“No, without His Majesty’s imperial edict, they cannot easily return to the capital,” Li Minde smiled slightly.

Li Weiyang agreed, saying, “Exactly. Unless the Emperor issues an edict, no one from the Jiang family should think of returning easily. Once they truly return, that would be the crime of deceiving the sovereign.” The Jiang family had produced a Duke, which was naturally their most solid backing. The Emperor valued him highly and would not normally shake such a pillar of the state. But when things reach their extreme they reverse, and when water is full it overflows. Now the Jiang family was like oil boiling over flames and brocade in full bloom—how could they know this wealth and glory would last eternally? Li Weiyang calculated in her heart.

Li Minde nodded and said, “But they are not easy to provoke either. Third Sister, have you thought of a countermeasure?”

Li Weiyang stood up and looked toward the verdant banana leaves outside the window, saying softly, “Since we’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest, naturally we must be prepared.”

At this moment, Zhao Nan suddenly grinned, and Zhao Yue gently reproached him, “You’re really careless.”

Zhao Nan chuckled.

Li Weiyang turned back, looked at this pair of siblings, and smiled, “Zhao Nan, if you were to fight that person one-on-one, what are your chances?”

Zhao Nan thought for a moment, then said, “Thirty percent.”

Li Weiyang nodded, “The men of the Jiang family are truly outstanding…”

Li Minde snorted coldly and said, “Unfortunately, the women aren’t much to speak of. For example, the narrow-minded First Madam and the foolish, selfish Lady of Wei—their endings weren’t very good.”

Li Weiyang laughed, “The Jiang family has always been this way through generations. Whether sons or daughters-in-law married into the family, they are all capable. But the daughters are all excessively doted upon and not properly educated.” The Jiang family always raised their daughters with utmost tenderness and care, and when grown, married them to families of matching status, following the path of typical noble young ladies. However, they were extremely strict in educating their sons, throwing them into the military to train from a young age, then taking them to battlefields. All bore genuine military merit. It was precisely because of their efforts and struggles that Jiang family daughters had such remarkable halos and glory. So everyone would rather be a Jiang family daughter.

Just then, Bai Zhi hurriedly came in to report, “Miss, Old Madam Jiang has arrived.”

Oh? Li Weiyang and Li Minde exchanged glances. With Lady of Wei’s unexpected death, Lady Jiang of Duke Jiang’s manor had sent people several times to request First Madam’s presence, but now First Madam was delirious with illness and couldn’t possibly make the journey. This would naturally arouse Old Madam Jiang’s suspicions.

This old lady was far more formidable than ordinary people, Li Weiyang thought, then softly asked, “Does the Old Madam know?”

“The Old Madam has already gone to greet her personally and instructed all the other young ladies and concubines in the manor to wait in the main hall.”

Li Weiyang nodded and said, “Since maternal grandmother has arrived, this is only natural.”

She spoke the words “maternal grandmother” through gritted teeth, catching Li Minde’s attention.

In a moment, Lady Lin of Duke Jiang’s manor arrived. Her hair was completely silver, and her features closely resembled First Madam’s, only with a higher forehead and larger eyes. Traces of her youthful beauty could still be seen. As she gently lifted her teacup, the dark embroidered phoenix patterns on her sleeves shimmered with trailing luster. Beside her stood a beautiful woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six, with lustrous black hair piled high. A golden phoenix with clustered pearls and layered silk held a large pearl in its mouth. She wore a peacock-blue brocade heavily embroidered top and a snow-white tribute satin silk skirt. Her eyebrows arched with languid grace, and the corners of her eyes carried allure. She looked like an extremely sharp beauty. Li Weiyang recognized at a glance that this woman was Madam Han, the legitimate eldest daughter of Grand Scholar Han and also the wife of the Jiang family’s eldest grandson.

Back then, Madam Han had rendered great service in helping Li Changle ascend to the Empress position. Li Weiyang still remembered the first words Madam Han said to her: “Younger sister, though you weren’t born to aunt, I felt an instant connection with you. From now on, just consider me your sister-in-law. Our two families will always depend on each other.” At the time, she thought there was at least some sincerity in those words. Only later did she realize she had simply been too desperate for familial affection and valued even the slightest kindness from others so highly.

