Chapter 929: Back to the Hou Mansion
ed near the door, apparently prepared for her. She curled her lips and sat directly on it, shaking the blanket over her head and began to sleep."Instructor Chiang, this Wu Lianyi is not easy to tame."...Lian Yi was very satisfied, after all, Duo Duo and Xuan Feng couldn't stay in the space forever. When they returned to Hou Mansion, she would find an opportunity to let both of them out.
"Miss, wake up, we're almost at Hou Mansion."
"Cherry, don't be so loud."
Liàn Yī opened her eyes, and said with a hint of displeasure.
The maidservant, Sakura, who is by my side, is a treacherous person. The original owner's sister was able to switch places with her so smoothly, and there wasn't any clue in the Shangshu Mansion's backyard. This maidservant played a crucial role, and she is also the first person I need to get rid of.
When Sakura heard Ren's accusing words, she immediately shut her mouth and lowered her eyes, concealing the displeasure in them.
For a better future, she was sent to the young lady's side by her mistress. Now that she had returned to the Marquis's mansion and experienced both hardship and sweetness, she couldn't let the young lady dislike her. Therefore, she immediately obediently closed her mouth.
The carriage that ripples rode did not enter from the main gate of An Ding Hou Mansion, but instead entered very discreetly from the back door. They didn't even allow ripples to get out of the carriage, directly sending the two of them to Bi Lan Yuan.
An upright and stern-faced old nanny was already waiting at the gate of Bi Lan Garden. Behind her were two fourteen-year-old maidservants. After the carriage came to a stop, she motioned for the two to secure the footrests before opening the door and addressing Lian Yi:
"Miss, please alight from the carriage."
Cherry, being very perceptive, got out of the carriage first and then helped Riri by holding her hand and guiding her down.
Her complexion paled slightly. The original body wasn't in good health to begin with, and the carriage ride had been quite bumpy. Her stomach felt a little queasy, but she didn't want to be like the original owner, who would vomit uncontrollably upon arriving at the Marquis's estate, missing out on many things and being drugged early by her own sister.
Don't ask her how she knew. Although the original body had no memory of being drugged, because she got carsick and was weak, she fell ill and lay in bed for three days after returning to the Hou Mansion.
She had been force-fed a lot of soup during that time, which was a perfect opportunity for someone else to take action. If she were in their shoes, she would have chosen to do something at this moment as well.
Ripples endured the discomfort, supporting Cherry's hand, and looked at the stern-faced Grandma Sun. This person was Houfu's confidante, though she wasn't always by the madam's side, but some unpleasant matters were handled by this Grandma Sun.
After arranging for the original owner to live in the country estate, she is now being brought back. During the past six months of recuperation at the Hou residence, Granny Sun became the stewardess of Bilin Courtyard, where Ripples resided, controlling the original owner's every word and deed. Even when Ripples took the place of the original owner to marry, Granny Sun went along as a companion maid to the Minister's residence.
This grandmother could be said to be Madam Hou's eyes and ears, a pawn she left by her eldest daughter's side.
“Greetings, Miss! My name is Sun, and I am the head housemaid of Bi Lan Yuan. Madam has arranged for me to serve you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.”
Grandmother Sun respectfully performed a bow, leaving Ripples unable to find any fault. Her words were flawless as well.
With a slight smile, Lian Yi reached out to help Granny Sun up, then said softly:
"Grandma Sun, don't be so distant. I've just returned to the manor and am unaware of anything. In the future, there are many things I will rely on you for. Please don't treat me as a stranger. If I do anything wrong, Grandma, please be sure to remind me."
The ripple's words were also very beautiful, and she conveniently stated that she would be very well-behaved, which made Grandma Sun feel much more at ease. She immediately took Ripple into the Bilan Garden.
"Miss, you rushed back all the way, and must be tired. This old servant has already arranged for hot water to be prepared for your bath. Please bathe and change your clothes before going to see Madam."
Thank you, Grandma.
The ripples didn't refuse, after all, her current attire wasn't suitable to meet Madam Hou.
Cherry still wanted to wait on Lianyi's bath, but Lianyi directly turned her away. The two maids who were about to come and serve were also pushed out by Lianyi. She said that she was not used to having someone serve her while taking a bath. The two maids, Hongqi and Lvcui, could only stay at the door of the bathing room.
With ripples shedding her clothes and sitting in the bath tub, she first took a sip of the spiritual spring water in the air, then sat cross-legged and began to try to draw qi into her body. Just as she sensed the points of spiritual energy, she heard Grandma Sun's voice:
"Miss, are you done bathing Madam is still waiting to see you."
Ripple opened her eyes and immediately said:
"Grandma Sun, I'm all better now."
"That old slave will have Hongxi and Lvcui change your clothes for you."
"Good."
Lan Ri got up and left the bathtub, simply wiping her body. When she was putting on her chemise and underpants, two maids walked in and began to help her dress.
Lian Yi put on four layers of clothing before being sent back to her own room. Then, she had her hair done and jewelry put on, after all, she was going to appear at the Hou Mansion, how could she still be wearing old clothes This was a little treat given to her by Madam Hou.
Ripple just drank the spring water, and the discomfort on her body has eased. But if she wants the original body to fully recover, it will still take some time. She's not in a hurry though, since she's going to stay at Hou Mansion for half a year anyway. She can just focus on recuperating before the marriage substitution.
An hour later, Lian Ri tidied herself up and, under the guidance of Grandma Sun, went to the main courtyard to pay respects to Madam Hou.
Lady Hou, Xue Jin-shi, was the most influential woman in the inner courtyard. Though her two sons were already married, she still held onto the power of managing the household and refused to pass it on to her eldest daughter-in-law.
That's precisely why she was able to orchestrate the ripple effect of replacing her daughters, allowing her youngest daughter to recover at the Marquis' mansion without raising any suspicion. Not even the Marquis himself had noticed, demonstrating just how firmly Lady Hou held control over the inner household.
Therefore, ripples believed with one hundred percent certainty that Madam Hou didn't know about her younger daughter drugging her elder daughter. It shows not all mothers are fit to be mothers.
Grandmother Sun lifted the curtain and brought ripples into the main courtyard.
Ringlets entered gracefully, casually glanced around, then lowered her eyes. Sitting in the main seat was a woman dressed in a purple brocade robe, adorned with jewels all over her head. This was Madam Hou, her attire radiating the authority of the mistress of the house.
"Ripple, my poor daughter, today I finally see you."
Mrs. Hou, with her ruby ringed hand holding a silk handkerchief, was theatrically dabbing at the corner of her eyes, putting on an expression of deep sorrow.
Ripples suddenly raised her head, her eyes reddened, and immediately stepped forward, kneeling on the cushion that had been laid out, and said with red eyes:
"Mother above, please accept a bow from your daughter."
Then he kowtowed with all his heart, so deeply that the maidservants and Granny Sun who were attending him felt it was painful. Madam Hou, however, felt a sense of immense satisfaction within her heart. After all, he was her own flesh and blood, and showing respect to her was only right.
Mrs. Hou immediately gave a signal to Yao Mamá beside her, and the latter immediately stepped forward to help Liàn Yī up, saying:
"Miss, please get up quickly. This way your husband will be even more worried."
The ripples stood up, following the other's strength, and said somewhat embarrassedly:
"It was my first time meeting my mother, I couldn't help but get a little excited."""By keeping Xiangyi now, you're using her as a bargaining chip, a way to make Qiqi devote herself to you completely.""Yes! I will deliver the murderer of his family into his hands myself, in exchange...