Liu Xiyin herself had no resentment toward Liu Mingyue.
But the original Liu daughter did.
Even though Liu Xiyin had transmigrated as an infant, in this world, she was still that Liu daughter.
The original Liu daughter in the novel did not possess her advanced scientific knowledge.
She could not foresee the direction of the era.
For the first sixteen years of her life, she had truly lived in the countryside, never having enough food or warm clothing.
Even if her adoptive parents treated her well, their ability was limited.
Resources and means of production were always scarce.
Moreover, the Liu daughter had two older brothers born to her adoptive parents.
When limited resources had to support more people than they could afford, even the fairest distribution could never have given her a good life.
So when she learned that she should have been a rich young lady from the city, and that someone else had enjoyed the life meant for her…
How could she not resent it?
Look.
The original Liu daughter did not even have a name of her own.
The switch between real and fake daughters had been a tragedy for everyone involved.
Even Liu Xiyin’s current name was one she had brought from her previous life.
Her adoptive parents had originally named her Cuihua.
Later, after Liu Xiyin studied with her older brothers and learned to read, she made a fuss until she changed it back.
In the original novel, the Liu daughter must have only been called Cuihua.
After being brought back to the Liu family, she probably tried to reclaim the name that should have belonged to her, but the Liu family refused.
That was why she never truly had a proper name.
Being switched during wartime was not Liu Mingyue’s fault.
But Liu Mingyue had enjoyed the Liu family’s best resources.
She was talented in her own right too.
Yet after one setback, she ended up having a one-night stand.
This was the Republican era!
Even if she had a one-night stand, fine.
But afterward, she still kept thinking about her former fiancé, muddled herself into confusion, entangled herself with an ancient restorationist, and ruined herself until all her learning and talent became useless.
Damn it.
Liu Xiyin hated lovesick fools the most!
Liu Xiyin stepped out of Biyu Pavilion and saw that snow had begun falling again.
“Hiss~”
The cold wind swept over her.
Only then did she realize that the blow from Bai Manman truly hurt.
Her biological mother really had been ruthless.
Although she did not know why Marshal Yan insisted that “Liu Cuihua” marry Yan Changye…
The matter was already settled.
From now on, Liu Xiyin would walk her own path.
She braved the snow and headed toward the courtyard where she had briefly lived for a month.
She had no dowry maid.
Originally, Bai Manman had wanted to assign one to her, but Liu Xiyin had refused.
Since Bai Manman did not take her seriously, how could any servant in the Liu residence sincerely follow her?
Besides, Liu Xiyin planned to divorce and run away in the future.
She did not want the Liu family tying her down.
Even less did she want extra pairs of eyes watching her.
She had her own things to do.
She could not allow the Liu family to discover them.
Biyu Pavilion and Cailü Courtyard stood on opposite ends of the Liu residence—one in the east, the other in the west.
Bai Manman had been terrified that if the two courtyards were too close, Liu Xiyin would make Liu Mingyue suffer.
Liu Xiyin had only walked a short distance when she encountered someone coming toward her.
“Third Sister, why are you here alone?”
Liu Xiyin looked up and met a pretty face.
She remembered this person.
The daughter of the Liu family’s second uncle.
Her name was Liu Mingyu.
Because Bai Manman’s first three children had been sons and Liu Xiyin came last, while Second Aunt had given birth to a daughter first, Liu Mingyu was four years older than Liu Xiyin.
After Liu Xiyin returned to the Liu family, Liu Mingyue remained the elder sister.
That meant Liu Xiyin became the “Third Sister.”
Liu Xiyin stopped and smiled politely.
“Cousin Mingyu.”
Liu Mingyu took an oil-paper umbrella from her maid and hurried over, holding it above Liu Xiyin’s head.
Her voice sounded concerned.
“The sky was clear just now, but the snow has suddenly gotten heavier. Third Sister, did you just come from Biyu Pavilion? Second Sister really is careless. How could she not send someone to escort you? At the very least, she should have given you an umbrella. Are your clothes wet?”
Liu Xiyin shook her head.
“No. Thank you, Cousin Mingyu. I left in a hurry. It has nothing to do with Sister.”
Liu Mingyu reached out to support her.
By chance, she touched Liu Xiyin’s injured left arm.
Liu Xiyin flinched and pulled back.
