[As expected of the Second Concubine. Every sentence she says is full of hidden barbs. With pillow talk like that, it’s no wonder she can wrap the Marshal around her finger. No wonder she eventually puts such a huge green hat on his head without him ever realizing it. Tsk.]
Liu Xiyin secretly glanced at Marshal Yan.
[Thinking that the Marshal’s head will eventually be just as green as mine… no, actually much greener. And the funniest part is that he’ll never even know. That makes me happy~]
Marshal Yan’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
He gently pulled his arm free from Song Meier’s grasp.
“After what Shiyun did yesterday, you’d better behave yourself.”
Song Meier was left speechless.
She turned away, pretending to wipe away tears.
With her interruption over, Marshal Yan no longer pursued the issue of kneeling.
He accepted the tea from Yan Changye, took a casual sip, and set the cup aside.
Liu Xiyin quickly handed her own tea to Qin Wan.
Since Yan Changye hadn’t knelt…
Neither had she.
Marshal Yan accepted it.
Qin Wan said nothing.
After drinking the tea, she presented Liu Xiyin with an imperial-green jade bracelet of the finest quality as a welcoming gift.
Liu Xiyin then served tea to Marshal Yan.
He rewarded her with two large gold bars.
[Wow! Gold bars!]
Liu Xiyin was delighted.
In this era, two large gold bars were worth roughly eight hundred silver dollars—enough to buy a small house.
Yan Changye also received gifts.
Those had nothing to do with Liu Xiyin.
She carefully held onto her own.
They were all part of her future escape fund.
After the tea ceremony, Yan Changye led Liu Xiyin to a nearby sofa.
Marshal Yan asked,
“I heard someone planted explosives beneath your car?”
Yan Changye accepted the tea a servant offered and glanced toward Yan Changzhuo across the room.
“A timed bomb.”
“I wonder which blind fool planted it.”
Yan Changzhuo had been quietly comforting Song Meier.
Hearing that, he turned to look over.
A graduate of the military academy and one of Marshal Yan’s trusted right-hand men, he carried himself with perfect elegance.
Every inch the aristocratic young master.
“Fortunately, Elder Brother and Sister-in-law are unharmed.”
“Ancheng has been rather unstable lately.”
“With so many year-end affairs, the Security Bureau has been overwhelmed.”
“It almost caused Elder Brother to be frightened immediately after returning home.”
[The city’s unstable because you’re secretly working together with the male lead to muddy the waters! You’re both wolves in sheep’s clothing. Keep playing your schemes.]
Liu Xiyin snorted inwardly.
[Don’t be fooled by how handsome this Second Young Master is. Inside he’s completely rotten. In the future he’ll drain the Marshal’s Mansion dry to support the male lead. Calling him a sesame-filled rice ball is an insult to rice balls. He’s nothing more than a leech.]
[Although… this incident really wasn’t Yan Changzhuo’s doing…]
So the little bride knows the real mastermind too?
Yan Changye had only recently returned to Ancheng.
Although the servants at his residence had been temporary hires, the only person capable of planting an insider so flawlessly should have been Yan Changzhuo.
Still…
Yan Changye deliberately decided to test him.
“The city being unstable only proves the Security Bureau is incompetent.”
“Second Brother, you’re awfully eager to defend them.”
“What exactly are you trying to hide?”
Since Yan Changzhuo had served in the Security Bureau after graduation, criticizing the Bureau was equivalent to criticizing him personally.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiyin quietly enjoyed the spectacle.
[Fight! Fight!]
If they started arguing…
No one would remember she existed.
Yan Changzhuo, however, remained impeccably composed.
“Elder Brother is right.”
“I’ll have them improve their training later.”
He picked up a small gift box and walked toward Liu Xiyin.
“Military affairs delayed me last night.”
“I couldn’t return in time.”
“I heard Cousin Shiyun offended Sister-in-law and even mentioned the necklace I had given her, causing Sister-in-law unnecessary distress.”
“I feel deeply apologetic.”
“So I had someone find another necklace exactly like it overnight.”
“Please accept it as my apology.”
He opened the box.
Inside rested a sapphire necklace.
“I hope Sister-in-law won’t refuse.”
