Chapter 12: The upper beam is not straight, the lower beam is a bitch

Liu Shimei: "......"

She shouldn't have asked such a stupid question!

After a moment of silence, she said, "Since we're not married, we shouldn't meet often. You should go back soon."

"Huh?" Huangfu Lingyao's face instantly fell, "My wife, aren't you coming back with me?"

Mo'er chuckled, "Future son-in-law, our young lady hasn't crossed the threshold yet, how can she go back with you?"

Huangfu Lingyao pursed his lips and rubbed his head, looking puzzled, muttering, "But I want a wife!"

For some reason, Liu Shimei always felt like he was staring at her when he said, "I want a wife," as if he emphasized the word "want."

But thinking that he's just a silly puppy, she sighed and patiently coaxed him, "If you're in a hurry, then let your father pick a closer date for our wedding. Only after I become your legitimate wife will I go back with you, understand?"

"Okay." Upon hearing this, Huangfu Lingyao became obedient and quickly went to find his father to check the wedding date, leaving the Lei Hua Garden straightforwardly.

But he couldn't help turning back three times.

Mo'er sighed and said, "Miss, look at the way the prince looks reluctant to leave. Why do I feel like in his eyes, you're not his fiancée, but his mother?"

Liu Shimei also glanced out the window and happened to see Huangfu Lingyao. The silly guy, who had been reluctant, immediately smiled and waved at her when he saw her, looking like a silly husky returning home after running outside for a long time.

She rolled her eyes and waved back, then turned back to the bed to continue lying down.

The seventeenth day of the first month.

There were two happy events in the Xiang Mansion yesterday: firstly, the second miss became a candidate for the crown prince's consort; secondly, the eldest miss was given in marriage to Duke Dunyu.

With her wound still hurting, Liu Shimei slept until nearly noon.

After having lunch and changing into a new outfit, she arrived at the main courtyard's west wing. The east wing was where the lord of the mansion resided, while the west wing was his wife's residence.

Without waiting to be announced, Liu Shimei strode in. At that moment, Madam Zhang was having her lunch, and Yuer was also present.

"Liu Shimei, how dare you come here!" Upon seeing Liu Shimei, Yuer's face immediately darkened. After being beaten yesterday, she had immediately gone to her mother to complain.

Madam Zhang, being several years older than Yuer, was more composed.

The Liu Shimei who used to hold her head high and look down at others through her nose had changed!

She had become crude and was not one to just talk, as could be seen from the several times Yuer had suffered at her hands in just two days.

She couldn't be ignored!

A hint of a smile played at the corner of Madam Zhang's lips as she said, "Yuer, don't talk too much. It's only normal for your elder sister to be in a bad mood after going through such a calamity. Learn to tolerate her. It's what a younger sister should do."

Liu Shimei raised an eyebrow and sneered, "I guess I know where Yuer got her unpleasant attitude. It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

The word "unpleasant attitude" puzzled both Madam Zhang and Yuer, but they both had a suspicion upon hearing it and looked at each other.

With a smile, Liu Shimei continued, "There's no doubt that when I say 'unpleasant attitude', it's about that very idea you have in your minds, the 'unpleasant attitude' of a woman!"

"You..." No matter how good Madam Zhang's composure was, being called a 'woman of ill repute' by a junior was something she couldn't tolerate!

She stood up abruptly and said, "Liu Shimei, I tried to help you and your sisters move past your grievances, for the reputation of the Xiang Mansion. Besides, I'm now your stepmother. How can you disrespect your elders like this? It's against the law!"

"The law?"

Liu Shimei cocked her head and sneered, "If I'm not mistaken, when Madam Zhang became a concubine after marrying into the family, my mother had just given birth to me, not even a full month old. Yet less than eight months after marrying into the family, Madam Zhang gave birth to the second miss. Madam Zhang, I don't understand what 'law' means, why don't you explain to me what the reasoning is behind this?"