The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1039: Chapter 1016: Prestige Amidst Chaos 84

The power of the autumn tiger has finally passed. Even here in the Southern Yi, it’s not particularly hot anymore. Night after night, people have started wearing slightly thicker clothing.

These past few days, the weather has been unfavorable, always overcast and drizzling.

Xiao Ling returned from outside, bringing with him a chill and dampness.

Madam Yuan hurriedly went over to help him take off his cloak and urged him to change into clean clothes.

Once Xiao Ling had changed, he asked Madam Yuan, ”Where are Ying’er and Mao’er?”

Madam Yuan smiled, ”They played all day and fell asleep from exhaustion.”

She busied herself calling the maids to set the table and, during the meal, mentioned, ”I heard Fourth Brother wants to take a concubine?”

As she spoke, Madam Yuan was a bit anxious.

She was afraid Xiao Ling would follow Xiao Jin’s example.

Xiao Ling took a few bites of food and nodded, ”The other day, someone sent him a girl. Fourth Brother really likes her and is thinking of holding a proper feast to take her as a concubine.”

While serving more dishes to Xiao Ling, Madam Yuan said, ”I wondered why Fourth Sister-in-law has been so unhappy these days. So, Fourth Brother really has this idea. It seems Fourth Sister-in-law sought Third Sister-in-law’s help. I think Fourth Brother won’t succeed in this.”

”Sought Third Sister-in-law?” Xiao Ling was taken aback, ”She wants Third Sister-in-law to persuade Fourth Brother?”

Madam Yuan nodded, ”Yes, I’m afraid Fourth Brother won’t have any peace in the coming days.”

It’s not just the Hui Family; it’s mainly about Anning here.

To be fair, both Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling are somewhat afraid of Anning.

Think back to those perilous passes Anning led them through on the road from the Capital to the Southern Yi, not to mention when they captured Nanyi Prefecture. The scene of Anning with a blood-stained knife is still vivid in their memories. Such a woman who could plunge a knife with a smile, just thinking about it makes them shudder.

If Anning intervenes to reprimand Xiao Jin, even if you gave Xiao Jin multiple lives, he wouldn’t dare take a concubine again.

”What is the background of the girl Fourth Brother has taken a liking to?”

Madam Yuan suddenly asked.

Xiao Ling shook his head, ”I don’t know, and I can’t figure out who sent her.”

He was about to say something when a maid outside announced, ”Sixth Master, Third Madam has sent someone to invite you over.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling couldn’t even finish his meal. He put down his chopsticks and went out.

Madam Yuan took a few steps after him, ”Take a carriage to avoid getting wet again.”

”No need.” Xiao Ling waved his hand, ”If my clothes get wet, I can change there. I can wear Third Brother’s clothes.”

However, he did take a carriage over.

When Xiao Ling arrived, it was already nightfall, and Anning had the maids lead him to the side hall.

In the side hall, Xiao Ying saw Xiao Ling and quickly approached with a smile to greet him, ”Greetings, Sixth Uncle.”

Xiao Ling took his hand, ”You’re not busy today? Haven’t seen you in quite a while, and you’ve grown quite a bit.”

Xiao Ying smiled and invited Xiao Ling to sit, ”Has Sixth Uncle eaten?”

”I’ve eaten a bit.”

”Then accompany your nephew for a bit more.”

Xiao Ying had the food served, and the uncle and nephew quickly finished eating.

It was only after they had eaten that Anning arrived.

Upon entering, Anning said, ”Sorry to keep you waiting, Sixth Brother. I was supposed to come over, but there were some things to handle at the manor, hence the delay.”

”We’re all family, no need for such formality, Third Sister-in-law.”

Xiao Ling smiled as he stood up.

Anning raised her hand, ”Sit, Sixth Brother. I asked you over because I need a favor.”

”If Third Sister-in-law needs something, just say it.” Xiao Ling cupped his hands.

Anning waved to dismiss the maids. Once only the three of them were left in the room, she said to Xiao Ling, ”I want to ask you to take Ying’er to Jiangnan.”

Xiao Ling was taken aback, ”To Jiangnan? Didn’t Song’er go there to invite Mr. Mei? What’s this trip to Jiangnan for?”

