Although the main courtyard was turned completely upside down, I slept exceptionally well and sweetly. By the time I opened my eyes, the sky was completely dark. Good news followed right after. That deeply affectionate and righteous Aunt Mei had already been kicked out of the manor overnight by Xiao Shun.
The bad news was, my brainless brother-in-law, Xiao Lang, actually jumped out to protest the injustice. Word had it that his every word was accusing his elders, saying things like one must know how to repay gratitude, and one shouldn't humiliate Aunt Mei like this.
Ha, what an idiot. Did he forget what the surname of this mansion is? This is Princess Yunyang's territory. If I want someone to get lost, do I really need to talk about benevolence and morality with him? I am the boss around here.
But I also know that driving away Aunt Mei is just the beginning of dealing with Xiao Shun, that misogynistic piece of work. Those people from the Count of Yongcheng's manor will definitely not let this go. As for whether Xiao Shun can hold his ground, it will depend on his performance in the days to come.
The next morning, I had my breakfast hurriedly and headed to the main courtyard right on time. As soon as I walked in, I saw Princess Yunyang looking haggard. Even though her rival was already gone, she still looked heavy-hearted and melancholy.
"Mother, is there something troubling you?"
I pretended to know nothing and sat down beside her with a smile.
"Yaoyao, you're here. Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Yes, I have. You don't look very happy, Mother."
Princess Yunyang sighed. She didn't treat me as an outsider, and her face was full of lingering fear.
"Thanks to your warning. Aunt Mei indeed had designs on my husband. If I hadn't arrived in time yesterday, who knows what would have happened?"
Since it was a family scandal, she didn't go into details. Since she brought it up herself, I seized the opportunity to lower my voice and said conspiratorially, "I heard about it, too. But fortunately, she has finally been kicked out, hasn't she? Father-in-law still cares about you in his heart. When it comes down to it, he naturally still chose you."
These words seemed comforting, but they actually cut deep. As expected, Princess Yunyang was not comforted at all. Instead, her face turned pale with anger, gnashing her teeth.
"To think I've been reduced to being compared with that kind of cheap woman. Bah, how pathetic I am. I am his lawful wife and a noble princess, yet I have suffered such grievance for so many years for nothing."
Seeing that the time was right, I quickly feigned a look of panic. "Mother, I really didn't mean that."
But before she could react, I shifted the topic and dropped a bombshell.
"Actually, you are not pathetic. You are just too gentle and virtuous. Unlike me. Please don't laugh at me when I say this, but in truth, my husband Xiao Yu refused to consummate our marriage with me at first."
"There was such a thing? How did he agree to it later?"
She knew her bastard son was difficult to deal with, and had wondered why the wedding night went so smoothly.
"Me? I pinched him and scolded him without mercy. Men are just gluttons for punishment. They refuse the easy way and choose the hard way instead. The nicer you are to them, the more they take advantage of you. But if you give them a good beating, they'll behave."
"Beating?"
Princess Yunyang's gaze involuntarily drifted to my slender wrists. Thinking of her tall, burly son, her face was filled with disbelief.
"Not that kind of beating. You misunderstood."
My face blushed slightly and I quickly explained. "Anyway, it is about tormenting him. Don't give in to him. Think more about your own happiness. If he dares to make me unhappy, I won't let him have an easy time either."
Princess Yunyang seemed to understand, but her worldview was still shaking. "Are you saying that is how Xiao Yu became compliant?"
"Yes. Xiao Yu was so headstrong. At first, he even told me to get out. So loving him doesn't mean giving in to him. To love him is to keep him in line. If I hadn't been a bit ruthless, how could he ever respect me?"
"Exactly."
Princess Yunyang slapped her thigh suddenly. "So that was it. I was usually too nice to him, which was why my kindness was taken for weakness."
At this moment, the way she looked at me completely changed, as if she were looking at some grandmaster. To make her fully understand, I decided to go all out. I leaned close to her ear and lowered my voice.
"A woman who is too submissive is boring. You have to make them love you and hate you at the same time. Simply put, it is the carrot and stick approach. Coax them when they're useful, and tell them to get lost when they aren't."
Princess Yunyang listened in a daze, clearly still questioning her entire life. As for me, I continued to share more intimate details about Xiao Yu and me. At this, Princess Yunyang fell into deep contemplation. Was she really being too soft?
The Count of Yongcheng's estate's retaliation came faster than expected. Early in the morning three days later, when the estate gates had yet to fully open, the old madam brought a crowd of female servants and blocked the gates of the princess's manor. Behind them followed Aunt Mei, her face twisted with malice. Their weeping shook the heavens as they repeatedly demanded justice, claiming Princess Yunyang was using her power to bully others, forcing away a loyal servant with great merit, and humiliating the honor of the Count of Yongcheng's manor.
When the maid hurriedly came to report this, I was accompanying Princess Yunyang in the backyard, learning flower arrangement. After a few days of training, the princess had already shed some of her weakness and held the flower stem with a firmer grip. Upon hearing the news, she merely looked up calmly.
"Let them make a scene. Once they've had enough, someone will naturally clean up the mess."
I nodded, suppressing a laugh. Indeed, she didn't learn those lessons in vain. In the past, she would have panicked and sent someone to invite the consort to handle it. But now she can actually keep her composure.
Just as we were speaking, a sudden familiar sneer came from outside the door, carrying a touch of sharpness from a long-awaited reunion.
"Mother is right. There is no reason to let outsiders run wild at our own doorstep."
My heart skipped a beat. I looked up. Xiao Yu was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, standing tall and straight as a pine tree. Though his face was still somewhat thin from his time in prison, his eyes were incredibly bright.
He was actually out of prison.
"You are finally back."
Princess Yunyang quickly went to meet him, her voice choking with emotion. Yet she did not lose her composure and cry as she used to. She simply held her son's hand firmly.
Xiao Yu's gaze swept past his mother and finally landed on me, a rogue smile curving up the corner of his mouth. He walked up to me in a few steps and reached out, wanting to touch my face. But I raised my hand and slapped it away.
"You've only just returned and already you're misbehaving. There is still a commotion at the entrance. Why don't you go and deal with it?"
"No rush."
He leaned down close to my ear, his voice raspy. "Let me first see if my dear wife has missed me."
As soon as those words left his lips, he quietly grabbed my wrist. The warmth of his fingertips sent a slight flush to my ears.