“What do you mean by this?” At the corner, Li Weiyang frowned.

“Becoming the Guo family’s daughter means you’ll have more bargaining chips. Isn’t that good?” Wen Xiaolou smiled.

Li Weiyang’s brows furrowed even tighter. “I’m asking you—knowing clearly that Xiaoman is Madam Guo’s biological daughter, why lie?”

Wen Xiaolou said indifferently, “She’s already dead.”

Li Weiyang was displeased. “So what?” Did Xiaoman’s life or death affect the blood relationship between her and Madam Guo? It wouldn’t.

“I was thinking—we actually have quite the fate, don’t we? Clearly without any connection, yet we could meet like this.” Wen Xiaolou’s face showed a trace of icy self-mockery. Perhaps he didn’t hope for such fate. If possible, he would rather never have met Li Weiyang, never have come to Dadu—just guarding Xiaoman, even wandering and performing in desolate places, would be much better than this current situation of eternal separation.

Li Weiyang said, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“You still don’t understand?” Wen Xiaolou shook his head, his expression darkening further. “If Xiaoman didn’t die, Madam Guo would definitely try hard to acknowledge her. But what is Xiaoman’s status? A lowly actor. What are actors? How much better than prostitutes? She performed on stage—countless people recognize her. Even if pure and innocent, this lowly status can’t be shaken off—it would follow her entire life. No matter how powerful the Guo family, they cannot silence the world’s wagging tongues. Xiaoman loved singing opera, loved playing with children, loved running in fields—naturally suited for a free and easy life, happy and carefree days. That kind of restriction inside great mansion gates would make her more miserable than death. So even if she were alive, I wouldn’t let her go with Madam Guo.”

Li Weiyang gazed at him, slowly saying, “I want to hear the truth.”

Wen Xiaolou sneered coldly. “The truth is, if I told Madam Guo that Xiaoman is already dead, she would be sad and angry, yet not necessarily avenge Xiaoman.”

“Xiaoman is her biological daughter. She would certainly avenge Xiaoman.” Li Weiyang shook her head.

“Ha!” Wen Xiaolou’s smile grew colder. “Madam Guo might feel resentful and lost for a period, but Xiaoman ultimately didn’t grow up by her side—whatever the emotions, let’s not speak of her. Would the Guo family offend Prince Yan Yuan Yu for the sake of a daughter with no emotional bond? Opposing Prince Yan means opposing Empress Pei. If I were Duke Qiguo, I also wouldn’t stake the entire family’s future for an already dead daughter!”

He spoke such cold words, yet his eyes held despair. Li Weiyang sighed. Perhaps Madam Guo’s maternal love for Xiaoman was intense enough to spare no cost, but what about Duke Qiguo? He bore the entire family’s honor and decline—would he agree to this? Li Weiyang didn’t know Duke Qiguo. If he was someone like Li Xiaoran, he would only pretend this daughter never existed, rather than admit his own flesh and blood had fallen to being a lowly actress. Precisely because of this, Wen Xiaolou was unwilling to take the risk.

“You can’t be certain either, can you?” Wen Xiaolou slightly raised his eye corners, looking at Li Weiyang. “So what to do—isn’t it very clear?”

Li Weiyang should unhesitatingly seize this opportunity, stepping on Xiaoman’s identity to climb upward. Yes, all these past years, she had always done this. What was there to feel guilty about now? Li Weiyang couldn’t help but take a deep breath, then exhale it slowly. Then looking at Wen Xiaolou, she said quietly, “This risk is too great.”

Wen Xiaolou smiled. “Risk? Would you be afraid? Oh, I forgot—you’re worried about being recognized by enemies, right? But that’s your own matter.”

