Chapter 9: The Great Benefactor of the Li Family
“That couldn’t be better.”
“While you’re at it, discuss an early divorce with the Yun family.”
Yun Wei spoke indifferently.
Li Yaoting’s pupils contracted. With a cold sneer, he said, “Just you wait!”
He then swept Chen Yuniang into his arms and strode out of Yilan Courtyard.
Before leaving, Chen Yuniang glared viciously at Yun Wei through the crook of Li Yaoting’s arm.
She would not let today’s slap go.
One day, she would repay it twofold.
As soon as they left, the room fell silent.
Only then did Tian’er come back to her senses, her face glowing with satisfaction.
Especially when she recalled Chen Yuniang’s swollen face, beaten until it was puffed up on both sides, she felt immensely gratified.
A shameless woman actually dared to act arrogantly before her young mistress.
Miss was incredible!
After her excitement faded, worry surfaced again.
“Miss, you’ve offended the Young Master today. What if he takes revenge on you?”
“It’s fine. By then, he’ll be too busy dealing with his own troubles.”
Yun Wei showed no concern. Instead, she looked completely confident.
Those two had used her and treated her like a pawn.
The least she could do was make their lives miserable.
Wasn’t Li Yaoting asking her to be more generous and accept Chen Yuniang?
Then she would simply be even more generous—
She would find him several more “Chen Yuniangs.”
With that thought, she quietly gave Tian’er a few instructions.
After listening, Tian’er hesitated.
“Miss… are we really going to do this?”
“Yes. Make inquiries with several families. The greedier and more troublesome they are, the better. Oh, and you can start around the gambling houses. There are always compulsive gamblers there willing to sell their sons and daughters.”
Yun Wei replied calmly.
Understanding dawned on Tian’er’s face, and she smiled knowingly.
“This servant understands. I’ll leave the residence to take care of it immediately.”
After leaving Yilan Courtyard, Li Yaoting brought Chen Yuniang straight to his study.
Neither of them looked well.
Especially Chen Yuniang.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, at the swollen face that had puffed up high, she burst into tears once again.
She had never been slapped like this in her entire life.
Even during the exile to the frontier, her elder brothers had always protected her, sparing her much hardship.
Later, after Li Yaoting arrived, she had been cherished and cared for even more.
Yet now, not long after returning to the capital, she had been slapped into this state by a country girl.
Hatred filled Chen Yuniang’s heart. Gritting her teeth, she looked at Li Yaoting, whose face remained dark.
“Tinglang… you must seek justice for me…”
Li Yaoting was already in an irritable mood.
He had never expected Yun Wei to be so difficult.
But hearing the tearful sobs of the woman he loved, he softened his tone.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely avenge this for you.”
Hearing his promise, the resentment in Chen Yuniang’s heart eased somewhat.
Sniffling, she asked, “What are you planning to do?”
Li Yaoting pondered for a moment before narrowing his eyes.
“Yun Wei refuses every reasonable approach and even dared lay hands on you. It’s nothing more than jealousy. But does she really think I can let her do as she pleases?
Since persuasion doesn’t work, then we’ll have to let the Yun family step in.”
“The Yun family?”
Chen Yuniang froze.
“That’s her maiden family. Would they really take our side?”
Li Yaoting smiled confidently.
“Although Yun Wei is the Yun family’s biological daughter, she grew up in the countryside and has never been close to them.
Her jealousy only disgraces the Yun family.
Especially Madam Lou—she has never gotten along with Yun Wei.
With her stirring things up before the Yun family, they certainly won’t stand by and ignore it.”
“Madam Lou? You mean Yun Yao?”
Chen Yuniang asked.
“Yes.”
Li Yaoting nodded.
“She married into the Lou family three years ago.”
Chen Yuniang immediately forgot the pain in her face.
Before the Chen family’s downfall, she and Yun Yao had been on fairly good terms.
If Yun Yao could be persuaded to deal with Yun Wei…
That would be quite the spectacle.
“Tinglang, I think that’s an excellent plan.”
