A Misty Night, With A Crystal-Clear Moon - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Return of the Cousin

Early that morning, as Yu Linglong finished her ablutions, Cui Xin rushed in excitedly, saying as soon as she entered, “Miss, the cousin is back!””Oh? Really?” This was happy news.Cui Xin nodded. “Yes, she is! She’s in the First Madam’s room right now. I ran to tell Miss as soon as I heard.”Linglong happily stood up and said, “Let’s go, let’s go see my cousin right now.”The two walked over, chatting and laughing. Before they even entered the room, they heard sobbing from inside the window:”Mother, I truly cannot live like this anymore. Before, he would hit me when he drank. Now, he hits me at the slightest inconvenience. I simply cannot go on with this life.””My dear Ping’er, you have truly been wronged. But you have already bowed and exchanged vows with him; you are his wife, and you must live with him for life.””But Mother, how can a daughter live like this? I am a human being after all, and Father is the Police Commissioner!””Alas, my poor, unfortunate child. Who told you he was a relative of the Commander? No matter what, he is a rank above your father. I will talk to your father and ask their side to be more accommodating, but whatever we do is only superficial. You must take charge of your own destiny.””How can I take charge of my own destiny? He is never home, and he never even looks me in the eye. We don’t exchange three sentences of conversation. I am terrified just seeing him; how dare I speak?”Listening from outside, Linglong felt a sudden chill. She abruptly remembered Lang Qiyou’s words that night about finding her a husband. A shiver ran down her spine. If his own daughter had been married into such a family, what would become of her—a person he already disliked? The thought made her tremble uncontrollably. She quickly pulled Cui Xin away cautiously.However, no sooner had she returned to her room than someone came to announce that Miss Lang had returned. Linglong steadied herself, drank a cup of water, and looked at Cui Xin. “Is my attire alright?”Cui Xin, confused, simply nodded. “It’s excellent.”Linglong felt relieved, took two deep breaths, and, bringing Cui Xin with her, went back to Yu Tianmei’s place. This time, the scene was completely different, because Lü Qiao was also present. Seeing Linglong approach, Lü Qiao glared at her and continued speaking to Lang Ping, “It would be impossible to find a second match in all of Shanghai as good as the one you married. Your life of enjoyment is still ahead of you.”Those words stabbed at Lang Ping’s pain again. Lang Ping’s eyes were red, and she remained silent.”Cousin,” Yu Linglong called out happily. She was family, after all.Though Lang Ping had never met Yu Linglong, she had long heard Yu Tianmei talk about her cousin and had eagerly awaited meeting her. Seeing her now, she truly was as likable as her mother had described. Just those expressive eyes made Lang Ping desperately envious.”Cousin, when did you arrive in Shanghai? I’ve missed you so much.”Yu Tianmei was delighted to see the two hit it off and become so close. “She arrived a few days ago. I planned to tell you in a few more days, but I didn’t expect to see you today. Long’er has been talking about you ever since she arrived.””Exactly! I was the only child at home and terribly lonely. I always wished for a sister to talk to, and I’ve been waiting sixteen years for this.””Hmph, you certainly know how to talk,” Lü Qiao said impatiently.Linglong completely ignored her, pulling Lang Ping to sit beside her. “Cousin, how long do you plan to stay this time?”Lang Ping’s face was full of sorrow. “Stay? I have to go back this afternoon.””Why such a hurry? Is there something you must go back for?””Oh dear, do you think Ping’er is like you, Miss Yu, still an unmarried girl with nothing but free time?” Lü Qiao said in a cold, neutral tone.Linglong shot her a glare. “Then don’t go back! Stay here tonight and sleep in my room. We can talk properly.”Lang Ping was delighted to hear this, but Lü Qiao interjected, “I say, Miss Yu, Ping’er is married, after all. How can she stay out and not return home at night?””This is her home too. Don’t forget her surname is Lang,” Yu Linglong retorted.”Yes, but she is married now, and she belongs to her husband’s family. She has no connection to the Lang family anymore.””How can she have no connection to the Lang family? She has the Master’s bl00d flowing in her veins; she is the child of the Shanghai Police Commissioner! She simply has gained another home by marrying. According to your logic, Second Madam, does that mean that when Xiao Bei marries someday, you, her mother, will consider it as having given birth in vain and simply handed her over to strangers?””You!””Furthermore, whether my cousin stays or not is not up to you. Never mind her current status; here, she has her biological father above her and her biological mother beside her. It is absolutely not your place to speak. You should focus on raising your own Xiao Bao and Xiao Bei, hoping they will find you a good daughter-in-law and son-in-law when they grow up. In this day and age, just managing your own affairs is hard enough, don’t you agree, Second Madam?”Yu Linglong was already angry at Lang Qiyou and feeling unhappy. Lü Qiao just happened to run into her, serving as a well-deserved target.Lü Qiao was so angry that smoke seemed to stream from her nostrils. She stood up and fumed, “Hmph! I know this room has no place for me, and I don’t need an outsider like you to drive me out!”With that, she left. Yu Tianmei had not said a word through the entire exchange. She felt deep sympathy for her daughter, despised Lü Qiao, and also protected Linglong. She simply chose to be a silent spectator for once.