In the end, both the Exquisite Eight - Treasures Hairpin and the Blood - Jade Bracelet found their way into Ning Yuwang's pocket.
An Xingzhi hated Ning Yuwang to the core. Not only had she lost her beloved bracelet today, but she had also forfeited her title as the Number One Talented Lady in the capital.
At this moment, if she still couldn't figure out that Ning Yuwang had been playing the fool to catch her off - guard, she would truly be a fool.
"The Princess of the Heir Apparent is truly full of hidden talents!"
Ning Yuwang ignored her and slowly walked towards Yan Zhao. "My lord, I haven't let you down."
Yan Zhao recalled the words she had said before their wedding: "The father of the Heir Apparent was once a general who defended the country."
He had thought she was just saying it casually, but today he realized that she meant what she said.
A warm feeling welled up in his heart. He reached out and gently tucked the stray hair in front of Ning Yuwang's forehead behind her ear, whispering intimately, "Wanwan, you're my pride."
He had been quite proactive today.
Ning Yuwang blinked her eyes. She liked it.
An Xingzhi was envious. Seeing the man she loved and the woman she loathed as husband and wife, she grew even angrier. "Did the Princess of the Heir Apparent deliberately hide her abilities just to humiliate me?"
Suddenly, she wiped away her tears. "If the Princess of the Heir Apparent really likes the Exquisite Eight - Treasures Hairpin, she can keep it. But could she please return the Blood - Jade Bracelet that the Noble Consort gave me? I'm willing to exchange it for something more precious!"
After all, she had been the renowned beauty and talented lady in the capital for four years. As soon as she shed tears, everyone's attention was on her, and they began to voice their indignation on her behalf.
"Princess of the Heir Apparent, don't bully this young girl. Return the Blood - Jade Bracelet to Miss An."
"The Princess of the Heir Apparent has seen so many treasures. Why be envious of this Blood - Jade Bracelet?"
"The Noble Consort is Miss An's aunt. It's really embarrassing for the Princess of the Heir Apparent to snatch the gift the aunt gave to her niece."
Chu Nian'an, who had always been helping An Xingzhi, looked at her in slight astonishment and kept silent.
An Xingzhi continued to play the weak one. "I'm willing to exchange the Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion for the Blood - Jade Bracelet. Please agree, Princess of the Heir Apparent."
The Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion was a shop specializing in precious jewelry.
Thanks to its delicate designs and exquisite craftsmanship, it was well - known among the noble ladies in the capital. Every time it released new products, they would be snapped up.
An Xingzhi's Exquisite Eight - Treasures Hairpin was from the Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion.
It was also rumored that the annual revenue of the Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion was equivalent to that of half a city.
No one had expected that the Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion belonged to the An family. Judging from An Xingzhi's tone, it seemed that she could decide its fate.
"Miss An is so sincere. The Princess of the Heir Apparent should not make things difficult for her!"
"Miss An is really reluctant to part with the Blood - Jade Bracelet since she's willing to give up the Exquisite Jewelry Pavilion. Why does the Princess of the Heir Apparent hold on to it so tightly?"
An Xingzhi, of course, wasn't really willing to part with it. She was just gambling that Ning Yuwang would be too embarrassed to accept!
Even if Ning Yuwang really dared to accept, she planned to make the crowd force Ning Yuwang to back down!
Ning Yuwang understood. She sized up An Xingzhi. "Can't you accept defeat?"
An Xingzhi didn't dare to answer this question. She vaguely remembered what Ning Yuwang had said before.
Ning Yuwang looked around. The onlookers were still chattering away.
"Miss An thinks I tricked you into making the bet. If you hadn't had such a petty mind, could I have tricked you?" She casually twirled the Blood - Jade Bracelet in her hand. "If you can't accept defeat, why did you use the Blood - Jade Bracelet as a bet? It seems you just wanted to show off and attract attention."
An Xingzhi knew she was in the wrong and that Ning Yuwang wouldn't back down. With red - rimmed eyes, she bowed to Yan Zhao. "My lord, it was my thoughtlessness in this matter. Please help me plead with the Princess of the Heir Apparent."
She always held on to the hope that Yan Zhao had been forced to marry Ning Yuwang and that their relationship was just a new one from last night.
