WBSGVS Chapter 146 V2

To have chosen the most unremarkable contender out of everyone—this was not the decision of a loyal statesman.

And judging by what he had done to the original Qingli, he was certainly no noble gentleman.

But after all these years, Xie Rongyun’s carefully crafted reputation was nearly unshakable.

So if Qingli wanted to divorce, it would be quite troublesome. No one would support her, especially given the societal norms of this era. After much deliberation, she decided to simplify things—widowhood it is.

Why should Xie Rongyun be the one committing wrongs while she is the one left with a tarnished reputation after a divorce?

The original host of this body was resentful as well. Xie Rongyun had used her up completely, yet in the end, he had a loving wife and children in his arms—how wonderful for him.

Qingli wanted the same.

As for Mu Lan’er, she could make her own choices and take responsibility for them.

Qingli had already given her a chance. She was the one who refused it.

So when Mu Lan’er came back later, Qingli simply turned her away.

On the twelfth day after Xie Rongyun’s departure, Qingli was taking a stroll in the courtyard.

A young maid came running over to report, “Madam, the eldest young lady is here.”

Qiyue’s expression changed slightly as she glanced at Qingli.

Qingli smiled and said, “Let’s go.”

Before she even stepped into the hall, she heard Xie Yuning’s sarcastic voice, “Oh my, you’re quite the busy person, aren’t you? Making me wait so long before finally gracing me with your presence.”

Qingli stepped inside and replied coolly, “Elder sister, from the moment you announced your arrival to the moment I arrived, it was no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If this is considered ‘tardy,’ should I just reside here permanently, waiting for your esteemed visit?”

Qiyue was stunned. She hadn’t expected her mistress, who always suffered under the eldest young lady’s oppression, to talk back today.

Xie Yuning hadn’t expected it either. Her brows furrowed, and despite her deliberately modest attire, a sharpness showed through. “What do you mean by that? Am I not even allowed to speak now?”

Qingli glanced at her, seated in the position of honor, but said nothing. She simply found a seat and sat down, not even sparing her a glance as she said indifferently, “You can speak, of course. But only if what you say is reasonable. If it isn’t, then naturally, it should be corrected.”

“Hmph!” Xie Yuning scoffed coldly, her expression darkening.

As a woman of the Xie family, she had suffered a lifetime of misfortune. Even though she had married into a lesser household due to her younger brother’s success, her life was still far from happy.

And the ones who had thrown her into the brothel back then? The Mu family.

So when it came to Mu family daughters—even distant relatives—she could never see them in a good light.

Feeling slighted, Xie Yuning snapped, “I’m hungry! Hurry up and bring me something to eat!”

Qingli turned to a maid and said, “Go tell the kitchen to prepare what my sister likes.”

But Xie Yuning locked eyes with her. “I want you to prepare it yourself!”

Qingli smiled faintly. “I’m not feeling well. I’m afraid I can’t comply.”

“Mu Qingli!” Xie Yuning’s voice rose sharply. “You look perfectly fine to me! You couldn’t even protect the Xie family’s heirs, and now you’re pretending to be weak? Hurry up! I won’t eat anything unless it’s made by you!”

Qingli thought about how, in her past life, Xie Yuning had truly suffered—cut off from Xie Rongyun, living a miserable life with her in-laws.

She was pitiful, yes, but her personality was unbearable. If she wanted to be ruthless, she should’ve gone all the way. Instead, she just made herself insufferable to others. Having suffered in her early years, she now flaunted her status whenever possible, desperate not to be looked down upon.

Yet when it came to her philandering husband, all she did was cry and complain, blaming her younger brother for not marrying her into a better family. She never once truly stood up for herself, instead tirelessly working for her husband’s benefit.

Qingli didn’t like her, nor did she intend to indulge her. She said coldly, “Then don’t eat.”

Xie Yuning’s face darkened as she shot to her feet. “I’ll go find my brother! Is that it? I can’t even have a meal cooked by my sister-in-law?”

Qiyue grew anxious. Although Xie Rongyun wasn’t home now, he would be back soon. If Xie Yuning complained, wouldn’t that strain their relationship?

