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Old Madam and Yuan Xiangqian sat side by side, smiles gracing their faces as they nodded, "Good, please sit!" The atmosphere in the hall was warm, reminiscent of the gentle sun in spring.
Mei Xin slightly parted her red lips, her words laced with sharpness: "I have heard that the eldest daughter of the Liu Family is knowledgeable and virtuous. Today, seeing her in person, she truly lives up to her reputation! Uncle, you must not continue to mistreat Liu Ruyi!" Her tone was melodious yet concealed a hidden agenda, like a serpent lurking beneath the blooming flowers of spring.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiangqian rose abruptly from his chair, the dark wooden chair creaking ominously under him, tightening the tension in the room: "Yuan Yingwu, what mischief have you been up to?" His eyes widened, his piercing gaze seemed to penetrate into his son's heart.
Yuan Yinghua's eyes flickered slightly as he hurriedly interjected: "It's nothing much. It’s just that last night my younger brother went to see Fan Jiao Jiao and left his wife alone in the new house." His words were light but fell like a stone into a calm lake, creating ripples of disturbance.
Seeing this, Mei Xin added fuel to the fire: "Uncle, you look down on Liu Ruyi because of her lowly birth and treat her with such humiliation! If this gets out, what face will the Duke's Residence have left?" Each word was sharp and precise, aiming directly at the heart of the matter as if she intended to nail Yuan Yingwu to a pillar of shame.
Yuan Yingwu felt the combined attack from his brother and sister-in-law; his face flushed red. Just as he was about to rise in anger, Liu Ruyi pressed him down. She gracefully stood up and bowed slightly, speaking clearly: "Sister-in-law is being too harsh! A husband and wife are one. If my husband humiliates me, he humiliates himself. I believe he would never do such a thing." Her voice rang clear like a yellow oriole emerging from the valley, instantly dispelling the gloom.
Old Madam squinted slightly, a glimmer of approval flashing in her eyes as she nodded: "It's rare for you to be so understanding." Liu Ruyi bowed again and continued: "Perhaps there are those with ill intentions who wish to use my humiliation to harm my husband and the Yuan Family. I know well how much he cares for me." With that, she removed a jade pendant from her wrist; its warm luster reflected in everyone's eyes. "If it were otherwise, how could he have gifted me this imperial jade pendant?" The pendant spun lightly in the air like a compass of fate pointing towards the truth.
Yuan Xiangqian stroked his beard and nodded: "You are indeed sensible!" He then rose with authority: "Tomorrow I will head to the border. The Duke's Residence is entrusted to you; do not let me down!" Hearing this, Yuan Yingwu quickly clasped his hands in response: "Father, rest assured! I will not disappoint you!"
Old Madam suddenly stood up, her eyes filled with satisfaction: "Look at this harmonious scene; it all stems from Liu Ruyi." She beckoned Liu Ruyi over with overflowing affection: "Good child, come here!" Liu Ruyi glanced at Yuan Yingwu and saw him nod slightly before stepping forward.
Old Madam took off a family heirloom jade bracelet from her wrist. The jade was as smooth as mutton fat and carved with family emblems passed down for centuries. She handed it to Liu Ruyi: "This is our Yuan Family's ancestral jade bracelet; even Empress Zhang Hong cherished it greatly." Liu Ruyi hurriedly declined: "This is too precious, Grandmother!"
But Old Madam insisted without hesitation, gently placing the bracelet in her palm: "Accept it! You are so wise and generous; you are just like my younger self. From now on, I can rest easy knowing that the Yuan Family is entrusted to you two."
Liu Ruyi held the bracelet with both hands, her eyes filled with gratitude as she bowed alongside Yuan Yingwu: "Thank you, Grandmother!"
The hall was filled with warmth as everyone basked in this harmonious scene. Only Mei Xin seemed consumed by jealousy; deep within her eyes burned a fire of resentment as she glared at them, wishing she could set this moment ablaze.
Returning to the elegant courtyard, Zhang Yue exclaimed excitedly: "Miss, look at this bracelet! Its luster is as radiant as spring waves; it's clearly top-quality jade and worth a fortune!"