To end up in that situation was truly her own doing.

Li Weiyang by the window smiled faintly and walked in.

Lady Lin of the Duke’s manor saw Li Weiyang from afar, noticing her plain, simple dress, her graceful figure, light steps, and abundant smiling expression in her eyes. In her bearing, though not possessing beauty that could shame the moon and flowers, her smile was warm, her brow serene—extremely plain and elegant, like a proud magnolia standing alone on a branch.

Lin Shi immediately discerned Li Weiyang’s formidable nature. This kind of woman didn’t have Li Changle’s heart-stirring beauty, but knew how to conceal her sharp edges and charm. The seemingly pure, plain colors forcefully pushed back the myriad purples and reds, silently suppressing all the chattering beauties in the room.

Li Weiyang met Lin Shi’s appraising gaze, smiled sweetly, and said gracefully, “Weiyang greets maternal grandmother and eldest cousin sister-in-law.”

Lin Shi looked at her silently. Madam Han, always clever, took the initiative to help Li Weiyang up and carefully examined her from top to bottom for a moment, saying, “Third cousin sister is quite lovely—plain and gentle, very dignified and proper.” Previously she had heard that Li Weiyang was a girl raised in the countryside, and couldn’t help but sketch in her mind an image of someone unsophisticated. Later she heard that Li Weiyang had earned considerable favor from the Emperor, and vaguely felt she was probably a woman with a crude appearance and behavior as bold as a man. Who knew Li Weiyang would be neither humble nor arrogant, with indescribable charm in every gesture and glance.

According to reason, ordinary aristocratic and powerful families having a few unmarried concubine daughters didn’t really affect the household situation much. Neither for the family nor for themselves did being well-liked matter much without the status of a legitimate daughter—they couldn’t accomplish much. In the future when marrying out, the choices were only three types: worst was marrying down to a scholar as principal wife; slightly better was becoming husband and wife with a concubine son of an equal noble family; best was marrying a legitimate son of a noble family as a second wife. Of course, this was for ordinary noble families’ concubine daughters. With a family of the Li’s stature, concubine daughters had better options—at minimum, they could be used to win over imperial princes. Back then, Lin Shi had advised First Madam this way, telling her not to neglect educating the concubine daughters in the household, as they could be sent into the imperial family in the future to pave the way. It was precisely because First Madam heeded this advice that she carefully raised Fourth and Fifth Miss, and also to pave the way that she brought back the supposedly timid and mediocre Third Miss. Lin Shi never expected that this girl raised in Pingcheng would be such an ominous star.

Lin Shi looked at Li Weiyang coldly, merely nodding slightly without speaking.

At this moment, the Old Madam smiled and said, “In-law madam, it’s been so long since you came to visit.”

Lin Shi sighed, “With a funeral in the family, naturally it’s not good to call.”

The Old Madam’s expression showed some grief, though her eyes were indifferent: “Ah, regarding Lady of Wei’s matter, I also know of it. It’s just that I’ve been unwell recently and couldn’t personally visit to console you.”

A flash of cold light passed through Lin Shi’s eyes, though her lips carried a smile: “That child was thoughtless and caused tremendous trouble. This time it was only thanks to my son-in-law that it didn’t implicate the Jiang family. I truly thank you for your concern. These old bones of mine can still hold up.”

Li Weiyang listened in silence. Indeed, without Li Xiaoran’s plea, His Majesty truly had intentions to investigate the Jiang family. But in her view, it was merely theater. With the Jiang family holding military power, would the Emperor truly openly oppose them? Actually, once Lady of Wei died, the matter was settled on the surface. Of course, the undercurrents stirred privately—who knew how deep they ran.

Madam Han beside her stood quietly but observed Li Weiyang with phoenix eyes. Through the window’s pale golden sunlight, Li Weiyang’s face bore a gentle smile, warm and kind. Hidden beneath was a kind of startling indifference. She seemed to be seriously listening to the conversation there, yet also seemed to have drifted far beyond this discussion.

Madam Han was displeased to discover she couldn’t see through a teenage girl at all. This had never happened before!