Li Weiyang looked at Wen Xiaolou and sighed. This person’s fate was unfortunate, painfully losing his beloved. From one perspective, he was indeed pitiable. But from another, he was deeply calculating, unscrupulous in achieving his goals, even disregarding any consequences. Having her impersonate Xiaoman to enter the Guo family—he wouldn’t consider the true consequences for her. His meaning was very clear: if you have the ability, establish a foothold in the Guo family and use their power to plot revenge. If you lack ability and get recognized, you deserve your bad luck—life or death, no complaints. This person was truly heartless and ungrateful…

Wen Xiaolou still opened his eyes, staring unblinkingly at Li Weiyang.

“Choosing to enter the Guo family means you bear greater risk and difficulty. If you can peacefully have the Guo family acknowledge you, that’s extremely fortunate. Once exposed, you’ll probably die without a burial place. Forget Yuexi—the Guo family will be the first not to spare you.” Wen Xiaolou said this, then smiled—the smile was complex, hard to say what kind of emotions he held watching Li Weiyang, seemingly resenting her for taking Xiaoman’s rightful position, yet also carrying a trace of pleading. “But if you succeed, the Guo family can definitely help you go higher, farther, even far beyond your imagination.”

Li Weiyang sneered coldly. “Yes, you’ve considered gains and losses very clearly for me. If I fail, it causes you no harm—you can turn and leave Yuexi. But if I succeed, I can avenge you and Xiaoman. Truly a good calculation.”

Wen Xiaolou’s eyes flashed with an imperceptible gleam. “What are you saying? Didn’t we already have an agreement? If you fail, how could I abandon you and leave on my own?”

Compared to Xiaoman, this person was truly both cunning and selfish. Really didn’t know why he would love Xiaoman so much… No, perhaps people dwelling in darkness all long for light, just like how Wen Xiaolou valued Xiaoman so highly. Even she, Li Weiyang, similarly couldn’t refuse such kind eyes.

Li Weiyang glanced at the private room. Madam Song poked her head out, looking anxiously in this direction as if waiting for her. Li Weiyang turned back and smiled lightly. “Wen Xiaolou.”

Wen Xiaolou couldn’t help looking at her, showing slight surprise.

“I will enter the Guo family.” Li Weiyang stared at her very seriously. “The first person I’ll kill is you.”

For the first time, Wen Xiaolou’s face showed an expression of fear. Li Weiyang continued, “No one knows of Xiaoman’s existence except you. If I kill you, no matter how others suspect me, they’ll have no evidence. Because the prayer beads are in my hands—I am the true Guo Jia.”

Wen Xiaolou looked at those pitch-black eyes, bottomless, unable to find a trace of human emotion. A wave of terror swept through his heart. How could he carelessly forget what kind of person he faced? How could he think he could use her, deceive her into avenging him?! For Li Weiyang to kill him would be as easy as crushing an ant…

The atmosphere momentarily seemed extremely tense. Wen Xiaolou’s back was involuntarily soaked with sweat.

Li Weiyang suddenly laughed. With this laugh, like ice and snow initially melting, she immediately carried several parts warmth, as if what she just said was merely a joke. “Wen Xiaolou, some words I’ll only say once. Remember them well.”

Wen Xiaolou looked at her in shock.

“You’re very clever—better than others at reading expressions, understanding how to grasp people’s weaknesses and use them to work for you. This is your innate mind and your advantage. But you must know—many things go too far. If you don’t grasp the proper measure, being too clever and letting others know it isn’t good.” Li Weiyang said this, her eyes smiling. “In this game, I am the master. You—remember your status! Any further overstepping, I’ll send you to accompany Xiaoman. I’m sure she’s very lonely.”

Wen Xiaolou’s voice began trembling. “You…”

“Don’t forget how you killed Xue Gui. If I reveal this matter to the Minister of Revenue, can you, Wen Xiaolou, safely escape Dadu? So if I win, you win. If I die, don’t think you can escape either. All your opportunities rest in my hands. Understand?” Li Weiyang’s eyes were so bright yet bottomless, carrying a terrible power sufficient to shake one’s heart.

