Li Mei did not immediately look at Lady Pei. She kept her head slightly bowed, her posture a perfect picture of a modest.

She knew exactly what Lady Pei was doing. The noble girl wanted to use her to get closer to Xi Wenzhe, or at least validate her own bitter jealousy.

"Lady Pei should speak carefully," Li Mei replied, her voice smooth and extremely quiet, barely lifting above the rustle of the surrounding leaves. "The Young Madam is now the master of the Northern Courtyard. It is not a servant’s place to judge her."

Lady Pei let out a sharp, mocking scoff, tilting her head slightly toward the maid. "A master? Please. We all know she is just an unwanted plague. Wenzhe only married her out of family duty. Do you think he would ever actually look at her or protect her if she fell into trouble?"

A tiny, slow smile touched the corner of Li Mei’s lips, though it disappeared just as fast. She glanced slightly toward the elegant form of Su Yueqing walking far ahead, and then her eyes moved back to Lady Pei’s face.

"The Young Master is a man of heavy responsibilities," Li Mei murmured, her tone dripping with a soft, calculated pity that was meant to sting. "He handles matters of duty with great care. But when it comes to personal affection... he is actually quite selective."

Lady Pei’s eyebrows rose, a spark of eager curiosity appearing in her eyes. "Selective? What do you mean?"

Li Mei slowed her steps just a fraction more, creating a deliberate gap between them and the other walking maids. Her voice dropped into a confidential whisper.

"This servant only knows that the Young Master has a very soft heart for those he truly treasures," Li Mei said, her thumb unconsciously tracing the smooth sleeve hiding her freshly bandaged wrist. "But for anyone else... he can be completely indifferent. Even if a lady were to stand outside his study for hours, or if something terrible were to happen to her right before his eyes, he wouldn’t spare a single word to defend her if she does not occupy a place in his heart."

Lady Pei’s eager expression instantly froze. The color in her cheeks fluctuated.

She wasn’t stupid. She knew very well that she had tried to send gifts and letters to Xi Wenzhe in the past, only for them to be returned by his guards without a single glance. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Li Mei’s words sounded like they were about Su Yueqing, but the underlying edge was a direct, sharp slap to Lady Pei’s own pride. It was a cold reminder that to Xi Wenzhe, Lady Pei was absolutely nothing.

"You—!" Lady Pei’s fingers tightened around her silk handkerchief, her breath catching in anger.

Before the noble lady could snap back, Li Mei smoothly bowed her head, her face returning to its completely stoic, innocent expression. "The lotus pond is just ahead, Lady Pei. Please be careful of the damp steps."

Far ahead, completely oblivious to the silent, petty psychological warfare happening at the back of the line, Su Yueqing was staring blankly at the green lily pads.

[Wow, this pond is huge,]

she thought with a massive internal yawn, her eyes looking glazed over.

[But honestly, if you’ve seen one big puddle of water, you’ve seen them all. System, how long do I have to stand here pretending to admire botany before I can legally go back to my bed and pass out?]

Nine’s sarcastic voice instantly popped up.

[Host, your lack of romantic elegance is truly inspiring. Other young ladies write poetry about the lotus blossoms, and you just called a historical landmark a ’big puddle.’ Please look around you. The female lead’s companions are already plotting how to accidentally push you into the water. Stand straight and look menacing.]

[Let them try,]

Su Yueqing scoffed in her head, adjusting her beautiful silk sleeve with a lazy flick of her wrist.

[If anyone pushes me into this cold mud, I am dragging three of them down with me by their expensive hair extensions. I’m too tired for a swimming lesson today, Nine. Tell them to stay on the pavement.]

Gu Yue pointed toward the blooming white flowers near the center of the water, trying her best to keep the mood pleasant. "Look at those blossoms. The gardeners spent weeks ensuring they would bloom perfectly just in time for today’s banquet."

"They really are stunning," another young lady giggled, covering her mouth with her fan. "Though I wonder if some people can even appreciate such purity. After all, if someone spends all their time throwing tantrums and burning down kitchens, a quiet pond must feel quite boring."

The other girls burst into soft, mocking laughter, throwing sly glances at Su Yueqing.

Su Yueqing just stood by the carved stone railing, looking completely uninterested in whatever gossip they were whispering. Her face was totally blank.

[Nine, my ears are actually bleeding,]

She complained inside her head, leaning lazily against the stone bar.

[Their insults are so old-fashioned. ’Oh, look at the pure flowers, you are so dirty.’ Give me a break. If they want to insult my lack of hobbies, they should at least be creative about it.]

[Host, please pay attention. A classic green-tea villainess is approaching from your right. Plot radar is blinking red. Prepare yourself.]

Su Yueqing didn’t even have to look to know who it was.

Lady Pei, still burning with anger from her conversation with Li Mei, walked over with a sweet, fake smile plastered on her face. She stepped right into Su Yueqing’s personal space, her silk dress rustling against the stone walkway.

"Young Madam, you must be feeling so overwhelmed today," Lady Pei said, her voice dripping with fake kindness. "Being married into such a grand family must be so difficult. If you ever feel lonely or if Wenzhe is too busy to visit your courtyard, you can always tell me. I know his tastes very well, and I wouldn’t mind helping you understand him better."

Su Yueqing internally rolled her eyes. Having read hundreds of web novels, she knew this exact plot inside and out.

Lady Pei wasn’t just trying to talk down to her. She was standing dangerously close to the edge of the low railing, her weight shifting slightly back toward the deep water. It was painfully obvious. The girl wanted to make Su Yueqing angry, provoke a tiny push or a sudden movement, and then throw her own self backward into the cold pond. Then, she could cry, play the victim, and blame the "vicious" Su Yueqing for trying to drown her out of jealousy.

Gu Yue, Xi Qianqian, and Xi Lanyin all noticed Lady Pei moving too close to the edge and instantly felt their hearts drop. Knowing Su Yueqing’s terrible temper, they were terrified she would actually shove the girl.

But Su Yueqing didn’t back away. A slow, dark glem appeared in her eyes.

[Oh, so you want to play the self-sacrificing victim to make me look bad?]

[Perfect! If you want to jump into a puddle of freezing mud just to frame me, who am I to stop you? That is a free world!]

[Nine! If she jumps and blames me, do I still get the points for being a horrible bully?]

[Absolutely! Accepting blame for an act of pure malice is a core villainess duty. Estimated reward: +30 Villain Points for ruining a noble lady’s dress and reputation.]

[Excellent. Let’s follow the script and let this crazy girl take a bath.]

Su Yueqing tilted her head, giving Lady Pei a thoroughly arrogant, mocking look that practically begged for trouble. "Understand my husband’s tastes? Madame, you are just a guest who couldn’t even get her letters past our front gate. Why would I need a rejected outsider to teach me about the man who shares my bed?"