Compared to Wei Cheng Huai, who had long resided in Youzhou, and Cui Shu Ruo, who had just arrived, Steward Hu clearly understood Prefect Li's authority in Qunan better.
The Dingbei Wangfu was formidable, but local officials held more immediate power than distant superiors—Prefect Li was the true local emperor of Qunan. This was precisely why, even knowing that Cui Shu Ruo did not intend to meet the visitor and that their own Shìzǐ held a special regard for Cui Shu Ruo, after weighing the options, Steward Hu still had to come and report once more.
Ultimately, although Steward Hu was a servant of the Dingbei Wangfu, he actually spent most of his time at the estate's villa in Qunan. If Prefect Li's daughter intended to cause trouble, he likely wouldn't even have time to send word to his master before meeting a silent demise, disappearing without a trace.
Moreover, he was merely of Lowly Status—his life was as cheap as grass. Hoping for the Dingbei Wangfu to seek justice for him would be nothing but a delusion.
After clearly understanding the visitor's identity, Cui Shu Ruo also quieted down, pondering for a moment.
She sorted through the information she knew: Prefect Li and the Dingbei Wangfu were at odds, so Dìngběnwáng suspected he was colluding with the Hu people, and Wei Cheng Huai, who had been dispatched, was setting a trap to catch him.
At this moment, why Prefect Li's daughter would come was worth deep consideration.
From a rational standpoint, not meeting her now was the best choice—it would be less likely to cause trouble. But Cui Shu Ruo remembered she only had twenty days of lifespan left and three hundred and three Merit Points. If luck was good, perhaps this time she could earn a substantial amount.
And besides…
If Wei Cheng Huai knew the visitor's identity, he probably hoped she would meet her as well.
What could make someone more relaxed and reassured than a fledgling youth who was still indulging in women, easily trusting a beautiful woman picked up on the battlefield?
Almost instantly, Cui Shu Ruo had a plan.
A smile surfaced on her face, and her hand unconsciously covered her chest, making her appear rather harmless and frail. This was actually because her lifespan was still too short; even though she could move freely now, her chest remained stifled and painful.
Alright, but I am still unwell, weary and haggard, and I fear I may offend Miss Li."
As Cui Shu Ruo spoke, she coughed twice again, her pale, snow-like cheeks immediately flushing with a rouge-like blush. She indeed looked ill, but certainly did not have the sallow complexion and foul odor of ordinary patients. Thanks to the original host's inherent beauty, she merely appeared as a frail, willow-like delicate beauty, frowning and clutching her chest.
It only made people feel pity upon seeing her.
Having received Cui Shu Ruo's words, Steward Hu felt a chill in his heart, but ultimately did not understand her well enough. He only felt that his immediate predicament had suddenly been resolved, and with an expression of relief at having survived, he went out to relay the message.
Actually, Prefect Li's daughter had been accustomed to acting domineeringly in Qunan. If it weren't for the villa being guarded by Wei Cheng Huai's trusted followers, each clad in armor and holding weapons—all sharpened and bloodied—and only obeying Wei Cheng Huai's orders, she would likely have barged in long ago.
So when Steward Hu eagerly went to invite her, Li Sanniang completely disregarded etiquette and rushed into the courtyard.
She was Prefect Li's youngest daughter, third in birth order, with two older brothers who both pampered her excessively, and her lifestyle was consistently grand. Thus, even though Li Sanniang was merely a daughter of a prefect, she had over twenty maids and servants following her—some holding silk fans, some holding trays filled with Five-Colored Beverage, fresh fruits, and pastries…
Her grandeur could truly surpass that of the legitimate royal princesses.
However, Li Sanniang held no official rank, and even the Qunan Commandery where Prefect Li entrenched himself could hardly be considered a major prefecture—at least far inferior to Youzhou in military strength and resources.
Seeing Li Sanniang’s haughty demeanor, surrounded by attendants, Cui Shu Ruo understood the situation at once.
Sure enough, as soon as Li Sanniang laid eyes on Cui Shu Ruo, she showed no interest in inquiring whether Wei Cheng Huai truly intended to leave Qunan. Instead, she spoke with accusation in her tone, “Hmph, so you’re the woman Brother Mingyuan brought back.”
She scrutinized Cui Shu Ruo from head to toe, searching for flaws. But perhaps accustomed to being blunt and straightforward, after a long inspection, she found no fault with Cui Shu Ruo’s appearance. Forced to change her approach, she remarked, “Your bearing is coarse, and you lack even the slightest sense of propriety. I see you’re nothing special—merely a pretty face!”
The Jin Dynasty was known for its fierce and open customs. Especially by the late Jin period, perhaps due to the crumbling court and bleak prospects, both men and women indulged in excess. Some nouveau riche families even allowed their noble daughters to keep male companions—only the century-old aristocratic families maintained strict rules and emphasized proper conduct among their descendants.
Yet regardless of social class, etiquette and grace were held in the highest regard.
One could be unrestrained, wild, or even disregard conventions, but one must never be crude or lacking in grace!
Thus, Li Sanniang’s words were exceptionally cutting. If faced with a thin-skinned young noblewoman, she might have been mortified to the point of tears, wishing to hide her face in shame.
But Cui Shu Ruo had witnessed the diversity of modern insults. Li Sanniang’s remarks were hardly anything to take to heart.
