Lady Wang was also utterly astonished.
Even Wang Yanran and Yun Muyou, who had been waiting to enjoy the drama, were utterly astonished; Yun Musi and Yun Mulan, though young and not understanding much, still knew a little.
How dare Yun Jinnian accept the jade bracelet that Lady Wang had worn for so many years?
"One must not decline a gift from an elder, thank you, Lady Wang!" Yun Jinnian said indifferently, taking the jade bracelet in her hand and bowing to Lady Wang.
Wang Yanran suddenly stood up, "Mother, that jade bracelet..."
That jade bracelet was given by her great-grandmother to her grandmother, and from her grandmother to her mother, intended as her dowry.
Yet her mother had given it to Yun Jinnian as a meeting gift.
Lady Wang spoke sternly.
Once a gift was given, how could the Wang family save face if they took it back now?
Her husband would not forgive her, nor would the Noble Consort in the Imperial Palace.
She thought Yun Jinnian would realize the bracelet’s significant value and decline it at first, allowing her to graciously take it back and give something else in its place. Yet she hadn’t expected Yun Jinnian to accept the bracelet so smoothly.
Mrs. He was also anxious, "Jinnian, that jade bracelet..."
"Aunt, could it be that you want me to thank Lady Wang for giving me such a valuable meeting gift?" Yun Jinnian raised an eyebrow and asked.
Mrs. He was inwardly irate.
She couldn’t straightforwardly say that the jade bracelet was too valuable and that Yun Jinnian should return it to Lady Wang.
If her guess was correct, the bracelet would later be part of Princess Yanran’s dowry.
What’s called being between a rock and a hard place, with a bitterness she couldn’t voice.
Mrs. He truly couldn’t say much at this moment; regardless of the bracelet’s immeasurable value, it could only be accepted by Yun Jinnian.
"Aunt is right; I should thank Lady Wang indeed!" Yun Jinnian said, and bowed to Lady Wang once more.
Watching Lady Wang’s face contort with anger.
Yun Jinnian suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.
That day in the Imperial Palace, the Noble Consort’s people had spread rumors with a single word, tarnishing her reputation, although the Noble Consort subsequently suppressed the rumors, Yun Jinnian was indeed aware of them.
Today, Lady Wang invited her over for a meeting, presumably also with the intention of avenging the Noble Consort and humiliating her.
It was just that she had made the first move.
"Aunt, Lady Wang, I shall take my leave now, please continue your conversation!" said Yun Jinnian, before turning and leaving briskly with Hemei and Henuan.
Yun Muyou’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Wang Yanran bit her lip and asked Yun Muyou, "Didn’t you say she was soft and gentle?"
Is this what soft and gentle looks like?
This articulate and sharp-tongued manner, how is it any different than when she confronted Head Pan in the Imperial Palace?
Now, it couldn’t be said to be Head Pan anymore; the emperor hadn’t demanded Head Pan hand over the family’s Medical Books, but instead discovered evidence of his corruption and bullying, eventually dismissing him from his post, seizing his assets, and decreeing that his descendants could not enter government service.
Pan Kai’s family was now preparing to return to their hometown, and the whole world knew of the Pan family’s hereditary Medical Books. Whether they could keep them was uncertain, and a difficult future loomed.
Mrs. He called out softly, her voice trembling.
Lady Wang let out a cold laugh, "No matter, Yanran and I will head back first!"
After so many years navigating the complicated waters of the household, she hadn’t expected to be capsized in the gutter by this young girl, Yun Jinnian.
She couldn’t possibly ask for the bracelet back now, and thinking about it truly pained her.
Mrs. He also knew that today’s event had made a scene, "Lady Wang, I truly apologize for today. Jinnian is really too thoughtless, how could she..."
Lady Wang glanced at Mrs. He and suddenly laughed, "The jade bracelet was my gift to her, perhaps it was meant to be!"