Wariness

I was indeed too arrogant, thinking that a few casual words would allow me to see through the depths of Xu Household's character.

However, she is indeed formidable. If I hadn't inquired about the other members of the Xu Household, I too would have been deceived by her appearance.

Wang Simu was on high alert. As someone skilled in the art of palace intrigue, she knew that true masters never revealed their fangs. Those women who became arrogant and conceited because of favor, and who wore their arrogance on their sleeves, had no real skills; they relied solely on pleasing men.

But when their favor fades, they quickly fall from grace, losing any chance to rise again.

Those who know how to disguise themselves are the true masters. And the Xu Household matriarch's disguise was so convincing that even my discerning eyes were fooled.

Compared to her mother, Xu's Xu Household sister is far inferior.

At least I already knew from the incident at the poetry gathering that day that she was a cunning and manipulative woman.

"I'm becoming more and more curious about her. How did she manage to get the unruly Xu Yinluo to move out in such a huff? And even after Xu Yinluo became successful, he remained loyal to the family and continued to respect her."

Wang Simu felt both apprehensive and intensely curious.

The mindset is like Huaiqing seeing a military treatise, eagerly wanting to learn it.

Wang Simu came to the Xu Residence today for three purposes: First, to test the depth of the Xu Household matriarch's abilities. Second, to assess the Xu Residence's resources, including the house, its wealth, and the furnishings.

Third, gain a preliminary understanding of the personalities and interests of the Xu Household members in order to determine who to win over and who to suppress in the future.

For a woman, this is essential information and knowledge. If she really marries Erlang in the future, she will move in.

She gradually came to a judgment about the depths of the Xu Household matriarch's character—unfathomable!

Now, she plans to take this opportunity to see the Xu Residence's background and resources.

The two chatted idly as they strolled around the Xu Household. After the tour, Wang Simu was quite satisfied with the house, feeling that even if she lived there in the future, she wouldn't feel ashamed.

The only problem is

"It seems there are fewer guards in the manor," Wang Simu said, feigning nonchalance.

"Because neither my father nor my eldest and second brothers have any trusted subordinates. So they only hired attendants, not bodyguards," Xu Lingyue explained.

Wang Simu nodded slightly. The guards who watch over the house must be trusted confidants, otherwise they could easily commit embezzlement. Furthermore, the male master of the house cannot stay at home all the time, and if the women in the house are beautiful, it is even more dangerous.

In that case, the defense would be weaker. Wang Simu frowned secretly. Although she could bring her own palace guards, this would be both an unstable factor and a provocation to her husband's family.

Xu Lingyue sighed, "The Xu Household's foundation is shallow; there's nothing we can do about it."

As she spoke, she glanced at Miss Wang without making a sound, and seeing that her brows were indeed slightly furrowed, Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly.

As they passed by Xu Lingyue's boudoir, Wang Simu glanced over and suddenly froze. She saw an unexpected figure—the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect!

Why is she at the Xu Residence? How did she end up Xu Residence?!

Confused, Wang Simu gracefully bowed and said softly, "Greetings, Holy Maiden."

Li Miaozhen also noticed Xu Erlang's mistress, nodded, and replied indifferently, "Miss Wang."

As the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect and the Flying Swallow Heroine, Li Miaozhen still maintained a high level of sophistication. This attitude was not impolite at all; on the contrary, it matched the demeanor of a martial arts master and a generation of heroines.

Taking advantage of the situation, Wang Simu entered the room and glanced at Su Su, who was engrossed in her needlework. She was extremely surprised; the woman in the white dress was so beautiful that even she was amazed.

Besides, there are so many stunning beauties in the Xu Household, including Li Miaozhen.

Wang Simu was secretly alarmed, but remained outwardly calm, even smiling, "The Holy Maiden has also come to visit?"

Li Miaozhen shook her head. "No, I've been staying at the Xu Residence for several months."

She's been staying at the Xu Residence for several months now; is she a guest retainer of the Xu Residence? Wang Simu suddenly realized, no wonder the Xu Residence doesn't need guards—of course they don't.

There's the incredibly strong girl from the Gu Clan of Southern Frontier, Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, Xu Pingzhi, the Commander of the Imperial Saber Guard, and Xu Yinluo, who overpowers both the Celestial Person and Human Sects.

Even her royal palace didn't have such high-level combat power, so why would it need ordinary guards?

"Although the Xu Residence has little influence in officialdom, in the martial arts world, in some aspects, their influence is frighteningly deep," Wang Simu thought to herself. She was satisfied with the security measures.

