concern, Mother. I'm just hosting guests at home."Before Lian Yi could finish her words, Madam Hou grasped her hand and interrupted with a voice."Ripples, you are already betrothed, it is indeed inapp...That evening, a small green sedan appeared at the back door of the Xia family. Xia Meng personally came to send his daughter.

Besides the four bearers carrying the palanquin, there was no one else at the back gate of the Xia family. At this time, inside the back gate, Xia Meng was still giving her daughter final instructions:

"Qingran, this is the last time I'll call your name like this. Once you enter the Meng residence, you must forget this name. You will be a daughter of the Meng family. Listen to General Meng and do as he says. Take care of yourself."

"Yes, Father, daughter remembers."

Ripples hung her head and spoke softly.

"Qingran, I also don't want to part with you, but for your sake and Xia family's future, I have to take a gamble. You have to understand my paternal heart."

"My father's hard work, his daughter understands. When she becomes successful in the future, she will never forget everything he has done, and Lady Niang Lang, you must take good care of him."

It's worth mentioning that Xia Qingran's mother is also unforgettable.

You don't need to worry about any of that. She is my wife, and as her father, I would never mistreat her."

Xia Fuzhang felt that the emotional connection was about enough, so he opened the back door and watched Lian Yi get into the sedan chair. He didn't step out of the back door himself.

Liàn Yī carried a veil, dressed in a plain cotton dress. She wore no jewelry, lest her identity be revealed.

Once she was seated in the Meng family's sedan chair, she quickly removed her veil and pulled out a damp cloth from her sleeve to apply to her face. Then, she completely removed her makeup, intending to meet the Meng family with the countenance of Cui Zhu.

The sedan chair circled the city for quite a while, presumably to avoid suspicion. It wasn't until half an hour later that it was carried into the back door of General Meng's mansion.

After entering the courtyard, an elderly woman helped Lianyi into another soft sedan chair. This time, there were no stops, and they went straight to the back garden, finally stopping at the door of "Liu Fang Yuan."

"Miss, please alight from the sedan chair. I will attend to you first by washing and dressing."

Grandma supported Lianyi into the boudoir and then began to speak.

"Thank you, Grandma."

The ripple nodded its head, then took off the veil from its face.

Grandma's eyes were sharp, sweeping over the ripples in the water as she personally served Ripples a bath. She took the opportunity to check her body and arms for any traces of sand from the protective markings.

The ripples pretended not to know, happily took a bath, wrung out her hair and changed into a silk nightgown. After drinking a bowl of bird's nest porridge, she was then served to bed.

"Miss, it is late today. Tomorrow, this old servant will accompany you to pay respects to the General and his wife."

"Okay, I've got it."

The ripples were covered by a satin quilt, and closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep.

And the clothes she had taken off were taken by her grandmother to the kitchen and used to fuel the stove, leaving not a single shred of evidence. Then her grandmother hurried off to see the general and his wife.

The ripples of sleep welling, she had entered the inner courtyard of Meng's mansion. She was one step closer to marrying the prince.

The next day, Lianyi woke up early. With the help of her grandmother, she put on a new pale pink skirt with lotus and peony embroidery, styled her hair into a cascading cloud bun, and adorned herself with a set of jade beads and colorful headdresses. She looked even more beautiful and charming. Then she went to greet the general and his wife.

General Meng and his wife had been waiting for a long time. Although they were satisfied with Xia Fubing's daughter after hearing from Madam Meng last night, they still felt uneasy without seeing her in person.

"General, Madam, and Grandmother Meng are here with Miss to pay their respects. The maidservant sees that Miss's complexion has improved greatly."

Meng Fu's eldest maid hurried into the hall and said with a smile.

"Well, don't let Ripples wait for a transmission, just have them come in."

Mrs. Meng immediately said.

Yes, Madam.

General Meng took a sip of tea, placed the teacup down, and then said in a low voice:

"My lady, I apologize for the trouble I've caused you."

"I know you had to do this. The Emperor is getting older and his suspicions are growing stronger. He wants to pave the way for the Crown Prince before he dies, I understand that. But he shouldn't have set his sights on my daughter."

Meng's wife's voice was a bit cold.

"Madam, please be careful with your words!"

Meng's wife's eyes were already red, she let out a long sigh, forcing down the unwillingness in her heart.

Who could understand her feelings Her daughter had left, yet she couldn't even hold a funeral for her. She had to excitedly prepare for her daughter's wedding, and she wasn't even allowed to cry.

General Meng looked at his wife, who was trying hard to compose herself beside him. His heart ached too. Last night, they had sent their youngest daughter off to her new home. Now, they were asking another girl to live in their youngest daughter's former courtyard and take her name as her own when she married.

The ripples flowed unimpeded until they reached General Meng and his wife. General Meng was about fifty years old, with white hairs already at the temples, but even sitting there, he exuded an aura of authority. One glance told you that he was a decisive man who made quick judgments.

Mrs. Meng's face looked a little pale, even with rouge and powder trying to conceal it, the sadness in her eyes was unmistakable.

“Greetings to Father and Mother from Daughter!”

Ripple performed a standard salute, flawless in every detail.

Only General Meng and his wife did not respond. Mrs. Meng waved her hand to Nanny Meng and said:

"Grandma, please go down first. We have something to say to her."

"Yes!"

Grandmother Meng immediately replied, then nodded to the two people at the front, implying that Ripples was very well-behaved. Then she left the hall and even thoughtfully closed the door.

"Sit down and talk."

Lady Meng said faintly.

"Thank you, Mrs. [Last Name]."

The ripples from the settling of Lian Yi's posture flowed like virtue. Only then did he lift his head to look directly at the two people seated above him, and before they could speak, he said:

"Xia Meng has already told my daughter the ins and outs of the matter. For the Xia family, I have to come, as a repayment for their kindness."

I know Miss Meng is gone now, please accept my condolences. Even if it's an act, I'll play along until the wedding. I'll cooperate as much as possible, just hoping you two won't reveal your true intentions and be seen through by others.

Mrs. Meng, who had originally intended to say something more, now stared intently at the ripples, her expression unreadable.

"My Lady, please do not stare at me like this, nor take your anger out on me. After all, I did not choose to take your daughter's place."

The Meng family has its own hardships, and I have mine. I hope that before I leave, we can all get along peacefully. I also won't appear in front of my mistress to be an eyesore because of my poor health, so please excuse my daughter from paying her respects.

Ripples said calmly.

"Go now! Do what you should do, and we won't mistreat you."

Yes, madam.

Liàn Yī rose and bowed, then turned to leave the hall.

Meng Mama, who was guarding the gate, looked at Lian'er with a scrutinizing gaze. Lian'er just smiled back at her and returned to Liufangyuan.

Perhaps because Lian Ri's words were too straightforward, or perhaps General Meng didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, after they met that day, Lian Ri never went to pay her respects again. She simply stayed in Liu Fang Yuan, recovering from her illness and embroidering her dowry with peace of mind. The General's mansion gradually became lively again.

Time flew by, and after half a month, the imperial wedding procession finally arrived at the border. The eunuch who delivered the decree read out the emperor's imperial decree granting marriage and personally handed it to Lianyi. This was also when she met the legendary Miss Meng, the frail eldest daughter of the Meng family.

Lian Yi, with both hands, received the imperial edict and smiled, thanking Cao Gonggong. After showing her face, she then returned to the back garden.g little ones was still fun, as long as she didn't have to do it herself. Fortunately, she was now the most powerful woman in the harem."Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has completed the first r...