Chapter Thirteen: The Enticing Aroma of Dog Food

Chu Ying smiled proudly and strode forward with big steps. In no time, she reached the carriage.

Xiao Wu saw Chu Ying approaching and quickly saluted, “Greetings, Ninth Miss.”

Chu Ying waved her hand, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips, her face brimming with pride.

Xiao Wu scratched his head in confusion. Why was Ninth Miss acting so strangely?

Soon, Chu Hengyang and Xiao Yixi appeared side by side before them.

Xiao Wu was startled and hastily knelt down to salute, “Your Highness, the Princess!”

“Rise,” Xiao Yixi said calmly.

“Ninth Miss, don’t be nervous,” Chu Ying’s smile had yet to fade. “The Princess just wants to come back to our residence for a simple family meal.”

“Yes.” Xiao Wu wiped the sweat from his brow, still trembling with apprehension.

“A simple family meal?” Xiao Yixi paused, glancing quietly at Chu Hengyang, who smiled warmly. “I quite like that phrase.”

Xiao Yixi’s cold lips pressed lightly together, revealing a faint smile.

Ahahaha! The schemer in Chu Ying’s heart was already laughing aloud to the heavens.

She was so clever! In such a short time, she had created an opportunity for her eldest brother and sister-in-law to be alone.

And with her witty words, she had brought her sister-in-law closer to their family.

It wouldn’t be long before she could openly call the Princess “sister-in-law,” and her eldest brother could pursue the Princess without reservation.

Excited, Chu Ying forced down the smile at her lips and said, “Your Highness, please step into the carriage.”

Unfortunately, there were too many people around now, so she couldn’t arrange for her eldest brother to assist the Princess into the carriage, which would have created another chance for sparks to fly between them.

Chu Ying felt a tinge of regret.

The three of them boarded the carriage in turn, and along the way, Chu Ying listened intently as they spoke frankly about their feelings for each other.

She hadn’t expected that both her eldest brother and sister-in-law had fallen in love at first sight!

The difference was that the sister-in-law had fallen in love with her eldest brother four years ago, during a brief glance when she was reading in a pavilion at the palace while he was there to pay respects to the Emperor.

As for her eldest brother, five years ago he had fallen in love at first sight with her sister-in-law while she was giving a speech at the Imperial Academy about the new decree allowing women to study there and enter government service.

Chu Ying was ecstatic.

It was simply too perfect! Absolutely delightful!

This feast of love was irresistibly sweet!

Chu Ying kept savoring the metaphorical dog food, but the carriage was already slowing to a stop.

Wait a moment!

Chu Ying suddenly realized a serious problem.

She had invited her sister-in-law home to dine precisely to create a chance for her eldest brother and sister-in-law to grow closer.

But... the romantic rival system’s female lead was still in her home!!!

This was bad. She had been so caught up in feeding herself this feast of love, focused solely on advancing the relationship between her eldest brother and sister-in-law, that she had completely forgotten that the female lead—who aimed to sabotage the marriages of her eight brothers and their wives and try to win over her brothers—was still in her house!

Chu Ying’s heart clenched as she hurriedly jumped down from the carriage.

“Xiao Liu, who is serving the guest inside right now?” Chu Ying quickly asked the gate servant, Xiao Liu.

Xiao Liu looked puzzled but answered faithfully, “It’s Miss Li Qiao, the daughter of Madam Xiu.”

“What about the maids who used to serve her?” Chu Ying was still not fully reassured.

“Xiao Chun and the others have been reassigned to their original posts by Madam,” Xiao Liu replied.

“Phew, that’s good, that’s good,” Chu Ying understood Lady Liu Shuang’er’s strategy now.

Hehe, she knew her mother was formidable. Since she had grown suspicious, she naturally sent someone trustworthy to keep an eye on the female lead.

The female lead was crafty and manipulative; having someone as sharp and devoted as Li Qiao to monitor her was perfect.

Her mother sending the other servants away also meant Li Qiao was to watch her without respite, and the female lead would no longer be allowed to roam the house freely.

Chu Ying breathed a little easier.