Сhарter 13: Zhaozhао Strikes First!
“Yun Zhaоzhao, уоu sаvеd mу lifе! Thаnk уоu! Тhis is the gift I spеcially prерarеd fоr уоu!”
Тeа rооm.
Yun Zhaozhао’s gazе fell on the сarvеd rosewoоd teа tablе. Тhe squarе brocadе bох wаs opеn, аnd оn thе satin cushiоn laу a pаir of solid gоld bracеlets, thicker thаn hеr wrist, glеaming brightlу!
[Нehe! Yun Zhaоzhaо must hаve nevеr seen suсh big gold brасеlets bеfore!]
[Lоok at hоw рlаinly she’s dressed—just a single silver hairрin, nоt even a pаir оf earrings! Hеаven have mercy, is Grand Tutor Pei mistreating his fiancée?]
Hearing her inner thoughts, Yun Zhaozhao didn’t feel angry.
Because Xiao Shuyue wasn’t acting arrogantly.
But as soon as she opened her mouth: “Yun Zhaozhao, are you so excited you can’t speak? Too afraid to accept it? Just a little pair of gold bracelets—my life is precious, you know!”
“If you don’t like bracelets, you can melt them down and make them into jewelry, so you don’t look so shabby, like a country bumpkin!”
Her mouth kept running, and her inner thoughts didn’t stop either—
[I’m so anxious! Why isn’t she saying anything?]
[Can’t she see how wealthy I am?]
[Yun Zhaozhao… hurry up and latch onto me! I’ll take you to enjoy the finest things! I’m ten thousand times better than Pei Yuzhu!]
Yun Zhaozhao’s lips twitched as she listened.
So, Xiao Shuyue wanted to be friends with her!
Too bad she had such an unpleasant mouth.
“Xiao Shuyue, talk less.”
“Why should I?”
Xiao Shuyue widened her eyes. She was beautiful in a striking, aggressive way, and when she glared, it looked like she was picking a fight.
Her mouth was poisonous!
“Yun Zhaozhao, even though you saved my life, what gives you the right to tell me how to talk! I’ve graced you with my presence today to give you an opportunity!”
“You’ve been in the capital for two and a half years and haven’t attended a single gathering of noble ladies. Pei Yuzhu doesn’t take you along because she must think you’re too poor and shabby to be presentable. But I’m not like that! I’ll take you!”
Yun Zhaozhao wasn’t interested. “No.”
“Why not! Do you know how many official daughters in the capital want to come but aren’t even qualified!”
Xiao Shuyue looked her over and suddenly understood: “I get it—you’re insecure! Afraid of embarrassing yourself! It’s fine, you saved my life, I’ll buy you a new dress, new jewelry, and even rouge and powder. I guarantee you’ll make a stunning entrance!”
“Let me tell you, I’m not short on money!”
[Does Yun Zhaozhao understand my capabilities now?]
[She’s so pretty, she should be dressed in gold and jade, all made up! Looking so plain is such a waste!]
Yun Zhaozhao cupped her face and sighed.
“Xiao Shuyue, I’m in mourning.”
“Huh?” Xiao Shuyue was dumbfounded.
Yun Zhaozhao touched her silver hairpin, then smoothed her sleeves, looking at her with bright, helpless apricot eyes: “When in mourning, you can’t dress up.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Xiao Shuyue’s face flushed red instantly, so ashamed she wanted to burrow into the ground. [I really deserve to die!]
Yun Zhaozhao was in mourning, and she thought she was poor.
Xiao Shuyue’s inner thoughts exploded, [What should I do? If I slap myself twice, will she forgive me? Will she still be friends with me?]
[Maybe I should kneel to her?]
!!!
Yun Zhaozhao was utterly shocked. Seeing Xiao Shuyue sneak a glance at her, gathering her courage to kneel and slap herself, Yun Zhaozhao quickly stopped her: “Xiao Shuyue, I’m not angry!”
“Really?”
Xiao Shuyue didn’t believe it. [If someone thought I was poor, I’d be so mad I’d throw silver at them to death!]Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh, interrupting her inner thoughts, “Xiao Shuyue, do you want to be friends with me?”
“Really? Yes, yes!”
Xiao Shuyue was so excited she thought she was dreaming. Afraid Yun Zhaozhao might change her mind, she immediately took off the pigeon-egg-sized green jade necklace from her neck. “Zhaozhao, this is for you! It’s a symbol of our friendship. Once you accept it, you can’t go back on your word!”