Wen Xiaolou suddenly understood. From the very beginning, Li Weiyang had calculated everything about him. Allowing him to kill Xue Gui before acting—with such leverage in her hands, if he had even the slightest trace of betrayal, he would die without a burial place. And the girl before him still smiled like an innocent child.

As beautiful and gentle as Xiaoman, yet one warm like the sun, the other cold like the moon. In Wen Xiaolou’s mind suddenly flashed that scene from that day. Yes, Xiaoman would obey all his instructions, but Li Weiyang wanted absolute dominance. He had originally thought she was a woman he could easily manipulate using any available methods, controlling this revenge. Now it seemed he had been too naive. Cooperating with her was fundamentally dealing with the devil—one careless step meant eternal damnation.

Should he give up now? Wen Xiaolou’s heart trembled. No, he wouldn’t give up. He had sworn to himself… When Yuan Yu used such cruel methods to torment Xiaoman, he had sworn to himself—to remember Xiaoman’s humiliation, grief, and despair. He wanted revenge! He must have revenge! Wen Xiaolou drew a breath and said with iron determination, “I won’t betray you.”

Li Weiyang looked at him gently. “No—you won’t betray Xiaoman.”

Something seemed to shatter in Wen Xiaolou’s eyes. Word by word he said, “Yes, even in death, I won’t betray Xiaoman.”

The breeze stirred Li Weiyang’s skirts. She smiled lightly. “Good. Since you’ve given your assurance, I’ll tell you honestly—I’m not Guo Jia. Don’t expect me to impersonate her either. That’s the most inferior method. Understand?”

Having said this, she didn’t look at his expression again and already turned to enter the room.

Madam Song looked at Li Weiyang, her face full of anticipation. “Miss, Madam is waiting for you!” Li Weiyang glanced at Madam Guo and lightly frowned. Madam Guo had already quickly walked forward, focusing intently and very nervously on Li Weiyang. “Jia’er, it’s all Mother’s fault. Mother carelessly lost you. From now on Mother will take good care of you. Come home with me, alright?”

“Madam Guo, I have some things to say. Please dismiss those around you.” Madam Guo froze, not reacting for a long time. Those eyes so similar to Xiaoman’s made Li Weiyang’s heart surge with an unfamiliar emotion. Madam Song, sensing the wrong atmosphere, quickly said to the maids nearby, “All of you go out and stand guard. Don’t let anyone in.”

The maids all withdrew, carefully closing the door. Li Weiyang looked at Madam Guo. “Madam Guo, I’m very sorry, but I’m not your daughter. These prayer beads don’t belong to me either…” Madam Guo froze completely, as if utterly unable to react. Madam Song also looked at Li Weiyang in shock.

Li Weiyang said solemnly, “These prayer beads—I obtained them from a girl called Xiaoman, and she has unfortunately already passed away…” Madam Song’s eyes widened in shock. Madam Guo took a deep breath, her entire emotional state becoming even more tense in an instant. Her whole person was seized by that intense hope and memory—fundamentally unable to accept all this. She quickly rushed forward and grabbed Li Weiyang’s wrist. “No! No! No! You are my Jia’er! Mother has been searching everywhere for you all along…”

Li Weiyang tried hard to break free, but this seemingly delicate noble lady’s fingers were like iron pincers, using all her body’s strength to grip Li Weiyang, afraid she would escape. “The first time I saw you, I knew you were my Jia’er. How can you not recognize me…”

“Madam! Madam! Please let go!” Madam Song was shocked by Li Weiyang’s words. Seeing Li Weiyang’s wrong expression, she quickly rushed over, nervously grasping Madam Guo’s hand and pleading, “Madam, did you hear what this young miss said? She’s not our family’s young miss! You’ve mistaken her—truly mistaken her. Please let go…”

However, Madam Guo’s expression was extremely abnormal. She desperately gripped Li Weiyang, tears continuously falling. “No, Jia’er, Mother knows you blame me for not protecting you properly, causing you to suffer so much. But Mother didn’t know military disaster would suddenly occur. At that time the entire manor was in chaos. Mother always thought the wet nurse and guards were by your side, so went to find your grandmother first. Only upon returning did I learn the wet nurse had died in the military disaster and you were missing… You blame me, resent me—all fine. But you are my daughter! You can’t refuse to recognize even your own birth mother!”

