Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 2 Initial Confrontation
"This this……"

Butler Zhou continued wiping his sweat.

Even if the Third Miss is disliked, she is still the legitimate daughter of the eldest son's family, and Aunt Zhu has to be inferior to her.

These are not things that a servant like him can comment on.

“You’ve already left the manor for the other residence, and this courtyard is just sitting empty anyway. Mother decided that I should move here. Why are you making things difficult for Steward Zhou!”

Liu Sijun scoffed: "Mother? My mother told you that in a dream?"

"you……"

Liu Siqin's expression changed.

The eldest son's stepmother, Madam Chu, passed away early, and for many years Zhu Yingrong has been managing the entire eldest son's household. In private, she has always called her mother "Mother".

But she had to admit that her mother was ultimately just a concubine, and in front of others she could only be called "auntie".

Liu Sijun's words were like a dagger to her lungs.

"Even if I die, let alone just move to another courtyard, what is rightfully mine is mine, and no one can covet it," Liu Sijun said. "I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to clear your things away."

"This courtyard is already mine, why should I move out? And you came back from the other courtyard without permission. When Father returns in a couple of days, you'll be in big trouble. He might even send you back to the other courtyard!"

Liu Sijun gave a nonchalant "oh," and said, "Then let's wait until Father comes back to discuss it."

"My third sister spent four years cultivating her character at the villa, but she hasn't changed at all. If she can't get something, she'll just steal it."

"You're wrong, I've changed quite a bit. For example, now, if I can't get something, I usually just destroy it, so it won't benefit someone else."

She stepped forward and sat down in the spot where Liu Siqin had been sitting. Pointing to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, she said to Li Qing, "Qing'er, I don't like these. Burn them all!"

"Hmm~"

Li Qing nodded vigorously, a hint of excitement in her eyes.

In the blink of an eye, they were all burned to ashes.

Having been pampered since childhood, Liu Siqin could not stand such treatment: "So that's why you suddenly dared to come back from the other courtyard. It turns out you got a fool as a bodyguard. Did you think you could do whatever you wanted in the Liu family just because you have him?"

After saying that, a long, silver-purple whip appeared in his hand, which he lashed out at Li Qing.

She has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and the whip in her hand is no joke.

Liu Sijun sat there, watching the two exchange blows with an air of composure.

Foundation Building...

Today, let's show her that there are always mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people in this world.

Liu Siqin has a single wood spirit root. The spiritual power she releases condenses into green vines, like long green snakes trying to entwine Li Qing's limbs.

Li Qing happened to have a fire elemental root, and his cultivation level far surpassed hers; he could have easily defeated her.

However, before returning, Liu Sijun had instructed Li Qing: Don't win too easily, give her a little hope, and then shatter it little by little.

The commotion in the backyard carried faintly to the front yard.

When Zhu Yingrong arrived, she saw Liu Siqin being kicked to the ground, with ashes flying everywhere. When she got up, the original color of her light green dress was no longer visible. The phrase "covered in dust" was the most fitting description for Liu Siqin at this moment.

Li Qingfei landed and gave a serious evaluation: "You're too bad."

"what……"

How could this be? She was so close to killing that idiot.

Why was he ultimately kicked off by that idiot, and then humiliated by him pointing his finger at him?

Liu Siqin was furious.

Zhu Yingrong's face also darkened, and she could no longer maintain her facade of virtue.

"what happened?"

"Mother, that bitch Liu Sijun actually ordered this idiot to beat me! You must stand up for me!" Zhu Yingrong was also furious.

But a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; now is not the time.

He patted Liu Siqin's hand to comfort her, then immediately reprimanded the maids kneeling beside him with a stern face: "What are you all standing there for? Take the young lady to my courtyard to freshen up. The banquet is about to begin. If anything goes wrong, you'll be in big trouble when the old lady blames you."

"mother."

Liu Siqin didn't want to leave; she wanted to see her mother punish Liu Sijun to vent her anger.

"Today's banquet is for you. Do you really want to go out and meet people like this?"

Liu Siqin then left indignantly.

Zhu Yingrong endured it all, and when she faced Liu Sijun again, she had regained her composure.

She pointed to the ashes covering the yard and said regretfully, "Third Miss liked this yard. Auntie could have asked Steward Zhou to make arrangements. It's such a pity that you burned it all down. Your father and eldest daughter planted it together. How are you going to explain this to your father when he comes back?"

Using her father to pressure her?
The original owner might still have a sliver of hope for this father, but she didn't believe that this cold-hearted father even remembered that he had such a daughter.

Otherwise, the original owner wouldn't have died a painful and humiliating death in the second year after going to the other courtyard.

"They're just some flowers and plants. If you don't like them, just burn them. Why would Father hold a grudge against his own daughter over these inanimate objects? And there's no question of giving an explanation!"

Liu Sijun slowly stood up: "By the way, Auntie, please send some people over to clean Qingqiu Courtyard properly. Take away anything that belongs to Eldest Sister as soon as possible. You've seen it yourself, I'm really not a very reliable bodyguard."

Zhu Yingrong was so angry that her nose almost crooked.

When Liu Sijun left, she took a liking to this courtyard and mentioned it to Yuan Lang several times before he agreed to let Qin'er move in.

Because she knew that Liu Sijun would never have the chance to come back.

Now, suddenly appearing out of the villa, not only is he quick-witted, but he also brings a guard with such extraordinary skills.

Despite her late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, she couldn't discern the guard's true strength.

Perhaps he has already formed his core.

A thirteen or fourteen-year-old Golden Core cultivator?

She sneered inwardly. No wonder he dared to come back and was so arrogant; he was relying on this fool.

Zhu Yingrong suddenly laughed as if she had just thought of something: "This was originally your courtyard. Your father said it wasn't good for anyone to stay here for too long, so he let your eldest sister move in. Now that you're back, you should naturally give it up. Steward Zhou, quickly send a few quick-witted servants over to tidy up the courtyard."

With a few words, he shifted all the blame onto Liu Shiyuan.

She was indeed the legitimate daughter, but even she couldn't surpass her father.

That's really good at exaggerating.

No wonder Zhu Yingrong was able to move the original owner of the body to another courtyard so easily!
As for the original owner's death, she investigated for a long time but found no direct evidence to prove that it was related to Zhu Yingrong.

We need to change our approach and try a different method.

"Then thank you very much, Aunt Zhu."

Zhu Yingrong twitched her lips, feeling disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly. She just hoped that Yuan Lang could return home soon and get rid of this eyesore.

After leaving Qingqiu Courtyard, Zhu Yingrong returned to Caifu Courtyard.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she heard the sound of things being smashed. She waved her hand to dismiss the maids, leaving only the mother and daughter in the room.

"They start smashing and destroying things at the slightest provocation, what kind of behavior is that!"

Liu Siqin: "Mother, her people beat me up like this, and instead of dealing with her, you're lecturing me."

Zhu Yingrong walked slowly around the room, a handkerchief clutched in her right hand, her eyes filled with a mixture of light and shadow: "I will take care of her myself, but not now."

Liu Siqin asked, puzzled, "Why?"

(End of this chapter)