Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 182: I’ve Already Been Very Restrained

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: I’ve Already Been Very Restrained

As these words fell, silence enveloped the surroundings.

The fine hairpin in the Duchess Chengbo’s hand suddenly became a hot potato.

She could scarcely believe what Shen Hua had just said.

The Duchess Chengbo’s actions were merely meant to embarrass Cui Xuan; she had also assumed Cui Xuan would not accept the jewelry. Unexpectedly, Shen Hua had intervened.

Such words, coming from a little girl, yet spoken in the most ordinary tone, pushing her into the most awkward of predicaments.

The smile on the Duchess Chengbo’s face slowly froze.

Someone couldn’t help but let out a laugh, and soon, many of the ladies who enjoyed the drama also started to cover their mouths and giggle.

The Duchess Chengbo was best known for showing off, and they had long held grievances.

Cui Xuan turned to Shen Hua, pausing for a moment, then looked back at the Duchess Chengbo, unintentionally feeling quite elated.

Comforting.

Her planned response changed, following what Shen Hua had said.

"Then, I must thank the Duchess Chengbo for her generous offer."

Duchess Chengbo: ...

This was her favorite hairpin! Not to mention its exquisite craftsmanship, even the price surpassed the total of all her other accessories. Normally, she couldn’t bear to wear it outside.

The embarrassing incident at Chengbo Marquis Mansion had made her the laughing stock behind her back. Today, she took advantage of the wedding feast to appear before many ladies, naturally she had to dress up elegantly and amaze everyone; she wanted all of Quansheng to see for themselves, she was doing well!

But at the sight of Cui Xuan, a competitive spirit soared within her.

She just couldn’t hold back.

She even had it all thought out.

Cui Xuan definitely wouldn’t accept the gift, plus she would have to consider her nephew’s wedding and politely invite her to the seat. There wouldn’t be a verbal spat.

But what happened!

From where did this tactless girl emerge!

Seeing Duchess Chengbo not reacting, Shen Hua didn’t forget to gently add: "Madam, please hurry, although you’ve worn this hairpin, it’s not exactly brand new, but since you have such a deep sisterly affection with my aunt by marriage, she naturally will not mind."

Sisterly affection...

She had said those words, and now Duchess Chengbo had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet.

But she cared about her face the most, especially in public. If she turned her back and refused, who knows what rumors would spread.

She nearly ground her silver teeth to pieces. Holding back the urge to spit blood, she slowly took off that heavy hairpin.

Shen Hua hurriedly approached with a smile to receive it, and after taking it from her, she struggled to lift it against the sky, where the sunlight shone down, making the golden hairpin glint brilliantly. The girl scrutinized it closely.

"It’s even thicker than my wrist," she commented.

Duchess Chengbo: ...

"Holding it is quite strenuous."

Duchess Chengbo: ...Please stop talking.

Shen Hua began to feign distress again: "My aunt doesn’t have a head as hard as yours, Duchess; wearing this might be too tiring for her, and she has to be up and about today, really can’t wear this."

Duchess Chengbo: ...

This girl must have come to infuriate her to death.

She can’t wear it but still gives it to her!

And she herself was still reluctant to part with it!

Shen Hua turned her gaze to Qiao Si.

"Duchess Chengbo is one of our own, naturally, she would not want to overburden my aunt," said Shen Hua.

Before she needed to say more, Qiao Si already understood.

She bowed to the Duchess Chengbo: "In that case, I can only help to keep it for my mother-in-law for now."

Shen Hua waved her hands dismissively.

"This is just a necessary arrangement."

"The Duchess Chengbo is always magnanimous and generous, since she insisted on giving it, I presume she won’t mind."

Cui Xuan’s fondness for Shen Hua reached its peak at that moment.

She disliked socializing, and so did Qiao Si.

From now on, they would have to rely on Shen Hua.

With a gentle smile, Shen Hua spoke again.

