Mother had said that the aphrodisiac was extremely potent. Even the most chaste woman would turn into a wanton one under its influence.
Jealousy burned in Cheng Siyi's chest, but her smile only grew wider.
It didn't matter that Liang Yuchuan favored Cheng Simian.
She was the one who had had a proper betrothal ceremony. She was the future marquis's wife.
Cheng Simian's attempt to seduce Liang Yuchuan was a shameful and underhanded move. Not only would it disgrace her, but it would also stain the reputation of the marquis's mansion.
Father had always been most concerned about his reputation. If his daughter did something so shameless, he would surely fly into a rage and give Cheng Simian a severe beating.
In a fit of anger, he might even strangle her.
Even if Lady Rong pleaded for mercy, it would be of no use.
Then, she would step forward and show her magnanimity and virtue.
Cheng Simian had engaged in an illicit affair. It was an improper relationship. But for the sake of Liang Yuchuan's reputation, she was willing to take her elder sister as a concubine and give her a place to stay.
The legitimate daughter as a concubine, and the illegitimate daughter as the wife. From then on, all the glory and good reputation would belong to her.
Cheng Simian would be left with a stinking reputation and a lifetime of shame.
Thinking of this, Cheng Siyi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
...
Liang Yuchuan arrived at Cheng Simian's courtyard.
It was deathly quiet inside and out. There was not a soul in sight.
This only strengthened his belief that Cheng Simian couldn't forget about him.
She not only wanted to pour out her feelings and express her remorse but also intended to take advantage of the solitude to have an intimate encounter with him and solidify their relationship.
Liang Yuchuan's mind was filled with lewd images.
When he reached the door, a woman's soft moan reached his ears.
It was so seductive that it made his bones go weak.
A wave of heat rushed to his abdomen. He couldn't wait to push open the door and lift the curtain.
"Little master, I've missed you so much~"
Liang Yuchuan was shocked.
Meanwhile, Cheng Siyi found Cheng Yong and burst into tears, looking extremely pitiful.
"Father, you must avenge your daughter!"
All the guests stopped chatting and looked at Cheng Siyi curiously and confusedly.
Cheng Yong frowned. "It's a joyous occasion. Why are you crying? It's so inauspicious!"
Cheng Siyi's eyes were filled with tears as she sobbed. "Elder sister pretended to be magnanimous on the surface and gave this betrothal to me. But behind my back, she seduced Young Master Liang to her boudoir. Even if elder sister looks down on me, she shouldn't have embarrassed me on my betrothal day!"
"What did you say?"
Cheng Yong was furious. He slammed the table and could hardly sit still.
All the guests, men and women alike, were looking at him with strange expressions, as if secretly laughing at his poor family management. His daughter dared to seduce her future brother-in-law right under everyone's noses.
Wasn't this blatant incestuous adultery?
Cheng Yong couldn't bear those looks. He felt as if he had needles in his back.
He wished he could skin Cheng Simian alive right away.
Cheng Siyi's cries had already alerted everyone inside and out. It was impossible to hide this family scandal anymore.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go with me to catch that shameless slut!"
Only Lady Rong remained calm. "My lord, why do you believe everything you hear? Just now, the female guests saw that Mianmian's maid dirtied her dress, so she went to change it. How could there be any such thing as seducing her future brother-in-law?"
"Whether there is or not is not for mother to decide. Let father go to elder sister's boudoir and find out for himself. Then the truth will be revealed," Cheng Siyi said confidently.
Lady Rong's words made Cheng Yong calm down a little.
Although he didn't like his eldest daughter, he knew that she was the most chaste and reserved.
She clearly looked down on Liang Yuchuan. Why would she deliberately seduce him?
"Father, whether there is or not, let's go and take a look. It will also clear elder sister's name. If I'm wrong, I'm willing to be punished!"
Cheng Yong looked around and indeed didn't see Liang Yuchuan.
His heart sank further.
After some hesitation, under the gazes of all the guests, he made a decision. "Let's go and take a look!"
"My lord, don't regret it when you go," Lady Rong warned coldly.
"Father will never regret it!" Cheng Siyi was afraid that Cheng Yong would back down.
The group walked in a grand manner towards Cheng Simian's courtyard.
Cheng Siyi was so excited that she could hardly contain her laughter. She walked at the front with light and brisk steps.
Cheng Yong followed closely behind with a tense face.
Many guests followed out of curiosity and a desire to watch the show.
Lady Rong followed slowly at the end of the line.
As they passed by Lady Rong's courtyard, a graceful figure walked out.
"Father, where are you taking so many guests?"
Cheng Yong was stunned to see Cheng Simian looking so calm.
"Why are you here?"
Cheng Siyi was shocked and shrieked in disbelief.
Something was wrong. Completely wrong!
Cheng Simian should have gone back to her boudoir to change her clothes, been affected by the aphrodisiac, and then Liang Yuzhou would have entered. Cheng Simian would have been burning with desire and had an affair with Liang Yuchuan...
But why did she look so unharmed?
Cheng Yong was completely confused. He looked at Cheng Simian and then glared angrily at Cheng Siyi.
"What's going on?"
He didn't know who to question. He shook his fat, pale face and roared incoherently.
Cheng Simian remained calm and unhurried. "My dress got wet. Mother's courtyard was closer, so I changed my clothes there. When I came out, I saw this scene. Father, has something happened in the inner courtyard?"
Lady Rong's courtyard was right next to Cheng Simian's.
Just as Cheng Siyi was gaping in astonishment and Cheng Yong and the guests were completely bewildered, a sudden roar came. "Don't touch me. Get away!"
Lady Rong said angrily, "My lord, that's Young Master Liang's voice. What is he doing in Mianmian's room?"
Another voice came out. "Little master, come quickly. I'm burning with desire. I'll serve you. Let's enjoy ourselves together~"
The tone was even more coquettish and lascivious than that of a brothel girl soliciting customers!
Lady Rong said sharply, "Isn't that Concubine Yu? She's trying to seduce a man right under my lord's nose and wants to pour dirt on Mianmian?"
Cheng Yong's face turned green instantly.
All the guests fell into an eerie silence.
When Cheng Siyi heard this voice, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
It was as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head. She felt cold all over, and her vision went black.
Why was it mother?
Where had things gone wrong?
Cheng Yong was furious.
He rushed into Cheng Simian's boudoir in one stride.
The guests who didn't want to miss the show followed closely behind.
Cheng Siyi was carried along by the crowd and walked forward tremblingly.
When the door was broken open, a lewd and exciting scene was revealed before everyone's eyes.
Concubine Yu's face was flushed. She was naked and clinging to Liang Yuchuan like a boneless creature.
Liang Yuchuan's clothes were in a mess. He was furious and kept pushing Concubine Yu away.
But Concubine Yu clung to him like an octopus.
She was like a lustful beast, shameless and out of her mind.
"Whore! Slut!"
Cheng Yong slapped Concubine Yu across the face.
Concubine Yu staggered from the blow, but she seemed not to feel the pain. She got up and reached out to grab Liang Yuchuan's sleeve.
"I'm so uncomfortable. Master, please love me~"
Cheng Yong was enraged. He pinned Concubine Yu to the ground and kicked and punched her.
Cheng Siyi's legs went limp. She collapsed to the ground and wished she could faint right away.
She must be dreaming!
Suddenly, she met a pair of cold and deep eyes.