Reborn As The Wicked Little Sister-in-Law - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: A Wise Person Doesn’t Fight Against Odds

As the saying goes, a wise person knows when to fold. Showing off your sharp edges isn’t always a good idea, so…

When it’s time to cower, you cower!

“No, you’re overthinking it. You were so terrifying just now, how could I possibly have the heart to scold you? My head is completely filled with thoughts of how to never make you angry again,” Lü Guiyan blurted out with a face full of sincerity.

It didn’t sound like a hollow compliment, but Wei Chengyan wasn’t buying it.

A cold, mocking sneer tugged at Wei Chengyan’s thin lips. “You certainly have a way with words. You know there’s no one here to help you, so you’re playing the weak and pitiful card in front of me.”

Lü Guiyan lowered her head, thinking to herself: I’m not just playing it in front of you; I play the “Green Tea” act in front of everyone.

Seeing Lü Guiyan’s bowed head and apparent repentance, Wei Chengyan’s anger subsided slightly. To truly quench her rage, however, Lü Guiyan would have to die. Wei Chengyan loathed her—hated how she used her youth and Lady Lan’s protection to stir up trouble every single day.

Sometimes Wei Chengyan truly wanted to kill her. After all, everyone in the manor except Lady Lan was an enemy; she could easily find a scapegoat.

As this thought surfaced, Wei Chengyan glared at the helpless Lü Guiyan like a predator. But remembering that Jing Hongyi had witnessed the earlier scene, she reconsidered and abandoned the idea of executing her right then and there.

“Let’s go. Let’s head back and continue looking at the flowers, Ninth Aunt.”

She spat out those last two words through gritted teeth, sending a chill down Lü Guiyan’s spine. Lü Guiyan muttered under her breath, “If you don’t like saying it, don’t. No one is forcing you.”

“What did you say?” Wei Chengyan, walking ahead, didn’t hear clearly.

Lü Guiyan regretted letting her inner thoughts slip. Seeing Wei Chengyan’s fierce expression, she quickly improvised: “I said… I was wondering what I could do to dissolve the resentment in your heart.”

This made Wei Chengyan extremely uncomfortable. She let out a cold snort. “Starting with the fake sentimentality again, are we?”

It was a blatant threat.

Lü Guiyan smiled brightly. “Fine, I can’t hide it from you. I’m afraid of dying, so I’m saying nice things to coax you. What I was whispering just now was indeed me cursing you.”

“Exactly. That’s more like your true thoughts.”

As she spoke, Wei Chengyan walked slowly to Lü Guiyan’s side. A malicious smile played on her face. She reached out a long, slender finger and pressed it against Lü Guiyan’s bright red lips. Her tone turned deceptively gentle. “From the first day you entered the manor, I hated the words coming out of this mouth. I’ve been thinking about whether I should use a needle to sew it shut.”

Lü Guiyan and Wei Chengyan had been at odds since day one. Initially, Wei Chengyan tried to recruit Lü Guiyan to her side, even privately explaining the hidden meaning behind the name Lady Lan had given her. But Lü Guiyan knew her own limits and vowed never to betray her cousin.

Thus, for three years, the two had clashed. Lü Guiyan used her petty cleverness to gain small advantages, while Wei Chengyan—mindful of the Marquis’s reputation—had never made a lethal move.

But after today’s incident in the tent, Wei Chengyan’s mind had changed. The constant bickering of the concubines was becoming tedious. It was time they learned who would truly rule the Marquis of Pingyang’s estate in the future. She needed to “kill a chicken to scare the monkeys”—and as for which monkey to target…

Wei Chengyan’s gaze fell on Lü Guiyan’s face. Her bony fingers lightly brushed across those soft lips in a gesture that felt like a provocation. This intimacy made Lü Guiyan extremely uncomfortable; she instinctively tried to step back, but her hand was instantly clamped in a vice-like grip.

She looked up into Wei Chengyan’s bloodshot eyes, which looked ready to consume her. They were so close that their breaths intertwined. Lü Guiyan was forced to look closely at the other’s face.

At first glance, Wei Chengyan appeared all sharp angles—a woman with a masculine, heroic air. But looking closer, she saw a unique charm hidden in the corners of those sharp eyes. Without a speck of makeup, her skin was like morning clouds reflecting on white snow. A subtle fragrance drifted from her, making Lü Guiyan’s heart suddenly skip a beat.

Realizing her cheeks were heating up, Lü Guiyan quickly looked down. The original host of this body must have been kicked in the head by a donkey to deal with this person for three years.

Regaining her composure, Lü Guiyan squeezed out a smile and lowered her voice, speaking softly: “I’m hungry. I want to go find something to eat.”

Wei Chengyan smiled knowingly. “It’s just the two of us, Ninth Aunt. No need to lie. I like hearing the truth.”

Seeing the smile, Lü Guiyan immediately yanked her hand back. She complained internally: You don’t like the truth; you like the “truth” that fits your narrative. If I told you the actual truth, you’d kill me on the spot.

Sigh. Life is hard when you have to sell your tea-acting skills.

“I didn’t mean to target you. You know that with my background, I couldn’t even qualify to be a maid in this manor. I only have this life of luxury because of my cousin. I’m a simple person; I just want to live a good life.”

Having experienced being broke in her previous life, she was determined to be a “rich lady” in this one.

“I understand your predicament, Auntie. You want wealth? I can give it to you.”

“Really?” Lü Guiyan feigned surprise on the surface. Inside: I don’t believe you for a second.

Wei Chengyan continued her manipulation. “I know you all want the title of Heir. But don’t forget, my title was personally bestowed by the Emperor’s decree. Without his word, even if your cousin gave birth to a dozen boys, it would be useless. I am the only successor to this manor.”

Lü Guiyan pretended to think deeply for a while before answering. “You’re trying to drive a wedge between us sisters. I won’t fall for it.”

Wei Chengyan smirked. “There is no ‘affection’ in this world, only mutual exploitation. Your cousin brought you into the manor to be her human shield. If she truly cared for you, you wouldn’t still be a virgin after all this time.”

Not having to serve that old Marquis? To the current Lü Guiyan, that was a blessing!

“I don’t even want his favor!” she blurted out honestly.

Wei Chengyan frowned, confused. Lü Guiyan immediately tried to cover her tracks. “I mean… I’m already satisfied. I lack both beauty and talent; I can’t catch the Marquis’s eye. That’s my own fault, nothing to do with my cousin.”

Wei Chengyan looked Lü Guiyan up and down, her gaze lingering on the girl’s round, fair face. A playful smile appeared. “I actually think you look quite decent. You have a delicate, fragile air. It’s just that mouth of yours that’s the problem.”

Taken aback by the unexpected compliment, Lü Guiyan stammered, “Th… thank you.”

“Everyone has different tastes. Don’t think you’re ugly just because my father doesn’t like your type.”

She keeps praising me… what is she up to?

Wei Chengyan continued, “You want money and status? I can give them to you in the future.”

“Huh?” This actually scared Lü Guiyan.

“What I mean is, I will be the Peeress of Pingyang. Once my father passes, I will deal with all the concubines. If you cooperate with me, I will treat you like my own little mother. Your food and lifestyle will be the best the manor can offer.”

Ah… after all that talking, it was still just a tactic to turn her against Lady Lan.

Lü Guiyan suddenly felt playful. She teased, “Then if I meet someone I like in the future, can I run away with him and live happily ever after?”

“No!”