Just then, Lin Shi looked around as if just noticing, “Why don’t I see Rou’er?” She intimately called First Madam “Rou’er.” Li Weiyang smiled faintly. She had obviously seen First Madam hadn’t come to greet her long ago, yet only brought it up now. Truly an old fox who could keep her composure.

“In-law madam, my daughter-in-law is unwell. A few days ago when Lady of Wei unfortunately passed, she struggled to get up to visit, but unfortunately collapsed before even boarding the carriage. That’s why she sent people to inform the Duke’s manor… If you insist on seeing her, I’ll have people summon her—” The Old Madam was very reluctant to let this mother and daughter meet, but with even Lady Lin of Duke Jiang’s manor having set aside propriety to come, not letting them meet seemed unreasonable.

“No need!” Lin Shi said indifferently, stopping the maid who was about to fetch First Madam. “After I finish my tea, I’ll go see her myself!” Saying this, she merely lifted the white-glazed blue-flowered tea cup before her and slowly, unhurriedly sipped her tea. The lid knocked against the cup wall, and even that sound was heavy. Behind her, everyone was silent as crows and sparrows.

Second Madam had been sitting beside her all along. She had been quite self-satisfied recently, taking over household management and watching First Madam’s misfortune. But—seeing Lady Lin of the Duke’s manor, Second Madam didn’t know why, but her heart felt like beating drums, with an indescribable nervousness.

This Lady of the Duke’s manor seemed much harder to deal with than First Madam!

The Duke’s lady took a long time drinking this bowl of tea, and everyone watched her restlessly. Especially Fourth Concubine, who clutched her handkerchief almost fearfully, as if about to faint at any moment. Everyone could see the terror in her heart, because recently she had been extremely disrespectful toward First Madam. Now seeing the Duke’s lady, she realized her actions might bring extremely terrible consequences. She involuntarily stepped back, and Li Changxiao quickly supported her, then inconspicuously withdrew.

The Old Madam looked at Fourth Concubine coldly, her expression showing displeasure.

In the complete silence, only Li Weiyang remained composed, as if not seeing the Duke’s lady at all, continuing to stand there absorbed in her own thoughts, completely unaffected.

Finally, Lin Shi broke the silence: “Very well, let’s go to Fortune Auspicious Courtyard.”

Thus, the group proceeded in grand procession to Fortune Auspicious Courtyard.

First Madam had already been helped by Nanny Cui to wash and groom, but her spirits looked extremely poor. She was properly dressed and waiting in the courtyard for the Duke’s lady. Upon seeing her arrive, her face showed joyful expression and she immediately said, “Mother, why have you come!”

Seeing her chaotic gaze, haggard countenance, and emaciated frame, the Duke’s lady was greatly shocked. Compared to her pampered younger daughter, she had always valued more this eldest daughter whose temperament and appearance both resembled her own. Lady of Wei’s death had already dealt her a great blow. Now seeing her eldest daughter also worn to this state, Lin Shi nearly couldn’t control her anger. Madam Han quickly squeezed her arm. Lin Shi, remembering she couldn’t yet break with the Li family, forcefully suppressed her rage and said, “What exactly is your illness? Why wouldn’t you go even when your sister met with trouble!”

First Madam remained continuously drowsy, looking at Lin Shi with confusion.

Lin Shi grew even angrier, turning to glare at the Old Madam: “What exactly is going on?!” Her gaze fell on the Old Madam’s face like a steel blade, making her skin throb with hidden pain.

The Old Madam was momentarily speechless.

She couldn’t very well say… her daughter-in-law had been confined too long and had become somewhat mentally unclear.

Li Weiyang stepped forward and said, “Reporting to maternal grandmother, mother has a heart ailment.” Her words had double meaning, then she glanced around.

Lin Shi was very disgusted by this concubine girl, but hearing this couldn’t help looking around, and couldn’t help but widen her eyes in shock. It turned out that every flower and blade of grass, every door and window, every table and chair in the courtyard, even on the artificial mountain and beams, were all hung full of yellow talismans.

This peculiar scene immediately stunned Lin Shi.