“…”
He knew Song Shiyun had framed her with a necklace…
Yet he chose to give her the exact same one?
This Second Young Master truly knew how to disgust people.
Liu Xiyin hurriedly stood.
“You’re too kind, Second Brother.”
“Everyone already knows Cousin Shiyun falsely accused me.”
“It has nothing to do with you.”
“And honestly…”
“I never liked that necklace anyway.”
“So please don’t trouble yourself.”
Someone nearby couldn’t help laughing.
Yan Changzhuo remained perfectly calm.
“I was inconsiderate.”
“How about this?”
“If Sister-in-law ever sees a necklace she likes…”
“Just tell me.”
“I’ll buy it for you.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
Yan Changye’s face immediately darkened.
“You’re buying necklaces for my wife?”
The Third Concubine spoke quietly from the side.
“Second Young Master…”
“The Eldest Young Madam isn’t merely your sister-in-law.”
“She is also the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of this household.”
“If you truly wished to apologize…”
“You should have offered something more appropriate.”
The Third Concubine clearly hated the Second Concubine’s family enough to speak up now.
Liu Xiyin glanced toward her.
Yan Changzhuo simply smiled.
“Third Aunt…”
“I understand you’re upset because Third Brother was injured.”
“But this isn’t your place to speak.”
Despite the smile…
Publicly speaking to his father’s concubine like that was unbelievably arrogant.
The Third Concubine’s face instantly turned pale.
[The Marshal doesn’t even stop him. He’s so biased. No wonder his own children eventually tear him apart.]
Liu Xiyin secretly looked toward Marshal Yan, who continued smoking his cigar.
In the latter part of the novel…
Marshal Yan’s favoritism repeatedly placed Yan Changye and the other concubines’ children in danger.
Out of more than twenty sons and daughters…
Only three survived.
Had Yan Changye not protected the future Ninth Concubine…
She, too, would eventually have died.
When Liu Xiyin had died suddenly in her previous life, she’d just reached the part where Yan Changye, Yan Changzhuo, and Yan Changying—the Fifth Concubine’s daughter—were all plotting Marshal Yan’s death.
Yan Changye had no choice.
If Marshal Yan lived…
Both he and the Ninth Concubine would die.
By then, Qin Wan had already been murdered by Song Meier.
Yan Changzhuo simply believed it was time for Marshal Yan to step aside.
As for Yan Changying…
Yan Changzhuo had killed the man she loved.
Yet Marshal Yan, believing Song Meier’s lies, intended to send Yan Changying to become the companion of an elderly eunuch serving a prince.
Back then, Liu Xiyin had thought Marshal Yan deserved everything that happened to him.
Now, witnessing him silently allow Yan Changzhuo to humiliate his elder sister-in-law and openly insult the Third Concubine…
She felt he deserved it even more.
Marshal Yan suddenly choked on his cigar.
He coughed violently for quite some time, breaking the confrontation in the hall.
Qin Wan gently patted his back and handed him tea.
“Marshal.”
After drinking half a cup, Marshal Yan waved his hand and looked toward the gathering.
“Second Son.”
“How can you speak to your Third Aunt like that?”
“Who taught you to disrespect your elders?”
Everyone present looked stunned.
Apparently…
No one had expected Marshal Yan to scold Yan Changzhuo for the Third Concubine’s sake.
Liu Xiyin quietly covered her mouth.
[Wait… this isn’t right.]
[Marshal Yan isn’t supposed to act like this.]
[Could it be…]
Her eyes widened.
[Don’t tell me someone can read my mind?!]
Yan Changye’s pupils contracted.
Moments earlier…
His little bride had been thinking about Marshal Yan’s future—how his own children would eventually tear him apart because of his favoritism.
Immediately afterward…
Marshal Yan had choked on his cigar and unexpectedly stood up for the Third Concubine.
Nothing like this had ever happened before.
Just as Yan Changye was beginning to suspect something…
He heard Liu Xiyin’s latest thought.
Could Father hear her thoughts too?
She actually knows mind-reading exists?
Of course Liu Xiyin knew.
Back in the modern world, she’d read countless novels.
Mind-reading was one of the oldest and most common tropes.
