The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

"Go out, the housekeeper will find you a place to rest. Leave after her funeral. I don't want to see you again." General Situ did not hide his disgust.

"Of course. I, too, don't want to see you again. After all, you're not a competent general, much less a competent husband, nor a good brother." The man then threw out a letter. "This is what my sister-in-law left for me seven days ago. She said that if anything happened to her, I should give this letter to you."

After saying that, Situ Lu pushed the door open and walked out.

Seven days ago? General Situ's eyelids twitched. So, she had wanted to die so long ago?

General Situ looked at the letter, hesitating for a moment before opening it. Madam Situ's familiar tiny calligraphy immediately caught his eye. He had long admired Madam Situ's handwriting. It was always so beautiful and graceful, just like her.

"My dear, as you have read in this letter, I have been trembling with fear since I married into the Situ Mansion, fearing that I would displease you. At the beginning of our marriage, I hoped that we would live in harmony and grow old together. With this belief, I entered the bridal chamber, but... the candles have burned out, and I have not yet achieved my wish. At that time, I was already pregnant. For the sake of my daughter, I had to disguise myself, fearing that the child would not grow up safely. I know that you dislike me and hate me. But I have never hated you. Later, I restrained my expectations and refused to wait any longer. Without waiting, without hoping, there will be no sadness. I leave this letter not to blame you, but simply to hope that you will treat our child well. If your hope is fulfilled, I wish to be with you forever in the next life.

As the ancients said, "One born at the wrong time finds it difficult to control one's emotions." I was born into a time of family upheaval, and fell in love during a time of crisis. Love flows like water, quietly fading. Responsibility is as immovable as a rock. My responsibility is far heavier than love. Since marrying my husband, I have forgotten all that happened in the past. Unfortunately, my husband knows not what I truly desire.

My husband is handsome and graceful, and women are always attracted to him. I know I can't make him smile like others. I will not be jealous, nor arrogant, and I will abide by the rules of womanhood. I only hope that when my husband chooses a new wife, he will not bring disgrace to the reputation of the Situ Mansion. I will be at peace with myself.

In this life, suicide is the worst. Having lived my entire life and taken this step, I feel sorry for my parents who gave birth to me, my beloved daughter, and my husband who married me. But there are always things one doesn't want to do. I'm tired, and I no longer want to be bothered by the worries of this world. For years, I've been like a rock, standing between my family and my husband. I've angered him. Now, as I depart, I only hope that all my efforts will not be in vain. If not, I won't blame you.

My husband and I have been married for a lifetime, and I admit I am not a good woman. From the very beginning, I left this jade pendant as an apology for my husband's sins. This jade pendant marks the beginning of our love. It also holds a key to the Gu family's treasure house. If my husband wishes to keep this jade pendant, he will surely receive a share when the Gu family splits up. That's all I have to say.

In my life, I hate no one, and I blame no one. I only hope that in my next life I will not be born into a noble family. I will not marry into a noble family.

The woman's handwriting, like her persona, was graceful and elegant. It always made people feel comfortable just looking at it. General Situ had thought this way since he met her.

After tearing the letter into pieces, General Situ clutched the jade pendant in his hand, and suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. See? This was the woman from the Gu family. Even in death, she would leave everyone feeling guilty.

"How ridiculous!" General Situ said, throwing the jade pendant on the table and ignoring it. However, there was endless sadness in his eyes.

People are all made of flesh and blood, and so is General Situ.

Under the cover of night, everyone hides their own thoughts. Some people go to bed early, fearing that they will miss something tomorrow, while others sit alone until dawn, no longer wanting to sleep.

But no matter what, the news of Madam Situ's early death spread quietly throughout the capital like the soundless spring rain.

Anyone who could reach the position of a general's wife either had a distinguished family background or possessed considerable skill. Madam Situ possessed both. Therefore, at dawn, news of this spread. The prominent families of the capital, those who had come into contact with Madam Situ, were all stunned!

Who is Madam Situ?

The noblewoman of the capital, a figure countless women could only look up to. But such a person, unexpectedly, died? It was like someone telling you that the throne had suddenly been taken by someone else. How absurd, how ridiculous!

There would be some signs when the throne was passed, but there were no signs at all when Mrs. Situ died. And precisely because there were no signs, the Gu family arrived early in the morning.

The morning light was weak, and the cold air entered the hall, making the delicate colors of the crabapple blossoms inside fade. In the main hall, it should have been dinner time, but at this moment, there was a sense of oppression.

There were now more people in the main hall, where only a few people ate in the past.

Situ Yaorao sat on a chair, and next to her sat Tantai Wuyue, who was currently playing with a string of jade beads he had obtained from somewhere, seemingly oblivious to the strangeness of the scene before him.

Sitting across from Situ Yaorao were Situ Honglei and the Sixth Prince. The Sixth Prince remained calm yet commanding. He sat there quietly, yet no one could ignore his presence.

General Situ sat in the main seat, his brow furrowed. Beside him stood Situ Honglei's mother, dressed in simple and elegant attire. She had behaved much better today, no longer as clueless as she had been yesterday. Situ Yaorao had only glanced at her and dismissed her excitement as a result of years of oppression, only to become complacent after learning of Madam Situ's death. Now, she had returned to normal.

Besides them, there were two other people standing in the hall. These two people were Gu's uncle and cousin. Situ Yaorao looked at Gu Yunjing and couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Sure enough, they were the first ones to arrive this early in the morning.

"I was wondering who it was. It turns out it's my brother. Please take a seat quickly. Madam passed away peacefully. The servants are now sending notices and preparing for the funeral. I was just thinking of taking the time to invite you to see Madam for the last time. Now that you are here, this is the only courtesy left." General Situ said very calmly and kindly.

However, this was just him being kind.

Upon hearing this, the head of the Gu family snorted coldly and said, "General Situ, do you think that all of my Gu family members are fools?"

"How could this be?" General Situ pretended to be puzzled.

"My sister died in your Situ house for no apparent reason. She had no illness or disaster, but you committed suicide. If you don't believe me, you can ask Yaorao. Even if I could deceive you, Yaorao wouldn't do that, would she?"

General Situ's words made the Gu family head ponder for a long moment. After thinking about it, it was indeed true. Situ Yaorao said she committed suicide? Ridiculous! "The Gu family head said, "When you, Situ Yu, married my sister, you said you would never let a daughter of the Gu family suffer. Now, what do you have to say? Or, after accepting benefits from my Gu family for so many years, now that we are no longer needed, you are kicking us out? Situ Yu, if you don't give us an explanation today, I am afraid that the friendship between our two families will no longer exist!"

The Gu family's patriarch's attitude was very tough, and he glared at General Situ with hatred.

Although Madam Situ married into the Situ family for the sake of her family, the head of the Gu family truly loved her. After all, she was his own sister. Now, he was suddenly told that his sister had died, and the death was so unclear. How could he let it go?

This is why we are seeing this scene now.

General Situ listened to his words and thought to himself, I knew this old man would be unreasonable. However, his eyes fell on Situ Yaorao. He added, "Brother Gu, you are really wronging me. Although I don't know what happened to Madam, Madam's words are probably the most trustworthy among the people in this room.

So he asked kindly, "Yao Rao, tell your uncle how your mother died. Don't worry, as long as you tell me, your uncle will definitely avenge your mother."

"Revenge?" Situ Yaorao repeated his words.

"Yes, I will not let the murderer go!" said the head of the Gu family with certainty.

"Oh! My mother committed suicide. If my uncle really wanted revenge, the murderer would be this ridiculous aristocratic marriage!"