It was of the finest Imperial Green, a treasure he had obtained with great effort, later carved by hand by the Old Patriarch of the Gu Family from the Imperial Capital as a token of engagement, which Great Grandma wore for decades.
Only after her death did Old Grand Master Qin take it back.
Unexpectedly, he gave it to Gu Qiaoqiao.
At that moment, Qin Xuan and Shen Manru's hearts, which had been held in suspense, were finally able to relax, the light in Shen Manru's eyes astonishingly bright.
No matter what, Old Grand Master Qin's gesture harshly slapped the face of his second younger sister-in-law; she felt extremely relieved.
Qin Xuan felt the same way, surprised yet pleased that Gu Qiaoqiao had won Old Grand Master Qin's approval.
His previously stooped back straightened up at once.
Gu Qiaoqiao was shocked and quickly refused, "Great Grandfather, this jade pendant is too precious, and its significance to you is extraordinary. Keeping it with you is also a sentiment."
Old Master Qin was even more satisfied.
Though she came from a modest background, she wasn't shallow and knew how to speak without offending the elderly.
He laughed heartily but deliberately spoke loudly, "If I gave it to you, you should take it. What, do you find the jade pendant unsatisfactory?"
"Of course not," Gu Qiaoqiao quickly denied.
She dared not bare the blame for such an accusation.
Haven't you seen those from the second and third uncles' families eyeing her like tigers watching their prey?
Gu Qiaoqiao also happened to know the origin of this jade pendant and naturally understood what it signified when given to her.
Grandma Qin's eyes twinkled with a smile, "Qiaoqiao, this is your great grandfather's intention; accept it."
Out of respect for the Qin family's main branch's face, Gu Qiaoqiao then looked to Qin Xuan for confirmation.
Pleased, Qin Xuan smiled and nodded in agreement.
Only then did Gu Qiaoqiao take the jade pendant, thanking Old Lady Qin again before leaving the living room with the tray.
The others looked at each other in confusion.
It had been a long while since they heard the Old Master laugh so joyfully.
Those from the Qin Family who mocked Gu Qiaoqiao looked rather upset.
But Shen Manru finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Following behind Gu Qiaoqiao, she went into the kitchen.
Soon Qin Yize's second aunt under the cold gaze of the Old Master also sulked into the kitchen to help.
Initially wanting to make a sarcastic comment, Gu Qiaoqiao picked up a tomato and began to carve it.
You had to admit, the new daughter-in-law of the Qin family's main branch indeed had deft hands.
The second aunt's plan to mock fell through.
When the dishes were successively placed on the specially made large dining table, everyone couldn't help but look at Gu Qiaoqiao with complex eyes.
Even Qin Lang and Qin Song, who frequently dined in upscale restaurants, were somewhat amazed.
Old Master Qin sat contentedly in the seat of honor.
Waiting for Qin Yize to bring the final dish to the table.
It was a clear broth chicken dish made with watermelon.
What Qin Yize brought was an entire watermelon; the Qin family's dining room was quite large, and as he moved from the kitchen, Qin Xiaona couldn't help but scoff and, clinging to the Old Master's hand, coquettishly said, "Great Grandfather, who serves family with an entire watermelon? That's just lazy, you should at least cut it and present it on plates. It looks terrible and embarrassing."
Shen Manru glanced at Qin Xiaona, previously unaware of just how annoying the child could be.
But she knew the trick to it, so she held her tongue and just helped Qin Xiaoyu set the tableware.
Seeing that no one paid her any mind, Qin Xiaona discontentedly continued to wheedle the Old Lady, "Great Grandfather, make big sister-in-law work a bit and carve the watermelon into slices, please. This just looks too bad and it's shameful."
While speaking, Qin Yize stood by the dining table with the watermelon, and the seated Qin family members finally saw clearly that the watermelon's rind was carved into a landscape painting, with lush green mountains, soft-flowing water, a solitary boat, and clusters of bamboo on the shore.
In the white sky soared a majestic eagle.
Everyone was astounded.
They had heard about master carvers being able to sculpt all sorts of patterns on watermelons, but hearing about it was one thing, seeing it in person was another.
Qin Xiaona was slapped in the face, figuratively. She stood up, pointed at the watermelon, and said huffily, "A perfectly good watermelon carved into a mess, can it still be eaten? This is really a waste."
Qin Xiaoyu was displeased, "Qin Xiaona, watch your words. Are you short-sighted? Can't you see this is a landscape painting? If you don't appreciate it, keep your comments to yourself, or you'll make a fool of yourself."
She and Xiaona had always been at odds, and she had been putting up with this annoying girl's whining the whole day.
Then she thought, why should she put up with it?
They were both young. If Xiaona could spout nonsense, why couldn't she hit back?
"Qin Xiaoyu, who are you saying is making a fool of themselves?" Qin Xiaona asked loudly, pointing at Qin Xiaoyu.
"Enough," Old Master Qin spoke up, and the room fell silent in an instant. Qin Xiaona and Qin Xiaoyu dared not fight any longer.
Qin Yize, on the other hand, just raised his hand and swiftly lifted the lid off the watermelon.
A faint aroma of watermelon mixed with the fresh scent of chicken wafted through the air.
Old Master Qin nodded in satisfaction and looked up at Qin Yize, "Where is my great-granddaughter-in-law?"
"She'll be right over," Shen Manru said with a smile.
Qin Yize walked towards the kitchen, looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, who was washing her hands, and said deliberately, "We're just waiting for you."
The Qin family's New Year's Day dinner was perfect, not a single flaw to be found.
Gu Qiaoqiao also breathed a sigh of relief.
When Old Lady Qin left, she taught her the method to concoct Drunken Lustrous Fragrance, and Old Lady Qin departed contentedly.
By the time Bai Yun arrived at the Qin family's home, Old Grand Master Qin had long since left.
The upheaval she had imagined did not happen, smiles were on Shen Manru and Qin Xuan's faces.
Qin Xiaoyu was no exception.
And Qin Yize was not at home.
Grandma Qin was grinning from ear to ear.
Bai Yun couldn't understand what exactly had happened.
She had come prepared to revel in schadenfreude, also ready to stomp Gu Qiaoqiao firmly.
But could someone tell her, what had actually occurred?
Could it be that Old Lady Qin actually tolerated Gu Qiaoqiao's absurd accusations?
She pulled Qin Xiaoyu aside and asked, "Xiao Yu, did your sister-in-law cry a lot today?"
"Cry? What for?" Qin Xiaoyu looked at Bai Yun in surprise, "No, not at all."
"Could it be that Gu Qiaoqiao didn't kneel on the ground and sob while reporting to Old Lady Qin?"
"Me kneel on the ground?" Gu Qiaoqiao crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame of the entry hall, looking at Bai Yun with a smile tinged with mockery, "Me report to Old Lady Qin?"
Just as Bai Yun was about to speak, the door was opened from the outside.
Qin Yize's tall figure stood in the doorway, frowning as he looked towards the three women in the entrance hall.
Bai Yun stopped talking.
Qin Xiaoyu was puzzled.
Gu Qiaoqiao's smile was tinged with irony.
Qin Yize paused for a moment and started walking towards the living room. As he passed by Gu Qiaoqiao, his cool voice rang out, "Come to the bedroom with me."
Gu Qiaoqiao was startled.
Bai Yun's face turned white, she clenched her fists tightly, staring daggers at Gu Qiaoqiao; Brother Ze was talking to Gu Qiaoqiao with such intimacy.