Oh no…
Don’t tell me I’ve actually run into one in real life?
Yan Changye remained expressionless.
Marshal Yan had always favored the Second Concubine.
Aside from withholding the title of Young Marshal from Yan Changzhuo, he practically wanted to stuff the entire Southeast Territory into his son’s hands.
Pretending his earlier rebuke had simply been disappointment rather than genuine anger…
That explanation actually sounded plausible.
After all…
A man who had risen from bandit chief to Grand Marshal couldn’t possibly have survived without extraordinary composure.
Still…
If Marshal Yan really could hear Liu Xiyin’s thoughts…
Last night she’d claimed Yan Changye would someday have an affair with his future Ninth Concubine.
Today she’d declared that the Second Concubine would eventually cuckold the Marshal himself.
Yet the old man hadn’t exploded with rage?
Yan Changzhuo’s face had flushed from the earlier reprimand.
Now, hearing Marshal Yan’s almost teasing tone, he immediately restrained himself and bowed slightly toward the Third Concubine.
“I was too arrogant.”
“Third Aunt… please forgive me.”
He accepted the offered way out gracefully.
The Third Concubine, however, had already been publicly humiliated.
She looked ready to collapse.
Gathering her courage, Liu Xiyin stepped forward—
Only to have Yan Changye pull her back.
His gaze remained icy as he addressed Yan Changzhuo.
“Since Second Brother admits he was arrogant…”
“You should kneel and apologize properly to Third Aunt.”
Yan Changzhuo withdrew the necklace, his smile never fading.
“Elder Brother…”
“You and Sister-in-law didn’t kneel during the tea ceremony.”
“Yet now you’re asking me to kneel?”
“Isn’t that a little too harsh?”
Yan Changye moved Liu Xiyin behind him.
“My wife and I followed the customs of the new government.”
“A republic has no tradition of kneeling.”
“But you deliberately disrespected your elder sister-in-law and insulted one of Father’s concubines.”
“Shouldn’t you kneel and apologize?”
Yan Changzhuo’s smile stiffened.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“Even Father said you lacked manners.”
“Did you mistake that for praise?”
[Exactly. He’s already in his twenties and still treats criticism like a joke. Childish.]
Liu Xiyin applauded the great villain in her heart.
Then she poked her head out from behind him to help.
“Young Marshal… forget it.”
“I only almost had my leg broken.”
“Third Aunt’s son actually did.”
“Besides… Cousin Song and Second Brother were already publicly exposed and lost face.”
“…”
Silence filled the hall.
What kind of comparison was that?
One side involved a broken leg.
The other involved being exposed after framing someone.
How could those possibly be equivalent?
And somehow…
It sounded as though losing face was even worse than breaking someone’s leg.
Was the Eldest Young Madam really trying to calm things down?
[Hehe. Time to introduce everyone to a classic future-style argument.]
Liu Xiyin calmly added more fuel to the fire.
“Second Brother isn’t destined for the battlefield anyway.”
“So lacking a few manners isn’t that serious.”
“Father can always protect him.”
To a man determined to inherit the Marshal’s position…
Telling him he’d never even make it onto the battlefield was practically a slap to the face.
Yan Changzhuo finally lost his composure.
“Sister-in-law!”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Liu Xiyin immediately shrank back behind Yan Changye.
Her large eyes filled with tears.
“Young Marshal…”
“Second Brother is bullying me.”
Yan Changzhuo’s face turned green.
[Serves you right. That’s for trying to disgust me.]
Yan Changye completely shielded Liu Xiyin behind him.
“What exactly do you intend to do to your sister-in-law?”
“She may have grown up in the countryside…”
“But she is still the Eldest Young Madam whom Father personally married into this family.”
“If you don’t respect me…”
“Does that also mean you don’t respect Father?”
That accusation instantly elevated the matter from disrespecting an elder sister-in-law…
To disrespecting the Marshal himself.
Yan Changzhuo found himself momentarily speechless.
[He never respected Father to begin with. Otherwise he wouldn’t eventually drain everything Father built before murdering him.]
[Seriously… what kind of ungrateful monster is he?]
Song Meier finally stopped pretending to cry.
