Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Slapping Heyu

Zou Shengsheng looked at the room full of people—high-ranking officials, daughters of dukes, and a marquis’s concubine. She was the only one of low status and meager means. At this moment, what use was there in not bowing her head?

Suppressing her discomfort and heartache, Zou Shengsheng managed a faint smile. “I am fine. I believe Miss Jing did not do it intentionally; it’s just that the medicine I bought for my younger brother fell into the river.”

Jing Hongyi took the hint and quickly said, “We will compensate you for that, and we will cover all your medical expenses at the clinic as well.”

“In that case, let the matter rest,” Zou Shengsheng said, her voice tinged with a trace of helplessness.

Jing Ruoyun’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Zou Shengsheng nodded with difficulty, keeping a smile on her face.

Wei Chengyan and Mu Yan could not understand Zou Shengsheng’s perceived weakness. Jing Hongyi was relieved that his sister wouldn’t be punished, yet he felt for Zou’s sensibility. Only Lyu Guiyan understood the absolute powerlessness Zou Shengsheng felt at this moment.

Since ancient times, those without power, status, or money have been restricted at every turn and bullied by others. Lyu Guiyan knew that at this stage, Mu Yan couldn’t grasp Zou’s internal sense of inferiority; he wasn’t as socially perceptive as Jing Hongyi. This made Lyu even more determined to help Zou Shengsheng build her own career.

Lyu Guiyan turned her gaze toward Lin Feng and said sweetly, “Sister Lin Feng, could we borrow a few changes of clothes from you?”

The clothes of the four people in the clinic were all soaked.

“Of course, though I’m afraid Master Mu will have to make do with the clothes of the shop boys.”

“No need, I won’t change,” Mu Yan replied steadily, his gaze fixed on Zou Shengsheng, seemingly deep in thought.

Wei Chengyan said coldly, “Neither will I. I’m not that delicate.”

Zou Shengsheng wanted to say something, but Lyu Guiyan cut her off before she could speak. “Miss Zou, you have to travel out of the city to get home. You must change, or you’ll fall ill.”

“Thank you, Miss Lyu.” This was a heartfelt thanks from Zou Shengsheng.

Lyu Guiyan went into the back room with Zou Shengsheng to change. While there, she shared her idea of forming a landscaping team. Zou Shengsheng didn’t agree immediately, asking for three days to think it over.

Lyu Guiyan expressed her understanding, saying earnestly, “I know it sounds like a fantasy. No one has done this before, and it’s hard to see the prospects just by talking. Also, even though there are women doing business now, the gossip can be stifling.”

“I’m not worried about the gossip; I just feel like… I don’t have the ability.”

“You haven’t even tried, so why do you think you can’t?” Lyu Guiyan knew the female lead had the skills—landscape design, drawing, and management potential—but she was held back by her own low self-esteem, believing that as a woman, she couldn’t achieve great things.

Zou Shengsheng looked up and saw the steady gaze in Lyu Guiyan’s eyes. For some reason, she felt this girl was different from others. “I am just an ordinary person, burdened with troubles. I’m not worth helping. Why do you want to help me?”

Lyu Guiyan, now dressed in her outer robe, sat on a dark wooden chair as countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

“Because we are both women. I don’t like the idea that a woman’s greatest glory is to be a beautiful ornament for her whole life. Must we be lambs on a platter, existing only to be pleasing to the eye? Why can’t we be ambitious hunters, or eagles soaring over mountain valleys singing of freedom?”

Zou Shengsheng listened, dumbfounded. She found it hard to believe that a woman who was someone’s concubine could say such things. She thought to herself: It seems I never truly knew her at all.

“Why did you choose to be a concubine back then?”

How could she explain? The original host of this body had no choice. With a mother who favored sons and two brothers who loved money more than family, she had no other option but to enter the manor as a pawn for Bai Lanyi.

“Because I was too young then and understood nothing.”