She looked at Su Su and smiled, "And this lady is..."

Li Miaozhen said calmly, "Her name is Su Su, and she's my older sister."

She would never tell outsiders that Su Su was a maid.

"Hello, Miss Su Su." Wang Simu greeted her warmly, "Miss Su Su, your needlework is truly skillful, much better than mine."

Su Su smiled and said, "I come from a poor family. Even if I get married, I'll only be someone's concubine, and I'll inevitably have to do chores. I envy Miss Wang, on the other hand. She comes from a noble family and never lifts a finger."

Xu Lingyue's eyes lit up as she saw Wang Simu; it was worth bringing him here.

This girl, Su Su, seems quite hostile towards me, but I've clearly just met her for the first time! Wang Simu's pupils contracted slightly; she had a bold guess: this girl named Su Su, is she in love with Erlang?

Knowing she couldn't win against me, she said something about becoming my concubine, relying on the support of the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect to subtly stab me with her words.

Wang Simu laughed. This familiar scene made her feel as if she had returned to her home turf, temporarily stepping out of the "shadow" of the Xu Household matriarch.

Miss Wang spoke gently:

"A concubine has her own hardships, and a mistress has her own burdens. Sister, don't feel sorry for yourself. But there's one unchanging principle in this world: the higher the position, the higher the ability one must possess. So ultimately, being a concubine or a lowly person seems to be the easiest thing to do. Right, Sister Su Su?"

Su Su asked in surprise, "Really? I think Mrs. Xu is living a very comfortable life, with a loving husband and filial children. However, Miss Wang comes from a wealthy family, so it's naturally different."

This is ostensibly praise but actually criticism, Miss Wang thought to herself.

Li Miaozhen watched the show from the sidelines. Su Su and Miss Wang exchanged sarcastic remarks, both of them master-level masters of domestic power struggles, their sharp words hidden beneath their cheerful laughter.

His composure remained as steady as a rock, showing no sign of anger; this was clearly going to be a protracted battle.

Li Miaozhen had never experienced anything like this before, so she listened with great interest, though she was a little puzzled. Wang Simu was Xu Erlang's mistress, and Su Su was Xu Ningyan's mistress—what were these two arguing about?

She glanced at Xu Lingyue again. Xu Household sister sat to the side with an innocent and gentle expression, smiling, seemingly completely oblivious to the exchange between the two.

"The most dangerous thing is a weak little lamb," Li Miaozhen sighed. Suddenly, she heard faint footsteps on the roof and sensed them.

She rolled her eyes; Xu Ningyan had also come to listen to the opera.

That bastard!

Li Miaozhen's eyes darted around, realizing that since she needed to add fuel to the fire, she couldn't let the guy above her have too much free time. She seized an opportunity to interject, laughing:

"Speaking of which, Sister Su Su comes from a poor family. Her parents died many years ago, and she and I have depended on each other ever since. Now that she's come to the capital, she's not leaving."

A sharp glint flashed in Wang Simu's eyes. "Oh? You're not leaving?"

This little slut really wants to be Xu Erlang's concubine? Xu Erlang clearly said that he doesn't have any concubines in his family. Ha, he really doesn't have any concubines, because he hasn't officially taken any!

Wang Simu's heart sank suddenly.

Li Miaozhen continued, "Susu and Xu Ningyan are deeply in love. I plan to keep Susu in the Xu Residence. I don't need her as a principal wife; she'll be fine as a concubine."

Ah! Xu Ningyan's concubine? That's alright then.

Wang Simu felt a glimmer of hope, revealing a genuinely friendly smile.

Oh, so you and your older brother are kindred spirits? A sharp glint flashed in Xu Lingyue's eyes as she forced a smile and said:

"Sister Susu kept it a secret so well; I never even realized that you and my brother were so in love. It's wonderful! After Miss Fuxiang passed away, my brother was always depressed. Now that you have Sister Susu, I'm sure he'll gradually cheer up."

"Are you comparing me to a woman of the night?" Su Su glanced at Xu Lingyue.

Li Miaozhen heard the light footsteps and left. Xu Ningyan came quietly and then slipped away quietly.

The fire has inexplicably spread to me. Knowing Lingyue's personality, she's probably going to hide needles in my clothes. No, I can't let my aunt get away with this. I want to see her get a beating. People should have their original intentions. Xu Qi'an strode into the inner hall with a dark face.

My aunt was carrying a small copper kettle, bending over, watering her beloved potted plants.

"Cough cough!"

