She and the original owner both have the name Xie Yuan, but she is not the original owner and would never silently endure being bullied.
Of course, there were reasons why the original owner of the body compromised.
Her only younger brother, Xie Zhen, a little boy who was only four years old, was being held in the hands of the Xie family.
Xie Yuan refused to be as humble as the original owner of the body; she would take good care of her younger brother.
Since she has taken over the original owner's body, she must bear the corresponding responsibilities.
"Xie Yuan, how dare you!"
Enraged, Xie Rou yelled at the maids, "What are you all standing there for? Go and teach Xie Yuan, that little slut who bullied my cousin, a lesson!"
Upon hearing Xie Rou's words, several burly maids immediately approached Xie Yuan with ill intent.
Xie Yuan was not afraid at all. She said coldly, "Are you sure you want to attack me? Don't forget, today is my 'happy day'!"
"The auspicious time is approaching. If you dare to miss the appointed time, who will bear the responsibility?"
“A sage can depose the crown prince and exile him to Yuezhou. But that does not mean that others can disrespect the King of Yue.”
“You have already changed brides. If you delay the auspicious time any longer, you will surely anger the Emperor. At that time, the entire Xie family will be punished.”
Upon hearing this, the maids all stopped, and even Xie Rou looked hesitant.
The atmosphere froze, and Xie Rou was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to continue her outburst or find an excuse to leave.
Squeak~~
The door was pushed open, and a group of people walked in.
Walking at the front was a lady in her forties. She seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere inside and said gently to Xie Yuan, "Ah Yuan, it's getting late, why aren't you putting on your makeup yet?"
“Mother! You don’t know, Xie Yuan, she—” Xie Rou felt more confident when she saw that the person who came was her own mother, Madam Cui.
She shouted loudly to Madam Cui to complain.
Madam Cui sighed inwardly: Alas, her daughter is simple-minded, impulsive, and easily angered. She is no match for Xie Yuan, that cunning, shrewd, and patient little bastard.
But now is not the time for her to teach her daughter.
With a stern face, Madam Cui scolded, "Arou, don't be silly! I know you're happy for your sister, but you can't delay the auspicious time. You may leave now; I have something to say to your sister."
Xie Rou was frightened and dared not say anything more. She pouted, flicked her sleeve forcefully, and retreated in a wronged manner.
“Ah Yuan, Ah Rou is still young and doesn’t understand things. You are the older sister, so you won’t hold it against her, right?”
Madam Cui smiled kindly and spoke softly to Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan curled his lip and tsk, they really are mother and daughter, both of them are equally fond of moral blackmail.
With a clear mockery in her eyes, she said, "Auntie, we're both sensible people, why bother with these polite words?!"
A ruthless glint flashed in Madam Cui's eyes.
She suppressed her anger and continued kindly, "I know you've been wronged today, but your uncle and aunt are only doing this for your own good!"
"Although you are the eldest daughter of the Xie family, you are an orphan. The fact that you are the eldest daughter who has lost her mother is enough to make many families of similar status to the Xie family back down."
"Although the King of Yue has lost his position as crown prince, he is still the emperor's biological son and the empress's adopted son. Marrying him would not be a disgrace to your status."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yuan hurriedly raised his hands, "No! Please don't! I am so unworthy, how could I dare to presume upon the King of Yue!"
"Sister Arou is truly noble, possessing all four virtues, and with your meticulous upbringing as her mother, she is certainly worthy of His Highness Prince Yue!"
Madam Cui: ...
Madam Cui pinched her palm hard to suppress the anger in her chest, still trying to put on a kind and compassionate act.
But when she met Xie Yuan's mocking gaze, she immediately felt deflated.
"What exactly do you want?" Madam Cui dropped the pretense.
That brat is completely unreasonable.
Xie Yuan extended a fair and delicate right hand towards Madam Cui: "Give it to me!"
Confused, Madam Cui blurted out, "What?"
"Dowry!" Xie Yuan was too lazy to play along with Madam Cui and said directly, "Since you're letting me get married, you can't expect me to bring nothing at all."
Xie Yuan didn't want to be involved with her family members who were unclear about their background, but she also didn't want to stay in the Xie family and play some kind of power struggle with the Cui mother and daughter.
Xie Yuan had considered fleeing, but now that the country was newly settled, things were not peaceful in various places.
She was a frail woman with a four-year-old baby; she was clearly a lamb to the slaughter.
Marrying the King of Yue and going to Lingnan, where there is plenty of space and opportunities to make a name for oneself... is actually a good choice.
Since you've agreed to the substitute marriage, you should get enough benefits in return.
"The Xie family of Chenjun is a thousand-year-old family. Even if I were an orphan with no parents, I should at least receive a dowry when I get married."
"And my mother's dowry, the property my father left me... I'm not greedy, a ten-mile-long red bridal procession is enough!"
Xie Yuan's exorbitant demands infuriated Madam Cui, who gritted her teeth in anger.
[You little bitch, you're certainly cunning and patient, but do you really think I can't do anything to you?]
Cursing inwardly, Madam Cui ignored Xie Yuan's comment and suddenly said, "By the way, Yuan, you haven't seen Zhen yet, have you—"
Xie Yuan's heart skipped a beat. Was Cui about to cause trouble?
Before Madam Cui could finish speaking, a chubby little boy of about four or five years old was pushed and shoved into the room.
"Sister~~"
The little dumpling, with a sob in its voice, rushed towards Xie Yuan!
Madam Cui smiled, feeling smug and pleased with herself.
Xie Yuan gritted her teeth, hugged the obviously frightened little dumpling, and looked at the maid Ruyi lying on the ground, her life hanging in the balance. She felt the deep malice of Madam Cui and the entire Xie family.
But I will never let her give in!
"Ah Zhen, are you afraid of dying?"
Xie Yuan didn't look at Madam Cui's smug expression. She lowered her head and asked the little dumpling softly.
"As long as I'm with my sister, Ah Zhen isn't afraid of anything!"
Xie Zhen was still young, but she was exceptionally sensible, speaking in a childish voice.
"Okay! Ah Zhen is the best girl, and your older sister will always stay with Ah Zhen!"
After Xie Yuan finished speaking, he raised his head and looked at Madam Cui with resolute eyes.
Madam Cui's expression changed; she naturally understood Xie Yuan's meaning of "mutual destruction" and "a fight to the death."
That little bitch, how dare she?
Xie Yuan picked up her younger brother, and the two siblings stared straight at Madam Cui without flinching.
Madam Cui's face flushed red and then paled, and the faint sound of drums and music drifted from outside the courtyard... It was truly getting late, and Madam Cui gave in: "Fine! Take it all! You can have it all!"
"Words are no proof! I would like to ask my uncle and aunt to write down a dowry list! It must be signed and sealed, and witnessed by the clan elders. Nothing can be missing!"
Xie Yuan had this move firmly under control.
"Madam, Madam! The officials from the Ministry of Rites are urging us, saying that the auspicious time cannot be delayed!"
The maidservant outside the door called anxiously.
Madam Cui closed her eyes briefly. "Alright! I'll have your uncle write up the dowry list right away..."
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