Ji Wei was overwhelmed with surprise, "Oh no, Old Madam, I really can’t accept this..."
"I like you, child. Just take it. I’m old now, and wearing it doesn’t mean much to me anymore," Old Madam Gu said.
Ji Wei glanced at Gu Moqian for confirmation. Seeing his slight nod, she couldn’t refuse any longer. With a bright voice, she thanked, "Thank you, Old Madam!"
Standing nearby, Nan Huiru clenched her teeth so hard in anger that they nearly cracked.
She had been married into the Gu Family for decades, spending all those years as the dutiful granddaughter-in-law, and yet Old Madam Gu had never given her any jewelry. And now, this Ji Wei could actually inherit the Old Madam’s personal jade bracelet? How dare she!
Unable to vent her burning rage, Nan Huiru stomped her foot and turned to leave.
Zhu Jianian quickly followed her.
Among the crowd, Jin Qichuan’s gaze lingered on the woman whose hand was being firmly held by their great-grandmother. A peculiar glint flickered in his eyes.
After the lively birthday banquet, Old Madam Gu, feeling fatigued, was helped upstairs by the maids to rest.
With Gu Moqian busy entertaining the guests, Ji Wei felt a little bored staying in the main hall, so she ventured out for a stroll.
She hadn’t walked far when she ran into Zhu Jianian coming straight toward her.
Since that night, Zhu Jianian’s hatred for Ji Wei had only continued to grow. Finally seizing such a rare opportunity to confront her alone, how could she possibly let it slip away?
Having just had some wine, Zhu Jianian’s cheeks were faintly flushed. Holding a red wine glass in her hand, she slowly approached Ji Wei. "Miss Ji, you really stole the show in front of the Gu Family today. You must be feeling quite pleased with yourself, right?"
"Are you envious, or just jealous?" Ji Wei retorted coldly, refusing to back down.
Zhu Jianian chuckled as if she had heard a ridiculous joke. After a few laughs, her expression darkened. "Ji Wei, do you think you’ve won? Think again! Even if you and Moqian are legally married, I still have ways to make you two divorce! Moqian and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts. We’re the ones who truly belong together. You? What are you? A shameless interloper who barged in to steal someone else’s love, you wretched woman!"
Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, Zhu Jianian’s eyes burned with a manic intensity, her usual composure and restraint utterly gone.
"Who are you calling wretched?" Ji Wei’s glare turned icy.
Before Zhu Jianian could finish, Ji Wei suddenly snatched the wine glass from her hand, and the dark red liquid splashed directly onto her face.
The wine soaked her entire face. The deep red of the wine looked almost like she’d been doused with paint. Zhu Jianian was left in utter humiliation.
Ji Wei, now holding the empty wine glass, stared coldly at her, her expression resolute.
Zhu Jianian’s entire body trembled with rage. She shut her eyes tightly and, after gritting her teeth for a long time, finally regained some composure. Just as she was about to lash out and berate Ji Wei, a maid carrying a stack of gift boxes suddenly passed by and accidentally bumped into her.
"I’m so sorry, so sorry..."
The maid, with her arms full of boxes, hadn’t noticed Zhu Jianian standing there, and so she had walked right into her.
The stack of gift boxes tumbled to the ground. The maid bent down to pick them up, but just as she reached for one, a high heel stomped down heavily on her hand.
The maid cried out in pain, tilting her head up to see. What greeted her was a face marred by wine stains, twisted in resentment, and glaring down at her. Zhu Jianian’s eyes widened, reflecting a venomous glint.
"Miss... why did you step on me?" the maid asked in pained confusion, tears brimming in her eyes.
"You’re just a mere servant. Do I even need a reason to step on you?" Zhu Jianian scoffed disdainfully. "If you want me to lift my foot, have your young mistress plead on your behalf."
Zhu Jianian threw Ji Wei a hateful glance.