Just as Yanran had made thorough preparations before entering the palace, so had Lang Shuang.
So while Yanran was fiddling with the amber bracelet she had brought back from the border town, Lang Shuang was showing off her newly acquired jade pendant to her circle of friends.
Yanran's bracelet is exquisitely crafted, with Zidu carved into the shape of a small animal. Moreover, among the amber beads, there is a lifelike flower inlaid with rouge-red enamel, its color vibrant.
This was clearly an expensive piece of jewelry, but Yanran casually picked it up with her index finger and twirled it around, not paying any attention to it at all.
The neglect shown towards the palace banquet was quite evident.
Lang Shuang was showing off a pink tourmaline gourd-shaped jade pendant.
Little girls have an innate love for pink, and given the exquisite craftsmanship and the extremely rare color, it truly aroused envy.
In comparison, Yanran's bracelet seemed rather lackluster.
Lang Shuang glanced triumphantly at Yanran, like a victorious fighting rooster, as if the jade pendant had salvaged the face she had just lost.
Lang Shuang thought to herself with secret smugness, "Now I'm not going to say anything. Let's see what fault you can find."
Furthermore, she had originally intended to make a fuss about this jade pendant, but she didn't expect Yanran to be so "cooperative," even bringing out her own rotten beads to complement it—it was truly excellent!
Lang Shuang suppressed her joy and pretended not to look at Yanran.
After a while, she got up, took a cup of tea, and walked to Yanran.
Yanran grabbed a handful of melon seeds and leaned against Jiang'er. Seeing this, she looked up, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Looks like you've prepared quite a few clothes for today."
She had noticed her aunt's disapproving glances several times, but Yanran felt that once the die was cast, there was no turning back.
Since you've chosen to be a tough nut to crack, you have to be a tough nut to crack.
If you "reform" halfway through your journey, others will only see it as weakness and compromise.
So she's definitely going to be this female thug today.
Lang Shuang used all her strength to control herself and prevent herself from immediately erupting.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Today is Consort De's Consort De, let's not upset her, let's make peace."
Look how poised she is.
Yanran: "So you know you've upset Her Majesty?"
Lang Shuang said, "And you too..."
"Go on," Yanran said, taking a bite of her peach. "Keep going. How can I continue if you don't hand me the braid?"
Lang Shuang, barely suppressing her anger, said, "Alright, drink this cup of tea, and we'll make peace."
Yanran: "I won't drink."
"You..."
"If you bow and beg me, I might consider it," Yanran said, kneading the bracelet in her hands.
Lang Shuang glanced at her maid, who immediately understood and stepped forward to tug at Yanran's sleeve, saying, "Miss Yanran, please consider the bigger picture."
Yanran flung her sleeve away, saying, "Who do you think you are, daring to pull me like that?"
She moved with great force, and the maid staggered and fell backward.
Jiang'er reacted quickly, rushing to help the maid, but accidentally bumped into Lang Shuang's shoulder, causing Lang Shuang to wince in pain.
"Sister, are you alright?" Jiang'er asked Lang Shuang's maid.
Lang Shuang's maid wanted to retaliate, but dared not, and could only glare at her fiercely.
Jiang'er looked rather pitiful, standing there at a loss, before Yanran pulled her back.
Lang Shuang said angrily, "You not only refuse my kindness, but you also shoved my maid. Where is your class? If you're not grateful, then let's go!"
After saying that, she left with her maid.
As soon as she sat down, she pretended to be concerned about the maid and secretly asked, "Where's the jade pendant?"
The maidservant said confidently, "Don't worry, Miss, I just took advantage of the chaos and put it on her maidservant."
Lang Shuang's face showed a smug look.
Okay, very good.
Soon she'll let everyone know that Yanran is a shallow-minded, thieving barbarian!
Meng Yulan sensed something and quietly sent Lüzhu over to remind Yanran.
"Madam said that Lang Shuang's jade pendant is missing. Could you check if it's been thrown around here, in case she tries to frame you for stealing?"
Having grown up in the Duke Meng's Residence, Meng Yulan was "battle-hardened," and she saw through such a petty trick at a glance.
First, they showed off aggressively, then they approached to make contact; their intentions were obvious.
The Lang Family's petty tricks are simply too low-class.
Yanran smiled slightly, "It's alright, just tell my aunt that she'll be watching the show."
She's unlucky to have stolen from the ancestor of thieves!
I never expected that we would all think of the same thing. What a coincidence!
Fun.
A moment later, Lang Shuang's side indeed became agitated.
Lang Shuang was complaining that her jade pendant was lost and was searching for it everywhere.
"That's a jade pendant my brother-in-law gave me; it's priceless, and there's only one of its kind."
As she spoke, she glanced at Yanran, her gaze carrying a pointed meaning.
Yanran lazily picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then put it down. She reached her right hand into her left sleeve, seemingly touching something.
For some reason, Lang Shuang suddenly felt a little flustered.
Although the jade pendant was on Jiang'er, she always felt that Yanran would find it.
However, Yanran didn't seem to notice and continued eating her snacks.
The pastries from the palace are really delicious.
It's a pity that Little Tangyuan didn't come today, otherwise she would have had a very happy meal.
Lang Shuang glanced at the maidservant and finally decided to make trouble.
The maidservant said, "Sixth Miss, I've thought about it carefully. The Consort De?"
There were many people celebrating Consort De's birthday, so they were currently in the main hall.
People kept coming to pay their respects, and this group of young women occupied the northwest corner, so it didn't matter if they kept their voices down.
Lang Shuang said, "Then let's find it quickly."
After searching high and low, they finally found Yanran.
Lang Shuang, seeing that Yanran remained unmoved, repeated the origin of the jade pendant, trying to prove its preciousness.
Yanran rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head to look at her. "I don't quite understand. You accepted such an expensive jade pendant from your brother-in-law, and even emphasized that it was unique. Did you consider your sister's feelings?"
Although the words were spoken cryptically, everyone who came was shrewd; who didn't understand?
Lang Shuang, enraged and embarrassed, retorted, "I clearly think you stole my jade pendant, and yet you're here hurling insults at me."
Yanran smiled slightly and said loudly, "Consort De Highness, Lang Shuang said that the unique jade pendant her brother-in-law gave her was lost, and I stole it. Eighth Imperial Uncle is the same; he has such a good thing, and instead of keeping it for his own people, he rushes to give it to his sister-in-law."
Consort De was angry at her for her unrestrained speech, yet what she said seemed to be flawless.
Consort De was also angry that Lang Shuang was so arrogant and ignorant, daring to continue even after just suffering a loss.
This Yanran, she looks like she's no good.
But now that things have come to this, she's in a bind and has no choice but to speak up.
"Since Lang Shuang's jade pendant is lost, have you all helped look for it?"
Lang Shuang said, "I think either Yanran stole it, or her maid stole it! She's clearly holding a grudge about our argument earlier. Your Majesty, I suffered a loss but endured it all so you could have a peaceful birthday, and yet she..."
Anyone can say righteous and awe-inspiring words.
She will too.
This time, she's going to Yanran a real hard time.