She merely paused briefly before resuming her gentle smile, her eyes as calm as autumn waters.
Taken aback by Cui Shu Ruo’s composed reaction, Li Sanniang was caught off guard and grew even more frustrated.
Raised in pampered luxury, she had never been slighted before. Her delicate, tofu-soft hands clenched the trailing silk shawl tightly, while the Gold Butterfly Playing with Pearl Gilded Hairpin in her hair fluttered with the trembling of her anger, its butterfly wings as thin as cicada wings.
Set against this exquisite and lively hairpin, Li Sanniang’s willfulness seemed more like charming petulance. Even her harsh words were less likely to provoke dislike.
Li Sanniang deliberately adopted a tone of worldly wisdom, as if speaking from greater experience, “You! You! How composed you are—no wonder you managed to seduce Brother Mingyuan. Let me tell you, I won’t fall for your tricks! Don’t think you can fool me! Sooner or later, I’ll strip away your facade and show Brother Mingyuan your true colors!”
Yet she was young, likely around the age of coming of age, and had not yet shed her childish immaturity. Her attempt to sound mature came off as comical, like a child clumsily wearing adult clothes.
Cui Shu Ruo listened patiently to Li Sanniang’s childish tirade, still smiling with eyes brimming with warmth. “Very well, as long as it brings Sanniang comfort, anything will do.”
In terms of appearance and age, Cui Shu Ruo seemed a year or two younger than Li Sanniang. Yet her words carried such tolerance that they only highlighted Li Sanniang’s ill temper and willful arrogance.
Li Sanniang was no fool—she could sense something amiss. Her jade-like, delicate face flushed with anger as she pointed at Cui Shu Ruo, gasping, “You! Ah! Such glib and deceitful words!!”
Listening to Li Sanniang’s limited repertoire of insults, Cui Shu Ruo almost felt sorry for her. How pitiful—if this were modern times, she might have precisely called her a shameless, scheming “green tea” type. But as it stood, the words Li Sanniang used were almost starting to sound like compliments.
Seeing her mistress lose control, the two maidservants beside Li Sanniang quickly grabbed her from both sides, trying to calm her down.
But Li Sanniang, accustomed to having her own way, could not bear such provocation.
Cui Shu Ruo, seeing the timing was about right, looked at Li Sanniang with a smile and spoke the words she truly intended to spread. "Third Young Noblewoman, you misunderstand me. Soon, I will be returning to Youzhou with Shìzǐ Wei, and I fear once I leave, I may never return. If you have any grievances, you should vent them quickly, or you might misunderstand me for a lifetime."
Provocation! In Li Sanniang's eyes, this was nothing short of outright provocation! Every gesture of Cui Shu Ruo, including her radiant smile, seemed utterly detestable to her.
As Li Sanniang's anger flared, the two maidservants standing further back exchanged a subtle glance upon hearing Cui Shu Ruo's words.
Li Sanniang could no longer restrain herself. The thread of reason in her mind snapped completely under Cui Shu Ruo's unwavering smile. She charged forward, poised as if to strike. "Shameless! How dare you call him Mingyuan Gege?!"
The maidservants around Cui Shu Ruo were already trembling with fear due to the dispute between the two. Others might be manageable, but this was Li Sanniang, the beloved daughter of Prefect Li, someone not to be trifled with.
Just as Li Sanniang was about to charge forward, it was Yan Rong who mustered the courage to step forward and block her. With her taking the lead, the other maidservants attending to Cui Shu Ruo followed suit to intervene.
But if Cui Shu Ruo had maidservants, did Li Sanniang not have hers?
Not only did she have them, but she had more.
Seven or eight maidservants versus over twenty—who would prevail was clear at a glance. Even though Yan Rong and her few maidservants resorted to desperate measures like hair-pulling and frantic struggles, they ultimately narrowly lost to Li Sanniang's maidservants.
Li Sanniang triumphantly raised her hand toward Cui Shu Ruo, just two steps away from landing on her fair face.
Cui Shu Ruo remained unhurried. Still kneeling on the cushion, she smiled at Li Sanniang. "Third Young Noblewoman, if you rush like this, you might trip and fall."
The next moment, Li Sanniang, who had been strutting arrogantly just moments before, fell flat on her face with a thud.
Li Sanniang's maidservants immediately forgot their quarrel, their faces pale with shock as they crowded around to help her up. Clutching her aching nose, Li Sanniang let out a wail and began to cry.
She threw a tantrum like a child, even kicking her feet a couple of times. No matter how softly and gently her maidservants tried to soothe her, it was useless.
She snarled viciously, "I… I'm going to level this ground!"
The maidservants hurriedly echoed her, "Level it, level it!"
"Tomorrow, we'll have Second Young Master bring people to level the ground."
"And tear down the house too!"
"Exactly, exactly! We can't let the young noblewoman suffer any grievances!"
They took turns pandering to Li Sanniang's whims, each chiming in to placate her.
Meanwhile, Cui Shu Ruo listened to the sound of her Merit Points decreasing by five in her mind and began discussing the fairness with the System.
"System, are all systems this ruthless?
I went through great trouble to help Yan Rong avoid punishment and physical suffering, and I only gained five Merit Points. But a simple misfortune from a Crow's Mouth costs five Merit Points.
Calculating it this way, I think I understand how I died in modern times."