The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 680: Chapter 667: Slapping the Transmigrator (22)

At Second Master Cui’s place, Xiao Yuan was a modest gentleman brimming with talent, but once in Cui Siran’s room, he started to play dumb.

The reason Cui Siran has been ill and bedridden for so long is mostly due to unresolved gloom.

If Xiao Yuan were to also display his talent in front of him, Cui Siran would inevitably overthink.

He would definitely think that Xiao Yuan, who comes from a poor family and has barely attended academy for a few days, is already so talented; he would feel the need to work even harder, otherwise, he would be far outstripped by others and unable to catch up.

Therefore, when Cui Siran and Xiao Yuan discussed the Four Books and Five Classics, Xiao Yuan laughed, ”Why talk about this? I usually don’t like reading these much. I have many friends all over the Capital; once you get better, cousin, I’ll take you out, and introduce you to some genuine people.”

When Cui Siran wanted to talk about learning, Xiao Yuan shifted the topic to friends.

When Cui Siran wanted to talk about poetry, Xiao Yuan started discussing various interesting events in the Capital, most of which he heard from others; in the end, Cui Siran was completely baffled.

Until leaving the Cui home, Xiao Yuan kept a smile on his face, and upon departing, he told Cui Siran, ”Cousin, take good care of your health and don’t always think about studying. Once you’re better, I’ll show you around. You need to go out and see for yourself; otherwise, you won’t know about all these rare happenings in the Capital.”

Cui Siran nodded, ”What you’re saying really makes me curious; I do need to go out and walk around.”

Mrs. Ji saw that Cui Siran’s spirits had lifted a lot and felt particularly happy inside.

Sun Family’s mood also improved considerably, and she came out to see off Anning and Xiao Yuan.

At the door, she said to Anning, ”Cousin and sister-in-law, come visit us more often and also help enlighten my husband.”

Anning squeezed Mrs. Sun’s hand, ”You just take it easy; cousin should be fine. When he gets a bit better, take him out more, a strong body will solve everything.”

Mrs. Sun nodded with a smile in agreement.

Leaving the Cui home, Anning and Xiao Yuan sat in their carriage, both looking somewhat troubled.

Because both had sensed a trace of Death Energy from Cui Siran.

Anning murmured softly, ”This fatal tragedy of Cui Siran is not easy to bear.”

However, Xiao Yuan said, ”If something happens to Cui Siran, your aunt might truly go mad.”

Anning thought about it, and it was true; although Mrs. Ji had two sons, compared to the infant who was clearly still a child, the eldest son was undoubtedly Mrs. Ji’s pillar of support.

While Cui Siran was still around, Mrs. Ji didn’t care too much about many things.

But if something were to happen to Cui Siran, Mrs. Ji might recklessly do many things detrimental to others but not beneficial to herself.

”Let’s see.”

Anning sighed, ”After all, it’s someone else’s family matter; we can’t manage too much.”

Upon their return, Ms. Ping asked Anning about Cui Siran’s condition.

Anning smilingly reported, ”He just caught a cold, currently he can’t be exposed to wind. The doctor has also said that after recuperating over the winter, he should be well by spring.”

Ms. Ping also sighed in relief: ”Good, good as long as there’s nothing serious.”

After dinner, Xiao Yuan asked the maid to first soothe Gou Dan to sleep, then he called Xiao Daya aside.

”Sister, tell your husband, I plan to study at the academy later, a lot of things need running around outside, ask if your husband is willing to help. Of course, I won’t let you help for nothing, I can pay, two taels of silver a month for your husband and clothes every season, and talk it over well with him when he comes to pick you up.”

Hearing this, Xiao Daya was very happy, ”Isn’t this too much? It is only right for your brother-in-law to help you. You’re offering so much...”

Xiao Yuan raised his hand, ”Of course, this money isn’t entirely for my brother-in-law. He has a wife and children now; he must provide for you all. Additionally, he incurs expenses socializing with me, so out of the two taels of silver he earns each month, he can only contribute one tael to the family fund. The remaining tael is for you to spend. Tell my brother-in-law to discuss this with Uncle Lu. If he agrees, we’ll handle it this way. If the family disagrees, then let it be. I will find Anning’s uncle and ask him to recommend someone suitable.”

