Yun Tangyin gently traced the patterns on the enamel bracelet with her fingertips, and when she looked up, her smile faded slightly: "Sister-in-law, do you know what Mom cherishes most?"
How could Yu Xia not know!
Song Yushuang was particular about her appearance her whole life; a few pieces of her jewelry were enough to make a grand impression.
The pearl necklace in her hand clattered onto the table, her voice trembling: "I really didn't mean to! My sister married into a neighboring county, and her in-laws always say that we city folks are stingy, so I was in a hurry to borrow jewelry to make a good impression. I was planning to pay it back last month, but then her in-laws wanted to add to her dowry, and I forgot about it..."
"Forgot?" Yun Tangyin picked up the ruby ring and twirled it in the light. "This ring must be quite valuable, right? You've been hiding it until now?"
She paused, looking at Yu Xia's pale face: "If my second sister-in-law had seen us just now, do you think she would have told Mom that you wanted to steal Mom's jewelry?"
Yu Xia's face froze: "Yinyin, you have to help me! I'll take it back to Mom right now and tell her I helped her with the wiping and moisturizing, okay?"
She said this in order to give Yun Tangyin a handle to use against her, so as to show her stance.
Now it's up to Yun Tangyin to decide what to do.
If she agrees, then the two of them will be of one mind from now on.
If she doesn't respond, Yu Xia can actually smooth things over herself, but she'll have to wait and see...
After all, this matter can be big or small.
“It’s easy to send it back, but it’s hard for Mom to get over the resentment.”
Yun Tangyin pushed the jewelry back to her: "Here's what we'll do. First, take the pearl necklace to the silversmith and tell him that the beads are loose and need to be reinforced. Then I'll go with you to see Mom and tell her that you were worried about the jewelry getting damp during the rainy season, so you specially found a dry place to store it."
Hearing Yun Tangyin say that, Yu Xia breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing Yu Xia's reaction, Yun Tangyin smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, what do you think?"
Yu Xia held Yun Tangyin's hand and nodded repeatedly: "I'll do whatever you say! Master Zhang at the silversmith's shop is very skilled, I'll go there right now!"
"What's the rush?" Yun Tangyin pressed her hand down. "There's something else we need to talk about. I was able to cover for you about the job posting today because I think you're a good person, but from now on..."
She pointed to the jewelry on the table, "If this kind of overstepping thing happens again, I won't cover for you anymore."
Yu Xia was stunned. It really was Yun Tangyin who helped hide the job posting. But how did she do it?
Fu Yuanzheng brought in water and said in a deep voice, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, we'll take care of the jewelry matter right away. From now on, we will never act on our own in family matters again."
Yun Tangyin took the water glass and traced a circle on the rim with her fingertip: "Big brother is a reasonable person. Actually, it's a good thing that sister-in-law is quick-witted, but she has to use her wit in the right place. Hiding it can easily lead to trouble, right?"
Yu Xia twitched the corner of her mouth: "I was being petty. From now on, whether it's hiring or anything else, I'll definitely discuss it with you first and listen to you."
"Just hold the line." Yun Tangyin stood up. "Sister-in-law, put your jewelry away. I'll go with you to the silversmith later. Just tell him I want to get a pair of silver earrings made for Mom, and I'll accompany you on the way."
Yu Xia's eyes lit up: "Really? I'll wrap it up right away!"
As soon as the two reached the courtyard gate, they saw Jiang Jianhua squatting by the stone mill, picking vegetables. When he saw the cloth bag in their hands, he immediately stood up and asked, "What are you carrying?"
"The money for Mom to get her earrings made." Yun Tangyin shook the oil paper package in her hand: "My sister-in-law said that Zhang the silversmith is very skilled, so she asked me to come with her to take a look."
Jiang Jianhua's gaze lingered on the cloth bag for a long time before he lowered his head dejectedly: "Zhang the silversmith? His fees must be quite high. Why don't you just buy a ready-made one from the supply and marketing cooperative?"
