As the saying goes, "He who strikes first gains the upper hand, and he who strikes later is at a disadvantage."
Zhao Shu naturally knew Zhao Bi's plans and his recent movements, but she wanted to wait until Zhao Bi finished setting up the scheme before watching him court disaster.
She no longer has the leisure to set traps for anyone; she can always let him bring about his own downfall.
The ministers in the bureau all had their own agendas. Lin Chaoying was rather timid and conservative, not good at taking risks, and he hesitated to make a decision about what he had promised Zhao Bi.
However, considering what Zhao Bi said—that he was related to the Yang family by marriage and therefore still had some connection—he was very tempted to persuade Yang Zhong.
A minister like him is never a doer, but a doer.
Two hours after Zhao Bi left, Lin Xiuxue was brought to the Lin family. Because Lin Xiuxue's scheme against Zhao Shu at Jiangying Garden failed and she ended up losing more than she gained, she was quietly married off to Yang Shixuan by Lin Chaoying.
Now, her belly is quite big.
"Grandfather, is something the matter?" Lin Xiuxue asked.
No wonder she asked so urgently. Lin Chaoying invited her directly to the study, a place usually off-limits to women. Lin Xiuxue was very curious at this moment.
Lin Chaoying pondered for a moment, then gritted her teeth and told her what Zhao Bi had said, "Could your husband persuade Lord Yang to return to the court?"
When Lin Xiuxue heard that it was Zhao Bi's idea, she thought for a moment and then thought of Zhao Shu. She knew that Zhao Shu and Zhao Bi were not on good terms. Since the two were fighting like dogs, she would naturally add fuel to the fire and try to burn Zhao Shu to death!
Although she is not on the same level as Zhao Shu now, she looks down on the princess who used to ask her for advice on everything. She just couldn't find an opportunity. Now that a great opportunity is in front of her, how can she let it go?
"Grandfather, don't forget, my eldest cousin was convicted and expelled from the family to the frontier. How could the Yang family forget this grudge? The only reason he resigned from his post was because someone else had something on him." Lin Xiuxue said sarcastically, "Back then, Zhao Shu caused my eldest cousin to be expelled from the family and exiled to the frontier. Now it's time to pay the price!"
Lin Chaoying's eyes lit up. "Xue'er is so clever. Grandfather is old and not as insightful as Xue'er. Let Xuan'er think of a way to find out what kind of leverage Xie Laoxie has over our father-in-law."
"Yes, Grandfather." Lin Xiuxue smiled almost imperceptibly and returned to the Yang family impatiently.
Yang Shixuan was from a collateral branch, but Yang Zhizhang was expelled from the family and exiled to the border. For a time, the Yang family found it difficult to find someone capable of supporting the entire family. As a result, many members of the Yang family had the opportunity to obtain many resources.
However, Yang Shixuan has not yet reached the heights of his previous life. No matter how talented he is, it is useless. In his previous life, his sudden rise to prominence was due to Lin Xiuxue's social skills. Now, Lin Xiuxue has no support from Zhao Shu and is becoming increasingly unknown in the capital.
Their relationship is not as good as it was in their previous life. In their previous life, Lin Xiuxue was able to help Yang Shixuan rise to power, but in this life, Lin Xiuxue can only bring him humiliation.
If Yang Zhong hadn't been strict with his family and forced him to marry Lin Xiuxue, he definitely wouldn't have married her. If he didn't want to marry her, he naturally wouldn't love her, especially since Lin Xiuxue wasn't even a third as good as Hao Shumei.
Lin Xiuxue returned to the Yang residence from the Lin family home and immediately asked upon entering, "Where is Master?"
The maids exchanged a glance and answered tremblingly, "She's with Aunt Luo."
Lin Xiuxue's face turned ashen with anger. She bit her lip, crumpled the handkerchief in her hands, and said coldly, "Bring him here!"
As they were talking, Yang Shixuan emerged from the moon gate, followed by a servant carrying a gift box. "Madam, you have quite the airs, actually having someone summon the master. Is the master your servant? To be ordered around as you please?"
Lin Xiuxue looked at the maid who had just spoken, her eyes filled with murderous intent. Before she could react, Yang Shixuan said, "Don't make things difficult for Dujuan. I was indeed at Yiluo Courtyard just now, but I'm going to Sixth Brother's house now."
As he spoke, he had already passed Lin Xiuxue and left the house.
Lin Xiuxue gritted her teeth, suppressing the tears that were about to burst forth, and slapped Du Juan across the face with her backhand, "You bitch!"
"Oh, why are you so angry, sister? Didn't Master just say that you shouldn't make things difficult for Dujuan? It's all my fault. If you don't like Master going to my place, take it out on me. Why make things difficult for a maid?"
The newcomer was Concubine Luo, Yang Shixuan's new concubine. She was more beautiful than Lin Xiuxue, with a gentle and graceful appearance and a figure like a water snake. However, her most beautiful feature was her pair of arched eyebrows.
Upon seeing Aunt Luo, Dujuan immediately stood behind her, looking aggrieved, and sobbed softly, "Aunt, please don't say anything. It's all Dujuan's fault. Dujuan doesn't blame Madam."
After she finished speaking, she knelt down again and kowtowed repeatedly. "Madam, it was Dujuan's fault. Please don't make things difficult for Aunt. Aunt is kind-hearted and can't even bear to step on an ant. She has no ill intentions towards you. If you are angry, punish Dujuan. Dujuan will not complain."
“Sister, why do you have to frighten a little girl like this? Dujuan is usually clever and never cheats. Such a girl deserves to be rewarded. However, you are the madam, so you can do whatever you want. I only have one thing to say: if you want to punish Dujuan, punish me as well!”
After saying that, Aunt Luo knelt down with a thud, her face so aggrieved that she looked like she could burst into tears at any moment. Lin Xiuxue felt her blood boil at the sight of her angry but speechless expression.
She took a few big steps to Aunt Luo and raised her hand to hit her, but Baihe stopped her. But what good was stopping her?
Yang Shixuan returned just in time to see her raise her hand. He immediately rushed over and grabbed her hand, saying, "What are you doing? Didn't I tell you, it's none of their business. I just love going to Yiluo Courtyard!"
After saying that, he helped Aunt Luo up with heartache and asked in a gentle voice, "Are you hurt? Does it hurt?"
"My lord, I am unharmed. Please do not blame my sister. She is the principal wife, so it is acceptable for her to punish me."
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