"Madam, please calm down. Some people are just born bad. How can we possibly understand them? You must not get angry. It's not worth ruining your health."

The old woman rushed forward to help Cen Shi, who was on the verge of fainting from anger, and sent someone to fetch a doctor.

Wen Wan quickly got up and helped her sit down, anxiously saying, "Mother, don't be angry. Anyway, I'm fine now. Don't get upset."

Cen took a few quick breaths, opened her eyes and saw her thinner face, and felt even more heartache, so she reached out and hugged her.

"Wan'er, my poor child, I've made you suffer. It's all my fault. I didn't protect you well. Don't worry, I will definitely get justice for you. This time, I will make sure she can't harm you again. When your father comes back, I will tell him to arrest her!"

Wen Wan's face paled. "Mother, maybe we should just forget about it. What if Father gets angry again and thinks I've disgraced the Marquis's family?"

Thinking about the Earl's recent attitude, Madam Cen felt utterly disheartened.

And you know what? If he knew about this, he might just tell his daughter to keep quiet and not make a fool of herself in the Earl's mansion.

She grew angrier the more she thought about it, and gritted her teeth fiercely.

"This matter can't be left unresolved. Who knows if she'll take further action? If your father doesn't intervene, your mother will!"

After saying that, he gently patted her hand and said, "Don't worry about this anymore. Just take good care of yourself. Look how haggard you've become lately."

Wenwan pursed her lips, snuggled into her arms, sniffled, and said softly, "Mother, you are so good. I was too willful before and always made you sad. After this experience, I understand your good intentions."

Hearing this, Cen's heart melted, and she stroked Cen's hair with a look of relief.

"Sigh, what's past is past, and it's not entirely your fault. Alright, you must be tired from your journey, go back and wash up and rest. I'll ask the kitchen to make some of your favorite dishes and some nourishing soup."

As she spoke, she quickly called for help and began making arrangements.

She was a little angry before, but now she only feels sorry for her and wishes she could give her all the good things in the world.

At this moment, a maid came in to announce that Aunt Liu and the Second Miss had come to visit after hearing that the Eldest Miss had returned.

Upon hearing this, Cen's face immediately fell.

Wen Wan was also stunned, turned her head in surprise, and exclaimed, "Second Miss? Who? Could it be..."

Before she could finish speaking, the maid beside her quickly supported her, saying, "Miss, be careful."

Wen Wan realized what was happening and quickly composed herself, looking helplessly at Cen Shi.

When Cen realized that she had misunderstood and thought that Wenrou had been brought back, she quickly explained.

"It's not what you think. It's your half-sisters who have come."

After saying that, she coldly told the maid, "Just say that Miss is tired from the journey and we can meet again when she has time."

"yes."

When the maid went to report, Wen Wan's cheeks twitched slightly, her eyes filled with malice.

But she could only pretend to be innocent and naive, asking, "Mother, why are they here?"

Speaking of this, Madam Cen's expression was not good, and she could only say...

"I'll explain this to you in detail later. Don't worry, even if they come, they won't be able to take away what is rightfully yours. Go wash up and rest first, don't get upset."

Wen Wan wanted to ask more questions.

Her sleeve was tugged by the maid, so she could only swallow her words and speak softly.

"Okay, Mother too, don't be angry anymore, it's not worth it."

Mrs. Cen looked very pleased and nodded with a smile. She watched her leave before her expression turned cold again.

At this moment, Yun Zhiyi, who had "seen" the whole thing, gently opened her eyes. Her eyes were calm and still, with only a hint of mockery remaining.

His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the table, his hand propped up his chin, and a slight smile played on his lips. He looked on with an air of anticipation, showing no sign of anger at being labeled again.

Wen Wan and Jia Shaoyang already knew about this when they conspired together.

After all, Wen Wan often mentioned her name during that period, so it was hard not to notice.

They originally thought the two of them would come up with some amazing plan, but it turned out they only wanted Wen Wan to return to the mansion safely and not be blamed.

To be honest, she initially had some doubts about whether Jia Shaoyang's character was exaggerated or whether he was influenced by Wen Wan and had become less intelligent.

But I understood it after thinking about it for a while.

In this life, Jia Shaoyang's reputation was tarnished by her, and he was thrown into the old mansion by the head of the family.

The mountains are high and the emperor is far away, not to mention he is a son of a concubine who has not yet obtained much of the family's resources or cultivated any power.

It was impossible to keep track of the situation in the capital in a timely manner.

This method might have been useful before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and could have garnered Wen Wan some sympathy.

But now, it may backfire.

It can only be used to fool Cen.

Going back to Beijing would be good too.

Xu Baofu happened to be in Beijing at the time.

Judging by the days, the letter sent to Jubao Casino should have arrived by now.

'Ling Yaoyao, is Wen Wan merely a cover for the real female lead?'

'...Why does the host think that way?'

Yun Zhiyi narrowed her eyes, 'Anyway, one thing is certain: Wen Wan is definitely not the female lead.'

Having traversed so many worlds, she has figured out a set of patterns, and no other female protagonist can compare to Wen Wan.

Aside from being indestructible, he has no luck whatsoever; he's more like a pawn randomly thrown in to attract attention.

In any world, if there is a male protagonist, there must be a female protagonist, even if the female protagonist's existence is not important.

Unless the male and female protagonists don't exist in this world.

The plot so far has shown that there is a male lead, so who is the real female lead?

If the male lead is indeed King Qu, he might become the female lead...

She tapped her fingers lightly, her mind going over all the women who might be connected to him.

Even Princess Fu'an was pondered by her repeatedly, but she still couldn't find a clue.

Or is the male protagonist perhaps a smokescreen planted by the world's consciousness to conceal something?

She now somewhat wants to meet the King of Qu, whom she has never met before.

This person is quite mysterious; she has never met him in either of her two lifetimes.

It is said that this person was sent to a Taoist temple at a young age for unknown reasons.

He never even appeared at several palace banquets.

However, based on the plot points gleaned from the other characters, Fu Tingchen should start moving around again after he is injured and becomes a cripple.

Perhaps once the source of the poison is identified, she can make a trip to the capital.

Yun Zhiyi thought about it listlessly.

At this moment, Li Fu rushed over and called out from outside the courtyard.

Yun Zhiyi got up and walked to the corridor. "Come in and talk."

Li Fucai hurried in, his face beaming with barely suppressed laughter.

“Master, the farmers have come to deliver their grain.”

Yun Zhiyi paused, then realized it meant paying grain tax.

She nodded. "Mr. Li can handle the accounting."

Li Fu rubbed his hands together. "Well, boss, the farmers have discussed it and are thinking of paying 10% more grain tax this year."

Yun Zhiyi looked surprised and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why?"

I've only ever heard of people asking their employers for tax cuts; I've never seen anyone voluntarily ask for tax increases. That's quite strange.

Li Fu chuckled, "This year, the village has had a once-in-a-century bumper harvest, all thanks to our employer. But we're just peasants, and we don't have anything good to offer as thanks. So we're all thinking of handing over more grain."