Chapter 24 Master, We've Found It!

"No!" Song Xiuyan immediately rejected Hu Rui'an's request. She approached Hu Zhangwei and said firmly, "Husband, a girl's reputation is very important. Who would dare marry Hua'er if this news spreads?"

Hu Zhangwei gave a faint smile, a rare expression on his face. He gently patted his wife's hand and said, "Don't worry, I don't intend to let this matter slide either."

Not long after, a man in his forties hurried over.

"Master, this servant is here to report," said Steward Peng, bowing respectfully.

"Steward Peng, order all the servants in this residence to search for the jade plum hairpin belonging to the Second Miss!" Hu Zhangwei commanded in a firm voice.

"Yes, Master!" Steward Peng answered obediently before swiftly leaving to carry out the order.

It wasn't difficult to recognize Hu Rui'an's jade hairpin. Ever since she received it from Hu Haoran, she always wore it to make Hu Lihua jealous. All the servants in the residence were familiar with that hairpin.

Hu Lihua smiled faintly as she watched Steward Peng leave.

Hu Lihua: [I can't wait to see the show that's about to unfold!]

Xitong: [Master, don't worry. Hu Rui'an definitely won't get away this time!]

Hu Lihua: [Hah! She'd need another hundred years of cultivation before she could even think of setting me up!]

Hu Haoran frowned when he heard Hu Lihua as if she was talking to someone inside her mind. But who was she talking to? Why couldn't he hear any voice other than Hu Lihua's?

"Hua'er, let's sit down," Song Xiuyan said as she led Hu Lihua to the stone table.

"Madam, I'll go get some fresh tea," said Xixi as she picked up the teapot and walked lightly toward the small kitchen. Her mood was lifted after seeing her miss's plan nearing success.

Hu Lihua sat with Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan, without offering a seat to anyone else. The three of them chatted cheerfully as if nothing had happened.

Before long, Xixi returned with a fresh teapot, steam rising gracefully from its spout, filling the air with a soothing, delicate fragrance.

"Master, Madam, Miss, allow me to pour you some fresh tea," Xixi said with a polite smile.

Hu Haoran glanced at Hu Rui'an and felt a pang of sympathy when he saw her pale face.

"Hua'er, at least give me and An'er a cup of tea to warm up," Hu Haoran said as he sat down. Just as his hand was about to reach the teapot, it suddenly disappeared from his sight.

"Heh! What do you think you're doing?" Hu Lihua snapped, glaring at Hu Haoran. "My things are not for you!"

Hu Haoran looked at Hu Lihua, who was acting like an angry porcupine, and found it somewhat amusing.

"First Sister, it's fine if you hate me. But Second Brother is innocent. He must be feeling cold, please give him a cup of tea. No, First Sister, don't worry, you don't have to share it with me," Hu Rui'an pleaded softly.

Hu Haoran turned to look at Hu Rui'an, who was pale but still thinking of him. Warmth filled his heart. He actually wanted to force Hu Lihua to hand over the teapot, but Hu Zhangwei's sharp gaze made him withdraw his hand quickly.

No. He still needed his hand!

Hu Lihua looked at Hu Rui'an defiantly, "Why? You're in my pavilion, and everything here belongs to me. It's my choice who I share it with!"

"Alright, alright, don't be angry anymore," Hu Haoran said as he stood up, "I won't ask for tea again."

"Good that you know your place. Coming here to accuse me and now asking me for something? Second Young Master Hu, you truly opened my eyes," Hu Lihua mocked.

Before Hu Haoran could respond, a servant rushed over and reported, "Master, we've found the Second Miss's hairpin!"

Thump!

Hu Rui'an's heart raced. Her body swayed slightly. Fortunately, Hu Haoran caught her just in time.

"An'er, are you alright? How about we go back to your pavilion so you can rest?" Hu Haoran asked worriedly.

Hu Rui'an didn't hear Hu Haoran's words. She looked dazed.

They found the jade hairpin? It wasn't found here? Then where? Where did they find it?

"An'er?"

"Huh?" Hu Rui'an looked at Hu Haoran's worried face and asked, "Second Brother, what is it?"

"You look unwell. How about returning to Xiangyu Pavilion to rest?" Hu Haoran repeated his question.

"Tsk, no way! This matter isn't over yet. No one is allowed to leave," Hu Lihua said with a sly smile.

"Mother …." Hu Haoran looked at his mother, silently pleading for leniency.

"Hua'er is right, this matter isn't over. No one is leaving," Song Xiuyan said, repeating Hu Lihua's words.

"Lead the way!" Hu Zhangwei ordered the young servant in front of him.

Everyone followed the servant. Along the way, Hu Rui'an tightly clutched her handkerchief, while Qinqin, who was supporting her, whispered, "Miss, isn't this the way to …."

"Quiet!" Hu Rui'an hissed.

Sure enough, they stopped in front of Xiangyu Pavilion not long after.

"Master, the hairpin is inside," said the servant.

Hu Rui'an quickly moved to block everyone at the entrance of Xiangyu Pavilion.

"Hu Rui'an, what is the meaning of this?" Song Xiuyan asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Mother, how could the hairpin be in here? Before going to Yufeng Pavilion, I checked everything here," Hu Rui'an explained. She then pointed at Hu Lihua, "She! It must be her!"

"Me?" Hu Lihua asked, pointing to herself.

"Yes!" Hu Rui'an shouted. "You must be trying to frame me! You asked Xixi to steal it and made sure Qinqin saw it to make me suspect you. Then, you had someone put it back in my pavilion, didn't you?"

"Second Sister, the servant hasn't even said where they found it, yet you're already eager to accuse me?" Hu Lihua chuckled.

[A thief crying 'Catch the thief!']

Hu Haoran found Hu Rui'an's reaction strange, but his uneasiness grew after hearing Hu Lihua's inner thoughts. Why did Hu Rui'an's behavior perfectly fit the saying 'A thief crying 'Catch the thief!''?

"An'er, enough! We don't know the truth yet. Why are you yelling?" Hu Zhangwei scolded. He gently pushed Hu Rui'an aside, clearing the way before walking in, followed by everyone else.

Who was Hu Zhangwei? A renowned General known as the God of War in the Zhang Dynasty. Even a light push from him made Hu Rui'an stagger.

"Miss, are you alright?" Qinqin asked as she caught Hu Rui'an.

Hu Rui'an glared at the backs of her family members walking away. She bit her lower lip and said, "Let's go in!"