Zou Shengsheng understood and didn’t press further. After a long silence, she said, “Give me two days. I’ll go back and discuss it with Auntie Sun.”

“Of course. I’m not asking for an answer right now, I just hope you won’t be shackled by worldly conventions. One thing I must state upfront: a woman in business will face much malice, and people may even attack your virtue. You need to be prepared for that. As for your abilities, I think you have them. You aren’t weak at all.”

Having never been praised like this before, Zou Shengsheng blushed and said shyly, “Thank you.”

When the two came out, Lyu Guiyan was immediately met by Wei Chengyan’s predatory gaze—it looked like she might breathe fire at any second.

Heyu jumped out and barked at Lyu Guiyan, “Taking this long just to change? I thought you’d died in there.”

Seeing Heyu acting up again, Lyu guessed that Wei Chengyan had given her tacit approval while they were changing. In the original novel, Heyu often acted as Wei Chengyan’s mouthpiece.

Lyu Guiyan ignored Heyu and turned to Lin Feng with a smile. “Sister Lin Feng, I’ll return these clothes to you in a couple of days.”

“No rush, anytime is fine.” As she spoke, Lin Feng stole a glance at Wei Chengyan.

Both Mu Yan and Jing Hongyi wanted to escort Zou Shengsheng home. Zou was still frustrated by the day’s events and just wanted to go back alone, so she cast a pleading look at Lyu Guiyan for help.

This was the first “crematorium” (jealousy/conflict) scene in the original text. Lyu Guiyan had no intention of participating. She pretended not to see and rubbed her eyes vigorously.

“Oh dear… why is my vision so blurry? Heir, could you look and see if I have sand in my eyes?”

Wei Chengyan’s eyes were locked on the trio of Mu, Jing, and Zou. Her jaw was tight, and her face was flushed with suppressed rage; she didn’t care at all about what Lyu Guiyan was saying.

Lin Feng stepped forward, steadied Lyu Guiyan’s head, and looked closely. “There’s no sand. Just go back and get some rest.”

Heyu couldn’t stand Lyu Guiyan’s “act.” She intentionally stepped in front of her and said snidely, “Heh~ exposed, aren’t you? Your low-class tricks might fool the people in the manor, but out here, no one is going to coddle your lowly hide.”

In her past life, Lyu Guiyan didn’t have a particularly patient temper. Since coming here, she had comforted herself by treating it as a game and not getting upset with NPCs. But today, she decided to reconsider. This Heyu was like a rabid dog, never missing a chance to bite.

Lyu Guiyan turned around calmly, her face showing neither joy nor anger. “Heyu, I am still a concubine of the manor after all. You should think before you speak.”

With Heyu’s personality, she wasn’t one to take a loss. She used the Heir’s backing to act like a tyrant in the Canglan Building. In Heyu’s mind, Lyu Guiyan’s status was lower than even a bottom-tier maid in her courtyard.

“You dare lecture me? You’re nothing but a dog kept by your cousin. You wag your tail for a few bones—what right do you have to act like a mistress in front of me?”

Lyu Guiyan’s face remained as still as calm water. Seeing her silent, Heyu thought she was afraid and became even more arrogant.

“I am a servant born into the Marquis’s household. I grew up with the Heir. And you? Just a wild girl from the countryside. You think entering the manor makes you respectable? In my eyes, you have a cheap soul and a cheap life, not even worth a—”

SLAP!

Before she could finish, five red finger marks appeared on Heyu’s face. She roared at Lyu Guiyan in a fit of rage, “You dare hit me!”

SLAP! SLAP!!

Two more slaps followed immediately. After finishing, Lyu Guiyan slowly massaged her reddened palm and said with an air of relaxed ease:

“The first slap is for the one you gave me two days ago. The second is the interest for the past few days. And the third is for the insults you’ve hurled at me during this time.”

If I don’t show you some steel, you’ll forget who I am.