Glancing back at De Ren’s foolishly grinning face, Xi Hongrui knew the plan had succeeded.
Those in power always believed themselves omnipotent, yet the people around them could be easily deceived.
The one seated high in the hall might be the King of Hell, but the real troublemakers were the petty ghosts. As long as these ghosts harbored impure intentions, what was there to fear from even the slickest old devil?
Hmph~
Xi Hongrui swayed her hips as she lifted her skirt and ascended the stairs. The shop assistant, about to close up, hurried to welcome her inside upon recognizing her, bowing obsequiously. “Miss Hong, will you be staying at the shop tonight?”
Xi Hongrui flicked her fan irritably. “Mm, prepare a separate room for me.”
The assistant promptly agreed with a fawning smile and bustled about to arrange everything.
Xi Hongrui tapped the firm bed board, flipped the noticeably worn bedding, and raised her fan to cover her nose.
She was no stranger to hardship, but once one had tasted sweetness, who would willingly return to bitterness?
Enough, enough—such days would last only this one night.
…
Though the hard bed was uncomfortable, the day’s exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and she fell asleep as soon as she lay down.
Waking in the morning, her eyelids felt glued shut.
Startled, Xi Hongrui jerked her eyes open, rolled out of bed, and rushed to the mirror. Letting out a long sigh of relief at her reflection, she thought, Thank goodness!
Though she had wept bitterly yesterday, she had been careful not to let tears pool around her eyes. As a result, while there was some slight puffiness this morning, it didn’t detract from her beauty at all. In fact, the faint redness at the corners of her eyes seemed to enhance her charm~
Satisfied, Xi Hongrui rose from the mirror. As noises from outside grew louder, she tapped her fan against the adjacent wall. “Fetch me a basin of water to wash my face.”
“Right away~” came an immediate reply.
Soon, several people vied to hand her the washing supplies, craning their necks for a glimpse of her.
Xi Hongrui was already fully dressed, having swapped yesterday’s red dress and green blouse for a vibrant red narrow-sleeved short jacket, paired with a dark green ruqun. Compared to yesterday’s ethereal gauzy attire, she now looked much more brisk and efficient.
Stepping briskly out in her red embroidered shoes, she coolly accepted the items from the assistant and turned back toward her room. “I left some coins on the table—buy me a meal.”
The young assistants, mesmerized by the two copper coins dangling from her bright red hair ribbon, grinned obsequiously. “Why use your money, Miss? Just grace us with a smile, and we’d gladly go ourselves!”
“Exactly, exactly~”
Xi Hongrui turned her face away, shot them a disdainful look, and sneered, “Screw off! Hurry up and get moving, you useless lot. One more word, and I’ll tear you to shreds!”
Scolded outright, the assistants retreated sheepishly, taking the money and heading out.
Glancing back toward the doorway, one of them couldn’t help but spit in disgust—who did she think she was, a celestial beauty?
With such a foul temper, even if she looked like a fairy, no man would want her!
Once they were gone, Xi Hongrui rolled her eyes hard. As if just anyone could try to get close to me. They should take a piss and look at their reflection—see if they’re even worthy.
She washed her face and hands with scented soap, then styled her hair before the mirror. Staring at the little red flowers adorning it, she let out a cold laugh.
Once she climbed to a higher branch, she would never return to a place like this. Hmph~Still seething from that full-force slap, Pei San tossed and turned all night, his anger unabated by the next day.
At the first light of dawn, he stormed off toward Linglong Pavilion. That maid had originally been a hereditary servant of the ministerial household; after he drove her out, she had nowhere else to go and would naturally be at Linglong Pavilion.
Mother Pei hurried out to call after him: “Aren’t you going to eat breakfast!”
“No!”
“Then at least take Miss Ning Meng with you!”
Only then did Pei San halt his steps, his rationality gradually returning.
He glanced at Ning Meng standing under the eaves—serene as a chrysanthemum, gentle and virtuous.
Suddenly, a scheme began to form in his heart.
…
Arriving at Linglong Pavilion, Pei San helped Ning Meng out of the carriage and swaggered down.
Keeping close to Ning Meng as they entered, he lifted his head to search for Xi Hongrui, his eyes filled with smugness. You thought I couldn’t manage without you, didn’t you!
But at that glance, he nearly choked on his fury.
Surrounding Xi Hongrui was a crowd of people fawning over her—some fanning her, others handing her handkerchiefs. Xi Hongrui herself was holding a large bowl of lamb wontons, blowing on them gently as she took small bites.
The wontons had thin wrappers and generous fillings, each bite bursting with savory broth, looking utterly delightful.
