Chapter 3: A New Wife?

Outside the house, all the servants immediately straightened their posture, quickly concealing the panic on their faces: “Greetings, Young Miss!” The steward also hurriedly bowed: “This servant greets the Young Miss!”

“Steward, what have you done? Wasn’t I asking you to deal with Li Tan’s matter?”

In the courtyard, under the moonlight, stood a young girl in green robes, her eyebrows and eyes as if painted, with a graceful figure, exuding six parts allure and four parts innocence—this was Lin Cui, Li Tan’s newlywed wife.

“This… This servant had some urgent matter to attend to and accidentally fell,” the steward, with his life hanging in the balance, could only protect Li Tan despite his lingering dislike.

“All the servants today were almost entirely occupied with the wedding preparations. What urgent matter could you possibly have? And how could you end up with such a face? Explain yourself properly to me,” Lin Cui said, her tone subtly turning cold. Few dared to lie to her.

“This servant… This servant…” The steward, watching Lin Cui’s gaze, trembled with fear, sweat pouring down his face. He wanted to tell the truth but was afraid of saying the wrong thing and angering Li Tan, which would certainly mean his death.

“Young Miss, it was the young master who did this.”

Just as the steward was desperately trying to find a way to satisfy both sides, a servant by the door suddenly spoke up.

“Li Tan?

Hmph, can that good-for-nothing fellow really have such capability?” Lin Cui questioned.

“Although it was the young master, he didn’t actually lay a hand on him. Steward Liu slapped himself,” added another servant on the left side of the door.

“That’s right, I saw it too. Steward Liu was teaching the young master the household rules when suddenly he started hitting himself. If Miss doesn’t believe us, you can ask either Steward Liu or the young master himself,” supplemented the servant on the right side of the door.

“What’s going on with that good-for-nothing?” Hearing this, Lin Cui was momentarily stunned. She glanced at the steward. “Tell me the truth.”

Internally cursing the two servants, the steward wiped his sweat and lied that Li Tan had bullied him by leveraging the Li family’s prestige. As he spoke, he couldn’t help sneaking glances toward the house. Through the door screen, one could vaguely see Li Tan’s shadow with his back turned to them, doing something unknown.

“Oh Master, why don’t you come out and greet the Young Miss quickly? If the Young Miss gets angry, you’re done for, and what about me then?

The steward was nearly frantic.

“That good-for-nothing is indeed still a good-for-nothing, relying solely on his family’s name to strut around arrogantly,” Lin Cui scoffed disdainfully, though a flicker of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

Taking two steps forward onto the porch, Lin Cui shouted toward the house: “Li Tan, come out!”

Of course, Lin Cui understood there was something fishy about the steward’s words, but she was too indifferent to investigate further. As long as Li Tan didn’t appear before her eyes, whatever he did was fine.

The two door servants, with nothing better to do, secretly thought that Li Tan was done for, and maybe even the steward would be in trouble too. There would be a good show to watch. If they could seize this opportunity to gain the Young Miss’s favor, they could strut around the Lin estate with pride. The steward, head lowered, was initially fearful but gradually felt a bit happy upon further thought—if the Young Miss wanted to discipline Li Tan, the better. After all, she couldn’t kill him. Once she couldn’t kill him, she could help cure his illness. Once healed, he wouldn’t have to fear that good-for-nothing anymore.

Everyone in the courtyard had ulterior motives, all waiting for Li Tan to come out in disgrace so they could seize the opportunity for personal gain. However, the crickets chirped for a long time without any sign of Li Tan.

Lin Cui’s expression turned grim. How dare that good-for-nothing ignore her! Even her father wouldn’t dare treat her like this! “Open the door.”

Lin Cui’s voice was icy.

The two servants swallowed hard, trembling as they opened the door. There, sitting in front of the table with his back to them, was Li Tan in his red wedding attire, his left hand raised.

A faint sound of flowing water quietly spread in the silence.

He was pouring wine. The steward’s mouth slightly opened, and the servants nearly lost their footing and fell over.

Damn it, how arrogant could he get! Does he really think being the young master-in-law makes him so impressive?

Lin Cui was furious but laughed coldly, “I told you to come out!”

Li Tan seemed not to hear, continuing to fiddle with his wine cup.

“The Young Miss is speaking to you!”

The two servants grumbled and rolled up their sleeves, ready to go in and drag him out to earn credit.

Hearing the hurried footsteps, Li Tan calmly poured and sipped his wine without haste.

For some inexplicable reason, the two servants suddenly felt fear. A strange sensation overcame them, as if the person sitting inside was the head of the household. No, perhaps even more formidable, like the city lord himself.

Thus, the two involuntarily froze in place.

At this moment, Li Tan spoke calmly: “Little girl, if you don’t want to come in, go find another place to sleep.”

“Little girl!”

Lin Cui immediately became furious, like a little kitten with its fur bristling: “You dare call me that again!”

Li Tan remained indifferent: “Little girl.”

“You’re asking for it!”

Lin Cui was furious beyond measure.

Li Tan casually smirked: “What’s wrong with calling you little girl when you’re fifteen or sixteen? You’re overreacting. It’s windy outside. Either come in or close the door.”

Lin Cui suppressed her rising anger: “This is my room. You must leave immediately!”

With many people around, if she attacked Li Tan and word reached the Liu family, it would certainly cause unnecessary trouble.

Lin Cui was so angry her teeth ached. If it were a day ago, Li Tan would already have been thrown out and beaten half to death.

She thought her inaction was due to the situation, but she had forgotten that earlier, when the servants rushed forward to grab him, she hadn’t stopped them.

In fact, even Lin Cui herself wasn’t aware that subconsciously she didn’t want to confront Li Tan directly.

“An hour ago, this was indeed your room. But now, it is also my room. Why should I leave?” Li Tan’s voice drifted out.

An hour ago was the time of the wedding ceremony. The implication was clear: I am your husband. What’s wrong with living together?

Lin Cui felt a toothache. She found herself unable to fight conveniently and couldn’t argue effectively either. Thus, she turned her gaze toward the steward and servants.

The steward immediately averted his eyes.

Although he disliked Li Tan, he still hoped Li Tan would save his life.

The two servants looked at each other in confusion, paralyzed by the inexplicable fear they felt.

There was definitely something off about Li Tan.

To be specific, it was a two-word phrase: aura. The aura of an emperor among humans. Even without his cultivation, it was still terrifying.

The longer Lin Cui stood there, the angrier she became.

This was supposed to be her private chamber.

Was Li Tan not going to leave? Did he expect her to leave instead?

Was he expecting her to share the bed with him?

A ridiculous dream.

This was merely a political marriage. Li Tan was nothing more than a doll put on display for others.

“Hmph, if you don’t come out immediately, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Lin Cui issued an ultimatum, her emotions nearing the breaking point. However, Li Tan remained unmoved, so she finally lost her patience and decided to enter the room to drag Li Tan out and teach him a proper lesson.

However, just then—

Bang! The door was shut by Li Tan from inside. “Noisy.”

“Women who wish to serve this young master for the night can line up from the Eastern Continent to the Great Wilderness.”