Mrs. Mei felt a cold sweat on the back of her neck. This string of Buddhist beads was clearly enshrined in the family temple outside the city. How could it be that? She turned her head sharply to look at Wu Zihan, who was staring at the jade hairpin in Jiang Qinghe's hair—a betrothal gift passed down from the Mei family.
"Qinghe, look at how you look today." Madam Mei suddenly and affectionately took Jiang Qinghe's hand, the jade bracelet stuck between their wrists, "It reminds me of the first time I met Madam Jiang."
Jiang Qinghe's wrist was hurting, but she still wore a polite smile. She caught a glimpse of a red string sticking out of Wu Zihan's sleeve. The knot pattern was exactly the same as the one on the jade pendant at Mei Weixing's waist.
"Madam, you are so kind." She bent her knees slightly, and the jade bracelet slid down her forearm, revealing a hideous old scar on her wrist - it was the burn she got when she broke off the engagement last year.
Madam Mei flinched as if struck by fire. Jiang Shu seized the opportunity to pull her daughter behind her, her brocade sleeves sweeping across the teacup on the table, soaking Wu Zihan's newly made butterfly skirt.
"Oh, look how clumsy I am." Jiang Shu apologized, but her eyes flashed with joy. "Miss Zihan, go change your clothes quickly. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Wu Zihan bit her lip and looked towards her aunt, only to find Madam Mei staring blankly in Chen Ruyi's direction. The old lady of Duke Dingguo, wearing an ochre jacket with a longevity pattern and a dazzling ruby headpiece, was now clutching her forehead, her face precariously swaying.
"Old lady, be careful!"
With a cry of surprise, Chen Ruyi knocked over the gilded incense burner. The incense ash fell on the skirt of Princess Linchuan. She frowned and took a half step back, just enough to make room.
With a dull thud, Chen Ruyi fell heavily to the bluestone floor. When Cui went to help him, her hands were covered in sticky dirt, and the strong smell of blood mixed with ambergris filled the air.
“Blood. Mother is bleeding!”
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