Madam Han exclaimed in shock, “These are all—”

She quickly glanced at First Madam, her eyes full of inquiry, but First Madam was like a puppet, not speaking. Nanny Cui breathed a sigh of relief. First Madam was now confined daily. Though she ate three meals and took medicine as usual, Third Miss had secretly instructed that no one was allowed to speak with her. As days passed, First Madam herself seemed to have forgotten how to speak. All day she was dazed and confused, her nerves seemingly gradually losing normalcy. Now she refused even medicine for heart ailments, crying out about catching ghosts nightly, sometimes even rolling off the bed. Currently she was just hanging onto life—a living corpse.

Lin Shi’s expression darkened completely. She contained her shock, “What exactly happened? What occurred to change your entire person into this state?!”

First Madam’s arm hurt where she gripped it, and she looked around trembling.

The Old Madam grew nervous, fearing First Madam would say something unpleasant.

But Li Weiyang smiled, curving her lips.

First Madam’s face filled with terror, her eyes bloodshot: “Mother… there are things in this courtyard!” Looking all around, terrified to the extreme, completely different from the formerly imposing, dignified, and composed First Madam.

Her spirit had been completely broken by ghosts and confinement, while the person who designed all this was currently watching with a smile.

“What things!” Lin Shi asked with extreme fury.

“Ghosts!” First Madam said mysteriously, her throat seeming stuffed with cotton, her eyes carrying indescribable eeriness. “But I’ve pasted talismans inside and out everywhere, that thing will surely be afraid and won’t dare come! Hmph, I know who she is. I’m not afraid of her! When she was alive she couldn’t defeat me, and dead she still can’t!” As she spoke, First Madam nervously bit her lip, looking around as if searching for something she wanted to capture and tear to pieces!

Lin Shi never imagined her eldest daughter would become such a ghostly appearance.

“Ghosts?!” She instinctively felt this matter was related to Li Weiyang and couldn’t help staring at her like torches. “Where would ghosts come from in this courtyard?”

Li Weiyang said with peaceful smile, “After Third Aunt passed away, mother perhaps missed her too much, so she kept saying she saw her in this courtyard. We all tried to dissuade her, but she insisted it was so. We called monks, Taoists, and feng shui masters to look, but by night she wouldn’t even sleep, making endless trouble. These past two days it’s gotten more severe—she insists she also saw Fifth Concubine in the courtyard… Maternal grandmother has come at just the right time to advise her.”

“Hmph, in broad daylight under clear skies, where would ghosts come from!” Lin Shi glared at Li Weiyang, her heart immediately understanding. “Your words are quite eloquent!”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Thank you for maternal grandmother’s praise.”

Lin Shi laughed coldly and said to First Madam, “No need to fear. With me here, no demons or monsters can approach, much less those worthless things!”

Li Weiyang blinked. This was referring to herself now. This Lady of the Duke’s manor truly wasn’t any easy mark.

The Old Madam listened, feeling particularly uncomfortable. What did she mean by “those worthless things”!

Lin Shi’s ice-like eyes gazed at the Old Madam: “In-law madam, since she’s so seriously ill, why didn’t you inform me earlier?”

The Old Madam’s brow furrowed in difficulty: “You know, eldest daughter-in-law has always had a strong personality. Moreover, though your health is robust, you are advanced in years after all and truly can’t bear such shocks.”

A breeze passed, and on Lin Shi’s temple, an extremely antique golden flower hairpin with hanging tassels brushed against her hair, making fine rustling sounds. The silver-white hair on her head, when reflected by pure gold, was especially striking. After a long while, the ice in her eyes seemed to slowly crack: “I want to take her back to recover.”

A married daughter, even returning home for a single day, required the husband’s family’s consent, much less taking her back home to recover from illness—unless First Madam had been divorced. So Lin Shi’s request was truly somewhat improper, and her tone was not one of discussion.

Though the Old Madam’s displeasure deepened, her face showed not a trace of it. She smiled at Lin Shi: “This… I’m afraid it’s not appropriate. This large household naturally needs someone to manage it.”

Madam Han smiled, her voice like silver bells, pleasant and alluring: “Since eldest aunt is already ill, household affairs naturally should be handed to someone else. If Old Madam is reluctant to part with eldest aunt, we also welcome visits to our home.”

Acting as if they completely disregarded the Li family. Li Weiyang smiled and said, “This matter should be discussed with father. He’s not at home currently…”

Madam Han smiled, “No matter. When the time comes, the Jiang family will naturally inform him.”