"Although my aunt doesn’t like to flaunt her wealth, there’s an intrinsic elegance from her profound knowledge. This fabric is Shu Brocade rewarded by the palace earlier this year."

Shen Hua sincerely said to the Duchess Chengbo: "Indeed, the palace awarded five bolts in total, and the Marquis Yangling Mansion received two."

Duchess Chengbo: I didn’t ask you!!!

Shen Hua whispered, "Before coming here, I also mentioned that my aunt should dress more grandly."

Duchess Chengbo sarcastically remarked, "Is that so."

"The jewelry she wears is pitifully scarce."

Shen Hua smiled, "That’s also my lack of experience."

"My aunt’s jewelry is a complete set, all crafted from the rare fist-sized South Sea pearls and imperial jade, meticulously polished and commissioned from a master to create earrings, hairpins, combs, and even the jade pendant."

Using uniform materials, they are equally luxurious yet subdued.

The ignorant Duchess Chengbo: ...

You could just say outright that her jewelry is more expensive than my golden hairpin!

Everyone was taken aback.

Accustomed to the deceit and trickery within the inner court, yet always behind the scenes, no one had ever seen such candid behaviour.

Such candidness carried a sense of proud delicacy.

Furthermore, her words were spot-on, each one analyzable with clear and justifiable points.

Besides, it was the Duchess Chengbo who asked for trouble. If she were to show displeasure now, it would make the crowd think she was ungrateful.

After witnessing everything, Xuan E quickly stepped forward to invite the Duchess Chengbo to take a seat and couldn’t help but take a few more glances at Shen Hua.

If her Xuan Ai had half the spirit of Shen Hua, how could her marital family ride roughshod over her?

After settling everyone, Xuan E spoke to Xuan Ai with exasperation: "Learn from her."

On this side, Qiao Si was pulling Shen Hua aside.

"You’ve really got some nerve."

Shen Hua said slowly, "I’ve already restrained myself."

She leaned closer to Qiao Si, "I didn’t even mention that the handkerchief she’s holding is of poor quality."

These words slightly surprised Qiao Si.

"That handkerchief was a gift from Princess You Ning to her mother-in-law."

The Duchess Chengbo had been boasting about it for a long time.

Until later, when the ugly truth came out, and the Chengbo Marquis Mansion couldn’t break ties with Princess You Ning, she too had to lower herself in front of Princess You Ning. Probably wishing thunder would strike Princess You Ning down.

But if she showed dislike towards Princess You Ning publicly, the Empress Dowager might take offense.

It was for this reason that, as much as she disliked it, she still used the handkerchief given by Princess You Ning.

Shen Hua ’Oh’-ed in understanding.

The embroidery on it was indeed beautiful, but it lacked the soul of Su Embroidery, missing its spirituality. Any connoisseur would take one look and find it completely flawed.

A delicate white handkerchief should demand even more attention to detail. Every flower and grass, every figure and object on it, should exhibit ’tiny figures and minuscule script’ to the observer.

All the stitches that should have been applied were all over the place.

The section of the fish’s tail on the white handkerchief used threads that were too thick, and the stitching was poor, lacking any sense of delicacy and transparency.

"No wonder."

"This princess is really good at dealing with people."

Qiao Si asked, "What do you mean?"

Shen Hua responded, "A poor item she wouldn’t use herself, she conveniently passed on to her mother-in-law."

Look, how joyfully the Duchess Chengbo uses it.

Qiao Si gave her a reproachful look. She then frowned and said, "I heard you dumped your medicine this morning."

Shen Hua, clutching Qiao Si’s arm: "I’ve been feeling quite bland these days, nothing I eat has any taste."

She said nonchalantly, "Either way, it was just a day’s medicine; if it’s missed, it’s missed. Today’s feast is rich, of course, I must enjoy it."

"It’s always bad to miss medicine."

Shen Hua looked pitifully at her, "I think so too."

But she remained unrepentant: "But I would dump it again next time."

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