Xu Qi'an coughed, attracting his aunt's attention, and said:

"Auntie, I just saw Lingyue taking Miss Wang to do needlework. You know, she's really something. They're guests, how can she let them do chores?"

The aunt immediately became anxious upon hearing this, "This won't do! Lingyue isn't much smarter than Lingyin. She's too honest and only knows how to work all day. When she gets married, she won't be a servant to her future mother-in-law."

"Miss Wang is the daughter of the Grand Secretary. What kind of nonsense is it to take her to do needlework? It's infuriating!"

After saying that, Auntie suddenly remembered something and said, "Ningyan, it seems we don't have any glass cups at home, only ordinary porcelain plates and cups. It's still early before lunchtime, could you go and buy some for me?"

The aunt tried to reason with her gently, saying, "Having a few glass cups makes our family look more respectable, doesn't it? We can't let Miss Wang look down on us."

"Alright, alright, Auntie, you should go now," Xu Qi'an urged.

The aunt left quickly.

"Auntie, stay strong! Auntie, rest in peace!" Xu Qi'an smiled as he watched his aunt's graceful figure disappear into the distance.

Buying a cup would take a long time, and then we wouldn't get to see Auntie, that Iron-ranked player, get brutally crushed in the King of Glory battle.

Xu Qi'an thought for a moment, then took out a small jade mirror and placed a set of dragon blood glass jade cups, treasured in the private residence of Duke Cao, on the table.

Then take out the small porcelain jar with the dragon and phoenix motif and several blue and white porcelain plates, and send them to the kitchen so that the cook can use them to serve the dishes.

On the other side, the aunt rushed into her daughter's room with quick, light steps.

The atmosphere here was already tense, with the three women secretly vying for dominance, like peerless masters competing in internal strength, locked in a stalemate where none could gain the upper hand.

Why are you doing needlework all of a sudden?

The moment the aunt entered the room, the deadlock was instantly broken, and the internal energy released by the peerless master receded like a receding tide.

"All you do all day is do these chores. You're the eldest daughter of the Xu Residence now. You should be aware of your status, understand?" the aunt scolded her daughter.

"Mother, I understand." Xu Lingyue, her head bowed.

Su Su smiled and called out "Madam Xu," then withdrew her "claws" and bent down to sew the robe.

She immediately subdued Lingyue and Susu upon her arrival. Wang Simu saw this and was impressed. When she was at the manor, her mother would criticize her, and she could refute her mother without leaving her speechless.

In front of the matriarch of the Xu Household, Xu Lingyue and Su Su were completely suppressed, and she didn't even dare to talk back.

Seeing that Wang Simu wasn't doing needlework, her aunt breathed a sigh of relief and, since she was already there, decided to sit down and chat.

She explained kindly, "It's all my fault. I'm usually too lazy to manage the shops and fields outside, as well as the profits from the Bureau of Astronomy. Lingyue manages all of that. She's always busy, and it's become a habit."

Here she comes, she's starting to give me a warning. What she means is that if I want to manage the family finances in the future, I'll have to get past Xu Lingyue first. Wang Simu pondered to himself.

After my aunt arrived, the room became peaceful and harmonious.

Standing on the roof, Xu Qi'an listened to the women's pointless conversation inside the room and couldn't help but admire Wang Simu.

She suppressed her true nature very well, completely portraying herself as a gentle and demure young lady from a respectable family, trying to give her aunt and our family the impression that she was harmless.

As expected of the daughter of the Grand Secretary Wang, she's got some skills.

As lunchtime approached, Auntie led Miss Wang and the women of the family to the inner hall to prepare for the meal.

The quality of daily meals was also one of the standards for measuring the Xu Residence's wealth and status, but in a place with guests, it was only natural that the dishes were plentiful. Therefore, what Wang Simu was looking at was not the dishes, but the porcelain.

The aunt gestured for Miss Wang to sit down. Wang Simu glanced at the dishes on the table; they were all freshly served and untouched. It was just lunchtime, and this was the main table. There were clearly men in the house, so why were they eating first?

Wang Simu asked tentatively, "Where's Xu Yinluo?"

The aunt waved her hand and casually said, "He's the only man in the house, it's inconvenient for him to sit at the same table with you, so I told him to eat in his own room."

Wang Simu's heart skipped a beat. He looked intently at the matriarch of the Xu Household and thought to himself: How do you feel about her, Xu Yinluo?

At this moment, the aunt picked up the jade wine pot and warmly offered, "This is sweet rice wine brewed at home, please have a taste."