Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Just as the sky began to brighten, Luo Ruizhi sent someone to invite Mengyu for breakfast.

Everyone knew why Mengyu had come to the Marquis Mansion, and Luo Ruizhi was no exception. He saw no need to be discreet.

Mengyu agreed to dine with him on one condition: Yilian had to join them.

Yilian’s cheeks were flushed with joy. She was so happy that she completely forgot she was actually Luo Ruizhi’s legal wife.

Then again, whether a legal wife was even allowed at the table depended entirely on her husband’s whim.

Mengyu chose an elegant, ethereal outfit for Yilian and personally did her hair and makeup.

She reduced the amount of powder and rouge, styled Yilian’s hair into a graceful falling-horse bun, and tucked a white magnolia hairpin into it at an angle. The look was so refined and moving that even Luo Ruizhi offered a couple of compliments.

However, it was only a couple of words. Luo Ruizhi’s attention was soon entirely captured by Mengyu.

He solicitously served Mengyu food and, despite it being early morning, even began urging her to drink.

Mengyu didn’t touch a single bite.

Luo Ruizhi asked, “Is Sister feeling unwell?”

Mengyu smiled. “I just find it dirty.”

Luo Ruizhi’s chopsticks froze mid-air. He looked at her in disbelief. “You say… you find it dirty?”

Mengyu nodded. “Yes.”

Luo Ruizhi assumed she was referring to his venereal disease. Flaring up in a fit of humiliation, he flipped the table.

“Do you find the food dirty, or do you find me dirty?”

The crashing of bowls and plates made Yilian’s knees go weak. She looked at Mengyu in terror, only to see Mengyu standing up unhurriedly, stepping away from the grease-splattered floor.

“Why is Brother-in-law so angry? I only meant that I saw a fly crawl over those chopsticks.”

Luo Ruizhi felt a surge of embarrassment. But on second thought, Mengyu was being deliberately vague, likely trying to bait him into a misunderstanding.

Yet he had no proof, and he couldn’t exactly force her to admit it.

She was, after all, still a guest.

Mengyu navigated around the wreckage and took her leave.

Yilian was about to follow her when Luo Ruizhi called her back.

She felt a mix of fear and anticipation.

Could it be that her appearance today had truly caught his eye and moved his heart?

Instead, Luo Ruizhi handed her a packet of powder, instructing her to find an opportunity to slip it into Mengyu’s food or drink.

He looked coldly at the powder. Since Gu Mengyu was so eager to become a concubine, she didn’t deserve to put on airs.

Yilian was at a loss for what to do.

Mengyu had never expressed any dissatisfaction about entering the Luo Manor, yet she wasn’t submissive either. Yilian still couldn’t quite read her attitude. But if she really drugged her, what if Mengyu hated her forever?

Clutching the packet of powder, Yilian fled back to her own courtyard, not daring to see Mengyu.

The Luo Manor was different from Liang Baishan’s home. Xiaowu had no way to eavesdrop on conversations, so Mengyu’s information wasn’t as timely.

However, Mengyu had provoked Luo Ruizhi’s temper on purpose. She knew full well that infuriating a man would inevitably lead to retaliation.

But what kind of sophisticated revenge could a man who spent his life in brothels and pleasure quarters possibly come up with?

She instructed Qianfan to keep a close eye on their daily meals to ensure nothing foul was added. She also gave Xiaowu several banknotes, telling her to go gamble with the maids and older servants of the Marquis Mansion.

With her round eyes and round face, Xiaowu had a naturally likable appearance. After losing a bit of money at the gambling table a few times, it would only be a matter of time before she blended in with the servants.

Once she had arranged everything, Mengyu picked up a book and lay down on the chaise longue to read.

After a while, drowsiness took over. She closed her eyes and drifted off.

In her dream, the Marquis Mansion was engulfed in flames. Tongues of fire licked at her skirt and climbed up her spine.

She lay there quietly, without even a cry of pain. It turned out she was already dead.

A nightmare.

When Mengyu woke up, her throat was parched. She poured a cup of cold tea to suppress the restless heat in her chest.

Just then, Qianfan came in to call her. “Miss, it’s time.”