Yan Ruoxue looked back at Yan Jiaojiao, neither agreeing nor denying, her expression subtly peculiar.
Yan Jiaojiao winked at her, conveying the message, "If you don't cooperate, I'll have to claim this golden suitor for myself." Yan Ruoxue actually closed her mouth tightly.
Sheng Mobai happily waved his hands: "This is only right, only right. As Jiaojiao's future husband, a journey of a thousand miles is worthwhile as long as I find her."
"Yes, Young Master Sheng is a man of talent and character, and his resolve is also very firm," Yan Jiaojiao chimed in enthusiastically, adopting a posture of an onlooker. "Then, Young Master Sheng, are you here for the betrothal?"
Sheng Mobai showed a hint of a shy smile, his eyes glancing towards Yan Ruoxue. "Indeed, I am of marriageable age. If Miss Jiaojiao is willing, then that would be the best..."
Seeing Yan Ruoxue's expression turn even more peculiar, Sheng Mobai immediately changed his tune, his expression earnest: "Of course, if Miss Jiaojiao wishes to wait a while longer, I am willing to wait in Kunyang City for half a year or so!"
This clearly indicated that he was determined not to marry anyone other than his "Miss Jiaojiao."
Yan Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow. She truly had no fortune to enjoy such a romantic encounter.
The original owner's memories also contained no mention of an engagement. After all, when her stepmother Song Zhi was confined, the original owner was only six years old and had no opportunity or understanding of such matters.
However, the token jade pendant that Sheng Mobai mentioned proved that there was indeed such a thing.
The spiritual jade at Yan Ruoxue's waist was indeed extraordinary. It was actually a treasured possession of Yan Jiaojiao since childhood, a Qing-grade spiritual artifact, containing abundant spiritual energy that could promote the absorption of spiritual energy during cultivation.
At that time, the original owner was blinded by Yan Ruoxue, believing them to be sisters who were as close as blood. After Yan Ruoxue hinted and implied multiple times, she truly gifted the jade pendant to Yan Ruoxue.
Who would have thought that there was an identical jade pendant in this world, and it was also the token of engagement that Song Zhi had arranged for Yan Jiaojiao?
"Miss Jiaojiao, what are your thoughts?"
Seeing that everyone was silent for a moment, Sheng Mobai turned and directly asked Yan Ruoxue.
Yan Ruoxue pondered: "This..."
Yan Jiaojiao immediately interrupted: "With parental consent and a matchmaker's word, how can marriage be rushed? Young Master Sheng, all of this is merely your account. We do not know its authenticity."
Sheng Mobai thought Yan Jiaojiao doubted his identity and immediately raised his hand to show the Sheng family bracelet on his wrist.
The golden bracelet shone brilliantly in the sunlight, intricately carved with the complex Sheng family crest. A character "盛" was nestled within, a unique and unforgeable mark, signifying that Sheng Mobai's words were not false.
Sheng Mobai continued, "It was my oversight. Then, how about this? I have heard that the head of the Yan family will soon return. I will prepare a generous gift and visit him on an auspicious day, then discuss the betrothal with Uncle and Aunt. Would that be acceptable?"
Yan Jiaojiao pretended to look at Yan Ruoxue, smiling gently: "Sister, you also think this arrangement is acceptable, right?"
What else could Yan Ruoxue say? She stiffly nodded.
Sheng Mobai, however, saw that Yan Jiaojiao had agreed and was beaming with joy: "Miss Jiaojiao, you wait for me. I will definitely marry you with an eight-bearer sedan chair and bring you to the Sheng family to enjoy riches!"
Yan Ruoxue was startled, then unconsciously revealed a faint smile towards Sheng Mobai, as if hesitant yet willing.
In Yan Ruoxue's eyes, there was indeed an undisguised longing.
Yan Jiaojiao looked at her deeply. It seemed that it was not difficult to reveal Yan Ruoxue's true colors. As long as the stakes were high enough, it would be enough to make this woman shed her seemingly impenetrable disguise and reveal her greedy heart.
For example, a mere golden suitor.
Yan Jiaojiao then said to Sheng Mobai, "Young Master Sheng, we are about to dine. Would you like to stay and join us?"
Sheng Mobai was about to agree when Yan Jiaojiao continued to kindly inquire, "Or perhaps, Young Master Sheng is going to spend some effort preparing a gift?"
"Uh!" Sheng Mobai immediately changed his tune, smiling, "Yes, yes, Miss has a point. I shall go and take stock of the gifts. I will ensure they are not inferior."
Saying this, Sheng Mobai stood up and deliberately bowed politely to Yan Ruoxue: "Miss Jiaojiao, please wait for me."
Yan Ruoxue turned her body, appearing bashful in her agreement.
Sheng Mobai stood upright, chuckled as he admired her for a moment, then bid farewell to Yan Jiaojiao and left.
Yan Jiaojiao then shifted into a more relaxed posture. Teasing was fine, but eating with a glib-tongued person would likely cause indigestion.
After all this commotion, the kitchen had also finished preparing. The waiter carried the dishes and laid them out one by one.
During this time, Yan Ruoxue and the others remained silent. Only after all the dishes were served did Yan Ruoxue look at Yan Jiaojiao, her face returning to its usual gentle and soft demeanor, as if in jest: "Jiaojiao, you've spared me trouble by letting me impersonate your identity. This is a favor you owe me."
A favor?
If Yan Ruoxue had truly impersonated her and married into the Sheng family, then who knew who would owe whom a favor.
Yan Jiaojiao smiled, picked up a piece of fried meat wrapped in sauce and fried to a golden, fluffy crisp, resembling blooming golden lotuses. It was crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, truly delicious. She slowly placed it in her mouth. This was the restaurant's signature dish.
"Then Sheng Mobai will truly come to visit our home. Jiaojiao, what are your plans afterwards?"
Seeing Yan Jiaojiao remain silent, Yan Ruoxue shifted uneasily, her face still showing no outward change, but she continued to press.
Yan Jiaojiao found the fried meat delicious and served a few bites to Rong'er.
Yan Ruoxue could not help but frown.
In her opinion, it was already a great favor for Yan Jiaojiao to let her maid Rong'er dine at the same table. Now, the mistress was even serving the maid. How could this be proper? It was simply uncivilized!
Thinking that if such a Yan Jiaojiao were to marry into the Sheng family, and with such a handsome husband as Sheng Mobai, Yan Ruoxue's heart could not help but feel a pang of envy.
"Why don't you marry Sheng Mobai on my behalf?"
Yan Jiaojiao suddenly spoke at this moment, putting down her chopsticks, making Yan Ruoxue's spirits instantly rise.
"Are you serious... This is no joke." Yan Ruoxue almost betrayed her emotions and quickly changed her words halfway through. "That should be the betrothal arranged by our stepmother for you. You gifted me the jade pendant, showing your sincerity towards me. How can I truly snatch your marriage?"
She truly could not believe that Yan Jiaojiao would so easily give away such a good thing.
Keep acting.
Once Yan Jiaojiao saw through Yan Ruoxue's hypocrisy, she found her pretense even more laughable.
"You are right," Yan Jiaojiao smiled. "Then alright, return the jade pendant to me. The next time Sheng Mobai comes to the Yan family, I will say I am Yan Jiaojiao, and today's event was merely a small test for him. What do you think?"