Jiang Ruiling looked at him in disbelief. Her impassive expression finally cracked into that of panic. "Huh? Shen Yang?"

"Yes."

"But why?" Her heart raced in nervousness.

Wei threw a dangerous glance. "Because you hurt Lixue's feelings. I can bear anything but not her tears. It's important to warn you so that you don't repeat it. If you cannot talk nicely to her then don't. But don't hurt her either."

Her eyelids trembled. "Cousin. If you have to punish someone, then punish me. Spare Shen Yang. I will apologize to her. But don't hurt him."

He tilted his head. "You hurt my wife. Why shouldn't I do the same? You know how the Underworld works."

Of course, Jiang Ruiling knew all about it. If the Jiang family had to punish a traitor or enemy, it would drag the innocent family at times to make the enemy suffer. There was physical and psychological trauma that made their life hell.

She whispered, "Please cousin. I will apologize to her. I will beg her forgiveness," his threat had made her afraid of Shen Yang and the last thing she wanted was for him to get punished because of her.

Wei stared at her in silence, causing her heart to panic. "...There won't be a second chance."

And with his kingly demeanor, he dismissed her and left the room. The pressure in the room eased as soon as he was gone.

Her knees turned weak and she collapsed on the bed, sighing in relief.

Cousin has changed so much…

She wondered as she stared at the ceiling in a daze. She had never seen him so understanding of emotions and feelings. He was like a doll all this time who simply moved like a robot.

But ever since he brought Lihua, he was slowly changing. He had never bothered with the family much before, but once again because of Lihua, he was gradually starting to notice things in others' lives. He stood for Jiang Xiurang and now he also supported her love for Shen Yang.

"Jiang Lixue…"

---

It was a sunny day the next morning, but Lihua's usual chirpiness was nowhere to be seen. She was in the garden with Lihua, the cat for her to take a stroll and some exercise.

Lihua, the cat looked at her owner in disdain.

So gloomy…

She found it troublesome but in the end, she went and sat beside Lihua's feet.

Lihua lowered her head and smiled. "Hehe...you are acting so coy today."

*Meowww*

Idiot! That's because you are so gloomy! You will affect my beauty with the sad mushrooms growing on your head! Be grateful that I am sharing valuable company with you!

Lihua ruffled the cat's head much to her pleasure.

She heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned to see Jiang Ruiling standing before her.

Lihua quickly masked her expression and smiled. "Jiang Ruiling. Good morning!"

Jiang Ruiling was surprised by her response. Even though she had rebuked her last night, Lihua was still cheerfully greeting her.

"...Good morning."

There was a small beat of silence after which both were about to say something at the same time.

Jiang Ruiling said, "It's okay. You can go ahead."

Lihua awkwardly touched her chin. "Umm...I wanted to apologize to you."

She widened her eyes.

"I am really sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."

Jiang Ruiling quietly stared at her.

Lihua sheepishly grinned. "I just thought if I could be of some help to you. But if you have something on your mind and are confident about your plan, then I don't need to worry about anything! I just want to see you happy hehe…"

She softly pursed her lips.

Previously, she was going to apologize solely for saving Shen Yang from Wei's danger. But as she carefully observed her, she indeed felt that she was rude to her last night.

"I am sorry too. I shouldn't have been so mean last night."

"No, no. Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault."

Yet you cried, didn't you? She thought.

"Lixue…"

Jiang Ruiling slightly stiffened upon seeing Wei. She smiled. "Cousin…"

Wei ignored her and paid attention to Lihua. He looked at her concerned. "You will catch a cold if you stay outside for too long. It's windy today."

"Yup, I was heading back anyway. It's time to feed Lihua haha…"

She picked Lihua, the cat in her arms and smiled. "I will take my leave then."

Jiang Ruiling was about to say something when Wei cut her off. "Lixue. Ruiling is capable and knows what she is doing. She told me that she has some plans for her and Shen Yang."

Lihua blinked her eyes.

He smiled. "That's why we can leave it up to her. She will be fine without us. Right, Ruiling?"

Jiang Ruiling jolted.

Cousin has become so vengeful…

She maintained her smile. "Yes, cousin."

Lihua nodded.

---

Through her room's window, a certain figure was gnashing her teeth in hatred as she saw Lihua, Wei and Jiang Ruiling in the garden.

Ruomei wished to scratch Lihua's face as jealousy consumed her. At first, it was Jiang Fai and Jiang Xiurang and now Jiang Ruiling.

She didn't understand when Lihua got so close to her. Jiang Ruiling was a tricky woman to deal with. Somehow, Ruomei felt that she never got on her good side.

When they talked in the past, Jiang Ruiling would always act shrewd and distant. Ruomei could hardly keep up with her past three sentences. She was difficult to please but now what was Ruomei seeing?

Lihua talking and smiling with her as if they were such good friends already.

"This Lixue…what the hell did she do now to make Jiang Ruiling act like that?"

She bit her lip hard.

After her defeat at Lihua's hand during the proposal, she was in a bad shape. Old Madam refused to speak to her too.

"If I don't do something soon, then Lixue will have a foothold in this house in no time! I cannot afford to sit idle like this!"

She quickly called a number. "Find out about Lixue and just give me anything that I could use against her! And…" she narrowed her eyes. "About Jiang Ruiling too."