Li Weiyang felt something wrong. Madam Guo’s emotions were currently out of control, as if she hadn’t heard anything she said at all.

She glanced at Zhao Yue beside her. Zhao Yue immediately stepped forward and forcefully separated Madam Guo’s hands. Being a martial artist, Madam Guo staggered and nearly fell to the ground. Zhao Yue quickly said, “This lady, please spare my miss! She’s not your daughter! Your daughter is already dead!”

Madam Guo suddenly widened her eyes, glaring angrily at Zhao Yue. “What nonsense are you speaking! Jia’er is clearly still alive!”

Li Weiyang was shocked and retreated half a step, looking at Madam Song. “What’s wrong with your mistress?”

Madam Song was very anxious. “I’m sorry, miss. Our mistress misses the young miss too much—her old ailment must have flared up again. Please don’t say you’re not the young miss anymore!”

Zhao Yue exclaimed in shock, “What’s going on with you people?! This is getting more and more entangled!” She said to Li Weiyang, “Miss, let’s leave quickly!”

Li Weiyang frowned at Madam Guo, a strange feeling sweeping through her heart. She nodded to Madam Song. “When Madam Guo calms down a bit, we’ll talk again.”

Having said this, Li Weiyang already turned to leave. Madam Guo followed behind her, desperately trying to grab her sleeve. Madam Song forcefully held Madam Guo back. Li Weiyang was nearly out the door when Madam Guo, shocked and anguished, hurried to chase but collapsed to the ground, unable to even crawl up. Seeing this was bad, Madam Song called repeatedly, “Miss! Miss! Madam has fainted!”

Li Weiyang stopped in her tracks, turned back for a glance, her face showing disbelief.

Madam Song rushed out the door, saying to the guards waiting outside, “Quick! Go fetch the Duke!”

Then Madam Song grabbed Li Weiyang’s sleeve, earnestly pleading in a low voice, “Miss, this servant knows you aren’t, but please for the sake of Madam’s devoted heart, wait until the Duke arrives before settling this, alright?” Madam Song’s mind rapidly calculated—even if this young miss wasn’t Guo Jia, according to what was just said, she must know the real one’s whereabouts. If they let her leave like this, in the vast sea of people, where would they search?!

Li Weiyang sighed. For Xiaoman’s sake in caring for Minzhi, she should explain this matter clearly. She proactively walked back, personally helped Madam Guo up, had her sit in a chair to the side, instructed Zhao Yue to pour a cup of tea and hand it to Madam Guo. Seeing her drink it and her emotions calm somewhat, only then did she say gently, “I know you’re anxious to find your daughter, but I truly am not Guo Jia.”

“Jia’er, why won’t you acknowledge me? I’ve searched for you so long, crying day and night until my eyes are nearly blind!” Madam Guo fundamentally couldn’t listen, staring at her obsessively.

“I’m not from Yuexi. I come from Dali, surnamed Li, with my own parents…”

“Good, good, good—you’re not from Yuexi, you have your own surname, your own parents. But I am your birth mother—”

Seeing Madam Guo’s sanity seemed very abnormal, Li Weiyang turned back to glance at Madam Song, who was lowering her head wiping tears.

Because of this string of prayer beads, what troublesome matter had she gotten involved in? Li Weiyang almost had a headache. With someone whose mind was unclear, no explanation would work—she could only wait for Duke Qiguo to arrive before speaking. Waiting less than half an hour, someone quickly ascended the stairs.

