Yu Mu’an was a little puzzled. Hadn’t Yu Lin also been reborn?
Why was she giving in so easily?
If Yu Lin stopped resisting, Yu Mu’an would have to work harder to maintain the standoff and keep fanning the flames.
Main Hall, Zhiyuan Pavilion.
Hu Rui sat at the head of the table, her expression much calmer than before.
Consort Zhao stood at her side, smiling as she spoke to her.
Yu Lin sat at the table near the door, her face still stubborn.
The step-mother paused slightly upon seeing the scene inside.
As they entered, Hu Rui immediately showed a trace of warmth:
“Mother-in-law, welcome! We’ve been waiting for you.”
Consort Zhao’s smile immediately faltered.
The step-mother walked in, smiling pleasantly “Oh, mother-in-law, what a fuss this has caused! I’m sure you’ve had a laugh at our expense.
It’s all due to our Marquis’ household being lax, letting such a ridiculous blunder happen. Tomorrow we’ll deal properly with that meddlesome matchmaker!”
Hu Rui smiled gently: “As long as the children get back on track, it’s fine. Good things take time.”
Her warm gaze turned toward Yu Mu’an: “What do you think, An’er?”
Yu Mu’an remained calm, kneeling slightly: “Since the matter has already come to this, it’s better not to force it.
Interfering would benefit neither the General’s household nor the Marquis’ household, and it would only make both a laughingstock in the eyes of the public and the nobles in the capital.”
The step-mother’s expression darkened: “How dare you speak like that!
No matter how much I’ve spoiled you, once married you cannot behave so recklessly in your husband’s household!”
Yu Mu’an lowered her eyes: “An’er wouldn’t dare.”
The step-mother’s tone hardened: “As your mother, I demand that you reverse the bride swap. Do not act willfully!”
Hu Rui quickly intervened: “It’s fine as long as the child listens. An’er isn’t rebellious, there’s no need to scold her, mother-in-law.”
Consort Zhao looked smug: “It’s my Lin’er who’s obedient. I only had to mention it and she agreed.”
Hu Rui looked at Yu Lin, her expression softening: “If that’s the case, then all the better…”
“I never said that.”
Yu Lin suddenly spoke up, looking toward the two ladies at the head of the table.
“I already belong to Brother Hong, so naturally I’m his wife.
You can’t just bully him into marrying someone else because the eldest brother is a fool, can you?”
Consort Zhao was shocked: “You… you when… wait, weren’t you just ”
Yu Lin shrugged casually: “Just kidding.”
Consort Zhao’s face turned red. She stammered and stomped her foot in frustration.
The step-mother scowled, turning to scold Consort Zhao: “Look at the daughter you raised! Acting spoiled because she’s favored, and you raised such an unprincipled child!”
Consort Zhao habitually retorted: “The Marquis only favors me. If you think so much, ask the Marquis yourself!”
The step-mother trembled with anger, pointing at Consort Zhao: “Zhao Qinqin! Stop using the Marquis as an excuse! The Marquis’ household is under my command now. If you continue, I’ll have you sold off immediately!”
Consort Zhao straightened her neck: “You dare! To sell me off, you’d need the old madam’s approval. I’m the old madam’s niece!”
The step-mother shook with fury.
Hu Rui sneered:
“Looks like the rumors about the Marquis’ household are true. Even a lowly concubine dares to defy the main madam.”
Watching the familiar yet chaotic scene, Yu Mu’an lowered her gaze and smiled lightly.
Having lived a second life, Yu Lin had a sort of reckless fearlessness.
But Yu Mu’an could not be like that.
Before avenging her mother, she had to survive carefully, step by step, without a single misstep.
“Mother, has it been settled?”
Xie Jinghong’s voice rang out.
He stepped quickly into the room, a smile on his face, bowing politely to the step-mother.
Seeing the expressions around him, his smile faded.
Finally, he looked at Yu Lin, his gaze heavy, as if storms swirled in his eyes: “Lin’er, you still won’t agree?”
Yu Lin lifted her tear-filled eyes: “Brother Hong, are you really going to give me to someone else?”
