Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Different Paths

The night was as cool as autumn. Soft moonlight filtered through sparse branches, casting fragmented shadows upon Wei Chengyan’s lonely silhouette. The crowd looked on with varying expressions at a bewildered Wei Chengyan.

“What is wrong with everyone?”

The Marquis glared at her with resentment, his jaw clenched tight, his face twisted with fury.

“You rebellious child! Where have you taken your Ninth Concubine?”

Concubine Lan, appearing as if she were about to weep, stepped forward to pull at the fuming Marquis. In a soft, sweet voice, she pleaded, “My Lord, it is enough that they have returned. The Heir has had a long day; let her go back and rest early.”

The Marquis never liked Wei Chengyan to begin with. Usually, he could overlook her squabbles with the concubines, but this time she had dared to “kidnap” his person. It was clear her wings had grown strong enough that she no longer respected him.

Wei Chengyan realized she was being framed, but she wasn’t afraid of his anger this time—she had Lyu Guiyan as her witness.

“Ninth Concubine, tell them where I went today.”

Lyu Guiyan, who wanted nothing more than to flee, was suddenly put on the spot. She stood there, at a loss. It was obvious someone was using her to play power games against Wei Chengyan. Normally, she should stand by Wei Chengyan’s side.

But she was merely a traveler here, and more importantly, they were opponents. If she helped Wei Chengyan, the Heir’s hatred for her would diminish, making it impossible to complete her mission—not to mention the threat of the Azure Glass Red Fire curse.

As Lyu Guiyan hesitated, Qiyun whispered: Didn’t you plan to get close to Wei Chengyan to gain her trust first, and then take revenge to trigger her hatred? Today is a good opportunity. You can say a few insincere words to help her so she doesn’t feel completely isolated.

Then help me suppress the backlash of the curse.

Sorry, Yanyan, I can’t do that. As long as you don’t truly sympathize with Wei Chengyan in your heart—as long as your state of mind doesn’t change—the curse won’t trigger.

Oh~ a loophole, Lyu Guiyan thought. With Qiyun’s assurance, her mind was at ease.

Lyu Guiyan explained: “I have been in the capital for three years, yet aside from a few outings with family, I have never walked the streets alone. I’ve lived here so long and still didn’t know what the city looked like. So, I asked the Heir to go out with me today to show me the way and let me see the sights of the capital.”

Concubine Lan’s eyes filled with doubt as she asked tentatively, “Cousin, is that really the truth?”

“Yes.” Lyu Guiyan nodded obediently.

The Third Concubine, who had been watching the drama silently, stepped forward. “My Lord, I suppose that must be it. Ninth Sister has a poor sense of direction; she even gets lost inside the manor. Previously, when we invited her out, she always said she disliked leaving the house. This time, she must have needed someone familiar with the capital, and the Heir was the best choice. However… the Heir has never been close with Ninth Sister. Why would she agree to such a request?”

A flash of malice crossed Concubine Lan’s soft gaze, which Lyu Guiyan caught. Analyzing the Third Concubine’s words, Lyu realized it was a subtle attempt to drive a wedge between them. It seemed to be questioning Wei Chengyan at the end, but the premise targeted Lyu Guiyan.

For someone who gets lost and hates going out to suddenly leave the manor with someone she doesn’t get along with—without telling anyone—the motive was suspicious.

The Marquis caught the implication and turned to Lyu Guiyan, demanding, “Why did you suddenly leave the manor?”

“It wasn’t sudden; it was long-planned.” Lyu Guiyan decided to talk her way out. It was better than saying it was a whim this morning, which would seem too undisciplined.

“Why?” The Marquis looked at her warily; no man wants to be cuckolded.

“There isn’t really a convincing reason other than I wanted to have fun. I mentioned it to my cousin before, but she knew I had a bad memory and was worried I’d get lost, so she didn’t agree to let me go.”

Biyu, standing beside Concubine Lan, quickly chimed in, pretending to clarify for her mistress. “That’s right. The Ninth Concubine mentioned it several times, but you were too worried to agree, Ma’am.”