Just informing, not requesting Li Xiaoran’s consent. Li Weiyang lowered her eyes, as if not understanding the implication.

Second Madam gasped. These Jiang family people truly were domineering! When she returned to her natal family for birthday celebrations, she had to obtain the Old Madam’s consent. They were something else—without a word they were just taking the person away.

The Old Madam felt displeased. Since her daughter-in-law was ill, she should properly recuperate at the Li residence. If Duke Jiang’s manor took her away like this, who knew what troubles others observing might conjure up. So without thinking she prepared to refuse: “My daughter-in-law is here, and we’ve been caring for her very thoroughly. I wonder what in-law madam finds unsatisfactory?”

However, Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Old Madam, actually maternal grandmother also pities mother. You see her current state—she truly isn’t suitable to remain in this courtyard, lest she brood all day and her condition worsens, which would be unfortunate…”

The Old Madam looked at Li Weiyang doubtfully. First Madam returning to recuperate was not good news. Why would she agree? However, she had always been clear about this granddaughter’s judgment, so after pondering thoughtfully for a moment, her expression became calm again: “Since this is so, in-law madam may take her back to properly recuperate.”

Lin Shi glared at Li Weiyang with disgust, practically wishing she could eat her flesh and drink her blood. Hearing this, she said no more and ordered people to pack First Madam’s belongings, then quickly departed.

In the distance, morning bell sounds could faintly be heard, one after another. Outside, a maid reported that the master had returned. The Old Madam fingered her prayer beads and couldn’t help sighing softly: “Let him in.”

Li Xiaoran hurriedly entered. Seeing Li Weiyang standing to the side serving the Old Madam tea, he didn’t care that she was present and urgently said, “Old Madam, why did you let Jiang Rou return? How will others view us in the future? Won’t they say the Li family couldn’t tolerate a sick daughter-in-law and she was forcibly taken away by her natal family?”

The Old Madam’s face was bland, but displeasure flashed through her eyes.

“You only now think to ask me what to do? I warned you repeatedly not to always indulge your wife and Changle, but did you listen to me? Now it’s come to this—better for the Jiang family to take her away. Out of sight, out of mind!”

“Old Madam, rumors have already emerged outside saying our family is harsh to our daughter-in-law! This greatly harms my son’s official reputation!”

The Old Madam exhaled and slowly nodded: “I originally thought the same, so I didn’t intend to let her take the person away. But just now Weiyang told me that taking her away would be far better than keeping her at home.”

Li Xiaoran was stunned, momentarily speechless, and couldn’t help raising his head to look at Li Weiyang. He saw her expression was calm, as if quietly listening beside them. He couldn’t help frowning: “What does this mean?”

“Father, the doctor said mother has only three months to live.” Li Weiyang’s casual statement struck heavily at Li Xiaoran’s heart. He suddenly raised his voice: “What did you say?!”

Li Weiyang’s voice contained neither joy nor anger, revealing not the slightest emotion: “Father, I’m saying mother has only three months of life remaining.”

Li Xiaoran felt his legs go weak and sat down heavily in a chair, his back involuntarily breaking out in sweat. After so many years as husband and wife, though he now deeply loathed this wife, he wasn’t entirely without feelings… How could this be so sudden? Thinking of how Jiang Shi had become so emaciated recently, Li Xiaoran already believed this explanation in his heart.

The Old Madam said indifferently, “If she inexplicably dies at the Li manor, it will naturally bring many troubles. Since the Jiang family is willing to accept this hot potato, letting her return is not impossible. Now that they’ve taken the person back, it has nothing to do with our Li family.”

If First Madam died at the Li residence, in the future Duke Jiang’s manor would certainly come to demand an explanation. But now they themselves disdained the Li manor and insisted on taking the person back to recuperate. If anything unfortunate happened, the Li manor would instead have the upper hand.

Li Weiyang’s prediction was three months, but in fact, when Duke Jiang’s manor came to report the death, it had been merely one short month.

That day, before dawn had broken, a steward from the Jiang family came pounding on the Li family’s main gate.

Zhao Yue received the news fastest and hurried to report: “First Madam has passed!”

