Although they didn't watch those romantic plays, they knew that in legends, personal belongings were often used to pledge love to men. This was a matter of reputation, so the rules were very strict. Even a handkerchief had to be kept somewhere.

When she went out like this, she was always accompanied by several personal maids. Her handkerchiefs, bracelets, jade pendants, hairpins, and rings were all counted at all times to ensure they didn't fall into the hands of outsiders.

Cai Huan didn't specify, but the girls all knew what she was talking about. Some of the kindhearted ones fell silent, while others asked, "Where's your maid? Why didn't she keep an eye on her?"

"She doesn't have a maid, only a concubine, and she can't get in here," one outspoken girl said.

Cai Huan blushed instantly, embarrassed and anxious, tears welling up in her eyes, making her look even more pitiful.

She searched like a headless fly. The girls who didn't like to cause trouble avoided her, leaving behind those who preferred to watch the show. They gathered in a circle and watched as she searched under their embroidery cushions and even turned over the mats on the heated kang. She searched everywhere, but couldn't find it.

"She should have known it was with Xun Wenqi. Look, she didn't even look near her." Xianyue, cracking melon seeds and watching the show, didn't forget to comment: "Your Cai Huan is no fool. It's a pity she's had such a bad fate. With such a start, it's going to take a miracle to turn the tide and slay the dragon."

The four sisters of the Lou family have all learned the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and Xianyue is also good at using chess terminology and double entendres.

Unfortunately, Lingshuang didn't have the time to engage in witty banter with her right now; she was focused on the progress over there.

Sure enough, after searching elsewhere, Cai Huan finally made her way to Princess Xun. She seemed desperate, and tearfully said to Xun Wenqi, "Princess Xun, please move. My jade pendant might be right here where you're sitting."

It would have been fine if she had been more tactful, but Princess Xun immediately raised an eyebrow.

"If you don't like your own jade pendant, why are you looking for us?" Bizhu beside her immediately chimed in.

Princess Xun snorted coldly and took out a jade chain to play with. It was made of mutton-fat white jade, and even from such a distance, it was still as white as cream, like a ball of snow.

"I don't care about her," she said nonchalantly, showing the untied jade ring to Yuzhu. "Look here, I don't like the pattern, I want to change it."

"I can change it, to Pisces or a phoenix, but it's such a shame. This grade of mutton-fat jade is charged by the cent," Yuzhu agreed.

The two of them chatted back and forth, as if they didn't even notice Cai Huan.

Cai Huan blushed with shame, and the people around her looked like they were enjoying the show.

No one intervened, saying, "Just let her look at the ground. It won't hurt."

Someone whispered something in the ear of a familiar young woman, and the obedient woman smiled meaningfully and whispered to herself.

Cai Huan stood there frozen, like a lone boat in a raging storm, her eyes growing redder.

Finally, she uttered in a hoarse voice, "Princess Xun, please, stop joking. If you took my jade pendant, return it to me..."

"Are you annoying me? Don't you understand? I told you I didn't see your jade pendant," Bizhu said angrily.

Cai Huan's face paled slightly with humiliation, but her eyes grew even redder. She took two steps closer, standing directly in front of Princess Xun. Looking her in the eye, she asked, "Princess Xun, did you really not take it?"

"Why would we take your broken jade pendant?" Princess Xun finally replied, "If you'd just asked nicely, we could have found it for you. With your attitude, are you asking for help or catching a thief?"

"Then I beg you..." Cai Huan took a step forward, tugged at her skirt, lowered her head, and slumped down, as if about to kneel.

The girls nearby immediately cried out in surprise, some pulling and some trying to support her. Princess Xun was also startled and tried to step back, but Cai Huan had already practically fallen over her skirt, and chaos ensued.

"What are you doing? Are you playing dirty? I can't handle such a generous gift from you..." Princess Xun was startled, yet also possessed a touch of cruel pride. She taunted, "People might think I'm bullying you!"

"Haven't you been bullied enough?"

Ling Shuang's voice rang out coldly, her voice directly acting as the defender of injustice. Seeing Yuzhu and Bizhu about to defend Princess Xun, she simply said, "Ruyi, go get Princess Wen and tell her there's been a thief in her place. In broad daylight, a guest lost their jade pendant and can't find it anywhere. For the sake of the He Mansion's reputation, invite her to seek justice."

"How dare you!"

Princess Xun and Bizhu spoke simultaneously. Princess Xun glanced at Bizhu, who felt a little guiltyer words had already betrayed her timidity.

This was Princess Wen's home. If a commotion got out of hand, while the people involved would be embarrassed, Princess Wen would be the one who would suffer the most.

"Why has it got to this point? Why are you all so angry?" Yuzhu immediately intervened, grabbing Lingshuang and saying, "Don't worry, Third Sister! We're all helping Sister Cai Huan look for her. Princess Xun was just talking and wasn't paying attention. Sister Cai Huan misunderstood, and getting so anxious is just making people laugh at us."

"Didn't you just refuse to help? I won't force you.

Let's ask Princess Wen to come over and let her look for her. She'll definitely find her," Lingshuang said firmly.

"The rumors are true. You're a lunatic." Princess Xun frowned, stood up, and stormed off. "I don't want to argue with you. I'll tell Grandma!"

The grandma she was referring to was Princess Wen. Clearly concerned about her, she hurried away, as if to go to her first to file a complaint. Seeing the situation was not looking good, Yuzhu and Bizhu immediately followed.

Ling Shuang didn't chase after her. Instead, she lifted the cushion she was sitting on. Sure enough, a small jade qilin lay quietly on the brocade embroidered with floral patterns. Everyone exclaimed in surprise, some genuine and some fake.

"Is it yours?" Ling Shuang asked Cai Huan.

Cai Huan had been half-slumped on the ground. Seeing the jade qilin, she reached out and picked it up, whispering, "Thank you."

But she didn't seem particularly grateful to Ling Shuang. After everyone dispersed,She didn't talk much with Ling Shuang, instead joining the other girls chatting about needlework.

"See, I told you not to join in the fun. It's a thankless task," Xianyue said softly as she sauntered over.

"You don't understand," Ling Shuang said flatly.

Xianyue's face suddenly turned cold, as if she was about to get angry, but it eventually turned into a mocking smile.

"You two have found a soulmate, so how can I possibly understand?

As long as you two don't lead everyone into trouble, I'll be thankful."