Retired Villainess Transmigrates into a Cannon Fodder

The Strongest Fox-Demon (60)

She had a favorable impression of Zhuang Yulang before, but his family was poor at that time, so she didn’t entertain this thought. The current circumstances were different. Zhuang Yulang could dress up brightly and treat others generously in the capital, so it was obvious that they really had accumulated wealth. Moreover, he was highly likely to pass the exams in flying colors. When that happened, he would be appointed as an official, and she would in turn become an official’s wife. He was so talented that she bet he would be promoted step by step. By then, her father must also be willing to support him a time or two. Wouldn’t that make everything go smoothly? Whoever the first wife found for her, how could he be any better than him?!

With this plan in mind, Miss Jiang started to wander the streets. Zhuang Yulang also liked to go to poetry gatherings and tea parties, so the two of them met each other from time to time. From a few words of exchanges to having a cup of tea together, they quickly became acquainted.

Second Young Miss Jiang also inquired about Zhuang Yulang and told her mother about it. However, she was the daughter of the main wife of the Jiang family, and no matter what, Lord Jiang was a magistrate. She was a direct line of the family, which could still be considered powerful in the capital. On this account, naturally a poor scholar was no match for her. Even if that scholar looked promising, he was not good enough for a direct line lady of the Jiang family.

After Madam Jiang knew of Miss Jiang’s intentions, she neither supported nor prevented her. As long as she didn’t cause any trouble, she could wait until after the big exam and see the results. If Zhuang Yulang could indeed pass the exams brilliantly, then using a concubine’s daughter to win over an upstart would be a good thing.

As for Zhuang Yulang’s legendary fiancée who ran the pharmacy, they didn’t take her seriously. She was merely an orphan girl with no backing. There were ways to deal with her, so she was not worth mentioning.

When Chu Xiang heard about Miss Jiang at home, it was because the first time Bai Yi got angry and she questioned Zhuang Yulang at the dinner table, “I heard that you often meet and have fun with Miss Jiang, and you even went for a stroll around the lake today. Men and women must maintain some distance. Why are you and Miss Jiang so close?”

Zhuang Yulang felt flustered. He frowned and slammed his chopsticks on the table heavily. “What do you mean? I met an old friend away from our hometown. Seeing that she is just a lady, I took care of her a little bit. What’s more, it was not just us alone, there were other people there as well. Look at you questioning me like this. Don’t you believe me?”

Zhuang Liu frowned as well. “Bai Yi, what are you doing? Is there something you can’t discuss nicely? You’re saying such things in front of Mr. and Mrs. Li. Don’t you find it embarrassing?”

Bai Yi replied coldly, “I work hard every day to manage the pharmacy, and I never go out to have fun with other men. What is there for me to be ashamed of? I just want to make things clear. I’m not open to someone having three wives and four concubines like others. Concubine or whatnot, maids in name, but concubines in reality, or maids are forbidden in this house.”

This was the first time that Bai Yi exuded such a strong momentum towards them. The Zhuang mother and son were not used to it. Zhuang Liu snapped, “What do you mean? Are you making the rules before even marrying into the family? It’s only up to me to make the rules. When did it become your turn? After you get married, you must obey Yulang in everything. When is it your place to make demands?”

Chu Xiang raised her head and didn’t say anything. She wanted to see what Bai Yi would do. She couldn’t decide everything in her place.

Bai Yi completely ignored Zhuang Liu. She stared straight at Zhuang Yulang and asked him for an answer, “Brother Zhuang, tell me, can you not have a concubine in the future?”

Zhuang Yulang was put on the spot when she forced him to answer, but he was more concerned about his prestige at the moment. Seeing Li Yufeng staring at him, he lost his temper due to embarrassment. He abruptly stood up, flicked his sleeves, and wet back to his room after leaving a “Making trouble out of nothing” sentence.

Zhuang Liu was afraid that his son was still hungry, so she babbled on and on about Bai Yi while collecting some dishes. Bai Yi was fed up with her so she waved her hand and swept the food she had just packed to the ground. She said coldly, “I bought the food and cooked it. If you don’t want to eat it, then don’t eat it!”

“Hey, you……”

Just as Zhuang Liu was about to fly into a rage, she suddenly fell silent when she saw Bai Yi’s gaze. An inexplicable chill ran down her spine. A creepy feeling struck her. She wanted to scold Bai Yi several times but ended up saying nothing. In the end, she returned to her room with a cold snort.

Bai Yi picked up a jug and poured herself a glass of wine, took a drink from the glass, and said softly, “Sister, is it normal for a man in the mortal realm to go out with a woman like that?”

Before Chu Xiang could respond, Li Yufeng quickly waved his hands. “It’s not normal, not at all normal. I’ve never gone out with other women.” He turned his head and said to Chu Xiang, “I really didn’t. Every time I went out, I only approached men, not a single woman.”

“Huh? Not even one?” Chu Xiang expressed disbelief.

Li Yufeng thought for a while and said, “Oh not really, but I never said a word to them, let alone go out with them for fun.”

Chu Xiang gave him a blank look and pushed him aside. “No one asked you. Why are you nervous?”

She pulled Bai Yi up and said, “Let’s go. Let’s go for a stroll.”