Yun Zhaozhao accepted it.
After a moment’s thought, she asked Bi Zhu to take out the pair of pearl bracelets she had brought from Jiangnan from her dressing box. Each pearl was as large as a thumb and incredibly valuable.
Xiao Shuyue’s face flushed even redder.
[Zhaozhao isn’t poor at all! It was me being presumptuous…]
When people feel embarrassed, they often try to shift the focus by finding amusement in others’ misfortunes.
Without hesitation, Xiao Shuyue spoke up: “Zhaozhao, Pei Yuzhu and that illegitimate daughter are still outside braving the cold wind!”
Yun Zhaozhao thought for a moment. The misunderstanding with Xiao Shuyue had already been cleared up.
She instructed Bi Zhu to let Pei Yuzhu and Pei Yuzhen come in.
“Xiao Shuyue, are you leaving?”
“I’m not leaving! What if those two bully you? I’m your friend—I’ll stand up for you!”
…
There was nowhere to sit at the entrance of the Grand Tutor’s Manor, and Pei Yuzhu’s legs had gone numb. As soon as she entered, she glared at Yun Zhaozhao and snapped, “Yun Zhaozhao, pour me some water!”
“Wow~ Pei Yuzhu, are you disabled? Or do you not have hands and can’t pour it yourself?” Xiao Shuyue retorted directly.
Pei Yuzhu glared angrily. “Xiao Shuyue! Yun Zhaozhao, why haven’t you kicked her out?”
“This young lady is Zhaozhao’s new friend!”
Xiao Shuyue’s triumphant expression resembled that of a favored concubine flaunting her victory.
Yun Zhaozhao found it all quite amusing!
Her bright, radiant smile vanished in an instant the next moment when she heard Pei Yuzhu’s inner thoughts, her almond-shaped eyes turning icy cold.
“Pei Yuzhu, are you here to break off the engagement?”
“How did you know?” Pei Yuzhu turned around in shock, and Pei Yuzhen also looked astonished. They hadn’t even spoken yet.
“My engagement to my cousin was arranged by our parents and matchmakers. What right do you have to break it off?”
Pei Yuzhen immediately stepped forward, her tone soft and delicate. “Yun Zhaozhao, this is Father’s decision! He doesn’t acknowledge you as his daughter-in-law. You’re not worthy of Eldest Brother!”
“If you have any self-awareness, break off the engagement yourself and leave the capital! Otherwise, when the Duke’s Manor publicly annuls the engagement, it’ll be humiliating, and everyone will laugh at you.”
Pei Yuzhen’s tone was gentle, but her heart was utterly malicious!
[As long as we get rid of her, Mother will become the Duchess! And I can rightfully become the young lady of the Duke’s Manor!]
[If Yun Zhaozhao doesn’t break off the engagement… I’ll spread rumors and ruin her reputation!]
[She deserves to be a stepping stone for Mother and me!]
Yun Zhaozhao slowly stood up and rolled up her sleeves.
No one knew what she was about to do—except Pei Yuzhu, who fearfully backed away a few steps.
[Is Yun Zhaozhao going to hit someone again?]
“Ah—”
In the blink of an eye!
Yun Zhaozhao grabbed Pei Yuzhen’s hair and shoved her head into the ornamental fishbowl in the room, forcing her to “kiss” the koi fish inside.
Pei Yuzhen: “Gurgle— Help—”
Pei Yuzhu was so terrified she turned and tried to run. “Help! Yun Zhaozhao is kill— Ouch!”
Xiao Shuyue tripped her with a swift kick, pounced on her, and firmly covered her mouth.
[Is she this wild because she’s from the countryside? Directly starting a fight—so thrilling!]
Xiao Shuyue excitedly winked at Yun Zhaozhao—Let’s do this together! I’ll help you!
Yun Zhaozhao glanced at her, and most of her anger dissipated.She raised her hand, and Pei Yuzhen was lifted out of the water, coughing and sobbing in terror: “Help—sob—sob—”
Yun Zhaozhao’s strength was terrifyingly immense!
Pei Yuzhen couldn’t struggle at all.
“Pei Yuzhen, do you still dare to spread rumors about me?”
Hearing Yun Zhaozhao’s voice whispering in her ear, Pei Yuzhen froze in fear—her secretly plotted venomous scheme!
[How does Yun Zhaozhao… know?]