The ensuing chaos made Elder Tai Tai sigh in disgust. The old woman shook her head and asked her close maids, to help her back to her chambers. “Yu mama, Chao'er, take me back to my house”

Seeing her mother-in-law rise, Elder Huyin feigned concern, saying, “Mother, why the rush? Won't you stay a little longer?” She stood and moved to support her mother-in-law, but the old woman waved her away.

“No, I'm tired and wish to rest. You may chat with your son and daughter-in-law. There's no need to assist me.” With that, Elder Tai Tai departed with her servants, leaving. Elder Huyin standing there, upset by her mother-in-law's ignorance.

Meng Zhilu raised her sleeves to hide her sneering smile, laughing lightly in her mind, satisfied that today's plan had started beautifully. She knew that getting rid of Li Lianshuang's power was only the first step. Her revenge is not over. In her previous life, Shen Zhongting pushed for the appointment of his mistress to be a main wife, with the same status as her. She was coerced from all sides, forcing her to agree, which made Li Lianshuang live with honor and power in this place on an equal footing with. This allows that bitch to manipulate the people in Shen's Mansion and bought all hearts of the servants to join. So, she was easily betrayed and met a tragic end.

This life, she regained it by cutting off the power in the hands of the woman who has a mind like a poisonous snake, suppressing Li Lianshuang's freedom. But this was merely the first step in her quest for vengeance. She wanted more: to reclaim the Meng family heirloom adorning the neck of that harlot. The jade pendant was not just a treasure; it symbolized the Meng family's honor and pride.

Her gaze fell upon the bright green jade pendant hanging from Li Lianshuang's neck. It was a Meng family heirloom, passed down for generations until it fell into her hands. Before Shen Zhongting's journey to Fuling City, she was the one who wore that jade on his neck. To think it now adorned a harlot! How could Shen Zhongting be so cruel as to give away her cherished possession? She would reclaim her jade!

Meng Zhilu gazed out the hall window at the bright sky. She knew the path of revenge would be long and arduous, but the memories of her past life fueled her determination. She would not allow Li Lianshuang or anyone else to harm her again. She would reclaim everything: her power, her honor, and the pride she deserved as a main wife. With renewed resolve, Meng Zhilu turned and walked towards her mother-in-law, reaching out to take her hand.

“Mother, don't be angry. She is just the daughter of a low-ranking official who grew up in the countryside. Her manners may be limited. I will teach her more, and it is not too late to improve. Please forgive her.”

Meng Zhilu's sarcastic words stung Li Lianshuang, who felt deeply resentful. She twisted her face in displeasure, ready to retort, but Shen Zhongting, fearing an escalation, stroked her back to soothe her anger. Offending Meng Zhilu was unwise; she might reconsider allowing Li Lianshuang to become his concubine.

Shen Zhongting considered intervening, but Meng Zhilu spoke first, addressing Li Lianshuang, “You must not worry about the jade pomegranate, I shall replace it with a new one, but in exchange for your jade pendant. Would you be acceptable?”

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Then she turned to her close servant, who instructed her to fetch another wooden chest from the back of the room, where her other confidante servant, Ru Yi, stood guard. “Pi Qiao, bring the wood chest containing the golden peach tree here, and present it to Miss Li”

At the mention of the golden peach tree, Elder Huyin's eyes widened in surprise. Meng Zhilu was the daughter of the Meng family's principal a main wife. The Mengs were prominent in Jiangnan City, a rich part of this kingdom, their wealth and influence spanning generations. Meng Zhilu's dowry had included hundreds of chests, one of which contained this treasure. Her trove held vast riches: cash, bills of exchange, property deeds, and even mansions in a renowned southern resort town. The golden tree itself, glimpsed when she'd opened the dowry chests, was likely worth at least fifty thousand taels. How could such a treasure be gifted to a mere sheriff's daughter?

She wanted to please her daughter-in-law in case Meng Zhiru changed his mind and gave the tree to herself. So, she went to Li Lianshuang and then blamed her. “It is just a jade pomegranate fruit, but you still have no wisdom to hold it well, so how this golden tree will be saved, lest it be damaged in vain, besides, you have already obtained the jade ruby pomegranate as a welcome gift, but you have broken it completely. So, for the jade pendant on your neck, I will give it to Zilu as a reward.” When she finished speaking, she snatched the jade from Li Lianshuang's neck and placed it in Meng Zhilu's hand.

Li Lianshuang couldn't help but frown at her mother-in-law's swift action.

Shenzhongting said, “Mother please don’t do...”

Elder Huyin turned to her son, her voice full of upset. “You needn't defend her. You're a scholar, well-educated, yet you choose such a woman as a wife. She's unmarried but already pregnant, demanding equal status as your wife. You're so infatuated, that you've lost all reason because of her. If word of this spreads, our Shen family will be the subject of endless gossip, and your reputation will be irreparably damaged”

“Besides, why fuss over a mere piece of jade pendant? Give it to your wife as a reward for her generosity in offering the jade pomegranate fruit as a welcome gift.” Her voice rose, displeasure evident. Her only son was unhappy.

Shen Zhongting, unable to refute his mother's reprimand, scowled.

Elder Huyin glanced at her son with unhappiness, but she observed her son's frustration but ignored it and then stated her intentions. “As for the golden peach tree she doesn't need to take it. I'll carve a piece of that pomegranate jade as a hair band ornament for your woman. I'll cover the cost of the carving myself.” she said, feigning disappointment.

Shen Zhongting yearned to object, but fear held him back. He glanced at the golden peach tree in Pi Qiao's hands, then looked at Meng Zhilu, silently urging her to give it to Li Lianshuang as he'd intended.

Meng Zhilu pretended to smile. She nodded to Sen Zhongting as if she understood. Instead, she did the opposite by turning to Elder Huyin. “daughter-in-law, thank you to Mother for giving this jade pendant to me” She said after a brief pause, then a moment later, she took the golden peach tree in the wooden chest from Pi Qiao's hand and handed it to her mother-in-law.

“If you intend to craft a hairpin for Miss Li as a first-meeting gift, then let this tree be a present from me to you, Mother please accept it.”

Her actions made Shen Zhongting blush, and angry. He ordered her to give the golden tree to the woman he loved, but Meng Zhiru did the opposite.

'You fool! I told you to give it to Shuang'er, not my mother!' he raged at Meng Zhilu, scolding her fiercely in his heart.

Meng Zhilu feigned ignorance.