Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 175 - 88: Eldest Sister Picking Faults_2

Chapter 175: Chapter 88: Eldest Sister Picking Faults_2

Shi Yumei gave a smile and took it, lifted the lid of the tea, and was greeted by an elegant and light fragrance of tea. Peering into the pale green and refined tea cup, she saw the tea clear and translucent, with a beautiful light yellowish-green hue that was quite pleasing to the eye.

After tasting a sip, Shi Yumei praised with a smile, "This is indeed fine tea! What is it called? I have never had this before!"

Sang Wan replied with a smile, "It’s plum tea from Anhui. I find it quite good too. If Sister likes it, I can arrange for someone to send some to you later."

Shi Yumei uttered an "Oh" and nodded, but then laughed, "Never mind, don’t bother sending it to me! If I get used to it and then can’t have it later, that wouldn’t be good. Better not to start at all!" She said with a grin that was not quite a smile, "After all, you have it here, don’t you? Whenever I crave a couple of sips, I can just come over and be a nuisance. You wouldn’t find me annoying, would you?"

Sang Wan inwardly felt her mood darken and thought to herself, where have I offended her that she always speaks with such barbs?

"Look at what Sister is saying! How could I ever disdain Sister? I would love it if Sister could visit often when you are free!" Sang Wan forced a smile, "If Sister truly likes this tea, I can mention it to the young master later. The young master always respects Sister greatly, I believe no matter when Sister wants it or how much you want, he would surely fulfill the request!"

Shi Yumei was waiting for Sang Wan to take charge and say that she would take care of the tea supply from now on, allowing her to take as she wished. If Sang Wan did say so, she could then take the opportunity to sarcastically mock her for being "wealthy and ostentatious" and "truly deserving of being the head of the household." To her surprise, Sang Wan brought Shi Fengju into the conversation, leaving Shi Yumei with no room to maneuver.

Indeed, she’s someone with formidable scheming! Shi Yumei sneered inwardly.

"Is that so? If you truly don’t disdain me, then I’ll take your word for it. You mustn’t regret it when I come by often!" Shi Yumei then said half seriously and half mockingly, "Speaking of which, I really should cozy up to you! After all, a married daughter is like a guest returning to her natal family. How could she not please the master of the home? I understand this principle! Don’t you agree, sister-in-law?"

"Sister is speaking too seriously!" Sang Wan’s expression shifted slightly as she looked at Shi Yumei and firmly said, "The real head of this family is mother; Miss Wan is just assisting mother with some of the tedious affairs! I am not worthy of Sister’s words!"

"How are you not worthy? A local official carries more weight than an absent one! Besides, all of this will belong to you sooner or later—I don’t think a little sooner or later makes much difference!" Shi Yumei said with a slight sneer, "Mother has a gentle temperament and always thinks the best of people without being on guard. As soon as others praise her, she believes they are sincere! Sister-in-law, I think it’s better for you to be in charge of the family, to prevent others from taking the Shi family’s advantage! Don’t you think that’s the right reasoning?"

Sang Wan tightly clenched the handkerchief in her palm and felt her body trembling lightly with anger, then she burst out laughing as if realizing something profound, "Indeed, Sister, you have outstanding insight! Miss Wan is foolish, like a frog at the bottom of a well, and has never heard such profound reasoning before!"

Shi Yumei was left speechless by her blunt words and felt annoyed, but she clapped her hands and laughed, "Such a clever sister-in-law! You get it with just a little hint! I, as your elder sister, have taught you such important principles, won’t you say a word of thanks?"

And this is teaching me "profound principles"? Sang Wan was torn between laughter and tears, nodding and smiling, "Sister is right, I should really thank Sister! I—"

"I knew you are generous, sister-in-law!" Shi Yumei interrupted with a laugh, "I am not a greedy person; it’s enough to send just a couple of pieces of your jewelry to Sister, right?"

What can I do? Can I refuse?

Sang Wan was somewhat perplexed, thinking to herself, after all, Sister is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Shi family, a precious person pampered by mother and deeply cherished by the young master; how can she be so audacious to say such nearly blatant robbery!

But if she wants it, let her have it, as these jewels aren’t mine anyway.

Little did Sang Wan know, Shi Yumei was purposefully acting out of a sense of "unfairness" towards Gu Fangzi! She believed that Sang Wan had schemed to take Gu Fangzi’s items and now wanted her to pay dearly.

"As long as Sister doesn’t disdain them, please feel free to choose for yourself!" Sang Wan said with a smile.

"Sister-in-law, you really are generous! I won’t be polite then!" Shi Yumei laughed and exclaimed.

Sang Wan intended to call someone to bring the jewelry case, but Shi Yumei said it wasn’t necessary to trouble them and went with Sang Wan into the room together, starting to pick out items in front of the dressing table.

She saw all kinds of gems and jewelry, each piece exquisitely crafted and gleaming splendidly; Shi Yumei couldn’t help but be inwardly astonished. As someone knowledgeable about such things, she recognized the value of these pieces at a glance. She thought to herself, this woman indeed has great skill and cunning, having cast some spell on Fengju to the point where he was head over heels for her, buying her all these fine things!

She knew her brother’s temperament well; unless he was willing, nobody could get anything from him. And once he favored someone, he would give his all.

Shi Yumei grew even more indignant on behalf of Gu Fangzi and couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful toward her own brother as well.

Picking up a necklace strung with eighteen thumb-sized pearls, she saw that each pearl was round and lustrous, exuding a soft and smooth shine, appearing quite luxurious. Shi Yumei murmured her admiration, set it down, and then picked up an enameled white jade bead hairpin rich with prosperity and played with it in her hand. The arc-shaped hairpin stretched a finger and a half in length with a gilt foundation, golden threads winding to form the shape of begonia branches. The hairpin was meticulously inlaid with enameled white jade, featuring fully bloomed and half-open begonia flowers made of white jade as petals and pearls as stamens, surrounded by enamel leaves and fine branches. With the pearls gleaming and enamel shining, it felt incredibly exquisite in hand.