Remembering that he had skipped breakfast just to see Xi Hongrui’s reaction, Pei San’s rage flared up alongside his empty stomach.
Losing all reason, he turned to Ning Meng and declared loudly, “Miss Ning Meng, it just occurred to me that you haven’t had breakfast yet. Let me take you out for something nice to eat.”
Only then did Xi Hongrui notice him. When her eyes fell upon Ning Meng below, they widened in shock.
Pei San finally felt somewhat appeased. Grabbing Ning Meng’s hand, he turned to leave. Ning Meng glanced back at Xi Hongrui with a faint, mocking smile, making Xi Hongrui even more furious.
The others were also somewhat surprised to see Ning Meng, but when they turned back to Xi Hongrui, their eyes began to gleam with mischief. They deliberately remarked, “Oh my, who is that new girl? She’s really quite lovely~”
“She looks even prettier than Lady Hong, doesn’t she~”
“Shh, what are you saying? Lady Hong, you’re not angry, are you~”
Only then did they pretend to have misspoken, “fearfully” glancing at Xi Hongrui while secretly peeking at her expression.
Sure enough, Xi Hongrui exploded. Snatching the handkerchief from one of their hands and grabbing her bowl, she turned and stormed into her room.
A wave of suppressed laughter immediately rose behind her. As expected, women were all jealous creatures. Seeing a new face arrive, she must feel threatened. Let’s see if she dares to act so haughty now—they’d just wait for her to come crawling to them~
Xi Hongrui marched into her room in a rage, but the moment she closed the door, all expression vanished from her face.
Crossing her legs, she leisurely continued eating her wontons, taking small, deliberate bites.
Do men really think they’re smarter than everyone else? Such a crude attempt at sowing discord, and they dare wave it around in front of her like some grand strategy, smugly thinking their tactics are so clever that she wouldn’t notice.
Compared to those fools, that little vixen Ning Meng was far more cunning—no wonder she had fallen for her tricks in her past life.
But what use was all that cleverness? What she lacked, compared to Xi Hongrui, was a pretty face.
No matter how glibly powerful and influential men talked, when it came down to it, weren’t they all just looking at a woman’s face?
As for those lowlife scum, while lusting after her looks, they also schemed to suppress her, dragging her into the mud as if that would make her attainable.
Hah, dream on! Even if her eyes went blind, her mind would never turn foolish!
Lowering her head, she scooped a wonton into her mouth with her spoon.Eat well, only when you’re full do you have strength, and with strength, you can watch how those idiots perform.
……
Xi Hongrui stood to the side, watching Ning Meng being surrounded by a crowd fawning over her, nearly twisting her handkerchief to shreds.
She looked up and called out, “A Si! Pour me a cup of tea!”
The shop assistant named A Si turned around and, upon seeing it was her, immediately rolled his eyes and said, “Oh, can’t you pour it yourself? Don’t you see we’re busy with Miss Ning Meng? Don’t cause trouble if you’ve got nothing to do!”
The other assistants snickered along, secretly watching her reaction.
Xi Hongrui was so angry she stamped her feet, then turned her furious gaze toward Pei San. Pei San, seeing her embarrassed state, felt immensely pleased and continued talking to Ning Meng, completely ignoring her.
Just as Xi Hongrui was about to burst into tears, two familiar faces entered, changing the scene—it was Qin Yanlan and her mother.
As soon as the Qin mother and daughter entered, they beamed with smiles and walked straight toward Xi Hongrui. Ning Meng, noticing their attire, raised her eyelids and hurried over first, smiling warmly, “Madam, Miss, how may I assist you?”
Qin’s mother glanced at her impatiently and said, “No need, we’ll speak with Miss Hong.”
With that, she took Xi Hongrui’s hand and began chatting and laughing warmly.
Xi Hongrui’s eyes lit up, and she immediately perked up again, tilting her chin proudly and casting a smug glance at the others.
The others, who had been pleased with how successfully they had ostracized her, felt a sting of humiliation as she regained her confidence, leaving them deeply uncomfortable.
Ning Meng, who had also been slighted, darkened her eyes for a moment.
However, when she noticed the others who were equally resentful, a calculating glint flashed in her eyes.
……
Xi Hongrui led the Qin mother and daughter upstairs, and as soon as they reached the top, she couldn’t help covering her face and crying.
Qin’s mother immediately embraced her with concern, “What’s wrong?”
That day, after putting on a brave face and spending over ten strings of cash, at the dinner table, the Qin mother and daughter looked at Qin Xingchao, who remained silent, and didn’t dare to speak.
Just when they thought they would be forbidden from visiting Linglong Pavilion in the future, Qin Xingchao said calmly, “Little sister, from now on, take Mother to Linglong Pavilion more often and chat with Miss Hong there.”
