Chapter 13: Lantern Riddles - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 13: Lantern Riddles
Opening it up, it turned out to be a palm-sized golden inlaid Eastern pearl jewelry piece, with gold as the base, finely adorned with many rice pearls dangling along the gold edges. Bixi was the peach, and Cui Pian was the leaf, both magnificent and delicate.
Those who knew their goods immediately recognized it, excitedly exclaiming, "Isn't this the dowry gifted to Princess Wen Yi by the palace back then?"
"Big sister has a keen eye. This was something I've been grinding my mother for a long time to use as a headdress. How about it?"
"Since that's the case, big sister won't hide it anymore. It's a sure win!"
The speaker was the fourth daughter of the Duke of Zhengguo's family, who usually loved collecting and cherishing jewelry. How could she pass up such a good opportunity? So, she invited three or four relatives and friends and immediately formed a team, taking the red bracelet.
Naturally, Bai Siruo also wanted to join in the fun, choosing the white bracelet for herself, and pulling Feng Jinyao, Xu Mingyue, and a good friend she usually played with to form a team.
Soon, there were also candidates for the yellow bracelet, leaving only the purple one. Bai Siruo was just about to ask when she saw Liang Luo loudly declare, "We'll take the purple one."
With this statement, even those who wanted to participate probably lost their courage.
It was then that Wei Lanxuan, Liang Luo, and a few others walked over slowly, each taking a purple bracelet, but one person was missing.
Unexpectedly, Bai Sihan walked out from behind and bowed to Wei Lanxuan, her voice as clear as a lark.
"If Sister Wei doesn't mind, Sihan is willing to team up with you."
"Oh? Who are you?"
"I'm the eldest daughter of the Bai family, Bai Sihan."
With this statement, everyone looked at Bai Siruo, their eyes filled with curiosity and schadenfreude.
The curiosity naturally came from those noble young ladies who got along well with Bai Siruo. They hadn't heard that Bai Siruo had a sister. The schadenfreude came from people like Wen Yuwei and Liang Luo, their eyes almost dripping with ridicule.
After Wei Lanxuan showed a dignified and generous smile, she personally stepped forward to help Bai Sihan up. "Bai younger sister, we rarely saw each other before, but we should interact more in the future."
"Thank you, sister." Bai Sihan had a look of reverence, making Wei Lanxuan secretly pleased.
Bai Xiang and the Duke of Wei were both veterans of the court for three generations. Although they weren't overt political enemies, the Duke of Wei had long been a supporter of the Ninth Prince and after several attempts to win over Bai Xiang without success, he even made some moves behind the scenes out of frustration. Unexpectedly, they were all resolved one by one, and since then, the Bai and Wei families had formed a tacit understanding of rivalry.
Although it couldn't be called a deep-seated hatred, if they could make the other side suffer a loss, they would be happy to do so.
Bai Siruo looked at Bai Sihan, the warning in her eyes was self-evident.
She was so angry that her eyeballs were about to pop out, but Bai Sihan didn't even give her a glance, leaving her feeling annoyed. However, she was firmly held back by Feng Jinyao, who whispered in her ear.
"Don't forget Aunt's instructions. Don't cause trouble today."
"Hmph, consider her lucky. After the birthday banquet is over, watch how I deal with her."
The dignity of the Bai family had been completely lost by this girl, shamelessly sending herself up to be trampled by the Wei family. She was just like her mother, despicable and detestable. She harbored even more resentment towards this mother-daughter pair.
"In that case, let's first establish the rules of the competition. After all, there can be no order without rules."
Xu Mingyue interrupted Bai Siruo's anger, causing Liang Luo to sneer disdainfully on the side.
Liang Luo's eyes flashed with an imperceptible coldness. Xu family's daughter was indeed something, clearly engaged to the Liang family, yet she refused to talk to her future sister-in-law more than necessary. Every time she tried to get closer, she was coldly rejected. But now she stood beside the Bai family. Wasn't this slapping her own face?
Such a fake lady of a prominent family, looking down on others behind their backs!
So, with a touch of gunpowder in her tone, she provocatively said to Xu Mingyue, "Miss Xu, how do you want to compete? Let's make it clear first. Everyone here is a witness. Don't win but can't take away the prize later."
Xu Mingyue, who didn't like Liang Luo, the future sister-in-law, had a sharp and sarcastic tone, always looking down on others and thinking herself superior. So she retorted.
"Ridiculous. I guarantee it in the name of the county princess. Since this item is taken out, there will be no favoritism. If Miss Liang has the ability, just take it."
"In that case, let's see."
Liang Luo's affirmative tone made the other two teams feel unsure, but it also spurred Bai Siruo on to compete even more.
After the teams were arranged, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhengguo acted as the arbiter.
The rules were simple: ten sets of lantern riddles. Whichever side guessed them all first would win.
With a ding, the jade chopsticks struck the jade chime, and the competition began.
Bai Siruo decisively opened all ten lantern riddles and handed them out to the other three.
She couldn't solve these herself, but with Xu Mingyue here, they couldn't possibly lose.
Originally, she just wanted to add some excitement and let the sisters-in-law have some fun. She didn't expect Wei Lanxuan and her group to clash with them. Since that was the case, she wasn't afraid.
After all, there were probably no lantern riddles in the entire East Capital that Xu Mingyue didn't know.
Xu Mingyue frowned and glanced at her, whispering, "Don't lower yourself to her level. She's just a half-grown child."
Although she didn't explicitly mention who she was talking about, everyone present knew she was referring to Liang Luo, given that the Xu and Liang families were engaged. After the New Year, on some day they might become a family. Stirring up trouble at this time would benefit no one.
"You mustn't let her off easy. Before she becomes your sister-in-law, you're still my best friend."
Pouting, Bai Siruo used the sisterly bond as a 'threat', making Xu Mingyue unable to hold back her laughter. This scene, in the eyes of Liang Luo and the others, seemed like a mockery of them.
"Hmph, ignorant!"
It was Bai Siruo's turn to laugh loudly.
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