Though prepared, when these words actually sounded in Li Weiyang’s ears, she still felt astonished.

“How could it be so fast?” Mo Zhu beside her couldn’t help saying.

Zhao Yue’s face carried a trace of mockery: “After the Jiang family took the person back, just as Miss said, they specially summoned an Imperial Physician from the palace. But the madam was already terminally ill and absolutely refused to take medicine. The Jiang family became frantic and specially summoned a divine physician from the south. But before the person even reached the capital, First Madam died,” saying this, she lowered her voice, “it was when her mind was unclear that she swallowed talisman water—”

Li Weiyang smiled. First Madam’s food, clothing, and daily necessities had always been closely watched, so she had few opportunities to act. The best method was this talisman water. Ordinary talisman water contained mercury—she merely increased the mercury content, and day by day, bit by bit, claimed First Madam’s life! Originally she had calculated the timing and leaked information to the Jiang family, having them come demand the person. She just thought First Madam had at least three months of life left. Who knew she would depend on the talisman water more than imagined and meet her end so quickly!

“Now they’re making trouble up front,” Zhao Yue continued.

“Oh, what kind of trouble?”

Zhao Yue smiled and said, “The Jiang family insists on having First Madam return to the manor to be laid out, but the Old Madam says, since the person died at her natal family, naturally she should be placed in the mourning shed outside. After lying in state, she can be buried in the ancestral cemetery.”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing: “Let’s go have a look.” She thought for a moment and changed into plain clothes, threw on a cloak, and then leisurely headed toward Lotus Fragrance Courtyard.

Inside Lotus Fragrance Courtyard, it was clearly a stalemate situation.

The Jiang family steward’s face was full of frost. When Li Weiyang walked in, she heard him saying, “How can you let First Madam lie exposed outside?!”

The Old Madam said coldly, “What outside? It’s right at our Li manor’s entrance, and the mourning shed is properly constructed. What’s improper about it! If you hadn’t insisted on taking the person away back then, right now she might still be perfectly well. What right do you have to come to my home demanding answers?!”

The steward’s face showed near embarrassment. Li Weiyang said lightly, “Old Madam.”

Seeing her, the Old Madam couldn’t help sighing: “Look at this. Even arranging a funeral is this difficult. Your mother has passed, but the Jiang family insists she must return to hold the funeral. As you know, if someone expires at their natal home, they cannot re-enter their husband’s home and can only have a mourning shed outside. This is common practice. But the Duke’s lady insists on carrying the person inside.”

Li Xiaoran stood to the side, frowning without speaking.

The steward frowned: “Old Madam, my lady of the Duke’s manor means that with this weather looking so hot, if she’s left outside, I’m afraid—”

I’m afraid the corpse will rot, Li Weiyang sneered inwardly, completing his sentence. She glanced at Fourth Concubine beside them, whose face involuntarily showed joy, and Li Changxiao with her expressionless face, then said lightly, “Old Madam, if you feel having the coffin enter is inauspicious, you could use a soft sedan to carry mother back, then proceed with the laying out.”

The Old Madam was stunned. This proposal did indeed avoid the ill omen of a coffin entering, and could also prevent others’ gossip. But just letting Jiang Shi off this easily made her truly uncomfortable. Li Weiyang could clearly see her thoughts and immediately said, “Old Madam, look—if we insist on not letting mother enter, father’s heart will be pained.”

Li Xiaoran had been frowning without speaking, but hearing these words, he was genuinely moved and looked at Li Weiyang with gratification.

Fourth Concubine sneered inwardly. Third Miss was truly skilled at playing the good person. Clearly the one most hoping for the madam’s death was herself, yet she still had to display a magnanimous, appropriate, tolerant, and gentle appearance. What formidable methods!

The Old Madam sighed: “Very well, very well. Let it be so. First use a soft sedan to bring the person back.”

Second Madam nodded and quickly instructed the servants to arrange it.

Only then did the Jiang manor steward breathe a sigh of relief, not seeing the mockery in Li Weiyang’s eyes.

“Since we’re holding the funeral at home, elder brother there naturally must be notified. And elder sister—of course she must return as well.”

