Two days later was the returning-home ceremony.
After days of heavy snow, the weather had finally cleared. The sunlight was dazzling, but offered little warmth.
Behind two carriages stretched a long line of ceremonial gift boxes.
“No wonder it’s the General’s mansion so wealthy and generous! The return gifts almost rival the betrothal gifts!”
“And so forgiving, too. That wedding matchmaker accidentally sent the two ladies in the wrong sedan chairs, yet they went along with it anyway.”
“Hah! Perfectly fitting, isn’t it? The legitimate daughter marries our young general, the illegitimate daughter marries the young master doesn’t that just line up?”
“Heh, you fool! If it were perfect, why didn’t both families arrange it this way from the start?”
“Ah, I know! I heard… the young master of the General’s mansion is the only son of the General’s wife. She must want to find the most distinguished bride for her own son…”
“Shh! Dare to gossip about the General’s mansion and you’ll lose your life!”
The gossip of commoners aside, the gates of the Marquis of Longnan’s mansion had become lively.
The fallen daughter of the Marquis marrying into the rising General’s mansion plus such an impressive set of return gifts required someone to formally receive them at the gate.
Red cloth lined the street in front of the mansion. Even imperial consorts’ return ceremonies didn’t go to such lengths.
The Marquis was bedridden, the old matriarch too old, so only the Marchioness and her attendants waited at the gate.
Yu Lin grabbed Xie Jinghong’s arm and deliberately alighted before Yu Mu’an, summoning the servants to carry the return gifts inside, making it seem as if she alone had brought everything.
Yu Mu’an’s expression remained calm as she followed behind.
In her previous life, she had only realized her stepmother’s true nature on her deathbed.
She had once thought this stepmother was exceedingly kind, even more caring than her biological mother.
One year, when Yu Mu’an had a high fever that would not subside, this stepmother had rolled in the snow herself, freezing stiff, just to hold her and bring down her temperature.
She treated the mansion’s servants with gentle words, clearly administered rewards and punishments, and was well-liked.
Yet this same woman had plotted to kill her real mother the mastermind behind the original Marchioness’s death!
Yu Mu’an vowed to obtain irrefutable evidence to expose this hypocritical, malicious woman, making her pay with her reputation, even her life.
Before that, she could not reveal that she had been reborn, nor could she alert the enemy.
In this second chance at life, she would exact revenge on all who had harmed her mother and tormented her, one by one.
“Mother! An’er has missed you so much, Mother”
Out of sight of others, Yu Mu’an finally stepped over the threshold of the Marquis’s mansion. She dropped her calm, composed demeanor, linking arms with her stepmother and acting coquettishly.
“Are you still mad at me, Mother?”
Her stepmother feigned mild annoyance. “You’re married now. You chose your own path. What can I say?”
Yu Mu’an tilted her head, leaning on her shoulder. “Mother is the best! Even after marriage, An’er is still your precious treasure~”
Xie Jinghong’s gaze had been fixed on Yu Mu’an’s face since she began her coquettish display, a flicker of admiration passing through his eyes.
Yu Lin let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
The stepmother’s smile faded slightly as she turned to her: “Lin’er, rare that you return don’t be so formal here. Aunt Zhao is waiting in Qingfeng Hall.”
Yu Lin’s face brightened. She hurriedly pulled Xie Jinghong along after a cursory bow, eager to reach the front courtyard.
Watching them leave, the stepmother sighed softly:
“See, stubbornly sticking to rules… is my Anbao’er being wronged?”
She guided Yu Mu’an to a seat, surveying her with eyes full of concern.
“Ah… when I advised you that day, it was from experience… and now…
Ah… such a pity for Jingyan… Seven years ago, when he returned to the capital…”
“What?!” Yu Mu’an feigned surprise. “The illustrious young general, a government official no less… how could this have been hidden so long?”
Her stepmother seemed thoughtful. “This is only my speculation after knowing the truth…
Six years ago, General Xie’s Fengping campaign was victorious. Foreign nations sent tribute, requesting peace. I heard the young general was seriously injured in that battle, so the Emperor specially allowed him to skip court…”
Yu Mu’an’s face lit with understanding. “So that’s why!”
Her stepmother sighed. “Ah… I say, none of you four have consummated yet, there’s still hope…”
Yu Mu’an cut her off, pretending to be wronged:
“Mother, I’ve been craving the fried pastries from your courtyard so much these past few days at the General’s mansion. Can I bring some back?”
Her stepmother paused, helpless. “Why not? Granny Liu! Go have the little kitchen prepare some fried pastries to bring to An’er later!”
Liu Cuihua responded at once, smiling brightly and ready to leave.
“Wait, Granny,” Yu Mu’an called, “let Anxin and Ju Hong go with you so you don’t get tired.”
Liu Cuihua beamed. “Young lady, you’re too kind! Come on, Anxin, Ju Hong, let’s go!”
Watching them leave the hall, Yu Mu’an linked arms with her stepmother, introducing: “That’s Ju Hong. She’s Anxin’s fellow villager who came to seek her help.
Anxin brought her to me.”
Her stepmother nodded. “It’s good to have some personal attendants as a new bride.”
Yu Mu’an clung coquettishly to her arm. “Then can I say, Mother gave her to me”
Her stepmother waved it off. “A maid is just a maid. Fine.
Your top priority is to hurry and give me a big, chubby grandson…”
“Mother! What are you saying!”
“Why be shy? The General’s mansion’s eldest grandson comes from your womb then your position is secure,” her stepmother urged gently. “Since your husband can’t be relied on, have a son to secure your standing!”
Yu Mu’an’s cheeks flushed, eyes lowered, but inwardly she smirked.
Her stepmother never forgot to scheme. In her previous life, Yu Mu’an knew Hu Rui would have been furious that her own son had married a socially inferior daughter.
If the first grandson came from another woman’s house… her stepmother could die of rage.
Yu Mu’an even believed Hu Rui could go so far as to cause her to miscarry.
Yu Mu’an reversed the situation, comforting her: “Don’t worry, Mother. Don’t trouble yourself over me. You don’t look well haven’t been resting?”
Her stepmother hesitated, a faintly troubled expression on her face. “The mansion was burgled!”
Yu Mu’an gasped. “What?! Who dared? Were they caught? Reported to the authorities?”
Her stepmother shook her head, anger flashing: “Just some jewelry missing from my courtyard. Nothing important. Don’t worry…”
Yu Mu’an studied her seriously. “Mother, strengthen the patrols, hire more hands to guard the house. The Marquis can afford it.”
Her stepmother nodded. “Exactly. I’ve sent people to check nearby, find some skilled men.”
Though the courtyard appeared vast and formal, in Qingfeng Hall, the emotions were genuine.
Xie Jinghong had no interest in a mere concubine, exchanged brief pleasantries, then asked the steward to guide him and his servant on a tour of the garden.
Once Xie Jinghong left, Aunt Zhao worried aloud: “What will you do? You two still haven’t consummated the marriage?”
“Ah, don’t worry! I have a plan for Brother Hong.”
Yu Lin, frustrated, sat down and looked at Aunt Zhao.
“Brother Hong has great prospects. Once that idiot Xie Jingyan dies, Yu Mu’an will be a widow! I’ll arrange for her death in advance, and no one will ever stand in my way again!”
Aunt Zhao looked at her anxiously. “What are you ranting about?”
Yu Lin: “Ah, don’t worry! By the way, didn’t I ask you to take care of that old mAnxing Ninghui? Did you finish him off?”
Aunt Zhao stammered, “He… he ran away…”