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

Chapter 16 My Cousin Who Wanted to Steal My Partner Has Arrived

During the few days since Li Tingxue returned to the mansion, Jiang Mianmian has come to Sakura Courtyard to see the children almost every day.

Only then did she believe her husband's words that her mother-in-law truly loved her daughter, Le'an. She never expected that her mother-in-law would really favor daughters over sons, no wonder she didn't like her son.

Therefore, her relationship with her mother-in-law has improved in the past few days. Gradually, she noticed that her mother-in-law's smile became much more genuine whenever she saw Le'an.

But when she saw her husband, she didn't look at him with a pleasant expression, and she didn't know why.

That day, Jiang Mianmian came to Sakura Courtyard to see the children as usual, and heard the servants report that Shen Xiuyan had returned from court.

However, he brought back a woman. Jiang Mianmian was slightly stunned when she heard this news.

She glanced at Li Tingxue lying on the bed, frowned slightly, and without asking who the woman Shen Xiuyan had brought back was, she dismissed the others.

Then, he just coaxed his obedient granddaughter while inwardly complaining.

[As expected, your scumbag father, Shen Xiuyan, is no good. He's just like his deadbeat dad!]

As soon as Shen Xiuyan reached the door, he heard his mother's thoughts. His lips twitched involuntarily, and he shook his head helplessly before quickly walking inside.

When he entered the house, the first thing he saw was his wife looking at him with a half-smile. His mother, on the other hand, was giving him a disdainful look.

Alarm bells rang in his mind, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. Oh dear, it seems these two have misunderstood him!

Before he could even sit down, Shen Xiuyan hurriedly explained, "Mother, Tingxue, when I came back from court, I met Cousin Liu, not any other woman. These dog servants can't even pass on a message properly. I'll punish them severely later!"

Jiang Mianmian simply gave a curt "Oh" and didn't say anything more.

[Hmph! A man's words are deceitful. That cheap son the deadbeat gave me before the marriage—you get what you pay for!]

Shen Xiuyan, the adopted son: "…………"

Seeing Shen Xiuyan's anxious explanation, Li Tingxue believed him: "Husband, I didn't say anything, why are you so agitated? Could it be that you really have something to hide?"

"I swear to God!"

Shen Xiuyan immediately shook his head and denied it, trying to prove his innocence, until he saw that the two people opposite him continued to argue.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, he felt that there was a murderous aura in his wife's eyes!

He glanced at the gentle and lovely woman again and was stunned. Could it be that what he had just seen was all his imagination?

Oh dear, this whole thing is making him even more anxious than when he goes to court!

Li Tingxue couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Shen Xiuyan wipe his forehead. She then instructed Baihe to fetch water and prepare breakfast, since Shen Xiuyan had just finished court and hadn't had time for breakfast yet!

Just then, a clear and melodious voice came from outside: "Cousin, what's making you so happy?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a woman dressed in an orange brocade butterfly dress walked into the house with a beaming smile.

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Li Tingxue immediately smiled and said, "Cousin, what brings you here? Please come in and have a seat."

"Cousin, my aunt has been unable to come these past few days due to family matters. So, I brought her along to take good care of you, and also to look after your baby so you can have a proper postpartum recovery!"

When Jiang Mianmian saw Li Tingxue's cousin, she was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but glance at the top of her head.

[Ha! Shen Xiuyan, oh Shen Xiuyan. You still say it has nothing to do with her, but this woman is clearly labeled as "cannon fodder bravely trying to pry open her cousin's backyard."]

[Tsk tsk tsk, look at this woman, she has so many names, her face is so small it might not even fit them all.]

Shen Xiuyan: "…………"

Hearing his mother's sarcastic mockery, he suddenly felt awkward, unsure whether to sit or stand.

Oh, right, didn't Mother just say that the sister who tried to steal someone else's husband was this woman? And the woman she wanted to steal was herself?

Shen Xiuyan was suspicious, but he turned his head casually and glanced at Liu Jiaying, just as their eyes met.

Her eyes sparkled with a hint of shyness, and there was a touch of affection in them as she looked at me.

Holy crap, this woman is toxic!

Shen Xiuyan was startled and immediately turned to look at his wife, washing his eyes.

He cursed inwardly: This woman is just as my mother said, she has feelings for me, she even flirted with me just now.

Haha, what a shameless woman, she even goes after her own brother-in-law.

Liu Jiaying nodded to Li Tingxue, then looked at Jiang Mianmian by the bedside with a hint of confusion, feigning ignorance.

“Mother, this is my cousin from my aunt’s family, Liu Jiaying!” Li Tingxue quickly explained. “Cousin, aren’t you coming over to greet me?”

Liu Jiaying showed a look of surprise at the right moment, but a hint of flattery appeared in her eyes. Then she bowed respectfully to Jiang Mianmian.

"Jiaying greets Madam."

Jiang Mianmian looked at the mistress in front of her, who was vigorously wielding a hoe, and simply gave a lukewarm "hmm".

Liu Jiaying, seemingly oblivious to Jiang Mianmian's cold expression, continued to speak with a smile:

"My goodness! Madam, you...you are so young! When I came in just now, I thought you were my cousin's aunt!"

"Madam, what skincare secrets do you use? Your skin is amazing! Look, it's so much better than mine!"

Liu Jiaying noticed that Jiang Mianmian's expression had softened, and continued to praise her: "You don't know, if you went out with my cousin like this, people would think you were sisters!"

Right now, I'm so jealous and envious of my cousin. How can she have such a young and beautiful mother-in-law? With her here, my cousin and I both pale in comparison.

Oh, my cousin is so lucky to be your daughter-in-law! Unlike me, I can only sit on the sidelines and watch with envy!

As she finished speaking, a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, but it inadvertently swept over Shen Xiuyan, who was sitting upright!

Li Tingxue was astonished by her cousin's eloquence. "Tsk tsk tsk! Look at her, such a sharp tongue! She's made her mother-in-law beam with joy. It seems I really lack that talkative mouth of hers!"

Jiang Mianmian was quite pleased to hear Liu Jiaying's relentless stream of flattery.

Although she knew that Liu Jiaying's words were somewhat exaggerated, well, what woman doesn't have a little vanity?

Liu Jiaying's flattering words still made the corners of her mouth turn up slightly.