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"Really not?" Tian Xuan looked at her with lingering uncertainty but seeing Lin Wei still shaking her head, she somewhat relaxed.

Yet, she still deliberately put on a stern face to "warn" her, "Weiwei, we are good sisters, and I know that Young Master Cheng is one of the most eligible bachelors in the Capital city, but you can’t like him either. If you do, I’ll, I’ll sever ties with you! "

"I don’t like him, definitely don’t like him!" Lin Wei kept agreeing verbally but inside, she was complaining endlessly. Now it wasn’t a matter of whether she liked him or not, but whether Madam Cheng would let her go.

Thinking of the way Madam Cheng looked at her as if seeing a daughter-in-law, Lin Wei was full of unspeakable bitterness. However, she couldn’t discuss her situation with Xiao Linzi with anyone else. This past month had truly tormented her.

There were many who helped Tian Hui with her makeup, but, of course, not all of them were eligible to exchange a few words with Tian Hui. Therefore, when Su Qiuyu and Yao Hanai arrived, those young ladies of lesser noble status tactfully retreated to the side.

This move made room for Lin Yuan and the others. Tian Xuan personally led them into the room, and as they entered, they heard Su Qiuyu’s gentle, water-like voice flowing slowly.

"Sister Hui, congratulations on your wedding. This is my gift for your bridal adornment, wishing you and Brother Xia a harmonious marriage and the quick birth of a precious child."

Others referred to Xia Zhen as Young Master Xia or General Xia, but only she called him Brother Xia, which revealed the close relationship between her and the General Mansion.

"Thank you, Qiu Yu." Tian Hui, her face peachy, slightly shyly received the small box from Su Qiuyu’s hands. Initially, she also thought she would become sisters-in-law with Su Qiuyu, but she had not expected Lin Yuan to appear later.

The bridal gifts from friends were to be opened on the spot, not only to display the status of the one who presents the gift but also as a sign of respect from the bride to them.

Su Qiuyu’s father was the current Prime Minister, and her aunt was the reigning Empress, so everyone was very curious about what the gift she brought would be. All eyes were fixed on Tian Hui’s fair hands.

Upon opening the box, Tian Hui’s eyes shone brightly, and she couldn’t help exclaiming "wow" in astonishment.

What was inside the little box were all lustrous, plump pearls, each glistening with a soft shimmer. Each pearl was as big as a little finger, neatly arranged, and probably numbered over a hundred.

Pearls were not uncommon, but to have a box full of such uniformly large and lustrous pearls was truly exceptional.

What was more surprising to everyone was that in the middle of these pearls, there were even ten pale pink pearls, emitting a delicate glow. It was common to see white pearls, but pink pearls were scarce.

"Wow, they’re pink!" Tian Hui couldn’t help picking up one, feeling how the candlelight made the Pink Pearls seem even more tenderly adorable.

The room was filled with hushed whispers. Cheng Yuexiu’s eyes flickered, and her talent for flattering others was timely put to use: "Miss Su really pulls out all the stops with such beautiful pearls; it’s both enviable and stunning!"

The incident of Cheng Yuexiu catching a rash from Su Qiuyu and then being sought out by Su Zhe was known by everyone present. Originally, it was thought that Cheng Yuexiu would have been blacklisted by Su Qiuyu, but it seemed their expressions did not corroborate that at this moment.

How much time had passed? It seemed Cheng Yuexiu had already regained Su Qiuyu’s trust—indeed no ordinary feat.

Lin Yuan sighed softly in her heart, then heard Su Qiuyu’s shy yet proudly spoken words, "Actually, they’re not that precious.

These pearls were a gift from my aunt, and I’ve treasured them all this time.

Thinking of Sister Hui’s complexion and temperament being particularly suited for pearls, I brought them today. "

Such a well-rounded remark, clearly implying the pearls were bestowed by the Empress, subtly flattering Tian Hui without being too obvious. Who said Su Qiuyu could only play the frail? Clearly, she also had her wits!

Standing across from her, Yao Hanai slightly curled her lips, seizing the moment of everyone’s amazement to present her own gift.

"Seeing such rare pearls from Miss Su, I’m almost embarrassed to offer my own gift."

Even as she said this, it was clear from her face that she was determined to impress. The gift she presented was a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, which didn’t appear to be anything special from the outside.