Chapter 10: An Ungrateful White-Eyed Wolf
Li Mingzhu also looked displeased.
“How is Yun Wei managing this household? Why are there only a few dishes at every meal? Where’s my shark fin soup and abalone?”
Looking at the meager spread on the table, Old Madam Li’s expression darkened.
She couldn’t help recalling Yun Wei’s words from two days ago—
“Then the Li family can just wait for the sky to fall.”
A heaviness settled in her heart.
In truth, the dishes had already begun decreasing since yesterday.
At first, she hadn’t thought much of it.
Over the past few years, ever since Yun Wei took charge of the household, everything had been managed impeccably. Every meal had been lavish, so eating something lighter once in a while hadn’t seemed unusual.
But today was Chen Yuniang’s first visit, and they were serving such shabby food.
She immediately felt humiliated.
With a stern face, she ordered,
“Someone, go bring Yun Wei back.”
A servant immediately hurried out.
Seeing this, Chen Yuniang finally understood what had happened.
So it wasn’t that the Li family had intentionally slighted her.
It was Yun Wei’s doing.
Thinking of this, she sighed sympathetically.
“I never imagined Yun Wei would go this far. Mother, you’ve all truly suffered these past years.”
The moment Old Madam Li heard that, she realized Chen Yuniang had misunderstood.
In reality, before yesterday, the Li family had been living quite comfortably.
Although the family treasury had long since run dry, Yun Wei’s dowry had filled the gap.
Not only had they enjoyed lavish meals every day over the years, but Yun Wei had frequently provided her with bird’s nest and abalone.
But now that Yun Wei had become so heartless, Old Madam Li naturally wasn’t about to defend her.
Besides…
If Chen Yuniang took over the household in the future, the Li family would continue living in prosperity.
After all, the Chen family was about to regain its former glory.
Compared with the Duke of Chen’s Manor…
What was the Marquis of Pingning’s Manor worth?
With that thought, she let out a sorrowful sigh.
“Our family has truly been unfortunate.”
Chen Yuniang immediately comforted her.
“Mother, don’t be upset. Once I enter the family, I’ll certainly manage the Li household properly. I’ll never let everyone suffer such grievances again.”
After speaking, she carefully watched Old Madam Li’s reaction.
Old Madam Li had long wanted Chen Yuniang to take over the Li family’s disastrous finances.
Hearing those words, she immediately smiled kindly.
“Yuniang is truly thoughtful. Once you’ve entered the family, I’ll personally hand the household authority over to you.”
Joy filled Chen Yuniang’s heart.
It seemed Old Madam Li fully supported the idea of her becoming the mistress of the household.
Li Mingzhu beamed with delight.
Holding Chen Yuniang’s arm, she asked eagerly,
“Good Sister-in-law, when are you coming into the family?”
Chen Yuniang smiled and glanced at Old Madam Li.
“I’ll follow whatever arrangements Old Madam makes.”
Old Madam Li wished she could bring Chen Yuniang into the household immediately.
That way, she could see her precious grandson every day.
And with Chen Yuniang managing the household, the Li family would finally escape its current predicament.
As for Yun Wei…
Who cared about her?
Thinking this over, Old Madam Li quickly made up her mind.
Wasn’t it only taking a concubine?
It wasn’t as though Yun Wei’s approval was absolutely necessary.
Previously, discussing it with her had merely been giving her face.
Since she didn’t appreciate it…
There was no need to give her any face.
Clearing her throat, Old Madam Li declared,
“I’ll have someone choose an auspicious date. Then we’ll formally welcome Yuniang into the residence.”
Chen Yuniang was overjoyed.
Li Yaoting was equally pleased.
Once Yuniang entered the household, no matter how much Yun Wei protested, it would be useless.
She would have no choice but to accept reality.
By the time Yun Wei returned to the residence, night had already fallen.
The moment she stepped into the inner courtyard, she saw Li Mingzhu sitting in a pavilion, fanning herself.
As soon as she noticed Yun Wei, Li Mingzhu rose from the stone bench, lightly waving her round silk fan.
“Yun Wei, where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?”
Yun Wei?
Yun Wei stopped walking and looked at her thoughtfully.