Liu Ruyi lightly twirled a tassel by her temple and smiled softly: "The bracelet is merely an external possession; Grandmother's approval is the true treasure. As a daughter of a general's family, she despises scheming in the inner chambers. If last night's turmoil had caused discord between father and son, my life here would become quite difficult."
Zhang Yue blinked her lively eyes curiously and asked: "How does Miss know all this?"
Liu Ruyi rubbed her handkerchief between her fingers and sighed inwardly: That 'good sister' from my past life has already played out this drama. She looked up at Zhang Yue and said casually: "That sweet-tongued yet ruthless Sister Da Fang—let’s be more vigilant around her from now on."
Zhang Yue nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Mei Xin was seething in her room and had even smashed a teacup. Clenching her handkerchief tightly, she spat angrily: "That bracelet! How many times have I asked Grandmother for it openly and covertly? Yet it went to that lowly newcomer!"
Yuan Yinghua sneered: "From what Grandmother said earlier, it seems she wants to take control away from us and give it to the second branch! Sooner or later, this Duke's Residence will be dominated by the Lius."
Mei Xin's brows furrowed angrily: "Liu Ruyi! Just after entering our home, she's already trying to assert dominance over us. Now she pretends to be generous and understanding before that old woman. Such cunning—I underestimated her!"
"If she truly gains power, our Yuan Family won't even be able to move a blade of grass within Duke's Residence!" Yuan Yinghua stomped his foot in frustration.
Suddenly rising from her seat, Mei Xin commanded sharply to her maid: "Go! Bring that singing woman here!" Gritting her teeth with hatred curling like a venomous snake through her heart, she declared: "I want to see if tomorrow someone stirs up trouble so she can't return home—can she still act so magnanimous?"
The next day dawned bright with magpies perched on branches—a perfect day for sisters returning home.
In the Duke's Residence, Yuan Yingwu was directing the servants to load the carriage. His voice boomed, "Niu Peng, move this box over too!"
"Got it!" Niu Peng responded, carefully placing the heavy box onto the cart.
Liu Ruyi approached in a crimson wedding gown, the warm sun casting a golden hue around her. She frowned slightly and said, "Is it really necessary to make such a fuss for a short visit? We can leave these two boxes behind."
Yuan Yingwu's deep-set eyes softened as he replied, "This is for Aunt Bai."
Liu Ruyi paused in surprise, "Isn't everything prepared at her side?"
With a light sigh, Yuan Yingwu's voice took on a hint of melancholy. "I heard she has been living poorly at Liu Residence. I specially prepared some clothes and food as a small token of my regard."
Liu Ruyi felt her eyes warm and whispered, "Thank you."
Zhang Yue clapped her hands in amazement. "Young Lord is truly considerate of Miss! With him backing her up, who would dare bully Aunt Bai?"
Liu Ruyi scoffed lightly, "If you can rely on men, then even a sow can climb a tree."
Zhang Yue blinked her round eyes and asked, "What did Miss say?"
Liu Ruyi waved her hand with a smile. "Nothing, just got rid of a little deer that was bumping around."
Zhang Yue looked around in confusion. "Deer?"
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Liu Residence, the atmosphere was delicate. Liu Jianmin and Yao Xueying sat facing each other, while an empty chair between them silently expressed their anticipation.
Liu Rumeng hurried in and was about to take a seat when her father’s deep voice stopped her. "That seat is reserved for your Aunt Bai. If Young Lord sees us treating Liu Ruyi's mother poorly, he might hold a grudge."
Liu Rumeng scoffed and sat down directly. She lightly brushed her hairpin with her fingers and spoke arrogantly, "Yuan Yingwu won’t be coming today. The courtesan he redeemed is causing a scene at Duke's Residence; how could he find time to come here?"
Liu Jianmin furrowed his brows and asked, "How do you know this?"
A surge of humiliating memories from her past life flooded Liu Rumeng's mind—Fan Jiao Jiao's madness, the messy struggle between them, Mei Xin’s betrayal, and her father's furious expulsion... She clenched her handkerchief tightly but allowed a cruel smile to curve her lips. "Today, let that little wretch taste the bitter fruit of my past!"
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