The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

"It's normal for Su Chengmin to develop feelings for Gu Taohua when he was down on his luck, but that doesn't mean he'll always like her. Now he's the leader of the Imperial Guard, and if there are girls better than Gu Taohua willing to marry him, how could he not be tempted? Let me tell you, that's how men are. They're always looking for something better than what they have. No matter how good the girl beside them is, they'll be quicker to accept any offer from other girls than anyone else."

"That Gu Taohua is so shrewish that she could force Princess Mingyue to bow her head. Would she be the same way with men? What man wants to be subservient to a woman? Her family must be quite uncouth. I heard her mother was a female merchant, otherwise who would allow a young woman to show her face in public? Deep down, men don't like women like Gu Taohua. They prefer gentle and considerate women. Su Chengmin is a man, and he has all the flaws that men should have."

Madam Lu then analyzed for Lu Yin'er where she was better than Gu Taohua.

Min Baozhen and Gu Taohua have similar personalities. She thought she had defeated Min Baozhen by being subservient and humble.

Then Lu Yin'er can also defeat Gu Taohua.

After hearing what Lu Shi said, Lu Yin'er said, "But what my cousin said to me today was very unpleasant."

Lu Yin'er then told Madam Lu what Su Chengmin had said about her. If she weren't her aunt, she wouldn't know how to say Su Chengmin's words comparing her to a brothel owner.

That's so hurtful!
Madam Lu scolded Su Chengmin and then berated Lu Yin'er for being useless, crying and whining at the slightest thing.

"Of course he said that in front of Gu Taohua. Men say one thing and think another. The reason he cursed you like that is because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself and would take his anger out on you. He can curse all he wants, and you can flirt all you want." Madam Lu thought she understood men very well.

Su Shihang is a case in point.

Of all the young ladies in Shengjing back then, he chose Min Baozhen, all because Min Baozhen pursued him relentlessly.

Lu Yin'er lowered her head, vaguely feeling that her aunt's words were not right.

The way Su Chengmin looked at her was completely different from how he looked at Gu Taohua.

The way he looked at her never showed the slightest hint of frivolity, nor the slightest bit of tenderness.

Seeing that Lu Yin'er remained silent, Madam Lu asked, "Do you really want to be the wife of the Imperial Guard leader? If you do, then you'd better perk up. What does it matter what he says to you? Back then, your uncle abandoned me, but I still went to his door, humbled myself, and won back his heart. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have the good life I have now."

Lu Yin'er naturally wanted to be the wife of the leader of the Imperial Guard.

Once she became the wife of the leader of the Imperial Guard, she could be on equal footing with her aunt. With her as a support, her parents would no longer be controlled by her aunt.

Lu Yin'er said, "But what if my cousin doesn't like me?"

"All I just said was for nothing. If he doesn't like you, then you should find a way to make him like you. You've been by my side for so many years, I've invested so much in you, I've pampered you and taught you so many tricks, why won't you use them? Put aside your pride, go and confront him every day, show him concern and care, I don't believe he can resist."

“Lu Yin’er, you must be strong. If I can defeat Min Baozhen, you can keep her son in check. If you can’t keep Su Chengmin in check, when his wings are stronger than your uncle’s, Chengji and I will be crushed by him, and you will have no support anymore.”

Mrs. Lu was quite disappointed in him.

The "inheritance" mentioned by Madam Lu refers to Madam Lu's biological son, Su Chengmin's half-brother.

"Mother, cousin."

Speaking of Su Chengji, Su Chengji has arrived from outside.

Because of Su Chengji's birth, Lu Shi had the power to counter Min Baozhen in the Su family. Therefore, Lu Shi regarded Su Chengji as her everything and spoiled him from childhood.

Su Chengji now has the typical playboy behavior of Shengjing Bao.

"My son, where have you been shopping again?" Madam Lu said with a smile.

Su Chengji said, "I've taken a fancy to a cricket. Mother, could you give me two thousand taels of silver?"

Madam Lu said, "Don't be fooled again. What cricket is worth two thousand taels?" Su Chengji rolled into Madam Lu's arms and said, "This cricket is nicknamed 'General,' and it wins every battle. Mother, I'll use this cricket to win silver and then buy you black pearls. The pearl shops on East Market Street have rare black pearls, and I heard they're very expensive."

Lu Shi was amused by Su Chengji's words and called to her head maid to take Su Chengji to withdraw the money.

The money in the Su family should be spent by her son. If her son doesn't spend it, is it Su Chengmin's turn to spend it?

Su Chengji stood up from Madam Lu's arms and looked up to meet Lu Yin'er's gaze.

Lu Yin'er didn't want others to see her red, swollen eyes, so she lowered her head slightly, revealing a long neck and a slender waist, exuding charm. Su Chengji narrowed his eyes; this cousin, whom he had never paid much attention to, had suddenly blossomed.

This scene was witnessed by Madam Lu, who calmly chased Su Chengji away.

After Su Chengji left, Madam Lu's face darkened as she lashed out at Lu Yin'er: "Use your seductive charm on the right people. If you dare to ruin the men in the family, you can go back to the Lu family in the countryside."

The sudden outburst of anger from the Lu family startled Lu Yin'er.

Is this a suspicion that she seduced her cousin Su Chengji?
Honestly, she never had any romantic feelings for her cousin.

Forget about seducing her, she wouldn't even look at her cousin.

Putting aside the fact that he is not as good-looking as Su Chengmin, he is even less successful.

Lu Yin'er felt a tightness in her chest from anger, but dared not refute anything.

She knew that Madam Lu valued Su Chengji more than anything else.

Lu Yin'er explained with a weak expression, "Aunt, who is my cousin? Putting aside the fact that he is a proper young master of the Su family, how could a country girl like me be worthy of him? Besides, I only treat my cousin as my own brother, and I swear I have absolutely no ill intentions towards him."

After examining Lu Yin'er, Madam Lu found Lu Yin'er's frail and delicate appearance particularly striking.

In fact, Lu Yin'er has never changed, but when she is in front of Su Chengmin, Lu feels that she should be like this; but when she is with her son, she labels her a vixen.

Madam Lu's face was very unpleasant, and she began to suspect Lu Yin'er.

Could it be that Lu Yin'er, having failed to seduce Su Chengmin, has turned to seduce her own son? Her son is pure of heart; he might just be able to seduce her every time.

No, we must get Lu Yin'er to win over Su Chengmin as soon as possible.

Madam Lu made up her mind and said, "Next month is the old lady's birthday. Su Chengmin should come to celebrate the birthday with my grandmother. I will make the arrangements. If you do as I say, I guarantee you will become the wife of the leader of the Imperial Guard."

Lu Yin'er guessed what her aunt was thinking.

They're simply using her innocence as leverage.

She felt a chill in her heart, wondering how Su Chengmin would view her after it was all over.

Madam Lu sneered, "Don't pretend to be wronged. Without some tricks, how could our Lu family's daughter have climbed up to Su Chengmin? Remember the principle of thick skin getting you something for nothing. Face is for outsiders, but real substance is what matters."

"Your parents will be happy for you if you become the wife of the leader of the Imperial Guard."

Lu Yin'er's eyes flickered.

Can she say no?
No. (End of Chapter)