Su Xiaoqi knew precisely where Shen Yun's sensitive spot lay.
It was his family.
In the novel, Shen Yun’s entire family was killed, directly or indirectly, by the original host. Because he lacked evidence to prove the original host’s actions at the time, he had endured her.
Once he passed the imperial examinations and gradually entered the officialdom, he immediately revealed his claws to the original host, subjecting her to immense torment until her death, avenging his family.
Now, seeing Huang Liangsheng’s current state and his audacity in reaching for her little sister, he was clearly tired of living.
Su Xiaoqi tilted her head, looking at Shen Yun. The smile in his eyes did not reach his gaze.
He leaned closer to Huang Liangsheng and whispered something only both of them could hear.
Huang Liangsheng’s squinting eyes immediately crinkled into a happy line.
He patted Shen Yun’s shoulder, praising him for being young and promising, stating he would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.
Although others couldn’t hear, Su Xiaoqi clearly did.
Shen Yun invited Huang Liangsheng to stay in the village that night, promising him a surprise.
Despite not explicitly promising anything, the self-congratulatory Huang Liangsheng had already conjured a scenario where his own brother, in pursuit of his own advancement, would offer his sister to him.
After all, he had seen such things frequently.
It was like how Zhao Baoren, years ago, had offered his beautiful eldest daughter to him, an old man, for the mere position of village head.
He chuckled and, led by his retainers, returned to the Zhao residence.
Zhao Haihua had a gut feeling something was amiss. She tugged at Zhao Xiaohua, who was following her, wanting to leave with her.
Shen Yun’s eyes flickered. Su Xiaoqi stepped forward, taking Shen Yun’s arm, claiming she would see them off.
They escorted them to the courtyard entrance.
The newly made cypress wood gate blocked the view of those inside the courtyard.
Shen Yun suddenly spoke, "Aunt Zhao probably doesn't know about the good deeds your dear sister has been up to."
Zhao Haihua's heart skipped a beat.
Having returned to her maiden home twice recently, she had indeed noticed her sister's unusual behavior.
The first time she saw her, her sister’s spirits were low, reminiscent of how she herself felt when she was first sent to the old man’s bed.
And this time, her sister’s behavior was even more unsettling.
Hai'e would occasionally cover her mouth and retch, as if she were pregnant.
"Who, who is it, is it you?" Zhao Haihua’s almond eyes widened, glaring at Shen Yun with a face full of rage.
Shen Yun snorted, advising her to go back and ask her dear sister herself.
Zhao Haihua flicked her sleeve and left, but Shen Yun added a chilling remark from behind her:
"If that old man dares to lay a hand on my little sister, your affair with your dear lover might be exposed. You decide what to do."
"You… Shen, Mr. Shen, what do you mean by that?" Zhao Haihua finally understood Shen Yun's implication.
He first brought up her sister's situation and now he was threatening her.
He, could he possibly be…
Zhao Haihua’s thoughts raced, clutching her chest as she wildly speculated.
She took a few steps back, wanting to ask Shen Yun for clarification.
But he gave her no opportunity, pulling Su Xiaoqi and turning away.
With a "bang," he casually closed the door.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at Shen Yun. Zhao Haihua hadn't understood, but she had grasped it instantly.
Shen Yun was implying that Zhao Haihua should send her dear sister, Zhao Haie, to Huang Liangsheng's bed that night.
Since her purity was already compromised, and she was likely pregnant with Zhao Guanggun's child, this plan would not only resolve her own predicament but also allow her little sister to escape.
Furthermore, it would result in Huang Liangsheng having a son, consolidating their sisters' status in the Huang family.
It was a plan with countless benefits.
"Did she understand?" Su Xiaoqi doubted Zhao Haihua's intelligence was sufficient.
"As long as she cares enough about herself, she'll figure it out. Besides, she has others around her," Shen Yun scoffed lightly.
Just as he surmised, Zhao Haihua had indeed figured it out by the time they left without looking back.
