Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Slapped

Lyu Guiyan remained calm, raising her head to meet Concubine Lan’s eyes, which were nearly spitting fire. Without a trace of fear and still wearing an elegant smile, she said, “Cousin, you’ve managed this household for years, but only the people inside the manor know that. What use is it? You need to build your reputation outside. Only by establishing a good name in the city will people realize that the Marquis’s manor has such a beautiful and intelligent mistress.”

These words struck Concubine Lan like a bolt of lightning.

Biyu instantly grasped Lyu Guiyan’s meaning and began to persuade her mistress. “Think about it, Ma’am. The Marquis has doted on you for years, yet your status is still just a concubine—not even a secondary wife. You’ve worked hard managing the house, but there are no grand results to show for it; instead, you’ve only stirred up resentment from top to bottom.”

“But this authority was so hard to obtain,” Concubine Lan muttered, unwilling to let go.

Lyu Guiyan advised her earnestly, “I know you’re reluctant, but don’t forget your ultimate goal is to have your son take the position of Heir. Currently, the female Heir has a sterling reputation; everyone says she is well-educated, refined, and skilled in both the arts and martial skills.”

Biyu had a sudden realization. “I see what the Ninth Concubine means. You wanted permission to leave the manor freely, and now you’re intentionally creating trouble for our mistress so she ‘loses’ the management rights, allowing the Heir to take over.”

Lyu Guiyan hadn’t expected Biyu to be this sharp—one hint and she saw the whole board.

“Concubines Five, Six, and Seven are the Heir’s people. If they want to go out, the Heir will surely agree. How could the other concubines just sit by then? We want the whole capital to know that shortly after the Heir took over the household, the Marquis’s concubines started jumping ship one by one.”

Concubine Lan was still hesitant to give up the power she had painstakingly wrestled away from the Third Concubine. “I…”

Biyu interjected, “Ma’am, to gain something, you must lose something. Do not lose the big picture for a small gain.”

Biyu had always been Concubine Lan’s capable right hand; her mistress would listen to her. After much deliberation and further coaxing from both women, Concubine Lan finally agreed to follow Lyu Guiyan’s plan.

When Lyu Guiyan emerged, Xiaotan asked worriedly, “Concubine Lan didn’t scold you, did she?”

“Of course not. I’m her cousin and I’m helping her. Why would she scold me?”

Hearing this, Xiaotan felt relieved. She truly pitied Lyu Guiyan—entering the manor so young, spending every night alone, and having to guard against her own cousin’s suspicions. But lately, Lyu Guiyan seemed to enjoy this life; she hadn’t complained in days.

“Then let’s go back to Muhe Courtyard, Ninth Concubine.”

“No, you go back. I’m going to the Canglan Building to find the Heir.”

Xiaotan had no interest in the power struggles of the manor; her only interest was money. “Then go and come back quickly.”

Lyu Guiyan arrived at Canglan Building alone. When Heyu learned she was there, her temper flared instantly. With hands on her hips and a tyrannical expression, she blocked the path.

“Lyu Guiyan, what is wrong with you today? First Yulan Courtyard, now Canglan Building. What are you plotting?”

If it weren’t for the need to see Wei Chengyan, Lyu Guiyan really wouldn’t want to be here, let alone see Heyu, who treated her like a mortal enemy. She didn’t think she had ever truly offended Heyu, yet the woman was always fuming at her. Lyu couldn’t fathom the source of her anger—it wasn’t like she’d stolen her man, yet Heyu acted as if Lyu had dug up her ancestral graves.

“What could I be plotting? I just want to see the Heir to discuss something.”

Heyu sneered. “No. Our two courtyards have nothing to discuss.”

Being shut out again, Qiyun couldn’t help but mock: Heh~ driven away twice in one day. You’re unwelcome wherever you go.

Shut up!

If it were her old temper, Lyu Guiyan would have turned and left. But not now; she was playing the “Green Tea” little mistress role. If she didn’t interact with the Heir, how could she stab her in the back later? As the saying goes, nothing is impossible if your skin is thick enough.

Lyu Guiyan didn’t get angry. With a gentle face, she said, “Heyu, don’t say that. People change.”

“Hmph. People do change, but pigs don’t.” This had escalated from passive-aggression to an outright insult.

Lyu Guiyan maintained her sunny smile. “You’re right. If a person doesn’t know how to adapt, what’s the difference between them and a pig?”

“Exactly—” Heyu started, before realizing she’d been insulted. “You dare call me a pig!”

SLAP!

No one expected Heyu to actually strike. Lyu Guiyan took a solid blow to the face. Her fair cheek immediately turned red, with five finger marks clearly visible. Lyu touched her face, the stinging pain finally making the reality of the assault sink in.

The surrounding maids watched in disbelief. “Sister Heyu, you… you…”

Heyu was triumphant. “What are you afraid of? She came here to beg our Heir, so she should learn the rules. One slap is light.”

As the saying goes, the more you think about a slight you didn’t retaliate for, the angrier you get. Since she wasn’t playing a “soft persimmon” character this time, Lyu was about to hit back when the “playing dead” Qiyun spoke up: [Don’t move. Wei Chengyan is here.]

Instantly, Lyu Guiyan’s eyes filled with tears, looking utterly aggrieved. Wait, why am I acting for Wei Chengyan?

Wei Chengyan, seeing the crowd gathered at the door, asked, “What’s going on?”

The onlookers looked from Heyu to the weeping Lyu Guiyan, and the story came out in a jumble of voices. Heyu didn’t realize the gravity of the situation; she thought she had vented the Heir’s frustrations and expected praise. Instead, she was met with a resounding slap from Wei Chengyan.

SLAP!!!

The crowd was shocked into silence. The only sound was the rustle of the wind through the branches. Heyu fell to the ground, clutching her crimson cheek, and wailed, “Why did the Heir hit me?”

“What is your status that you dare strike a concubine of this manor? If the master of the house found out, it wouldn’t be as simple as one slap.”

Wei Chengyan was already in a bad mood, and Heyu had just walked right into the line of fire. She delivered the slap to protect Heyu, fearing Lyu Guiyan would use the incident to cause trouble with the Marquis. Unfortunately, Heyu didn’t understand her mistress’s intentions; she glared venomously at Lyu Guiyan, scrambled up, and ran off.

Lyu Guiyan thought: She ran fast. I didn’t even get to play the “good person” and tell her it’s okay.

“Are you alright?” Wei Chengyan asked tonelessly.

Lyu Guiyan lowered her hand, revealing her swollen cheek. “It seems a bit swollen.”

Wei Chengyan replied coldly, “It’s probably just because you’ve gained weight lately.”

Lyu Guiyan: “…”

I will endure! This master-servant pair is great—one deals physical damage, the other deals magic damage.

“I have something to discuss with you. Let’s go inside.”

“You’re looking for me?” The cold mask on Wei Chengyan’s face finally cracked. She looked at Lyu Guiyan in disbelief, reaching out to touch Lyu’s forehead before touching her own. “You’re not feverish. How could you say such a thing?”

Lyu Guiyan rolled her eyes internally. “I’ve thought about it for a long time. I accept your request from the other day. From now on, we are on the same side… we are family.”

These words sent the surrounding maids’ imaginations running wild; their looks toward Lyu Guiyan changed instantly. Lyu didn’t notice; her gaze was locked on Wei Chengyan’s handsome face. Seeing the Heir look disgusted yet forced to mask it quickly was so pathetic that Lyu Guiyan almost burst out laughing.