There are too many female protagonists with deceased husbands in the Qin Dynasty's Past Books.

Although I don't really like the style, I'll definitely get scolded if I throw it away.

So she reached out and touched the gold pendant hanging by her ear, but after touching it slightly, she couldn't help but pull her hand back.

This one won't do either; it's too small and heavy.

It will definitely sink to the bottom quickly after being thrown in, and even though Jiang Mo, that bastard thief, is quite skilled, it will be very difficult to retrieve it.

If he drowns in there, how can we see his unwilling expression?

Sometimes, having too many choices isn't a good thing. Hu Meier was wearing quite a lot of jewelry at the moment, but it was either jewelry she liked and didn't want to throw away, jewelry given to her by others with special meaning, or jewelry she felt was inappropriate to throw away.

If Jiang Mo gives up because the difficulty is too high, wouldn't that be a waste of effort?

Touching and poking at everything, even Jiang Mo, who was adopting a submissive posture, had already sensed Hu Meier's intentions and couldn't help but secretly grumble to himself:

Well, I knew you were going to make things difficult for me!

Take my advice, there's no need to overthink it, just choose the least valuable one. Uh, for example, the fire agate you're wearing around your neck.

The craftsmanship is poor, and it looks quite old.

The red string tied to it was almost worn through, so I just threw it into the water. Out with the old, in with the new. Anyway, you have plenty of fire rain agate at home.

Oh, don't expect to get it back.

No matter what you lose, I'll just admit defeat.

However, being a wealthy and powerful person, Hu Meier was ruthless enough to discard most of the jewelry she wore. After a slight hesitation, she took a pearl flower from her hair.

"Puff~"

With a feigned slip of her hand, Hu Meier released the pearl flower, made of delicate gold threads wrapped around pearls, and it fell into the cold pool.

"Oh dear, my beaded hairpin!"

"Quick, quick, help me pick it up! Jiang Mo, as long as you pick up that beaded flower, you'll have passed this test!"

The anxiety on her face didn't last a second before Hu Meier looked at Jiang Mo and urged him on.

They eagerly awaited to see Jiang Mo jump into the water and watch as the cascading waterfall frantically searched for the tiny pearl flower in the icy pool.

You...

Could the acting be improved even further?

Unable to suppress a silent grumble, Jiang Mo met Hu Meier's gaze, shrugged, and said rather uncooperatively:

"Well, I'm not a good swimmer, please forgive me, I really have no way to help myself."

However, while refusing, Jiang Mo subconsciously glanced at the pool water where white waves were constantly rising due to the waterfall, and his keen eyes caught a glimpse of dazzling gold.

If you're willing to try and salvage it.

For Yu Jiangmo, it wasn't a major problem.

Jiang Mo was speechless at Hu Meier's deliberately nitpicking attitude, which she didn't even pretend to be. It was just a position where he helped her with odd jobs, and he didn't care about it.

Chapter 38: I told you not to mess around, and now something's happened.

Although it was intentional to make things difficult, Hu Meier had put a lot of thought into her earlier dilemma, and the pearl flower she chose was indeed the most suitable piece of jewelry for her.

Its main body is a pearl, which is not small in size, but not very heavy.

Even if it falls into the water, it will not sink quickly. Instead, it will occasionally rise to the surface due to the constant waves rising from the cold pool.

The gold threads adorning it are particularly eye-catching.

Even though the waves in the cold pool may be distracting, if one is determined to look closely, one cannot help but find the trace of the pearl flower.

Logically speaking, retrieving the beaded flower shouldn't be too difficult.

At most, after jumping into the water, you'll inevitably feel a bit dizzy from the roar of the cascading waterfall, and your face will turn blue from the cold pool, leaving you looking like a drowned rat.

It was even easier to complete than the test of retrieving the Crimson Spirit Blood Mushroom yesterday.

At least the goal is tangible and immediate.

After Hu Meier's fake performance, many of the guards around looked at the pearl flowers floating in the pool, their faces showing eager expressions.

But Jiang Mo, the one who was called out, actually didn't respond!

Seeing him standing still without moving an inch, many people couldn't help but secretly curse him for being stupid. Such an easy opportunity to pass the test and win the favor of the second young lady was right in front of him, yet he couldn't seize it.

I really don't know how this guy got through yesterday.

Is it all based on shady dealings?

Then the sky over Fire Rain Manor must be a bit too dark.

Everyone was eager to jump into the water as soon as Hu Meier gave the order, vying for the pearl flower that was still in sight.

But Hu Meier completely ignored these people.

