In recent days, Jiang Yuchao had been staying peacefully at Mingyue Monastery, learning to read and write and getting used to the writing style in this world. Without punctuation, and not like the modern vernacular throughout, it was really difficult when she first started reading.

But all of this was necessary, otherwise she wouldn't be able to understand her own dowry list, various land deeds, and the indenture contracts of the servants and maids. She might even be at a disadvantage in future disputes if she didn't have the literacy, and she absolutely couldn't suffer losses due to lack of education.

Seeing their mistress so calm, the servants and maids who had been crying for two days finally recovered and began to cautiously curry favor with her. This was an era where slave trade was legal, and the owners who possessed these servants' indenture contracts held the power of life and death over them.

So these servants, who basically belonged to Xiao Jinyue, all wholeheartedly wanted the best for her, mostly considering and worrying for her sake. This was what was generally referred to as "loyal servants".

It's just that Jiang Yuchao was not an easy person to get along with. In her original world, she had no close relatives or friends, and was indifferent to everyone except for a celebrity she chased like a crazed stalker.

After arriving here, she also had no interest in making friends. She disliked having so many people revolving around her, but in the end she didn't dismiss these servants and maids, keeping them all in this courtyard. If she didn't like them, she would have them stay in other rooms to do some chores, and as long as they didn't cause trouble, she would ignore them all.

After a few days, a few quick-witted maids understood her preferences. They changed from their previous timidity and took the initiative to serve her. Jiang Yuchao didn't drive them away, and gradually she would also instruct them on some matters, occasionally chatting with them.

"Today when I went out to buy pastries for the mistress, I heard people everywhere discussing how Prince Yu whipped the son of Minister Du with a horse whip, making him roll on the ground and completely lose face. But after today, I'm afraid few people will dare to openly talk about Prince Yu's affairs anymore."

The maid Lan Qiao was a bold one. She was not favored by Xiao Jinyue before, but now she had become Jiang Yuchao's right-hand woman. She often ran out to purchase things that Mingyue Monastery didn't have, and was well-informed.

Jiang Yuchao read the words in the book and, upon hearing this, curled her lips. Prince Yu had suffered the pain of rumors these past few days, but couldn't lash out. Now that he caught a loudmouthed chicken, of course he had to kill the chicken to show the monkeys. On the surface, no one dared to discuss this matter, but privately it was uncertain.

When Jiang Yuchao read the original novel, that Prince Yu initially married Xiao Jinyue to gain the support of Prime Minister Xiao and obtain the position of commanding the Dongshan Battalion. Later, when his position was secure, he wanted to get rid of Xiao Jinyue.

Even though he knew the women in the mansion were falsely accusing her, he pretended not to know and went with the flow, using this method to abandon Xiao Jinyue. He didn't care how the timid Xiao Jinyue would live after this matter spread.

Now let him also taste the pain of hurtful rumors. This bastard wanted to throw someone away like a chamber pot, so she would turn it upside down on his face. In this life, no one should ever think of messing with her. Whoever messes with her, she will mess with them.

"Mistress! Mistress, bad news!" Gui Ying hurried in and said quickly, "The Fourth Young Lady of the mansion came together with the two young misses Jinzhu and Jinshan, bringing people with them."

Lan Qiao immediately stood up. "The Fourth Young Lady has always been at odds with you, Mistress. She definitely doesn't mean well by coming this time. Mistress, should we prepare?"

Jiang Yuchao said, "Prepare a plate of melon seeds for yourself, then close the courtyard gate and tell everyone not to make a sound later."

Soon, a delicate female voice came from outside the door. "Why is this door closed? Isn't our Third Sister living here? You all, hurry and open the door."

Someone loudly knocked and pushed on the door, but unfortunately, the door was very sturdy. Without pulling the latch from the inside, the people outside couldn't open it at all.

"Where are the maids? How can there not be a single servant? They don't even come to open the door when they hear the noise! What kind of nonsense is this!" The delicate female voice said angrily.