Xiao Daya quickly replied, ”It will definitely work out. It’s such a good proposition that my father-in-law will surely agree. Don’t worry, when he comes, I will definitely talk to him.”

”There’s another matter.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”If my brother-in-law does well here, I can give the old southern house to my sister. When sister got married, our family was poor and didn’t provide a decent dowry. Now that I am doing a bit better, I often think about the past and feel guilty towards my sister, so I want to supplement her dowry. That house isn’t in use anymore, so it will be put under my sister’s name later.”

Xiao Daya’s eyes lit up, ”Is this really possible? Will mom agree?”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”In this house, I make the decisions. If I say it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll talk to mother about it.”

Only then did Xiao Daya feel relieved.

But then she thought for a moment and asked Xiao Yuan, ”If it’s put under my name, I’m afraid my mother-in-law might make a fuss.”

Xiao Yuan waved his hand, ”You don’t need to ask your mother-in-law. Just talk to Uncle Lu. Regardless of the family, the decision-maker is always the man. Your mother-in-law, a housewife, shouldn’t interfere in such matters. Besides, if I’m giving the house, it’s naturally meant for you. Would I really give a good house away to the Lu family for free? No such thing happens anywhere in the city.”

Xiao Daya thought about it and agreed.

A brother’s gesture to supplement a sister’s dowry is naturally meant for the sister, not to give away a good house to her husband’s family.

Thinking this over, she felt much more comfortable.

After agreeing on these points with Xiao Daya, Xiao Yuan returned to his room.

Upon mentioning it to Anning, she laughed, ”You’re scheming.”

As Xiao Yuan took off his overcoat, he said, ”No matter the method, as long as it works. We have to handle it this way; otherwise, it won’t look good for us or for my sister. We can’t let the Lu family get into a dispute leading to a separation. The idea of splitting the family mustn’t come from us; it should seem like the Lu family decided on their own. Sister’s mother-in-law might be clueless, but Lu Sanbao isn’t. He pretends to be honest but is actually very shrewd. If interests are laid out in front of him, he will definitely make a choice.”

Anning knew that Xiao Yuan intended to move Lu Gui emotionally and lure Lu Sanbao with benefits, then create divisions within the Lu family.

A few days later, Lu Gui came to take Xiao Daya back home.

When he arrived, Xiao Yuan was already waiting at home. Seeing Lu Gui, he grabbed him with a smile and suggested heading out, ”Brother-in-law, we haven’t seen each other in a while. Now that you’re here, we should catch up properly. Come, let’s go to the tavern.”

Lu Gui visibly felt uncomfortable, ”I... we can just eat something simple at home, why go to a tavern?”

He was thinking about the higher expense at the tavern.

”No, we must go. It’s been so long since I got married, and I’ve invited all my friends except you. I must treat you to this meal. If you don’t come with me, it means you’re snubbing me. Tell me, do you look down on me, or do you have a complaint against me?”

With such words, what could Lu Gui say?

He was a guileless man, not smooth with words at all. If Xiao Yuan wanted to coax him, it was sure to work.

He had no choice but to follow Xiao Yuan to the tavern.

The two didn’t settle in the main hall. Nearby their home, there was a private room in the tavern that Xiao Yuan frequently visited, and he took Lu Gui directly there.

Once inside, Xiao Yuan ordered some dishes and had the waiter heat up a good pot of wine.

The two then started to drink enthusiastically.

Lu Gui was a light drinker, and soon got slightly tipsy.

Xiao Yuan also pretended to be overwhelmed by alcohol, patting Lu Gui on the shoulder and beginning to cry, ”Brother-in-law, there are no strangers here, so let me speak frankly as a brother. My sister’s life hasn’t been easy. Think about how she lived at our home—so poor, barely managing one meal to the next, always hungry, yet still thinking of me, saving a bite to eat for me. I hoped once she married, life would get better, that at least she’d have enough to eat. But brother-in-law, don’t take it the wrong way since we’re brothers, but following you, she hasn’t had much of a blessed life either. Seeing how hard she has it, my heart aches...”