When Shi Liefeng led the graceful Shi Yuanyuan to the door of the bridal chamber, Xiang Wan had just removed the heavy headdress and was combing her long hair in front of the bronze mirror. The original owner's hair was in excellent condition, black and shiny, with a faint fragrance. A single comb stroke could reach right to the ends. Xiang Wan loved this hair; it was a dream she had wanted but could never achieve in the modern world.

Setting down the comb, Xiang Wan turned around with a smile, stood up, and walked towards the two of them.

"Wan'er, so quickly, cough, you've already washed and dressed?"

Having just been intimate with Shi Yuanyuan, Shi Liefeng's expression was somewhat strange upon seeing Xiang Wan, whose makeup was still on.

Shi Yuanyuan pinched him hard from behind. Xiang Wan saw all of this and couldn't help but laugh even more.

"Yuanyuan, where did you go today? Without you by my side, I feel like nothing goes right. Don't be so willful in the future. Even if you have any complaints about me, you are still my personal maid. If others see this, they will say that the Li family has not disciplined its members properly."

Shi Yuanyuan frowned, glanced at Shi Liefeng, a flash of resentment crossed her eyes, and she immediately put on a wronged expression.

"What are you saying, Miss? Ever since I came to serve you, I have always remembered your kindness and never dared to forget it for a moment. I was very happy for you on your wedding day, so I planned to prepare a gift for you to express my feelings. I didn't want to disturb you after you went into the bridal chamber, but I didn't expect you to send my brother out to look for me. Are you afraid that I will do something bad? You have really wronged me."

As she spoke, Shi Yuanyuan's eyes gradually reddened, tears welling up but not falling, making her appear quite pitiful. Servants were already peering around, and if Shi Yuanyuan's words were confirmed, it seemed Li Xiangwan's accusation of bullying her sister-in-law would be firmly established.

People have always been inclined to sympathize with the weak. Regardless of whether they are right or wrong, as long as they show weakness, they will evoke countless people's overzealous kindness. Even if she has done many heinous things in the past, even if they know she has ill intentions, there will always be people who like to show sympathy to demonstrate their own goodwill. Shi Yuanyuan probably used this method to win over the servants of the Li family.

Li Xiangwan, spoiled and pampered in the Li household, was unaware of the intricacies of the situation. Completely controlled by Shi Yuanyuan, she silently endured all the grievances she suffered. Whenever Shi Yuanyuan showed weakness, she silently bore it all, believing that kindness would bring kindness in return. Sadly, she never understood that while kindness is a good thing, indiscriminate kindness is just wishful thinking, which only emboldens the wicked and brings misfortune to the good.

Since you, Shi Yuanyuan, love to play the victim so much, then let you be the victim properly!

Xiang Wan grabbed Shi Liefeng's sleeve and said to him earnestly, "Liefeng, from today onwards, we are husband and wife, right?"

Shi Liefeng was puzzled. He looked up at Xiang Wan, who was looking at him with hopeful eyes. Her small and delicate face was filled with strength. For some reason, he was momentarily stunned and nodded involuntarily.

A look of joy flashed across Xiang Wan's face. She bit her lip, blinked a few times, and looked up at Shi Yuanyuan again, saying firmly, "Yuanyuan, I am not only your mistress, but also your sister-in-law from today onwards. As the saying goes, an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Now that I have married your brother, I have a responsibility to take care of you."

Normally, as your young lady, I would let you have your way if you said you were tired or sleepy. Even if you didn't do any work for a few days, I wouldn't say anything. But today is different. Now that I'm your sister-in-law, I have to keep a close eye on you. Otherwise, no one will come to propose marriage to you in the future, and that will be my responsibility. Even your brother will blame me for not teaching you properly.

You said you were going to prepare a gift for me today, but you've been so free the past few days, I haven't seen you doing anything. What kind of gift is it that made you not show up in front of me all day? Is today the only day you can make it?

As my personal maid, you know exactly what I want and what I lack. Don't you know that today is an important day for me and that I would like you to be by my side?

I sent Lie Feng to find you earlier because you were behaving so strangely, and I was afraid you might do something rash. I didn't expect you to come up here and say I wronged you. Tell me, what young lady in a household would be questioned like that by her personal maid?

I don't blame you for not understanding your place; it's my own fault. I treated you like my own sister, to the point that I forgot to teach you manners. Now I realize I was wrong. Letting you continue to be so willful will only harm you.

After your marriage to your brother today, you will no longer be my personal maid, but my sister-in-law. Your status in the Li family is different now, so you must be mindful of your behavior from now on.

I used to not care about anything because you were there; I felt at ease. But your behavior now… sigh!

Xiang Wan looked regretful and reluctant, shook her head, and then gradually became determined.

"Liefeng, I remember you said before that your family was poor and you didn't learn many words. I think it would be better to let Yuanyuan learn to read and write with a tutor, so she can have a skill to rely on in the future, what do you think?"

Shi Yuanyuan looked stunned, staring intently at Shi Liefeng, shaking her head slightly, as if she were about to enter the execution ground.

Shi Liefeng's expression changed slightly; he was conflicted and hesitant, and hesitated for a long time before nodding.

Xiang Wan added fuel to the fire: "Originally, I wanted Yuanyuan to go to my mother's ancestral hall. She'd just be sweeping and cleaning all day, an easy job that wouldn't attract gossip. After all, if she's too idle around me, it's easy to cause resentment. But now that she's my sister-in-law, her behavior affects the reputation of the Li family, so I have to be firm and discipline Yuanyuan. If you don't agree, then let Yuanyuan go to my mother's..."

"Let her learn to read."

Shi Liefeng made the final decision, and Shi Yuanyuan didn't even have a chance to object before the two of them made their decision.

The servants all came over to congratulate Shi Yuanyuan, but the person in question looked constipated and stiffly bowed her head to thank Wan.

Xiang Wan nodded in satisfaction and that very night had someone help Shi Yuanyuan pack her things and move her to the next room in the courtyard where she was staying, ostensibly for the convenience of teaching.

Isn't Shi Yuanyuan good at pretending? Since she's pretending to be illiterate, then she'll make you learn from scratch, practicing stroke by stroke. If she doesn't make you vomit blood, then she's not Xiang Wan!

When the original owner was alive, Shi Yuanyuan had the opportunity to prey on the servants in the mansion because she had very few chores to do. Now that she's been tied down by calligraphy practice, it's hard to believe she'll still have a chance to carry out her crooked schemes.

After dealing with Shi Yuanyuan's matter, it was already very late. Shi Liefeng made an excuse to go to sleep in the study, which Xiang Wan was happy to see, so she let him go. It was good that he didn't bother her.