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Chu Qingshuang remained deeply engrossed in shaping her porcelain blank, her concentration absolute. Her fingers moved nimbly, molding each piece of clay into various shapes and seamlessly integrating them with the main blank to form a cohesive whole.

As time passed, the porcelain piece in front of Chu Qingshuang increasingly resembled the model provided for observation…

Yan Helin, having finished his main blank, proudly went to check Chu Qingshuang’s work, only to be stunned at first glance. His heart was filled with disbelief.

Chu Qingshuang had started much later, so how had she made such progress?

Her porcelain blank seemed perfect, flawless. If one didn’t know better, they might assume it was the work of an experienced master with decades of skill, not a young girl.

Could it be that Chu Qingshuang wasn’t just arrogantly confident but genuinely skilled?

He felt a bit defeated.

Yan Yanrong, standing outside the area, was so anxious she wanted to rush forward and smash Chu Qingshuang’s porcelain piece. How could she have shaped it so well?

She had seen Chu Qingshuang’s work before; although it was good, it was never as perfect as today’s piece.

Li Zhenzong looked at Chu Qingshuang with satisfaction. His disciple was performing excellently today.

Li Shaoliang said proudly, “Dad, Qingshuang is almost surpassing your skills.”

Li Zhenzong smiled, “I don’t mind her surpassing me. I worry if she can’t. I hope she becomes ten or a hundred times better than me, a renowned master in her own right.”

Li Shaoliang confidently said, “Qingshuang is still young. Given time, she will definitely achieve that.”

Li Zhenzong playfully taunted his son, “The better Qingshuang becomes, the more apparent your gap with her. What are you so happy about?”

Li Shaoliang turned to Li Zhenzong, “Dad, you’re not really going to favor her over your own son, are you?”

Li Zhenzong patted Li Shaoliang’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Don’t worry, I will always be fair and just, even if it means being tough on my own kin.”

Li Shaoliang didn’t know what to say.

Nearby, quiet murmurs of conversation could be heard.

“That young girl’s porcelain shaping is impressive.”

“You noticed too?”

“Her skills are comparable to a master craftsman. I wonder which family she belongs to.”

“I guess either the Zhang family or the Yang family. These two families are currently the most influential, with many talented individuals.”

“Let’s wait and see. The answer will be revealed tomorrow.”

At that moment, members of the Zhang and Yang families were also observing Chu Qingshuang, considering if they could recruit such a talented porcelain artist.

At the tea stall.

Ning Shuangshuang, accompanied by her maid, walked over and was surprised to see Ning Yuting. “Big cousin, you’re here too?”

She was Ning Yuting’s third cousin and was already married into a porcelain merchant family. She had come to watch the competition.

“Just taking a look,” replied Ning Yuting, who hadn’t seen Ning Shuangshuang for some time. “Come, let me introduce you…”

He introduced the Chu family at the table.

After hearing Ning Yuting’s introductions, Ning Shuangshuang curtsied, “1 am Ning Shuangshuang, pleased to meet you all.” After the greetings, her gaze landed on Chu Qingyue, scrutinizing her critically, though she couldn’t find any fault. “Pleased to meet my future cousin-in-law.”

Chu Qingyue stood up straight and returned the bow nervously. Other than Grandpa Ning, this was the second person she had seen from the Ning family. “Cousin Shuangshuang.”

Ning Shuangshuang, with a hint of sarcasm, said, “Many things can change in this world, and it’s not certain we will become family.”

This comment changed the atmosphere, making everyone uncomfortable.

Chu Qingyue blushed with embarrassment and stiffness.

Chu Qingzhi pulled Chu Qingyue to sit down and whispered, “This is a good opportunity to see Ning Yuting’s stance. If he doesn’t stand up for you, it might be better not to proceed with this marriage.”

Chu Qingyue nodded slightly, “Okay.”

Ning Yuting stood up, his gaze sternly fixed on Ning Shuangshuang, “You are already married and out of our family. Whether Qingyue marries me or not, she won’t become your family member. And her calling you cousin is out of courtesy and politeness. Ning Shuangshuang, in the future, you don’t have to come back to the Ning family.”

Ning Shuangshuang was stunned, not expecting Ning Yuting to defend Chu Qingyue so strongly.

Her mother had told her that after Ning Yuting got married, her grandfather would hand over the power of the head of the family to him. Now that Ning Yuting asked her to not come back to the Ning family, it was no different from cutting ties with her.

“Cousin, we’re family. Chu Qingyue is an outsider. How can you side with outsiders?”

Ning Yuting told Ning Shuangshuang seriously, “You’re wrong. Qingyue and I are family. You’re just a relative to me.”

Ning Shuangshuang’s face turned pale. She glared fiercely at Chu Qingyue and left with the servant girl.

“Wait!” Ning Yuting called out to her.

Turning back, Ning Shuangshuang asked resentfully, “What else?”

Ning Yuting demanded, “Apologize to Qingyue.”

Chu Qingyue raised her head and looked at Ning Yuting. At this moment, she was certain that this man was worth entrusting her life to. Her eyes became brighter and brighter, like starlight.

Chu Qingzhi and the rest were also very satisfied with Ning Yuting’s attitude and felt more at ease about their marriage.

Ning Shuangshuang was in disbelief. “Cousin, you want me to apologize to her?”

Ning Yuting repeated, “Apologize.”

The atmosphere was tense.

Ning Yuting sat on a stool and poured a cup of tea for Chu Qingyue. He also ordered a plate of tea and snacks that Chu Qingyue liked and placed it in front of her. He said gently, “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Let’s have something nice to eat later to make up for it.”

Chu Qingyue smiled at Ning Yuting, “Okay.”

Ning Shuangshuang, filled with jealousy, watched the scene. She had never been treated so tenderly by her husband. Why did this village girl deserve Ning Yuting’s affection?

She grabbed the handkerchief with both hands and twisted it out of shape.

Taking deep breath, deep breath, deep breath…

Ning Shuangshuang squeezed out the words from between her teeth. “Chu Qingyue, I’m sorry for what 1 said just now. I shouldn’t have said those words.”

Her family still had to rely on Ning Yuting. Her eldest brother had also been preparing to accept some of the family’s business recently. If she angered her eldest cousin, her family would be at a disadvantage.

Chu Qingyue didn’t care about Ning Shuangshuang at all, but she still wanted to say, “We’re all women. We’re married and in similar situations. There’s no need to go against each other.”

Ning Shuangshuang ignored her words, saying spitefully before leaving, “I hope he always cares for you like this, otherwise your end will be miserable.”

With that, she turned around and left.

Chu Qingning took Chu Qingyue’s hand, “Second sister, don’t mind her words. Even if your husband ever treats you badly, you still have us. We can earn our own living.”

Ning Yuting was speechless.

Chu Qingzhi was slightly surprised, noting Chu Qingning’s awakening sense of female independence..