Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Keeping an Eye on the Wife This Early

“Miss Lü, please don’t worry. I won’t take the Heir’s behavior to heart. There’s no need to feel embarrassed.”

Zou Shengsheng was always so reasonable. Lü Guiyan couldn’t help but marvel: This is truly the quality of a female lead. Her magnanimity is on a different level. Unlike Wei Chengyan, whose heart is so narrow that every grudge is returned tenfold.

“I’m so glad you’re not angry. I was afraid you’d think poorly of everyone in the Pingyang Marquis Manor because of the Heir.”

Zou Shengsheng reached out, her movements gentle, to wipe the black powder from Lü Guiyan’s face with a handkerchief. As the day grew warmer and after that frantic sprint, the dark makeup had begun to run; Lü Guiyan’s face was now a patchwork of white and black.

Lü Guiyan didn’t really care. After all, she was already someone’s concubine with no hope of finding a “Mr. Right,” so she felt no need to maintain an image. However, Zou Shengsheng’s intimate gesture made her a bit uncomfortable. She took the handkerchief to wipe it herself.

“Thank you, I can take it from here. You should get back to your work.”

I just wanted to make an impression in front of you. I can’t let myself delay your meeting with the male lead—it’ll be bad if you’re late.

“Go ahead and finish up. I’ll wait for you outside. Once you’re done, let’s go have some tea.”

It was the first time in Zou Shengsheng’s life that someone had offered to wait for her regardless of the time. Her fondness for Lü Guiyan increased instantly. “Alright, just wait a moment.”

Lü Guiyan was thrilled to have made a connection with the female lead, but a pang of guilt hit her when she remembered she intended to use Zou Shengsheng to go on a date with the male lead just to spite Wei Chengyan. Sigh, it really is hard being a villain.

Lü Guiyan walked over to the south wall of the Mu residence. There was a puddle of rainwater from last night that hadn’t evaporated yet; she used the surface like a mirror to check her face.

One look, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Because she had sweated so much during her run, her original skin was exposed. Her face was currently a chaotic blend of white, red, and black. Looking closer, her skin was having an allergic reaction; even her eyelids were slightly red and swollen. It seemed the original host’s skin was quite delicate and couldn’t handle this kind of mistreatment.

Lü Guiyan wiped away the remaining black powder, found a large tree for shade, and settled in to wait for Zou Shengsheng. Before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, the first thing she saw was Wei Chengyan’s face.

“That nuisance is here. I must be dreaming.”

Wei Chengyan’s eyes were wide with fury, but with Mu Yan present, she had to suppress her anger. She couldn’t afford to disappoint Mu Yan again.

“Ninth Concubine, stop sleeping. Didn’t you have an appointment with Miss Zou for tea? If you don’t go now, the sun will set.”

Half-asleep, Lü Guiyan’s eyes snapped open at those words. She focused her vision.

Mu Yan, Zou Shengsheng, Jing Hongyi, and Wei Chengyan were all staring at her. The scene felt like being caught sleeping in class by the headmaster—she felt utterly lost.

“You guys… when did you get here? Wait, why are you all together?”

Zou Shengsheng smiled beautifully. “Master Jing arrived shortly after I entered the manor. Miss Wei seemed to have been at the Wuxuan Marquis Manor since early morning.”

Lü Guiyan tried to stand up, but because she had been squatting/sitting for so long, her legs were numb. She wobbled and was on the verge of falling over. Just before her head hit the ground, Jing Hongyi’s quick reflexes saved her as he caught her.

“Thanks.”

Wei Chengyan’s gaze darkened. “Ninth Concubine, let me help you.”

Lü Guiyan understood her meaning: Don’t bring gossip upon the Pingyang Marquis Manor. She didn’t let anyone help her, instead leaning against the tree to let the circulation return to her legs.

“Miss Zou, I’m so sorry. Have you been waiting long?”

Zou Shengsheng shook her head gently. “No, I just finished. It just took some time to find you. If the Heir hadn’t been here, we might not have found you so quickly.”

So Wei Chengyan found me? Well, I guess I should thank her, or I’d still be dreaming.

“Then let’s go have tea.”

Her legs were back to normal. Lü Guiyan took Zou Shengsheng’s arm and started walking. Jing Hongyi, Wei Chengyan, and Mu Yan followed closely behind.

