Seeing this, Yun'er naturally nodded in agreement repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes. If Miss can face a situation like today's calmly, I believe you'll be able to handle any difficulties on your own in the future."
However, Zhuque was full of doubts. "According to Lady Liu's personality, she couldn't have let this opportunity pass without making a big fuss. How did you manage to get out of it, Miss?"
"Of course, it's thanks to my intelligence..." Cheng Xiran stuck out her tongue at her. After a while, she said truthfully, "Although I'm fine this time, Father has officially promoted Lady Liu. So, we must be more cautious from now on."
Zhuque looked guilty and lowered her eyes. "It's all Zhuque's fault. If it weren't for me, Miss wouldn't be in such a difficult situation."
Everyone knew that after Lady Liu was promoted to the main wife, it would be even easier for her to pick on Cheng Xiran.
While Zhuque was worrying about this, she saw a sneer on her young mistress's lips. It seemed that she was not affected at all. Zhuque couldn't help but feel curious. "Does Miss already have a good plan in mind?"
"Go to bed early. Leave this to me. I won't let anyone ride roughshod over us."
Cheng Xiran stayed with them for a while longer and then returned to her own room.
Everything was peaceful that night.
Early the next morning, Cheng Xiran was woken up by the commotion outside. Thinking that Zhuque was still ill in bed and Yun'er was too young, she put on her cloak by herself, gently opened the door, and walked slowly towards the front hall.
Before she even left her courtyard, she heard Lady Liu's voice in the distance. "There's a purple coral in the gifts, which was shipped from the South Sea. You must carry it carefully. If it's damaged even a little bit, I'll make you pay!"
She was putting on the airs of the main wife... No, she was now officially the main wife, and even the steward had acknowledged her status.
"Yes, Madam. I'll make sure they carry it onto the carriage carefully and guard it well. I'll ensure it arrives at the general's mansion intact."
Today, she was dressed in a gorgeous vermilion robe with a light-colored short jacket over it, which accentuated her graceful figure. There were many vermilion hairpins and hair ornaments in her coiled hair, as if she was trying to prove her new status.
Cheng Xiran averted her eyes and couldn't help but mutter to herself. A concubine would always be a concubine. Even if she became the main wife, she still lacked the proper deportment. They were going to a banquet today, and she was afraid Lady Liu would make a fool of herself.
Wasn't her colorful dressing a reflection of Father's "unique" taste?
Cheng Xiran stepped forward and coughed softly. When Lady Liu glanced at her, she bowed and said, "Xiran greets Mother. I hope Mother is well."
The address "Mother" pleased Lady Liu very much.
Now that she was the main wife, she should be more magnanimous. Moreover, today was a happy day, and she didn't want to argue with Cheng Xiran. So, she just gave a soft "hmm".
However, she remembered the dozen or so blows from yesterday clearly. One day, she would pay Cheng Xiran back!
"Mother looks very beautiful today. You're sure to outshine everyone at the general's mansion."
Lady Liu ignored Cheng Xiran's insincere flattery.
Cheng Xiran noticed a red mark on Lady Liu's neck. She stepped forward and pretended to remind her kindly. "Mother, you'd better wear a pearl necklace later to cover the wound on your neck. After all, today's banquet is a formal occasion. It wouldn't be good for others to see it."