This time he will definitely not hold back, even if it means destroying An Jiu by any means necessary.
He was determined to have her. (From 9)
Chapter 76
This is an anti-theft chapter. If any readers accidentally purchased it, don't worry, it will be replaced tomorrow at 8 AM sharp. The word count will increase after the replacement.
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Tang Wan bit her lower lip and nodded gently. Without the original owner's memories, everything here was still unfamiliar to her, and she dared not make any rash moves.
"If the young lady could understand Madam's good intentions, she wouldn't feel so troubled!" Seeing that her "intimidation" had worked, Madam Li became even more pleased with herself. After saying this, she showed no respect to Tang Wan and casually lifted the curtain to go out again.
Before Tang Wan could even comment on Granny Li's free coming and going, Yue Lin, standing to the side, was trembling with anger. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Tang Wan sigh softly and say in a low voice, "Call Tang Li in."
"Miss—" Yue Lin was unsure of Tang Wan's intentions. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded and left.
Before long, Tang Li, looking aggrieved, followed Yue Lin in.
"Do you know why I let you leave?" Tang Wan asked gently.
Tang Li nodded at first, then shook her head. Yue Lin, who was next to her, suddenly looked enlightened.
"Silly girl, how could I not know you said that to protect me?" Tang Wan's words, tinged with intimacy, startled Tang Li. Just moments ago, the young lady had been so stern with her…
Seeing Tang Li still looking silly and at a loss, Tang Wan couldn't help but laugh.
"Still not getting it?" Yue Lin anxiously tapped Tang Li's forehead with her finger. "The young lady only said that to save you! If you fall into Granny Li's hands, you'll be in big trouble!"
Only then did Tang Li realize the truth. A slight blush rose to her face, revealing her embarrassment. "Miss, it was my fault for being so foolish—"
Tang Wan smiled and shook her head. "I don't blame you. Just think more about things in the future. It's the worst thing you can do to be quick to argue. Your self-respect and integrity don't come from arguing over words. The most important thing is to protect yourself."
Tang Li and Yue Lin both looked thoughtful.
In her previous life, she was so flamboyant and proud... yet she died in the cold palace! Her father and brothers were exiled, and she didn't know how they were doing now. Tang Wan felt a pang of sorrow, and her eyes unconsciously reddened.
"Miss, Miss, I know I was wrong!" Tang Li thought Tang Wan was upset about this, and quickly promised, "I will never do it again!"
Tang Wan then realized her lapse in composure, and quickly smiled to indicate that she was alright.
In this life, she will not only live well herself, but also prevent those around her from being hurt again!
Now that she's been given a second chance at life, she's determined to live each day to the fullest! No matter how difficult life may be, no matter if these days will ever be taken back. She's going to live well, better than anyone else!
Tang Wan died in the cold palace thirty-six years ago. From that day forward, she became the seventh daughter of the Marquis's household, born out of wedlock—Ming Wei!
Since Mingwei survived this time, Madam Liu couldn't keep detaining the maids and servants in her courtyard, so she had to release them. It wasn't that Madam Liu had a change of heart and wanted to show her compassion; she was just afraid that the third and fourth branches of the family would laugh at her.
A few days later, Mingwei's health gradually improved, and she really began to do embroidery. Fortunately, embroidery skills were already the original owner of the body's instinct, and she had also carefully practiced needlework in her previous life, so these things were not difficult for her.
Only by constantly keeping herself busy could Mingwei barely stop thinking about the past—but so much had happened in the past thirty-six years.
Consort Xian had finally ascended to the position of Empress, and her son, the First Prince, was named Crown Prince. However, her good fortune was short-lived. The Crown Prince rebelled, enraging the Emperor, who ordered the First Prince's removal from the Crown Prince position and dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion. On the very day her son died while the army quelled the rebellion, Consort Xian ended her own life with a white silk ribbon.
The second crown prince also did not live long, leaving behind only one son, the current eighteen-year-old imperial grandson Rong Zhen. It is rumored that this imperial grandson is not favored by the emperor, and he also has three uncles who hold real power above him.
That's all we could glean from Tang Li and Yue Lin. Both of them were quite young, of low status, and had limited knowledge; they had no way of knowing anything further back in time.
The virtuous concubine she once hated died an ignominious death, rendering those old grudges meaningless. But Rong Duo, the culprit who killed her, was still alive and well, reigning supreme!
Mingwei was unwilling to accept this!
She suppressed all her extreme emotions with reason. She repeatedly told herself that she had to be patient. At this moment, she was just an unfavored concubine's daughter in the Chengping Marquis's mansion. Rong Duo and the imperial palace were both unreachable distances to her.
Only by surviving can anything else be possible! Mingwei clenched her fists and lowered her eyes. She wouldn't attempt a futile struggle, like she had in her past life, overestimating her own abilities. Everything would wait until she had accumulated enough strength—
"Miss, you've been working all day, why don't you take a rest!" Mingwei was still lost in her thoughts when she heard Tangli's voice.
Upon hearing this, Mingwei looked up and saw Tangli holding a small black lacquered tray with beads on it. On the tray, steam rose from an old official kiln teacup, and next to it was a plate of hawthorn cake.
"Put it down." Mingwei nodded and smiled. The two maids were very concerned about her. Even though she was behaving strangely, they only thought it was a lingering effect of her persistent fever. Instead, they worried about whether she had developed a chronic illness.
Tang Li put down the tray as instructed and walked to Ming Wei's side. Seeing the several embroidery pieces on the table, Ming Wei frowned slightly. "Miss—" Tang Li hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
"Just say what you want to say," Mingwei joked casually. "Do you think I'd eat you?"
Tang Li smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then said with concern, "Miss, don't worry about me being nosy. I'm afraid your embroidery won't pass Madam's approval—"
Upon hearing her words, Mingwei's expression turned serious.
The second wife's cruel and abusive treatment of her illegitimate daughters, forcing them to do embroidery, was it so that they wouldn't be looked down upon in their husbands' families after marriage? Mingwei felt a surge of sarcasm. She hadn't been entirely sure about the second wife's motives before, but after Tangli's explanation, she understood perfectly.
Just as Mingwei was about to ask a few more questions, she heard the voice of the little maid Cuizhu coming from afar at the door. "Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Sixth Miss!"
It was the illegitimate daughters of the second branch of the Chengping Marquis's household who had come! Mingwei's heart skipped a beat.
Although Tang Li and Yue Lin had described her sisters to some extent over the past few days, they hadn't met in person yet. She wondered if the sisters would notice anything amiss.
While Mingwei was still lost in thought, the silvery laughter of several young girls grew closer and closer.
Tang Li hurriedly gathered up the embroidered handkerchiefs and purses on the table, and almost stuffed the stack of hawthorn cakes into the cupboard, but Ming Wei was the first to come to her senses and stop her.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Mingwei remained calm. She brushed off the wrinkles on her dress caused by sitting for a long time, stood up gracefully, and quickly went out to greet them.
Mingwei didn't see Tangli's slightly surprised look. The former Mingwei was insecure and timid, never wanting to lose face in front of her sisters. She would never have let the three girls see that plate of rough hawthorn cake. But after her serious illness, something seemed different…
Just past the screen separating the bedroom, several maids dressed in red and green escorted three beautiful young women into the room. The first girl appeared older, her attire dignified and composed, exuding the air of a well-bred young lady. The middle girl was the most beautiful, but her haughty expression made her seem somewhat frivolous. The girls behind her, though not as beautiful as the middle one, were gentle and composed, instantly winning one's favor.