Chapter 363 False Pity
Speaking of foodies, Bai Youran became suspicious. How did the Li sisters know that their eldest brother liked spicy peanuts? They used this as an excuse to trick him so accurately. Did Lin Yuesha reveal something?
“Your elder brother keeps talking about it at home all day long, and Li Ruoxue is also using money to win people’s hearts, so he must have heard it.”
Yan didn't take it to heart.
The servants in the manor have taken money. They have no problem with major issues, but they can still talk about gossip. Bai Dingfeng's preferences are no secret.
"Does Mother also think my eldest brother is unworthy of Yue Sha?"
Mother Yan has always been very proud of herself and regards her eldest brother as her lifeblood. Now that she has the same idea as her, Bai Youran couldn't help but chat with her mother for a few more minutes.
"Although she won't admit it, Mother is a worldly person. What's rare about this girl is her firm will. Although she fights back, she always leaves herself an out."
Yan instructed Bai Youran that such a person is insightful, so there's no need to say too much or pretend to be friendly; the other person has a clear understanding of things.
"Mother, I know."
Bai Youran thought to herself, "What a pity. If my mother hadn't insisted on dragging Lin Yuesha into this, the two would probably be very close sisters. But now..."
Sisters should not be involved in matters of interest, otherwise things will become complicated.
Bai Youran smiled bitterly. So far, she doesn't have a single true friend. Those who try to befriend her all have ulterior motives.
“You Ran, a girl will get married sooner or later. Once you get married, you will be someone else’s wife. No matter how powerful your mother is, she will not be able to take care of you. So you must stand on your own two feet and not be soft-hearted when you need to use your methods.”
Madam Yan gave her daughter another lesson, telling Bai Youran to learn how to deal with Li Ruoxue without lifting a finger.
"Madam, the two young ladies from the Li family and the two young ladies from the Zhao family have come to pay a visit."
The old woman came in to report, and Madam Yan forced herself to be at ease and received her, her face remaining expressionless.
Despite wanting to tear Li Ruoxue apart, Madam Yan acted calmly and even took the initiative to have the kitchen make some desserts for Li Ruoxue, showing great kindness.
Li Ruoxue was a little nervous when she entered the door, but the thought of Bai Dingfeng taking responsibility made her feel sweet. As for Yan Shi's behavior, she thought that as long as she served her husband well and made Bai Dingfeng pay attention to her, Yan Shi would not be able to do anything to her.
Even if Madam Yan disliked herself, she still had to consider her son's feelings.
"Madam, you're so good to Sister Ruoxue, but Pinkie isn't having any fun with you."
When Zhao Fendie was invited in, she thought that Yan Shi had taken a liking to her after Li Ruoxue was eliminated. Who would have thought that she would see the annoying Li Ruoxue again when she came to the Bai residence.
Not only that, Li Ruoxue straightened her back a bit, adopting the posture of a mistress of the house, which surprised Zhao Fendie.
After leaving the Bai residence last night, Madam Yan no longer concealed her disgust. With such obvious dislike, how could there still be room for discussion regarding the marriage between the two families?
Therefore, Zhao Fundie made a test by speaking to him.
"When I was still a young woman waiting to be married, I was the same way. You are all so young and beautiful, and I love you all."
Although Yan said this, she cared more about Li Ruoxue, and Zhao Fendie understood this somewhat.
Having money is great. Li Ruoxue's dowry was twenty times or more than that of others. In addition, she also had some private savings, land and shops. Whoever married Li Ruoxue was like bringing home a golden goose.
Moreover, Li Ruoxue's father was a prefect, while her own father was only a minor official of the fifth rank.
Zhao Fundie weighed the options in her mind. After eliminating Li Ruoxue, the chances of Yan Shi, who was so snobbish, taking a liking to her were slim. As smart as she was, she stopped worrying about it.
"Where's Sister Lin?"
Zhao Fundie tactfully changed the subject, clearly noticing a flicker in Li Ruoxue's eyes. Could it be that something had happened that she didn't know about?
"Yue Sha's older brother is going to the capital to take the imperial examination, and she wants to spend more time with her family."
Bai Youran explained on Lin Yuesha's behalf and then invited everyone to the back garden to pick flowers. She had a beehive at home with many bees, and recently they had some nectar, which she could share with everyone.
The group enjoyed a day of relaxation before returning to the girls' school the next day to continue learning etiquette.
"Ruoshuang, please stay for a while."
Madam Yan smiled and nodded at Li Ruoshuang, then instructed Bai Youran to lead the others to the garden. Now, Bai Youran understood a little better the meaning behind her mother's words.
Li Ruoxue is suspicious, and Li Ruoshuang is jealous. These twin sisters only appear to be united in public; behind each other's backs, they dislike one another.
Madam Yan deliberately kept Li Ruoshuang behind. Li Ruoxue thought she had misheard, but when she walked out of the flower hall, Madam Yan did not call her. When she turned around, she saw Madam Yan holding Li Ruoshuang's arm and talking intimately.
She wanted to question them, but realized it wasn't the right time and she didn't want Zhao Fendie to laugh at her. So she gracefully followed the others out.
Left alone, Li Ruoshuang was puzzled and a little scared. The two sisters' scheme against Bai Dingfeng was ultimately Li Ruoxue's idea; she provided the money and effort, but in the end, she got nothing.
Now things have turned out badly. Bai Dingfeng has agreed to marry her sister, and she has become the one who was blamed. Li Ruoshuang has no way to express her bitterness.
"Ruoshuang, come and sit down."
Unexpectedly, Madam Yan did not appear angry as before. Instead, she took Li Ruoshuang's hand and asked her to sit down beside her.
"Madam, you asked me to stay..."
Li Ruoshuang was very reserved, her heart pounding with nervousness, and she didn't know if she could handle the interrogation from Madam Yan. Li Ruoxue was the one who benefited from all this, while she was the one being scolded, which made her feel terrible.
Li Ruoshuang felt even more indignant after hearing Lin Yuesha's words.
She wasn't stupid; she knew Lin Yuesha was trying to sow discord. But the hardest part was that, despite knowing Lin Yuesha's intentions to ruin their sisterly relationship, her words made perfect sense, leaving her no room for rebuttal.
"I already told you, just call me Auntie, there's no need to be so formal."
Madam Yan patted Li Ruoshuang's head, sighed, and said gently, "Good child, I know your situation. Your aunt doesn't blame you."
One sentence brought tears to Li Ruoshuang's eyes, who had been worried sick all night.
Every time she makes a mistake, even though it was her older sister's idea, she's the one who gets scolded, and she doesn't understand why.
“When I was at my parents’ home, I also had an older sister, who understood you the most.”
Yan's tone was very calm, even with a hint of pity. Li Ruoshuang kept her head down and did not see Yan's ferocious face and vicious eyes.
“Aunt, you know… I’m so sorry to Young Master Bai for this.”
Heartbroken, Li Ruoshuang sincerely admitted her mistake, but since everything had already happened, she said these things only to apologize for Yan's pity.
"This is none of your business."
Madam Yan indicated that she had come to terms with it; her son, Bai Dingfeng, would eventually get married. She hinted that she didn't like Li Ruoxue, but valued the more honest Li Ruoshuang more. Madam Yan empathized deeply, as she herself had been that younger sister, living in her older sister's shadow since childhood.
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