The newcomer had refined, handsome features, wearing a four-python dragon robe, a nine-dragon jade plaque with auspicious tassels at his waist. In the sunlight, only the ten Eastern pearls on his second-rank crown slightly trembled, crystal clear and luminous. Amid overwhelming wealth and nobility, he also carried refined elegance. Every gesture showed the bearing of great families. He seemed to have come too hastily, sweat beading on his forehead. Despite this, it didn’t diminish his innate noble bearing and deportment at all. Seeing Madam Guo’s face covered in tears, for an instant he seemed stabbed by an awl—his complexion became extremely pale. He strode in with large steps, supporting her. “Madam, what happened to you?” While speaking, he glared angrily at Madam Song. “Madam’s health is poor—who gave you permission to bring her out?!”

Madam Song clearly greatly feared the newcomer, kneeling to the ground. “Duke, this servant… this servant had no choice…”

“Hmph! All of you are useless—can’t even properly care for Madam!” Duke Qiguo Guo Su was exceptionally concerned for his wife, his arms tightly embracing her, his eyes only looking at her with concern. However, Madam Guo seemed not to see him at all, only staring at Li Weiyang without release. Only then did Guo Su notice a young girl sitting opposite his wife—delicate features, elegant temperament. A thought suddenly floated through his mind. “Could you be—” What could make his wife lose composure like this—could it be… He almost didn’t dare continue thinking, his eyes already faintly revealing excitement.

Fearing another misunderstanding, Li Weiyang immediately said, “I apologize. Madam Guo seems to have mistaken me for her daughter. It should be because of these prayer beads…” She was about to explain clearly. Who knew Madam Guo would break from Guo Su’s embrace, step forward pulling Li Weiyang’s sleeve, pleading, “Jia’er, come home with Mother, alright? Don’t mention that nonsense anymore—”

Who exactly was speaking nonsense? Li Weiyang had never encountered such a situation. Normally, she would have long since shaken off this mad noble lady and turned to leave. But the other party was the Duke Qiguo’s wife—if she didn’t want to provoke bigger trouble, she needed to explain things clearly.

“Madam! Please let go first!” Seeing Li Weiyang’s difficulty, Guo Su said quietly, “She’s already said she’s not our daughter. What use is clinging like this? You’ll frighten her. Please let go, alright?” His voice actually seemed pleading. However, turning his head, he angrily shouted at Madam Song, “Did Madam take her medicine today?”

Madam Song trembled. “Madam took medicine early this morning before going out…”

Guo Su frowned. He forcefully turned his wife’s body, saying loudly, “Xianglan, this is not our daughter!” Madam Guo turned to look at him, her voice extremely resentful, extremely sorrowful. “I don’t care! She is Jia’er! She must be Jia’er! I saw the prayer beads with my own eyes! She’s my daughter! You owe me this—this is what you owe me! If not for your negligence, how could Jia’er have been lost? Return my daughter to me!”

Guo Su’s complexion instantly turned deathly pale, pupils flashing with firefly light, standing rooted like a nail to the ground, not saying a word, not moving at all…

“I absolutely won’t let anyone separate me and Jia’er!” Madam Guo shook him off, forcefully gripping Li Weiyang, nearly clawing injury marks into her arm—such great strength made Li Weiyang immediately frown. Guo Su sadly watched this scene, unable to say a single word.

Madam Song quickly came forward to coax her. “Madam, please release the miss first. She won’t leave—isn’t that right, miss? You’ll stay with Madam the whole time!” Madam Song desperately signaled Li Weiyang with her eyes. Li Weiyang frowned, but seeing Madam Guo’s gaze terrifyingly obsessive, she lightly nodded. “Alright, I won’t leave.” Madam Guo’s brows relaxed. Madam Song quickly continued, “Madam, did you hear? She won’t leave! Please let go—the miss’s arm is bruised from your grip!”

Madam Guo looked blankly, then suddenly released her grip as if scalded, nervously muttering, “Jia’er, I’m sorry. Mother didn’t mean it—does it hurt?”

