The Frog Lusting After Swan Flesh

Li Qin could still recall the sound of their undisguised mockery. The sound of their snare, the way the corners of their eyes twisted up as they disapproved of Zhuge Duyi, like her choice was any of their business.

She recalled going to a function with Zhuge Duyi as her date for the first time. It was her plan to show off her handsome partner but it only backfired when they began throwing questions at them. The loathing, the avoidance, it all began that very day.

The only daughter of a prestigious family such as the Li family was marrying a nobody. She recalled their judgmental gazes.

His origins were unknown, he also had nothing to his name. Li Qin had wanted to scream and tell them Zhuge Duyi was not a nobody.

He was also from another prestigious family that wasn't in the capital but the truth remained that the Zhuge family had fallen into the hands of Zhuge Duyi's stepmother and she had attempted to assassinate him, the only surviving heir. Consequently, he was close to dying if not for the fact that Li Qin was brave enough to call the police and not abandon him.

The Zhuge family was no more.

Li Qin being a proud person couldn't stand the way people referred to Zhuge Duyi. He was the frog lusting after swan flesh.

No doubt, he was handsome and had impeccable habits. This was what had attracted her.

Li Qin felt he had the aura of a noble and he was rather gentle and chivalrous. Manners that were long forgotten.

But even an actor could emulate that.

At any rate, she loved Zhuge Duyi so she bore the shame despite her proud and arrogant bearing.

What hurt Li Qin the most was the fact that her elder brother, Li Wenyan was among those that mocked Zhuge Duyi. Their marriage did not end the mockery. Li Wenyan never tried to hide the fact that he hated Zhuge Duyi.

Li Wenyan had told Li Qin countless times not to marry Zhuge Duyi. Even her parents and Li Yuanju had said the same thing. After all, they had no idea where he came from. It was dangerous having that kind of person in their family.

The Li family was wealthy; it was unsurprising the many dangers around so of course they were very cautious.

However, Li Qin had rushed into marrying Zhuge Duyi without the consent of her parents. Li Fu and Jia Ying had no choice but to accept Zhuge Duyi because of their daughter.

Li Wenyan had said Zhuge Duyi was nothing but a parasite without origin. One comment Li Qin would always remember.

However, their insults stopped after Zhuge Duyi had risked his life to save Li Wenyan.

Zhuge Duyi had ended up staying in the hospital for three months.

Back then Li Qin had threatened them with her life if anything happened to her husband.

Well, the incident was a blessing in disguise as no one threw jabs at him anymore.

Li Qin's eyes turned bloodshot from recalling those horrid days she had to face the mockery of others. It is unclear whether it was from trying to restrain herself from crying of just plain anger.

She would have gotten physical with Li Weizhe if not for her husband restraining her.

"Weizhe, don't take your aunt's words seriously, she's just angry." Zhuge Duyi tried to smooth over the situation but of course, Li Weizhe refused to give him face.

Li Weizhe replied with much indifference, "Uncle Yi, no need for pretense, it's just us here, everyone knows Third Aunt doesn't like me. It's normal for her to taunt me whenever she sees me so it doesn't have anything to do with anger."

Zhuge Duyi froze. He had assumed Li Weizhe would end the argument there. At the very least give him face in front of the staff of servants that had gathered.

If Li Weizhe did not give Li Qin face, would it then be Zhuge Duyi?

Indeed Zhuge Duyi had underestimated him.

Li Qin subsequently keyed in, "You see, he's very disrespectful! Of course a child without parents would be this way."

Li Baozhai frowned, wasn't she also a child without parents?

As for Li Weizhe, Li Qin's blatant insult did not faze him.

"Third Aunt, even though my parents are dead, at least I know my origin and I don't leech off the Li family like Uncle Yi. Did Uncle Yi become a wife slave for this reason?"

Li Weizhe smirked at the end of the sentence. He held derision for the both of them. He did not try to hide the fact that he looked down on them.

Well, Li Weizhe wasn't too far from the truth. To Li Qin, Zhuge Duyi acted that way because he doted on her. The truth however…

Li Weizhe continued his jab, "After all, without the Li family, Uncle Yi would be homeless for sure… if not dead. The food he eats, the clothes on his back, the roof he sleeps under, his job, even his children, these are all thanks to the Li family, is it not?"

Li Baozhai sucked in a breath of cold air. Did her elder brother always have a sharp tongue?

She glanced at Zhuge Duyi who was red from embarrassment. She could also hear the maids snicker, then it became muffled.

Li Qin gnashed her teeth, her breathing was harsh while Zhuge Lei clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white but he made no comment.

Zhuge Duyi did not think Li Weizhe would attack him for no reason as soon as he returned home. Hitting him where it hurts most. Wasn't it Li Qin who insulted him? Why didn't he focus on her, why did he drag him in when he only tried to resolve their fight?

"Third Aunt, I know you're the man in your family whereas Uncle Yi is the woman but you don't have to rub it on our faces."

Li Baozhai froze completely. Previously, Li Weizhe would ignore Li Qin's taunts. On the contrary, today he was throwing insults back to back without a care in the world.