As the Number One Talented Lady in the capital, she thought that any man would be moved when she pleaded with him in such a humble manner.
But she forgot that Yan Zhao had always been distant and strange to her before.
"On what basis do you think I would make Wanwan back down for you?" Yan Zhao frowned and half - hugged Ning Yuwang's shoulder, patting it soothingly. "It's not your fault that you lack talent, but it's a big mistake to play the weak and make people scold Wanwan after losing the competition. Your demeanor and virtue are so poor. I'm afraid the family education of Lord An is just so - so."
Lord An was An Xingzhi's grandfather, the Imperial Tutor, Lord An. Although he was now in retirement, he was still highly respected by the noble families in the capital.
"Moreover," Yan Zhao motioned to the surroundings, and a cold look swept across the noisy crowd. "A worthless Blood - Jade Bracelet is as common as dirt in the Heir Apparent's Mansion. If it weren't for Wanwan winning it, the Heir Apparent's Mansion really wouldn't look down on it."
An Xingzhi clenched her fists. All her illusions faded away. Yan Zhao wasn't just referring to her but also the An family behind her.
Especially her grandfather's reputation. If this matter got out, she was afraid she would no longer be the only girl the An family supported.
Gritting her teeth, she suddenly knelt down. "Forgive me, my lord. It was my greed. The Blood - Jade Bracelet will belong to the Princess of the Heir Apparent after today."
She could go and apologize to the Noble Consort later, but she couldn't lose the cultivation of the An family.
Neither Yan Zhao nor Ning Yuwang said a word. An Xingzhi's face turned from green to black and then to red. When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
Chu Nian'an had never agreed with An Xingzhi's attempt to get the Blood - Jade Bracelet by playing the weak, but after all, they were close friends. She stepped forward and helped An Xingzhi up. "Cousin Zhao, Cousin - in - law, Xingzhi knows she's wrong. Please don't be angry with her."
Yan Zhao's anger hadn't subsided yet, but Ning Yuwang tugged at his sleeve. She said, "What the Princess said is right. My lord and I aren't stingy people."
The Blood - Jade Bracelet in her palm was now tossed up and down. An Xingzhi's heart also rose and fell with it.
"However, today is my first time entering the palace, and I lost my reputation because of Miss An's words. Fortunately, I'm already married to the Heir Apparent. If it were another girl, just because she won a round and was unjustly scolded and blamed, she might have a hard time getting married in the future."
Her intelligent eyes scanned everyone one by one, until those who had helped An Xingzhi mock her all lowered their heads.
Since the person involved had admitted her mistake, they couldn't continue to mock Ning Yuwang.
Don't forget that behind her was not only the Cold - Blooded Heir Apparent but also Marquis Yongning, who doted on his daughter.
Ning Yuwang's words also reminded the other noble ladies present. They exchanged cautious glances.
The Princess of the Heir Apparent was right. If any of them had won today, and An Xingzhi had incited those men to say good and bad things, they would not only have been in an awkward situation on the spot but also their future reputations would have been affected.
"An Xingzhi has a really vicious heart. Didn't Miss Ziru in the past..."
Someone quickly covered her mouth, signaling her not to continue.
But An Xingzhi, who had been keeping her head down, seemed to have heard this sentence. Her sharp gaze quickly swept over, but she couldn't find the person who had just spoken.
She said in a seemingly sincere tone, "The Princess of the Heir Apparent is right to teach me a lesson."
Ning Yuwang saw her expression clearly. Seeing that she still harbored hatred even in such a situation, she knew that An Xingzhi wasn't really admitting her mistake.
"I won't keep the Blood - Jade Bracelet and the Exquisite Eight - Treasures Hairpin for myself. How about selling them today? The proceeds will all be used as compensation for the people Miss An has hurt with her wrong words in the past."
She raised her eyes, smiling faintly. "What do you think, Miss An?"
"Since the items belong to the Princess of the Heir Apparent, it's up to the Princess of the Heir Apparent to decide."
An Xingzhi gritted her teeth. She didn't want the Exquisite Eight - Treasures Hairpin anymore. Since Ning Yuwang had offered a way out, she must get the Blood - Jade Bracelet back.