Chapter 8: Innate Degradation

Suyuxin's proclamation of never parting from the General ignited a torrent of emotions within Suyu Xiang, sending her into complete disarray. Her reliance had rested upon Suyuxin's aversion towards the General. If both of them developed affections for each other, where could she intervene? Wouldn't her hope for this lifetime be utterly extinguished?

"You undoubtedly fancy Cousin Jingwei," Suyu Xiang, her face pale and eyes crimson, looked somewhat terrifying.

"Never!" Suyuxin's words were emphatic, resounding, "My heartfelt affection belongs solely to the General!"

In her youth, she did indeed admire that man who appeared as a gentleman. However, it was only admiration from afar, never transgressing the boundaries of propriety. Despite being pampered and arrogant due to her stepmother's indulgence, she had a nanny to guide her. She understood the meaning of a woman's chastity and upheld her modesty. This was why her stepmother regarded the nanny as a thorn in her side, leading to Suyuxin's mistake of listening to others' instigation and driving the nanny away. She resolved to offer a substantial apology to bring her back. The nanny had nurtured her mother and then herself. Sincere apologies from her would undoubtedly bring the nanny back. She vowed to treat the nanny well from now on, allowing her to spend her remaining years peacefully in the General's residence.

Suyuxin's thoughts drifted momentarily, interrupted sharply by Suyu Xiang's outburst. "You're lying," Suyu Xiang, biting her lip, her eyes burning red, retorted.

"Even if I were wretched, I would never fancy a despicable person," Suyuxin, regaining her focus, gazed coldly at Suyu Xiang. Indeed, Lü Jingwei was an out-and-out scoundrel. All his appearances as a gentleman were deceitful. In her past life, the man she had thought was a gentleman conspired with Suyu Xiang, fabricating a scenario of her and a servant caught in a compromising situation, leaving her unable to defend herself and ultimately meeting a bitter end. How could she possibly like such a man? "You're talking nonsense!"

Suyu Xiang, with the demeanor of a market woman, placed her hand on her waist, pointing at Suyuxin angrily, "Cousin Jingwei is truly a gentleman. I think you slander him only because you cannot obtain him. You..."

"Have you caused enough commotion?" Suyuxin cut in sharply. "Or do you want to provoke me into striking you again?"

At Suyuxin's words, Suyu Xiang instinctively took a step back, her face turning even paler. She was surprised that she felt fear toward this good-for-nothing. It was worse than being killed. She was used to being admired by everyone. When had she ever faced such humiliation?

"I will inform the General that you fancy Cousin Jingwei and your desire for a divorce is because of him," Suyu Xiang declared defiantly, discarding her pretense of gentleness before Suyuxin.

"Do you think the General will believe you?" Suyuxin sneered, raising an eyebrow at Suyu Xiang. "I am the wife the General ardently sought after. What are you in comparison?"

"Suyuxin, you..." 

"Considering our shared surname, I'll overlook your behavior today. But if you dare to spout nonsense again, I won't be lenient," Suyuxin slammed her teacup onto the table, her voice stern. "Ziyuan, escort our guest."

Initially somewhat concerned, Ziyuan felt reassured after this incident. The madam had indeed undergone a transformation.

Upon hearing Suyuxin's order, Ziyuan stepped forward immediately. "Miss, please."

"You dare drive me away?" Suyu Xiang's chest heaved violently with anger, her eyes even more fearsome with a tinge of crimson.

"This is the General's residence, not the home of a high official. Why shouldn't I drive you away?" Suyuxin looked at Suyu Xiang with a sardonic smile. "Do you still want to linger here for a long time? I advise you to dispel such thoughts. This General's residence will never become your home."

Suyu Xiang was stunned. Had Suyuxin already discerned her intentions, causing such a drastic change in her attitude? Thinking this, Suyu Xiang immediately softened her stance, intentionally displaying a hint of shyness. "You... please don't make baseless accusations. The General and I are innocent."

"Of course, I know that you and the General are innocent because the General doesn't regard you at all," Suyuxin said mercilessly. "It seems certain things are innate, passed down in the bloodline. Otherwise, how can a mother and daughter both covet their sister's husband? Truly, it's an innate degradation!"

"You..." Suyu Xiang couldn't restrain herself any longer and lunged forward, swinging her arm toward Suyuxin's face. She wanted to beat this despicable wretch to death!

Caught off guard, Suyu Xiang's personal maid, Cui Liu, didn't have time to stop her. She couldn't help but exclaim in her heart, no matter what, Suyuxin was now the wife of a high-ranking General and a distinguished person herself. Moreover, the General treated her extremely well. If she were struck, it might not end well when the General returned. The young miss was too impulsive.