beating heart, trying to calm herself down. First, she needed to figure out who had taken her and what their motive was. Did Zhang Xuetuo know she was missing How long would it take for him to find h..."You silly child, your mother was just like you."

Mrs. Hou sighed.

It seems that the eldest daughter's performance has made her very satisfied. She may not like this eldest daughter, but the eldest daughter must respect and honor her.

So sometimes, when people's hearts are set on something, nothing can change it. No matter how well Lian Yi does, it won't help. Lian Yi doesn't care about these things anyway; she just doesn't want to suffer in the Hou Mansion, so she goes along with the charade of a loving mother and filial daughter.

As the ripples walked before Madam Hou, seeing Ripples' stunning beauty, she was even more satisfied. With such looks, she was sure to captivate Lin Yaozhu's heart.

Then Madam Hou took Lian Yi's hand, rubbing it gently. She waved her hand to dismiss the maidservants around them, leaving only Yao MaMa and Sun MaMa. Only then did she allow her daughter to sit beside her, holding a handkerchief as she spoke:

"Ripples, how strange that your mother never came to see you and instead sent you to live in the village"

Ripple pursed her lips, showing her sadness appropriately, but still replied in a low voice:

"My mother must have her reasons for doing this, and besides, although I live a simple life on the farm, I'm not starving. Without my mother looking after me, those servants who serve meals and wash dishes would have trampled all over me by now."

"Oh! Lian Yi, you are a clever child. Your mother truly has her reasons for doing what she's done. It all starts from the day you were born."

Thereafter, Mrs. Hou brought up the unlucky double-births saying to justify her actions.

"You are my flesh and blood, how could I bear to let you carry a dishonorable name So I arranged for you to live on the manor, hoping that when you grow up a bit, I will bring you back."

You're eighteen now, a sensible young lady who understands your mother's difficulties. So this time, while the Marquis is away on business, I brought you back home. When he returns, we'll find you a good match and arrange your marriage. Only then can I rest easy, seeing you married with children of your own.

Housewife Hou's words were sincere, and if she weren't on a mission, she would have truly believed her.

Thank you, Mother, for worrying about your daughter. Your daughter will listen to you.

"My dear child, as you know, your identity cannot be revealed. Right now, you are the adopted son of my distant cousin, unsuitable for a high-status marriage. Don't blame your mother for this."

Madam Hou came up with a move of retreating to advance, which could also be considered a test of her eldest daughter.

"No matter what capacity I marry into, I am still my mother's daughter. My mother naturally wouldn't treat me poorly, and I will always listen to her."

The ripples obeyed gently.

"Ripples, you've been wronged."

After Madam Hou finished speaking, she let go of Lianyi's hand and waved to Grandma Yao. Grandma Yao immediately went into the inner room and then returned carrying a red lacquered wooden box.

"These are some jewelry I wore when I was younger. The style and colors are quite bright, but they aren't suitable for an old woman like me anymore. Take them back and wear them. In a couple of days, I'll have someone make you some new jewelry."

"Thank you, Mother."

Ripples smiled and thanked him.

"You rushed all the way back home, must be hungry Mother will keep you company for a meal, and then you can return to Bilan Courtyard for some rest."

"Mom said I wasn't hungry, but now I feel pretty hungry."

The ripples smiled shyly.

"If you're hungry, just say so. Your mother would never let you go hungry."

Mrs. Hou rebuked him playfully and then waved her hand to have the meal served.

The mother and daughter had spent some time bonding. After Liàn Yī finished her meal, she went back to Bìlán Garden with her grandmother.

When the ripples subsided, Madam Hou turned to Yao Mama beside her and said:

"Yao Zhi (This is what Grandma Yao calls her), what do you think of Lianyi"

He is a good child and very respectful to his wife. He is also well-behaved, and I haven't seen anything else out of the ordinary for now.

Grandma Yao spoke honestly, just by seeing this face, she could tell so much already. That's pretty good.

"Please call Cherry over here in a bit."

"Yes, madam."

On the other side, Xue Lianyi was drinking congee and medicine. Upon hearing the maid's report, her face turned dark with anger. However, she knew that her body wasn't strong enough and still needed this elder sister to take her place as Lin Yaozhu's legitimate wife. She couldn't act rashly now.

"Miss, please don't get angry. Right now, nothing is more important than taking care of your health."

Xue Lianyi's close maid, Chunyu, immediately dissuaded her.

"I know, when Mother gets here, you'll wake me up."

After finishing, he handed the medicine bowl to Chunyu.

"Yes, Miss. Please get some rest."

Chun Yu served her young mistress to bed, tucking in the covers before quietly leaving the bedroom.

After half an hour, Madam Hou came to see her beloved youngest daughter.

"Miss, the madam has arrived."

Spring rain gently woke Xue Lianyi. Helping her up, she sat the other person down and served them with a handkerchief to wipe their face before going to greet the mistress's entrance.

"Mother, I heard that elder sister has already come. Have you met her"

"My darling, how did you sit up Don't catch cold again, what if it worsens your condition"

Mrs. Hou looked at her daughter with displeasure.

"Mother!"

Xue Lianyi immediately acted cute, anyway she knew she was her mother's weakness.

"Well, why are you so eager I've already met your sister. It's just that you're not ready to meet her right now. Wait for a while, and I'll arrange for you two to meet."

"Mother, you haven't told elder sister to marry in my place, have you"

"There's no rush. I'll find a few suitable relatives first, then tell her about the possibility of an alliance with the Duke's family. I believe she'll know how to choose."

Mrs. Hou was shrewd and cunning. After seeing her eldest daughter, she already had a plan in mind.

"Mother, I knew you would always be the best for me."

Hearing what Mrs. Hou said, Xue Lianyi let out a genuine sigh of relief. She was afraid that her mother would come up with a plan and simply abandon her.

"Alright, you should focus on recovering first. I'll make arrangements for your marriage. That position as the rightful wife of the Lin family will be yours."

Madam Hou spoke with certainty, then lovingly touched her youngest daughter's pale face. Fortunately, she had kept that calamity, otherwise, there wouldn't even be someone to ward off misfortune for her daughter now.

After the ripples on the other side returned to Bi Lan Garden, she pretended to be tired and asked the little maid to remove her hair ornaments before going to bed to rest.

She didn't ask about Sakura's whereabouts, assuming the other party was reporting her, the young lady's situation, to Madam Hou.

Her original name was Xue Lianyi, the same as the youngest daughter raised in the manor. This was done to ward off disaster; otherwise, the eldest daughter wouldn't have gotten such a beautiful name.

Liéyī slept through the day and only rose when the sun was setting. At that time, Cherry had changed into a new set of clothes and positioned herself as Liéyī's most trusted maid, diligently attending to Liéyī's needs as she got up. Afterwards, she served her dinner.

"Cherry, when I went to see the mistress, you weren't there. I was thinking of bringing you to meet her!"

With a casual air, Lian Yi ate the bird's nest porridge in her bowl.

"I was held back, accused of dressing inappropriately. They forced me to wash and change, which wasted time and prevented me from staying by Miss's side."nderstand! We'll wait two more days. If it really doesn't work out, we'll go after you."That's all the village head could say.Then a team of over twenty people walked further and further away, disappe...