Chapter 379 Smear Campaign

Bai Youran married into a prestigious family, which brought her mother pride, but it wasn't without its drawbacks. The powerful mother-in-law of the wealthy family exerted control, making things less easy for the daughter.

Yan made countless excuses for herself, genuinely thinking that Xiao Qi was a good person.

When judging people, one should look at the long term, not just at immediate gains. Back in the capital, when Qin married Lin, he was still a poor scholar. Yan and Qin were on good terms, and Yan often mocked Qin behind her back.

Now, twenty years have passed. Qin is a popular figure among the ladies of the capital, and Lin Shusheng holds a high position. As for herself, she was considered to have married into a better family back then, but she was exiled to the desolate north. She was forced to follow her husband wherever he went, and she couldn't even return to the capital.

Thinking of this, Madam Yan was even more satisfied with Xiao Qi. It is said that simple-minded people have simple-minded luck, and her daughter's good fortune was yet to come.

Xiao Qi went to find Bai Dingfeng and dumped the mess on Lin Yuesha. Lin Yuesha secretly reminded herself that she had to deal with Yan Shi, otherwise, if Yan Shi misunderstood something, her stepbrother would really have to marry Bai Youran.

Bai Youran is a good person, but she is not suitable to be her sister-in-law. Lin Yuesha just observed Xiao Qi's expression. If he were willing, her brother would not have acted this way.

“Madam, you have excellent taste. No one in Chenjia Village speaks ill of my elder brother.”

Lin Yuesha wasn't lying. Xiao Qi was a well-known good-natured man, but also quite extravagant. When his family was poor, he never knew how to take back what he lent out, always feeling embarrassed.

Yan twitched her lips; she disliked that kind of personality.

"Yue Sha, your stepbrother is still unmarried at this age. Doesn't he have any intention of finding you a sister-in-law?"

Ms. Yan said that she and Lin Yuesha were chatting casually and there was no need to be reserved.

"Yes, as you probably know, my mother is my elder brother's stepmother. Being a stepmother is difficult, so I had to ask my elder brother's opinion about marriage."

Lin Yuesha spoke sincerely, revealing Chen's troubles from the bottom of her heart, without hiding anything.

Yes, although blended families aren't great, at least the mother-in-law isn't a legitimate mother-in-law, and the daughter can move in and live independently, which isn't so bad.

Since they're considering families like this, and the Bai family doesn't care about money but values ​​Xiao Qi's character—a well-known good person far and wide—it's clear this child has a kind heart.

Yan prepared herself mentally and easily convinced herself.

She had previously wanted Bai Dingfeng to marry Lin Yuesha in order to gain the support of the Lin family in the capital. Now, she was doing the same by having her daughter marry Xiao Qi, which also involved the Lin family in the capital.

Lin Yuesha should also pay attention to Bai Dingfeng's affairs in the future.

This way, not only can Lin Yuesha be silenced, but she can also be made to do her work, killing two birds with one stone.

"Sigh, my older brother doesn't seem to care much about marriage."

Lin Yuesha sighed and continued along with Yan Shi's topic, "He repaired the carriage for Miss Xuan and was taken a liking to her. He borrowed the tables and chairs across the street and was taken a liking to them too. Both of those women came to my house."

This statement is not meant to smear Xiao Qi. The women in Chenjia Village had tried their best to find a husband for their stepson, but none of them had succeeded.

"Is it because I'm not beautiful enough?"

Madam Yan was surprised; she hadn't realized that the simple-minded man was so likable. She disliked men who were philanderers and hoped her daughter would marry a virtuous man, so she wouldn't have to deal with the same exhausting struggles she had with concubines, mistresses, and a host of women.

Is there something wrong with a man who, upon reaching adulthood, no longer values ​​beautiful women?

Yan was unsure. His son, Bai Dingfeng, was focused on his studies, but he wasn't without hobbies. He had been a glutton since childhood and hadn't changed over the years, caring more about food than women.

Ms. Yan was worried that her son was going to lose his health, so she disciplined him strictly, which led to the current results.

"Does Tingyun have any hobbies?"

In Yan's mind, her daughter Bai Youran marrying Xiao Qi would be a loss for her family, so she never imagined that the Xiao family would disagree with the marriage.

“Read books, my older brother likes to read.”

Lin Yuesha stopped mid-sentence and said, “Speaking of which, my elder brother had a classmate in town named Zhang Jing. The two of them agreed to go to the capital to take the imperial examination together. However, a few months ago, the barbarians launched a surprise attack, and Zhang Jing was captured by them. Since then, he has been missing without a trace.”

My stepbrother was a sentimental man, and he secretly wiped away tears. The reason he delayed going to the capital was to wait for news from Zhang Jing.

“My elder brother and Scholar Zhang often discussed scholarship until late at night.”

As Lin Yuesha spoke, she observed Yan's expression.

The speaker meant well, but the listener took it even more seriously. Upon hearing this, Yan's face suddenly turned ashen.

Two men were studying late into the night, one went missing and the other waited. Is this really just a normal relationship between classmates and friends? It doesn't seem like it.

Yan grew up in the capital, where homosexuality was common. Two men would put on makeup and often spend the night together, with the most popular being a romantic scholar.

Could it be that Xiao Qi's delay in getting married is because of Zhang Jing?

Yan stopped talking and quickly changed the subject.

No, my daughter can marry down, but she absolutely cannot marry someone who is neither male nor female, who may not even be able to have sex!

Since this approach was not feasible, Madam Yan had no choice but to chat with Lin Yuesha again. She said with great distress, "I really can't believe Ruoxue could commit such a crime. Our two families were just engaged, and she has already ruined my son's reputation like this..."

Yan was being evasive, and Lin Yuesha didn't want to deal with her, so she simply stated directly, "I was daydreaming at the time, and by the time I came to my senses, Zhao Fundie had already collapsed."

Having never encountered witchcraft or sorcery, and unaware that Bai Dingfeng's underpants had been cut by Li Ruoxue, Lin Yuesha claimed to know nothing.

She told lies so convincingly that even she herself didn't believe them; all Yan wanted was an answer. Lin Yuesha's insistence that she saw nothing was exactly what Yan wanted.

Very good, she's a smart person. If Yan Shi had known Lin Yuesha's attitude earlier, she wouldn't have made any moves on Xiao Qi. It's fortunate that Lin Yuesha is an honest person and informed her in time that her stepbrother was a homosexual.

She couldn't accept men with men.

Yan tested her several times and found that Lin Yuesha was very accommodating. She was very satisfied with this and kept it in mind, considering it as owing the girl a favor.

After having dinner at the Bai residence, the brother and sister took their leave. On their way back, Xiao Qi said dejectedly, "Little sister, I'm not good with words. Did I say something wrong? It seems that Madam Bai has a problem with me."

At the banquet, Madam Yan sized up Xiao Qi with a look of mixed disgust.

Xiao Qi knew the truth but pretended not to. His younger sister had tarnished his image, and he had to take full responsibility.

If she tries to run away later, he'll use this excuse to bring her back.

Who is truly gay? It's not him; he can prove it.

"Is there?"

Lin Yuesha's lips twitched slightly. What she said was absolutely flawless, just a little exaggerated. She wouldn't be afraid to confront the Yan family in the future.

If there is any misunderstanding, it is only Yan's own imagination and has nothing to do with her.

Furthermore, Bai Youran has no feelings for her stepbrother, and neither does he. Lin Yuesha wasn't trying to break them up; she was doing a good deed. Her stepbrother just doesn't know it. Bai Youran should thank her properly.