37 Chapter Thirty-Seven
"Does my husband know that I do not like my younger sister?"
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The wild mountains around the capital are extraordinary.
The mountains rise one after another, and as far as the eye can see, there is a dense, dark forest. Behind the swaying green leaves, there seems to be some monster that could leap out and swallow you whole!
Liu Qingqing had never seen such an imposing aura before. Her heart pounded with anxiety, and she felt as if she couldn't catch her breath. She buried her head in his neck and felt as if she had become a bow.
Pulled up forcefully, she felt utterly powerless and just wanted to get back to normal as quickly as possible.
"Don't shout."
His strong, large hand gripped her slender waist, gently reminding her not to make a sound, "Don't shout, my dear, there are people outside."
What if we attract that monster?
But who is the monster now?
As soon as he finished speaking, a huge wave surged on the previously calm water surface. Something fiercely leaped out, grabbed a person, tumbled down, and swept the person into it.
...
Her skirt and dress had fallen to the ground, her hairpins were nowhere to be found, and her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
Xie Lang's hair had long since come loose. He lay there with his arm around her shoulder, their hair intertwined.
The bed curtains separated the inside from the outside, creating a small paradise where only the two of them could stay together.
Although it wasn't the end, Xie Lang had already given her quite a bit of a hard time, and she was still taking small, even breaths after lying down for a while.
Xie Lang smiled slightly upon hearing this, but then suddenly said, "From now on, come with me every morning to practice your muscles and bones."
Liu Qingqing: "..."
Seeing that she pretended not to hear and didn't respond, Xie Lang smiled slightly in the darkness and didn't press the matter further. Instead, he asked her, "How do you feel now?"
Before she could answer, he continued in a low voice, "This time, Madam did a very good job. If you feel unwell again, please send someone to find me."
Liu Qingqing felt as if she were a willow branch swaying in the wind, still unable to touch the ground. Where was the slightest bit of resilience?
The man's rough fingertips gently caressed her smooth shoulder, offering silent comfort. Xie Lang hesitated for a long time, afraid that she would think he was neglecting his sexual relations, so he explained, "In a few months, we won't have to wait until the first and fifteenth of each month."
Seeing her secretly reading those storybooks, Xie Lang felt she must be pleased. But women are usually too shy to talk about such things, but Xie Lang didn't think it mattered. He was young and strong; how could he possibly be thirsty for her? Even if they did it every day, it wouldn't be a problem.
But he didn't want to offend the girl, so he had to be careful what he said.
Once the remaining poison is completely eliminated, they will be able to live freely and without such fear and hesitation.
That young Ying was ruthless, vicious, and audacious. Who would have thought that she would dare to harm the lady on their wedding day, causing her to suffer such injustice? If he had accompanied her in the first place, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
Xie Lang suddenly felt guilty. The evil medicine was too potent, and she was too shy to admit it. Usually, she would have to grit her teeth and bear the pain alone when she was in pain.
Xie Lang felt a pang of pity and gently stroked her cheek with his large hand. "Are you feeling any better?"
Liu Qingqing then realized that there must have been a mistake in the transmission. She covered her face and stammered a few words before finally saying "okay".
But Xie Lang was the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and he was extremely perceptive. She spoke, and connecting the dots of her previous refusals, Xie Lang immediately understood what was going on.
An eerie silence fell as the couple each lost in their own thoughts.
Liu Qingqing wrapped her arms around his neck like soft willow branches, and nestled her delicate body in his arms. "Thank you, my husband."
Xie Lang paused, "We are husband and wife, why should I thank you?"
And so, the matter was dropped without a trace.
Xie Lang then asked, "Your maid said she wanted to see me. What is it?"
Liu Qingqing then remembered and tried to roll up her sleeve to show him the Buddhist beads, but she found nothing. Her clothes were completely off, so there was no sleeve left to roll up.
She covered her embarrassment and raised her wrist to show him, "My grandmother gave me this bracelet when I was paying my respects earlier."
Xie Lang looked closely and laughed: "If I gave it to you, I'll keep it. Congratulations on becoming a little housekeeper."
When her suspicions came true, Liu Qingqing sat up abruptly, staring at him in disbelief.
