It was the best Imperial Green, which he had gone to great lengths to acquire. Later, he commissioned the Old Patriarch of the Gu Family from the Imperial Capital to carve it by hand as a token of engagement, and Great Grandma wore it for decades.
Until she passed away, and then Old Grand Master Qin kept it.
He never expected it to be given to Gu Qiaoqiao.
At this moment, Qin Xuan and Shen Manru finally relaxed, with Shen Manru's eyes shining bright.
No matter what, this gesture by Old Master Qin thoroughly embarrassed his second brother-in-law's wife, and she felt extremely relieved.
Qin Xuan felt the same. He hadn't expected Gu Qiaoqiao to gain Old Master Qin's approval, but he was pleased to see it happen.
He immediately straightened his back, which had been somewhat bent.
Gu Qiaoqiao was surprised and hastily declined, "Great Grandfather, this jade pendant is too precious, and it holds extraordinary significance for you. It serves as a keepsake for you as well."
Old Master Qin was even more pleased.
Although she was from a small place, she had depth and knew how to speak without offending the elders.
He laughed heartily, but intentionally said aloud, "If it's given to you, just take it. What, do you despise the jade pendant?"
"Of course not." Gu Qiaoqiao quickly denied.
She certainly didn't dare take on such blame.
Hadn't she seen how the people from his second uncle's and third uncle's families were covetously watching?
Gu Qiaoqiao also happened to know the origin of the jade pendant, and naturally understood what it meant for her to receive it.
Grandma Qin smiled sweetly, "Qiaoqiao, this is your great grandfather's intention, accept it."
For the sake of the Qin family's main branch's reputation, Gu Qiaoqiao then looked towards Qin Xuan for confirmation.
Satisfied, he simply smiled and nodded.
Only then did Gu Qiaoqiao take the jade pendant, thanked Old Master Qin again, and carried the tray out of the living room.
The others exchanged glances.
It had been a long time since they had heard the Old Master laugh so heartily.
The Qin family members who mocked Gu Qiaoqiao didn't look very pleased.
Shen Manru finally felt at ease.
She followed Gu Qiaoqiao into the kitchen.
Soon after, Qin Yize's second aunt, under the stern gaze of the Old Master, also sullenly came to help in the kitchen.
Initially wanting to say some harsh words, Gu Qiaoqiao instead picked up a tomato and began to carve.
One had to admit, the new daughter-in-law in the main branch of the Qin family had truly skillful hands.
The second aunt's plan to mock her 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 gazes.
Even Qin Lang and Qin Song, who frequently frequented high-end hotels, were somewhat dumbfounded.
Old Master Qin sat contentedly in the main seat,
waiting for Qin Yize to bring up the last dish.
It was a clear soup with chicken chunks made from watermelon.
Qin Yize came with a watermelon, and the Qin family's dining room was also very spacious; as he came from the kitchen, Qin Xiaona couldn't help but snort disdainfully, pulling the Old Master's hand and cooing, "Great Grandfather, who brings a whole watermelon to entertain family? It's too lazy, at least cut it and present it on a plate."
Shen Manru glanced at Qin Xiaona, wondering why she had never found the child so annoying before.
However, she knew the brilliance behind it, so she stayed silent, only helping Xiao Yu set up the bowls and chopsticks.
Seeing that no one paid her any mind, Qin Xiaona unhappily continued to coax the Old Master, "Great Grandfather, let sister-in-law work a little harder, cut the watermelon into slices. As it is, it looks too unsightly and embarrassing."
As she spoke, Qin Yize, holding the watermelon, stood next to the dining table. The Qin family members, who had by then sat down, finally saw clearly that the watermelon's exterior was carved into a landscape painting: lush green mountains, gently flowing waters, a solitary boat, and bamboo clusters by the lake.
In the white sky above, soared a magnificent eagle.
Everyone was astonished.
They had heard of master carvers who could sculpt various designs on watermelons, but although they had heard about it, they had never seen it in person.
Qin Xiaona was embarrassed. She stood up, pointed at the watermelon, and said angrily, "A perfectly good watermelon is carved up into a mess. Is it even edible anymore? It's really a waste."
Qin Xiaoyu was displeased. "Qin Xiaona, speak politely. Are you shortsighted? Can't you see that this is a landscape painting? If you don't know how to appreciate it, then don't talk nonsense. Be careful not to make a fool of yourself."
She and Xiaona had always been at odds. Today, this annoying girl had been whining and complaining, and she had tolerated it for a long time.
Then she thought, why should she tolerate it at all?
They were just kids. If she could speak without thinking, why couldn't she fight back?
"Qin Xiaoyu, who exactly are you saying is making a fool of themselves?" Qin Xiaona asked loudly, pointing at Qin Xiaoyu.
"That's enough." As soon as Old Master Qin spoke, the room instantly fell silent for a moment, and neither Qin Xiaona nor Qin Xiaoyu dared to argue further.
Qin Yize then raised his hand and suddenly removed the lid from the watermelon.
A faint scent of watermelon mixed with the aroma of chicken washed over everyone.
Old Master Qin nodded in satisfaction, raising his eyes to ask Qin Yize, "Where is my great-granddaughter-in-law?"
"She'll be here shortly," Shen Manru said with a beaming smile.
Qin Yize headed towards the kitchen, saw Gu Qiaoqiao washing her hands, and said leisurely, "We're just waiting for you."
The Qin family's meal on the first day of the new year was perfect without a single fault.
Gu Qiaoqiao also breathed a sigh of relief.
When Old Master Qin left, he had taught him how to make Drunken Lustrous Fragrance, and he left satisfied.
When Bai Yun arrived at the Qin family's residence, Old Master Qin had already left.
The dramatic upheaval she had imagined did not happen, and Shen Manru and Qin Xuan's faces were smiling.
Even Qin Xiaoyu was smiling.
Qin Yize was not at home.
Grandma Qin was even more overjoyed.
Bai Yun couldn't understand what had happened.
She had come prepared to enjoy a debacle and to trample on Gu Qiaoqiao fiercely.
But who could tell her what was going on?
Could it be that Old Master Qin had 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?"
"Why would she cry?" Qin Xiaoyu looked at Bai Yun in surprise. "No."
"Gu Qiaoqiao didn't end up kneeling on the ground, crying, and complaining to Old Master Qin?"
"I'm kneeling on the ground?" Gu Qiaoqiao crossed her arms and leaned against the hall door, looking at Bai Yun amusingly, her voice tinged with light sarcasm, "Complaining to Old Master Qin?"
Just as Bai Yun was about to speak, the door outside was opened.
Qin Yize's tall figure stood at the doorway, frowning as he looked at the three women in the hall.
Bai Yun paused.
Qin Xiaoyu was perplexed.
Gu Qiaoqiao wore a half-smile.
Qin Yize only paused for a moment before continuing into the living room. As he passed by Gu Qiaoqiao, his voice, cold and detached, rang out, "Come to the room with me."
Gu Qiaoqiao was startled.
Bai Yun's face turned pale as she clenched her fists tightly, staring intensely at Gu Qiaoqiao, Brother Ze was speaking to Gu Qiaoqiao with such intimacy.