Once, she saw an Exquisite Chessboard at a friend’s house, who shared her passion for chess, and was immediately captivated by the beautifully crafted board. She tried to persuade her friend to give it to her, but her friend said it was a fake; the real one was in the Forbidden City Museum, a national treasure of immense value that couldn’t be bought for any price.
She immediately took a flight to the Forbidden City Museum and stayed until the staff urged her several times that they were closing. She left reluctantly, thinking that if it wasn’t a national treasure, she would have bought it home no matter the cost.
After Fang Chenxu found out, it wasn’t long before he gifted her a Filigree Enamel Tiger Striped Chessboard. Although it couldn’t compare to the Exquisite Chessboard, it was still a rare and valuable treasure.
The last time she inadvertently returned to the modern era, Fang Chenxu had buried the chessboard with her. Upon learning this, she was both moved and frustrated.
As she ran her hands over the chessboard, Yang Mengchen felt as if she were back in the Forbidden City Museum, gazing through the protective glass at the treasure. Now that she could actually touch the chessboard, you can hardly imagine how she felt.
Seeing the infatuation in Yang Mengchen’s eyes, Duan Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief.
Ever since the Crown Prince mentioned that his ninth sister enjoyed chess and was skilled at it, and knowing that her grandfather possessed that very chessboard, she cajoled and pestered her grandfather into giving it to her. After all, gifts ought to be thoughtful, and now, seeing her ninth sister so pleased, her heart was also joyful.
’Cough cough’, seeing that Yang Mengchen was solely focussed on the chessboard and unresponsive, Sister Jin deliberately coughed a few times as a reminder.
Hearing the sound, Yang Mengchen came back to her senses and smiled, "Thank you, Elder Sister-in-Law, I really like this gift."
"As long as you like it, Ninth Sister," Duan Qingyu replied with a tender and indulgent smile.
Yang Mengchen carefully closed the lid and handed the chessboard to Hai Tang, instructing her to take very good care of it.
Seeing Yang Mengchen’s actions, Prince De and others nodded in approval.
Meng Jingqi’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Just now, Ninth Sister’s eyes were filled with longing and reminiscence while looking at the chessboard, complex emotions indeed. Could she have seen this chessboard before?
But the chessboard had been acquired by a wealthy merchant over thirty years ago, said to be a treasure cherished by a former Emperor. Later, the wealthy merchant presented it to Qingyu’s grandfather, who treasured it dearly. Only after Qingyu’s repeated entreaties did her grandfather reluctantly part with it. It seemed impossible for Ninth Sister to have seen this chessboard.
What exactly was going on?
No matter how hard Meng Jingqi racked his brain, he couldn’t figure out that Yang Mengchen had seen it in a previous life, and now she was finally seeing it again, naturally filled with great joy.
"Ninth Sister, I’m your fifth sister-in-law, Xuanyuan Lingluo, and this is a gift from me and your fifth brother. Please, don’t despise it," Meng Jinghui’s wife Xuanyuan Lingluo said playfully, with a large brocade box beside her.
Her black hair was styled in a ’falling ponytail’ updo, adorned with golden hairpins featuring playful pearl ornaments, and wearing pearl drop earrings. She was dressed in a precious blue garment decorated with double butterflies chasing flowers. With phoenix eyes and a melon-seed face, her skin was like snow, and her lips like cherries. When she smiled, two dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, and her demeanor exuded a spirited air, clearly a forthright woman.
Before Yang Mengchen could say anything, Xuanyuan Lingluo opened the brocade box beside her.
A red coral half the height of a person suddenly appeared before her eyes, adorned with many plump and rounded pearls, each pearl full and lustrous. At the very top was a Luminous Pearl the size of a goose egg, undoubtedly very valuable.
In her past life, Yang Mengchen had seen larger and more exquisite red corals, but she still showed joy, after all, it was a gesture from Meng Jinghui and Xuanyuan Lingluo.
However, Sister Jin and the others paled, for they had only heard of but never seen such tall red coral.
"Thank you, Fifth Brother Jinghui and Fifth Sister-in-Law, for your gift. I will place it in my inner chamber to enjoy every day," Yang Mengchen said with a smile upon seeing the anticipation in Xuanyuan Lingluo’s eyes. This fifth sister-in-law was indeed very interesting.
Xuanyuan Lingluo beamed with happiness, then teasingly turned to Meng Jinghui, "See, I told you Ninth Sister would definitely like it."
"Yes, yes, you’re clever!" Meng Jinghui hurriedly nodded.
Watching the couple’s antics, everyone laughed heartily.
Pointing to the six large chests piled up, Prince De said, "Those are gifts prepared by your foster parents, the Royal Aunt, and Han Yue. If not for Jingqi’s persuasion, they would have even prepared more."
"Ninth Sister doesn’t know, but there are many treasures in Father’s private store," Meng Jinghui said encouragingly, hoping she would come with them to pick one out, "Father said when you come home, he will let you choose anything you want from the treasure vault."
Xuanyuan Lingluo and her husband were perfectly in sync, "Jinghui is right, Ninth Sister, come back with us. It will also give us a chance to see the treasure vault."
"Please convey my thanks to my foster parents, Royal Aunt, and sister Han Yue. I will definitely come home when I have the chance," Yang Mengchen said with a smile and a hint of moisture in her eyes, feeling deeply moved.
Although Prince De and the others were disappointed, they understood Yang Mengchen’s predicament and did not urge her further.
The family chatted idly, enjoying endless laughter and a warm, harmonious atmosphere.
Yang Mengchen instructed Hai Tang to invite Yang Chengyou and his wife to come for lunch. She personally took charge of preparing a welcoming feast. No sooner was the meal served than Long Xuanmo and Yang Chengyou and his wife arrived, and after exchanging greetings, they all took their seats at the table.
After lunch, Long Xuanmo and Yang Chengyou went to the office, as the quadrennial festival was imminent and they had many matters to attend to.
Concerned about their tiring travels, Yang Mengchen reminded Ji Jinheng and other servants to take good care of them. She was about to send Fu Chuyan back to the Yang Mansion before returning to Prince Mansion, but Meng Jingqi stopped her, saying he had something to discuss with her.
In the outer study room, leaving Sister Jin and Hai Tang with her, while Nan Tian, Bei Hai, and a few others stood guard outside the door, Meng Jingqi took out a small brocade box and placed it in front of her on the table. He smiled, "Open it and have a look."
Curious, Yang Mengchen opened it to find a golden, neatly folded square piece of cloth. She looked quizzically at Meng Jingqi, "What is this?"
"Could this be the legendary Gold Silk Soft Armor?" Before Meng Jingqi could answer, Hai Tang exclaimed in surprise.
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