Matriarch Rules, Scumbag Begs - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Astonishing Everyone

“Hahahaha!”

The sudden burst of laughter drew the attention of people from other tables, who all turned to look.

“The esteemed mansion of the Heir of Danyang Marquis has fallen so low that they’re giving a broken stone as a gift?”

“Brother Pei, you’ve really opened our eyes today.”

“…”

Pei Yuanzhou was overwhelmed by the waves of ridicule and mockery. His face was red up to his ears, and his fingernails were almost digging into the flesh of his palms.

He knew he had been outsmarted by Shen Qiuci again!

Pei Yuanzhou clenched his teeth and tried to come up with a decent excuse to defend himself. However, he suddenly noticed that the laughter around him was gradually dying down.

The officials looked surprised, and their gazes seemed to be fixed on something behind him.

What was behind him?

Pei Yuanzhou instinctively turned around, and as he raised his eyes, he saw a stunning woman in a bright red dress, walking towards him with elegance and poise.

Compared to other noble women, this woman wore only a red dress without any excessive jewelry or ornaments.

Even so, just her face alone was enough to outshine all the gold, jade, and pearls in the room.

The woman’s light makeup accentuated her beautiful features, and her skin was as white as jade.

The slight smile on her lips seemed to bring a gentle breeze, and just one glance was enough to leave people breathless.

The courtyard, which was previously noisy, became silent with her arrival, and everyone’s attention was focused on her.

Pei Yuanzhou’s heart skipped a beat, and he almost stopped breathing.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t deny it.

The woman who was admired by everyone was none other than his wife, whom he had despised so much…

Someone nearby whispered, “Who is this lady? She’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen her before.”

“People say Chun Ji is the most beautiful woman in the capital, but in my opinion, compared to this beauty, she’s still a bit inferior.”

Facing the crowd’s gaze and discussion, Shen Qiuci didn’t look sideways, her lips curled into a smile, and her charming eyes stared straight at Pei Yuanzhou as she walked towards him.

After stopping beside him and performing a shallow curtsy, she turned her gaze to the birthday boy, Lu Yan. “The wife of the Heir of Danyang Marquis, Shen Qiuci, pays her respects.”

“This…this is…Brother Pei’s wife?”

Lu Yan stared at Shen Qiuci in shock, his eyes revealing an unhidden desire.

Lu Yan had visited the Danyang Marquis’s mansion a few times and had seen Shen Qiuci before. She looked sickly and always wore plain clothes, keeping her head down and looking timid.

How could she have transformed so much after being ill for a while?
With just a bit of makeup, she became stunningly beautiful.

Lu Yan carefully examined Shen Qiuci, feeling that this woman was much more beautiful than all the beautiful women he had played with before.

Pei Yuanzhou noticed the ill intentions in Lu Yan’s gaze and, for some reason, felt a strong urge to protect his wife today.

He pulled Shen Qiuci to his side and smiled at the crowd, declaring his ownership.
“My wife wasn’t feeling well this morning and didn’t plan to come. But she heard it was Eldest Young Master Lu’s birthday and thought it was a joyful occasion, so she insisted on coming as soon as she felt better. I’m afraid she’s made a fool of herself in front of all of you.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the green stone with moss still being played with by Lu Yan and leaned in to whisper to Shen Qiuci, “You plotted against me?”

Although his tone was accusatory, it was much softer compared to his previous harsh attitude.

Shen Qiuci smiled and replied, “If my husband hadn’t wanted to get rid of me, I wouldn’t have embarrassed him in front of all these gentlemen today.”

She didn’t say another word and walked over to Lu Yan. “My husband mixed up the gifts and made a fool of himself in front of you, Eldest Young Master Lu.”

She took out another box from her bosom and handed it over with both hands.
“This jade pendant made of ice-white jadeite is the gift my husband prepared. It’s a small gesture, and I hope it can bring a smile to your face, Eldest Young Master Lu.”

At this moment, Lu Yan’s mind was no longer focused on the gift.

As he took the box, he casually touched Shen Qiuci’s hand. The softness of her skin made him feel itchy inside.

Shen Qiuci suddenly pulled her hand back, but she still maintained a polite smile on her lips.

She was about to go sit with the other women, but Lu Yan stopped her. “How could the wife of the Marquis Danyang’s Heir, who is the daughter of Duke Zhongyong, sit with those ignorant women?”

He pointed to the empty seat next to Madam Ning. “Madam Pei, please sit here and keep Madam Ning company. By the way, General Ning was once a student of General Shen.”

Shen Qiuci didn’t decline and smiled at Madam Ning before taking a seat at the main table.

As the banquet progressed, Shen Qiuci was chatting with Madam Ning when she suddenly felt someone’s leg touching hers under the table, playing with her skirt.

She looked up and met Lu Yan’s lustful gaze across the table.