1745 Tian-Tsui Headdress

Xu Ju had no choice but to part with something valuable. She said with some heartache, "Our Xu family has an heirloom. It's a box with a big headdress inside. It's decorated with something called… tian-tsui on it! I heard from my father that it's worth a lot of money. That headdress is in my possession, so I'll use it to bet with you!"

Qiao Mei's eyes lit up when she heard the words "tian-tsui". A headdress like this was a very rare find. Such accessories were made by embedding a metal base with kingfisher feathers and slowly making it into a headdress or other accessory.

A headdress would require the feathers of at least 1,000 kingfishers! There were very few kingfishers in the world, so such tian-tsui items were very rare and would even be accepted by museums, albeit in 30 years' time.

"Alright! But I have to see the headdress first before deciding if it's worth it," Qiao Mei said excitedly.

"Are you afraid that I'll lie to you? I, Xu Ju, am not that kind of person! If you don't believe me, ask your mother-in-law! See if what I said is true!" Xu Ju said as she pointed at Xu Lan.

Xu Lan looked at Qiao Mei and nodded. "It's true that the Xu family has such a headdress. It's very gorgeous and elegant. The entire headdress is made of tian-tsui. I've seen it before and my parents indeed gave it to her."

This headdress was meant for a woman, so the men in the family did not have the right to get it. Furthermore, Xu Lan had married better than Xu Ju, so this family heirloom could not go to Xu Lan. In the end, it was Xu Ju who received the headdress gleefully.

However, this headdress could not be sold for money. Kingfishers were now protected animals in the country, and this headdress was made using the feathers of kingfishers. If they were not careful, they could be accused of torturing and killing protected animals. If so, the entire Xu family would have to go to jail!

After hearing what Xu Lan said, Qiao Mei became more determined to get the headdress. She looked at Xu Ju and said, "Then it's settled! You can't go back on your word. Don't regret it later!"

"Hmph, I won't regret it! I'm just afraid that you'll regret it! We have to sign an agreement! Otherwise, what if you go back on your word?" Xu Ju said warily.

"But it's illegal to document a bet. It's better not to do such things," Qiao Mei said.

"Are you stupid! Don't you know how to write that if you don't score higher than Xu Jiao in the college entrance examination, you'll lend that house in Lian City to Xu Jiao for 30 years?" Xu Ju looked at Qiao Mei in disdain, as if Qiao Mei was a fool.

Qiao Mei smiled resignedly. She did not expect Xu Ju to have thought so far. It seemed that whatever happened today had been planned for a long time. Xu Ju was determined to take her house in Lian City.

"Alright, you go ahead and write then. I'll put down my thumbprint," Qiao Mei said.

Xu Ju happily took out a pen and paper and started drafting the agreement. It did not take long for her to finish it. When Qiao Mei was in the military family compound, she had already perfected her calligraphy by practicing often. Even contemporary calligraphers would praise her handwriting.

When Qiao Mei signed the agreement, she deliberately wrote the words crookedly. When Xu Ju saw Qiao Mei's handwriting, she became even more convinced that Xu Jiao would definitely be able to beat Qiao Mei.

"Alright, I'll take one copy with me. I'll leave you to it. See you when school starts." Xu Ju happily pulled along Xu Jiao and left.

Xia Wen looked at Qiao Mei's signature and said, "You did it on purpose?"

"Of course it's on purpose, but I really want that headdress," Qiao Mei said relaxedly.

"Are you really going to school? Can you handle it in your current condition?" Xu Lan said worriedly.

"There's no problem. I've already planned everything. When this child is born during the new year next year, I'll be able to continue with my studies in April after the confinement period. The college entrance examination is in June! Don't worry, I'll definitely be able to pass!" Qiao Mei said confidently.

Xia Wen sighed and said, "We're not worried about your results and the bet. What we're all worried about is your health!"

When Xu Ju reached the entrance of the neighborhood, she suddenly felt that there was something missing. She hurriedly ran back to the Xia family residence and rushed into the house, saying, "No! We can't just sign it so easily!"

"Then what else does Eldest Aunt want?" Qiao Mei asked.

"You… you have to come with me to find someone to be the guarantor! To witness this matter!" Xu Ju said.