Delicate Beauty Steals the Spring [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 3

Yu Luo suddenly remembered—there really was a cousin living in the Yu residence.

This cousin was the daughter of Madam Yu’s younger sister, named Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran’s mother had passed away five years ago. Because she did not get along with her stepmother in the Liu household, she wrote a letter to Madam Yu and voluntarily came to live in the Yu residence.

The eldest daughter, Yu Luo, was known for being flamboyant and domineering, while her cousin Liu Yanran was gentle and virtuous, so the two naturally didn’t get along.

Yu Luo’s impression of Liu Yanran, however, wasn’t just because of this.

In male-oriented novels, the number of male antagonists always far outnumbered the female ones—and unfortunately, Yu Luo happened to be one of those female villains.

As for her second brother, Yu Che, the second young master of the Marquis’ household, he was one of those antagonists who repeatedly made things difficult for the male lead and was later harshly humiliated by him.

Liu Yanran eventually married Yu Luo’s second brother, Yu Che. After the male lead ascended the throne, he targeted the Yu family at every turn.

When the Yu family lost its former glory and clashed with the emperor, Liu Yanran performed a so-called “righteous act,” handing over evidence of the Yu family’s collusion with other clans. Once the Yu family was thrown into prison, she conveniently secured herself a place in the emperor’s harem.

To be honest, when Yu Luo had read the book, she had disliked this character immensely. Yet the entire comment section had been filled with male readers spamming: “Wife betraying her husband to join Brother Xiao, 666!”

The senior maid Hui Xiang had always favored the gentle and considerate cousin Liu Yanran and despised the temperamental Yu Luo, who often scolded and beat the servants.

Still, Yu Luo was the proper young lady of the Yu household, the rightful master. Whether they liked her or not, the maids had to flatter her.

Hui Xiang smiled and said, “This patterned satin is so bright in color, the young lady usually disdains such things. Since Cousin is always so sensitive, if it were given to the young lady and not to her, she might start weeping again.”

Madam Yu, ever soft-tempered, looked toward Yu Luo.

Yu Luo gently tugged on Madam Yu’s sleeve. “Mother, I’ve recently taken a liking to bright colors.”

Madam Yu was a little surprised—her daughter actually taking the initiative to act spoiled with her? She smiled. “Very well, I’ll have them make you a few more dresses.”

Then she turned to Hui Xiang. “Yanran only said she liked it. I never promised it to her. This is our own household—of course, Luo’er comes first.”

Yu Luo’s eyes grew red again.

It had been so long since she had felt this kind of partial affection.

After her own mother died in a car accident, her father had brought home a new wife the very next year.

The stepmother appeared kind on the surface but secretly schemed against her at every turn.

After spending some more time with Madam Yu, Yu Luo prepared to leave.

As soon as she stepped out of Qingyun Courtyard, she saw a group of people approaching.

Two tall and elegant young men walked side by side. One wore a blue robe, his sword-brows and starry eyes lending him a handsome air. The other wore white, with fair skin and delicate features.

Between them stood a young woman in a pink dress, her looks charming and tender, accompanied by a clever-looking little maid.

The three were chatting and laughing, but when the young woman saw Yu Luo, the smile on her face instantly faded. “Cousin Luo.”

Yu Luo guessed at once that the two men were her elder brothers: the eldest, Yu Yuan, and the second, Yu Che.

And the young woman between them was naturally Cousin Liu Yanran.

Both Yu Yuan and Yu Che treated their younger sister fairly well, but ever since Liu Yanran had arrived—being gentle, considerate, and universally kind—everyone in the household had taken a liking to her.

Given her pitiful background and virtuous demeanor, compared to the arrogant and willful eldest daughter, it was only natural that people favored the guest cousin more.

Yu Luo cast Liu Yanran a calm glance and smiled faintly. “Cousin and brothers have also come to greet Mother?”

Liu Yanran was taken aback. It was rare to hear Yu Luo speak in such a normal tone.

Yu Che nodded. “We happened to meet Yanran on the way, so we came together.”

Yu Luo’s mind was still preoccupied with the male lead’s injuries. Not wanting to talk further, she merely exchanged a few pleasantries and excused herself.

After she left, Liu Yanran said, “Cousin Luo’s expression seemed a bit off today. Could it be that she’s still upset about those bottles of sweet osmanthus dew?”

A few days ago, Yu Che had obtained several bottles of sweet osmanthus dew and had intended to send them to Yu Luo.

But Liu Yanran suddenly fell ill and said she had lost her appetite. Since the dew was fragrant and appetizing, Yu Che gave all of it to her instead.

When Yu Luo found out afterward, she flew into a rage.

The maids who served her all suffered her wrath.

Yu Che, unconcerned, said, “It was only a few bottles of flavored dew. Luo’er isn’t such a petty person—she’s probably already forgotten.”

“Is that so? I hope so.” Liu Yanran sighed softly. “Though yesterday I heard she punished the servants again. On such a stormy night, she beat a guard until he was covered in wounds and then forced him to kneel outside all night.”

Still talking, the three entered Madam Yu’s courtyard.

Once inside, Liu Yanran noticed Hui Xiang, Madam Yu’s senior maid, coming out carrying a roll of brocade.

It was a bolt of pink patterned satin, exquisitely rich, with intricately woven motifs—an inch of brocade worth an inch of gold. Normally, such fabric was reserved for the consorts in the imperial palace.

Liu Yanran had coveted it for some time. She had often mentioned her fondness for it, knowing Madam Yu had some stored away.

Now, seeing Hui Xiang carrying it out, Liu Yanran instinctively assumed it was meant for her.

Madam Yu, ever gracious, had Yu Yuan and Yu Che sit down while she held Liu Yanran’s hand and spoke kindly.

A little while later, Liu Yanran prepared to leave. Her maid, Cai Die, noticed the satin placed nearby and smiled brightly. “This must be for our young lady, yes? She adores this fabric.”

Liu Yanran quickly stopped her. “Cai Die, don’t speak nonsense.”

Madam Yu explained, “Just now, Luo’er came by. I saw her skirt had been soaked by the rain, so I told the seamstresses to make her a few new dresses.”

Liu Yanran felt a flicker of disappointment but said nothing, leaving with her maid.

On the way back, Cai Die muttered unhappily, “How is she worthy of such fine satin? She has no talent, no virtue, and only bullies the servants all day. Giving it to her is such a waste.”

Liu Yanran said coolly, “In front of the Yu family, you mustn’t say such things. Don’t forget—we are only guests here, living under another’s roof.”

Cai Die sighed. “I just feel wronged on your behalf. In every way you’re better than the eldest young lady, yet you must yield to her again and again.”

They walked on a while longer until Cai Die spotted a familiar figure. Her eyes lit up. “Isn’t that the eldest young lady? What is she looking at over there?”