Marrying a villain

Chapter 2

"Goblin!" Xu Miao cursed in secret, and looked at her expression, feeling disappointed.

She thought that after such a thing, Wei Youtong must have been hit hard, and even if she came to the banquet with strong support, she should be depressed and lost. But the person in front of her, although much thinner, is still gorgeous, and her eyes are bright and lively, even more beautiful than before.

Not to mention the pearl hairpin embellishment, the brocade dress decoration, the face is embedded in the white fox fur of the Zhaojun pocket, as moving as the snow in the snow.

Such a face, no matter how her sister dresses up, she can't compare.

But what about that? The one who can marry into the royal family is her sister, and Wei Youtong is left with only this skin and a bad reputation in the city.

Xu Miao thought of this, and her heart was a bit more comfortable, and she returned to the spring breeze and pride, and her voice was like a smile and not a smile, "Miss Wei has finally come. Are you all right?"

"Much better, thank you for your concern." Youtong turned around and handed her cloak to Chuncao, and the red beads on her ears swayed, as if she didn't notice the surrounding gaze.

Xu Miao raised her eyebrows, as if she didn't believe it.

Next to her, a girl who was close to her took over the conversation and said with a smile, "I thought that after being hit by the cold air in the ice lake, it would take a few months to recover and not be able to see people. Miss Wei, don't do such a silly thing in the future, it's not only a shame to the house, but also a daughter's reputation is ruined, and there's no way to be a person in the future."

"Really... very silly." Youtong seemed not to hear the sarcasm and ridicule, and stretched the end of the sentence, and her gaze slowly swept over the crowd.

Most of them were laughing and watching the show, and there were also some sympathetic and caring ones, but because of the rumors, they were all hesitant and uncertain, and they didn't dare to look at her.

She smiled and fixed her gaze on Xu Miao's face.

"Really silly." She sighed again, "I used to be too naive, thinking that most people in the world are good, thinking that what others say is from the heart, and I easily believed it. Unfortunately, people's hearts are always separated by their stomachs."

The people present thought she was going to complain about Xu Chaozong's infidelity, and they were waiting to hear her complain, but Youtong changed her tone and said, "Miss Xu, your sister and I have also interacted with each other. I saved her in the Shanglin Garden before. I haven't seen her for a while, and I'm afraid she is busy preparing for her marriage, and she is satisfied. You go back and tell her to be more careful in the future, especially those who are close and enthusiastic around her, and you have to be more vigilant. Don't learn from me, I was calculated and didn't know it, and I gave people a stool."

This is really like a basin of hot water pouring down, drenching Xu Miao's face red and angry.

- Xu Shu was in a hurry to make Wei Youtong a confidante, and she was aiming at Xu Chaozong, and everyone in the Xu family knew it. Now that she was poked in the heart by someone in public, she was immediately angry and ashamed.

She blushed and stood up, pointing at Youtong and saying, "You..."

"I am a forerunner, and I advise you kindly. What are you in a hurry for?" Youtong slowly got up, "The play is about to start, have a cup of tea to quench your thirst."

She came on time, just to stop at the right time and not get entangled.

The young lady of the Duke's mansion happened to come with a smile, inviting the girls to listen to the opera and admire the plums.

Xu Miao is a guest after all. It's okay to gossip when the host is not here, but she doesn't dare to make a fuss here, so she has to suppress her anger. Later, everyone sat down, and occasionally whispered in the music of silk and bamboo, and Youtong just pretended not to see and sat down to watch the opera - the chef of the Duke's mansion was once in the palace, and he was very good at making pastries. The mandarin duck roll and golden cream crisp in front of her were sweet and soft, and they were very popular.

Youtong slowly tasted it, and after two operas were over, she saw the big maid Jinzhu next to her mother come in a hurry.

"The lady said there is something urgent, and she asked the young lady to go back to the house with her quickly." Jinzhu said, and helped her take the cloak.

Youtong was surprised, "What's the matter?"

"I heard..." Jinzhu bit her lip and hesitated for a while, and whispered in her ear, "It's someone who came to propose."

Someone proposed? With all the rumors and slander, she is at the center of the storm and is being scolded by others. How could someone come to propose?

Youtong was stunned.

The Wei family is considered a scholarly household, having produced several imperial readers for the crown princes, but despite their flourishing literary tradition, they were not particularly adept at holding official positions. Through several generations, although they had been favored by the imperial family, they were subject to the whims of the times, and with each change in the throne, they would return to their original state.

