Chapter 12 Slapping Lu Hanyi’s Face

Chapter 12 Slapping Lu Hanyi's Face

"Second Sister, what's wrong?"

Lu Lingyun took a sip of tea and asked calmly.

"We're all family here, Elder Sister, no need to pretend everything is fine when you're suffering in the marquisate. If you're being wronged, just say so; no one will mock you." Lu Hanyi spoke with a sarcastic tone.

"What makes you say that?"

"Everyone knows Cheng Yunshuo married a courtesan from a brothel and spoils her rotten. Elder Sister, you can't possibly be unaware of this!" Lu Hanyi looked at Lu Lingyun as if watching a play.

Could anything be hidden from her?

In her previous life, she was driven to death by Xing Dairong, that wretched woman.

Now, the tables have turned. Lu Lingyun is experiencing the same humiliation and frustration she felt in her past life. Just thinking about it made her want to laugh.

Lu Lingyun still wanted to put on an act in front of her. She didn't realize that she had been reborn!

No one could fool her!

If she didn't make fun of her and trample her into the mud this time, she would have come back for nothing!

Sure enough, everyone in the room looked at Lu Lingyun with different expressions.

"Lingyun, you must be suffering since your marriage!"

"I heard that the heir of Ningyang Marquis favors his concubine so much that he even angered the old marquisess."

"It seems that life in a wealthy household isn't easy. It's better to marry someone of equal status."

"Lingyun, you're always so passive. If you're being wronged, you must tell us. Your aunts and uncles will definitely stand up for you!"

The women in the room spoke one after another.

Their expressions ranged from sympathy to curiosity. Few genuinely wished others well. They were more interested in seeing the chaos in a wealthy household than Lu Lingyun's happiness.

"Yes, yes, just speak up. Your family is here for you!"

"We may not match the marquisate, but we won't let them bully our girl like this!"

Lu Lingyun scanned their faces, her lips curling slightly. "It's just a concubine. There's no need to exaggerate. Which household doesn't have a concubine?"

Her casual remark immediately quelled the gossip.

The third rule of being a proper mistress: keep your mouth shut and don't easily share your grievances.

If there were truly caring family members, seeking help would be acceptable. But if one couldn't discern who was genuine and only sought temporary relief by venting, the resulting scandal would ultimately harm oneself.

One would end up in a miserable state, becoming a laughingstock.

Lu Lingyun knew she had no true family support. Instead, there were plenty of opportunists ready to take advantage of her.

Especially Lu Hanyi.

She was proud and foolish, relying on her rebirth to try and humiliate her.

Unfortunately, she was about to be proven wrong.

Lu Lingyun brushed off the issue lightly, but Lu Hanyi immediately revealed her trump card and pressed on, "Stop pretending! Just admit it—on your wedding night, did Cheng Yunshuo abandon you for the concubine?"

Lu Lingyun lifted the lid of her teacup, half-closing her eyes and smiling through the steam. "Second Sister, where did you hear these things?"

Lu Hanyi, caught in the heat of the moment, suddenly faltered and couldn't respond.

"I..."

"Enough," Lady Liu quickly intervened. "Lingyun, Hanyi is just concerned about you."

"Mother is right. Fortunately, it's my own sister saying this; otherwise, people might think someone envies my good fortune." Lu Lingyun smiled and set down her teacup.

Her words were simple yet direct. Everyone present understood the implication.

Wasn't Lu Hanyi simply envious of her good fortune?

Indeed, Lu Hanyi had claimed from the start that Lu Lingyun wouldn't return home. Yet, Lu Lingyun returned in glory.

She kept insisting that Lu Lingyun suffered in the marquisate and that her husband abandoned her on their wedding night, but she had no evidence.

All her talk boiled down to envy of Lu Lingyun's happiness.

The crowd's gaze toward Lu Hanyi changed.

Lu Hanyi, never having faced such humiliation, stood up abruptly. "Lu Lingyun, stop pretending! No matter how well-dressed and eloquent you are, I don't believe Cheng Yunshuo would accompany you back home!"

This was her ultimate trump card.

She was absolutely certain that Lu Lingyun would return alone.

Cheng Yunshuo would never accompany her back!

With this, she left everyone stunned.

Lu Hanyi's chest heaved as she looked on with certainty and glee, relishing the thought of humiliating Lu Lingyun.

A person's presence or absence couldn't be faked, and Cheng Yunshuo would never come with her.

How could she continue to pretend now?

She had to trample Lu Lingyun under her feet!

However, instead of the panic she expected to see in Lu Lingyun's eyes, she saw Lu Lingyun smiling faintly.

Lu Hanyi suddenly frowned.

No, it couldn't be...

Just then, the door was knocked on, and a servant girl announced from outside, "The two grooms have arrived."

As the words fell, all the women in the room stood up, and the door was pushed open.

One man in a crimson purple gold-threaded Shu brocade robe and another in a lake blue silk robe entered the room one after the other.

Their attire already showed a difference; the man in the lake blue silk robe wore an expensive Jiangnan silk robe, but the man in the crimson purple brocade robe wore Shu brocade of imperial tribute quality, with only a few hundred pieces supplied to the capital each year, most of which went to the palace, leaving only a small portion for the outside world.

Only aristocratic families could wear such garments.

The arrivals were Cheng Yunshuo and Li Wenxun.

Lu Hanyi was shocked to see Cheng Yunshuo appear.

At that moment, she heard Lu Lingyun put down her teacup with a light smile, "Second Sister, what did you say? If the Prince doesn't accompany me back to my family, how can I return alone?"

For a moment, Lu Hanyi stood there, stunned and disbelieving.

Cheng Yunshuo had accompanied her back!

He actually came back with Lu Lingyun!

"It's getting late; let's go back," Cheng Yunshuo said, glancing at the people seated above and turning to Lu Lingyun.

"Alright."

Lu Lingyun gracefully descended from the platform and stood beside Cheng Yunshuo, bowing to Lady Liu.

Lady Liu, realizing the situation, hurriedly instructed her maid, "Quick, quick, the red envelopes."

Her maid hastily took out two red envelopes.

Lu Lingyun smiled at Cheng Yunshuo, gesturing for him to take them. Though not particularly enthusiastic, Cheng Yunshuo cooperated and had his servant accept them.

Since they were here, there was no need to make a fuss.

It was about maintaining appearances; Lu Lingyun gave him face at home, so he wouldn't embarrass her in front of her family.

Together, they said, "Thank you, Mother."

"Good, good, good!" Lady Liu repeated, rising to please Cheng Yunshuo, "Your Highness must have had a long journey. Let's go have some food."

"No, I have some matters to attend to and need to leave early," Cheng Yunshuo replied without showing any emotion.

"Yes, there are many things to do at the mansion. Mother, we won't stay longer," Lu Lingyun added with a smile, understanding that Cheng Yunshuo had done enough and didn't need to push further.

"Well, your father..."

"We've already greeted him."

Lady Liu couldn't persuade them to stay and politely said, "Do come visit often when you have time. My daughter has always been gentle and kind-hearted, not very worldly-wise. Your Highness, please bear with her."

Rarely, Cheng Yunshuo glanced at Lu Lingyun and replied, "Lu... Xiao Jun is very good, well-raised by her mother-in-law."