The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 2

Gently stroking Xu Xin’s back, Lady Yang said softly, “My Lord, do not lower yourself to that little girl’s level. How could she possibly understand the hardships you endure?”

“This matter does indeed leave the girls at a disadvantage,” she continued. “Tomorrow, I shall select some fine items from my private storehouse to send to Autumn. As for Yang Yuan, I will give that brat a proper lesson when I return. How dare he touch just anyone like some common stray!”

Xu Xin leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It is fortunate that my wife is so thoughtful. With the heavy burden of court affairs, I must rely on you to maintain peace in the inner household. Yun Shen has just been appointed Commander of the Imperial Guard; many eyes are on him. We must not allow any chaos at home to give others leverage against him.”

Lady Yang exchanged a look with her daughter. Sensing the gravity of the situation, she knew she could no longer let Yang Yuan run wild. She nodded immediately. “I understand, My Lord. I will give Yuan a stern warning. With the examinations approaching, it is time he focused his mind.”

…

A few days later.

Thud! A wooden crate was slammed heavily onto the table in Snowy Pavilion.

Mammy Luo, a senior servant at Lady Yang’s side, stood with a haughty expression. “The Madam says these are the Yang family’s compensation for the Second Young Miss,” she said disdainfully. “The Third Young Miss should stop making a scene. The customs of Great Yin are liberal—even those of the same gender may join in marriage, let alone a small matter like this. The Madam also says that for the time being, neither of you need to serve in the front courtyard. Just stay in Snowy Pavilion and recover well.”

Yun Xia glared fiercely at the fleshy-faced old woman. The people of this manor were experts at fawning over the powerful and trampling the weak, especially the lifelong servants close to Lady Yang, who never treated the two sisters as human beings.

Without glancing at the crate, Yun Xia sneered, “Since this is such a ‘small matter,’ I hope Sister Xiang encounters it as well. After all, as the elegant and virtuous legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister’s manor, there must be many who have their eyes on her.”

Mammy Luo spat on the ground, her face contorting with rage. “Bah! You truly think yourself a master, daring to curse our Miss Xiang? Just wait—you’ll get what’s coming to you!”

Yun Xia did not flinch. Using all her strength, she shoved the woman toward the door. “What ‘fruits’ have we not tasted already? I am not afraid! If it comes to it, we’ll both go down together!”

Since childhood, the two sisters had been treated like maidservants to Xu Ruoxiang, subjected to beatings and forced kneeling at her slightest whim. No one outside knew the true nature of the woman the world praised as “gentle and virtuous.”

As Mammy Luo raised her hand to strike Yun Xia, the girl stared back like a cornered cub.

“Mammy Luo, stop!” Xu Yun Shen’s tall, imposing figure appeared at the doorway, his dark eyes fixed unpleasantly on the scene.

Mammy Luo dropped her hand and bowed low. “Young Master, why have you come to such a filthy place?”

Xu Yun Shen frowned deeply, walking in with his hands behind his back. “Since when did the Xu Manor become a ‘filthy place’? You are a senior in my mother’s service; how can you be so cruel in word and deed? Leave, and do not come here again.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment, Mammy Luo retreated with her head bowed.

Xu Yun Shen looked with heartache at the stubborn girl before him. Though her eyes were rimmed with red and tears clung to her lashes, her gaze remained defiant.

His heart ached, and his throat tightened. Deep within his eyes swirled a terrifying mixture of desire and affection. He wanted nothing more than to pull this charming, headstrong girl into his arms. “Xia Xia, I am now the Commander of the Imperial Guard. If you are willing, I can take you out of the Xu Manor and give you a new identity…”

Yun Xia subtly dodged his touch, a mocking sneer curling her lips. “A new identity? And then what? To become your hidden plaything?”

“Brother, when did you begin harboring such filthy thoughts toward me? Does the Mistress know? If the world knew the Commander of the Imperial Guard coveted his own sister, what a joke you would become. Do you think any noble lady in Yindu would still marry you?”

Xu Yun Shen froze. He could still catch the faint fragrance lingering on her. He closed his eyes in pain, but when he opened them, they were clear and resolute. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Xia Xia, I am determined to have you. I will make you come to me willingly.”

His hot breath brushed against her ear, sickening her. She shoved him away, her eyes filled with contempt. “You disgust me! Everything in this manor disgusts me! Mammy Luo was right—this place truly is a cesspool!”

Yun Xia slammed the door shut. Her bravado vanished instantly. Helpless, she slid down the door to the floor, curling herself into a small ball. Tears filled her beautiful fox-like eyes; her delicate nose was red, and she bit her lip until a bead of blood appeared.

“Xia Xia…” Yun Qiu’s voice called from the inner room.

Yun Xia wiped her tears and slapped her cheeks, forcing a smile that looked more painful than a sob. Her elder sister had already endured too much; she couldn’t add to her worries. Besides, she had long intended to ruin Xu Yun Shen by leading him on—now that he had taken the bait, it served her purpose. She could not cry; she had to move forward.

Yun Xia stepped softly to Yun Qiu’s side and took her hand. “Sister, Father said he will seek justice for you. You must focus on recovering for now.”

Yun Qiu sat up, her face deathly pale. She shook her head gently and pulled out a letter. “Yun Xia, don’t hide it from me. Haven’t we suffered enough of Father’s coldness? Once Pei Lang finishes his exams, give this to him. I don’t want to be a burden to him.”

Yun Xia tossed the letter aside. “Sister, that isn’t fair to Cousin Pei! I won’t deliver it. If you want to break things off, tell him yourself!”

“Cough… Yun Xia, I have felt unwell these past days. I have no strength. This morning, I found rashes on my arms and legs… I fear… I fear I have contracted a foul disease…”

“Sister, don’t overthink it. The doctor saw you; it’s just a common rash. You’ll be fine once you take your medicine,” Yun Xia comforted her, pulling her into an embrace.

After soothing Yun Qiu to sleep, Yun Xia sat silently, watching her sister’s frail face. Her heart burned with pain and hatred. After being violated by Yang Yuan, Yun Qiu’s spirit had broken; the mysterious, painful rashes that woke her in the night only added to the torment.

Yun Xia clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. Thinking of the years of suffering and her mother’s sudden, unexplained illness, her hatred peaked. She would make them all pay.

She analyzed the power landscape of Yindu. The Emperor had three sons: Crown Prince Gao Wenzhang was sickly and out of favor; Prince Qing, Gao Wenting, was famed for his virtue and had great support at court; and Prince Rui, Gao Wenyuan, lacked maternal backing and preferred a life of leisure.

Her father, Xu Xin, was the Crown Prince’s man, while Xu Ruoxiang was secretly in contact with Prince Qing. To bring them all down, there was only one person powerful enough: Regent Lu Zhao, who was fiercely loyal only to the Emperor.

Lu Zhao’s mother was the Emperor’s sister, Princess Gao Han, and her father was the legendary swordsman Lu Mu. Born into supreme nobility, she answered to no one but the Emperor and showed no mercy to anyone else. Though she was a woman, the entire court respected and feared her. With the Emperor focused on Taoist cultivation, he had delegated nearly all power to her.

Lu Zhao was twenty-two and unmarried. It was common knowledge that she preferred the company of women, yet of all the beauties and performers sent to her, none had ever caught her eye.

Yun Xia lowered her gaze, her mind spinning with a thousand schemes. She would get close to Lu Zhao. She would become the person beside her on the pillow, and use Lu Zhao’s hand to destroy Yang Yuan, her father, and the entire Xu Manor.