She even wanted to freeload!
Yu Xia simply took Yun Tangyin's arm, and for the first time didn't respond to a word, walking briskly outside.
She breathed a sigh of relief after walking quite a distance: "My heart was in my throat just now."
"Now you know what it's like to hide things?" Yun Tangyin glanced at her with a smile: "From now on, no matter what you hide, think about whether you can withstand questioning first."
Yu Xia nodded repeatedly: "I won't hide anymore! By the way, Yinyin, what if Xu Runli comes looking for a job?"
"Let her apply for the job herself." Yun Tangyin continued walking: "The job posting for the department store is posted at the main entrance. If she's really capable, she can take the exam. If she's not capable, we can't let the Fu family support outsiders."
Yu Xia nodded.
Upon arriving at the silversmith's shop, Yun Tangyin had the craftsman make a pair of plain silver earrings and also had two pearls added to her pearl necklace.
As Yu Xia watched Yun Tangyin pay, she became even more aware: Yun Tangyin wasn't one to fuss over small amounts of money, but she wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of anyone trying to profit from the Fu family.
On the way back, Yu Xia suddenly said, "Yinyin, I used to worry that we would be wronged after you took over the family, but now I know that you are more fair than anyone else. In the future, if there is anything for the Fu family, just give the order."
Yun Tangyin handed her the silver earrings: "Take these earrings first. When you give the jewelry to Mom, just say that you specially made them for her."
This is equivalent to giving her a favor for free.
Yu Xia was stunned: "How can this be?"
“Why not?” Yun Tangyin laughed. “You’ve worked hard to keep Mom’s jewelry safe, so it’s only reasonable to give her a pair of earrings as a thank you gift. We’re both daughters-in-law of the Fu family, so we should help each other out. If we keep bickering, it will only make us a laughing stock in front of outsiders.”
At this point, Yun Tangyin paused, her tone very sincere: "Besides, before I married into this family, Acheng received a lot of care from my elder brother, didn't he?"
Yu Xia clutched her earring and nodded vigorously: "You're right! If Jiang Jianhua causes trouble again, I'll help you!"
Yun Tangyin smiled.
Using both kindness and severity, they won over Yu Xia.
As soon as the two entered the courtyard, they saw Song Yushuang standing under the grape trellis. Seeing the jewelry box in their hands, she smiled and asked, "What's this...? Where have you two been?"
Yu Xia quickly handed over the necklace: "Mom, this is your necklace. I had a silversmith repair the beads, and Yinyin even helped me make earrings for you!"
Song Yushuang took the necklace, ran her fingertips over the repaired beads, and suddenly laughed: "You silly child, if you had told me to keep it for me earlier, I wouldn't have had to worry about losing it."
Immediately afterwards, Song Yushuang looked at Yun Tangyin and smiled meaningfully: "You really have a way with things, you're such a smart kid."
Yun Tangyin smiled but didn't say anything.
It seems this move was the right one. As long as Yu Xia follows the rules, she will naturally have a place in the Fu family.
And Yun Tangyin, the new housekeeper, has truly established her authority.
As for Jiang Jianhua and Fu Yuanshan...
Once these two pay off their debts, Yun Tangyin will have plenty of ways to get rid of them.
During dinner, Jiang Jianhua watched Yu Xia diligently serving food to Song Yushuang, and he pursed his lips as if to say something, but was glared at fiercely by Fu Yuanshan and shut his mouth in a huff.
Fu Yuanshan watched Yun Tangyin's elegant and composed eating manner, his eyes swirling with unspoken emotions. His eyes, which made many women blush and their hearts race, were lowered. He seemed to be eating obediently, but in reality, he kept stealing glances at Yun Tangyin from time to time.
If only this were my wife!
Isn't he a hundred times better than that idiot Jiang Jianhua?
Fu Yucheng had obviously noticed Fu Yuanshan's occasional glances at Yun Tangyin.
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