Guo Su said nothing, not until Madam Guo, from excessive fatigue, fainted in Madam Song’s arms. Only then did he say dejectedly, “First help Madam to rest on the side.”

Then he looked seriously at Li Weiyang. “Miss, we need to talk.”

“Madam Guo was just fine. Why did she suddenly—” Li Weiyang didn’t understand. Madam Guo was gentle and beautiful, generous and noble—in no way resembling a madwoman. Yet her performance truly couldn’t be called normal.

Guo Su sighed. “I’m sorry for frightening you. These eighteen years, she’s had no peace day or night, often hearing our daughter crying in the middle of the night. I accompanied her walking through every place in Yuexi searching everywhere, but found no trace of our daughter. I don’t know when I discovered she had become somewhat abnormal. Usually she’s perfectly fine, but once Jia’er is mentioned, it’s as if she receives tremendous stimulation. So I never let her go out, only hoping she could gradually forget this matter. Never imagined today such a thing would happen…” Ordinarily, Duke Qiguo’s words and actions were calm and unhurried, bearing the air of imperial nobility. However, his expression at this moment was lonely and desolate to the extreme. Then he raised his head, looking solemnly at Li Weiyang. “Miss, please tell me—where exactly did you obtain these prayer beads?”

Li Weiyang gently recounted all the events in general outline. She didn’t know if Duke Qiguo, hearing of Xiaoman’s tragic death, would avenge her, but she felt that as Xiaoman’s biological parents, they had the right to know this fact.

Duke Qiguo listened, tears rolling down like pearls from his eyes.

“Xiaoman didn’t previously know these prayer beads’ secret. She gave them to me only hoping to leave me a keepsake before fleeing far away, never imagining she would encounter misfortune.” After Li Weiyang finished her last sentence, Guo Su seemed unable to bear the cold, his whole body convulsing as he curled into a ball. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he actually broke down crying aloud. Knowing his daughter had been missing for many years, he had already mentally prepared himself. Suddenly hearing Li Weiyang say Xiaoman was right in Dadu, right under his nose when killed—they had searched eighteen years yet were one step too late. He couldn’t help feeling miserable pain in his heart, almost wishing for death. His wailing sounds came from his viscera, like an injured wolf howling in the vast empty night.

Madam Song’s heart jumped sharply. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for her master, trembling hands and feet with a sallow complexion as she knelt down again.

Li Weiyang looked at him in shock. A high-ranking, powerful Duke couldn’t restrain his hot tears before an outsider like her, crying aloud—such grief over losing a daughter seemed to completely crush him in an instant… For a long time she couldn’t speak a word, only feeling heat in her eyes, sourness in her heart. Xiaoman, you were ultimately fortunate. Look—Wen Xiaolou recklessly wants revenge for you. Your parents constantly searched everywhere for you, searching a full eighteen years without giving up. Learning of your death, they are actually this sorrowful.

Perhaps having constantly witnessed Li Xiaoran, the kind of father always ready to sell out his daughter, now seeing Duke Qiguo’s grief, Li Weiyang felt shocked and absurd, then silent. When Li Changle died, Li Xiaoran didn’t shed a single tear for her. If she, Li Weiyang, died, that person would probably applaud…

Li Weiyang slowly said, “Duke, I don’t know if you’ll avenge Xiaoman, but I believe if she knew Madam Guo was so heartbroken, she wouldn’t rest peacefully in the underworld. Please take good care of her. I should take my leave.” She walked outward, but Guo Su suddenly called loudly, “Wait!”

Li Weiyang turned back. “I’ve already returned the prayer beads intact. Is there something else?”

Duke Qiguo looked at Li Weiyang. “Do you have parents?”

Li Weiyang’s brows furrowed as she shook her head.

Duke Qiguo gritted his teeth. “Do you have other family members?”