The Qin mother and daughter: …
Was he being sarcastic?
But when Qin Xingchao dug up his secret savings from the ground and handed all his private money to them, the Qin mother and daughter realized he was actually serious!
Qin’s mother held Xi Hongrui with utmost concern, patting her back.
She wasn’t a fool—Qin Daniu’s unusual behavior surely meant something. This girl must be important!
So, the Qin mother and daughter comforted the distressed Xi Hongrui with great tenderness, acting as if their hearts were breaking for her.
Xi Hongrui sobbed softly, even squeezing out a few tears for authenticity.
This Qin Xingchao was truly an extraordinary figure—he knew exactly how to play along!
Since someone had handed her the ladder, Xi Hongrui politely climbed it. She wiped her tears, pretending to be strong as she composed herself, said she was fine, and then began promoting products to the Qin mother and daughter.
The Qin mother and daughter promptly followed Xi Hongrui’s recommendations and bought many more items.
After chatting for a long time, the Qin mother and daughter left beaming with smiles. Xi Hongrui lifted her chin and slapped five taels of broken silver onto the counter: “Record it in the accounts!”
The others, seeing her so smug, felt irritated, but with the silver on the table, they couldn’t say a word.Only Ning Meng stepped forward calmly: “Miss Hong, we all serve our master here and should support each other. Why must you monopolize all the customers?”
Xi Hongrui froze, glaring at her angrily: “What did you say!”
But Ning Meng remained composed: “I know you want to impress our master, but you’ll eventually marry and leave this shop someday. They, however, will remain here forever. You always direct every customer to yourself—what will become of them after you’re gone?”
The others gasped in sudden realization.
Yes! Xi Hongrui spent her days upstairs doing nothing but chatting and laughing with customers while they handled all the hard work. Yet she got all the credit!
When customers came, they only asked for her. She gained favor with the master, but what about them?
Once they understood this, complaints erupted: “Exactly, Miss Hong! You’re showing off by taking the spotlight while trampling our faces into the dirt!”
Xi Hongrui’s eyes widened as she staggered back, staring at them in disbelief: “How dare you say that!”
The others stood behind Ning Meng, sneering as they glared at her with hostility.
Trembling, Xi Hongrui pointed at Pei San: “What do you have to say!”
Pei San watched the fuming girl and felt immense satisfaction—this arrogant little brat was finally getting her comeuppance.
He curled his lips into a faint smile: “What should I say? If you don’t know what kind of person you are, others see it clearly enough. Instead of questioning us, you should reflect on yourself.”
Xi Hongrui retreated several steps, seemingly struggling to breathe as tears welled in her eyes. She stamped her foot furiously.
“Fine! I won’t bother anymore! Let’s see what you useless lot can accomplish without me!”
With that, she turned and fled the pavilion.
Watching the usually haughty girl humiliated, the others felt triumphant and gathered around Ning Meng, treating her as their leader as they discussed shop affairs.
Pei San took a few steps after the fleeing Xi Hongrui but ultimately stopped.
This little girl had grown far too arrogant lately—it was time to knock her down a peg.
…
Xi Hongrui crouched under the large willow tree opposite Linglong Pavilion all day, with no one coming to check on her.
Not until sunset did Pei San emerge holding an umbrella for Ning Meng. The young assistant A Si glanced her way and exclaimed loudly: “Ah, Miss Ning Meng! You’re truly remarkable! Today’s sales far exceeded usual numbers!”
Upon hearing this, Xi Hongrui’s eyes widened in shock.
After personally helping Ning Meng into the carriage, Pei San finally drove over. Passing by Xi Hongrui, he looked down at her condescendingly: “Coming or not?”
Xi Hongrui lifted her face, gritting her teeth: “No!”
Pei San raised his chin and sneered: “Then stay here.”
He cracked his whip and sped away—let’s see who would break first!
The shop assistants leaned against the doorway, watching her with mocking amusement.
Though their status prevented them from being as bold as Pei San and Ning Meng, their scornful stares pierced like thorns, seeming to say—
“Will you come begging to us later?”
Watching everyone abandon her, Xi Hongrui finally buried her face and burst into tears.The sun set in the west, night fell, and she remained crouched in place, hugging her arms all the while.
The onlookers in the shop grew bored and turned away, but then three hurried, disorderly footsteps approached.
Xi Hongrui’s face, buried in her arms, finally broke into a smile she couldn’t hide.
They’re here at last—did they have any idea how much she’d suffered squatting out here all day? Even in the shade, it was sweltering!
Heh, laugh, go ahead and laugh.
After today, she would never set foot in this wretched place again!