章 1717: Smug

Observing her two sister-in-laws struggling to maintain composure after their scolding, Fan Ruyin, with a choked voice, interjected, "Mother, it has nothing to do with the two sister-in-laws. It's all Madam Shao's fault!"

In her scheming heart, Fan Ruyin believed that by defending her sister-in-laws after the scolding, she could garner their gratitude. In her view, they owed her a favor, a perception she had always upheld with a smug sense of accomplishment.

Unbeknownst to her, she failed to realize that, if not for her, her sister-in-laws wouldn't have suffered this undeserved calamity. A single sentence from her could have clarified the situation, but she chose not to speak up, allowing them to endure the torrent of curses before intervening.

Her sister-in-laws harbored deep-seated resentment towards her.