As the light dimmed, Xie Lang's eyes darkened slightly. He stood up, placed his left hand on her smooth shoulder, and with his right arm, pulled her outer garment over her shoulders and draped it over her shoulders. After carefully tucking the garment in, he said with a serious expression, "Don't catch a cold."
In the sweltering heat of summer, with ice blocks placed indoors, how could one catch a cold?
Liu Qingqing was puzzled, and taking advantage of the good atmosphere, she wanted to tell him something else.
"My husband, would it be alright if my younger sister came to stay at our residence for a few days?"
Liu Qingqing tentatively probed, but her eyes were fixed on him. Nervous, she clenched her hands tightly.
She was like a reckless gambler, knowing full well the dangers ahead, yet inexplicably wanting to give it a try.
She dared not even think about it if he, like her father and brothers, favored Liu Qingying...
"This is a small matter, you can handle it."
Xie Lang's nonchalant attitude gradually eased Liu Qingqing's furrowed brow.
He lifted the bed curtains, revealing his beautifully sculpted thighs as he sat with them spread open, and there was something else that couldn't be ignored...
Xie Lang hastily threw on a long robe and walked towards the clean room.
The sound of running water made Liu Qingqing realize that there was no hot water in the clean room. As if thinking of something, her face, which was as red as a ripe peach, became even more flushed.
She didn't want to take a cold shower, nor did she want others to know what they did behind closed doors, so she gritted her teeth and wiped herself with a clean cloth while he was still away, and quickly changed into a new set of clothes.
Soon after, she heard Xie Lang's approaching footsteps, and Liu Qingqing quickly hid back in bed.
After he finished dressing with his back to her, Liu Qingqing quietly peeked out as he turned around, discreetly glancing at his waist and abdomen. As soon as she looked over, he swiftly and keenly captured her gaze like a hawk.
Caught red-handed, Liu Qingqing froze, then immediately turned her head away, pretending not to know anything.
With a rustling of clothes, Xie Lang tightened his belt, and Liu Qingqing looked over again, noticing that his ears seemed to be red.
That glance made her feel as sweet as if she had swallowed a jar of honey, and she shrank her neck and smiled secretly.
Xie Lang, with his back to her, said, "I have urgent business to attend to. I might not be back for dinner, so don't wait for me."
He left in a hurry after saying those words, as if tigers and wolves were chasing him.
Seeing him gently open the door, Liu Qingqing turned around and their eyes met. She pursed her lips, took a step back, and closed the door again.
She strained her ears until she could no longer hear Xie Lang's footsteps, then she collapsed back onto the bed, completely exhausted.
He couldn't help but laugh out loud again.
This encounter seems to have been a chance glimpse into his more human side, beneath that tough mask.
The Xie Lang of just now no longer seemed like the imposing, powerful, and invincible third-rank official of the court, but merely Liu Qingqing's husband whom she had only recently married and who still felt shy with her.
As Liu Qingqing was still savoring the unexpectedly obtained sugar pearl, a conversation broke out outside the door, and soon someone knocked on the door.
Upon receiving the order, Granny Li quickly entered the room and hurriedly closed it behind her.
Seeing Liu Qingqing's face as beautiful as a lotus, with her eyebrows and eyes full of moisture, one could tell that the young lady had just received the master's favor.
Granny Li felt relieved and stepped forward to complain, "That little hussy Liu Qingying is indeed the offspring of Madam Ying. When the young master came just now, her eyes were practically glued to him, and she called him 'brother-in-law' in a sweet, coquettish voice."
"Miss didn't hear," said Granny Li, sounding like a tyrant. "This old servant just wanted to tear her mouth off!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing's gentle gaze turned cold. Her pleasant mood vanished instantly.
Seeing this, Granny Li quickly added, "But don't worry, Miss, how could the young master possibly fancy her? He came back in a hurry, thinking something had happened to you. He didn't even glance at Liu Qingying when he went out just now. Don't even mention her face; she looked like she was about to cry."
Still not satisfied, he spat out another curse: "Let her be shameless! Does she think this is some filthy, dilapidated place like the Liu mansion!"
Liu Qingqing pondered quietly.
She knew that Xiao Ying and her daughter Liu Qingying had ill intentions, but she never expected that they would actually raid her new home!
She was doing well now and no longer cared about those sordid things from the past.
But if they insist on coming over, she wouldn't mind using the Marquis's mansion's name to intimidate them!