Li Weiyang still shook her head. In her heart, she suddenly had some enlightenment about Guo Su’s strange questions, but truly hearing Guo Su say the next sentence, she still appeared extremely shocked.

“Can you stay at Duke Qiguo’s manor and be her Jia’er?” Guo Su didn’t answer, only opening his eyes once, then closing them again, then suddenly opening them again forcefully. “If you have nowhere to go, can you stay and be our daughter?!”

Li Weiyang froze, seemingly not expecting that the dignified Duke Qiguo would make the same request as Wen Xiaolou. She subconsciously turned her head, glancing at the pale-faced, unconscious Madam Guo, saying indifferently, “I apologize. I cannot do this. Duke, please find someone else.”

Duke Qiguo strode forward in several steps, blocking Li Weiyang’s path. He thought Li Weiyang would eagerly agree to his request, but never imagined she would refuse without even thinking. Glancing at his wife’s face, he felt as if someone was repeatedly whipping his heart—the pain soaked his inner garment with sweat, tightly sticking to his body. He steeled his heart and said solemnly, “Previously we tried—I personally sought a girl of similar age to impersonate, even had someone make an identical copy of those prayer beads. But she saw through it at a glance, saying she recalled those beads day and night—the thirtieth bead had a pin-sized flaw on the inner side…”

Seeing Li Weiyang show surprise, Duke Qiguo smiled bitterly. “You see, though we say she’s mad, she still has some clarity. But the physician said she’s exhausted in mind and body—not many years left. Now that she’s identified you, she absolutely won’t change. Please be kindhearted and help us!”

Ultimately, Li Weiyang explained to Duke Qiguo that she still had a young brother needing care. Duke Qiguo immediately assured her he would arrange specialists to care for Minzhi and send him to a safe place. Once she settled at the Duke’s manor, she could bring him to live together—then only needed to explain to everyone this was her adoptive parents’ child, and everything would be easily resolved. Li Weiyang understood very clearly—to fabricate a Guo Jia identity, she needed a reasonable past. If she fabricated this past herself, it would be easily exposed. But if Duke Qiguo did it for her, everything would be very easy.

Everything settled, it was already the next morning. Li Weiyang freshly bathed and dressed. In the mirror she saw her features even paler. She lightly applied rouge. In the mirror she saw Zhao Yue’s hesitant face. “What is it?”

“Miss, if you truly don’t want to enter the Guo manor, let’s leave now. Why be forced…”

Li Weiyang suddenly laughed, that smile secretive and slight. “Oh, who told you I’m unwilling?”

Zhao Yue’s body trembled, her nose tip slightly seeping sweat. She grew even more shocked. “Miss, you…”

Li Weiyang looked into her eyes, almost looking into her heart. “From the very beginning, I was determined to enter the Guo manor.”

“But you clearly said… you clearly didn’t need to tell Madam Guo…” Zhao Yue couldn’t help growing puzzled. If Li Weiyang wanted to enter the manor, she completely didn’t need to tell Madam Guo the truth! Just following what Wen Xiaolou said, impersonating Guo Jia to enter—wouldn’t that work?

Li Weiyang’s smile was determined and steady. “What kind of place is Duke Qiguo’s manor? If I impersonate Guo Jia, it will only bring endless trouble. But now Duke Qiguo knows everything. He will definitely find every means to conceal everything for me. Moreover, he’ll answer all questions for me.”

“This servant doesn’t understand…”

“Silly girl, Duke Qiguo isn’t a fool. Though he might have been impulsive at the time, once he comes to his senses, he’ll carefully investigate my identity to see if I have ulterior motives. But from the first day I arrived in Yuexi, I’ve been a wealthy young miss without relatives or concerns. Everyone thinks I came to seek family unsuccessfully and temporarily stayed here. What can he investigate? To soothe the mad Madam Guo, he’ll arrange everything for me, letting me enter the Duke’s manor without worries. Isn’t this good?”