She stood.
“Young Marshal, what are you trying to do?”
“Azhuo merely wished to apologize for yesterday.”
“If the Eldest Young Madam doesn’t appreciate it, that’s one thing.”
“But now she’s publicly humiliating him.”
“You can’t tolerate me or Yun’er.”
“Can you not even tolerate your own younger brother?”
[Oh? ‘Whether the great villain tolerates you is his generosity. Whether you deserve his tolerance is your own ability,’ isn’t that right, Second Aunt?~]
“…”
The dramatic rise and fall of Liu Xiyin’s inner voice almost choked Yan Changye.
After a brief pause, he answered,
“This is a conversation among the younger generation.”
“Second Aunt…”
“Why are you interrupting?”
“If you can’t control your tongue…”
“Go accompany the niece who only knows how to frame innocent people.”
[Excellent! So Father’s words really can become universal truths.]
Liu Xiyin clenched her fists excitedly.
She had feasted on enough drama already.
Marshal Yan’s words to the Third Concubine had now been thrown right back at Song Meier.
Marshal Yan slammed his cane onto the floor again.
“Enough!”
“Stop arguing!”
“Second Son.”
“Kneel and apologize to your Third Aunt.”
Liu Xiyin quietly hid behind Yan Changye once more.
“Father…”
Yan Changzhuo looked unwilling.
“You don’t even understand basic manners.”
“How can someone like you ever shoulder great responsibilities?”
Then Marshal Yan turned toward Song Meier.
“You’ve completely ruined that child.”
“If you can’t teach your son properly…”
“You won’t be eating either.”
[When a child goes astray, the father bears the responsibility. Marshal, you’re just passing the blame.]
Yan Changye gently pulled his sleeve free.
Somehow…
This little bride always managed to connect everything to some bizarre line of reasoning.
Only then did Liu Xiyin realize she’d unconsciously grabbed his sleeve again.
She quickly hid both hands behind her back.
[I took advantage of the great villain again… I really should be ashamed.]
Yan Changye glanced at her before returning to his seat.
Liu Xiyin timidly followed.
With Marshal Yan’s order given…
Yan Changzhuo had no choice.
Grinding his teeth, he knelt before the Third Concubine, offered tea, and apologized.
Only moments earlier, she’d been publicly humiliated.
Now, seeing Yan Changzhuo kneeling before her with a teacup…
Some of her dignity was finally restored.
Her trembling hands accepted the tea.
She took a small sip before setting it down.
Her eyes, however, remained red.
Liu Xiyin sighed silently for her.
The previous night, after Third Young Master’s accident…
Everyone’s attention had shifted toward Song Shiyun accusing Liu Xiyin.
Even after Song Shiyun’s lies were exposed…
The Third Concubine had never once been given the right to decide how her son’s attacker should be punished.
Today…
She had been humiliated by Yan Changzhuo and scolded by Marshal Yan once again.
This was simply the fate of an unloved woman in the old era.
The road toward standing proudly on equal footing…
Was still painfully long.
After Yan Changzhuo finished apologizing, Marshal Yan delivered the final verdict.
“Last night’s matter ends here.”
“The punishment for the young lady from the Song family has already been carried out.”
“No one is to mention it again.”
Then he looked toward Liu Xiyin.
“Eldest Daughter-in-law.”
“You are the eldest daughter-in-law of this household.”
“I don’t care whether you were raised in the city or the countryside.”
“As the eldest daughter-in-law…”
“You must learn to be tolerant.”
Once again…
The blame for his sons’ quarrel somehow landed on her shoulders.
True…
She had deliberately stirred things up.
But if Yan Changzhuo hadn’t provoked her first…
Would she really have stepped forward?
[Men… honestly the worst.]
Lowering her head, Liu Xiyin replied,
“Yes, Father.”
“I understand.”
Qin Wan smiled gently.
“It’s nearly noon.”
“Have the kitchen prepare lunch.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The first round of conflict finally came to an end.
Qin Wan beckoned Liu Xiyin over to chat with her.
At that moment…
Song Meier suddenly spoke.
“Eldest Young Madam…”
“Last night you said that little phonograph of yours was a gift from a foreigner?”