Chapter 655 - 639: Cunning Bitch, Innocent Xiaobai Flower
Deng Shi grew anxious and exclaimed, "What are you doing? How dare you mess with my things?"
Yu Hongxiu feigned surprise and said, "These are yours? How did they end up in my room? Not owning these items, fearing potential harm to my unborn baby, I wouldn’t dare keep them."
Deng Shi rolled her eyes and said, "I gave these to Xie Dun, what do you mean by throwing them away?"
"My apologies, I am used to my husband’s belongings being in his study, I didn’t anticipate this. Ruyi, collect these items and send them to his study. Since these are your goodwill gestures, make sure they are taken care of. Don’t lose them, they must be handed over entirely to my husband." Yu Hongxiu spoke at a relaxed pace.
A hint of amusement glimmered in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes. Truly, as a legitimate daughter from a prominent family, should Yu Hongxiu assume the role of mistress of the house, she wouldn’t fall short.
As Deng Shi was about to retort, Yu Hongxiu suddenly turned to Deng Jiayin and exclaimed, "Oh, I have a hairpin exactly like the one you’re wearing. I’ll go find it and give it to you. It’ll look lovely if you wear two, one on each side!"
Having said this, she proceeded indoors as if to find the hairpin.
Deng Jiayin tried to hold back Deng Shi’s sleeve, appearing almost distraught.
Bai Ruozhu took a good look at Deng Jiayin. She wasn’t particularly beautiful, but her eyebrows and eyes were gently curved, hinting a girlish charm and creating a deeply gentle impression.
Especially at the moment, her eyes filled with teardrops, her body trembling slightly, as if she had suffered greatly. It appeared as if she was on the verge of collapse from humiliation.
What a delicate little flower!
A woman like this, clingy and shameless even after marriage, had no dignity to speak of. Playing the innocent and distressed, she was epitome of a scheming woman, a delicate little flower.
After a single glance, Bai Ruozhu disliked Deng Jiayin. Without uttering a word, she simply watched Deng Jiayin with a cold smile, eager to see how this drama would unfold.
Deng Shi shook her head slightly at Deng Jiayin, signalling her not to be afraid.
Suddenly, from inside the room Yu Hongxiu exclaimed in surprise, "Where did my hairpin go? Ruyi, has anyone messed with my jewelry box?"
Ruyi was about to speak but was quickly silenced by a look from Yu Hongxiu.
"What am I to do? I’ve barely been away, and things are already missing. I had promised to give that identical hairpin to my cousin and now it’s missing. How am I to explain this? Even if I wanted to have it remade, there isn’t enough time. " Yu Hongxiu walked back to the hall, a troubled expression on her face.
Deng Jiayin said in a timid voice, "Sister-in-law, don’t bother."
"I can’t let that happen. How can things just go missing in this residence? What if you lose your items? My husband will blame me for not managing the house well. Ruyi, inform the steward and report this to the authorities. Let’s settle this matter soon to prevent further theft." Yu Hongxiu added.
At this, the expressions of Deng Shi and Deng Jiayin changed. Deng Shi’s eyes flashed with fierceness , raised her voice, "Enough! It was merely me and your cousin trying on your hairpin. I thought of making a hairpin for your cousin and wanted her to choose a design. As soon as you returned, you started ridiculing us and labeled us thieves. We are family, why are you so petty?"
Accuse before one could be accused!
Yu Hongxiu took a deep breath and said, "Why didn’t you speak up earlier, Aunt? I’ve been back half the day already. If you had said it earlier, we might have avoided this misunderstanding. If you want to try on any jewelry, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll let you. Even if you asked for it, I wouldn’t think twice about giving it to you. As long as it isn’t any of the jewelry my mother gave me as my dowry."
Deng Shi’s eyes wandered and she said, "You haven’t given anything to your cousin since she came over, why not let her have this hairpin? It would save face for you."
"Just like you said, I agreed earlier to give this hairpin to my cousin. I couldn’t find it for a while, but now that we have it, you may take it with you."
A woman with any self-respect would surely feel embarrassed to take the hairpin now, given the constant accusations of theft. However, Deng Jiayin, feigning innocence and naivety, as if she didn’t comprehend the implications, said, "Can I, really?"
"Just accept what your cousin-in-law gives you." Deng Shi said.
"Thank you then, cousin-in-law." With tears in her eyes, Deng Jiayin gave a grateful bow, appearing as if she had been wronged, rather than benefiting from the situation.
Yawning, Yu Hongxiu said, "Auntie, I feel a little under the weather, I will retire to my room to rest. If you’ll excuse me." She then signaled Bai Ruozhu and they both prepared to go inside.
Unexpectedly, Deng Shi stood with her hands on her hips and called out, "Oh, you think you can just return and undermine me like this? Why did you bring this quack doctor into our residence? Our Xie Family doesn’t welcome charlatans!"
She spoke confidently, acting as if she were the mistress of the house, with the authority to kick out any guest from the Xie Residence.
Bai Ruozhu gently patted Yu Hongxiu’s hand, fearing that she might be upset. Sometimes, no matter how clever or eloquent one might be, they could still be rendered helpless in the face of such unreasonable brutality, especially from someone skilled in martial arts.
"Lady Deng, what do you mean by that? Although I am a guest of the Xie Residence and respect Mr. Xie and his wife, if you continue to slander me, I will have no choice but report to the authorities for defamation." Bai Ruozhu directed her gaze at Deng Shi.
"Yu Hongxiu, you deliberately brought someone back to oppose me, didn’t you? Look at you, as soon as you return, you rush me and Jiayin out, throw our things away, imply that we are thieves, and now you bring an outsider to confront me. Tell me, why are you so petty, so intolerant of others?" Deng Shi pointed a finger at Yu Hongxiu, moving closer with each word, almost poking Yu Hongxiu’s nose.
Ruyi hastily intervened, "Lady Deng, don’t agitate my mistress, she is pregnant."
Deng Shi pushed Ruyi aside with a swipe and stepped forward. The guards stepped in to stop Deng Shi, but she shouted even louder, "Look! She even brought guards to hit me! Is this how you treat your elders? Go ahead, beat me to death!"
As she shouted, she pulled at her hair, tore at her clothes and rushed at the guards. The guards, probably unfamiliar with such behaviour from a lady of the house, were unsure how to react.
Squinting her eyes, Bai Ruozhu concluded that Deng Shi was likely causing a scene for show; it was probable that Mr. Xie would soon return. She quickly pulled Yu Hongxiu aside, indicating for her to remain silent.
"Sister Hongxiu, you look pale. You weren’t frightened by Lady Deng’s shouting, were you? You should go inside and rest right away." Bai Ruozhu spoke out loudly, then directed Ruyi, "Quickly, have someone fetch the doctor. Ask your master to return immediately, the mistress can’t bear any shocks!"