Inside the courtyard, Jiang Yuchao turned a deaf ear, pondering a familiar-looking traditional Chinese character in the book.

"Hey! Is there anyone inside? Open the door quickly!"

"Third Sister? Xiao Jinyue! Open the door! How can you lock us outside!"

"Yes, yes, Third Sister is inside. We sisters came to see you, but how can you lack sisterly affection like this? Could it be that you don't dare to see anyone?"

No matter what the people outside the courtyard said or shouted, Jiang Yuchao remained silent, and the courtyard was quiet and peaceful. Xiao Jinxiang had finally gotten this opportunity to go out, just to come and ridicule and humiliate Xiao Jinyue, and to vent her anger.

For this, she had specially brought the two sisters from the eldest uncle's family to witness Xiao Jinyue's embarrassment. Who knew that when they arrived, they couldn't even enter the door. Without humiliating the person, they would return empty-handed, which instead angered her again.

After the people outside left, Jiang Yuchao was still reading. Lan Qiao held a plate of melon seeds and said hatefully in a low voice, "Mistress, why didn't you let them in? They will think we are afraid of them."

Jiang Yuchao turned a page. "Knowing that they came prepared, and still confronting them head-on, isn't it too foolish when we are not at an advantage? Arguing with people doesn't mean victory just because you win the argument. In the end, why do we argue with people? Isn't it just to vent anger? There is only one purpose, to anger the other party to death. So don't look at the process first, just look at who is angrier in the end."

Hearing this, Lan Qiao thought of how the Fourth Young Lady and the others had been chattering angrily outside the courtyard just now, but couldn't get in no matter what.

In the end, they were very angry when they left. Looking at the mistress who remained steady as Mount Tai throughout, Lan Qiao suddenly felt that their side had won, and instantly laughed happily.

Jiang Yuchao glanced at her, feeling that this little girl was an impulsive and reckless fighter. She didn't say much and continued reading.

The first rule of quarreling: To stand invincible, one's state of mind must be stable.

On this side, Xiao Jinxiang returned to the Prime Minister's manor angrily. In order to humiliate Xiao Jinyue today, she had specially worn gorgeous new clothes and put on newly made jewelry, dressing herself up splendidly. She had dressed up so grandly just to contrast Xiao Jinyue's current misery, but despite preparing so well, there was no opportunity to use it. How could she not be angry?

Seeing her return in a huff, Madam Xiao asked her, "Why are you so angry? Didn't I just ask you to deliver a letter?"

Xiao Jinxiang suddenly remembered that she had a task to deliver a message when she went to see Xiao Jinyue this time. Next month, the Xiao family matriarch was holding a birthday banquet, and the two branches of the Xiao family in Luodu had to go to celebrate the matriarch's birthday.

Their branch was the second branch, and the matriarch lived with the first branch. Although Xiao Jinyue had been cast aside and had a bad reputation, it would be too unfilial not to attend her grandmother's birthday celebration at a time like this. Therefore, Lord Xiao had Madam Xiao send the message in advance.

Xiao Jinxiang had volunteered for this task, but forgot about it when the time came. "I forgot... but it's not my fault! Xiao Jinyue didn't even open the door or see us. The main gate was tightly closed, who knows what dirty deeds she's doing inside!"

Madam Xiao frowned, then relaxed and patted her daughter's hand. "Forget it, why are you getting angry with her? She can't compare to you now. She's nothing more than a disgraced cast-off wife, destined to spend the rest of her life in that broken-down Taoist temple. Even if you must go against her, can't you still humiliate her on the day of the matriarch's birthday banquet? You're just too impatient."

Hearing this, Xiao Jinxiang became happy again, rubbing her fists and palms in anticipation of that day's arrival.

In many cliché stories, there's always an inexplicable sister who goes against the female lead and loves to bully her. Their character settings are basically copy-pasted, mindlessly overbearing and vicious, and who knows why they always like the same man as the female lead.