In Lü Guiyan’s plan, there were definitely no “three tag-alongs.”

“You guys… are coming too?”

The implication was clear: Don’t follow us.

Mu Yan remained wary of Lü Guiyan. She was from the Pingyang Marquis Manor and had a conflict with Wei Chengyan, whom he was currently close to. He was afraid Lü Guiyan would whisper nonsense into Zou Shengsheng’s ear, which is why he insisted on following. Hearing Lü Guiyan’s hint, he thought to himself: She really is trying to drive a wedge between us. I can’t let her succeed.

Jing Hongyi didn’t have as many schemes as Mu Yan; he simply wanted more time to look at Zou Shengsheng. As for Wei Chengyan, her goal was simple: stop Lü Guiyan from causing trouble and bringing shame to the manor.

Since none of them intended to leave, Lü Guiyan had no choice. She whispered to Zou Shengsheng, though she actually intended for the three behind them to hear and lose interest.

“Shengsheng, I heard there’s a tea house on Nanshui Street that is quite elegant and very affordable. Let’s go there.”

That area was mostly for travelers or local small vendors. Given the status of the three behind them, going to such a place would make them the laughingstock of other noble families.

Zou Shengsheng didn’t visit the capital often, but she knew enough from the flower delivery crews. The noble families of the capital frequented places entirely different from commoners. She understood Lü Guiyan was trying to shake them off.

After some thought, Zou Shengsheng turned to Mu Yan. “Master Mu, I’ll be heading back after tea. Were you planning on going out?”

Mu Yan replied, “I’d like to see this tea house for myself.”

Well, he wasn’t even trying to hide it.

Jing Hongyi grinned mischievously. “What a coincidence, I had the same idea. I heard the owner of that tea house is a young, beautiful woman and her pastries are divine. I’ve wanted to go for a long time. With Mu Yan joining, I definitely have to go.”

Lü Guiyan rolled her eyes at Jing Hongyi and called him out directly. “I know you. Wherever there’s a ‘divine beauty,’ you’re bound to follow.”

Caught red-handed, Jing Hongyi could only cover his embarrassment with a smile.

Since everyone was going, Lü Guiyan had no choice but to let them tag along. Qiyun provided directions in her mind. Neglected, Wei Chengyan was filled with resentment, trying her hardest to suppress the fire in her heart so as not to lose face in front of Mu Yan.

Meanwhile, back at the Pingyang Marquis Manor, Concubines Five, Six, and Seven had spent half the day looking for Lü Guiyan. To keep their “luck” from last night’s prayer going, the three of them reluctantly arrived at Lanxin Courtyard together.

When Concubine Lan, who was embroidering clothes for her child, heard they had arrived, she was shocked.

“Madam, those three never visit without a reason. Coming together like this means they’re surely here to bring trouble to Lanxin Courtyard,” the maid Biyu warned.

Concubine Lan set down her needlework and asked Xiao Tan, who was sweeping nearby, “Did Guiyan offend the three from Yulan Residence again?”

“No, Madam. The three of them visited the Ninth Concubine yesterday morning and even sent medicine. I haven’t heard of any new grudges between them.”

Biyu wondered aloud, “Could they be targeting you, Madam?”

Concubine Lan waved her hand, her expression grave. “Don’t call me ‘Madam’ in front of them. Have them invited to the main hall.”

A moment later, the three concubines appeared in the hall of Lanxin Courtyard. They looked around at the decor—rosewood tables and chairs, paintings by famous masters, jade screens. Even the tea sets were made of fine jade.

The last time they had been here was two years ago. The courtyard hadn’t been this lavish then. Now, everything they saw, ate, and drank was the best the manor had to offer. Their hearts filled with envy.

Taking advantage of Concubine Lan’s absence, the Sixth Concubine grumbled, “We’re all concubines, yet just because she’s from a ‘good family’ and has a bit of the Marquis’s favor, she acts like she’s the primary wife. Setting this place up so well… she’s just showing off.”

The Fifth Concubine also felt a surge of nameless anger. “Exactly. Look at how seductive she is, bewitching the Marquis until he doesn’t know north from south. I think she’s a fox spirit reincarnated.”

Ahem… The Seventh Concubine was about to join in when she caught sight of someone approaching and coughed to signal the others.