Chapter Ten: Defying One's Superior

Beside them, Chu Yue watched Chu Xi and Mo Zixiao, unable to conceal the genuine emotions between them in front of everyone’s eyes.

A smile curved on her lips; perhaps this was fate. Her brother, stranded in the frigid north, might never return in this lifetime. In that case, the Hou mansion would be entirely hers to claim.

With that thought, Chu Yue’s smile grew even more triumphant, so much so that her maid Chun Ya felt she was losing control and quietly tugged at her sleeve.

Only then did Chu Yue come to her senses. She immediately wiped the smile from her face and strode over to Qian Mengyun.

“It’s just a broken arm. It’s not fatal,” she said.

Qian Mengyun spun around, glaring at Chu Yue with clenched teeth. “Stop spouting cold words here. This entire mess was caused by Chu Xi. She’s only been back two days, and yet the Hou mansion hasn’t known peace. I won’t let this matter go easily.”

Xu’s wife wailed, pounding her chest. “What sin have we committed? We raised this daughter for fifteen years, only to be betrayed and threatened with death. Is there such a traitorous evil under heaven?”

Only then did Chu Xi turn her gaze toward the three of them.

Mo Zixiao, too, had just recovered from their earlier locked eyes. The shiver that ran through him the moment their gazes met still lingered within him.

Though he looked away now, he remained intoxicated by that shared glance, reluctant to let it go.

Trembling with anger, Chu Xi demanded, “I’ve been back two days, and the entire Hou mansion has been in turmoil for two days. But every time, it’s you seeking me out. I’ve never once tried to approach you. So, who’s really causing the disturbance?”

Qian Mengyun stood up decisively, pointing an angry finger at Chu Xi.

“If you hadn’t pretended to be bullied by your parents in front of General Mo, how could he have snapped my father’s arm without knowing the full story? It’s all your fault, Chu Xi. Don’t think that just because the Hou mansion took you back, you’ve truly become the eldest young lady. As long as I’m here, you can forget about it.”

Chu Yue found Qian Mengyun’s words laughable. Though it was Mo Zixiao who broke her father’s arm, she instead targeted Chu Xi.

“Look at our once eldest young lady of the Hou mansion, still scheming to usurp her sister’s place. Qian Mengyun, are you perhaps trying to claim my eldest sister’s former engagement to General Mo as well? Ha ha ha.”

Faced with Chu Yue’s mockery, Qian Mengyun was left speechless.

Chu Xi smiled coldly. “No wonder. So you want to be the wife of a third-rank Tiger Tooth General.”

Chu Yue sneered. “Sister, you just figured that out? She’s been plotting for quite some time.”

Qian Mengyun, who had always been at odds with Chu Yue, finally lost her temper. She stepped forward and grabbed a handful of Chu Yue’s hair.

Having fought since childhood, Chu Yue was quick to react. She blocked one hand but fiercely gripped Qian Mengyun’s hair with the other.

The two began their usual scuffle and tussle.

Seeing this, Chu Xi reached out to separate them but was pulled aside by Mo Zixiao.

“The second young lady’s maid has already gone to inform the lady of the Hou mansion. Don’t interfere, or you’ll bring trouble on yourself.”

Chu Xi looked up then, but Chun Ya had already disappeared from sight.

The colorful screen chuckled, “This is getting lively. Let’s see what the lord and lady of the mansion say when they arrive.”

But Xu’s wife could not bear to see her daughter suffer. She quickly put down the injured Qian Kun and rushed over to help Qian Mengyun.

“How dare you! This is the Hou mansion, not your Qian family’s courtyard. How can you be so reckless!” Chu Jingzhi arrived swiftly upon hearing the commotion, just in time to see Qian Mengyun and her mother ganging up on Chu Yue.

Hearing this angry voice, Qian Mengyun finally looked up and realized Xu’s wife had joined her in attacking the second young lady of the Hou mansion.

This was a disaster. How could this be happening?

She suddenly understood that Xu’s wife had struck the second young lady—a grave act of insubordination and disrespect.