The Favored Little Peasant Seizes the Heroine's Script!-Chapter 422 - 410: Family Rules

Generally speaking, the Empress is considered the most noble woman in the world, but in fact, above the Empress, there is still the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager is, after all, the Empress’s mother-in-law.

Not to mention the royal family, even in ordinary households, mothers-in-law can easily keep their daughters-in-law under control with just a flick of their fingers.

Others might indeed harbor fear towards Old Madam Cui.

However, Yuan Bao is not just anyone. Even if it’s the Empress Dowager, if Yuan Bao doesn’t want to take her seriously, she simply won’t.

She’s not a soft persimmon that anyone can pinch at will.

Her martial prowess is one layer of protection, and having her own domain is another.

Unless Emperor Xia doesn’t wish to use her domain, otherwise, in Daxia, she can walk sideways without fear.

Of course, even if Emperor Xia has no need for her domain, Yuan Bao remains fearless. As the saying goes, if this place doesn’t keep you, there’ll be somewhere else that will.

Besides, Emperor Xia has always treated her well.

Unless there was no other option, Yuan Bao would never push things to the extreme.

After all, she’s not all alone in the world.

"Lai’er, this is where you live?"

Following Cui Lai to her residence, Yuan Bao was truly eye-opened.

From the moment she entered the Yuan Family’s massive residence, all she saw was classic luxury. It wasn’t until she got to Cui Lai’s place that she realized how the Yuan Family truly adhered to traditional rules.

Such a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate!

It was really quite evident in the Yuan Family. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Fancy talk about every noble lady having her own chamber—is pure nonsense.

As an illegitimate daughter, Cui Lai shared a courtyard with her four equally illegitimate sisters, not even having her own room.

And this wasn’t because the Yuan Family lacked space, but simply because those were the rules.

An illegitimate daughter’s residence is only marginally better than that of an average maid, and sometimes not even on par with the capable servants by the family head’s side.

"Jiaojiao, isn’t it unexpected?"

"Indeed!"

Yuan Bao felt a little awkward.

She remembered that back in Yanmen County, Cui Lai had a room of her own.

"In the Yuan Family, only sisters who are about to marry or are already engaged can have their own rooms. If the engagement is good, perhaps they might even have their own small courtyard."

"..."

Yuan Bao was rendered speechless by Cui Lai’s words.

Is this really a noble family passed down for hundreds of years?

For them, daughters are merely commodities waiting for the right price.

Yuan Bao couldn’t understand.

The Yuan Family isn’t struggling for space, so why on earth would they leave courtyards empty rather than let these daughters live a bit more comfortably?

"Jiaojiao, is it unbelievable?"

"Yes!"

Yuan Bao genuinely couldn’t fathom it.

The Yuan Family treats their daughters so harshly yet expects them to form marriage alliances. Aren’t they afraid these daughters might retaliate after marriage?

"It’s been the Yuan Family’s long-standing rule!"

"In the Yuan Family, illegitimate children must contribute to the family if they wish to receive good treatment."

"Even my illegitimate brothers face the same situation!"

Upon hearing Cui Lai’s explanation, Yuan Bao began to understand a bit.

The Yuan Family operates on a system of competition for status.

Yuan Bao wasn’t sure if she should commend the Yuan Family’s leaders for their methods or label the family as too cold-blooded. From Yuan Bao’s perspective, the Yuan Family’s ways seemed excessive.

However, for the Yuan Family to have endured for centuries, there are certainly merits to their approach.

As for what those merits might be, Yuan Bao had no way of knowing.

Yuan Bao didn’t stay long at the Yuan Family—it simply wasn’t a conducive environment.

With Cui Lai lacking a private room, it was impossible for Yuan Bao to have a private word with her.

After all, her third sister, Cui Mo, was constantly present keeping an eye on them.

While Yuan Bao wasn’t a shy introvert, she still had to consider Cui Lai’s situation.

Any slipup in conversation overheard by Cui Mo could potentially cause trouble for Cui Lai.

Nevertheless, Yuan Bao believed that her visit alone should improve Cui Lai’s treatment in the Yuan Family. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a second visit from Yuan Bao.

The Yuan Family was also eager to pair her with the twenty-ninth prince!

...

Just as Yuan Bao expected, when she met Cui Lai again a few days later, she found that Cui Lai now had her own courtyard. Although it wasn’t large, it was a significant improvement from before.

"Jiaojiao, thank you!"

Upon seeing Yuan Bao again, Cui Lai’s gratitude was written all over her face.

To her, having an independent courtyard was definitely because of Yuan Bao’s intervention.

Otherwise, she’d likely have to wait until she was engaged or near marriage to have her own room. As for a personal courtyard, it depended on the family she was betrothed to.

"Lai’er, well, you shouldn’t just thank me!"

Yuan Bao smiled slightly, "In this matter, you also need to thank my uncle and Ruan."

"Yes, yes, I’ll thank uncle and aunt later!"

Cui Lai nodded earnestly.

Yuan Bao continued to smile and asked, "Silly Lai’er, do you know why you should thank my uncle and Ruan?"

"Why?"

Cui Lai really didn’t know.

Yuan Bao beckoned her over with a finger and whispered, "Get closer, I’ll tell you!"

Cui Lai leaned in, and Yuan Bao lowered her voice, "My uncle and Ruan have taken a liking to you and want you to be their eldest daughter-in-law!"

"Ah...?!"

Upon hearing Yuan Bao’s words, Cui Lai was momentarily dumbfounded.

Half a moment later, as she gathered her thoughts, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment.

"Jiaojiao, stop joking!"

"I’m several years older than Shouqian!"

"Three years bring gold bricks, you know!"

Yuan Bao chuckled.

In truth, even Yuan Bao hadn’t expected her uncle and Ruan to act on their intentions immediately.

"I...I..."

Cui Lai blushed and couldn’t find her words.

"I should head back!"

After a while, Cui Lai finally regained her senses and decided to leave.

"Lai’er, aren’t you going to see Ruan?"

"Ah!"

"Jiaojiao, what do I say when I see auntie?"

Previously, visiting Yuan Bao was strictly a friendly gathering between girls. Now, she was to become the Yuan Family’s daughter-in-law, turning her aunt into her future mother-in-law—how should she face her mother-in-law-to-be?

Eighteen-year-old Cui Lai was in a complete state of chaos.

"Well, just like before!"

Yuan Bao responded without hesitation.

"My uncle only recently discussed it with your father; they haven’t even exchanged engagement documents yet!"

"Oh, but, I, this..."

"Lai’er, don’t overthink it. You know how much Ruan likes you!"

Ruan Wan indeed adored Cui Lai.

If that weren’t the case, Yuan Bao and Cui Lai wouldn’t have become such close friends.