"May I have a look at the jade bracelet on your wrist, miss?"
Hearing him mention the bracelet, Qin Manman unconsciously pulled back the hand wearing the bracelet, looking a bit evasive.
She had found it by chance when rummaging for silver in her mother's room. She had intended to pawn it, but since she thought it looked nice, she secretly put it on herself.
Seeing the hesitation on the young lady's face at the mention of the bracelet, the lord explained, "Don't worry. I just want to take a look. After that, you'll get this hundred taels of silver!"
For the sake of money, Qin Manman decided to take the plunge. She took off the bracelet and handed it to him, saying, "You promised. No going back on your word!"
"Of course. I'll never go back on my word!"
He took the bracelet and examined it carefully, gently stroking the yellowish flat dent on the white jade. He stroked it back and forth to confirm.
Yes, this was the very bracelet he had given her personally. It was unique and definitely genuine!
Holding the bracelet in his hand, he was quite excited. Just thinking of that woman made his eyes well up with tears. The tears welled in his eyes.
He wondered how she was doing now. Was she okay?
He tried his best to calm himself down. Then he excitedly grabbed Qin Manman's wrist and anxiously asked, "Where did you get this bracelet?"
Qin Manman was startled by his sudden action. Was it really necessary to get so excited over a mere jade bracelet?
She stammered and lied casually, "It... It was my mother's!"
Hearing this, he looked closely at the young lady in front of him. Calculating the time, her age matched. Could she be...?
Seeing him in a daze, Qin Manman snatched the bracelet back and put it on. Then she held out her hand and said, "Well! Where's the money?"
Only then did the lord come to his senses. Embarrassedly, he took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and handed it to her, saying, "I only have fifty taels here. You take this first. Come to the Prime Minister's Mansion tomorrow, and I'll give you the other half!"
"Prime Minister's Mansion? Who are you?" Qin Manman asked in shock.
"This is the current Prime Minister, Prime Minister Wei!" the man beside him said.
Upon hearing this, Qin Manman instantly regretted her actions. Hadn't she been courting death just now? Offending the prime minister, she would surely deserve to die a hundred times over!
She felt rather embarrassed and slowly took out the fifty taels of silver. Sheepishly, she said, "I didn't know you were the prime minister. I'm sorry. How about I return the money to you?"
Seeing Qin Manman cowering, Prime Minister Wei burst into laughter. He waved his hand and said, "Keep the money. I never go back on my word. Come to the Prime Minister's Mansion tomorrow, and I'll surely give you the remaining fifty taels!"
At this time, someone beside him reminded, "My lord! The banquet is about to start. Let's hurry!"
Watching the two men's departing backs, Qin Manman heaved a sigh of relief and patted her chest. She had almost been scared to death just now!
But then she thought that getting fifty taels of silver for free wasn't too bad. She quickly put away the silver and rushed to the venue!
At the venue, everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere was bustling.
Wan Ruo sat beside Si Hongxi. She saw Bai Chen take his seat across from her, and beside him was the woman Wei Qingshan who had been walking with him just now.
The two of them glanced at each other. Seeing Bai Chen staring at the girl across the table, Wei Qingshan also took a look at Wan Ruo. Then she curiously asked Bai Chen, "Do you... know each other?"
Looking at Wan Ruo, Bai Chen replied with a smile, "Ah! Yes! I should say she's my fiancée!"
Fiancée? Wei Qingshan was stunned and felt a bit disappointed. He was already engaged!
She looked at Wan Ruo across the table with envy in her eyes. She wondered what kind of girl she was to make him look at her with so much affection.
She must be a wonderful girl!
At this time, Qin Manman also rushed over. Seeing that everyone had taken their seats, she originally wanted to sit beside Si Hongxi. But since Wan Ruo was already sitting there, there was no room left. So she angrily sat beside Wan Ruo!
At this moment, the Princess Dowager entered the venue, and the banquet officially began.
