Fortunately, I slept soundly through the night, and no petty thieves came to visit.

After daybreak, everyone gradually got up and washed up.

Qingshan got up early to help his wife wash up and get dressed.

The whole family, along with Han Shu and his group, and Ye He and her sisters, strolled around the city for a while.

I bought some local specialties and small items.

We then found the most famous breakfast shop in the area and ordered all sorts of food, enjoying a hearty meal.

After everyone was tired and had enjoyed their sightseeing, they returned to the inn to pack their luggage, checked out, boarded the carriage, and continued their journey...

Of course, some petty thieves tried to make a move, but they were all caught, and the carriage successfully left the city, heading towards its new destination.

Meanwhile, Jinling Prefecture—

Ge Mansion.

The Ge family is preparing for the marriage of their adopted daughter, whom the head of the family has recognized as his goddaughter.

Although the new son-in-law was a merchant, his business spanned Nanjing, from hot pot shops to soap shops, making a fortune and earning him respectable status.

Although the main family of the patriarch had some reservations about the patriarch taking an unknown orphan girl as his goddaughter, they could not resist the patriarch's domineering attitude.

Of course, these things are irrelevant to them as servants.

All they had to do was serve their masters well; whatever their masters ordered them to do, they would do...

"Hey, have you heard? Chunyu, who lived in the Buddhist temple, suddenly fell seriously ill and passed away!"

"I heard that Second Madam is secretly holding a mourning hall in the second branch of the family, but Second Master disagreed. Miss Jiaojiao made a scene all night, threatening suicide, which is why..."

"I must say, although Second Madam is a stepmother, she treats the woman in front of her and Miss Jiaojiao quite well."

"Indeed, ever since this second mistress took over the affairs of the manor, the servants have all grown fond of this gentle second mistress..."

"I'm not going to say anything more. I'm going to deliver the freshly ironed fox fur coat to the eldest young master. It's getting cold, and Second Madam spent a lot of money to make two fox fur coats for Miss Jiaojiao and the eldest young master. After Miss Jiaojiao's coat was delivered, it was immediately cut up..."

"Tsk tsk, you should go quickly, lest Second Madam's good intentions be completely wasted."

"That's natural~"

......

The steward of the Ge family listened in the shadows for a long time, and only emerged from the shadows after the maids and servants had dispersed.

It seems there's still some unrest in the household. He'll report this to the head of the family so that we can take precautions in advance...

villa

The original Buddhist hall now houses the funeral hall, surrounded by white banners and other funeral decorations.

Ge Jiaojiao, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt to one side, sobbing as she burned paper money for her mother.

It has been three years. Since the stepmother married into the Ge family, the eldest uncle has handed over all the management of the second branch of the family to the stepmother.

She was confined to her room by her stepmother and spent her days learning needlework and medical books.

No matter how much she cried and made a scene, no one paid any attention to her. She went on a hunger strike for three days, and in order to survive, she finally compromised and pretended to be sensible and obedient, thus maintaining the dignity of a young lady.

This stepmother is no ordinary woman!

Inside and outside the mansion, there was endless praise and eulogy!

If she were to argue back, she would be unfilial; but for the sake of her birth mother, she had to endure it!

She did not sit idly by and wait for her fate. She had thought of asking her maternal grandparents for help, but all the letters she sent were returned by her maternal grandparents!

Grandfather, you've abandoned them, mother and daughter!

Let them fend for themselves in the Ge family!

Her father didn't listen to her at all. Before her mother passed away, he arranged a marriage with her stepmother, intending to marry her off to someone far away!

My uncle has been busy with official duties, and coupled with my mother's previous scheming, he has grown tired of her and can no longer rely on her!

Not to mention her grandfather, who is traveling and has not returned to this day!

What to do? Her mother is gone, and she has no one to rely on. If she just sits and waits for death, her stepmother will marry her off to some unknown place, and she will never be able to come back!

The personal maid rushed in and quickly reminded her:

"Miss, the Second Madam has arrived."

Ge Jiaojiao nodded blankly, her sad expression undisguised.

So what if they come?

Her mother lost, lost terribly!

Is the Shangguan family here to show off their power or to kick someone when they're down?

"Madam, please walk slowly, there's no rush."

"My lord, I am worried about Jiaojiao. How can Jiaojiao bear the loss of her sister?"

“You treat her as an older sister, but she may not treat you as a younger sister. Jiaojiao is ignorant. If it weren’t for Madam’s kindness, how could anyone else tolerate such a disobedient and unfilial daughter?”

"Hush, my lord, you mustn't say that. Jiaojiao is your precious jewel, and also my child. I will certainly take her place and teach her well..."

......

In the mourning hall, Ge Jiaojiao heard these words and sneered inwardly.

What a loving couple, so devoted to each other, yet their words disgusted and disgusted her!

"Miss, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn."

The maidservant, unable to bear seeing her mistress in such a state, whispered some words of advice.

Then he knelt on the ground to greet the master and madam...

"This servant greets Master and Madam."

As the young lady's trusted maid, she had to protect her and please the stepmother!

"Yes, no need for formalities."

Ge Zhengqi was quite pleased with himself, as he had been taken care of meticulously by Shangguan since he remarried.

Unlike Chunyu's domineering and disdainful attitude, Shangguan genuinely loved him and would do anything for him.

Whether it was intimate matters in the bedroom or reciting poetry, Shangguan was very cooperative. She was truly his wife and soulmate!

In the gentle embrace of love, he gradually found himself, and his poetry and prose were highly sought after in the literary circles of Jinling. In a short time, he transformed from a useless second master of the Ge family into a late-blooming second master of the Ge family!

All these changes were brought about by Shangguan Shi, how could he not love them?

As for Chunyu, he is a disgrace to him; every day he lives is a reminder of his mediocre past!

If it weren't for Shangguan's kind heart, he would have expelled Chunyu from the family long ago!

Hmph, perhaps even the heavens heard his wish, for finally, Chunyu died!

Good riddance!

It was a good thing he died!

From now on, no one will ever mention that slut to him again!

When Ge Jiaojiao saw her father's smile as he entered the room, it stung her sensitive heart.

Unable to suppress a cold laugh, I looked directly into the other person's eyes and asked:

"Father, are you happy now that Mother is dead?"

"Smack—"

"Rebellious daughter!"

A loud slap and a roar rang out; unsurprisingly, his daughter's words had provoked Ge Zhengqi.

"No, my lord! Jiaojiao is still so young, she didn't mean it!"

Shangguan quickly stopped her, repeatedly saying that Jiaojiao was still young and didn't understand such things.

Little did he know, upon hearing this, Ge Zhengqi became even more enraged. However, facing his wife, he suppressed his anger, shielding her behind him, and pointed at the memorial tablet and his daughter on the ground, angrily cursing—

"She's already an eighteen-year-old spinster, is she still young?"

"You worthless wretch! If your mother hadn't stopped you, I would have beaten you to death, you unfilial brat!"

"Your birth mother is promiscuous and has a history of incestuous relationships, which has disgraced her as your father. And yet, you're the one protecting her!"

"Jiaojiao, don't be angry with your father. Quickly say something nice to appease him."

"Get out! It's all your fault, your fault for marrying into my family! I won't apologize, I will never forgive you!"

"You're all the ones who killed my mother! You should all die!"

"Husband, be careful!"

"Madam~"

"Bang!"

*Smack!*

......