritted her teeth. She obviously hated Madam Yang, but she still forced a smile on her face and pretended to say, "Madam Yang is really generous. You are betting on Chu Lian to make a better longevity peach than Mr. Wang, but if she can't, you won't be able to take back your stake, right?"

Madam Yang snorted coldly, "Oh?

Then how do you think we should deal with this, Madam? "

The wife of Marquis Dingyuan glanced at her daughter, Zou Yuanqin, and then smiled as she removed a golden bracelet from her wrist. The golden bracelet was adorned with two rare pink pearls. The pearls were round and translucent. They were not round, but rather in the shape of water droplets. It was indeed a rare item.

Those who were familiar with the wife of Marquis Dingyuan sucked in a breath of cold air. This was the wife of Marquis Dingyuan's beloved bracelet. It was said that it had been passed down to her by her maternal grandmother.

After placing the pearl bracelet on the silver plate, the wife of Marquis Dingyuan slowly said, "Since Madam Yang also wants to interfere today, then why don't we do this? We will use this as a stake for today. If the third madam of Count Jing 'an's household has the ability, then all the jewelry on this plate will belong to her. It will be my apology for causing her to be frightened today. If she can't do it, then as I said, go to the front yard and apologize to father in person. Furthermore, Madam Yang, all the jewelry that you put out will belong to the people who bet on the third madam of Count Jing' an's household."

"Ha!

I didn't think that the wife of Marquis Dingyuan would have such an interest. Why not? "Madam Yang's lips curled up slightly as she replied happily.

The moment she agreed, a few other madams also walked out from the side of the wife of Marquis Dingyuan. They each took off a valuable piece of jewelry and placed it on the plate.

When one of the madams took a golden hairpin from her hair and was about to place it on the plate, Princess Leyao grabbed her wrist.

Princess Leyao raised her chin high and glared at Chu Lian before proudly saying, "How can I miss out on such a fun event!"

As she spoke, she placed a small golden eagle in the shape of a qilin on the plate. "This is a golden eagle bestowed upon me by Empress Mother. Can it compare to your jewelry?"

This small golden eagle was bestowed upon her by Her Majesty the Empress two years ago. It was Princess Leyao's birthday gift when she was eight years old. She loved it the most and wore it everywhere she went. The eyes of the golden qilin were embedded with two rubies the size of mung beans, making it look extremely realistic.

The wife of Marquis Dingyuan wanted to stop Princess Leyao, but the princess had grown up spoiled in the palace. She was used to doing as she pleased and was doted on by the Emperor. This was supposed to be a fight between the madams, so it was a little strange for a ten-year-old princess to suddenly interfere.

Madam Yang also glanced at Princess Leyao. Even though she was the wife of an important official, it was not appropriate for her to interfere in the affairs of a princess.

After all, the princess was a descendant of the imperial family.

It was not a good idea to get involved with the imperial family.

Just when everyone thought that this was the end of the event, Princess Ruanjia walked into the crowd again.

Princess Ruanjia was about the same age as Chu Lian and was the legitimate daughter of the Emperor's brother, King Wei. She was favored by the Emperor and Empress Dowager and was given the title of a princess the moment she was born.

In terms of status, she was not inferior to Princess Leyao.

"Since Younger Sister Leyao is willing to give up her beloved, how can I be left out?"

Princess Ruanjia did not look at Princess Leyao's expression. Instead, she reached into the pouch at her waist and took out an item.

It was a white jade thumb ring with words carved into it. Just by looking at the material of the thumb ring, one could tell that it was made from the finest mutton fat jade. It was not inferior to Princess Leyao's golden Qilin.

A smug look flashed across Princess Leyao's face. She purposely glanced at Chu Lian, who was standing in the middle of the crowd, as if she was showing off and mocking her.

However, when she saw Princess Ruanjia place the jade thumb ring opposite her golden Qilin, her expression instantly changed.

"Duanjia!

You! "

Princess Ruanjia did not seem to care about the anger on Princess Leyao's face. She tilted her head and giggled. "I bet on Third Young Madam of Count Jing 'an's residence to win."

Half of the people present were stunned by Princess Ruanjia's action. What?

Wasn't Princess Ruanjia on Princess Leyao's side?

Why was she helping Third Young Madam of Count Jing 'an's residence?

Chu Lian was also puzzled. Whether it was her previous self or her current self, she had never interacted with Princess Ruanjia. Why was she on her side?

Out of curiosity, Chu Lian could not help but look at Princess Ruanjia a few more times. Princess Ruanjia turned her head and met Chu Lian's gaze. She raised her eyebrows slightly and even smiled at Chu Lian.

Chu Lian looked away, feeling even more confused.

Because of the addition of two top-notch female members of the imperial family, this bet was pushed to the peak of its popularity.

The wives and daughters of these high-ranking officials did not usually have much to do. Now that they had come to Marquis Dingyuan's residence to attend the birthday banquet, they were able to witness such an exciting confrontation. All of them were extremely satisfied. No matter what the outcome was, in less than two days, this matter would become the hottest topic of conversation in Shengjing's upper-class society.

County Magistrate An Min was a little unconvinced. She was eager to intervene, but she was stopped by Zou Yuanqin.

Zou Yuanqin received her mother's permission and shook her head at Princess An Min.

Princess An Min could only give up. She was the daughter of a princess, but her status was still lower than that of Princess Leyao and Princess Duanjia. Now that two female members of the imperial family had joined in, it was indeed not appropriate for her to join in.

Sister Rong clenched a jade pendant tightly in her hand, but she was hesitant. Later, when she saw that Princess Leyao and Princess Duanjia had joined in, she retreated even more.

In this kind of situation, if she joined in, she would be directly pitted against Princess Leyao.