Chapter 21 - Establishing Prestige

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Although Guan Tong felt that Lu Han had been acting a little strange these past few days, she didn’t give it too much thought. Guan Tong had no memories of the day that they met at all. All she knew was that Lu Han had been improving his behavior toward her lately.

“Young Master, Second Madam has brought Miss Qiao over.” Uncle Tang said to Lu Han as he walked in.

Miss Qiao? Guan Tong’s ears twitched. Was it a woman? Lu Han could not help but laugh when he saw Guan Tong’s quick-witted look. She immediately told Uncle Tang to let them in.

“At once.” Not long after, Uncle Tang brought her in.

As Qiao Ran was inside their chamber, Guan Tong sized her up carefully. She was indeed a beauty, a kind of beauty that would invoke guys around to protect and guard her with their lives. 

“Brother Han…” Qiao Ran saw Lu Han lying on the bed with red eyes. He looked like a shriveled pear.

Guan Tong felt uneasy when she heard Qiao Ran’s sweet voice.

“This must be my new Sister.” Qiao Ran saw the disgust in Guan Tong’s heart. How could such an ugly monster be worthy of her Brother Han? 

Guan Tong raised her eyebrows. Guan Tong usually behaved like a little white rabbit in front of Lu Han, but at that time, she knew she had to defend her rights in the Lu family. Although she was brought over to this arranged marriage, she was the only young mistress of this family.

“I don’t remember having a sister.” Guan Tong smiled sweetly, but her words made Qiao Ran’s face pale.

How could Guan Tong be willing to let her call the woman in front of her sister?

“Sister, you must be joking. You’re married to Brother Han, and we’re family.” Qiao Ran smiled, but she was reluctant no matter how Guan Tong looked at it.

“Miss Qiao, don’t joke around. Our surname is Lu.” Guan Tong reminded Qiao Ran, and her face turned pale. Qiao Ran thought that although this woman was ugly, she had a sharp tongue. Guan Tong made sure Qiao Ran knew that she was the one who married Lu Han, and Qiao Ran was not a part of the family.

However, Guan Tong’s words also offended Liu Juan since her surname wasn’t Lu.

“How can you speak like this?” Qiao Ran was brought here by Liu Juan, so she felt the need to defend Qiao Ran too. 

Guan Tong quickly pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth. “Aunty, I’m not talking about you. I’m just afraid that a villain will deceive you.”

“Who are you calling a villain?” Qiao Ran had only met people who criticized her indirectly and never experienced a brief comment from someone like Guan Tong.

“You’re a poor girl from the countryside. You’re just lucky to have the opportunity to be married to Brother Han!” Qiao Ran was extremely angry to the point of losing her crafted composure.

“Are you saying that I’m not worthy enough to be married to Lu Han?” Guan Tong’s eyes reddened. She didn’t like the feeling of being looked down upon.

“Qiao Ran, who are you talking about?” At this moment, the Old Madam’s voice was suddenly heard.

“Grandmother.” Guan Tong wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand.

The Old Madam saw Guan Tong’s aggravated look, and the crutch in her hand hit the ground hard. “Qiao Ran, who were you talking about? Do you need to come here and gossip about my family’s matters?”

Qiao Ran’s heart trembled when she saw the Old Madam’s stern look. Old Madam had always been talking kindly to her. She’d never seen Old Madam talking like this before. But today, Qiao Ran was scolded by Old Madam for talking down on an ugly girl. Liu Juan had seen Guan Tong’s usual docility and the Old Madam’s fondness for Guan Tong. She tugged at the corner of Qiao Ran’s clothes.

“Sister-in-law, of course, it was my fault. Please accept my apologies.” Qiao Ran sniffled. This girl was intelligent. Guan Tong could not help but look at Qiao Ran differently. Qiao Ran was not just an empty vessel for Liu Juan’s bidding.

“Miss Qiao, don’t overthink of it. I’m not blaming you.” Guan Tong knew to stop when things were normal. Otherwise, she would leave an impression of being unreasonable and unforgiving in front of the Old Madam.

The Old Madam was very satisfied with Guan Tong’s reaction, and Guan Tong also knew that Old Madam’s impression on her was far more important than winning a fight.

“Alright, it’s true that Ranran is being juvenile and insensible. The next time I hear you disrespecting Tongtong, don’t blame me for being unkind.” Old Madam said.

“Grandmother, I won’t dare offend you again. Please don’t get angry with me.” Qiao Ran held the Old Madam’s arm and acted coquettishly. 

Qiao Ran had heard of the Old Madam’s injunction, and she was immediately afraid of what Old Madam would do. Qiao Ran was a cousin of Liu Juan’s family. She was pretty and sweet-tongued. When she was young, Liu Juan often brought her to the Lu family, so the Old Madam and Qiao Ran would spend time together. No matter what, Qiao Ran was still a child who grew up under Old Madam’s care. 

The Old Madam knew that Qiao Ran liked Lu Han, so she had the idea of letting the two of them get married. Lu Han fell into a coma, and the plan was scrapped. Old Madam also needed a woman born on cloudy days to marry Lu Han voluntarily, so she had no choice but to forget that planned marriage. Now, it seemed that the Taoist priest was right. After Old Madam followed the prophecies, Lu Han’s conditions improved.

“That’s good. Tongtong, don’t fuss about it.” The Old Madam patted Guan Tong’s hand to comfort her. Guan Tong’s goal had already been achieved. Presumably, Liu Juan and Qiao Ran would be more considerate after the fight. In addition, the Old Madam had a good impression of her, so Guan Tong did not want to dig deeper with Qiao Ran.

“Yes, Grandmother.” Guan Tong said.

“How is Han’er today?” The Old Madam’s eyes showed great concern.

“Grandmother, I just gave Lu Han some medicine today.” Guan Tong answered..