Her eyes lit up, and she beckoned to Li Mama to come over. Li Mama leaned in and heard the young lady give her instructions. Li Mama's eyes lit up immediately, and she clenched her right fist and slammed it into her left hand. "That's a great idea! It'll save her from being an eyesore in the mansion all day!"
Now that the matter of Liu Qingying's temporary stay at the Marquis's residence was out in the open, Liu Qingqing would continue to proceed according to plan. After lunch, it was time to go to the estate.
We can't leave Liu Qingying in the mansion, but we can always bring her along.
Because Liu Qingying had delayed her all morning, and she was in a hurry to go out, she only asked the small kitchen to cook noodles for lunch.
Liu Qingying picked at the food in her bowl with her chopsticks, frowning and complaining, "How can a noble family like this eat such a meager meal? It's not even as good as what people eat on the street."
Before coming, she thought that even a noble mansion like the Marquis's residence must have delicacies every day.
The difference was truly striking; even though the noodles smelled delicious and tempting, she forced herself to pretend she had no appetite.
Liu Qingqing glanced at her coldly, unlike her father and brothers who would coax her. After finishing the last bite, she wiped her mouth and said, "Then go eat at a street stall."
After saying that, he got up and walked out.
Liu Qingying was still dazed. She had just picked up a noodle and put it in her mouth. She had been disgusted at first, but after chewing it a couple of times, her eyes lit up. How delicious it was!
The aroma was so enticing that people forgot all about appearances and were about to feast when they saw their sister leave.
Liu Qingying stood there, chopsticks in hand, first glancing at her sister's receding figure, then turning to look at the steaming mutton noodles and blinking.
"elder sister!"
She hurriedly got up, but Liu Qingqing didn't stop. She was so anxious that she stomped her feet and had no choice but to throw down her chopsticks and chase after him.
She was still sulking after getting into the carriage and sitting next to Liu Qingqing.
Hungry and sulking, she didn't hear her sister coax her once until she left the city gate. Liu Qingying was angry at first, glancing at her sister, but her sister ignored her. As her anger subsided, she felt wronged and slumped into a corner, holding her face and looking dejected.
Liu Qingqing looked down at the account books, ignoring Liu Qingying as if she were invisible.
She didn't even try to comfort her when she was in such a difficult situation at the Liu residence, so it's even less likely now.
When they were halfway through the ledger, they arrived near the estate. Liu Qingqing lifted the curtain and looked outside.
The sun is high in the sky, and while no one is working in the other fields, they are still working diligently.
The tenant farmers from last time all looked darker and thinner. Last time, the little baby still had some flesh on his face, but now, after only a few days, he was all shriveled up, as if a gust of wind could blow the whole family away.
Last time there were two women, but this time they were nowhere to be seen.
The few people who were still working swayed as they went back and forth to the distant river to fetch water for irrigating the fields.
Liu Qingqing then realized something was wrong. Every other household had a water channel, so why did this tenant farmer still need to carry water?
Seeing her sister looking outside, Liu Qingying followed her gaze.
She should have looked away, because once she saw them, she couldn't help but gag. Seeing her sister's unpleasant expression, she quickly covered her mouth and mumbled an explanation, "Sister, they... are so scary."
He was so thin he had almost no flesh on his body, looking like a skeleton. If he hadn't been moving, she would have thought he was dead!
Look, as the carriage gets closer, other people might glance over curiously, but these people don't even move their eyes!
Liu Qingqing remained silent, pretending to be a passerby as before, and let the carriage continue forward.
After passing the village, Liu Qingying still clung to the car window, looking back until she could no longer see anyone. She didn't turn back, staring blankly, lost in thought.
At the end of the dirt road was a dilapidated temple, which used to be home to many refugees. After the temple started distributing porridge, the people on this side gradually moved to the other side, and the dilapidated temple became empty.
The gate stood bare, surrounded by yellow earth, devoid of any vegetation except for some inedible poisonous plants. The tree growing at the temple entrance was in a terrible state, its bark stripped away.
There was no one around, only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.
It was a creepy feeling, and Liu Qingying shrank back, hiding behind her sister.
The older sister went around to the back of the dilapidated temple and whistled. A moment later, there was a rustling sound, like the sound of a fierce wild beast, which frightened Liu Qingying so much that she took two steps back.
