As much as Yu Si Yu was previously fond of Yu Miao Qi, it was equivalent to how much she hated her right now. She was not like Yu Xiang, who would flare up when she was mad. Instead, she would bury it in her heart and contemplate on how to plot against her, and then find a way to exact her revenge with no one the wiser. Even after gaining revenge, she would still want the other person to be moved to tears from gratitude.
To put it bluntly, this method of handling approach was called âacting like a b*tch but still wants a monument set up to oneâs chastityâ[1]. Yu Miao Qi was a b*tch, a total b*tch!
When Yu Si Yu recalled the intimate sister-like relationship they had, she almost vomited out last nightâs dinner in disgust. When she looked at Yu Xiangâs arrogant and bossy face, it wasnât as annoying as it used to be.
She stopped crying and was about to get up to take her leave. However, she paused and asked in exasperation, âNo! If you know about her schemes, why didnât you stop them earlier? If you were willing to help, how could I have ended up where I am today?â
Great! She almost got away with it! Turns out this one is no good either! Yu Si Yu was furious to the point of trembling from head to toe. Moreover, the little bit of goodwill she had for Yu Xiang vanished into dust.
As if she had heard a great joke, Yu Xiang covered her mouth as she was overcome with hilarity. Seeing Yu Si Yuâs face turn blue to purple, and her nose was bent because of her anger, she spoke slowly, âYou and Yu Miao Qi are responsible for all of this. Let me ask you, if we were to trade places, would you help me? Iâm afraid that not only will you not help, but you will also make me even more miserable.â
Yu Si Yu was stumped by this question and lowered her head with a guilty conscience. Indeed, not only would she not help Yu Xiang, but she would even step on her a few times and watch her struggle in pain and despair. Even if she refused to admit this, Yu Xiang knew this clearly in her heart.
âIn Buddhism, there is a cycle of karma and retribution; whatever you sowed in the past, you will get the same treatment. The way you treat me would be the way I treat you. You should be thankful to me if I didnât take the opportunity to hit you when you are down and send you to prison. Who gives you the right to blame me?â Yu Xiang slowly leaned back on the soft couch and lifted her white and slender fingers to admire the freshly applied nailart[2]under the sunlight.
What she had said made so much sense that Yu Si Yu was unable to refute. Not only that, she also actually felt a tinge of gratitude toward her for not taking advantage of the disadvantaged position. Now, it seemed that apart from her sharp tongue, Yu Xiang was in fact an exceptionally good person, who never plotted against anyone behind their backs. If she had been in good terms with her before, she would not be in this state now.
Yu Si Yuâs remorse filled her heart to the brim, but she still put up a front and asked another question, âEven if you donât help me, you have to think about the reputation of the Marquis manor, right? If the Marquis manorâs reputation is ruined, which one of us would be able to gain an advantage? Do you know the basic principle of âwhen the nest is overturned, no egg is left upset[3]â?â
Yu Xiang snickered and chuckled, âWhat does it matter to me whether the Marquis manorâs reputation is good or bad? Not to mention that I donât plan to get married, even my Elder Brother wouldnât care. The only people in this manor who will still think about the familyâs reputation is Grandmother.â Because of Elder Brotherâs extraordinary position, there wouldnât be enough (dirty water) to defile the Marquis manor. How could he attain such a good reputation? As your reputation improved, you would make more acquaintances, becoming more powerful, what else would the Emperor want from you? In the blink of an eye, the butcherâs knife would hang over Marquis Yongle manor.
As she recalled back to that time when Elder Brother massacred an entire clan , Yu Si Yu was dumbstruck and unable to reply. In front of Yu Xiang, her tongue had become a complete decoration.
Yu Xiang flicked her fingernails and continued, âYou have been taught a lesson, so I will teach you to be obedient. In the future, do not look at people only on the surface. The Buddha said, âLying, frivolous speech, divisive speech, malicious language, killing without showing a trace[4], slandering.â You can see for yourself what kind of person Yu Miao Qi is by comparing how many of these apply to her. I really admire your courage to be so intimate with her.â
The more Yu Si Yu reflected on her words, the more she felt creeped out. She thought to herself that Grandmother always said that Yu Xiang was unusually insightful and discerning. But it turned out not to be an exaggeration. If she had some of her insight, she wouldnât have been fooled by that little bitch Yu Miao Qi!
With her anger and hatred stirred to the extreme, she raised her head and asked, âYu Miao Qi has plotted against me, but she is also using your name.â
Yu Xiang squinted her feline-like eyes and indifferently said, âI donât need to deal with her. When my elder brother returns, he will naturally cause trouble for her. If you want to clear your name, think of a solution yourself and donât use me as a tool.â
Yu Si Yu was flushed with embarrassment and spent half a day trying to persuade her, but she saw that she (YX) didnât budge. In the end, she left resentfully. Her face didnât have the same animosity and hatred as before, instead it was shame.
Qiu Shi followed her out as she softly explained along the way back, âEldest Young Miss, this servant went to report you because I was afraid you would make a big mistake, so please donât hold a grudge against me. Although Third Young Miss has a bit of poisonous mouth, it is all for your own good. Therefore, listen to her advice and donât be stubborn. When the Marquis returns later, you should put yourself in a decadent state and beg him. He is your elder brother at least. How could he ignore you?â
Although Third Young Miss had a poisonous tongue, it is for your own good⌠This was something Qiu Shi had said countless times before, and Yu Si Yu had always scoffed at her. However, only until today, she could see that Yu Xiang had indeed never planned to harm her, but was making arrangements for her. She could only blame herself for realizing it too late.
She was too ashamed to speak or respond as she strode away.