Li Xiaoran listened, moisture glinting in the corners of his eyes. He hadn’t expected that First Madam had always treated Li Weiyang so harshly, yet at a time like this, this child would be so tolerant and magnanimous. Everyone had seen how Li Changle treated Li Weiyang.

Fourth Concubine and Li Changxiao exchanged glances, both puzzled. Fourth Concubine was truly bewildered. What was with Li Weiyang today? With First Madam dead, she should be happy. The Old Madam not letting First Madam’s corpse enter was an undisguised show of contempt and humiliation. Yet Li Weiyang insisted on letting First Madam enter for the laying out, and even wanted to bring back those two punished criminals to attend the funeral. Had she suddenly developed a kind heart, or had she gone mad?

Li Changle at the nunnery had nearly gone insane from boredom. This time being sent back, Li Xiaoran had specifically assigned people to watch her, and even cut off all communication between her and First Madam. Thus she knew nothing of the Li family’s affairs. Hearing the Li family was sending for her, she was immediately overjoyed. To let everyone see her in radiant spirits, she desperately adorned herself with gold and silver jewelry and selected an extremely bright-colored crabapple spring-sleep silk skirt. Only after two full hours did she board the carriage, thinking she would show father a docile, beautiful self, thus not disappointing mother’s painstaking efforts to find ways to bring her back.

She was so overjoyed she completely forgot to ask, while the carriage driver there sneered.

When the carriage reached the Li manor, everything was already white as far as the eye could see.

Entering the Li manor, she saw only the main gates thrown wide open. Mourning sheds and memorial tablets already erected. The stewards and servants all wore mourning clothes, either standing in temporarily erected areas awaiting instructions or bustling in and out with tasks.

Seeing this scene, Li Changle was completely stunned.

Before she could ask clearly, Nanny Cui had already come forward, looking at her: “Eldest Miss, you’ve finally returned. Quickly go inside.” Saying this, she quickly instructed people to lead her in, yet seemed not to see her gaudy clothes at all, not mentioning even once that she should go change.

Li Changle grew increasingly suspicious. She asked a nearby maid, “Is it the Old Madam who passed?”

That maid was startled, raised her head to look at her, then lowered her head: “Eldest Miss will know once inside.”

Li Changle looked at her coldly. The household had clearly changed hands—even a mere maid dared to evade and deflect. Hmph, just wait until she reported to mother and showed them all! Thinking this, her heart lifted again. With the Old Madam dead, mother would now be in charge of the household. Wouldn’t that little wretch Li Weiyang be at their mercy?! The more she thought, the happier she became. Her steps grew lighter and faster, almost unable to wait to see the Old Madam’s corpse and celebrate properly with her mother! At this moment, she was too excited and had completely forgotten that even if the Old Madam had died, she should still go change clothes. However, her maid Tanxiang had already realized her young miss’s inappropriate attire and wanted to remind her, but suddenly noticed people all around pointing and whispering. Her heart went cold and she dared not speak.

Before even entering the courtyard, she heard many crying sounds.

“You’ve returned!” Greeting her was the seemingly grief-stricken Second Madam.

Second Madam’s eyes were swollen like peaches. Those who didn’t know might think how sorrowful she was. Only she herself knew how much effort she’d spent achieving this appearance—she’d even applied five or six layers of the finest fragrant powder just to make her complexion look paler. Seeing Li Changle in full splendor, she was first shocked, then a cold smile flashed in her eyes. She immediately resolved not to give her time to change clothes and pulled her along: “Hurry inside. The Old Madam is waiting for you!”

Li Changle misunderstood this statement’s meaning and became even more certain it was grandmother who had died. Her heart was wildly happy as she desperately suppressed her joy, trying to shake off Second Madam’s hand. But in front of everyone she couldn’t break free and was forcibly dragged into the main hall. Just upon entering, she heard Second Madam wail: “Old Madam, Changle has returned!”

A whole room of noble ladies was sitting in the main hall drinking tea, accompanying the Old Madam with long sighs. The Censor’s wife was just saying that First Madam was truly unfortunate, dying so early, unable to enjoy the Li family’s tremendous wealth and glory… Her words only half-spoken when she saw Li Changle in rose-red, as gorgeous as a crabapple flower. The dozens of people in the hall fell instantly silent.