Now the men are scattered across the six ministries, holding some power but without deep roots. Previously, due to Xu Chaozong, others showed a bit of respect to the Wei family, but once the position of the princess consort was secured by another family, the Xu family's slander came pouring in like a flood. The Wei family was powerless to fight back and was ridiculed, which truly angered the matriarch.

When the scandal first broke, the elders did not spare their scolding of Wei Youtong, blaming her for her arrogant behavior that lost the heart of Prince Rui, and for causing a scene with her suicide attempt, making the matter known to all, truly bringing shame to the family's name. It was Lady Wei who felt pain for her daughter, fearing she would be distressed if confined at home, and upon hearing that she wished to attend a banquet, brought her out.

Now that there is an urgent matter, the mother and daughter duo hurried back by carriage, and upon entering the residence, they went straight to the Qinghua Hall where the matriarch lived.

Outside the Qinghua Hall, many pine and cypress trees were planted, their greenery still lush in the winter, with traces of snow that had not yet melted.

The servants lifted the curtains, and as Youtong entered, she was greeted by a strong scent of sandalwood.

The Wei matriarch was fond of Buddhism, with a small Buddhist hall in her residence, and the room was filled with sandalwood that was meant to calm the mind. Unfortunately, her temperament was irritable, and she never managed to change it throughout her life. Upon seeing Youtong approach, her face darkened, clutching a hand warmer, she frowned and reprimanded, "I told you to stay in the residence and take good care of yourself, why did you run out again?"

"It was I who took Yo Yo out, Mother, please don't be angry," Lady Wei quickly explained.

Yo Yo was Youtong's nickname, and the matriarch used to dote on this granddaughter who was expected to become a royal daughter-in-law, often calling her by this name.

But now, times have changed, and the granddaughter who could bring glory to the family has brought shame upon the Wei family, subjecting them to ridicule, and with that, her affection dissipated as well. Thus, with a stern face, she instructed, "Return to your courtyard and stay there. Stop running around outside. The suitor this time is of excellent character; if you do not repent and continue to act recklessly, bringing ridicule upon yourself, you will never meet a good family again in your life!"

Youtong stood before her, hanging her head, "I understand, grandmother."

"In the future, when dealing with people, you should also be humble and cautious, and no longer arrogant and willful! The rumors outside are so fierce, your character really needs to change, otherwise, acting foolishly will make you a laughingstock!"

The matriarch continued to scold and teach, looking as if she was disappointed in her.

Youtong responded, inwardly sneering.

Wei Youtong's development of an arrogant and haughty character was, in fact, inseparable from the matriarch.

In the past, when Xu Chaozong was full of affection, the matriarch felt that the position of princess consort was within reach, and couldn't help but be complacent, unconsciously revealing a self-satisfied and arrogant demeanor. Wei Youtong, being by her side, was inevitably influenced and developed a sense of superiority, occasionally making mistakes in her actions. When her parents tried to teach her, the matriarch would protect her. Over time, Youtong became more and more arrogant, fearless and unrestrained.

Now that she has fallen, they turn their backs and deny any responsibility.

However, arrogance is indeed useless, and the lesson is ultimately correct. Youtong patiently listened to her nagging, standing for the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, before hearing the matriarch say, "Go back and copy books with a calm mind, I have matters to discuss with your mother. You are not allowed to go out for a while!"

Youtong was scolded for no reason, and after leaving Qinghua Hall, she was still confused.

——It seems that the matriarch is very satisfied with the family proposing marriage, but who could it be?

But obviously, there's no way to ask for details now, so she left the door and walked towards the West Pavilion where she lived.

Afraid of attracting scolding, she walked very properly at first, with the jade pendants and palace tapestries pressed against her waist, her steps neither fast nor slow, and she didn't dare to lift the hem of her skirt. After leaving Qinghua Hall, her steps gradually became lighter, and she even showed a shallow smile.

Chuncao followed closely behind, more and more puzzled.

She is Youtong's personal maid, and just now she followed into the room and heard the matriarch's scolding and teaching clearly. In the past, the young lady was sensitive and delicate, and after being scolded like this, she would definitely cry in secret. Moreover, the young lady was very attached to Prince Rui, and when she heard that she was going to marry someone else, she would never agree.