After I awakened my inner voice, I became the treasure of my family.

Chapter 20 Li Tingxue's Angry

When Liu Jiaying heard Shen Xiuyan say that he would send her back, she panicked instantly. If she left the Marquis's mansion today, she would never have the chance to live there again.

"Brother-in-law, I...I'm not going back! I know you and my cousin have been married for many years, and I'm not here to break you up. I can join you, and we can live together!"

I know you have feelings for me too, otherwise you wouldn't drink the tonic soup I send you every day, right? Shen Lang, don't worry, I... I'm willing to be a concubine, as long as you marry me as your secondary wife!

Liu Jiaying said confidently.

"I disagree?"

An angry shout came from the doorway. The next second, the study door was pushed open with a loud bang, and Li Tingxue stormed into the study.

Behind her followed her head maid Baihe and Granny Wu, the two of them flanking her like protectors. Oh, and there was also Shen Feng, who was there to inform her.

At this moment, Li Tingxue's angry eyes were filled with flames. She first glared at Shen Xiuyan, and then her gaze finally fell on Liu Jiaying. She quickly stepped forward and, without saying a word, slapped Liu Jiaying across the face.

She angrily accused, "Liu Jiaying, haven't I been good enough to you? In the few days you've been at the Marquis's residence, I've given you the best of everything—the food, the clothes, the utensils."

Not only are you ungrateful, but you even tried to seduce your own cousin-in-law! You...you're utterly shameless!

The moment Liu Jiaying saw Li Tingxue walk in, she immediately panicked. What... what's going on?

Shouldn't Li Tingxue be putting her child to sleep right now? How come... she's here now? Someone must be tipping her off.

In the brief moment of distraction, Liu Jiaying was slapped hard across the face again, the pain snapping her back to reality.

She covered her swollen cheek, looking pitiful, and said to Shen Xiuyan in a wronged tone, "Brother-in-law, it hurts so much..."

Liu Jiaying's hesitant "brother-in-law" was soft and poignant. But it didn't elicit any sympathy from Shen Xiuyan; instead, he showed a look of disgust.

Shen Xiuyan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Sure enough, just as his mother had said, Liu Jiaying was like a top-grade green tea from an old cellar.

Hahaha... Just those two crisp, loud slaps Tingxue gave her earlier are enough to give her a good scolding.

He not only ignored Shen Jiaying's cries and pleas, but also ran to Li Tingxue's side as if he had greased his feet. His originally handsome face was instantly filled with a fawning smile.

He said softly, "Tingxue, you must have heard and understood everything that just happened, right? This shameless woman actually tried to seduce me."

Thank goodness you showed up in time, otherwise, my innocent body would probably have been harmed!

In my opinion, you should quickly order her expulsion from our manor, lest she remain in our home and become an eyesore!

However, after hearing his words, Li Tingxue glared at him and then let out a cold snort.

Don't try that on me! Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're clearly doing this on purpose, using your looks to lure people in here!

Just then, Liu Jiaying, who had been standing to the side with tears in her eyes and a look of grievance on her face, froze on her deliberately pitiful and endearing expression after hearing Shen Xiuyan's words.

At this moment, she had completely forgotten how to cry, and stood there frozen in place like a statue.

She didn't expect Shen Xiuyan to say that. Did he mean he wanted to get rid of her?

Liu Jiaying's heart became even more flustered. The deed was already done, and if she couldn't get a formal title from Shen Xiuyan, she would have to wait until Li Tingxue sent her back to the Li family.

Her aunt would definitely not let her stay in the Li family. She could no longer marry in Jiangnan. If she was sent back, she would surely face the princess's revenge.

No, she can't go back. She... she has to marry Shen Xiuyan. She has to stay, even if it's as Shen Xiuyan's concubine.

She refused to believe that, given time, Shen Xiuyan wouldn't be tempted by her looks. By then, her cousin would be old, but she would still be young!

Perhaps, by then, I could even become the legal wife. So, Liu Jiaying steeled her resolve and tearfully pleaded, "Cousin, it's because Jiaying truly loves your husband, it's absolutely not that he......"

As she finished speaking, Liu Jiaying deliberately exposed a large expanse of her fair skin, on which were two marks from when she had just pinched herself.

"Cousin, don't worry, I will never compete with you for anything. I only ask... to be by his side, even if it's just as a concubine. Please, cousin, grant us your wish?"

Seeing her actions and hearing her shameless words, Li Tingxue became even angrier. If she hadn't been right next door, she probably would have fallen into her trap and misunderstood her husband.

Thinking of this, she became even angrier and slapped him several more times.

"Clap clap clap..."

Only then did Granny Wu step forward and pull Li Tingxue back, shaking her head at her.

"Liu Jiaying, you are shameless! You have disgraced the Li family. Do you think I would fall for your tricks and quarrel with my husband to let you interfere? Humph, do you think I'm as stupid as you?"

Liu Jiaying covered her bruised face, crying with tears streaming down her face. Little did she know that her current swollen face and the expressions she made were simply unbearable to look at and made people want to vomit.

"Brother-in-law, I really didn't mean it, I... I couldn't control my feelings for you, I didn't want to! Please explain to my cousin, I..."

After saying that, Liu Jiaying looked at Shen Xiuyan with what she thought was a pretty face, but little did she know that what she looked at almost made Shen Xiuyan vomit. He quickly ran to Li Tingxue's side.

"Tingxue, she looks too scary. I need to look at you more, otherwise I'm afraid I'll have nightmares at night?"

Upon hearing his words, Li Tingxue chuckled. Her previously angry expression vanished, replaced by a slight smile.

"Hmph! Don't think I don't know. You deliberately had Shen Feng call me here. Did you already see her feelings for you, but you kept quiet these past few days just so I would come here today? Isn't that right?"

Li Tingxue raised an eyebrow and asked angrily.