Chapter 216: Are You All in on This Deception with Him?!

Chapter 216: Are You All in on This Deception with Him?!

Ever since Cui Chengze caught a glimpse of Ah Wu at a tavern, he found himself increasingly captivated by her.

After all, Ah Wu was beautiful and had an innocent, carefree nature, quite different from those noble ladies from prominent families.

Every time he thought of her, a warm feeling spread through him, and he longed to marry Ah Wu and bring her home right away.

Cui Chengze began to court Ah Wu, bringing several beautiful pieces of jewelry to her courtyard to seek her out.

However, Ah Wu was not very interested in Cui Chengze.

She had entertained him a little before out of respect for Liu Xiangxiang.

But now that Liu Xiangxiang wasn’t around, she couldn’t be bothered with Cui Chengze.

Cui Chengze was brushed off and felt a little annoyed, but when he thought of Ah Wu’s appearance, he put on a smile again, apologizing, “I was being rash. But Ah Wu, don’t overthink it. My aunt and Xiangxiang also have these pieces of jewelry.”

Ah Wu urged him to leave from inside the room, “Alright, alright. I got it.”

Hearing Ah Wu’s voice, his irritation subsided a little.

He thought, they all say Ah Wu is a simpleton. Why should he argue with a fool?

After Cui Chengze left, Moliu opened the door slightly and watched his departing figure, spitting in disgust, “Ptooey! Who does he think he is, calling Miss Ah Wu by her first name like they’re close friends?!”

Ah Wu wasn’t too concerned about Cui Chengze, “Don’t worry about it, Moliu. Ignore him. Come help me take a look. Do you think this dress goes well with these shoes?”

Moliu responded happily, “Yes, I’ll help you check right away, young mistress!”

It looks like Miss is growing up and starting to care about how her clothes match!

Liu Xiangxiang had been lying in bed the whole day, her legs aching terribly from yesterday’s ordeal, as Zhitao massaged her legs for her.

When she heard about Cui Chengze going to Ah Wu’s place to offer jewelry and court her, she pushed the maid away angrily and was about to go find Cui Chengze.

What was he thinking?! She was his real cousin, after all!

Although she had planned to help Ah Wu and Cui Chengze get together, it infuriated her that Cui Chengze was only courting Ah Wu and ignoring her, his real cousin.

However, Liu Xiangxiang’s legs hurt so much that she couldn’t get out of bed, so she pounded the edge of the bed in frustration.

Soon after, Cui Chengze sent over two ornate pieces of jewelry.

Liu Xiangxiang didn’t know that Cui Chengze did this to cover up the lie he told in front of Ah Wu. Although she was somewhat dissatisfied, she still forced a smile.

“This is more like it…” Liu Xiangxiang muttered.

Then she remembered something and asked Zhitao, “Did that fool go out today?”

Zhitao had already inquired on Liu Xiangxiang’s behalf, “…Miss Ah Wu just went out. I’ve already sent someone to inform the young master from your side of the family. When the time comes, the young master’s people will follow her without drawing as much attention as we would.”

Liu Xiangxiang nodded in satisfaction.

However, an hour later, Cui Chengze returned with a frosty expression.

He stormed into Liu Xiangxiang’s courtyard and slammed the door behind him.

Liu Xiangxiang, who had always been pampered, had never experienced such rudeness before. She snapped, “What do you think you’re doing?!

Cui Chengze's face was dark and murderous, as if he was about to devour someone: "I should be asking what game you two are playing! That idiot’s been sneaking around with a man. And you’re trying to push such a slutty and dishonorable woman onto me! What, do you think so little of the Cui family?!"

Liu Xiangxiang's expression changed, and her voice immediately rose in pitch: "What did you say? That idiot’s been seeing someone behind our backs?!"

Liu Xiangxiang almost couldn’t believe her luck!

However, seeing Cui Chengze's truly awful expression, she didn’t dare laugh in front of him. Instead, she also put on a look of outrage: "Liu Mengmeng actually did something so scandalous?! I'll go tell Grandfather!"

Cui Chengze's expression was extremely dark, and in his rage, he dragged Liu Xiangxiang up from the bed: "Let’s go right now!"

He was losing it!

He had followed Ah Wu with his guards and discovered that she was spending time with a young man wearing ragged clothes!

Although their behavior wasn’t overly improper, the way they kept exchanging glances and smiles, and the unspoken atmosphere between them, made it clear that something was going on. Only a fool would believe otherwise!

Enraged, Cui Chengze immediately rushed back, demanding an explanation from Madam Liu.

Unfortunately, Madam Liu wasn’t home. She had supposedly gone out to visit a friend.

Cui Chengze had no choice but to come find Liu Xiangxiang.

Liu Xiangxiang had been yanked out of bed by Cui Chengze, and the sudden movement caused her legs to feel like they were killing her, her face contorting in pain: "Slow down!"

Cui Chengze wasn’t one to baby anyone. He dragged Liu Xiangxiang along forcefully.

Liu Xiangxiang inhaled sharply in pain.

Zhi Tao quickly stepped forward, trying to hold onto her young mistress: "Cousin, my young mistress's legs are still sore from walking too much yesterday. Please don’t rush. I’ll go get a palanquin!"

Cui Chengze didn't even care about saving face for Liu Xiangxiang, let alone paying attention to a mere servant.

He kicked Zhi Tao out!

Liu Xiangxiang let out an incredulous scream.

"Shut up!" Cui Chengze raged, "You're not dead yet, so stop whining and come with me to find your grandfather!"

Liu Xiangxiang, having never seen such brutality, trembled in fear. She was too terrified to even think about Zhi Tao, who was now lying on the ground, and was dragged away by Cui Chengze to Grandfather Liu's room.

As they approached Grandfather Liu's courtyard, Cui Chengze regained some of his composure. He let go of Liu Xiangxiang's wrist and warned, "There are things you shouldn't say. If you say anything you shouldn't, don't blame me for getting rough, got it?"

Trembling all over with fear, Liu Xiangxiang nodded hastily.

Cui Chengze gave Liu Xiangxiang's cheek a harsh pat and said coldly, "Act natural!"

Liu Xiangxiang took a few moments to pull herself together, then stepped into Grandfather Liu's courtyard, trying to act normal.

"Grandfather!" Liu Xiangxiang called out.

Grandfather Liu and Old Mao were working in the yard, tilling the soil.

They had left a patch of land to grow their own vegetables. After harvesting a batch of baby bok choy, Grandfather Liu decided to plant something new and was working on the soil with Old Mao.

Grandfather Liu straightened up, leaning on his hoe. "What's wrong?"

Liu Xiangxiang felt a simmering resentment toward Grandfather Liu and harbored a dark, hidden thought.

——Grandfather, you always dote on Ah Wu. If you found out that your favorite granddaughter has been secretly meeting men... what would you do?

The thought made Liu Xiangxiang almost unable to contain her excitement!

Liu Xiangxiang feigned panic but secretly relished the moment. “Grandfather, today my cousin saw Ah Wu sister. She was seen with a man in a compromising situation.”

Liu Xiangxiang waited with that hidden delight, expecting Grandfather Liu to show a look of shock.

But Grandfather Liu remained unfazed and even tsked: “You’re panicking over something so minor?”

Liu Xiangxiang was stunned.

Behind her, Cui Chengze was also stunned, and then a surge of rage welled up again!

This stubborn old man actually knew about Ah Wu being alone with someone!

So, the entire Liu family had ganged up to deceive him, huh?!