Thinking that she shouldn't be a nuisance, the older sister decided to tame the beast and feed her to the animals!
Startled, the boy looked around, wondering where to run, when he saw the boy emerge from the dense forest. He was covered in dust and mud, like a tabby cat, with a blade of grass in his mouth and bright black eyes.
It turned out to be a real person!
It startled her!
Liu Qingying breathed a sigh of relief and stared at the man with curiosity.
Then she thought about it again, and realized that her sister's life after getting married seemed quite interesting, unlike what she had heard about her sister entering a secluded mansion after marriage.
My sister... seems so different from when she's at home, like... she's become a completely different person.
Liu Qingying's round eyes darted around, her gaze shifting between her sister and the boy. The boy, however, seemed oblivious to her presence, his eyes fixed solely on his sister.
Something just feels off.
"How have you been lately?" she heard her sister ask the young man.
The boy chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Thanks to my sister, I've been doing well lately, with enough to eat every day! I used the money my sister gave me to rent a room at that house. They couldn't be happier with more money, so at least I have a place to shelter from the wind and rain."
“I also found a day-wage job, and it just so happens that today is my day off, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have heard my sister calling me.”
"Why did you arrive so quickly?"
"I heard from the villagers the other day that there are pheasants in the mountains, and I thought I'd try my luck and see if I could catch one."
She even calls me "older sister."
What makes him so special?! Where did this clown thief come from?!
Liu Qingying was unhappy. She pouted. She had just thought the young man had a clear and pleasant voice and good looks. But now, looking at him, she realized that his nose and eyes didn't look right.
She also knew that her sister didn't like her following her around. She could tell that her sister was different now than before. If she dared to say anything, her sister could kick her out.
Marrying into a noble family certainly gives her a lot of confidence.
Liu Qingying could only keep her sarcastic remarks to herself.
"Those people's lives got worse and worse. Within a few days, both women in the family collapsed from exhaustion. One of them, seemingly unaware of her pregnancy, miscarried while working in the fields, and the other..."
Liu Qingying disregarded her awkwardness and listened intently.
"My other sister-in-law seems to have a chronic illness. She used to be able to get by by taking some low-grade veterinary medicine, but recently, for some reason, she can't even take the medicine anymore, so she collapsed and vomits blood every day."
Liu Qingying was stunned, her twisted fingers frozen in place.
How can someone who vomits blood every day survive?
"Of the two strong laborers in the family, one injured his body from doing hard labor before, and the other is still okay, but he can't manage to work on this hundred acres of dry land by himself. It would have been better if we had oxen, but unfortunately they also died of illness in the spring."
"The elderly couple and their young children still work in the fields, and they can only eat some porridge and soup every day. They often faint from hunger."
"Why is it so difficult?" Liu Qingqing asked.
"Last year there was a drought, and the harvest was poor. We paid 70% of the rent, and the rest was barely enough to feed ourselves. Last year, a child in our family was seriously ill and we couldn't save him, which cost a lot of money. All these things combined have led to this situation."
Liu Qingying exclaimed in surprise, "Seventy percent of the rent? That's so high?"
The boy then noticed the girl who had come with him. He looked at his sister and, seeing that she seemed calm, continued to explain, "These days, tenants' rent ranges from 40% to 70%. If they deposit money or other assets with the landlord, their share will be lower. This particular tenant had a high share because they had nothing to deposit initially, and since they also had to bear their own taxes, they were struggling to make ends meet."
In the past few days, he has thoroughly investigated everything that happened here.
I didn't know these things before, but I'm getting more and more alarmed.
“Some kind landlords will reduce or waive rent during years of disaster, but this family was not so lucky. I heard that the landlord raised the rent by another 5%.
That's 75% of the rent!
Liu Qingying was alarmed: "But wouldn't this be considered mistreatment of the tenants by the landlord? Doesn't the law clearly state that mistreatment of tenants is prohibited?"
Strangely, no one responded after she finished speaking. Liu Qingying grew anxious and quickly pressed, "Isn't that right? Isn't this driving someone to their death?"
Liu Qingqing interrupted Liu Qingying, and as she raised her hand, Zhao Pansheng handed her a silver pouch. Liu Qingqing gave the pouch to the boy and, before he could refuse, instructed him, "Consider this money as a favor you did for me, to help this family find a doctor and medicine. If we didn't know, then forget it. But now that we know, we can't just stand by and watch them die."