"Thank you all distinguished guests for coming to my humble abode. Please make yourselves at home and enjoy yourselves! If there's any lack of hospitality, please forgive me!" the Princess Dowager said in her speech.
All the guests raised their cups and congratulated, "May the Princess Dowager be wealthy, healthy, and live a long life!"
"Good! Thank you all! Without further ado, let's begin!" the Princess Dowager said.
At this time, the maids began to serve the dishes in an orderly manner, and the dancers entered the venue to start their performance. Everyone began to drink and chat merrily.
Looking at Wan Ruo beside him, Si Hongxi said with concern, "Miss Ruo Ruo, I know you're an excellent cook. You've never tasted the cuisine in my mansion, have you? It will surely surprise you!"
Wan Ruo looked at Si Hongxi with a smile and nodded. Then she glanced at Bai Chen across the table.
At this moment, he was propping his head up with his hand and looking at her sideways. Their eyes met, and Wan Ruo immediately averted her gaze!
Seeing Wan Ruo looking at him from time to time, Bai Chen showed a sly smile at the corner of his mouth!
At this time, Wei Qingshan was looking at Bai Chen. Every move of his made her feel dejected. Prime Minister Wei, who was sitting beside Wei Qingshan, couldn't help but make some guesses when he saw his daughter's mood.
"Qingshan, I won't say anything here in the mansion for now! I'll deal with you when we get home. Have you paid your respects to the Princess Dowager?" Prime Minister Wei said sternly.
Hearing her father's stern voice, Wei Qingshan replied, "Yes, Father. I've already paid my respects to her!"
"Good. Enjoy your meal. Remember, you're not just representing yourself but the honor of the Prime Minister's family!" Prime Minister Wei warned.
"Yes, Father!" Wei Qingshan nodded and replied.
The man she was in love with was right in front of her, but she had to act reserved.
Looking at Bai Chen, Wei Qingshan said, "Mr. Bai, this dish tastes really good. You can try it!"
Bai Chen glanced at the dish she was pointing at and said with a smile, "Oh? Since you like it, I'll give my portion to you!"
After saying that, he handed the plate of food in front of him to Wei Qingshan.
"Oh, I didn't mean that!" Wei Qingshan thought Bai Chen had misunderstood her and quickly explained.
But she noticed that he secretly glanced at Wan Ruo. Ignoring whatever she said, as if he wasn't listening at all, he resolutely placed the dish on her table.
Wan Ruo saw this. Their actions were so intimate that he was even adding food to her plate! She felt a bit jealous but didn't want to show it obviously. So she deliberately stopped looking in Bai Chen's direction.
Instead, she ate the food in her bowl on her own!
Si Hongxi beside her also saw this. He also handed his favorite dish to Wan Ruo and said gently, "This is my favorite dish. It tastes really good! Try it and you'll see!"
Wan Ruo instinctively refused, saying, "Oh, no need, Your Highness. I have enough here."
"I know you have some, but it's surely not enough. Here, take it all and eat quickly!" Si Hongxi said with a smile.
On the stage, Princess Anyao and Qin Manman were looking at Si Hongxi's special treatment of Wan Ruo. They were really annoyed!
They stabbed the rice in their bowls hard with their chopsticks and stared angrily at the two of them. There seemed to be fire in their eyes!
The Princess Dowager, who was watching from the side, was quite happy to see this. She comforted Princess Anyao and said, "Anyao, eat your meal properly! Here, this is your favorite!"
Although Princess Anyao understood what the Princess Dowager meant, she had no choice but to take the dish and thanked, "Thank you, Princess Dowager. You're the best to me!"
And Qin Manman beside her picked up the dish in front of her and said to Si Hongxi, "Brother Prince, is this your favorite dish? If so, how about I give my portion to you?"
Si Hongxi looked at her with disgust and said, "No need. I can eat this every day. You eat it yourself!" Then he smiled and looked at Wan Ruo.
Although Wan Ruo felt really embarrassed and didn't dare to meet Bai Chen's gaze, she still couldn't help but steal a glance. Sure enough, the look in that devil's eyes was murderous!