Concubine Lan acted as if she had just realized. “Oh, My Lord, it is all my fault. If I had just let my cousin go out to play, none of this would have happened. It is my lack of judgment.”

The Marquis cherished Concubine Lan like his own heart; he couldn’t bear to see her blame herself. “Don’t say that. You were only concerned for her; it was for her own good.”

“Yes, yes! Cousin, please don’t take the blame. I’d rather you hit or scold me than see you cry,” Lyu Guiyan cooperated, even squeezing out a few tears.

The three other concubines standing by thought to themselves: Hypocrite!

“No, Little Nine, it isn’t your fault. You are at an age where you want to play. It was I who failed to consider everything,” Concubine Lan wept beautifully. She then turned to the Marquis, who was looking at her with heartache. “My Lord, please punish my cousin; her actions today angered you. However, I am her sister. If she has done wrong, it is because I didn’t guide her well. I will take the punishment for her.”

The Marquis would never punish Concubine Lan. Seeing her so distressed felt like a piece of his own heart was being carved out. He was too busy comforting her to think of punishment.

“It is actually a small matter. I was mostly worried about the safety of Little Nine and that brat. Since they have returned safely, all is well. Everyone, return to your own courtyards. Don’t crowd the entrance.”

Lyu Guiyan couldn’t help but admire Concubine Lan’s skill; she had this lustful Marquis completely under her thumb. If this hadn’t involved Concubine Lan’s reputation, Wei Chengyan would have surely faced a beating.

Following the Marquis’s orders, the crowd dispersed. Before leaving, Concubine Lan left the maid Xiaotan to look after Lyu Guiyan. Soon, only Lyu Guiyan, Wei Chengyan, Xiaotan, and Heyu remained at the gate.

Xiaotan took Lyu Guiyan’s hand. “Ninth Concubine, let us return to the Muhe Courtyard.”

Lyu Guiyan nodded. After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to see Wei Chengyan still standing motionless.

“Heir, why aren’t you leaving?” Are you planning to be a door guard?

A look of joy appeared on Wei Chengyan’s face. “Father… he was worried about my safety.”

Lyu Guiyan: “…”

Seeing the radiant, happy smile on Wei Chengyan’s face, Lyu Guiyan sighed inwardly. A child starved for love is satisfied with the smallest bit of concern. How pathetic.

Suddenly, a sharp, violent pain erupted in Lyu Guiyan’s chest. It came so fiercely and suddenly that she collapsed to the ground unprepared, tears flowing instantly.

“Ninth Concubine, what’s wrong?” Xiaotan cried out in alarm.

“I’ve been running all day; my leg injury must have flared up,” Lyu Guiyan managed to say, her forehead already dripping with sweat from the unbearable pain.

Her eyes met Wei Chengyan’s nearby. The Heir was looking at her with a confused expression. At this moment, the moon was full. Wei Chengyan stood with her back to the light, the hazy glow draping over her like a silver robe. Her fair face and innocent eyes made her look like a young girl who had yet to experience the hardships of the world.

Lyu Guiyan didn’t dare look at her. She gritted her teeth against the pain, stood up abruptly, and sprinted toward her courtyard, leaving a stunned Xiaotan behind.

“I thought she said her leg was hurt? She’s running faster than a rabbit!” Xiaotan complained while hurrying after her.

Lyu Guiyan ran all the way back to Muhe Courtyard. Ignoring the pain, she hurriedly poured and gulped down several cups of cold water. The pain in her chest remained, now feeling like a searing fire.

Streaming with tears, she slumped onto the floor, biting her fair arm hard, hoping the physical pain in her arm would distract from the agony in her heart. But it was useless. Even as she bit her arm until it bled, the pain didn’t shift.

She was in agony. She hadn’t realized that even a tiny bit of sympathy for Wei Chengyan was forbidden.

In the end, harsh words and mutual hatred were the only safe way forward.