“But… but what if they hadn’t kept you then?” Zhao Yue didn’t dare say—Li Weiyang couldn’t have known in advance that the Duke’s wife was mad—

“Silly girl, I already told them I was like sisters with Xiaoman, also her lifesaver, and want to avenge her. Tell me, if you were Madam Guo, how would you treat me? She would definitely repay me well, wouldn’t she? Then I could naturally enter the Guo family—just under a different identity.” Li Weiyang adjusted the hairpin in her coiffure. The jade texture felt slightly cool against her palm. She smiled faintly, speaking carelessly.

In other words, regardless of whether Madam Guo was normal, she had already determined to use the Guo family. Zhao Yue looked at Li Weiyang’s gaze, momentarily speechless. Today she had been frightened silly by a series of changes, yet Miss could remain so composed, even having planned everything…

“What, think I used Xiaoman, used the Guo family?” Li Weiyang looked at Zhao Yue, as if guessing her thoughts. She withdrew her smile, speaking steadily sentence by sentence. “I am Li Weiyang. I came to Yuexi for revenge. No matter how despicable the methods, I will use them.”

Her refusing Wen Xiaolou naturally included not wanting to deceive the innocent Madam Guo, but more importantly, that way was too dangerous, too stupid. Better to directly inform the other party of everything, find ways to provoke the Guo family’s vengeful heart, use the opportunity to form an alliance. Of course, later discovering Madam Guo’s sanity wasn’t clear, she had new ideas—not impersonating Guo Jia, but truly becoming Guo Jia! And it must be with Duke Qiguo’s tacit permission! Even if Duke Qiguo hadn’t kept her today, she would have made Madam Guo seek her out again!

Yes, she was exactly this despicable—able to step on everything to climb upward. She was even more ruthless, more cold than Wen Xiaolou. But only this way could she step by step approach her enemies and completely defeat them.

“Alright, the carriage waits outside. Let’s go.” Li Weiyang’s tone was icy, her voice firm.

Boarding Duke Qiguo’s manor carriage, Li Weiyang lifted the curtain, looking outside. At this moment the sky had brightened. Outside, people came and went in endless streams. She watched the residence where she’d lived for a month gradually disappear from view, her eyes slowly showing a trace of smile.

The carriage bumped along into the inner city, the entire Dadu’s most prosperous area—here gathered Yuexi’s true high nobility, completely different from the outer city where she had originally lived. The entire Duke Qiguo manor faced south, occupying over eighty acres, divided into three major parts: main courtyard, residences, and gardens. The mansion’s east side was residences… Madam Song, seeing they were nearly arrived, softly explained to Li Weiyang, her expression very respectful. In her view, though Li Weiyang wasn’t the true young miss, since Duke Qiguo had acknowledged her, from now on she was the proper mistress.

Li Weiyang listened attentively, seemingly very serious, though her mind had long since flown elsewhere.

Outside the carriage, pedestrian movement gradually became invisible. Occasionally a luxurious carriage would pass—clearly this was no longer where ordinary commoners lived. Just then, she saw a young man leading a group galloping past on horses, racing past her carriage, raising a ground full of flying dust. Li Weiyang’s heart trembled. She could only distantly yet clearly see that handsome face—so heart-wrenchingly familiar. It was him—she actually saw him here?! How could this be possible? For an instant, Li Weiyang thought her eyes were blurred or she was hallucinating.

“Miss? What are you thinking?” Not hearing Li Weiyang speak for a long time, Madam Song discovered her gazing outside, seemingly already frozen. She quickly looked out and smiled. “Miss, is it someone you know?”

That handsome face was rarely seen in the world, frequently lingering in her heart—how could she not know him? However, Li Weiyang tugged at the corners of her mouth with some indifference. “No, I don’t know him.”

Saying this, she looked toward the distance where the group had already run out of sight, thinking silently: Yuan Lie, so you’ve also returned to Yuexi…

And at this moment, Yuan Lie didn’t know he had just passed by the person he had been desperately searching for…