As if everyone in this hall had turned into puppets.

With mother deceased, yet wearing such colors—had this Li family eldest miss gone mad?!

The Censor’s wife’s words stuck in her throat. She stared at Li Changle with wide eyes—this time not stunned by her beauty but shocked by her earth-shattering conduct!

The Old Madam’s heart shook, then surged with towering fury: “Changle, look at yourself! What kind of appearance is this!”

Li Changle, seeing the Old Madam, showed an expression of having seen a ghost.

Li Weiyang in plain mourning clothes looked like a pure white lotus flower. Her eyes blinked, her gaze falling on Li Changle’s gaudy red skirt, seeming rather surprised: “Elder sister, why did you return dressed like this?”

Li Changle still didn’t dare believe her eyes, staring fixedly at the Old Madam. She wasn’t dead—then who had died exactly—

At this moment, she heard Li Weiyang’s casual statement: “Elder sister, quickly go change clothes, then go kowtow to mother.”

Mother?! Mother?! What was Li Weiyang saying?!

Li Changle felt as if struck by a sudden blow. She quickly stepped forward and said sternly, “Li Weiyang, what are you saying?”

Li Weiyang glanced at her, her face showing faint sorrowful expression, though her eyes held merciless coldness: “Elder sister, the family should have told you already—mother has passed away.”

For Li Changle, this was like a bolt from the blue! The one who died wasn’t the Old Madam but her mother. Heavens!

Her first feeling was tremendous fury: “Li Weiyang, don’t spout nonsense! When I left, mother was still alive—”

Li Weiyang sighed and nodded: “Yes, mother was still well then. Unfortunately, after elder sister left, mother couldn’t eat or drink, worried day and night, and fell ill. Later, maternal grandmother insisted on taking mother back to recuperate. We also… Sigh, we originally thought mother could quickly recover. Who knew… Had we known this, we should have let mother remain at home to recuperate!”

Li Changle felt rage surging up, washing away the grief she should have felt. Her mind held only one thought: how could this be? With mother dead, her support had completely collapsed. From now on, wouldn’t Li Weiyang truly trample her completely underfoot? She hated so much she nearly bit through her own teeth, her eyes nearly dripping blood, glaring viciously at Li Weiyang, completely failing to notice the looks from those around her—like viewing a monster.

Mother suddenly dying without shedding a single tear, instead showing such a man-eating expression toward her own sister—could this eldest miss be insane? The noble ladies discussed among themselves.

The Old Madam slammed the table heavily: “Changle! Quickly go change into mourning clothes!”

Only then did Li Changle suddenly wake from her daze. She stared coldly at Li Weiyang, then turned to leave, only using a voice only the two could hear: “Li Weiyang, I know mother was definitely killed by you. Just you wait—I’ll make you pay the price!”

Li Weiyang looked at her coldly, noncommittal.

After changing into mourning clothes, Li Changle angrily rushed to the mourning hall, standing in the courtyard loudly ordering Tanxiang to immediately summon Li Xiaoran. Tanxiang’s face paled with fright, standing rooted unable to act.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: “Do as your mistress says.”

Upon seeing Li Weiyang, Li Changle immediately flew into a rage: “You still have the face to stand here?!”

Li Weiyang smiled: “With mother’s passing and the Old Madam elderly, there must be someone to assist Second Aunt in managing affairs. If I’m not here, where should I be?!”

“Little wretch!” Li Changle rushed forward several steps to slap her, but caught sight of Zhao Yue standing half a step away, coldly watching her. Her heart suddenly shuddered and she actually didn’t dare strike.

Li Weiyang’s expression was bland, showing neither joy nor anger: “Father has already given instructions. You may only remain at home for ten days. During these ten days, if there’s the slightest misstep, you’ll immediately be sent back to the nunnery. Mother died with her daughter not by her side—think how desolate she must have been. So, elder sister, you’d best watch your words and actions carefully, lest others see the joke!”

Joke! Today entering the manor in splendid attire, she’d already been laughed at by everyone in the capital. What joke was there left to fear!

“Li Weiyang, don’t think having father backing you makes you so special. That’s right—mother is gone, but I still have maternal grandmother, I still have two uncles with distinguished military service. The entire Jiang family is my support!”