Moreover, Zhao Xiaohua, whether intentionally or unintentionally, had told her about Zhao Haie's previous attempt to scheme against Su Xiaoqi, only to be violated by Zhao Guanggun.
Zhao Haihua's previously desolate face suddenly lit up.
Since her dear sister was no longer a maiden, making a sacrifice was inconsequential.
Zhao Haihua's initially forlorn expression turned resolute.
Meanwhile, as Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi spoke, they returned to their courtyard.
Su Yuru and Su Jiamo were still sitting there, the siblings chatting as if no one else were present, treating the Shen and Zhao families as mere background figures.
When Shen Yun arrived, he bowed to Zhao Ci, thanking them for their visit.
He then cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Dashan and Zhao Erhu, thanking them for building such an excellent house.
He also asked them to arrange the subsequent roof-tiling matters.
Only a portion of the main hall’s roof was not yet tiled, and with a couple more days of work, it would be fully completed.
Shen Yun directly paid Zhao Dashan the remaining balance of three strings of cash.
At Su Xiaoqi's subtle suggestion, he gave them an additional two strings of cash.
He called it tea money, to be distributed among them, acknowledging their dedicated work in building the house so well.
Qian Shi, who had been waiting nearby to witness Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi being ridiculed, seemed to come alive upon seeing the money.
She snatched it from Zhao Dashan’s hand, excitedly clutching the cash and counting it on the simple eight-immortal table, beaming with immense delight.
As long as there was money, she had no interest in any other excitement.
Zhao Dashan quickly snatched most of it back, leaving only a string for her.
He had already calculated that his profit was about five hundred coins.
This money would also need to be divided among other bricklayers, tilers, and carpenters.
Qian Shi, having counted only half a string, found herself left with so little and let out a wail, about to confront Zhao Dashan.
However, she saw her father-in-law’s stern gaze fixing upon her.
She shrunk her shoulders, immediately recalling his reprimand from a few days prior.
Daring not to cause further trouble, she hugged her half string of coins and dragged her precious son, Baogui, away.
Seeing this, Zhao Erhu also called his wife, Wu Shi, to take their son, Baozhong, back home.
He himself stayed behind to finish the tiling.
With some leaving and others busy, they were soon left alone with their own family.
Of course, excluding the Su siblings who insisted on lingering.
Su Xiaoqi stepped forward to usher them out, "Your gift has been delivered, and you've had your meal. We won't keep you any longer. Farewell."
Su Yuru looked at her, her face perpetually adorned with a smile.
She looked at Su Xiaoqi and said gently,
"Sister, why are you in such a hurry to send us away? You aren't returning to your maiden home, and we've come all this way. It would be nice to stay a bit longer."
"Miss Su, you and I, what is our relationship, I believe I don't need to elaborate. Why are you putting on such a pretense with me?"
Su Xiaoqi leaned closer to her, speaking in a voice only they could hear, to taunt her.
To be honest, the last time she encountered Xiao Xique and her group at the tea stall outside the county school,
Su Xiaoqi knew Su Yuru intended to reveal her true identity to Shen Yun.
Although Su Yuru said nothing on the surface, acting with great respect for her as an elder sister,
Su Xiaoqi could tell she harbored feelings for Shen Yun, and thus found her intolerable in every way.
"Sister, how can you speak like that?
I was only concerned about you. Last time, at Xishan Lake, you fell into the water. Fortunately, you're alright."
"Yes, fortunately I am alright. Otherwise, where would your maid Xiao Qi be standing now?"
Su Xiaoqi let out a cold hmph, her gaze fixed on Xiao Qi, standing behind Su Yuru.
Pushing her into the water—if she didn’t avenge this, she wouldn’t be Su Xiaoqi.
She had been too busy these past few days and hadn’t had the chance to deal with it.
She hadn't expected them to deliver themselves to her doorstep so soon.
"Sister, there are some things I wish to discuss with you privately. Can you not always be so confrontational with me?"
Su Yuru softened her tone; she genuinely had something to discuss with Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow. She looked at Su Yuru, curious about what matter had brought her here.
What could they possibly have to talk about between them?