Thinking about the changes today that differed from his previous life, a suspicion began to creep into Xiao Chengyan’s mind, causing his heart to tighten suddenly.
Xiao Chengyan’s hands, clasped behind his back, tightened slightly. After a moment’s thought, he said in a deep voice, “Let the young mistress do whatever she wants. You all secretly cover for her and prevent others from discovering her and causing her trouble.”
…
Xie Wanning returned to her room smoothly, but her heart still pounded like a drum the moment she closed the door.
It seemed that not everyone could be a thief.
She really needed to practice.
Chunhuan poured her some tea, and Xie Wanning drank several sips before calming down.
“Miss, have we been discovered? Perhaps we should just let it go…” Chunhuan said weakly.
Xie Wanning shook her head, her tone resolute. “No, Xiao Chengli is a good-for-nothing. What good could his offspring be? Xiao Chengmo is too young; only Xiao Chengyan is suitable. Anyway, the child born will be of the Xiao family bloodline, so the Xiao family won’t lose out.” After
Xie Wanning finished speaking, she turned to Chunhuan. “Xiaohuan, are you afraid ?”
Although if this matter were discovered, Chunhuan was her maid, and she would not only be disgraced, but Chunhuan would also be beaten to death. In short, the outcome wouldn’t be good.
Chunhuan didn’t hesitate for a second, her eyes instantly becoming firm. “I am Miss’s maid. No matter what Miss does, I will stand by your side, even in life and death.”
Besides, the young master wronged Miss first, so Miss did the right thing.
Hearing this, Xie Wanning smiled. “Good girl, don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
There were only ten days left. Whether it succeeded or not, she would have to think of a backup plan.
…
The next morning, Xie Wanning planned to go to Madam Xiao’s place again to try and be obedient.
A new bride entering the household always has to observe proper etiquette for a few days, otherwise, how can she appear “weak”?
Unfortunately, just as she was about to leave, Xiao Chengli arrived, accompanied by Xie Wanrou.
When entering, Xie Wanrou lagged behind him by a step, and as she lifted her leg to step over the threshold, Xiao Chengli considerately helped her.
Xie Wanrou blushed slightly and shyly followed him into the house.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think it was a harmonious marriage between a newlywed wife and husband, but she was a concubine, and she was in the main wife’s quarters—this wasn’t affection, it was downright provocation.
Xie Wanning remained calm and composed. Seeing Chunhuan beside her, her eyes practically spitting fire with anger, she patted Chunhuan, signaling her to calm down.
In her eyes, these two were destined to die together sooner or later, and there was no need to care about her pre-death antics.
Moreover, Xie Wanrou’s ostentatious display was simply to tell her that although she was the mistress, she, the concubine, was more favored by her husband, a way to humiliate her.
But she neither loved Xiao Chengli nor relied on him, so why would she care about their petty actions?
Xie Wanning stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Chengli.
“Husband.”
Before she could finish speaking, Xie Wanrou said with a smile, “Sister, I haven’t been feeling well these past two days, so my husband has spent more time with me and neglected you a bit. You shouldn’t mind, right?” Chunhuan
couldn’t stand it anymore and immediately spoke up, “Aunt Rou, mind your status. ‘Sister’ and ‘younger sister’ are just old terms, but now my young lady is the principal wife. You should call her ‘Young Madam’ and refer to yourself as ‘this servant.'”
“Ah…”
Xie Wanrou covered her mouth and gasped softly, tears welling up instantly. “Yes… I was wrong. I’ll kneel down and kowtow to the Young Madam right now.”
As she spoke, she lifted her clothes to kneel, but how could Xiao Chengli bear to let her kneel down when she looked so frail?
So, her legs bent halfway before Xiao Chengli helped her up.
Xiao Chengli, supporting the frail Xie Wanrou, turned and angrily shouted at Xie Wanning, “Xie Wanning, Wanrou was originally your sister. She only became my concubine, but that doesn’t change your relationship. Besides, she’s pregnant. How could you be so heartless as to make her kneel?”
Looking at this seemingly brainless man, Xie Wanning wanted to smash his head with a hammer.
From beginning to end, she hadn’t uttered a single word. How was she heartless?
“Husband, please don’t blame my sister. It’s all my fault, all my fault,”
Xie Wanrou sobbed, looking utterly pitiful.
Xiao Chengli quickly tried to comfort her, as if his darling had truly suffered a great injustice.
Xie Wanning quietly watched the two of them putting on their lovey-dovey act, without a trace of emotion.
“Husband, didn’t we agree yesterday that Consort Rou, being pregnant, shouldn’t be disturbed, so the formalities of greeting were waived? Why are you here so early today?”
“Wanrou came to see you out of sisterly affection, but what about you? Petty and narrow-minded, insisting on bringing up the matter of status.”
Xiao Chengli spoke sharply, and Xie Wanrou secretly glanced at him, her eyes, which had been teary just moments before, now full of defiance.
Xie Wanning didn’t defend herself, but said softly, “Husband, Mother-in-law sent people to serve in the courtyard yesterday. Two old women are standing at the door right now. If they heard what we just said and then inform Mother, Consort Rou will surely be scolded.”
Hearing this, Xiao Chengli’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately looked towards the door.
Sure enough, a figure was scouting at the door, but immediately retreated upon seeing movement.
His mother cared greatly about the distinction between (legitimate) and (illegitimate) status, and she didn’t like Xie Wanrou anyway. If his mother found out that Xie Wanrou was disrespectful, she would definitely scold her, and might even scold him as well.
Xiao Chengli’s expression turned slightly unnatural. He then said to Xie Wanrou, “Wanrou, there are many people and many eyes in the mansion. You should be more careful in the future.”
Xie Wanrou lowered her eyes and hurriedly said, “Yes, I will listen to my husband…”
“Husband, I am going to pay my respects to my mother-in-law. Would you like to come with me?”
Xie Wanning didn’t give Xie Wanrou and Xiao Chengli a chance to be affectionate. If you want to be disgusting, go back to your room and be disgusting in front of her.
Xiao Chengli paused for a moment, then nodded, “I will go.”
He had to go and see what was going on, to prevent that old woman from talking nonsense to his mother.
At this moment, Xie Wanning glanced at Chunhuan, who immediately understood and asked Xie Wanrou, “Is Aunt Rou going?”
Xie Wanrou didn’t expect to be dragged into this. She was startled and immediately looked at Xiao Chengli with her bright eyes.
How could she go to Madam Xiao’s place with Xie Wanning?
In the days since she entered the mansion, she had been avoiding Madam Xiao as much as possible.
Because Madam Xiao dislikes her, she will definitely ridicule her in front of Xie Wanning, and she can’t afford to lose face like that.
Xiao Chengli coughed lightly and then said, “Wanrou is pregnant, and it’s a long way to her mother’s place, so let’s not make her go through that.”
“In that case, Aunt Rou should go back to her room and rest well.”
Xie Wanning didn’t delay and walked towards the door.
Thinking about the old woman’s matter, Xiao Chengli hurrie dly gave some instructions and followed her off.
Xie Wanrou was furious, her face growing increasingly pale, and her gaze towards Xie Wanning’s departing figure turned fierce.