Chapter 11: Unsure If the Sisters Can Take a Beating

“Hey, snap out of it.” Yun Zhaozhao waved her hand in front of Yun Liuxiu and Yun Chuchu’s eyes with a teasing smile. “You two aren’t completely absorbed in that story, are you?”

“Sis, since when did you know so much about the inner workings of the harem?” Yun Chuchu was quite shocked. “Was it taught by the nannies of the Duke of Sheng’s mansion?”

Sure enough, the General’s family background was shallow, vastly different from those noble clans. She still had to work harder.

“Uh, I read it in a novel,” Yun Zhaozhao answered casually, and Yun Liuxiu believed her immediately.

“Mother always says, children are so lovely—who would be so cruel as to come up with all those wicked ways to harm them? Turns out it’s just fiction in novels!” Yun Zhaozhao and Yun Chuchu exchanged a glance, both helpless.

Though Yun Liuxiu was born in a bandit’s den, aside from childbirth, she hadn’t really suffered much hardship. The first half of her life was pampered like a little princess by her father, Yun Lei, and the second half was cherished in the palm of her husband, Xiang Zhan. No distress ever darkened her eyes; the world’s harshness only existed in plays. She was a pure, naive soul.

Soon, the wet nurse came back carrying the little one, who was already fast asleep. Yun Zhaozhao’s eyes gleamed with longing; without hesitation, she kissed the baby’s soft, fragrant cheek.

Wow, human infants really were soft and sweet.

She wanted to kiss again but was stopped by her mother.

“This kid is very mischievous; if woken, he’ll cry his heart out. You’re married now anyway, if you like babies so much, hurry up and have one with Xingye.” Yun Liuxiu joked.

Yun Chuchu looked at Yun Zhaozhao with a complicated expression and considered carefully. “Yeah, sis, you and brother-in-law were married by the emperor’s decree; you won’t be separated this life. It’s better to have children sooner.”

Yun Zhaozhao poked her forehead, annoyed. “Mother advising me to have kids is one thing, but you’re just a little girl. Why stir up trouble?”

She then took off the sachet hanging at her waist. “Remember this?”

“Sis! Are you trying to tease me again?” Yun Chuchu’s rare genuine expression suited her age, making Yun Zhaozhao smile. “Hmm, the embroidery is definitely... unique.”

“Give it back, I’ll get you a new one.”

“No, I like this one.”

She even planned to use it to bait Sheng Hongfei and her system.

Yun Zhaozhao pocketed the sachet. “By the way, before you gave this to me, did anyone else see it?”

“Probably not,” Yun Chuchu thought for a moment. “Why do you suddenly ask?”

“Just curious.”

The three women were whispering when the maid came to inform them the banquet was ready.

“Let’s go eat.”

Before the sisters reached the dining hall, a commotion came from inside.

“Tsk, the Xiang family really has no shame,” Yun Zhaozhao muttered.

She was surprised not to see other ladies from the Jing’an Marquis’s household, thinking perhaps they had some decency this time. But seeing all the Xiang women dressed flamboyantly, their eyes constantly darting at Sheng Xingye, she understood—they hadn’t come early because they were still getting ready.

“Oh, you two sisters finally arrived; we’ve been waiting for you,” Xiang Qian’s wife, Jiang, greeted warmly, almost like the hostess.

The Dayin Dynasty was lax about gender segregation, but the General’s mansion still arranged two tables: one for women, one for men.

Yun Zhaozhao took Yun Chuchu by the hand and sat in the seat of honor.

“Sis Zhaozhao, you’re so rude! We juniors can’t sit in the main seat. You should get up and let my mother sit,” Xiang Zhijia’s legitimate daughter, Xiang Lian’er, cooed.

“Tch, when has she ever followed proper etiquette? Which family bride returns early without even checking the Auspicious Hour?” snapped Xiang Zhu’er, the sharp-tongued daughter of the Xiang family.

“My sister is the General’s eldest daughter. Whenever she returns to the General’s mansion is always the lucky time,” Yun Chuchu replied calmly. “Besides, as the head of the General’s household, with elders absent, my sister is the eldest. There’s no rule that a guest like Auntie gets to sit in the main seat. Looks like Sister Lian’er hasn’t quite learned the rules yet and needs more practice.”

“Yun Chuchu, you—”

“Enough, Lian’er, stop it,” Li, secretly tugging at Xiang Lian’er, turned and smiled ingratiatingly at Yun Zhaozhao. “Zhaozhao, your younger sisters are young and naive, don’t mind them. They were just saying they’ve never been to the Duke of Sheng’s mansion. Why don’t we let them come back with you later and keep you company?”

“Sure!” Yun Zhaozhao agreed readily. “No one’s been sparring with me recently. Let’s see if the little sisters can handle it.”

Now even Xiang Lian’er and Xiang Zhu’er wished they could shrink their heads and hide, afraid to provoke Yun Zhaozhao, the fierce spirit.

Just over a month since returning to the capital, she had already dragged three sisters into trouble, two hanging from trees. The worst was Xiang Lian’er, who still bore the marks on her face from the beehive Yun Zhaozhao had shoved into her bed. Her thick makeup was falling off in clumps.

Of course, the Xiang family was not innocent. Apart from petty extortion, more than half of Yun Zhaozhao’s bad reputation in the capital was spread by them.

With Yun Zhaozhao’s sharp tongue and fighting skills, the meal went relatively smoothly.

After dinner, the Xiang family began causing trouble again.

“Zhaozhao, I heard your wedding gifts came in several carriages. Could you take Zhu’er and the others to see them?” Jiang approached, smiling obsequiously.

“And then give them a few pieces, letting them pick whatever they want?” Jiang’s face lit up. “Oh, Zhaozhao, you’re so generous! Zhu’er, go thank Sister Zhaozhao.”

“Third Aunt doesn’t look good, but she sure thinks highly of herself,” Yun Zhaozhao sneered and strode away.

The Xiang family, frustrated at their hopes dashed, wished they could tear her apart but lacked the courage.

Xiang Zhu’er was unwilling and cast a pleading look at Sheng Xingye. “Brother-in-law, Zhu’er really wants to see. Can you persuade Sister Zhaozhao?”

Sheng Xingye shivered inexplicably, quickly rising to follow Yun Zhaozhao.

“Lady Yun… wait for me.”

Yun Zhaozhao stumbled slightly but quickened her pace involuntarily.

“Sis, brother-in-law is calling you,” Yun Chuchu held her back.

Soon, Sheng Xingye caught up. Seeing he seemed to have something to say, Yun Chuchu wisely led the maids away.

“Something on your mind?”

“I’m tired of bickering with those greedy, foolish Xiang family members.”

“Oh, then you go back first. I’ll return later.”

“Suit yourself.”

Sheng Xingye reached out his hand. “Where’s my silver note?”

“Here, one for the balance, one for the bonus. How about that? Isn’t your sister generous?”

“You take ten thousand taels and return me three hundred?” Sheng Xingye laughed bitterly. “You’re really… generous!”

“Don’t count—”

Before she could finish, the silver notes were snatched away.