“Madam!” she whispered urgently.

But Qingli only shook her head and remained seated.

Xie Yuning wasn’t here just to visit. She always came to complain about her in-laws while also taking things from her maternal home. No matter how much Xie Rongyun pretended to be a good brother, he had privately confided in the original host that he regretted marrying his sister into such a family.

So Xie Yuning wouldn’t leave easily. She was waiting for Qingli to come and apologize.

If Qingli ignored her, she’d eventually return on her own.

Sure enough, after a short while, Xie Yuning stormed back, her face as dark as ink yet tinged with embarrassment. “Are you doing this on purpose? My life is already miserable, and now you’re adding to my suffering!”

Qingli curled her lips into a faint smile. “Sister, I was merely responding to your words.”

Xie Yuning gritted her teeth. “Fine! This time, I was wrong. But your nephew needs books and ink for his studies. As his aunt, surely you can contribute?”

Qingli gestured toward the study. “Sister, why not check my husband’s study? I recall he has quite the collection.”

In the past, the original host would have just given her something to send her away. But Qingli wasn’t willing. Let Xie Rongyun provide for his dear sister instead.

Xie Yuning looked surprised. In the past, Mu Qingli never let her touch her brother’s things. Why was she so agreeable today?

Still, a win was a win. She had long set her sights on Xie Rongyun’s study.

Without another word, she turned and headed straight for it.

The study was not close to the front hall.

Xie Yuning walked briskly toward it but suddenly stopped short when she saw a familiar figure.

Another woman in the Xie household?

Mu Qingli, that barren hen, actually allowed her brother to take a concubine?

Xie Yuning’s eyes lit up, and she hurried after the woman, eager to get a closer look.

She had been wanting her brother to take a concubine for ages—who lives their whole life with just one woman? Especially one from the Mu family.

But why hadn’t her brother told her?

“Stop right there!” she called out.

The curvaceous woman halted.

With a bright smile, Xie Yuning approached. But when she saw the woman’s face, her expression immediately soured.

Mu Lan’er?!

She disliked Mu Qingli for being a Mu, but she outright loathed Mu Lan’er.

Because she was that man’s daughter.

To see her here—of all places—was infuriating.

Sneering, she said, “Oh, what’s this? Your father can’t afford to feed you anymore, so you’ve come here to freeload?”

Mu Lan’er’s face paled, her eyes reddening as she lowered her head. “I just came to visit Third Sister.”

“What, is something wrong with her? She looks perfectly fine to me!” Xie Yuning snapped. “I don’t want to see you here. Get out of the Xie household!”

Mu Lan’er stubbornly lifted her head. She knew her father had wronged this woman, so she didn’t want to argue. But being humiliated like this still stung. She clenched her teeth and said, “This is also my third sister’s home.”

Xie Yuning scoffed, full of mockery. “This is Xie Manor, not Mu Manor.”

She wouldn’t lay a hand on her—Mu Lan’er’s father was a fifth-rank official, while her brother was only a sixth-rank. There were still political ties to consider.

But she wouldn’t let her off easy either. “I’ll be telling Mu Qingli about this! Now scram! Don’t loiter around here.”

Mu Lan’er bit her lip as tears welled up. She turned to leave, but just as she walked past Xie Yuning—

A foot suddenly jutted out.

The stone path beneath her was uneven, and Mu Lan’er, already upset and off guard, tripped.

“Ah—” she cried out as she crashed to the ground, her knees slamming onto the hard stones.

Pain shot through her, her face draining of color as cold sweat beaded her forehead.

Xie Yuning smirked, feigning concern. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry. You fell.”

She covered her mouth, but the laughter in her eyes was unmistakable.

Mu Lan’er saw it all too clearly—she had done it on purpose.

But what could she do?

This was the Xie family.

And Xie Rongyun would never stand up to his sister over an outsider.

Mu Lan’er clenched her jaw, holding back her tears as a maid hurried to help her up. But her knees throbbed painfully, making her lean heavily on the maid’s support.

Hearing Xie Yuning’s taunts, she could no longer hold back the tears spilling from her eyes.