Hot water floating with flower petals splashed on her shoulders. Wen Hao let the hot steam blur her eyes and brows, saying lazily: “He’s such a big person—how could I hide him?”

Baozhu grew even more curious: “Then where did he go?”

Wen Hao closed her eyes, her tone casual: “Perhaps he went drinking with friends again.”

She frightened Wen Rusheng because he was aiding and abetting evil. As for Wen Feng, he hadn’t participated in this matter, so naturally she wouldn’t implicate the innocent.

One could only say heaven wasn’t too heartless—just at this time, it had Wen Feng stay out all night, giving her an opportunity to exploit.

“Miss, the water’s getting a bit cold. Come out.”

Wen Hao stepped out of the tub and changed into clean undergarments, sitting before the vanity mirror and letting Baozhu wring out her hair.

In the glass mirror, the young woman’s expression was indifferent, her gaze deep. Her waist-length black hair set off her translucent white face, making her temperament completely out of place with this warm boudoir.

Wen Hao reached out and pressed her hand against the mirror surface, covering half her face.

After days of preparation, it would all depend on the day after tomorrow.

If something went wrong, she would rather perish together with them than let her mother and the others meet the same end as in her previous life.

“Miss?” Wen Hao’s reaction made Baozhu inexplicably uneasy.

Wen Hao withdrew her hand and smiled with curved lips: “Time to sleep.”

In the blink of an eye, the day after tomorrow arrived.

The weather was excellent this day. Opening the window, fresh wind carrying flower fragrance rushed in.

Lin Shi looked at her two daughters holding hands, feeling nothing but delight.

“Such fine weather shouldn’t be wasted staying home. Go enjoy yourselves. Do you have enough silver?”

“Mother needn’t worry about such things. I’ve prepared everything.” Looking at her mother whose eyes and brows held a smile, Wen Chan felt uncomfortable inside but didn’t dare show it on her face, much less glance in Wen Rugui’s direction.

“Take good care of your younger sister.” Lin Shi casually instructed, actually quite at ease about her two daughters.

Her elder daughter was steady, her younger daughter obedient. Others pitied that she hadn’t borne a son, but she felt no regret.

“Then we’re leaving.” Wen Chan bent her knees slightly and walked out holding Wen Hao’s hand.

After the two daughters left, Wen Rugui stood up.

“Is the master going out?”

“Mm.” Wen Rugui didn’t say much, lifting his foot to leave.

“Isn’t today a rest day? Why is the master leaving so early?”

Impatience lurked in Wen Rugui’s eyes: “I have something to attend to.”

Lin Shi chided with displeasure: “Lately the master keeps saying he’s busy. I’ve had something I need to discuss with you all this time.”

“What is it?” Wen Rugui asked carelessly.

He didn’t think his wife, whose greatest daily struggle was how to spend money and dress up their two daughters, could have any serious matter to discuss with him.

“Then sit down before we talk.” Inexplicable irritation arose in Lin Shi’s heart.

She always felt her husband had changed, though she couldn’t specify how.

Only then did Wen Rugui sit down, saying lightly: “Speak. What is it?”

Lin Shi picked up her teacup and took a sip, calming the restless energy in her heart: “Prince Jing’s manor coming to propose marriage the other day reminded me—Chan’er is eighteen this year. Her marriage should be considered.”

Two years ago, Lin Shi had already discussed Wen Chan’s marriage with Wen Rugui, but the two had some differences of opinion.

Lin Shi felt that Cheng Shu and Wen Chan were similar in age and knew each other well. If the two children were interested in each other, they might as well strengthen family ties through marriage.

But Wen Rugui disagreed.

He hoped to select an excellent son-in-law from among civil officials and nobles—that would provide the greatest protection for his eldest daughter.

The two had delayed for a while due to this disagreement. Then Old General Lin suddenly fell ill and died, so it had been put off until now.

Wen Rugui frowned and stood up again: “I still have matters to attend to. Let’s discuss Chan’er’s marriage when I return.”

“Master—”

Watching helplessly as Wen Rugui walked out without looking back, Lin Shi gulped down several mouthfuls of cold tea, feeling stifled.

Wen Hao and Wen Chan left the manor and headed straight for the General’s Manor.

When the Old Madam heard servants report that the two young misses had arrived, she was both delighted and puzzled.

“Why did you come so early? Have you had breakfast?” The Old Madam held one hand of each, asking with a smile.

Wen Chan glanced left and right: “Grandmother, we have something to tell you.”

Seeing her granddaughter’s solemn expression, the Old Madam raised her chin toward those serving in the room.

In the blink of an eye, the maids and old servants all withdrew, leaving only one trusted confidante nanny who served close at hand.

“Speak. What is it?” Though the Old Madam’s attitude was serious, she didn’t think too deeply.

In her view, for these two granddaughters in the bloom of youth, their greatest concerns would be nothing more than young love.

“Grandmother, have you taken the medicine the divine physician prescribed?” Wen Chan asked with concern.

The Old Madam nodded.

“Then… what we have to say, you might be very shocked to hear—” Wen Chan feared the Old Madam couldn’t bear it and laid groundwork slowly.

The Old Madam was startled and glanced at Wen Hao.

Wen Hao nodded along: “You’ll definitely be very angry. Elder Sister and I are both worried you’ll harm your health from anger.”

The Old Madam took a deep breath, her tone still fairly calm: “Go ahead and tell me. Which of you two is it about?”

Could it be one of them had done something improper with some brat?

Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. They’re my own flesh and blood granddaughters—even if I beat them to death, I’d still feel heartache.

Back then when that bandit-like daughter of mine insisted on marrying a scholar, didn’t I eventually accept it while holding my nose?

“Wait, let me drink some tea before you speak.”

The Old Madam accepted the tea the trusted nanny handed her and drank half a cup, feeling considerably calmer: “Speak. Don’t be afraid. No matter how serious, your grandmother will support you.”

Wen Chan began: “This past year, Father and Mother have often quarreled.”

“The two of them had a fight?” The Old Madam secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though her daughter and son-in-law being at odds would concern her, what married couple didn’t bicker? In the end, it wasn’t a major matter.

“Much more serious than quarreling.” Wen Chan laid more groundwork.

The Old Madam’s eyebrows shot up: “Did they come to blows?”

It couldn’t be that Wanqing beat up her son-in-law, and the two granddaughters came asking her to stand up for their father?

Wen Chan hesitated for a moment, finally saying it: “Father… has taken a mistress.”

“What?” The Old Madam’s color changed drastically as she slapped the table and stood.

“Grandmother, don’t get agitated!” Seeing the Old Madam’s body sway slightly, Wen Chan’s face went white with fright as she hurried to support her arm.

The Old Madam slowly sat down, her gaze fixed tightly on the two sisters: “Tell your grandmother the specifics of the situation clearly.”

Wen Chan glanced at Wen Hao.

“I discovered it by accident…”

After hearing Wen Hao finish, the Old Madam’s face was already full of fury: “That beast! I was truly blind back then!”

Wen Hao reached out and grasped her sleeve, softly urging: “Please calm down. If you harm your health from anger over this, what will Elder Sister and I do?”

The Old Madam extended her somewhat rough hand and stroked Wen Hao’s hair: “Ah Hao, rest assured. Your grandmother’s health is fine.”

Wen Hao and Wen Chan exchanged glances, their suspended hearts finally settling somewhat.

The greatest shock to Grandmother would be when she first learned the truth—after that, it would be better.

“So that mother and her three children are in Mahua Alley.” The Old Madam stood up, casually grabbing her auspicious cloud walking stick. “Come, follow your grandmother to visit Mahua Alley!”