Chapter 263: Birthday Gift (2) (2/2)

Chu Lian was in the middle of whispering something to Royal Princess Duanjia, so she hadn’t noticed her eldest sister-in-law’s nasty look at all.

Realising that it was her turn, she turned around and took the box that Wenqing had been carrying for her before offering it up to Countess Jing’an.

“Mother, this headdress is my gift to you. I hope you’ll like it!”

A headdress?

Ha?

How could a countess lack for any accessories at all? It looked like her Third Sister-in-Law wasn’t as smart as she imagined.

Countess Jing’an’s expression seemed normal. She received Chu Lian’s gift cheerfully and affably. “Sanlang’s wife, you shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble!”

Chu Lian was so young that she should have been able to stay in her maiden home for another two years, if not for Matriarch He’s burning desire to have a great-grandson!

Later on, after she had married in, He Sanlang had treated her so abnormally; he hadn’t been home much after getting married and had then taken off for the northern border without any warning. This little daughter-in-law of hers hadn’t cried or complained. Instead, she had remained kind and innocent. There wasn’t any resentment in her towards House Jing’an for He Sanlang’s actions, nor had she maintained a distance from the family.

Countess Jing’an already felt guilty enough in her heart. Seeing how young Chu Lian was, she felt even more inclined to spoil Chu Lian.

It’s not the gift that matters, but the thought that counts.

Chu Lian wasn’t expecting to show off her gift. Just as she was about to turn and sit back down at her seat, Madam Zou hurriedly shot a meaningful look at a young madam next to her.

That young madam stepped forward and smiled as she said, “I wonder what kind of headdress Honoured Lady Jinyi has presented as a gift. It can’t possibly be something from the palace, could it? If Countess Jing’an doesn’t mind, could you show it to us and let us expand our horizons?”

As expected, when it came to accessories, all the noble madams and ladies here were interested as well. Since someone had already started the topic, they all started to clamour, wanting to see what Chu Lian’s gift was.

Countess Jing’an hadn’t been intending to open it on the spot. She also thought that her youngest daughter-in-law’s gift would be rather average. While she was hesitating, Madam Zou had already added oil to the fire after a quick turn of wit.

“Mother, this is Third Sister-in-Law’s way of being filial to you. Why don’t you just let everyone have a look?”

Countess Jing’an didn’t know how to get out of this situation without offending someone. She sent an apologetic look to Chu Lian before allowing her handmaid, Miaozhen, to open the accessory case.

Royal Princess Duanjia looked down upon petty people like Madam Zou the most. She rolled her eyes at Madam Zou without the slightest bit of respect.

When Madam Zou turned her head, she just happened to catch Royal Princess Duanjia’s eye roll. The anger that abruptly rose within her made her face turn all sorts of colours as she almost fainted right then and there in rage.