Rong Dai was adept at observing people's expressions and immediately noticed that this necklace was extraordinary. Moreover, her judgment was sharp, and this necklace, from the materials to the workmanship, was very sophisticated.
This necklace looked like it had at least a hundred years of history. Nowadays, jewelry like this with such pedigree and exquisite craftsmanship was becoming increasingly rare.
This kind of jewelry had great collectible value. Unless it was an important occasion, it would not be casually taken out for others to see.
"Grandma, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
She hurriedly declined.
In her previous life, she had seen countless treasures, but no matter how many she had seen, women were inherently fond of jewelry.
She really liked this necklace, but she had not forgotten how Huo Old Madam had cared so much about the jewelry set she had worn when she first arrived.
Although she later understood the reason, she could relate.
However, such a valuable item was a bit too much for her to accept.
If her current status was that of a super rich lady, then it would be understandable for her to accept such a lavish gift.
But the disparity between her status and the Huo family was too great. Receiving such a precious gift made her feel apprehensive.
Although the Huo family treated her well, she knew to be grateful.
But she was always very clear about her own status. She was the daughter-in-law of the Huo family and an outsider.
Even though Huo Shao Ting treated her extremely well, she had to maintain a sense of propriety.
The lessons from her previous life were too profound. She had suffered losses once before, and she was unwilling to repeat the same mistakes.
Even between husband and wife, they should each have their own principles and bottom lines in their hearts.
Indiscriminate taking or giving, neither extreme was likely to lead to good results in the end.
"Yes, mother."
Sure enough, as Rong Dai had expected, as soon as she finished speaking, her mother-in-law spoke up.
Mother-in-law was good to her solely because of Huo Shao Ting.
Not because she was her daughter-in-law.
With the experience from her previous life, she naturally understood mother-in-law Lu Zheng's approach.
Rong Dai was not upset or uncomfortable in her heart. Instead, Huo Shao Ting's eyebrows were knitted together.
"Mom, let grandma finish speaking."
Huo Shao Ting spoke, his voice very calm, but with a hint of chilliness.
Lu Zheng's face turned slightly pale and looked rather ugly.
Rong Dai's heart skipped a beat. She knew Huo Shao Ting was a man of delicate feelings, and his mother's actions must have upset him.
Huo Old Madam also took a deep look at Lu Zheng before shifting her gaze to Rong Dai.
The old lady took out the necklace with a kindly look on her face, "Little Rong'er, turn around."
Rong Dai was apprehensive but glanced at Huo Shao Ting when he nodded slightly. Only then did she turn around.
Old Madam put the necklace around her neck. Rong Dai knew that her mother-in-law was unhappy, and she couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Mother-in-law had an obsessive love for jewelry. This exquisite necklace, even if Old Madam had given it to her, she wouldn't be able to keep it.
But this necklace seemed rather special. If she simply passed it on to her mother-in-law, Old Madam might be upset.
The two women were both prestigious figures in the Huo family, and she couldn't afford to offend either one.
Moreover, it was New Year's now. If a necklace soured the mood, no one would feel happy.
Rong Dai considered countermeasures in her mind and couldn't help but lightly sigh. Every family had its own scriptures that were hard to recite.
"Hmm, our Rong Rong looks elegant and can look beautiful in anything!"
Old Madam looked satisfied at the necklace on her neck, but Rong Dai felt like there was a thousand catties weighing down her neck.
Mother-in-law didn't say anything, but her gaze hadn't left her for a moment.
"You must take good care of this necklace and cannot pass it on to anyone. This is my dowry."
Old Madam exhorted her meaningfully, with a fleeting glance at Lu Zheng.
For this daughter-in-law Lu Zheng, she had been tolerant enough already.
Lu Zheng was not ambitious and only knew how to be a good wife and mother. After all, the Lu family circumstances were affluent, and she had the temperament of a young miss.
The daughter-in-law did not mind other matters, only insisting on monopolizing these jewelry pieces in the family.
Over the years, the accumulated Huo family wealth included many precious collectibles.
She had given Lu Zheng no small number of them over the years, but this woman's greed was bottomless.
"Grandma, this is too valuable, I cannot accept it!"
Hearing this, Rong Dai was shocked. This was the Old Madam's dowry, with special significance and extreme preciousness.
No wonder her mother-in-law was unhappy.
"This necklace was what my husband spent all his savings on when we got engaged. It was worn by my grandmother."
"Later when the Lu family ran into some trouble, my grandmother pawned it off. Not until my engagement did my husband somehow manage to find it again."
"At that time, the Huo family was still far from what it is today, but my husband was willing to give everything just to fulfill my wish."
Old Madam looked at her and gently told her the origins of the necklace.
From Old Madam's expression, Rong Dai could see that the old couple's marital relationship was very good.
"Grandma hopes that you and Shao Ting will not forget your initial aspirations and remain committed to the end."
Old Madam exhorted earnestly.
Rong Dai nodded. With Old Madam speaking to this point, did she still have the chance to refuse?
"Thank you, Grandma."
She obediently expressed her gratitude and returned to Huo Shao Ting's side wearing the necklace, casting an uneasy look at her unhappy mother-in-law.
Lu Zheng's face was indeed unpleasant.
These pieces from Old Madam should be inherited by her as the daughter-in-law, and then passed on to her daughter-in-law in the future.
But Old Madam had kept them for so many years and was still unwilling to give them to her.
This left her feeling aggrieved, like she was not accepted.
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
Sensing her mood, Huo Shao Ting reached out and grasped her hand, gently urging her not to mind it.
But how could Rong Dai not care?
What she possessed now was obtained by trading her life.
Her relationship with Huo Shao Ting was one thing; maintaining good relations with the rest of the Huo family was another matter entirely.
If this balance was disrupted, it would only make things difficult for Huo Shao Ting.
She did not want him to be put in a difficult position.
"While you are all here today on New Year's Eve, I have some things I want to say as well."
After giving Rong Dai the necklace, Huo Old Madam's gaze swept over each of them. Her usually kindly face was uncharacteristically solemn.
Hearing this, Mrs. Wang and Uncle Li tactfully left the living room.
"Mom, it's New Year's, why can't we talk about it after the holidays?"
Lu Zheng asked, her face slightly pale.
Having been the Huo family daughter-in-law for so many years, she was quite clear on Old Madam's temperament.
Old Madam glanced at her. "I'm afraid there won't be another chance. Old Madam Qiao was still hale and hearty six months ago. Now she relies on a respirator in bed and can barely speak."
"Grandma, you will definitely live to a hundred years old this New Year."
Sensing the odd atmosphere, Huo Mei Shu hurriedly spoke up.
