Chapter 21: Picking Trouble (Part One)

  Mr. Yao glanced at his unsuspecting daughter, feeling even more annoyed with Madam Ma, and said calmly: "This jasmine is growing too luxuriantly, it's easy to attract snakes, and the sunlight in the courtyard isn't good either. Tomorrow I'll have someone come and cut it down, and plant some yulan, crabapple, rose, or clematis instead!"

  Yao Cunhui was taken aback, then smiled and said: "Father is right, let's do as Father says! Father, also plant two plum blossoms, just in time to match the scenery of the courtyard name!"

  "Old Yao laughed and said: 'Affected elegance!'"

  The father and daughter exchanged a smile.

  The next day, not only were all the oleanders cut down, but also the decorations in Yao Cunhui's house increased by several pieces, and the bedding was replaced with new ones. The old faded silk windows were also replaced. Yao Cunhui felt a sense of wonder in his heart, being a big shot is really good, benefits are pouring in!

  Ma was seething with anger in her heart as she did these things for Yao Cunhui. Especially when she heard Mao's sarcastic remarks, such as: "No wonder everyone says that the elder sister is virtuous and a kind mother, today I see it's really true! The daughter's silk window has faded, and immediately put up new ones!" She was even more furious and wanted to shut her mouth.

  But what could she do? She couldn't forget that night, her husband's cool and seemingly all-knowing gaze, as well as the meaningful words he spoke to her! She knew his temper!

  Pian Sheng Mao still felt it was not enough, and jokingly said that Luomei Courtyard had really changed a lot. It was more lively than others moving into new houses, and it was truly a joyous occasion worth celebrating. Very succinctly, she sent over two sets of precious jewelry: one set with rubies inlaid in gold, and the other with pearls inlaid with precious gems. Both sets were extremely valuable.

  Ma's family, of course, couldn't fall behind the Mao family. She gritted her teeth and also sent over two sets: one with jade inlaid with gold and one with rubies and sapphires, plus two pieces of intricately embroidered brocade with golden threads, slightly surpassing the Mao family's gift by a hair.

  Hong Lian's face lit up with joy, beaming with delight, laughing so hard that her eyes were shining but not visible, then her eyes became moist again, saying Second Miss has finally come to a good end after all the hardships, living a good life now!

  Good times? Yao Cunhui just smiled bitterly after hearing it!

  She has now become a pawn in the open and secret struggle between the Ma and Mao families, drifting with the wind, unable to make any decisions on her own.

  Ma is her stepmother, occupying the position of authority, and also her direct superior, having the power to control her tightly. She must - at least make Ma think she's on her side; what about Mao? Mao thinks she has obtained many benefits for her, putting on a face of kindness in front of her, and more than once has openly or secretly asked for repayment!

  Yao Cunhui would only repay her if she had water in her brain! She knew that once something happened, there would be a second time, and once she got on the thief ship of the Mao family, the things she did first would become the handle for the Mao family to coerce her into doing the next thing, and at that time, she would only sink deeper and deeper and couldn't extricate herself!

  But there is no wall that doesn't leak wind, let alone facing people like Master Yao and Madam Ma. Once they discover her, Yao Cun Hui will surely die without a place to bury her body!

  As the head of the Yao family, Old Master Yao would definitely not be willing to raise a daughter who was rotten to the core.

  By then, it would be magnanimous of Mao's family if they didn't push all the blame onto her and still expect her to stand up for herself?

  Yao Cunhui's mind was always clear, despite Mao's attempts to win her over with promises and threats, Yao Cunhui just smiled foolishly and played dumb, biting her teeth and refusing to budge even a little bit!

  Although Mr. Mao was also at a loss for a while, Yao Cunhui felt that it was more and more difficult to deal with her each time.

  Yao Cunhui suddenly gained favor and became the big news of the Yao Mansion. Madam Ma put on a kind motherly face, but it wasn't difficult for her to be hard on Yao Cunhui. However, Yao Cunmei couldn't bear to see this.

  Since Madam Ma's great reversal from a small concubine to becoming the official wife, Yao Cunmei also rose with the tide and transformed from an illegitimate daughter to a legitimate one.

  Perhaps because of her past status as a concubine-born daughter, Yao Cunmei harbored deep resentment towards her sister Yao Cunhui. As Yao Cunjia was much older than her, she didn't dare to provoke her easily, so naturally, Yao Cunhui, who was only slightly older than her, became the target of her venting and teasing.

  In these years, it was under the arrangement and governance of her mother and daughter that Yao Cunhui's personality became more and more eccentric.

  Now, Yao Cunhui seems to be making a big comeback, which is undoubtedly a heart-wrenching and bone-gnawing torture for Yao Cunmei, who has been bullying her for so long. Mentally, she cannot accept it no matter what!

  Unfortunately, the current Yao Cunhui is no longer the Yao Cunhui who used to be bullied and remained silent, not fighting back. These days, Yao Cunmei hasn't been able to take advantage of her even a little bit, she can't bear it anymore.

  That day, Yao Cunhui came out of Fengming Hall and passed by a row of artificial hills. Suddenly, Yao Cunmei rushed out from behind and collided with her. Yao Cunhui was startled and hastily dodged to the side. When she turned around and composed herself, she saw that Yao Cunmei had fallen to the ground, crying out in pain. Then, Ma Qunfang and Yao Cunmei's maid, Xiu Hui, also rushed over. The two of them cried out in surprise as they helped Yao Cunmei up from either side.

