While exchanging pleasantries with the Liu family, Yan Changye quietly listened to Liu Xiyin’s thoughts.
Liu Mingyue is vomiting?
Someone’s trying to frame the little bride?
The day before, Yan Changye had already ordered a full investigation into everything Liu Xiyin had done during the past month in the Liu residence.
According to the report, ever since returning to the Liu family, the little bride had barely gone out.
When she did leave the house, she simply visited a few shops to buy New Year’s goods, fabric, and medicinal herbs, all of which she had sent back to her adoptive parents in the countryside.
As for Liu Mingyue…
The two had hardly interacted.
There had only been two encounters.
The first was an accidental meeting outside Huifeng Teahouse.
The second was when Liu Mingyue had accidentally fallen into the lake at the Liu residence, and the little bride had merely happened to pass by.
So every rumor claiming the little bride bullied Liu Mingyue lacked any concrete evidence.
The only incident that had seemed suspicious involved Liu Mingyue’s missing jewelry.
A servant claimed Liu Mingyue’s favorite ruby hairpin had disappeared.
The next day, people saw an almost identical ruby hairpin in the little bride’s hair.
After hearing about the misunderstanding, the little bride immediately purchased three ruby hairpins and had them delivered to Liu Mingyue.
Liu Mingyue refused them, telling everyone it had simply been a misunderstanding.
The investigating adjutant had reported,
“They were both from Dongbao Pavilion. Madam bought hers the first time she visited the city after returning. Miss Liu had commissioned hers earlier. They’re different designs, but at a glance they look very similar.”
Yet Bai Manman had never bothered investigating further.
The Liu household was as full of leaks as a sieve.
Even such a trivial matter had somehow spread throughout the entire city.
At that moment, Bai Manman smiled.
“Xiyin didn’t grow up in Ancheng, so naturally she’s not as thoughtful or refined as her older sister.”
“If she makes any mistakes in the future, I hope Young Marshal will be understanding.”
Yan Changye’s expression cooled.
A smile devoid of warmth appeared at the corner of his lips.
“Mother-in-law.”
“I haven’t spent much time in Ancheng.”
“But I’ve always heard that the Liu family’s eldest branch only has one daughter.”
“When did Madam suddenly gain an older sister?”
[Huh?]
Liu Xiyin looked up in surprise.
The spacious reception hall instantly fell silent.
Bai Manman’s face turned pale.
Naturally, the Liu family had more than one daughter.
However, Liu Youcheng was the eldest son of the Liu family.
The marriage arranged between Old Master Liu and Marshal Yan had always referred to Liu Youcheng’s daughter.
Originally that had been Liu Mingyue.
Now…
It was Liu Xiyin.
Yan Changye obviously knew that.
Everyone present understood exactly what he meant.
Bai Manman had praised Liu Mingyue while belittling Liu Xiyin.
The Young Marshal had become angry.
Liu Youcheng hurriedly stepped in.
“Young Marshal, my wife didn’t mean it that way. She…”
Yan Changye took Liu Xiyin’s hand.
His voice remained icy.
“Father-in-law.”
“The Liu family’s affairs have become the talk of the city.”
“As a senior government official, no matter how busy you are, you should have settled these rumors long ago.”
“Or…”
“Was the Liu family unhappy because Father ordered you to bring Madam home?”
Liu Youcheng hurriedly shook his head.
“Never!”
“Ayin is the Liu family’s biological daughter.”
“Once we learned the truth, we would naturally have brought her home, even without the Marshal’s order.”
“Really?”
Yan Changye asked calmly.
Liu Youcheng glared at Bai Manman before forcing a smile.
“Of course.”
“The Marshal and Young Marshal both value Ayin.”
“This marriage is an honor for our entire family.”
“We were simply so busy preparing the wedding that perhaps we overlooked a few things, allowing idle gossip to spread.”
“I’ll investigate the matter immediately.”
[As expected of a top-ranking official.]
[Every word is flawless.]
[Father, your ancestors must’ve been from Shandong.]
Liu Xiyin tugged at Yan Changye’s sleeve.
Afraid he’d continue arguing like an unyielding blockhead, she quickly said,
“Young Marshal…”
“Father and Mother have treated me very well.”