Anning laughed, ”It’s nothing serious. The Zhang Family doesn’t know better and wants to send beauties to your Third Brother. They don’t seem to have respect for me. If I don’t teach them a lesson, I can’t swallow this grievance.”

Anning’s jealousy was expressed so righteously, leaving Xiao Ling at a loss for words.

He rubbed his nose, ”Alright, if Third Sister-in-law wants to deal with the Zhang Family, then deal with them. I’ll help with this.”

”Sixth Brother, you’re straightforward.”

Anning happily tapped the table, ”This matter you and Ying’er will handle together. Here’s the plan...”

Anning quietly explained how to deal with the Zhang Family, then left Xiao Ling and Xiao Ying to discuss it themselves.

She checked the time, exchanged a few more words with Xiao Ling, and then left.

Instead of going back to her room, Anning went to Xiao Yin’s room to chat for a while before retiring for the night.

Xiao Ling and Xiao Ying discussed for about half a two hours before leaving.

He still felt in a daze when he got home, and a bit anxious.

Madam Yuan was still waiting at home. Seeing Xiao Ling return, she immediately got up to ask, ”What did Third Sister-in-law say?”

Xiao Ling took off his outer clothes, changed into clean sleepwear, and lay down on the bed, ”Third Sister-in-law wants to cause trouble for someone and asked me to take Ying’er to handle it.”

”Cause trouble?”

Madam Yuan changed clothes and lay down too, turning to Xiao Ling, ”Whose trouble?”

Xiao Ling wiped his face, ”The Zhang Family. Third Sister-in-law said the Zhang Family sending beauties to Third Brother is disrespectful to her, and she can’t swallow this anger.”

Oh?

Madam Yuan didn’t know how to respond.

Recently, someone sent beauties to Xiao Jin, and now someone is sending women to Xiao Yuan. Maybe Xiao Ling is next.

She pinched the soft flesh on Xiao Ling’s waist, twisting hard.

Xiao Ling was in pain and almost cried out, ”What are you doing? It hurts, let go.”

Madam Yuan glared fiercely at Xiao Ling, ”Now it seems your Xiao Family men all have the ability. Each of you has someone sending beauties eagerly. Tell me, has someone sent you one too?”

Xiao Ling was terrified, breaking into a sweat, ”I’m innocent! I am devoted to you. How could I think of taking a concubine? Wife, let’s live well. Don’t worry, I’ll never accept any beauties. There’s no beauty in the world who can compare to your beauty and wisdom.”

Xiao Ling coaxed for a long time before Madam Yuan finally smiled.

With a deliberately cold tone, Madam Yuan said, ”If you dare take a concubine, see how I deal with you.”

After a while, she added, ”Is Third Sister-in-law planning to deal with the person who sent beauties to Third Brother?”

Xiao Ling immediately wore a bitter expression, ”No, if it were just killing one person, that wouldn’t be Third Sister-in-law’s style. What she’s planning is something that cuts off their lineage. Ah, what was the Zhang Family thinking, provoking Third Sister-in-law this way?”

”What kind of plan?” Madam Yuan asked curiously, clinging to Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling mumbled something but didn’t tell Madam Yuan.

He was a little afraid. Madam Yuan was smart too. If he shared what Anning did, who knows if Madam Yuan would imitate it. If she really learned it, Xiao Ling himself would be the one to suffer.

He wouldn’t dig his own grave.

”Sleep, sleep.”

Xiao Ling hugged Madam Yuan and turned over on top of her, ”Have I let you be too idle, always trying to find out about things lately...”

Anning had been asleep for a while when Xiao Yuan came back.

As soon as he returned, he approached to give Anning a kiss, ”What’s this? Still upset?”

Anning didn’t move, her eyes didn’t open, and she mumbled, ”Now I’m okay.”

Xiao Yuan changed clothes and lay down, wrapping his arms around Anning, ”Ah, your jealousy knows no bounds even after all these generations. I knew you’d be like this. When the Zhang Family sent those two women, I was quicker to hide than anyone. I didn’t even dare talk to them...”

Anning turned over, ”I’m not jealous. I’m just thinking about how to deal with those noble families.”