Chapter 166: The True Face of Cirigliano Exposed

"You little bitches!" Qi Erliu cursed to her heart's content, her features even twisting out of shape. "Are you all teaming up to make a fool of me? Let me tell you, I won't let you get your way! You're all cheap sluts, sluts!"

Yu Jingxiao was completely dumbfounded.

Though Qi Erliu was facing him directly, he was far too familiar with the back of his beloved's figure.

That was Qi Erliu?

These words were actually coming from Qi Erliu's mouth?

Such a gentle person as her, how could she...

Out of the corner of her eye, Xiao Yawen caught sight of Yu Jingxiao.

Gathering her thoughts, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "Madam Yu, please don't be angry. What is the matter? Why are you suddenly so angry? What, what have we done wrong?"

"Don't play innocent with me!" Qi Erliu shoved her hard again, pointing at her nose and screaming abuse, "You little vixen, don't think I can't tell what you're up to! You want to seduce Yu Jingxiao, right? I'm telling you, in your dreams!"

"I really didn't!" Xiao Yawen's tears were already falling. "How could I possibly have improper thoughts about Young Master Yu?"

"Still playing dumb, aren't you? I know everything! Not just you, but also Lin Sangqian, and you, surnamed Zhao! You're all eyeing Yu Jingxiao! Lin Sangqian, you're the cheapest of them all. Every day you claim you're discussing business with Yu Jingxiao—who knows what the two of you are actually discussing!"

Yu Jingxiao looked at the hysterical woman not far away, his mind completely blank.

At that moment, he suddenly found Qi Erliu to be completely unfamiliar.

Was this truly the person he loved?

Why was she so completely different from the way she acted in front of him?

Between him and Lin Sangqian, things were truly purer than crystal water, yet she had never uttered a single word of suspicion before.

Was this truly what she thought deep down?

Did she really use such vicious language to describe others?

Were all those gentle and virtuous qualities about her... simply fake?

"Just you wait! Sooner or later, I'll skin every single one of you alive! Let's see how you dare try to seduce Yu Jingxiao then!"

Qi Erliu cursed with utter satisfaction, as if venting all the accumulated anger of the past several days.

Besides, Yu Jingxiao was currently discussing business with Lu Chengren; there was no way he would come to this place!

If Lin Sangqian complained to Yu Jingxiao later, she would just play the pitiful victim and claim they were all targeting and slandering her!

Yu Jingxiao loved her so deeply; he had never once doubted a single word she said.

***

Seeing Yu Jingxiao's expression, Kangya knew the time was right. She coughed twice and then smiled, "Erliu, what is the matter with you? What could possibly be worth getting this angry over?"

Hearing Kangya's voice, Qi Erliu whipped her head around, ready to unleash another round of fierce curses.

The vicious, distorted expression was still plastered across her face, but the moment she turned, she froze instantly in her tracks.

Yu... Yu Jingxiao?

Was that man standing beside Kangya really Yu Jingxiao?

Why was he here? How was this possible?

Wasn't he supposed to be discussing business with Lu Chengren?

Why was he looking at her with that kind of gaze?

So, he had seen everything she had just done?

He had heard every word she had just said?

In an instant, Qi Erliu panicked so intensely she had no idea how to pretend anymore.

She might not have known what to do, but Xiao Yawen certainly did.

She immediately began to sob, "Madam Yu, if you feel our hospitality is inadequate, you should just say so directly. Why say such things? Could it be that you wish to ruin the friendship between the Lin and Yu families, and destroy the business between our houses?"

"I—I didn't!" Qi Erliu stammered in panic. "I..."

Yu Jingxiao took two steps forward, looking at Qi Erliu, and spoke with great difficulty: "Erliu, just now..."

He couldn't go on.

He didn't even know how to describe her appearance just then.

It was truly terrifying.

He had known Qi Erliu for over a year and had been married to her for several months, yet he had never once seen this side of her.

Was the version of her in front of him real, or was this version of her the real one?

"Forgive us, Young Master Yu," Xiao Yawen said again. "It was all our fault for displeasing Madam Yu."

"Jingxiao!" Qi Erliu lunged forward toward Yu Jingxiao, grabbing his arm and pleading, "Let's go home, okay? Let's go home first... Whatever the matter is, we can talk about it when we get back!"

If she stayed in front of these bitches any longer, she wouldn't even have a chance to defend herself!

Especially that Xiao Yawen—she was truly a master at playing the pitiful victim!

***

Yu Jingxiao gave a stiff nod. "Alright, let's go home first."

His mind was in complete turmoil, and as he left, he even forgot to bid farewell to Lin Sangqian.

"Hey..." Xiao Yawen felt a bit anxious and wanted to stop them, but Lin Sangqian shook her head at her.

After they had departed, Xiao Yawen asked in confusion, "Sister Sangqian, why did you just let them leave like that?"

"If we had tried to stop them from leaving, it would have been far too deliberate, and Yu Jingxiao would have seen right through it," Lin Sangqian said. "He is blinded by romance, but he isn't a fool."

"But once it's just the two of them, Qi Erliu will definitely rack her brains to explain away her behavior just now and shift all the blame onto us," Zhao Lan儿 said with deep worry. "Won't our entire scheme have been for nothing then?"

Wang Qiongshi agreed, "Indeed. Didn't you say Qi Erliu is exceptionally skilled at playing the victim?"

"I know," Lin Sangqian smiled. "However, no matter what, she has already exposed that side of herself in front of Yu Jingxiao, and that is an indisputable fact. From now on, Yu Jingxiao will never trust her the way he used to."

After all, the side of her he had just witnessed was something Qi Erliu had never once displayed in front of him.

Yu Jingxiao would inevitably begin to suspect whether all her previous gentle façades were purely manufactured.

From now on, no matter what she said or did, Yu Jingxiao would instinctively wonder if it was just another act.

"Sangqian makes a valid point," Kangya said as she walked over. "I understand Jingxiao. Even though he is currently blinded by love, once a crack is torn open, he will only grow clearer and clearer-headed."

With that, she let out a long sigh of relief.

At last, Yu Jingxiao had been made to see Qi Erliu's true colors.

"Oh my, such a smooth plan is certainly reason to celebrate," Zhao Laner said with a smile. "You haven't had lunch yet, have you? I'll have the kitchen prepare some wine and dishes so you can all taste the craftsmanship of our tavern's chef today."

"Then many thanks, Proprietress Zhao!"

***

Inside the carriage, an oppressive silence hung heavy enough to suffocate.

Qi Erliu's heart was pounding wildly with panic as she tightly gripped Yu Jingxiao's hand.

Fortunately, Yu Jingxiao did not push her away.

Yet the solemn expression on his face filled her with deep dread.