Su Xiaoqi’s words made Du Yiyi break into a smile.
Her Little Seven sister was truly something else.
With her silver tongue, she could turn black into white, and the dead into the living.
Sun Jiaojiao’s meager tactics were no match for her; she could only suffer in silence.
Old Madam Du completely agreed with Su Xiaoqi’s words.
Thinking back, she had always sided with Sun Jiaojiao, meddling in affairs that were none of her business.
Not only that, but she had also driven a wedge between herself and her own granddaughter. This was not good, not good at all.
Especially when Sun Jiaojiao incited her anger, she would become furious. Little Seven had just told her not to get angry easily, as it would harm her liver and her body.
She waved her hand, signaling Sun Jiaojiao not to bother her with such matters in the future.
Sun Jiaojiao pouted, and tears spilled from her eyes uncontrollably.
The speed at which they fell was astounding, like pearls broken from a string.
Su Xiaoqi watched her with an amused gaze, her eyes filled with a chilling coldness.
Now that the matter was out in the open, with Sun Jiaojiao’s intelligence, she naturally wouldn’t dare to bring this up to Old Madam Du again.
To do so would imply that she didn't care about the old madam’s health.
Since experiencing Su Xiaoqi’s formidable nature, Sun Jiaojiao’s attention had been constantly
fixed on her.
She immediately felt the threat she posed.
She clearly recognized that Du Yiyi was nothing.
No matter how many chances she was given, Du Yiyi would only end up as her defeated opponent, just like before.
But Su Xiaoqi was different.
Even without being given an opportunity, she could seize the moment to turn defeat into victory.
Sun Jiaojiao became fearful. After a moment of hesitation, she immediately reined in all her thoughts.
She hadn’t lived this long in vain; she was accustomed to leveraging any condition that benefited her.
However, if those conditions shifted, she could also very quickly abandon them and seek new solutions.
In short, she was an utterly self-serving individual.
At the opportune moment, she lowered her head before Su Xiaoqi and Du Yiyi. This time, she stopped crying, her demeanor calm:
“Sister Yiyi, I, I was wrong. It was all a misunderstanding.”
Du Yiyi opened her mouth, intending to press her advantage.
Ideally, she wanted to seize this opportunity to drive Sun Jiaojiao out of the Du family.
However, Sun Jiaojiao had conceded.
This left Du Yiyi, brandishing her swords, unsure of where to strike.
She felt a moment of confusion and couldn't help but look at Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi shook her head at her, signaling with her eyes to look at Old Madam Du.
As expected, the old madam spoke up from the side:
“Since it was a misunderstanding, then let it be. Our Yiyi is the most magnanimous.”
This flattering remark placed Du Yiyi in an awkward position, from which she couldn't easily extricate herself.
She pursed her lips, still feeling a sense of injustice in her heart.
For years, Sun Jiaojiao had a habit of appearing before her.
Using her own grandmother to suppress and bully her.
Although Du Yiyi had resisted based on instinct, Sun Jiaojiao was too cunning, resulting in her complete defeat in their confrontations.
Now that she finally had an opportunity to get rid of her, she couldn't act, and she felt wronged.
Su Xiaoqi, seeing Du Yiyi’s frown, knew she was unhappy.
But now was not the time for venting. She saw Pingniang, who had gone to arrange the meal, approaching and quickly pulled her aside:
“Yiyi, Old Madam specifically asked Aunt Ping to prepare your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs just now. You’ll definitely love it.”
Du Yiyi had been born and raised in the capital, and her palate leaned towards sour and sweet.
She couldn’t get used to the numbing spice of the Sichuan region.
Hearing that Old Madam had specially prepared sweet and sour pork ribs for her, she felt touched.
She pouted, nodded, and smiled.
Her smile was somewhat forced, but at least she managed to swallow her lingering resentment for the time being.
She hadn't erupted as Sun Jiaojiao had expected.
It’s her again!
Sun Jiaojiao stared intently at Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi met her gaze fearlessly.
Although Sun Jiaojiao was more than half a year her senior,
in terms of height, she was actually a head taller.
She could easily stare down at Su Xiaoqi from above, with a hint of provocation in her eyes.
In front of elders, whoever lost their temper first would be the one to lose.
It wasn’t as if they were outside, where fighting and brawling with others was permissible.
Su Xiaoqi wasn’t a person who dwelled on things.
In essence, she always wanted to get along with others.
However, she didn’t feel the need to be polite to Sun Jiaojiao, who had repeatedly made malicious moves against Du Yiyi and herself.
In short, she would do whatever it took to vent her anger.
After the meal, Du Yiyi was the most satisfied.
In the past, whenever she visited, due to Sun Jiaojiao’s deliberate actions, she always had to eat the meals that Old Madam "specially" prepared for her – Sichuan dishes so spicy that her tongue felt numb.
Now, she finally had food that suited her taste. For a foodie, eating well naturally improved one’s mood.
Her impression of Old Madam Du also improved significantly.
She was also willing to sit with Old Madam Du, with Su Xiaoqi on either side, and engage in lighthearted conversation.
After a while, the two bid farewell and took a carriage back.
On the way, Du Yiyi was still savoring the events of the day, feeling that it had been very satisfying.
However, she then became somewhat worried that Sun Jiaojiao might speak ill of them behind their backs.
“Sister Xiaoqi, you have no idea, this woman named Sun is truly not a good person.
She loves to gossip about people behind their backs, it’s so annoying.”
Previously, when they were by Old Madam Du’s side, there could be some explanation.
But if they weren't around, wouldn't Sun Jiaojiao be free to spout whatever nonsense she pleased?
“Let her talk. Old Madam isn’t someone who holds grudges.
Even if she turned the heavens upside down, it wouldn’t matter.
When you go to see her, just get close to Old Madam and say nice things to her. She’ll forget everything instantly.
However, you must be careful not to let Sun Jiaojiao provoke you.
If she taunts you and you can’t retort for a moment, remember not to say anything, just purse your lips and smile.”
Su Xiaoqi smiled and soothed Du Yiyi, imparting methods for dealing with Sun Jiaojiao.
Du Yiyi blinked her eyes, thinking, is it really that easy?
Su Xiaoqi explained that Old Madam Du was actually kind-hearted but had ears that were too soft, easily swayed by people’s words.
But such elderly people also had their advantages.
It meant that one didn’t have to be constantly by her side.
As long as one said the right thing when they approached her, her heart would turn towards you at that moment.
Therefore, Du Yiyi didn't need to worry about Sun Jiaojiao whispering poisonous words when she wasn't around Old Madam Du.
“Elderly people are won over by flattery,” Su Xiaoqi shared her experience.
She also had a grandmother at home, but she was a modern woman, unconventional and incredibly formidable.
Yet, even such a successful woman, as she aged, still enjoyed hearing her grandchildren say pleasant things around her.
This was a human instinct.
“Okay, I understand now.” Du Yiyi had gained a great deal from this visit.
She never knew that she could get along so pleasantly with her own grandmother.
Sister Xiaoqi was right; her grandmother truly had no malicious intentions.
On the contrary, it was her sheer straightforwardness that allowed Sun Jiaojiao to manipulate her.
However, she still wanted Sun Jiaojiao gone and didn’t want her to live on their estate.
But Su Xiaoqi advised her not to rush and to take it slow.
Later, when she left the prefectural city, she could write to her to discuss this matter.
“If she bullies you again, I’ll be the first one to not let her off,” Su Xiaoqi said, hugging Du Yiyi and making her laugh.
Du Yiyi smiled, as if she had received a reassuring promise.