already eagerly stepped out of the formation. If she hesitated any longer, both the human and the beast would vanish.Ripples and Whirlwind both put on an air of extreme vigilance, after all, she was...Mrs. Hou tried to explain patiently to Lian'yi, but Lian'yi refused to listen, only coldly stating:

"Mother, I am not pregnant yet! You don't need to rush to add people to my house."

"You stubborn child! I've chosen someone for you, and they are right at your fingertips. You tell them east, and they won't go west."

Mrs. Lin would never listen to what you say, and she might even use her position to look down on you.

"She dares!"

Ripple's eyes narrowed, and she spoke directly.

"Isn't this about being prepared for the worst It's better to keep things in your control. Mei Zhi is just a tool you use to manipulate your husband."

Don't worry, I've already given her the medicine. She will never be able to get pregnant again.

Lady Hou patiently explained.

Hearing this, Ripples' face eased considerably. She picked up her teacup and took a sip before speaking:

"Give me Mei's body."

"I've already prepared it for you."

Lady Hou waved her hand, and beside her, Yao Mamama brought a small wooden box to Ripple's face.

After the ripples passed through the box and opened, there was not only Mei Zhi's personal deed, but also the deeds of Hong Qi, Lv Cui and all the maidservants who came with her dowry. The only one missing was Sun Mama.

Lian Yi was very pleased, and then she smiled at Madam Hou:

"Or perhaps it was my mother's thoughtful consideration. I appreciate your kindness."

"You should just know how much your mother has worried for you."

After this little interlude, ripples continued to play the role of filial piety with Madam Hou until after lunch, when ripples and Lin Yaozhu returned to the Shangshu Mansion.

After the ripples subsided, Madam Hou's face fell. She waved her sleeve and swept the teacup from the table to the floor:

"What a fool!"

"Madam, please don't be angry. Miss is still recovering and cannot afford to quarrel with the young ladies for now."

Grandmother Yao immediately stepped forward to counsel, waving her hand at the maidservant to clean up all the broken teacups.

“I know, you came with me to see Lianyi. Wasn't she supposed to have woken up yesterday”

"Miss, yesterday she drank a small bowl of porridge. This is a good omen."

Grandmother Yao immediately stepped forward, supporting Mistress Hou's hand, and proceeded to the side courtyard where Miss was recuperating.

After three days at home, ripples didn't venture out of the Minister's residence much. She kept her maids bustling around her, tidying up her dowry, and had Mei Zhi accompany her to chat, listen to music, and admire flowers. Her days were spent in a relaxed and pleasant manner.

A month after their wedding, while Ripple was having lunch with Madam Lin, she suddenly began vomiting. Madam Lin's face lit up with joy and she immediately called a doctor to take Ripple's pulse. As expected, it was a pulse of pregnancy.

Mrs. Lin was so delighted that she couldn't contain her smile. She thought her daughter-in-law was amazing! The doctor had diagnosed a pregnancy pulse, which meant it would be just one month until the wedding night.

"Ripple, you worked hard!"

"It's no hardship, it's a daughter-in-law's duty to give birth to children and continue the Lin family line."

The ripples immediately laughed and said.

"I'll send someone to the Hou Mansion to report the good news right away."

"Mother, it's best to keep this quiet for now. Let me wait until I'm three months along and settled before announcing the good news. If anything were to happen..."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I was so excited that I got carried away. Then we'll announce it to the public in three months."

Mrs. Lin laughed and replied, "Of course I'm willing to go along with Ripples now."

Three months later, Madam Hou received the news that Lian'er was pregnant. She immediately ripped the handkerchief in her hand to shreds. She hadn't expected her eldest daughter's belly to be so eager.

"Nanny Yao, what's going on Wasn't she supposed to be unable to conceive for at least two or three years after taking the medicine"

"This old slave doesn't know, that medicine was sent by Granny Sun."

"Old Madame Yao immediately said, "This matter can't be blamed on her."

"Let Grandma Sun come back for a visit."

"Yes!"

At this moment, inside the rear courtyard of the Ministry of Officials, Lian Ri was listening to music. Today was the day she would send word back to the Marquis's Residence about her pregnancy. Surely, her kind mother would have some sort of reaction.

Liàn Yī leaned against the soft couch, her hands still tapping to the tune of the music. A circle of maidservants stood respectfully around her, and Mèi Zhī kept glancing at Liàn Yī from the corner of her eye, her expression unreadable.

"Madam, the Hou's residence has sent someone to deliver a gift and asked the old slave to return for a while. It seems that Madam Hou wants to give some instructions."

Grandma Sun respectfully stood by the side of Lian Yi, and said.

“My mother cares for me. She knows I’m pregnant now and it’s inconvenient to go out, so she asked you to come over. She definitely wants to tell you some things to pay attention to during pregnancy. You should go back once, and there's no need to rush back the same day. Just come back tomorrow.”

The ripples said generously.

"Yes, old slave will quickly go and return."

After Sun mama received the permission, she left the Minister's residence as quickly as possible.

After everyone else had left, Lian Yi yawned and waved the musicians away. Only then did she enter the bedroom with Mei Zhi's support.

Since becoming pregnant, I've always felt very tired.

Liàn'yī looked at Méizhī and said.

"Madam, don't worry, this is normal."

Mei Zhi immediately said.

"Oh, my body is so uncooperative. Now that I'm pregnant, I can't even wait on my husband properly. I'm going to ask you to take care of Lord Yaozu for me during this time when I'm unable to."

Before the ripples could finish their words, Mei Zhi directly "thumped" to her knees in front of Ripples.

Ripple's eyes narrowed, then she asked in surprise:

"Mei Zhi, what do you mean by this"

"My mistress, I am unwilling to be a concubine!"

Mei Zhi kowtowed and said.

"Oh But when Madam Hou gave you to me, she said that you were a special beauty prepared for my husband by her. She told me that when I was unable to attend to him, you were to please him in my stead. Now you say you are unwilling to be a concubine, what does this mean"

Ripples said, somewhat displeased.

"Madam, I would rather be a slave than a concubine. Because of this face, I've suffered much since I was young. After being sold to the Marquis's mansion, I thought I could finally have a peaceful life, but…"

"Do you know that you can no longer have children"

Ripples asked directly.

"I know, when I was five years old, I was sold to a brothel and received training from the madam. In order to maintain my figure and better serve men, I was forced to take medicine after puberty and lost my fertility."

Mei Zhi knelt on the ground and said softly.

Then what do you want to ask for

"I only want freedom."

"Freedom"

"The slave girl wishes to always obey the young mistress and only asks that after the young mistress's wish is fulfilled, she will be set free and her contract of sale returned to her."

Mei Zhi finished speaking and kowtowed again.

I am not short of loyal maidservants around me.

The ripples did not agree to Mei Zhi, only saying so much.

"Madam, the people serving you are all arranged by Madam Hou. I happened to find out that they are not loyal to you, even saying that they are arranged by Madam Hou to monitor you."

"I know, so what"

Ripple smiled and asked.

Mei Zhi raised her head, looking at Lian Yi with some surprise. She didn't expect the other party to know everything, but she still remained so calm and composed. The young mistress was more capable than she had imagined.

"I am willing to serve the young mistress, keeping watch over their every move and telling you all of their actions and plans."nly collected one year's rent upfront. After both parties signed the rental agreement, the Xing family began moving their household items and also bought pots, pans, and other cooking utensils for the...