Seeing the boy standing there in a daze, Liu Qingqing smiled and coaxed him, "I know you want to support yourself, but the money for saving people isn't too hot to handle. You contribute your efforts, and I'll contribute the money. Isn't that just right?"
The boy smiled, revealing two small dimples at the corners of his lips, and accepted the gift generously. "Alright! Don't worry, sister, I will definitely handle this matter well."
Looking at the boy's smiling face, Liu Qingying felt an itch in her fingers.
How come everyone else has dimples when they smile, even this rascal has them just like his sister, but she doesn't?
After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and pulled the hairpin off the back of his head.
She took two steps forward and stood between her sister and the boy, spreading her hands. A delicate peach blossom hairpin lay in her palm. Under the protection of Xiao Yingshi, she had grown up in a sweet environment and was originally detached from worldly affairs, but now she suddenly seemed to have acquired a bit of a human touch.
Liu Qingying stepped forward and asked, "Sister, how much is this hairpin worth? Is it enough to make that family well-dressed and well-fed?"
After saying that, she stubbornly glared at the boy, as if she was still not willing to admit defeat.
Liu Qingqing raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Isn't this your birthday gift?"
It was supposed to be a birthday gift, but coincidentally, it was Liu Qingying's fourteenth birthday that day, and she received so many gifts that her hands were sore from receiving them.
Liu Yuanzhou, unusually kind-hearted, noticed that his younger sister's head was bald and she had no jewelry, so he went out to buy Liu Qingqing a peach blossom hairpin. Coincidentally, Liu Qingying bumped into him just as Liu Yuanzhou was about to give it to Liu Qingqing.
She glanced at her elder brother, then at her elder sister, and without any hesitation snatched the peach blossom hairpin from her brother's hand, ignoring the fact that she had already accepted it. She then said in a coquettish tone, "Thank you for the birthday gift, elder brother."
When Liu Qingqing mentioned it, Liu Qingying also remembered the past. Her face flushed red, but she said stubbornly, "No matter what, if you didn't see it, so be it. If you did see it, you should lend a helping hand. I'm not a cunning and vicious villain."
The child, clearly only three or four years old, had a blank stare, looking at people with the same unseeing and unblinking gaze as an old person, seemingly dazed. His tattered clothes barely covered his body, and his emaciated belly was exposed. She thought it was a boy, but the servants said it was a little girl, which made her feel uneasy.
From a young age, Liu Qingying only knew how to follow her own heart and fulfill what she knew and wanted.
All she wants now is to never see that scene again.
Disdain is real, but so is reluctance.
Seeing that they were both looking at her without saying anything, Liu Qingying got annoyed and shoved the peach blossom hairpin into the boy's hand, "Count me in!"
After saying that, fearing they wouldn't accept it, she turned and ran towards the carriage.
After Liu Qingying climbed into the carriage, Liu Qingqing withdrew his gaze. Seeing the young man still sprawled out his hands, unsure of what to do, he nodded to him, "Keep it. We'll be collecting rent soon, so it'll cover the year's rent."
Upon receiving the order, the young man turned and hurriedly went to find a doctor. After taking two steps, he stopped, turned around, bowed deeply to Liu Qingqing, and then ran off again.
Its agile movements, like a nimble colt, vanished into the bushes in an instant.
Liu Qingqing sent Zhao Pansheng over to check on Liu Qingying, but he himself remained standing there without moving.
After a moment, he suddenly spoke up, "Granny, do you think his manner of doing things and speaking is like that of an orphan or a refugee?"
After a moment's thought, Granny Li finally understood where that strange and unsettling feeling came from!
That's right!
What kind of vagrant has such a clear mind!
Moreover, he didn't get greedy or flustered when he saw so much money. Instead, he took it steadily and casually stuffed it into his pocket when he left, as if he didn't care about the money at all.
That might be worth a few taels of silver, enough to cover an average family's expenses for a year.
If they were truly refugees who had escaped death, they would be as greedy as wolves seeing meat if they saw even a single coin.
This young man showed no fear whatsoever. His body was full of energy, and his sharp eyes and posture were something that even ordinary families, let alone refugees, could not raise.