Xie Jinghong took a deep breath, unable to speak.
Hu Rui spoke coldly: “My son is too soft-hearted to speak. I’ll say it for him.”
All eyes turned to her.
“Hong’er is the only legitimate son of the General’s household. In the future, he must inherit the title.
His wife cannot be the illegitimate daughter of a servant. Understood?”
Yu Lin and Consort Zhao’s faces changed drastically.
The step-mother looked surprised, her eyes betraying envy of Hu Rui.
In noble families, one usually speaks tactfully and elegantly.
Hu Rui had clearly lost patience, speaking directly and sharply, leaving no room for subtlety.
Before anyone could react, a figure suddenly dashed into the room, pacing dazedly. Spotting Yu Mu’an, his face lit up.
“Play! Let’s play together!”
The foolish eldest son, Xie Jingyan, grinned and grabbed Yu Mu’an’s hand.
“Hide-and-seek! Hide-and-seek!”
Yu Mu’an breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that before leaving, he had remembered her coaxing and now finally reacted, coming to play.
She did not resist, returning his large hand with a gentle smile.
She didn’t answer, instead looking at the two at the head of the table, seemingly seeking their approval.
Hu Rui’s face darkened, and the step-mother looked displeased.
Consort Zhao, however, showed a hint of scorn, sizing up Xie Jingyan and silently mocking him through Yu Mu’an.
Hu Rui ground her teeth: “Yan’er! Stop fooling around! That’s your sister-in-law!”
Xie Jingyan tilted his head at her, then at Yu Mu’an: “Sister-in-law?”
He glanced at Xie Jinghong next.
Xie Jinghong’s expression darkened. He stepped forward to pull him away:
“Let go at once!”
Xie Jingyan was agile, pulling Yu Mu’an backward with long strides.
Caught off guard, Yu Mu’an stumbled, colliding heavily into his sturdy embrace.
Xie Jingyan held her tightly, a child fiercely protecting a treasure, his face full of vigilance.
“No! Mine!”
She was squeezed painfully, but kept her expression calm, hiding her discomfort, and stayed perfectly still in his arms, like a delicate doll.
Xie Jinghong’s expression darkened further: “What do you mean ‘yours’? She’s my wife!”
Xie Jingyan kept retreating, clutching Yu Mu’an, now at the threshold.
He shouted loudly: “A married bow! Mine! Mine!”
Then he leaned down and pressed a heavy kiss onto Yu Mu’an’s face.
“A wooden horse ”
A loud, solid kiss.
Everyone froze.
“Smack ”
Xie Jinghong threw down a teacup and strode out in a fury!
Consort Zhao hurriedly signaled Yu Lin.
Yu Lin’s eyes brightened and she chased after him: “Husband! Wait for me!”
Seeing two of the four involved leave,
Xie Jingyan muttered “mine, mine” and literally carried Yu Mu’an off in one go!
Yu Mu’an couldn’t move, but still spoke politely: “It’s late. Your daughter-in-law and husband will take their leave. Mothers, you should also rest early.”
The two senior ladies were left in the hall, the atmosphere dead silent.
Finally, Hu Rui broke the silence: “Very well, mother-in-law, you may leave.”
The step-mother bit her lip, standing to leave: “If… if it’s still possible, I’ll come again early tomorrow…”
Hu Rui showed no expression, nodding: “Then we appreciate your trouble.”
They left with their maids. Near the main gate, the leading maid said lightly: “Just follow the path ahead. I must return to serve Madam, so I won’t accompany you further.”
The step-mother’s face flushed from embarrassment and indignation, but she nodded with composure.
The maid turned and left.
Madam Liu, beside the step-mother, muttered angrily: “What people! Acting high and mighty! Why not just say it clearly was their fool of a son…”
“Watch your words.”
The step-mother interrupted coldly.
Not long after they had left, someone hidden in the shadows chuckled lightly.
“Who’s there?!”
The group was startled.
Yu Lin stepped forward, her smile radiant: “Mother, I have a plan that benefits both sides. Are you interested in hearing it?”