Lu Nianfu had always believed she harbored lingering resentment for her past life's end and harbored a deep hatred for Situ Jue. After Situ Yan became the Prince of Rui, she had even envisioned the scene of meeting Situ Jue again, repeatedly warning herself to stay calm and not reveal her hatred in front of him.
But only at this moment did she realize.
The hatred she had carried to her death in her past life seemed to have long since vanished. Even with Situ Jue standing before her, she only felt a sense of strangeness.
No, that wasn't right.
Situ Jue in this life appeared much uglier than in the previous one.
In her past life, he was quite good at putting on a show, otherwise, she wouldn't have devotedly helped him earn money for so many years. He always presented himself as refined and courteous, making one feel at ease. But the man before her, even when smiling, the mirth didn't reach his eyes, as if veiled by a layer of fog, so sinister that one didn't want to look directly at him.
Lu Nianfu suppressed the urge to turn and leave, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Prince Ning."
"You're mistaken, Seventh Brother's wife should call me Fifth Brother." As he spoke, he reached out as if to help Lu Nianfu up. When she dodged to the side, his smile remained unchanged but inexplicably felt colder.
"Fifth Brother," Lu Nianfu changed her address as if it were natural.
Tsk, I'm about to vomit.
"Speaking of which, when Seventh Brother married, I hadn't prepared a gift." Situ Jue removed a jade pendant from his waist. "I've worn this jade for many years, so I'll gift it to Seventh Brother's wife."
Lu Nianfu took a step back. "Fifth Brother is joking. How could a sister-in-law accept your personal item?"
Is Situ Jue sick? Doesn't he know what private exchange is? Wasn't he the most concerned about his reputation? How could he behave so improperly towards his brother's wife upon meeting her?
Situ Jue's gaze darkened. "It was my oversight. Another day, another day I will definitely make up for it with a proper gift for Seventh Brother's wife."
"No need." At some point, Situ Yan had walked to their side. Lu Nianfu felt her small hand grow warm as he took it. The man beside her looked displeased. "I'm not so destitute that I can't provide for my wife. Fifth Brother's gift should be given to Sixth Brother's wife instead. After all, Sixth Brother is still in the imperial mausoleum because of you."
Speaking of the sixth brother, Situ Lang, it wasn't a pleasant topic.
The smile on Situ Jue's face froze awkwardly, his narrowed eyes shooting out cold light. "Seventh Brother, what do you mean by that?"
Situ Yan glanced at him. "What do I mean? Fifth Brother knows better than anyone, doesn't he? Tsk, you don't actually think what you did in Yangzhou was flawless, do you?"
Where does this confidence come from?
"You..."
"Don't get angry. Today is my housewarming banquet. If it's ruined and Father hears about it, it won't be good. He always taught me to respect my elders. Even if I can't be as selfless as Sixth Brother, I shouldn't make you angry, should I?"
Situ Jue's eyes blazed, staring intently at Situ Yan.
Situ Yan was not afraid of him. He was half a head taller than Situ Jue, and his smile was full of mocking contempt, so dismissive as if he didn't take his opponent seriously at all.
Of course, he had never taken Situ Jue seriously. A man who dared not take responsibility for his own mistakes – it would be ridiculous for him to respect such a person.
Their eyes met. The one who looked intently first lost.
The surrounding guests dared not approach, but many secretly observed. Despite his simmering rage, Situ Jue dared not truly escalate the situation. Firstly, this seventh brother was currently favored, and ruining his housewarming banquet would surely have consequences. Secondly, how would he explain the situation if it blew up? Would he say Situ Yan intentionally insinuated that he framed their sixth brother?
This was something he was trying to conceal, let alone reveal it in front of everyone.
He swallowed his anger and said, "Seventh Brother is right. I will do as you say."
"That's good. Today, as the host, I have many things to attend to. I will excuse myself for now. Fifth Brother, please make yourself at home."
The two figures, the man tall and straight, the woman slender and graceful, looked like a perfect match. But in Situ Jue's eyes, they were incredibly hateful. He clenched his fists tightly, barely suppressing the churning anger in his heart. Seventh Brother, well done. We'll settle this later.