Master Li was so drunk that he needed help to get up. Although his biological daughter was getting married in the mansion and still lived there after the wedding, he felt that things would be different from now on. It was as if a precious treasure he held in his hands had been taken away by someone else; it was so close, yet it no longer belonged to him.

Shi Liefeng's return to the bridal chamber after entering it filled him with worry, but these matters of the young couple's private life were none of his concern as a father. Despite his displeasure, he suppressed his anxieties and waited to hear his daughter's explanation the next day. He was unsteadily helped by his attendants towards the ancestral hall, wanting to speak his heart to his deceased wife.

His wife passed away from illness when their daughter was five or six years old. From then on, Master Li devoted all his attention to raising his daughter and expanding his family fortune. Whenever he had something to worry about, he would go to his deceased wife's memorial tablet to talk about it and relieve his worries.

"Old woman, back when you were still alive, we were both young. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. I've become an old man, but you still look as young as ever. Don't be offended if I call you 'old woman' a few times. Our daughters are all married now, and I'm getting old too. I don't know how much longer I can stay with her, sigh!"

My daughter is all grown up now and makes all her own decisions, but I'm still worried. It's my fault; I've spoiled her too much. She seems so well-behaved and sensible. I was planning to arrange a marriage for her, but she's chosen someone else herself. Do you think my daughter will resent me if I forcefully separate them?

Will she...resent it? It's better for her to marry; some things she needs to understand for herself. Shi Liefeng is no simple man. If he treats our daughter well, then letting them live like this isn't so bad. But what I worry about most is Wan'er. She's simple-minded; once she's made up her mind, it's not easy to change it. And Shi Yuanyuan is by her side. What if those two siblings do something...? I, this old man, won't be able to close my eyes in peace.

Old woman, let me light an incense stick for you, praying that our daughter will have good fortune and a long life, and that she'll get through this difficult time of turning sixteen. The Taoist priest also said that things will be better after she turns sixteen. As long as I'm here, I will definitely protect her, so don't worry.

Are you doing well over there? Are you waiting for me? So many years have passed, but you still look the same as when you were young. If I came to find you, would you recognize me?

"Forget it, what's the point of talking to you? Just rest in peace. You didn't have a good life with me, so I'll burn you plenty of paper money. Don't be stingy with the food and things you need; spend them freely. I didn't give you a good life when I was alive, but now that things are better, I'll make sure you have a grand and glorious life over there."

In modern terms, Li Yuanwai would be in his prime. However, in ancient times, people reached adulthood early, and the longest-lived person in ancient times was no more than seventy. It wouldn't be wrong for him to call himself an old man.

Xiang Wan listened outside the ancestral hall, her heart aching. A wave of sorrow washed over her; perhaps the original owner of this body had lost control of her emotions. Tears blurred her vision, and Xiang Wan let them stream down her cheeks. Master Li's love for the original owner was deep and reserved; in her previous life, Xiang Wan had never felt it so directly.

Some feelings, unspoken, are never truly understood by some. Some fatherly love is unseen, remaining unremembered even after death. The original owner of this body had the opportunity to have others make amends, but many others don't even have the chance to understand.

"Li Xiangwan, this is a cruel twist of fate, not your fault. You've paid the price. I'll take care of the rest for you, so don't worry!"

Xiang Wan kept comforting the original owner in her heart, and gradually calmed her surging emotions. She looked into the ancestral hall and saw that Master Li was sitting on the ground asleep, holding his deceased wife's memorial tablet and leaning against the offering table.

For so many years, Master Li single-handedly supported his family, striving to create more financial security for his daughter. Unfortunately, in the end, she fell into the hands of the Shi siblings, and all his hard work benefited these ruthless, fake siblings. If he knew this in his past life, he would probably not find peace even in death.

"Li Quan, get a few people to carry my father back to his bedroom. He'll get sick if he sleeps like this."

Li Quan was a servant of Master Li, known for his upright character. He had served Master Li since childhood, so his loyalty was beyond question. After Master Li's sudden death, the original owner never saw him again, suggesting he was likely murdered in secret.

"Yes. Miss, it's your wedding night, so you should get some rest. Otherwise, the master will worry if he finds out."

"Don't tell my father about my coming here yet. I'll offer incense to my mother and then leave."

Xiang Wan gently took the memorial tablet from Li Yuanwai's hand, placed it on the offering table, lit three incense sticks, bowed, and inserted them into the incense burner.

Li Quan acted quickly; soon two strong guards arrived and carried Master Li towards the main courtyard. Xiang Wan, worried, followed behind.

In the stillness of the night, only the sound of a few footsteps echoed in the corridor. Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, its whiteness almost eerie.

If it weren't for these people around her, Xiang Wan would never dare to walk alone at night, not even in the Li residence.

The Shi siblings have been here for several years now, and she simply doesn't believe they don't have any trusted confidants.

Master Li's death in his previous life was so sudden, and without anyone's help, the brother and sister alone couldn't have done it so discreetly. She needed to make Master Li, or those around him, wary. But she couldn't be too obvious; if she alerted them prematurely, Shi Liefeng and Shi Yuanyuan might act rashly. A fight to the death wasn't her intention.

After helping Master Li lie down on the bed, Xiang Wan didn't leave immediately. Instead, she brought hot water for Master Li to wipe his hands and face.

"Li Quan, I have something I'd like to talk to you about in private."

"yes."

Li Quan looked outside the bedroom and, seeing no one was there, closed the door.

“Li Quan, I know you are the most trusted and loyal person in this mansion. Now you must remember every word I say and never tell anyone, not even my father.”

"Miss…"

Shh, be careful, the walls may be listening.

Xiang Wan interrupted Li Quan, wringing out her handkerchief as she wiped Li Yuanwai's face, and said in a voice just loud enough for someone outside the door to hear, "How has my father been these past few days? My wedding must have exhausted him."

Li Quan was taken aback, but quickly came to his senses and replied, "Master has indeed been exhausted these past few days. He has been taking care of everything both inside and outside the manor."

"Thank you for your trouble, Dad. Please take good care of my father's diet these days and make sure he eats plenty of nutritious food."

As Xiang Wan spoke, she dipped her finger in water and wrote a few words on the stool next to the bed: "Be careful of being poisoned."

Li Quan frowned deeply, dipped his brush in water and wrote a character, saying, "Don't worry, Miss, I've always been in charge of the master's meals. I'll instruct the kitchen to pay close attention."

“My father never gets drunk normally, but he drank too much today. I’m worried his body can’t handle it. Why don’t you ask a doctor to come to the manor first thing tomorrow morning to take a look at my father?”

"Yes, Miss."