Liu Mingyu froze.
“What happened?”
Before Liu Xiyin could answer, Liu Mingyu noticed her loosened hairstyle.
Her eyes widened.
“Third Sister, were you bullied?”
…
There were two maids beside Liu Mingyu.
With a shout like that, it was hard not to attract attention.
Liu Mingyu continued,
“My courtyard is right nearby. Come, I’ll help you back and check where you’re hurt. Jingming, hurry and call a doctor.”
“…”
She seemed eager for everyone to know that Liu Xiyin had been injured at Liu Mingyue’s place.
Liu Xiyin avoided Liu Mingyu’s outstretched hand.
Her foot slipped.
She fell directly onto the snowy ground.
Looking up in surprise, she stared at Liu Mingyu.
“Cousin Mingyu… did you just push me?”
“…?”
Liu Mingyu’s eyes widened.
“I didn’t!”
Liu Xiyin lowered her lashes, looking terribly pitiful.
“It’s all my fault.”
“I can’t even walk steadily.”
“Not only did I injure my arm, I also broke my hairpin.”
“Cousin Mingyu, can you please not tell anyone?”
In the original novel, Liu Mingyu was not a simple character either.
Many of the foolish things done by the cannon-fodder Liu daughter had been instigated by Liu Mingyu from behind the scenes.
Because Liu Mingyu believed the marriage with the Yan family should have belonged to her.
After all, the one who made the agreement with Marshal Yan was Old Master Liu.
The promised bride had been Old Master Liu’s granddaughter.
Why did it necessarily have to be the eldest branch’s daughter?
Liu Mingyu was the Liu family’s first granddaughter.
But everyone had always assumed the marriage belonged to Yan Changye and Liu Mingyue.
Even after Liu Mingyue was discovered to be fake, Marshal Yan preferred forcing the eldest branch to find the real daughter who had been lost outside.
Even though the real daughter had spent sixteen years as a village girl…
No one ever suggested Liu Mingyu as a replacement.
Liu Mingyu’s mentality collapsed.
She deliberately wanted the real daughter and fake daughter to fight.
Ideally, both would be destroyed.
Then she could sit back, reap the benefits, and justifiably marry Yan Changye herself.
Liu Xiyin had suspected her before.
After all, Liu Mingyu had also been present at Huifeng Teahouse.
Just now, Liu Mingyu had immediately hinted that Liu Mingyue was at fault.
That only confirmed Liu Xiyin’s suspicions.
Since that was the case…
Liu Xiyin could only return the favor.
If Liu Mingyu insisted she had been injured at Biyu Pavilion…
Then what exactly had happened when Liu Mingyu reached toward her and she fell?
The corner of Liu Mingyu’s mouth secretly lifted.
But she hurriedly reached down to help Liu Xiyin.
Liu Xiyin nervously covered her arm.
“Ah.”
It hurt.
That blow from Bai Manman’s feather duster really hurt.
Tears reddened Liu Xiyin’s eyes.
Liu Mingyu looked heartbroken.
“Does it hurt badly? Who was so vicious? Third Sister is now the Young Marshal’s wife. How improper.”
“What are you doing?”
At that moment, a cold voice sounded through the snowstorm behind them.
Footsteps followed.
Liu Xiyin looked back.
Yan Changye’s dark blue figure broke through the swirling wind and snow as he strode toward them.
The golden braid across his military uniform swayed with each step, flashing brightly.
Yan Changye helped Liu Xiyin to her feet.
The accompanying adjutant immediately came forward with an umbrella.
Yan Changye first looked at Liu Xiyin’s loosened hair.
His sharp brows drew together.
“What happened?”
“Are you hurt?”
Liu Xiyin leaned against him grievously.
“Young Marshal…”
“It’s all because I’m useless.”
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Liu Mingyu from the corner of her eye.
From the moment Yan Changye appeared, Liu Mingyu’s eyes seemed nailed to him.
“Young Marshal, I am Liu Yousong’s daughter, Liu Mingyu.”
[…She’s staring way too directly. But the Young Marshal belongs to Ninth Concubine!]
Couldn’t she settle down for even a moment?
Yan Changye pushed Liu Xiyin away from his body.
The look he gave Liu Mingyu was as cold as ice.
“What are you doing here?”