33 The Second Ploy (2/2)

Yu Yan hadn't thought she would be disturbed in the middle of her talk but when she saw the two people standing there, it was as if they were a match made in heaven. The girl looked gorgeous in a Pastel Pink dress and was leaning on the guy for support. The guy was wearing a handsomely tailored Royal Blue tuxedo and looked effortlessly elegant. She didn't recognise him from any of the people she had met since arriving in the capital city but from the closeness of the two, it could be inferred that they were extremely close. She wanted to know the origins and background of this guy. From a single look it could be seen that he was someone who could call forth the winds and the rains with a single flip of his hand. She wanted this guy to be on her side. Thinking upto here, Yu Yan stood up from her chair and walked towards the two to welcome them inside.

”Sister, I was just talking about you with everyone else. Come inside” and then she turned seamlessly towards the guy with a smile, ”and this is?”

Yu Yan hadn't thought that silence would be her answer. Neither Yu Yue not the guy spoke, leaving her to stand there awkwardly for a few seconds. Then the guy turned towards Yueyue, ”Princess, this is?”

She hadn't thought they would be so close that he would call Yu Yue with a nickname. ”She is my sister. Yu Yan.”

Just as Yu Yan raised her hand towards him for a handshake, he gave her a quick once over and seemed surprised, ”Oh, when did the late Mrs. Yu have another child? I spent most of my childhood here. How come I never saw her or even heard a word about her?”

Yu Yue seemed to be embarrassed at his questioning and before she could respond, it was as if the guy had an epiphany. ”Oh! Don't tell me she is someone who was born on the wrong side of the blanket?”

Wrong side of the blanket was an expression used by the high and mighty of the society to address the illegitimate child without using offensive, crude words. It seemed to be a better term than an illegitimate or spurious child but in reality was a mocking, derogatory term used sarcastically to show someone their place. Yu Yan hadn't thought the guy who looked so refined and helpful would use such a callous term for her. Instantly her eyes filled with tears as if she had been bullied horribly and couldn't speak up on her own behalf.

Any sane man would have come forward to comfort her or simply say sorry for his words and say that it was an unintentional slip of the tongue. But to her disappointment the guy looked at her with a raised eyebrow as if he was enjoying her discomfort. Then he said to her, ”Oh please, do you think we all are herbivores? These tricks of starting your water works at a moment's notice might work on others but to us they are nothing other than paltory parlour tricks. Moreover, don't assume that you look a dainty little miss with your tears akin to pearls that anybody's heart will sway. Rather you look like a snot - nosed brat who is throwing a tantrum because you didn't get your way. Now leave, looking at you is enough to spoil my mood.”

In contrast he turned to Yu Yue with a warm, dazzling smile, ”Princess let's go to the gardens and do ask someone to bring some refreshments. You had me drive you through the capital all day ling and didn't even let me have my lunch. I am hungry and famished.”

Su Li asked one of the kitchen staff to bring pastries and drinks to the rear garden. She didn't put the altercation that happened just now in her mind.

”You go and wait for the food to arrive. I'll go and change my clothes before I rejoin you.”

As soon as Yu Yue went up and closed the door of her room, the atmosphere of the receiving hall changed. The guy turned towards Yu Yan and she could see immense hostility and hatred in his eyes for her and his words didn't leave her any face. ”Girl, you are too big for your britches but careful, you don't fall flat on you face. Another thing, when we entered, you said you were talking about the princess to everyone present but what right or status do you have to have a say in her matters or life. Remember it wouldn't take a minute for her to squash you like the bug you are. It's just she doesn't want to drop down to your level so keep yourself to your station in life and be content or I wouldn't mind showing you the dangers of coveting someone else's position. Also, stay away from her close aides. Don't think I can't see the jealousy and greediness behind your eyes. Zixi wasn't the one behind her kidnapping.'

Yu Yan, ”I was just worried about sister...”

He interrupted her words, ”I was the one who brought her back to the residence that day so I think I have a better understanding of the circumstances that day than you and if you are really so worried about her, let me inform you my maternal uncle is the Deputy Police Commissioner of the city and we have already met him and explained everything that happened that day. So, whoever was behind the writing on the wall will be brought forward in no time. So you keep your nose out of it. If it was as you say and Zixi was involved, he would be handed over to the police. If he wasn't, I can only assume that you want to shake things up in the family. Hmmm”

He didn't even wait to hear her response and just looked at the household staff standing there and gave all of them a sharp stare with a ferocious glint in his eyes. ”Anyone who has any kind of outrageous thoughts should wash their necks and be ready for the axe to fall down.” Finished with his words he directly left for the rear garden with a steady pace as if everything and everyone standing there until now were just some clowns jumping infront of him.

As soon as the servants heard Second Young Master Li's words, they felt fear from deep within their bones for this guy's means andmethods and scattered like startled birds in the blink of an eye. Only Yu Yan and Xun Zixi were left standing facing each other in the huge recieving hall which had been full just a few minutes ago. Yu Yan couldn't believe how things had derailed to such an extent but she saw Zixi watching that new guy leave and turn towards her with a sardonic smile on his face. Afterwards, he said ”Good day” and left her standing all alone in the spacious receiving room.

Belatedly she realised that no one had answered her question about the guy's identity.