“Master, the original owner is very grateful to you. Her feelings towards her mother were complicated, a mixture of hatred and love. She couldn’t bear to leave her mother without anyone to take care of her, yet she hated her for pushing her into the abyss. She gave her merits to you; this is the only thing she had left.”
123 was very excited. This was the first time a mission target had sent a thank you message. Xiao Li was very happy. She felt that what she did was right, and she would feel gratified to be able to help the mission target.
Will giving all the merit to me have any impact on her?
123 hopped and skipped, "No, she has no merit, so she's no different from an ordinary person, or even a little better. She'll be reborn into a better family in her next life."
Xiao Li nodded. "Let's begin the next world."
☆
Sun Xiaoli was the daughter of the richest man in Yancheng during the Kang Dynasty. When she married Wu Xiucai Wu Yanbin, she brought a large dowry with her. From then on, the Wu family lived a life of luxury.
Not only did they move into a large house, but they also wore fine silks and satins, ate delicacies from land and sea, had a large retinue of servants, and were chauffeured around by horse-drawn carriages...
However, the household manager was the mother-in-law, Wu Wangshi. She put Sun Xiaoli in charge of the accounts, saying that the most important things should be handled by the daughter-in-law, and that the daughter-in-law should not have to worry about the trivial matters of daily life, so that she could give birth to a son as soon as possible.
Sun Xiaoli was deeply moved. Whenever the family needed to spend money, as long as her mother-in-law instructed her to do so, she would immediately take out large sums of money.
Although the accounts were kept, there were only expenses and no income, making it a messy accounting system.
Sun Xiaoli didn't care at all. Money was the last thing she lacked. Being the daughter of the richest man was no joke, and she was also the most beloved child in her family.
Wu Yanbin is always busy, either going out to enjoy spring outings and gatherings with his classmates or studying hard in his study. Sun Xiaoli has been married for three years, but has only seen her husband a few times.
But she would hear the servants report her husband's whereabouts every day, and knew that he was only doing it for his studies. She did not blame him, but instead did her best to keep the house in good order so that he would have no worries.
Wu Yanbin lived up to expectations, passing the imperial examination three years later and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination). He then went to the capital for the imperial examination and was appointed Tan Hua (a third-ranked scholar) by the emperor.
Riding through the streets on horseback, what a glorious sight!
The Fifth Princess took a liking to him, but upon learning that he was already married, she could only give up in heartache. However, from then on, she targeted Sun Xiaoli and the Sun family.
Not only did they embarrass her at parties, but they also ostracized her from the wealthy ladies of Beijing. After several such incidents, Sun Xiaoli distanced herself from this circle and stopped going out.
However, the capital city is a complicated place. If you want to get promoted, talent is far from enough. Wu Yanbin realized at this time that money alone is useless.
Moreover, having money but no power is a problem. The Wu family has already lost several large sums of money and has been taken advantage of.
Wu Yanbin didn't have deep feelings for Sun Xiaoli to begin with, and he immediately agreed after his mother suggested giving up on Sun Xiaoli.
However, this matter needs to be handled gradually and cannot be made too obvious.
From that day forward, rumors spread throughout the capital that the third-ranked scholar was deeply devoted to his wife and doted on her.
The two were frequently seen at elegant scenic spots in the capital, and for a time, Sun Xiaoli was the envy of everyone.
Unfortunately, three months later, Sun Xiaoli contracted a cold and died.
The Sun family was falsely accused, their property was confiscated, and the entire family was exiled and died.
Wu Yanbin is deeply devoted to his wife and has vowed never to remarry, dedicating himself to remaining faithful to her.
Now all the women in the capital were envious. The third-ranked scholar was truly a fine man. Even if Sun Xiaoli died, it would be worth it.
Two years later, the emperor issued an edict, bestowing marriage upon Wu Yanbin and the Fifth Princess. The two were happily married, using the original owner's dowry, and lived happily ever after.
No one knows what kind of life Sun Xiaoli leads, spending years alone in her room, bound by rules imposed by her mother-in-law, without friends or hope.
☆
Xiao Li arrived relatively early, on her wedding day. She was sitting on the bed, dressed in her wedding gown.
The two maids standing beside her were her personal maids, Chunhua and Qiushi.
"Go and distract the people at the door, I need to go out for a bit."
The two maids exchanged a glance. Where was their young mistress going? However, neither of them asked aloud, but instead discussed it briefly.
Chunhua walked to the door, said something, and the person guarding the door immediately followed her away.
Xiao Li nodded. This was the behavior of a loyal maid. No wonder the two maids were later framed for seducing their master and were kicked out of the Wu Mansion.
Xiao Li knew from her memory that one of the maids was clever and the other was steady; both were very good helpers.
It's just that the original owner was too naive and soft-hearted, and failed to protect them; otherwise, her life in the backyard wouldn't have been so difficult.
She got up and went to the storeroom next door, where the original owner's dowry, which had been brought in that day, was stored. To save face, Madam Wu still had the dowry moved to the bridal chamber.
However, after the guests left, she used the excuse that there were too many things to give to the original owner and moved the storeroom. She took away many things, especially cash and antiques.
Xiao Li packed all the valuables into her spatial storage, leaving only some of her frequently used items, which she would have moved into her room the next day.
Then she went back to her room.
Qiu Shi didn't know what Miss was doing outside, but she came back as soon as she left. Maybe she was feeling a bit stuffy and wanted to get some fresh air?
"Let's rest."
Xiao Li gave the order, and Qiu Shi was a little surprised. Weren't we going to wait for the son-in-law?
However, she didn't ask any questions. She obediently fetched water from outside, helped Xiaoli wash up, and then closed the door and left.
Wu Yanbin didn't go back to the new house tonight; he drank too much and rested in the study. That's a bizarre reason—he drank too much and instead of being helped back to the new house, he went to the study.
The next day, he explained to the original owner that he was afraid of disturbing her rest, and the original owner let it go.
Xiao Li sat on a mahogany bed with canopies, which was also part of the original owner's dowry. She meditated amidst the faint fragrance, knowing that there was going to be a good show to watch tonight.
Sure enough, around midnight, there was a commotion outside, and Chunhua pushed open the door and came in.
"Miss, someone from the old lady's courtyard has come; they need to replace your storeroom tonight."
Xiao Li gave a soft "hmm," and Chunhua opened the door and went out.
Soon, a chorus of exclamations arose.
"how so?"
"There are always people in the yard, how could they disappear?"
"Quickly inform the Madam and the Old Madam..."
Soon, the old lady and Wu Yanbin arrived at the Pear Courtyard together.
Xiao Li glanced at Wu Yanbin. Wasn't he drunk? He's perfectly fine. It seems the Wu family isn't telling the truth at all.
"Mrs. Sun, what's going on? How come your dowry is gone?"
Madam Wu was furious. She had seen the dowry; it consisted of cash and rare antiques. She had already planned to use the cash to buy houses and land, and the antiques to decorate the storefront, give as gifts, and cultivate relationships.
Now look what's happened; the duck that was about to be eaten has flown away.
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