“They’ve never made things difficult.”
“Mother even had a private kitchen prepared for me.”
[Although the Liu family’s gratitude toward the Marshal faded after Grandfather passed away… you still shouldn’t offend the Director of Military Logistics like this.]
[Father controls the entire Military Logistics Department.]
[If he wanted to be petty and cut your supplies while you’re fighting at the front… you’d have nowhere to cry.]
[Compared to staying alive, swallowing this little bit of pride isn’t such a big deal.]
Liu Xiyin had always been practical.
She sincerely hoped Yan Changye wouldn’t pick this fight on her behalf and end up hurting himself instead.
Yan Changye lowered his eyes.
Looking into her crystal-clear gaze…
Coward.
A moment ago you were talking about fighting back in self-defense.
Now you’ve wilted already.
He released her hand before smiling once more.
“So that’s how it is.”
“I misunderstood after hearing Mother-in-law say you weren’t as good as someone else.”
“I thought they were bullying you.”
Bai Manman’s expression alternated between red and white.
She forced a smile.
“I was simply overly concerned and expressed myself poorly.”
“I’ve embarrassed myself before the Young Marshal.”
Yan Changye’s tone immediately softened.
He picked up his teacup.
“I’ve spent too long on the battlefield and have become accustomed to speaking bluntly.”
“If I’ve offended either of you, please forgive me.”
Liu Youcheng and Bai Manman quickly raised their own cups.
“Young Marshal, you flatter us.”
The atmosphere inside the reception hall finally relaxed once again.
Winter sunlight filtered through the carved windows.
It fell across Yan Changye’s face, highlighting his sharply sculpted features.
Liu Xiyin stared at him blankly.
Her mind completely empty.
Yan Changye rarely enjoyed such prolonged silence from her.
In the middle of the conversation, he glanced back.
Their eyes met unexpectedly.
Immediately…
Her thoughts exploded again.
[Once I divorce the great villain… I’ll be a divorcee.]
[A divorced woman won’t find anyone more handsome than him.]
[Will people laugh at me for having such terrible taste?]
“…”
Wonderful.
After being quiet for so long…
This was the conclusion she’d reached.
[No, wait.]
[This is the New Era now.]
[Marriage is free. Love is free.]
[Even famous writers abandoned their original wives all the time.]
[History only mocked those writers.]
[That’s right.]
[If I’m abandoned by the famous Young Marshal, it’s perfectly normal that I won’t find anyone more handsome afterward.]
[I’m supposed to be the rustic original wife, anyway.]
[Maybe I’ll even make it into the history books.]
[Hehehe.]
Yan Changye suddenly felt his head begin to ache from listening to her.
He turned to Liu Youcheng.
“I’ve just remembered another concern regarding yesterday’s explosions on Peace South Street and the surrounding roads.”
“Father-in-law, would you accompany me to the study for a brief discussion?”
“Of course.”
“Young Marshal, this way.”
Everyone rose to their feet.
Liu Xiyin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
[Finally, it’s over.]
[I’m going back to my own courtyard to secretly eat something.]
[Please don’t let anyone disturb me.]
After eating bitter salt for two straight days…
Her tongue itself seemed to have become bitter.
She desperately needed some properly refined salt…
Just to remind herself she’d once lived in a better era.
Yan Changye left with Liu Youcheng.
Liu Xiyin curtsied politely to Bai Manman before preparing to leave.
Then she heard—
“Come with me.”
[Ah… so it’s finally happening.]
The moment Bai Manman spoke…
Liu Xiyin knew trouble had arrived.
The irritation in Bai Manman’s eyes was unmistakable.
She had clearly decided that Liu Xiyin had caused another problem.
“Oh.”
Liu Xiyin lowered her head and followed after her.
Completely unfazed.
Although the Liu residence couldn’t compare with the Marshal’s Mansion…
Among Ancheng’s upper-class estates, it was undoubtedly one of the finest.
After the snowfall…
With the clear winter sky…
Its scenery rivaled that of a five-star tourist destination.
Following Bai Manman…
Liu Xiyin arrived at Biyu Pavilion.
Aside from the main residence…
It was the finest location in the Liu estate.
The most beautiful courtyard.
The place where…
Liu Mingyue lived.