A Fight

Lin Rou felt immensely smug. She had intended to scheme against Jiang Shuwan, but through a twist of fate, it was Jiang Xueyu who had been defiled. If there hadn't been anyone else around, she would have burst into laughter. She had always despised Jiang Xueyu’s usual arrogant and domineering attitude; seeing her in such a state now brought her nothing but delight.

Striving to compose herself, Lin Rou put on a mask of pity. "Cousin, I had no idea those people would act like that. But please, rest assured, I will never speak a word of this to anyone."

The matter was like a thorn piercing Jiang Xueyu’s heart. She hissed viciously, "If you dare to breathe a word of this, I will kill you."

Afraid to provoke her further, Lin Rou quickly replied, "I promise, I will never tell a soul."

"Remember your words, or I will not let you off."

With that, Jiang Xueyu pulled a white cotton coat around herself, wrapped it tightly, and hurried away. Watching her retreating figure, Lin Rou could no longer suppress her joy and let out a laugh.

***

Jiang Shuwan had just stepped out of the pharmacy when she ran into Gu Yunting.

She curtsied to him. "My Lord."

Gu Yunting glanced at the medicine in her hand. "Have you been well in the manor these past few days? Has anyone from the Jiang family bullied you?"

Recalling the events of the last few days, especially concerning Jiang Xueyu, the corners of Jiang Shuwan’s mouth curled upward. "Thanks to your influence, My Lord, I have been able to 'borrow the fox's might to intimidate the tigers' within the Jiang family. I’ve been doing quite well."

Fengye couldn't help but interject, looking dissatisfied. "Wait, this 'borrowing the fox's might'..."

Before he could finish, Gu Yunting cast a cold glance at him, causing him to forcibly swallow the rest of his words.

Jiang Shuwan smiled at Gu Yunting. "My Lord, do you mind?"

Gu Yunting answered without hesitation, "I do not."

"That is good. I shall continue to borrow your influence to play the fox in the future."

"Indeed." His gaze returned to the medicine package in her hand, and he asked with concern, "Miss Jiang, are you unwell?"

Jiang Shuwan followed his gaze and lifted the package. "No, I simply heard that you often suffer from insomnia, so I bought some herbs to brew for you. It should help ease your condition."

Liusu chimed in with a smile, "My Lord, our young lady’s soothing tea is truly potent. You’ll be drowsy the moment you finish it."

"Then I shall look forward to drinking Miss Jiang’s tea."

Jiang Shuwan handed the medicine to Gu Yunting, who accepted it with a smile. After she left, Gu Yunting kept his eyes on the package, his lips curving into a faint smile.

***

Fengye’s opinion of Jiang Shuwan had also changed significantly. "My Lord, I never expected Miss Jiang to be so thoughtful as to investigate your insomnia. I had assumed she was as selfish as people claimed."

Gu Yunting’s face darkened, scaring Fengye into silence.

"Slap your own mouth," Gu Yunting said coldly.

Knowing he had spoken out of turn, Fengye obediently slapped himself. He now understood that his master held Jiang Shuwan in high regard and dared not harbor any further contempt for her.

Upon returning, Jiang Shuwan immediately instructed Liusu, "Liusu, go and fetch the soft thorn-mail armor from my trunk."

Though confused, Liusu complied. As she helped her put it on, she couldn't help but ask, "Miss, you're making tea for the Marquis, why are you putting on armor?"

"You'll see soon enough," Jiang Shuwan replied.

Once dressed, she sat down and drank a cup of tea. No sooner had she finished than a loud voice echoed from outside.

"Jiang Shuwan, come out here!"

Before long, Madam Li stormed in, looking furious.

Jiang Shuwan stood up, smiling sweetly. "Second Mother, what is the meaning of this? Why are you creating such a scene in my room so early in the morning?"

Madam Li no longer bothered with her usual hypocritical mask. She demanded aggressively, "Jiang Shuwan, tell me, why did you leave my Xue’er alone at the teahouse earlier while you walked away?"

Jiang Shuwan realized that Madam Li was aware of Jiang Xueyu’s defilement.

"What? Has something happened to my younger sister?" Jiang Shuwan feigned ignorance, her face full of innocence. She reached out to take Madam Li’s hand, asking anxiously, "What exactly happened? Why are you so angry, Second Mother? Should we invite Grandmother and Father to settle this? If I have done anything wrong, I will certainly apologize to my sister."

Madam Li shook her off, pointing a trembling finger at her, her chest heaving with rage. "You... you..."

Jiang Shuwan remained unperturbed and continued to reach for her hand, feigning concern. "Second Mother, you aren't young anymore; it’s best not to get so angry. It wouldn't be good for your health if you were to fall ill."

Madam Li shoved her away violently. Looking at Jiang Shuwan and thinking of the humiliation Jiang Xueyu had suffered, combined with her long-standing resentment, Madam Li lost all control.

"How dare you curse me! I’ll beat you to death, you little wretch!"

With that, she swung her hand at Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan turned slightly.

Madam Li’s hand struck Jiang Shuwan’s back. A sharp, piercing pain shot through her hand, and she let out a shriek.

***

Seeing the tiny, needle-like bloodstains covering her hand, Madam Li gasped, "My hand!"

Jiang Shuwan covered her mouth, feigning regret. "Oh, forgive me, Second Mother. I forgot to mention that I’ve been wearing this soft thorn-mail armor—left to me by my mother—whenever I go out, just in case I run into any villains."

"You... you..." Madam Li’s hand trembled in pain, and she was too furious to utter a coherent word.

Jiang Shuwan turned to Liusu. "Liusu, go and invite Grandmother and Father to the Magnolia Courtyard. Tell them that Second Mother has injured her hand."

Liusu smiled and replied, "Yes, Miss."

Knowing that if Grandmother and Father found out about Jiang Xueyu being defiled, it would cause a scandal that would ruin her daughter's reputation, Madam Li barked, "No need! Jiang Shuwan, just you wait!"

With a final threat, Madam Li turned and left.

"Do be careful, Second Mother. Don't let my sister spend too much time with my cousin, lest she gets hurt again," Jiang Shuwan called out softly to her retreating back.

Madam Li stopped and turned to look at Jiang Shuwan’s face. Suddenly, she understood everything.

"Lin Rou, that wretch!"

She stormed off in a fury.

Liusu skipped over, beaming. "Miss, that thorn-mail is truly incredible! How fortunate that you were so far-sighted."

Jiang Shuwan affectionately patted her head. "Of course. Go and fetch the tea set, and come with me."

Liusu looked puzzled. "Where are we going, Miss?"

"To watch the show," Jiang Shuwan replied with a mysterious smile.

Though still confused, Liusu grabbed the tea set and followed her out, giggling.

Lin Rou, who was busy admiring the flowers, was suddenly struck by a slap from the charging Madam Li. Covering her stinging cheek, Lin Rou’s eyes welled up with tears. "Madam, why are you hitting me?"

"You ruined my Xue’er so miserably, and you have the audacity to ask why? I’ll kill you, you little wretch!"

Madam Li lunged forward, grabbing Lin Rou by the hair and pulling with all her might.