Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Sending Flowers

Yanyan, is their arrival part of the plan?

Yes, but I didn’t expect them to move this quickly.

In Lyu Guiyan’s original plan, she was to first detach the three concubines (Five, Six, and Seven) from the power struggle. Tomorrow, she would head to Cuiyun Restaurant to find Jing Hongyi and learn calligraphy. In a few days, she would stage a “falling out” with the Lanxin Courtyard to make the Third Concubine believe there was an opening to exploit.

Before she could even reach that step, the Third Concubine’s camp had already come to recruit her. It was baffling—what exactly had they seen that made them want to win her over now? Lyu Guiyan was deep in thought.

Yanyan, do you think the people from the Third Courtyard found out about your alliance with Wei Chengyan? That’s why they came to gossip so early.

These words woke Lyu Guiyan like a splash of cold water. Right! She had forgotten that the Third Concubine had spies in Wei Chengyan’s courtyard. With the huge scene she caused at the entrance of Canglan Building the day before, the mole must have been watching. Wei Chengyan and Lyu Guiyan had always been at odds; a sudden softening of their relationship would spark anyone’s suspicion.

It seems they know I went to Lanxin Courtyard first, then immediately to Canglan Building. That Third Concubine really planted people everywhere.

“Oh dear, why isn’t breakfast here yet?” The sudden change in topic left Qiyun speechless. Xiaotan, still groggy from sleep, got out of bed reluctantly upon hearing Lyu Guiyan’s shouting.

On a lush stone path, the Third Concubine and her maid, Yanyu, walked side by side, conversing in low tones.

“In my opinion, that little girl Ninth Concubine won’t leave her cousin just yet. Isn’t our move today too conspicuous?” Yanyu asked.

The Third Concubine looked confident. “No matter how conspicuous it is, it’s better than letting her cozy up to the Heir. The people in Lanxin Courtyard are too stupid to plant spies, but once they find out, you’ll see if that little brat Lan lets Lyu Guiyan off the hook.”

“So, you mean we should maintain contact with the Ninth Concubine first, so that when the cousins officially part ways, we can step in and control her?”

The Third Concubine was very satisfied with Yanyu’s understanding. “Actually, Lyu Guiyan isn’t as dumb as we thought. she has her own plans, but because the Marquis doesn’t favor her, she lacks the power to act. If we help her achieve her goals, she will surely be at our beck and call.”

“A brilliant strategy, Ma’am. I’ll go check the warehouse and pick out some items that look expensive but we don’t need, and send one or two over every few days.”

“No. At the beginning, we must be generous. Send something truly valuable.” To make someone work for you wholeheartedly, you must show sincerity. If you start with deception, even if they don’t notice immediately, they will feel wavered once they find out later.

Lyu Guiyan was neither a fool nor a genius—perfect for a pawn on the front lines, and well worth the investment.

Under the scorching sun in Muhe Courtyard, Lyu Guiyan and Xiaotan were picking up fallen kapok flowers. Both were breathless from the effort. Looking at a full basket, Xiaotan panted, “Are we sending all of these to the kitchen?”

“I don’t like eating them. If you want some, you can make them in the small kitchen yourself.”

“What? You’re not even going to eat them?” Xiaotan had been picking them extra carefully, fearing she’d bruise the petals.

“That’s right. I’m just killing time because I’m bored.” She hadn’t left the house for two days to let her leg injury heal. But ancient life was incredibly dull without TV or phones; doing anything made the time go faster.

Xiaotan’s face fell. “Fine, you win. So how do we deal with these now?”

“How do we deal with them?” Lyu Guiyan hadn’t thought about it. She actually thought Xiaotan wanted to eat them. “Let’s send these flowers to the Canglan Building in a bit.”

Xiaotan couldn’t understand why Lyu Guiyan had changed so much. In previous years during kapok season, she wouldn’t even let Wei Chengyan look at the flowers, yet this year she wanted to send them over. “Ninth Concubine, are you being threatened by the Heir?”

Lyu Guiyan explained, “I want to ease the tension with the Heir. I don’t have any valuables, but our courtyard is full of plants. What else can I send but flowers? Besides, these flowers are edible.”

Xiaotan remained skeptical. “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say more. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Auntie Biyu about this.”

Whether she told or not didn’t really affect Lyu Guiyan. However, Lyu felt that ever since Xiaotan returned from the Lanxin Courtyard with her, the maid seemed to harbor a hidden resistance toward that place. This wasn’t the kind of rebellious emotion she was supposed to have.

Lyu Guiyan asked seriously, “Xiaotan, are you really okay?”

“I’m fine,” Xiaotan replied quickly.

Lyu Guiyan rested for a while, then picked out some kapok flowers and set them aside. She taught Xiaotan how to use them for soup, tea, and porridge. Xiaotan became excited and decided to keep some for herself. After their selection, about two-thirds of the basket remained.

Lyu Guiyan told Xiaotan to take the rest to Canglan Building while she stayed behind to clean their share. About half an hour later, Xiaotan returned to Muhe Courtyard looking dejected.

“Did… the Heir scold you?” Lyu Guiyan asked while washing the flowers.

“No, it was Heyu. She waited until the Heir was gone and then told me to tell you: Canglan Building isn’t a junkyard for trash. Ninth Concubine, I suggest you stop being so eager to please them; the people in that courtyard look down on you.”

Lyu Guiyan didn’t care. That was just Heyu—if she didn’t say something nasty every day, she’d probably get sick. “Did the Heir express any dissatisfaction?”

Xiaotan squatted down to take over the washing. “The Heir still has that same cold face. I can’t tell if she’s happy to receive them or if she thinks they’re ‘trash’ like Heyu said.”

Lyu Guiyan comforted her earnestly, “Don’t be sad. They are targeting me anyway, it has nothing to do with you.”

“I just feel it’s unfair for you!” Xiaotan’s sudden outburst of emotion startled Lyu Guiyan.

“I… thank you for looking out for me.” Seeing Lyu Guiyan’s “innocent” face, Xiaotan felt mentally exhausted. She comforted herself: Sigh, they’ve been cousins for three years and their relationship has always been good. She definitely won’t believe me. Forget it, I shouldn’t say too much.

“Finished washing. What’s next?”

“Just let them dry.”

Xiaotan went about the task silently. Looking at her busy back, Lyu Guiyan pondered for a long time but still couldn’t figure out what caused Xiaotan’s resistance toward Lanxin Courtyard. In the original host’s memories, Xiaotan was full of disdain and impatience. She hated being sent from the comfortable Lanxin Courtyard to look after an unfavored concubine who couldn’t even afford to tip the servants.

Xiaotan had even said before that she wouldn’t be a “loyal servant” because she only loved money. But now, Xiaotan’s feelings toward Lyu Guiyan seemed complex—pity, resentment, and a faint sense of “frustration at someone failing to live up to expectations.”

Qiyun, is Xiaotan planning to invest in my stock?

Then she’s definitely going to go bankrupt.

It was true. If Xiaotan devoted herself to helping Lyu Guiyan, she wouldn’t meet a good end. Wei Chengyan was narrow-minded and vengeful; anyone associated with her enemies was considered an enemy. She couldn’t let Xiaotan “buy in” to her fate, or the girl would lose her life. She just wanted Xiaotan to be a happy, money-loving miser.

“Xiaotan, go back to Lanxin Courtyard tomorrow. I don’t need you here anymore.”