Madam Xiao sent a servant to Mingyue Monastery to inform Xiao Jinyue about the Xiao matriarch's birthday banquet next month.

Gui Ying and Lan Qiao began to worry that Xiao Jinyue would be ridiculed and bullied when she went. However, Jiang Yuchao herself wasn't worried at all. In the eyes of the other Xiao family members, Xiao Jinyue was the weak one, but in Jiang Yuchao's eyes, they were the weak ones. Because people who care about face can never beat those who don't.

When had she ever been afraid of tearing into people? If they were all goods like Consort Li, Xiao Jinxiang, and Madam Xiao, she could single-handedly take on five hundred of them.

No difficulty at all.

Whether it was crossing over or tearing into people, one had to understand the basic rules. When Jiang Yuchao arrived in this world, she first figured out Xiao Jinyue's family relationships, then looked into the relevant laws and customs to understand this world.

Women from wealthy families like her actually had a good life after marriage. The restrictions on women weren't as severe in this dynasty. At least widows could remarry, and they hadn't invented pig cages yet.

Her main concern now was not to offend the family patriarch Lord Xiao. Everything else didn't require much attention. Even Madam Xiao, who hated the previous Xiao Jinyue so much, couldn't kill her. Assassination and poisoning weren't popular in this world, so Jiang Yuchao's fearlessness wasn't mindless, but rational.

On the morning of the Xiao matriarch's birthday banquet, Jiang Yuchao got dressed and took a carriage there. She wore understated but festive clothes, looking calm and not drawing any attention.

As expected, Xiao Jinxiang, who had been waiting for her, wouldn't let her off easily. Seeing her alone, she quickly came to her side, puffing out her chest like a proud little hen. "Oh, Third Sister has finally arrived."

The drama queen had arrived. Jiang Yuchao looked around, then sat down first, not giving her a chance to speak again. She whispered to her, "What's the matter, little bitch? You have something for me?"

Xiao Jinxiang was stunned. "...You, what did you call me?"

Jiang Yuchao: "What's wrong? Big Sister called you a silly girl."

Xiao Jinxiang: "No, you clearly, you clearly called me, called me a bitch, how dare you!"

Jiang Yuchao scolded, "How can a young lady say such vulgar words!"

Xiao Jinxiang was dumbfounded. "You said it first!"

Jiang Yuchao: "You're clearly slandering Big Sister. Did anyone else hear it?"

There were only the two of them here. Jiang Yuchao had spoken softly and with a smile. In the eyes of people far away, it looked like Xiao Jinyue was being kind while Xiao Jinxiang was throwing a tantrum. Xiao Jinxiang was almost driven mad. All the insults and mockery she had prepared were forgotten, led astray by Jiang Yuchao's words.

A contestant who had a mental storm but performed abnormally on the spot. Jiang Yuchao often encountered this type before. Such people who wanted to bully others were easy to deal with.

First, take the initiative to disrupt their rhythm, then calmly watch them jump up and down. They would get angrier and angrier. When they thought back on this later, they would get even more angry, angering themselves to death just by imagining it.

Xiao Jinxiang panted heavily, gritting her teeth. "What's so great about you? You were cast off by Prince Yu!"

Jiang Yuchao smiled at her. "That's great. Finally, I don't have to stay a living widow anymore."

Xiao Jinxiang screamed, "Don't you dare talk about Prince Yu like that! He's the world's greatest man! You're just slandering him because you can't get his love!"

Jiang Yuchao thought, oh wow, mentioning your beloved idol really hit a sore spot, huh?

She didn't argue with Xiao Jinxiang. There happened to be a potted pine bonsai on the small table beside them. She casually plucked a needle and placed it in front of Xiao Jinxiang. "Sister, look at this pine needle."

Xiao Jinxiang was stunned by her words. Pine needle? What about the pine needle?

Jiang Yuchao sighed and shook her head. "How is it so thin, not much thicker than a needle? What's the use?" With a subtle smile, she blew the pine needle away.