Su Xiaoqi noticed Mei Xin seemed resentful, initially struggling to understand her thoughts.
Logically, she could understand Mei Xin hating her and Shen Yun.
After all, the couple hadn't treated her particularly well.
But it wasn't that bad either.
When she lived at the Shen residence, she was served good food and drink.
A small maid was even assigned to attend to her.
Compared to her previous life, this was already much better.
However, she didn't seem like a grateful person.
She didn't consider why they were so good to her.
Instead, she always wanted to use her perceived abilities to do things that would displease Su Xiaoqi, the mistress of the house.
This determined that Su Xiaoqi could not possibly get along with her.
She couldn't just let a woman move into her home and openly demand her husband, and expect her to comply!
Because she and Shen Yun could not possibly fulfill that wish, and she was stuck in a rut, unable to come to terms with it, leading to resentment towards them, Su Xiaoqi understood.
But Madam Zhao was wholeheartedly thinking of her well-being.
Although they hadn't spent much time together, Su Xiaoqi could tell that Madam Zhao genuinely intended for Mei Xin to have a good life.
However, Mei Xin's heart had long been twisted by her unusual early experiences and the inhumane abuse she had endured.
She would remember grudges against those who treated her poorly.
But she couldn't remember the kindness shown to her.
In this vast world, some people are just like this, acting in ways that seem incomprehensible but are content and immersed in their own ways.
Su Xiaoqi had no intention of correcting her values or worldview, nor did she have the obligation to do so.
She simply wanted to ensure that Mei Xin could not harm her or those she cared about.
After Mei Xin left, Su Xiaoqi made an excuse to see her out and followed behind her.
Mei Xin snapped back to attention upon hearing the commotion, and her eyes immediately looked at Su Xiaoqi with a venomous glint.
"You, you mustn't be too smug," Mei Xin suddenly reached out and pointed at Su Xiaoqi.
Her slender, sharp finger pointed directly at Su Xiaoqi's nose.
Su Xiaoqi frowned, gently pushed her hand away, and said coldly, "I hate it when people point fingers at me."
"You, Su Xiaoqi, I don't need your pity…"
"Alright, then you can leave. This is my home, and I don't want to see you anymore."
Mei Xin was taken aback and hesitated, "Su Xiaoqi… you, you are so heartless. Aren't you afraid that if Brother Yun returns and can't find me, he'll blame you?
And, and Aunt Zhao…"
"Hmph, do you even remember why you were allowed to stay at the Shen residence?
If it weren't for the fact that you are acquainted with them, I would have only temporarily agreed to let you stay here.
But this is absolutely not an excuse for you to run wild and disregard others.
Otherwise, I'll kick you out in a second."
Su Xiaoqi's words were quite harsh.
Mei Xin's resentful gaze faltered under the onslaught.
She looked at Su Xiaoqi with a hint of disbelief.
How could she be so heartless, so this way.
"No, no, you can't drive me away. I want to be with Brother Yun, I want to live here," Mei Xin demanded as if she were going mad.
Su Xiaoqi ignored her, merely glaring at her without speaking.
Mei Xin was also an intelligent person.
It was just that after arriving at the Shen residence, she had suffered too many blows, and her mind was somewhat unsettled.
After being doused with such a large basin of cold water by Su Xiaoqi, she suddenly understood.
That's right, Su Xiaoqi truly disliked her.
And the reason she could accept her staying was precisely because she was an acquaintance of Brother Yun and Aunt Zhao.
Without their help, she would have long been driven away by Su Xiaoqi.
After all, there was no affection between them.
Moreover, she was constantly plotting in her heart to snatch her husband.
Mei Xin, realizing this, immediately understood her predicament.
She lowered her head, suddenly regained her composure, and bowed respectfully to Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi called for Zicao to escort her back to the front courtyard.
Mei Xin's heart sank again.
Earlier, Aunt Zhao had already agreed to let her stay in the back courtyard.
She had even said there was a side room adjacent to her main room that could be set up as a room for her to stay in.
Who would have thought…
But she dared not speak carelessly anymore.
She had already experienced Su Xiaoqi's formidable nature.
This woman was definitely not someone to be dealt with impulsively or without thought.
She needed to request external assistance, otherwise, this move of hers might be ruined.
Su Xiaoqi knew she was hatching some wicked plans, but she didn't care, nor did she take it to heart.
As long as Mei Xin was within the Shen residence, Su Xiaoqi just needed to keep a close eye on her; she wouldn't escape her grasp.
Although she thought this way, Su Xiaoqi did not relax. Besides assigning the young maid Xiang'er to attend to Mei Xin, she also asked Zhang Yu to investigate who it was that brought Mei Xin into the back courtyard that day.
The Zhuangyuan Residence was not large, and the household was simple.
Zhang Yu found out without much effort.
She reported it to Su Xiaoqi.
By then, it was nearing nightfall.
Shen Yun finally returned.
Zhang Yu glanced at Shen Yun, hesitating whether to speak.
Seeing her demeanor, Su Xiaoqi suddenly smiled.
Zhang Yu was originally Shen Yun's person. Su Xiaoqi had once thought she was Shen Yun's person.
Therefore, in the past, she often acted on Shen Yun's behalf.
But as time passed and she followed Su Xiaoqi more.
Perhaps Zhang Yu herself didn't realize when she had started to stand on Su Xiaoqi's side.
When speaking and acting, she would involuntarily consider Su Xiaoqi.
Shen Yun also noticed this, and his expression was not particularly expressive.
In fact, he had expected it long ago.
Given his wife's character, winning over Zhang Yu was not difficult.
He would have been surprised if she hadn't managed to win her over for her own use by now.
"Speak, your lady is not an outsider," Su Xiaoqi said with a smile.
Zhang Yu then revealed, "This servant went to investigate. The person who brought Mei Xin to the back courtyard was Ziyu."
"Ziyu, she's stretching her reach rather far," Su Xiaoqi snorted coldly.
As she was pondering how to deal with Ziyu, Shen Yun said, "Tie her up and hand her over to Zhang Lei for disposal."
Su Xiaoqi was slightly surprised. She was just a little maid in the back courtyard; why would she warrant Zhang Lei's intervention?
Shen Yun asked, "Does Madam remember the incident during the Dragon Boat Festival last time when those maids betrayed their masters?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded. She was one of the people involved, so of course, she remembered.
If she hadn't been there at the time, Brother Bao and Princess Hui'an would have been in danger.
"Oh, what's the problem with that?" Su Xiaoqi asked, sensing Shen Yun wanted to explain.
"Minister Wang has been secretly investigating this matter for a long time. He says the maids' betrayal was no accident, and it's possible someone was secretly plotting behind the scenes."
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes, indicating she was listening intently.
Shen Yun added, "So, investigate Ziyu."
Su Xiaoqi nodded, "That's reasonable. After all, Mei Xin just arrived at the Zhuangyuan Residence and is staying in the front courtyard.
She probably hasn't even figured out how many courtyards there are in the residence or which way the doors open.
How could it be such a coincidence that she got involved with Ziyu? It's good to investigate."
Su Xiaoqi agreed wholeheartedly.
Zhang Yu immediately went to carry out the task and soon returned to report that Zhang Lei, upon receiving the Minister's orders, had happily gone to apprehend Ziyu.
Shen Yun said coldly, "Don't cause any deaths. He can do as he pleases with the rest."
Su Xiaoqi looked at his profile and realized once again that the true powerful official, Shen Yun, had awakened.
However, she wondered if their relationship would consequently grow distant.