Seeing the solemn expression on his face, the old village chief slowly nodded.
"The tone of that person's voice did not sound like that of a stranger who was just passing by and listening to gossip. Rather, it sounded like that person was deliberately trying to smear Master Jiang. Such a person with ulterior motives should indeed be arrested and brought to justice for a thorough interrogation."
He then assigned several villagers to hunt down the man.
Now that the matter had been settled, the old village chief signaled everyone to disperse at the ancestral hall.
As Yang and Bai Jing returned home together, Yang, being exceptionally tactful, quickened her pace and walked ahead, leaving the young couple some space for a private conversation.
The two held hands, and Jiang Huaiyu finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had unloaded a heavy burden.
She smiled radiantly, gazing at Bai Yujing, and said gently, "Yujing, I am deeply grateful for everything you have done for me today."
Bai Yujing gently shook her head and replied, "I merely revealed the truth to the public; I did not change everyone's opinions. It was you who earned their true respect through your own efforts."
"However, if it weren't for your clever arrangements, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to win everyone's understanding in one go."
"You are my beloved wife. Isn't it only right that I do all this for you? Why should I thank you?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled sweetly, her heart filled with joy.
Bai Yujing looked at her smiling face, paused suddenly, and said softly, "Huaiyu, there is another gift I have always wanted to give you."
"What is it?" Jiang Huaiyu asked curiously.
Bai Yujing reached into his robes and took out the jade plum blossom hairpin that he always carried close to his body.
He said with a hint of regret, "I know you don't like it, but every time I see this hairpin, I can't help but think of your beautiful image. Could you try it on and let me admire it? Just one glance, and in the future, I will definitely find you a treasure that will capture your heart even more..."
When Jiang Huaiyu saw the jade plum blossom hairpin again, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
She was both surprised and delighted, and whispered, "Wasn't this jade hairpin with Wenyin all along?"
Although she was rarely seen wearing that jade hairpin afterward, Jiang Huaiyu firmly believed that she had treasured it. Who would have thought that it would end up in Bai Yujing's hands?
Bai Yujing gently toyed with the jade hairpin with her fingertips, a playful smile playing on her lips, and said calmly, "This is a token I gave you. Seeing that it has fallen into her hands, I naturally have to take it back."
Jiang Huaiyu took the jade hairpin from his hand, her face showing a joyful expression as if she had found a priceless treasure.
She clutched the hairpin tightly with both hands, then suddenly took a few quick steps before turning back to look at Bai Yujing.
"Who says I'm not interested in it!"
She opened the exquisite brocade box and immediately took a liking to the hairpin the moment she caught a glimpse of it.
However, at that time she failed to understand the deep affection behind Bai Yujing's gift and did not want to keep it as a memento for herself, so she gave the hairpin to Xie Wenyin.
Jiang Huaiyu handed the jade hairpin to Bai Yujing, "Could you please help me put it on?"
“If the lady gives the order, how could I dare disobey?”
Bai Yujing readily agreed and carefully inserted the hairpin inlaid with emerald green plum blossoms into her hair.
Jiang Huaiyu gently pushed the hairpin in her hair, feeling its delicate and smooth texture, and said with a happy smile, "I will always wear it with me."
A star-like light flashed in Bai Yujing's eyes, and her brows were full of doting smiles.
When the two returned home, they found Bai Qishi angrily arguing with Yangshi in the courtyard.
Bai Qi slammed her hand on the table angrily, "Does Yujing think our family's reputation isn't bad enough? Why make such a big show of it?"
Madam Yang patiently explained, “Mother, my sister-in-law is the victim. Why can’t she stand up and clarify the facts? Besides, my second brother and sister-in-law have already handled all the troubles properly. I believe that after today, no one will dare to gossip about our Bai family anymore.”
But Bai Qi still harbored doubts.
"We can't control what other people say. Even if they promise not to talk about it to our faces, won't they still gossip behind our backs?"
Xie Wenyin stayed at home with Bai Qishi and did not step out of the ancestral hall.
She had not yet caught a glimpse of Bai Yujing and Jiang Huaiyu returning from the outside world. She secretly speculated that Yang must be wholeheartedly biased towards Jiang Huaiyu at this moment, which was why she was sparing no effort to protect her.
Xie Wenyin couldn't help but sneer, "Dear cousin-in-law, don't think we're all being kept in the dark by you. The reason you're so devoted to helping her is because you've gotten something out of Jiang Huaiyu. But you don't need to fool our aunt like this. Don't forget, the Bai family's reputation has plummeted because of Jiang Huaiyu's actions."
Bai Qi immediately grasped the key point in the question, "What's cheap?"
Madam Yang seemed somewhat guilty. "Mother, after all, my sister-in-law helped me guide Fengyun and Huiyi, so naturally I should be grateful to her."
Xie Wenyin sneered contemptuously, "I'm afraid things aren't that simple. I've personally witnessed Jiang Huaiyu secretly giving you money."
Upon hearing this, Bai Qishi was instantly enraged.
"So you all turn a blind eye to me, the head of the family, and secretly hoard silver?"
Her eyes widened in anger as she stared directly at Madam Yang. "How much silver did she give you? Hand it over right now!"
Mrs. Yang was shocked that Xie Wenying would reveal her secret. Her eyes were filled with disappointment. "Wenying, I've always considered you my own sister..."
"So what if she's your biological sister? In your heart, she's still not as dear as your so-called 'sister-in-law,' is she?"
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