  "Second sister, are you walking without eyes? Why did you bump into me?" Yao Cunmei's beautiful eyes were filled with tears, her knee was dirty, and she limped towards Yao Cunhui, angrily questioning her.

  Yao Cunhui was speechless, who did she bump into? When did she bump into her?

  "Yes, second sister-in-law, no matter what, Mei is still your own sister. Even if she offends you with her straightforward words, you can't treat her like this!" Ma Qunfang helped Yao Cunmei smooth out the wrinkles on her clothes and assumed an elder sister's demeanor to instruct Yao Cunhui.

  "Miss Biao, you misunderstood. Second Miss didn't bump into Third Miss, it was Third Miss who ran over and accidentally fell down herself!" Hong Lian couldn't help but speak up for Yao Cunhui as she saw Yao Cunmei and Ma Qunfang bullying and reversing the truth.

  "You're saying I fell down myself? You cheap thing, what are you so proud of, being so arrogant and reckless without any sense of shame. It seems you've forgotten how to write the word 'slave'!" Yao Cunmei was furious, jumping up and raising her hand to hit Hong Lian.

  "Third sister, let's talk this through!" Yao Cunhui had anticipated that Yao Cunmei would do something like this, so she gently pushed the red lantern aside and raised her hand to block Yao Cunmei's arm.

  "Get out of my way!" Yao Cunmei saw that Yao Cunhui actually dared to lay hands on her, and her small face turned even whiter with rage. She glared at her sister with a shrill cry: "Second sister, are you determined to protect your maid? You're letting her humiliate me, and you're protecting her! Fine, let's take this to our mother!"

  "What's the meaning of this, Third Sister? How could Hong Yu have ever had the nerve to belittle you?" Yao Cun Hui gave her a faint glance.

  Yao Cunmei sneered, "The master is speaking, and this lowly maid dares to talk back openly. Isn't this humiliating the master? Hmph, she says I fell down myself, isn't that mocking me for not even knowing how to walk on a road? What's the use of keeping such a sly maid around? Today, I must teach her a lesson. Let's see how Second Sister will protect her!"

  "Why must Third Sister quarrel with a little maid? Has she forgotten the rules Mother taught her in the past? She made a slip of the tongue, and Third Sister scolded her a few times, but why did she have to resort to violence? Where is the dignity of a young lady from a good family? If Mother finds out, won't it be embarrassing?" Yao Cunhui felt a chill in her heart. She hadn't expected Yao Cunmei to be so unreasonable, and for a moment, she couldn't think of anything to say in rebuttal.

  Yao Cun Mei was amused by her words, so she used force to retrieve her arm and raised an eyebrow, coldly smiling: "Oh? So Second Sister also thinks that what she just said was a slip of the tongue? Then did Second Sister really bump into me or not?"

  Hong Lian was startled, secretly annoyed with herself for rushing into trouble and implicating Second Miss. Her lips moved as if to apologize, but under Yao Cun Hui's sharp gaze, she immediately closed her mouth, biting her lip and standing aside in silent distress.

  Yao Cunhui couldn't think of anything to say, so he simply nodded his head in acknowledgement: "Yes, yes, I accidentally bumped into Sanmei just now. I apologize to Sanmei and ask for her forgiveness!"

  "Hey, you've hurt my knee! You think a simple apology will get you off the hook? What do you think you're doing?" Yao Cunmei's face was red with rage as she glared at him, her hot breath almost spraying onto Yao Cunhui's face.

  "Oh my, what's going on with you sisters again! What a commotion in broad daylight!" Along with the warm and gentle voice of the woman, Mrs. Mao suddenly appeared out of nowhere, followed by two maids, Ah Lan and Ah Xiang, who were smiling and watching them with great interest.

  She's really everywhere! Yao Cunhui secretly sighed in her heart. It's also hard for her!

  Yao Cunmei and Ma Qunfang saw that Mao Shi, who had been at odds with Yao Cunhui and loved to oppose the Ma family, had arrived. The two exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat at a loss for words. Several people present naturally called out "Second Aunt" or "Second Madam" to greet Mao Shi.

  Madam Mao stepped forward with a smile and said: "Tell your aunt about it, what's going on!"

  Yao Cunmei was a victim who did not dare to speak out for fear of being suspected of informing, so Ma Qunfang immediately took the opportunity to inform on her, saying that Yao Cunhui had pushed Yao Cunmei and caused him to fall and get injured, and also allowed his servant to speak disrespectfully.

  Yao Cun Hui said: "It's all my fault, I've already apologized to Sanmei! Eldest sister, what do you mean? Are you trying to drive a wedge between us sisters?"

  "You're the one who's been causing trouble between me and my cousin!" Yao Cunmei snorted, refusing to let up. "You think just saying sorry is enough? If you're going to apologize, then you should do it with sincerity! Auntie, don't you agree?"

  Yao Cunmei said, casting a sideways glance at Mao Shi, trying to gauge her attitude. If Mao Shi insisted on taking sides with Yao Cunhui, she would have to grit her teeth and tolerate it, after all, even Ma Shi was wary of offending Mao Shi easily, let alone herself, being the younger one, who wouldn't dare provoke Mao Shi!

  Unexpectedly, Mr. Mao nodded in agreement with a smile and said: "Mei'er's words are not bad, if you apologize, you must show your sincerity and attitude."

  Several people were stunned, with colorful expressions, only Yao Cunhui remained calm, she knew that Mao Shi was using the opportunity to warn her: without her help, she couldn't do anything, not even deal with a little girl like Yao Cunmei!

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