on the black market and got two hundred and thirty yuan. I bought some rationed food with fifty yuan, rice and white flour. The rest of the money is here."Zhao Jingcheng honestly accounted for his ex...Yu Mei didn't know how to answer her young mistress's question.

She saw the changes on her face most clearly. From the beginning, when her skin lost its luster, she thought it was because of illness. After all, anyone who is sick wouldn't look good.

But as time passed, the young mistress's skin began to darken and yellow. The phoenix eyes that were once so lively lost their sparkle. The upturned corners of her eyes drooped slightly, losing their original spirit.

At that time, Yu Mei only felt a sinking feeling in her heart, but she still tried her best to stay calm. When Madam Hou called for a physician to check Miss's pulse, she was certain that Madam Hou had also sensed something was wrong.

Under everyone's unspoken understanding, Dr. Wen examined his young mistress's pulse, but found nothing unusual.

Over the following days, she noticed that the young lady's brow had become deeply creased, her petite nose was now dotted with black spots, and her cherry-red lips were starting to enlarge, with the corners turning downward. Looking at her just brought a sense of displeasure.

At this moment, Xue Lianyi had already overturned the bronze mirror and smashed everything on her dressing table. Yu Mei and several other maids dared not stop her, they could only stand silently by and watch their young mistress vent her anger.

"How could this be"

Xue Lianyi slumped down on the small stool, murmuring to herself.

Now she had abandoned the idea of going to the back garden. What else could she do Let people see her looking like this

"Yu Mei, please ask your mother to come here."

Yes, Miss.

Yu Mei was also afraid of incurring the young mistress's wrath. Upon hearing the young mistress's orders, she immediately gave the other three maids a glance and hurriedly left.

After hearing what Yu Mei said, Lady Hou just said:

"Tell Ripple that I'll be there later."

After the ripples subsided, she heard news from other plants and smiled faintly. She told Mei Zhi to attend her, as she wanted to take a stroll in the back garden.

Since Mei Zhi used self-harm to avoid Lin Yaozu, she hid from him everywhere. A month later, the fickle Lin Yaozu had forgotten about her, giving her a chance to breathe.

Liàn Yī did not respond to Mé Zhī's offer of allegiance. The other party clearly expressed their unwillingness, and she would not force them.

Especially after Lin Yaizu learned that Mei Zhi was unable to give him children, his passion cooled down. As he didn't care much himself, Mei Zhi peacefully stayed by his side as a maidservant.

After finishing her dressing, Lian'er walked slowly toward the back garden with her maidservants' help from Grandmother Zhen. Halfway there, they encountered several waves of hurried maids and servants.

"Mei Zhi, go and ask what happened."

Yes, mistress.

Ripples sent Mei Zhi to gather information, while she led the others deeper into the back garden.

The closer they got to the back garden, the louder the commotion became. Many people had gathered around the artificial lake in the back garden, and Lian Ri wanted to go see what all the fuss was about, but Zhen Mama stopped her.

"Madam, with your condition, it's best not to go. If you were jostled, it would be you who would suffer."

"Alright, then we'll keep our distance. You guys go find a place nearby where you can sit."

Ripple is very good at taking advice.

"Yes, Madam."

Grandma Sun immediately replied.

At this time, Mei Zhi walked over against the flow of people, her footsteps hurried.

"Madam, something has happened over there."

"What's up"

The second young lady of the prime minister's family fell into the lake and was rescued by the commander of the Imperial Forest Army.

"Is everyone alright"

"It's nothing, just the second young mistress fainted after being brought up."

Mei Zhi said in a low voice.

"Oh Who does she want to save her"

Ripple smiled and asked.

Mei Zhi immediately understood Lian Yi's meaning and shook her head, indicating that she didn't know.

At this time, both the male and female guests were together, and it was unknown who the second young mistress had her sights set on.

Mei Zhi pressed her voice low and said.

It seems like Mother's got something to worry about this time.

Ripple said very unsympathetically.

"Madam, that pavilion over there is empty. I've already had it arranged."

Grandma hurried back and said.

The ripples and plum branches stopped talking, then, with the support of Zhen Mama, they walked towards the small pavilion. There was a small hill beside the small pavilion, which blocked most of the sunlight, making the pavilion less sunny.

After the ripples were helped to sit down, she sent everyone to stand around the pavilion, not to disturb her from cooling off. She only left Mei Zhi and Feng Yu to accompany her:

"Mei Zhi, shell these melon seeds for me."

"Yes, mistress."

Mei Zhi delicately picked up the melon seeds and began shelling them for Lian Yi, then whispered:

"Madam, do you think the Wind Commander will marry Miss Zhao Er"

"I don't know, let's see if the two sides can reach an agreement. As far as I know, all the daughters of the prime minister want to marry into the royal family."

Rill said, as she petted a cat, "

"In that case, General Feng has gotten a good deal. He's at most a fourth-rank official, and still a military officer. A minister is a first-rank official. Marrying into the family of a minister is hugely beneficial for his future."

"There are both advantages and disadvantages. The emperor is suspicious, and civil and military officials collude with each other. Even if they are just in-laws, the emperor will be displeased."

But this marriage alliance benefits both the prime minister and the military commander. If anything were to happen in the imperial city, these two wouldn't miss it.

But I heard that the prime minister wants to marry his second daughter to the crown prince.

Mei Zhi placed the shelled melon seeds in a small dish and handed it to Lian Yi.

"Tut tut, he's hoping for a queen to come out of the house."

Ripple speaks plainly.

"Madam, half a year ago, the eldest prince performed well on his mission and was rewarded by the emperor. His voice to be crowned Prince grew louder. Now, this General Feng has appeared out of nowhere, who knows what will happen!"

Mei Zhi shook her head and said.

At this time, the whirlwind beside Ripple's hand twitched its ears and stood up. It stretched its body, jumped down from the stone table inside the gazebo, and sprang onto the nearby artificial hill.

Ripples smiled at the direction the whirlwind had left in, and Fāngcǎo also saw the departing whirlwind. She immediately turned and walked towards the gazebo and said:

"Madam, I will go and bring back the Whirlwind."

As soon as she finished speaking, a man fell into the gazebo. Mei Zhi jumped in fright, and Fang Cao and the other maidservants were also startled.

Mei Zhi immediately stepped in front of Lian Yi, determined to protect his own wife.

And at this moment, the whirlwind was stepping on their shoulders, making it impossible for them to get up. Ripples found it amusing and spoke up:

"Tornado, come back! Don't bully people."

Meow!

The whirlwind retorted with a jab to the other's leg before leaping onto the stone table, back to Rippleside, where it received its master's affection.

The man on the ground finally stood up, brushed off the dust from his brocade robe, and stared at the whirlwind.

"The cat from the mistress's house is really amazing."

"You flatter me, my whirlwind is usually well-behaved, she just loves to catch mice. How did you manage to stand on that fake mountain Is it for a better view of the commotion"

Ripples gazed at the other person's handsome face and smiled.

When the man heard the sound of ripples, he finally shifted his gaze from the tornado to the ripples, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

"My wife is"

"I am the youngest daughter of Hou An Ding, I entered the Shangshu Mansion six months ago. You can call me Mrs. Lin, and I wonder how you would address me"k.Because he saw his elder brother holding the jade pendant that Huā Lián Yī had given him.She should be a good match for me.Wen Shiru thought for a moment then said."Oh Really""Can she suppress your...