Could she have been pretending all along?

If she was really pretending, then she must be quite capable.

Once she becomes the mistress of the Xiahou Family, she won’t be bullied anymore.

Xiahou Shang overheard their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conversation, and couldn’t help but curl his lips in a smile after holding back for a long time.

Indeed, two little cuties.

Ever since Zhang Zhiyi’s name was recorded in the Xiahou Family Tree, she became the undeniable Young Madam of the Xiahou Family.

In the future, among her peers, when she says one, others can’t say two.

Even Xiahou Ruming, the granddaughter who used to enjoy Xiahou Xiong and Luo Xiangyue’s affection, would have to call Zhang Zhiyi "big sister-in-law" when she sees her.

Moreover, when collecting their monthly allowances from the family, they’d have to report clearly to Zhang Zhiyi.

Should Zhang Zhiyi be unhappy, she could stop their allowances. If they want to live the life of a rich debutante again, they’d have to earn it on their own.

Understanding this, as soon as the ancestral ceremony ended, all those peers who used to be indifferent to Zhang Zhiyi rushed to surround her, calling her "big sister-in-law" sweetly.

Xu Xingguang leaned against the carved fence by the lake, smiling as she watched this scene.

See.

This is the difference between having backing and not having it.

After the ancestral ceremony, everyone moved to the banquet hall for a meal.

Xu Xingguang had only a few bites before putting down her chopsticks and got up to wash her hands in the restroom.

Just as she applied soap on the back of her hands, a shadow appeared in the corner of her eye. Without turning her head, Xu Xingguang could tell who it was just by the green tea scent that followed.

"Xu Xingguang."

You Mingyue stood next to Xu Xingguang, bending over to wash her hands, her tone unfathomable: "You really surprised me, being able to make a move on someone like that."

Hmm?

Xu Xingguang was puzzled.

She thought for a bit, assuming You Mingyue was talking about Huo Wen’an.

Curious, Xu Xingguang asked, "What kind of person is he?" Boss Huo, despite having been in prison and being sickly, doesn’t look bad, does he?

In terms of appearance, even ten Chu Zimus couldn’t compare to one Boss Huo.

Yet in You Mingyue’s mouth, Boss Huo seemed so unbearable.

You Mingyue was taken aback by Xu Xingguang’s boldness to inquire.

"What kind of appearance? He’s as thin as a dried corpse, peel off his skin and you’d see a skull, just skin and bones. Even if you want to edge into high society, to live a life of luxury, is it worth debasing yourself to seduce such a guy!"

It was then Xu Xingguang realized the ’guy’ You Mingyue was referring to was Xiahou Huai Gui.

"Do you think any pair of men and women standing together are having an affair?" Xu Xingguang scoffed: "A filthy mind sees dirt everywhere."

You Mingyue, already knowing Xu Xingguang’s sharp tongue, didn’t rebuke her.

Flicking the water from her hands, You Mingyue walked over to the hand dryer, her voice almost muffled by its noise: "If I were you, I’d rather break all social norms to seduce Xiahou Shang than go for Xiahou Huai Gui. Your senior sister is just average in looks; maybe Xiahou Shang already has a lover outside..."

Suddenly, the hair at the back of You Mingyue’s head was yanked, the force so great it felt as though her scalp would be ripped off.

You Mingyue cried out in pain, tears streaming down.

"Ah!" Forced to look up, she met Xu Xingguang’s seemingly calm, with frost-laden eyes.

Though frightened, You Mingyue shouted, "Xu Xingguang, you are going to beat me again, aren’t you? This is the Xiahou house, I’m a guest, if you hurt me, how will your senior sister explain!"

She thought bringing up Zhang Zhiyi would deter Xu Xingguang. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

But her words had no effect on Xu Xingguang.

Xu Xingguang dragged You Mingyue by the hair towards the dining room.

Panicking, You Mingyue held her head, staggering in high heels to keep up with Xu Xingguang.

Seeing Xu Xingguang not stopping, You Mingyue was filled with panic, realizing she was going to be humiliated in the crowded dining room.

Today, she attended as Chu Zimu’s girlfriend, representing the Chu family’s image. If she appeared in such a state, it would disgrace the Chu Family.

Without the Chu family’s approval, she could not marry in.

And Xu Xingguang, with nothing to lose, feared no embarrassment.

You Mingyue dared not get mixed up in Xu Xingguang’s antics.

Admitting defeat, she endured the pain to plead with Xu Xingguang: "Xu Xingguang, I was wrong, I won’t say such things again. Let me go!"

"Hmmph!" Xu Xingguang hardly believed You Mingyue had truly realized her fault.

Arriving at the screen between the restroom and the dining room, Xu Xingguang suddenly kicked You Mingyue’s knee pit twice.

"Ah!" You Mingyue stifled her cries, kneeling on the hard, cold floor.

In front of her, the giant mirror above the sink reflected her miserable state.

Wretched, fragile, and helpless.

In contrast, Xu Xingguang’s gaze resembled a lone wolf, fierce and savage, ready to snap its fangs and crush prey at any moment.

"Xu Xingguang, let go of me." Fearful someone might burst in and witness the scene, You Mingyue pleaded.

Still gripping You Mingyue’s hair, Xu Xingguang circulated to her front, stooping to look into her tear-filled eyes, speaking clearly: "I warn you, You Mingyue. Zhang Zhiyi is like a real sister to me, her husband is like my brother-in-law. Insult me all you want, but don’t you dare insult my family!"

"Fine! Fine! I promise not to speak about Zhang Zhiyi again." You Mingyue only wanted to escape Xu Xingguang’s grasp.

She nodded to whatever Xu Xingguang said.

Seeing You Mingyue’s pitiful state, Xu Xingguang smiled coldly, yanking her head higher.

You Mingyue looked up forcibly, meeting Xu Xingguang’s steady gaze.

"Not every woman is like you and your mom, loving to steal others’ men. If I hear you defame my senior sister and brother-in-law, I’ll drag you by the hair through Yujiang City like walking a dog, let everyone see the real You Mingyue."

With that, Xu Xingguang released her hair.

She callously patted You Mingyue’s cheeks, threatening: "Mess with me, and you can keep clinging to Chu Zimu’s golden leg. Piss me off, and I’ll cut off you and your golden leg!"

"Anyway, my dad doesn’t care, and my mom’s gone. I’m all alone, barefoot, with nothing to lose, so try me."

Finishing, Xu Xingguang returned to the sink, washing her hands thoroughly as if to remove bacteria.

Having undergone ten reincarnations, she’d been both woman and man.

She had nobility, delicate charm, yet she’s streetsmart and fierce for dealing with someone like You Mingyue.

You Mingyue scrambled up, running to the toilet to lock herself in a stall, where she wept softly.

"Xu Xingguang, this isn’t over between us!"

Fearing her difference would be noted by Chu Zimu, she quickly used makeup wipes to erase tears and redid her face with a mirror.

After exiting the stall, she peeked outside, confirming Xu Xingguang was gone, and sneakily made her way out.