And there's that identical jade pendant.
If he wasn't just a child who had lost his memory from his mother's side by sheer coincidence, then he must have deliberately approached him.
Lately, it's as if the gods have wiped away her blindness; many things that were once shrouded in mystery are gradually becoming clear.
Things that were unclear before are now gradually becoming clearer.
Just like how she originally didn't understand why Xiao Yingshi hated her so much? It didn't seem like the rejection from a blood-related aunt after she took over; rather, it seemed like she wished she could get rid of her as soon as possible.
That's really strange.
Now I'm not going to dwell on that. Whether she loves me or hates me, I'll give her back everything that's taken from her!
She has so much to learn and do now.
Many things can only be done slowly.
The boy on the other side was Li Ying. He ran over the hill and looked back to see if his sister had sent anyone to follow him.
The mountain wind behind me blew the wild grass low, without a spiky head.
There were none openly, but whether Xie Lang had any men following him in secret was none of his concern.
There was an inconspicuous carriage parked deep in the mountains. He lifted the curtain and nimbly jumped inside.
The carriage looked quite old from the outside, but inside it was a completely different world, with the whole place wrapped in plain brocade, and even the low table placed on one side was made of the finest golden nanmu wood.
He lay on his side, propped up on his elbow, his hand lazily supporting his head, and with his other hand he shook open his money bag, spilling silver coins all over the ground.
Li Ying clicked his tongue, "My sister is so honest, she might get taken advantage of by that old fox Xie Lang."
He had to secretly save some more money for his sister.
The gold and silver in one's hands are easily swindled away, and this fertile land cannot be moved in a short time.
Thinking of this, Li Ying suddenly turned over, lifted the curtain, and called someone over, "Go and ask if there are any farms or estates for sale around here? I heard there are hot springs in the back. If there are any for sale, buy them all."
He then instructed, "The last doctor said to continue the family's medication, but don't cure them yet; leave a loose end. They should appear weak on the surface, but you should give them proper internal nourishment."
He was not as kind-hearted as his sister. Li Ying vaguely sensed his sister's purpose: perhaps she wanted to use the tenant farmers to get rid of Xiao Yingshi. So he would play the villain.
People need to be saved, but if they are completely saved, what's the point of putting on a show?
What if he said that killing a young Ying would be as easy as turning his hand?
But neither her father nor her mother would allow it.
If they don't want to give way, then so be it.
If he helps his sister, then they can't say anything, right?
I wonder when my sister will recognize him?
He deliberately revealed a flaw last time; your sister should have noticed, right?
Li Ying couldn't help but rub his hands together excitedly at the thought of the day when the siblings would be reunited.
-
Having made up his mind, Liu Qingqing set off to return home.
By the time they arrived back at the mansion, it was already dusk.
After a long day of running around and covered in a light sweat, Liu Qingqing found Liu Qingying somewhat more pleasing to the eye today. He sent Liu Qingying back to the side courtyard to take a bath first, while he went to the east wing to wait for the water to boil in the main courtyard.
I had been fooling around with Xie Lang at noon and hadn't taken a bath, so this was a good excuse to wash up.
The items retrieved from the Liu family's treasury are temporarily stored in the east wing.
She closed the door and went over to examine it closely.
It was all books, each one showing signs of being flipped through, indicating that they were frequently taken out and read.
The mother has long since passed away, so it goes without saying who keeps taking it out to look at.
She couldn't tell anything for the time being, so she opened the makeup box.
Time has left thick marks; the inside of the makeup box is covered with a layer of dust. She reached out and touched it, and as she bent down to carefully blow away the remaining dust, sunlight happened to fall on her. Being so close, her downcast eyes suddenly froze.
After wiping away the dust, bathed in sunlight, only from the tricky angle of her bending over could one see a very faint engraving on the bottom of the makeup box.
And the shape of that engraving...
Others couldn't understand it, but she lived with it day and night.
With trembling fingers, she took out the gourd-shaped jade pendant that her mother had left her from her clothes.
Remove it and gently place it on the engraved mark.
Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
She had a premonition that the secrets hidden deep within the mansion were about to be revealed.
Sure enough, with a click, the wooden panels on the bottom of the makeup box folded up to the sides and opened.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview: "Does my husband know that I don't like my younger sister?"
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