The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 567: Chapter 234 My Son is a Treacherous Minister (Part 10)_3

Of course, these were the original protagonist’s thoughts; for He Tiantian, what she wore was of little consequence.

Moreover, although the widow was treated harshly by societal norms, the original owner’s reluctance to wear bright clothes wasn’t just due to fear of society; she felt more guilt within herself.

Being ethically compromised made her inherently insecure in her actions, and instead of improving herself or changing the world, she vented by targeting another innocent woman.

He Tiantian:...

Let’s just take it one step at a time.

He Tiantian let out a soft sigh, holding onto her daughter-in-law’s hand, deliberately assuming a fragile appearance.

The only idiom that described her entire demeanor was—affected and artificial.

At least that’s what it seemed to outsiders.

”Snort!”

And here came someone who would slap her in the face.

The person who let out that snicker seemed quite unrestrained; it was not an accidental offense but an intentional laugh.

Due to factors like her background and experience, the original owner, Ms. Hetian, rarely participated in the Capital City’s social circles.

As such, she was not very familiar with the noblewomen associated with the imperial decrees that were prominent in the Capital.

Since He Tiantian merged with the original owner’s memories, she naturally could not recognize who the newcomer was by voice alone.

He Tiantian didn’t know who this young noblewoman provoking her was, but Princess An Kang did.

”County Lord Ling Rou, show some respect!”

An Kang might have been fragile, but she still possessed the pride and dignity of a Commandery Princess.

Having grown up in the Imperial Palace, cherished by the supreme mother and son, it was implausible that she could be so weak as to be abject.

She was simply too tender-hearted, too easily swayed, lacking strong personal views, and could be easily deceived.

But this deception came through sweet words—she took the bait easily.

If someone blatantly came to scorn or provoke her, especially someone whose status and favor from the Saint fell far short of her own, she wouldn’t be humiliated so easily.

Not to mention, the person County Lord Ling Rou was openly mocking was none other than An Kang’s mother-in-law.

If An Kang were to ”meekly” shrink away and play the turtle, she would have been criticized.

”How am I being rude? Some people mimic Dong Shi, thinking putting on fancy clothes will make them a noblewoman; am I not allowed to laugh?”

County Lord Ling Rou’s name might have ”Ling” for ”elegant” and ”Rou” for ”gentle,” but her character was neither beautiful nor gentle.

She was of similar age to Princess An Kang, but her attire was far more luxurious and showy.

Her eyes brimmed with jealousy and malice toward Princess An Kang.

Of course, she had reasons to be envious of An Kang; after all, she was the daughter of a Prince, while An Kang was merely the daughter of a Princess.

Yet An Kang was a Commandery Princess, while Ling Rou had only been granted the lesser title of County Lord with a measly three hundred household fief, less than half of An Kang’s.

What Ling Rou found most unbearable was An Kang’s delicate and gentle manner.

Tsk, almost held in the palm by the Empress Dowager and the Saint, not even a true Princess would dare steal her limelight.

Yet she always appeared so aggrieved and pitiable—who exactly was she performing for?

And then, they both married scholars.

Ling Rou ended up with a coarse and aggressive mother-in-law, while An Kang, well, her mother-in-law truly was that kind and loving.

All over the Capital City, it was known that An Kang was fortunate to have such a good mother-in-law.

Just the other day, Ling Rou had an argument with the Old Devout Woman at home, and in a fit of pique, she wandered aimlessly on East Street.

But she hadn’t gone far when she saw An Kang supporting a middle-aged woman as if they were mother and daughter, so affectionate together.

Ling Rou had never seen Ms. Hetian before, but judging by An Kang’s respectful and close demeanor with this woman, she could easily guess that this must certainly be An Kang’s good mother-in-law.

Why should it be so?

Here she was, quarreling with the Old Devout Woman until feathers flew, while An Kang could stroll around hand in hand with her mother-in-law!

Is there no justice in the world?!

Why do all the good things in this world fall to An Kang, the broom star who usurped her own mother?

Rage surged straight to Ling Rou’s forehead, and coincidentally, she saw An Kang’s good mother-in-law behaving somewhat improperly, so she deliberately raised her voice and laughed in mockery.

There, An Kang indeed stepped forward to defend her mother-in-law.

But Ling Rou was not intimidated by An Kang.

First, this wasn’t the Imperial Palace, without the Empress Dowager and the Saint backing her up, An Kang was nothing but a gentle and vulnerable orphan.

Second, she hadn’t misspoken; after all, although Ms. Hetian was An Kang’s mother-in-law, her rank was only that of a fifth-rank pleasing lady.

While she, Ling Rou, was the Royal County Master, a distinguished Second-rank!

”Oh? An Kang, I recall you are a Commandery Princess, while this esteemed person in front of us appears to be a County Lord!”

He Tiantian suddenly spoke up at that time, feigning innocence as she curiously asked, ”I’m just a rustic, unsophisticated woman with little understanding, but shouldn’t the rank of a County Lord be below that of a Commandery Princess?”

He Tiantian, resembling the very image of a Lotus Flower, timidly glanced at County Lord Ling Rou, then with a volume audible to everyone present, she whispered, ”Shouldn’t the County Lord pay respects when seeing the Commandery Princess?”

”Ding! County Lord Ling Rou’s hatred value +10!”