She quickly agreed.
Li Yaoting nodded.
“I’ll pay the Yun family a visit tomorrow.”
“Mhm.”
The gloom in Chen Yuniang’s heart vanished, as if she could already picture Yun Wei’s miserable appearance.
It happened to be dinner time, so Chen Yuniang stayed.
After all…
She couldn’t let today’s slap be for nothing.
Sure enough, when Old Madam Li saw the swelling on Chen Yuniang’s face, she was startled.
“Yuniang, what happened to your face…?”
With reddened eyes and a pitiful expression, Chen Yuniang answered,
“I went to see Elder Sister just now. Not only did she refuse to accept me, but she even insulted Huan-ge. I couldn’t bear it and argued with her a few times… then she hit me…”
“Outrageous!”
The moment she heard her precious grandson had been insulted, Old Madam Li flew into a rage.
Slamming her palm onto the table, she ordered sternly,
“Someone! Bring Yun Wei here at once!”
A servant hurried off immediately.
Chen Yuniang’s eyes flickered.
She refused to believe Old Madam Li couldn’t deal with Yun Wei.
Even if she couldn’t truly punish her, making Yun Wei suffer a little would still satisfy her.
“Sister-in-law Yuniang, your face must hurt terribly.”
At that moment, Li Mingzhu, who was seated nearby, gently touched the jade bracelet on her wrist and asked with concern.
That single “Sister-in-law” delighted Chen Yuniang.
The expensive jade bracelet she had gifted Li Mingzhu had clearly won her over.
Suppressing her satisfaction, she said softly,
“It hurt earlier, but it doesn’t hurt much anymore.”
“Yun Wei has gone too far! What right does she have to hit someone?”
Li Mingzhu said indignantly.
Li family’s second daughter-in-law, Madam Shen, also looked distressed.
“It’s swollen this badly… She must have struck with incredible force. Elder Sister-in-law… how could she do such a thing?”
Seeing everyone in the Li family taking her side filled Chen Yuniang with satisfaction and pride.
So what if Yun Wei had been married into the Li family for three years?
Not a single person spoke up for her.
That only proved how detestable Yun Wei usually was.
Chen Yuniang was in an excellent mood.
Not long afterward, the servant who had gone to summon Yun Wei returned.
“Where is Yun Wei?”
Old Madam Li asked with a frown.
The servant stammered,
“The Heir’s Lady… isn’t in the residence.”
“Not in the residence?”
Li Yaoting frowned.
She had only just returned, and she’d gone out again?
What did she think the Li Residence was?
The others all looked displeased as well.
Especially Chen Yuniang.
Disappointment and unwillingness were plainly written across her face.
Old Madam Li took her hand comfortingly.
“Yuniang, today’s grievance won’t go unanswered. Once Yun Wei returns, I’ll discipline her properly. I’ll make her apologize to you.”
A smile immediately reappeared on Chen Yuniang’s face.
“Thank you, Old Madam, for standing up for me.”
“You’re the Li family’s greatest benefactor. Whoever dares bully you will answer to me first.”
Old Madam Li declared solemnly.
Chen Yuniang felt deeply gratified.
After comforting her, Old Madam Li instructed the servants to serve dinner.
Soon, dish after dish was brought in.
But when Chen Yuniang saw that only a handful of simple dishes had been placed on the table, her face instantly turned green.
This was her first visit to the Li family.
And this was the kind of coarse, humble food they were serving her?
They had just called her the Li family’s greatest benefactor…
Yet this was how they treated her?
Unhappily, she set down her chopsticks and shot Li Yaoting a resentful look.
Seeing the plain dishes before him, with not a single luxurious meat course, Li Yaoting’s expression also darkened.
Since returning to the capital, he had not eaten at home once.
He had never realized the family had become this impoverished.
Seeing his beloved woman suffer such humiliation, he immediately put down his chopsticks as well and turned to Old Madam Li.
“Mother, although Yuniang hasn’t officially entered our household yet, she is still the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Chen’s Manor. How can food like this be served before her?”