Normally, Li Mingzhu affectionately called her “Sister-in-law” every chance she got.
Yet today she was calling her Yun Wei?
A mocking smile crossed Yun Wei’s lips.
Over the years, she had given Li Mingzhu countless valuable gifts.
Every time they met, Li Mingzhu’s mouth had been sweet with compliments.
Now her attitude had changed completely.
Apparently, Chen Yuniang had promised her even greater benefits.
What an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.
“Where I go is none of your concern.”
Her tone was filled with contempt.
“And take off that Xiangyun silk dress you’re wearing.”
Li Mingzhu looked uncomfortable for a moment before replying righteously,
“How can you ask for something back after you’ve already given it away?”
“You don’t seem ashamed to wear it, so why should I feel ashamed to take it back?”
Yun Wei’s face darkened.
“Someone as ungrateful as you isn’t worthy of wearing it.”
“Take it off.”
“Don’t force me to do it myself.”
Li Mingzhu remained unmoved and sneered,
“No wonder my brother doesn’t love you. You’re narrow-minded, petty, and completely unfit to be the lady of a noble household. You deserve to be abandoned! Besides, Sister-in-law Yuniang will soon enter our family. When that happens, just wait to be divorced.”
“‘Sister-in-law Yuniang?'”
Yun Wei looked at her with disdain.
“You call a mere concubine your sister-in-law? Li Mingzhu, you’ve really accomplished something.”
Li Mingzhu’s expression stiffened briefly before she lifted her chin defiantly.
“My brother will make her his principal wife sooner or later. By then, who the real concubine is… remains to be seen.”
“Whether she’ll become the principal wife or not, I can’t say.”
Yun Wei smiled coldly.
“But one thing I do know is this—
Even if you wanted to become the Wen family’s concubine, they wouldn’t have you.”
Li Mingzhu’s sore spot had been struck.
Her face instantly turned livid.
“You… I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
Like a shrew, she rushed out of the pavilion, waving both hands as she lunged toward Yun Wei, aiming to grab her hair.
Yun Wei watched her coldly.
Just as Li Mingzhu was about to reach her, Yun Wei suddenly stretched out a hand, untied Li Mingzhu’s sash, and with a deft twist, effortlessly stripped the outer dress from her body.
Li Mingzhu only felt a sudden chill.
Before she could react, someone kicked her squarely in the backside.
She had already been standing near the edge of the pond.
Losing her balance, she pitched forward.
Splash!
She fell headfirst into the pond.
Watching Li Mingzhu flail helplessly in the water, Yun Wei stood atop a nearby stone, looking down at her from above.
Then, right before Li Mingzhu’s eyes, she calmly tore the Xiangyun silk dress into pieces.
Li Mingzhu screamed hysterically.
“Stop! Stop!”
Yun Wei tossed the shredded cloth onto her face.
Her expression was icy.
“My belongings would rather be destroyed than given to an ungrateful wretch.”
“Of course, you can always ask Chen Yuniang.”
“Perhaps she’d be willing to buy you another one.”
Xiangyun silk was known as “soft gold.”
Its production was lengthy and its craftsmanship incredibly complex, making it extremely rare.
Even with money, it was difficult to purchase.
The fabric was soft, light, and wonderfully cool to wear during summer.
When her shop had received a shipment of Xiangyun silk, the manager had brought her a bolt.
Li Mingzhu happened to see it and shamelessly begged Yun Wei to give it to her.
Although Xiangyun silk was precious, it meant little to Yun Wei.
So she casually gave it away.
She had never expected Li Mingzhu to be such a shameless person.
Wearing a dress Yun Wei had gifted her…
Yet daring to insult her to her face.
She’d rather let a dog wear it than Li Mingzhu.
Having said that, Yun Wei didn’t spare her another glance.
She dusted off her sleeves and turned to leave.
Li Mingzhu ripped the torn cloth off her face.
Seeing Yun Wei walking away, she couldn’t swallow her anger.
She shouted furiously,
“Yun Wei! Stop right there—”
Gulp!
She stood up too quickly, stepped into empty air, and fell headfirst into the pond once again, swallowing mouthful after mouthful of pond water.