She stared at the unmoved Jiang Mo, feeling as if she had punched a cotton ball—a complete waste of energy. She couldn't help but glare at him with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, and retorted:

"Why not go? What do you take my orders as a servant of the manor?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I'm powerless to do it! Besides, didn't you say yesterday, Miss, that participation in the exam was entirely voluntary?"

Jiang Mo was not afraid at all.

Instead, he found Hu Meier's flustered and coquettish demeanor quite rare, and couldn't resist teasing her, so he shook his head and sighed:

“I told you yesterday that I have no special skills and that you should choose someone else, Miss.”

"But Miss, you insisted on making me take this second test, saying that luck is also a kind of ability. What a waste of that beaded flower, it was so beautiful..."

Jiang Mo's words left Hu Meier speechless.

If the other party tries to argue in other ways, Hu Meier might be able to put up a fight with her sharp tongue.

But now Jiang Mo is saying all the lines she used yesterday!

How can this be refuted?

It wouldn't be right to go back on your word after just one night's sleep!

With so many people watching, Hu Meier still had to save face.

But if Jiang Mo just lets it slide like this, losing the pearl flower is a small matter. The key is that all the effort that I put into trying to trick Jiang Mo will be wasted.

She was the one who got mocked?

The thought of how many times her older sister, Hu Yu'er, would rave about this embarrassing incident if she found out made Hu Mei'er's face burn with embarrassment.

She was so angry that she couldn't help but grit her teeth.

Her chest heaved uncontrollably, and her originally dignified clothes billowed with the waves, revealing a tempting expanse of fair and tender skin.

"If you retrieve that pearl flower, I will reward you with a hundred taels of gold!"

Hu Meier, who wanted to see Jiang Mo's unwilling expression, instead revealed a rather delicious look on her face. Somewhat embarrassed and angry, she immediately used her most skilled method.

They spent lavishly.

Or rather, a money-spraying offensive.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

No matter how exquisite the beaded flower is, it is still just a piece of jewelry. How could it possibly be worth a hundred taels of gold?

Many people's breathing immediately became heavy, and their eyes churned with greed. They only regretted that Hu Meier hadn't promised them the pearl hairpin; otherwise, they would have already leaped down to snatch it.

"Miss, you..."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan's expression changed, and she stepped forward to stop Hu Meier's rash promise.

Unexpectedly, someone else beat them to it this time.

“A hundred taels of gold is no child’s play. I dare to be so bold as to ask Miss to retract her words and forgive my inability to help you…”

Chunlan, seeing this, couldn't help but nod secretly.

She thought to herself that this young man named Jiang Mo was still able to stick to his principles even when faced with a hundred taels of gold, and he even took the initiative to risk standing up to persuade and correct the young lady's decision. His character was truly excellent.

Regardless of the exam results, we can still nurture him properly.

However, although Jiang Mo adopted a righteous and awe-inspiring posture, seemingly adopting the appearance of a loyal minister willing to die for his principles, he was actually showcasing the spirit of a new generation of youth to Hu Meier.

He spread his hands and lay down, refusing to do anything.

The fledgling swallows on the periphery of the crowd, who were trying to peek inside on tiptoe, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this scene.

To be honest, when Chu Yan heard Hu Meier mention rewarding her with a hundred taels of gold, she couldn't help but feel tempted. She thought, "Since this is only the second test, why not take this opportunity to make some money?"

If he, as an observer, felt this way, how much more so would Jiang Mo, who was directly involved?

Despite such a huge temptation, he still refused Hu Meier without hesitation, demonstrating a strong will that is truly extraordinary.

As expected of Brother Mo!

However, perhaps only the two of them felt admiration and amazement. The remaining onlookers couldn't help but widen their eyes after hearing Jiang Mo's words.

His expression was one of shock and anger.

Surprisingly, Jiang Mo remained unmoved by the windfall of a hundred taels of gold and refused the Second Miss without hesitation.

What's infuriating is that Jiang Mo not only refused to take it himself, but also went out of his way to offer advice.

If you don't want it, plenty of other people will!

Why completely block off the road?!

Little did they know, the difference between people is often greater than the difference between a person and a dog. Hu Meier was willing to throw away a hundred taels of gold to lure Jiang Mo, but she wouldn't even bother to throw a bone to anyone else.

Seeing that Jiang Mo refused to be fooled no matter what, Hu Meier couldn't help but get a little angry and stomped her foot at Jiang Mo, shouting:

"You, no matter what, refuse to help me retrieve it?"

"Second Miss, people are often unable to withstand tests. I advise you to refrain from doing things like lighting the beacon fires to amuse the feudal lords."

Jiang Mo looked directly at Hu Meier without showing the slightest fear.

"Good good."

Hu Meier, furious yet laughing, said "good" three times in a row. The ripples on her chest fully reflected the turbulent emotions in her heart.