As evening fell, the setting sun still hung in the sky like a plump salted duck egg yolk, dyeing the entire horizon a faint red.
Yu Mu’an had just turned past a long corridor when she ran straight into Yu Lin and her group.
The moment Yu Lin saw her, she rolled her eyes dramatically and let out a loud snort, turning to leave.
Thinking about the spectacle she was about to watch, Yu Mu’an was in an unusually good mood. Smiling, she called out, “Sister.”
Yu Lin paused and turned back, glaring at her. “What do you want?!”
Yu Mu’an quickened her steps. “I heard you and your husband have been arguing these past few days?”
Yu Lin’s anger flared even more. “What’s it to you? Mind your own business!”
Yu Mu’an chuckled softly.
“Men need to be coaxed. Even if you and your dear Brother Hong share deep affection, constant quarrels and sleeping separately won’t do, will it?”
Yu Lin’s expression darkened as she kept walking.
“At a time like this, if someone else takes advantage of the situation… you’ll regret it bitterly.”
Yu Lin stopped abruptly.
She glared at Yu Mu’an viciously, gritting her teeth: “Know your place! The man you married is that fool Xie Jingyan not my Brother Hong!
Don’t even think about him. Even if we argue, you’ll never have a chance!”
In her previous life, she had only been an unnamed bedmate. Even though Xie Jinghong had coaxed her, saying she was the only one in his heart…
Yu Mu’an was still his rightful wife that fact had always been a thorn in her heart.
Especially since Yu Mu’an had relied on Xie Jinghong’s status to obtain a noble title!
Just thinking about it made her burn with jealousy.
And now, in this life, this wretch still hadn’t given up seeing her argue with Brother Hong and trying to swoop in?
“Give up already! Brother Hong will never like you! Especially not when you’re married to a fool!”
Yu Mu’an looked surprised. “How could you misunderstand so badly? My husband and I get along very well he’s quite attached to me.”
It was already common knowledge in the General’s residence that Xie Jingyan liked to follow Yu Mu’an around and was easy to coax.
Yu Lin looked disgusted and turned to leave.
Before they even reached the courtyard, a melodious singing voice drifted over from afar: “Since that day I saw my beloved on the battlefield his heroic figure lingers in my dreams and now I see osmanthus fragrance drifting, chrysanthemums in bloom”
In the front courtyard pavilion, Hu Rui was brewing tea, its fragrance filling the air.
A graceful young woman twirled her handkerchief, half-covering her charming face, and bowed sweetly toward Hu Rui with a bright smile.
Another young woman sat to the side playing the zither, the lingering notes echoing softly.
Oh my.
Yu Mu’an raised her hand, hiding the smile at the corner of her lips with her handkerchief.
Now this was going to be interesting.
Yu Lin, still unaware of what was about to unfold, performed her greeting and went up affectionately to hold Hu Rui’s arm. “Mother”
Hu Rui smiled and gestured toward the two young women, neatly avoiding Yu Lin’s grasp.
“Come, let me introduce you. These are the daughters of my cousin’s family from my maiden home Lin Xin and Lin Yu.”
“Greetings, sister”
The two of them curtsied.
Yu Lin immediately became alert, casting a suspicious glance at them before looking at Hu Rui.
“Mother, these two sisters are…?”
Lin Yu, the one who had just been singing, happily took Yu Lin’s hand and spoke coquettishly: “Dear sister! I feel like we’ve known each other at first sight. During the time we stay here, I’d like to live and dine with you!
Is that alright, Aunt?”
Hu Rui nodded with a smile.
“Why not? Lin’er is the main wife of the fifth branch there’s plenty of room in her courtyard. She can certainly make that decision.
Right, Lin’er?”
Yu Lin choked.
Lin Xin, who had been playing the zither, also stood and curtsied to Yu Mu’an with a smile.
“Then may I trouble you for some time as well?”
Yu Mu’an smiled. “Of course. I’m sure my husband will be happy to have a new playmate.”
Lin Xin’s smile stiffened.
Lin Yu tugged on Yu Lin’s hand. “Does sister not like me? Then forget it I must not be likable…”
Hu Rui looked at Yu Lin, already showing displeasure.
Yu Lin gritted her teeth, forcing a sweet smile.
“Mother! Brother Hong and I… well, it’s not convenient!
Since my sister is so hospitable, why not let both cousins stay at Qingchen Courtyard instead?”
Yu Mu’an nodded. “I have no objections. Everything will be arranged according to Mother’s wishes.”
Seeing Yu Lin unwilling, and Hu Rui unwilling to bear the reputation of forcing concubines into her daughter-in-law’s quarters, the situation became awkward.
Hu Rui simply turned and ordered someone to check whether Young Master Hong had returned.
In the back courtyard, Xie Jingyan was lying on a tree branch, resting with his eyes closed.
Ping An crouched on another branch, frowning as he tried to persuade him: “Young Master, this servant’s backside hasn’t even healed yet. Could you not climb so high next time?”
Xie Jingyan snorted. “You fool you don’t even know how to clear your own name, just letting that woman beat you.”
At the thought, he grew irritated.
“She’s long wanted an excuse to beat you to death, and you still foolishly walked right into it… forget it.
It’s because of me that you’ve had to live in fear. Just wait a little longer… just wait…”
Ping An sighed.
“I’m fine. Who could have expected the Eldest Young Madam would suddenly fall ill and return to the residence?
But thanks to her pleading, I managed to keep my life. Otherwise, with Madam’s methods, she would’ve beaten all those who knew the truth to death rather than simply selling them off.”
Xie Jingyan’s expression turned serious.
“I suspect she’s discovered I’ve been pretending.”
Ping An was shocked. “That can’t be, right? We’ve kept this up for years without anyone noticing…”
Xie Jingyan shook his head.
“No. I’m certain she has.
That night, when I deliberately tried to scare her by saying I’d hit her, she didn’t even try to dodge.”
Ping An guessed, “Could it be that the Eldest Young Madam thinks you’re usually obedient to her, so you wouldn’t actually hit her?”
“A person’s eyes don’t lie. I’m sure she was looking at me with amusement!”
Ping An grew worried.
“Then what does that mean… she won’t tell Madam, will she?”
Xie Jingyan’s gaze darkened.
“She deliberately returned with that woman, noticed I wasn’t in the residence, and then saved you all during the punishment…
She must have realized I intended to use her and deliberately struck back.”
Ping An pondered.
“Should we try to get on the Eldest Young Madam’s good side? She’s so clever if we bring her onto our side, things would be much easier.”
Xie Jingyan glared at him. “After she set me up like that, you still want to please her?”
Ping An shrank back.
Xie Jingyan’s gaze passed through the branches, looking toward Wei Rui Xuan in the distance.
“Those two have already entered the residence?”
Ping An replied, “Yes.”
Xie Jingyan sneered.
“That woman is definitely planning to place one in each of our rooms.
My special treatment toward Yu Mu’an has made her wary she’ll definitely send people to weaken my dependence on her.
Ideally, I’d only listen to her alone.”
Ping An scratched his head. “If there’s another person in our courtyard, it’ll be easier for your act to be exposed…”
Xie Jingyan smiled faintly. “There are many ways to make sure no one can pass along information.”
A servant came running while shouting, “Young Master! Where are you, Young Master?! Young Master!”
Ping An jumped down from the tree. “Why are you yelling like someone died? What is it?”