Hu Rui'an's eyes welled up with tears, and they nearly fell as soon as she heard Hu Haoran's words. She then spoke in a choked voice, "An'er knows that Second Brother always loves me the most."
"An'er, don't cry," said Hu Haoran. He quickly took out a finely carved gold hairpin, its tip adorned with three shimmering white pearls that hung gracefully from a thin gold chain. The soft glow of the gold and pearls looked stunning, something any girl would instantly adore.
"Second Brother, thank you!" Hu Rui'an beamed as soon as she saw the hairpin. She had been envious when she heard that Song Xiuyan and Xia Qingru had given Hu Lihua a lot of jewelry a few days ago, while those two cruel women had given her nothing. Even though Hu Haoran had only given her a single hairpin, she could tell that it was certainly expensive. Better to receive something than nothing at all, right?
The corners of Hu Haoran's lips lifted gently as he saw the happiness on Hu Rui'an's face. He and Hu Rui'an had grown up together, and he was used to protecting her. So, even though she wasn't his biological sister, he always wanted to see her grow up happily.
Hu Haoran felt a deep sense of pity for Hu Rui'an. The mix-up that had happened when she was a baby wasn't her fault at all—it was the wicked act of her biological parents. So why did Hu Rui'an have to suffer such unfairness?
After admiring her new hairpin for a while, Hu Rui'an handed it to Qinqin and said, "Qinqin, keep this hairpin safe. Don't let anyone take it again."
"Taken? Who would dare steal your things?" Hu Haoran was startled by Hu Rui'an's words.
"Ah, Second Brother, no… it's nothing. I… I didn't say anything," Hu Rui'an looked frightened, as if she had accidentally revealed something she wasn't supposed to.
"An'er, tell me—who dared to steal your things? Don't be afraid, Second Brother will stand up for you," Hu Haoran urged her to speak the truth.
Hu Rui'an lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, then replied, "Second Brother, no one. You must have misheard."
Hu Haoran frowned. Misheard? He was certain he hadn't. He then turned to Qinqin and said, "You, tell me now!"
Qinqin shrank back and answered, "Second Young Master, last night, the Second Miss was feeling much better, so she asked this servant to accompany her for a walk in the garden after dinner. But she forgot her handkerchief in her room and asked me to go back and fetch it. When I arrived, I saw Xixi sneaking out of the Second Miss's room. This servant grew suspicious and checked inside. Sure enough, the plum blossom jade hairpin that you gave to the Second Miss was gone."
"Qinqin!" Hu Rui'an called out, shaking her head as if forbidding her maid from speaking further.
Qinqin dropped to her knees and pleaded, "Miss, please forgive me! I just can't bear to see you endure all these hardships. This servant… I…"
"Xixi? Hua'er's personal maid?" Hu Haoran frowned, looking displeased.
"Yes, Second Young Master," Qinqin replied.
Hu Haoran let out a heavy sigh, then spoke to Hu Rui'an with sympathy, "She already pushed you into the fish pond, and now she's stealing your favorite jewelry—why are you still defending her?"
Hu Rui'an was secretly delighted. That plum blossom jade hairpin was a gift from Hu Haoran, and she knew he was aware of how much she liked it. So she had deliberately let it be taken to frame Hu Lihua.
But outwardly, Hu Rui'an lowered her head and spoke in a soft, pitiful voice, "Second Brother, it's not like that. First Sister was very jealous when she found out I had that hairpin. She asked me to give it to her, but… it was my fault, I was too selfish and didn't want to give it to her. I…"
Hu Haoran immediately cut her off, unwilling to hear her blaming herself any further. "Enough. I'm going to Yufeng Pavilion right now to get justice for you!"
"Second Brother!" Hu Rui'an quickly stopped him before he could leave and hastily asked, "Can I come too?"
Hu Haoran walked up to her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and gently persuaded, "An'er, your body is still weak. Why don't you just stay and rest?"
"Second Brother, I'm so bored of staying inside. I want to take a little walk," Hu Rui'an said playfully. "Besides, this matter concerns me. I have to be there to stand up for myself."
Tsk! How could she miss out on such a fun scene?
"Alright then, but wear something warmer. I'll wait for you outside," Hu Haoran relented helplessly before stepping out of the room.
Hu Rui'an smiled in satisfaction. Qinqin quickly came over and helped her put on a thicker outfit, making sure not to forget her cloak.
As they stepped outside, Hu Rui'an turned to Qinqin and said, "Qinqin, go call a few maidservants. I'm afraid Second Brother might need help searching for the jade hairpin in Yufeng Pavilion."
Qinqin nodded and quickly found five sturdy maidservants. These women were usually assigned to heavy labor, so their strength was reliable.
When they arrived at the gate of Yufeng Pavilion, Hu Haoran immediately instructed a servant to announce their arrival. Before long, Hu Lihua emerged, followed by Xixi.
Today, Hu Lihua wore a crimson red hanfu paired with a white robe embroidered with gold, creating an elegant yet striking contrast. Her beautiful face looked even more enchanting, with skin as fair as jade, a delicately sculpted nose, and lips as naturally red as freshly bloomed flower petals. Her long, dark hair was styled into a neat bun, adorned with a gold plum blossom hairpin that enhanced her charm.
Her stunning appearance left Hu Haoran momentarily mesmerized—he hadn't seen his sister in a month, and she had grown even more beautiful.
Meanwhile, Hu Rui'an clenched her teeth in frustration, her eyes flashing with jealousy as she glared at Hu Lihua.
"Second Brother, what brings you here?" Hu Lihua asked, her expression turning cold as she noticed the servants standing behind Hu Haoran and Hu Rui'an.
"First Sister, why are you being so rude? Second Brother just arrived—shouldn't you at least invite him in to warm up?" Hu Rui'an said sweetly.
Hu Lihua arched her eyebrows and replied indifferently, "I doubt you came here just for a cup of tea, did you?"