Destroy the scumbag husband, beat the bitch, the reborn legitimate daughter overturns the entire cap

Xu Huilan took the whole box of jewelry back to her room and quickly sent someone to guard it outside, leaving only her personal maid to talk inside.

"Miss, what exactly does this old lady mean? Why would she suddenly send you so many nice things out of the blue?"

Xu Huilan frowned and sighed softly, "Silly girl, what do you know? These jewels look glittering and luxurious, but what do they amount to in this Mu family? My cousin is now the Vice Minister of Works. He's so young, and he's already at such a high position. In a few years, who knows how glorious his career will be?"

“Miss, now that you mention it, it’s true. This Mu residence is many times larger than our original Xu residence. Just the number of servants here is too many to count. We’ve already assigned six to our guest quarters.”

The more Xu Huilan listened, the more anxious she became. "You're right. The Mu family is indeed much wealthier than our Xu family! My cousin-in-law, Madam Li, also comes from a prominent family; she's the eldest daughter of the General of the State! That day in the front hall, you could see the air about her; it wasn't something that could be achieved just by wearing jewelry and brocade!"

The young maidservant sensed something amiss with her mistress's words, but dared not reply carelessly.

"And look at the young lady of this mansion. Whether it's her clothes or accessories, everything about her is impeccable. Even her purse is made of the finest Suzhou embroidery. It's clear that she is an extremely particular and sophisticated lady who knows how to enjoy life."

As Xu Huilan spoke, her heart was in turmoil. On one hand, she didn't dislike her cousin Mu Chang'an; in fact, she greatly admired his adherence to etiquette and his inability to be swayed by her good looks. Just as the old lady said, he was a true gentleman!

However, the thought that if she really agreed to the old lady's request, she would become a concubine as soon as she entered the family. She was, after all, the legitimate daughter of an official family. How could she be so eager to become someone else's concubine?

She gestured for the maid to bring her mirror, and carefully examined her reflection. Looking at her beautiful face, she thought to herself, "My cousin is more than ten years older than me! His eldest daughter is already ten years old. Isn't there quite a big age gap?"

Hesitant and uneasy, Xu Huilan got up and went to the window. Looking at the scattered red petals outside, she couldn't help but sigh for her fate!

If my mother were still alive, how could she allow my brother and sister-in-law to humiliate and make things difficult for me like this?

If her mother were still alive, how could she have promised herself to a cripple as his wife? Nor would she have promised herself to her cousin as a concubine!

When my mother was alive, she repeatedly told me that a woman should be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond. I have always kept my mother's teachings in mind, but why am I hesitant today?

She glanced again at the jewelry in the small box. Not only were the materials exquisite, but the craftsmanship was also extremely fine, and they were all the most fashionable items of the moment. Wearing them out would certainly not tarnish her status; on the contrary, it would undoubtedly draw admiring glances. But was it worth trading her entire life for?

Hearing the rustling of the wardrobe, Xu Huilan saw her maid tidying up her clothes one by one. Looking at the plain clothes, Xu Huilan's brows furrowed even more.

Aside from plain clothes, he didn't even have a few decent outfits!

This immense sense of loss seemed to be a reminder to her that she was nothing now! Once she stepped out of the Mu family mansion, all she could do was marry that cripple!

So what if she's the legal wife? Doesn't she become a laughingstock the moment she steps out of the house? Forget about the wealth of the Mu family, whether they can even have meat every meal is still a question!

A few days later, Mu Xin Nuan and the others were chatting with Li Shi and making her laugh when the old lady sent someone over, saying that there was something important to discuss with her mother.

Mu Xin Nuan's heart skipped a beat. Had this day finally come?

"Mother! Mother, please wait a moment." Mu Xin Nuan said, then forcibly pulled Li Shi into the inner room and whispered to Li Shi about some things she had seen in the past few days.

“Mother, that cousin is clearly trying to seduce Father. I know it’s not my place to speak on this. But Mother, you have to think about us too! If she really marries into the family and has children, who can guarantee she won’t have those filthy thoughts? Isn’t Song Shi the best example?”

Upon hearing this, Madam Li initially intended to reprimand her, but after hearing the rest, she realized she could no longer allow the old lady to lead her by the nose. However, what if the master agreed?

"Anuan, I understand what you mean. But what if the old lady insists on being the matchmaker, and your father doesn't object?"

"Mother, don't worry. As long as you do as I suggest, Father will definitely not agree."

"Oh?"

Mu Xin Nuan whispered a few words in Li Shi's ear, which greatly surprised Li Shi! The way Li Shi looked at Mu Xin Nuan was also very different.

"Mother, for the sake of your daughter and Ah Xuan, please try the method I suggested! Perhaps, Father will remember the past and give up this idea?"

Li gritted her teeth and said, "Fine. It's for the good of the family after all. I'll give it a try."

Mu Xin Nuan was delighted to hear this and curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Mother."

Madam Li patted her head and said with some affection, "Silly child, why thank your mother? If it really works out, it should be your mother thanking you."

When Li arrived at Rongyuan, she found only the old lady and Xu Huilan in the room. She couldn't help but wonder why Anuan had guessed so accurately.

"Huilan, go and see how the peony painting I had embroidered is coming along? Your embroidery skills are excellent, so you can take a good look at it for me as well."

"Yes, Aunt." Xu Huilan replied, but after glancing at Li Shi, she retreated with slightly flushed cheeks.

Li was not stupid; she knew exactly what that touch of crimson represented! Even though Ah Nuan had warned her, her palm still trembled involuntarily.

“Daughter-in-law, Chang’an is now the Vice Minister of Works, a fourth-rank official position. But right now, there are only you and Madam Song serving him in this household. And Madam Song is currently under house arrest. You can’t be the only one serving Chang’an, can you?”

"Mother, this is the master's will; your daughter-in-law has no choice!"

Upon hearing this, the old lady flew into a rage, slamming her teacup heavily onto the small table. She roared, "What a helpless excuse! As a wife, it's one thing if you don't know how to choose beauties for your husband to take as concubines, but you won't even prepare a maidservant for him! What are you thinking? Daughter-in-law, you were raised by a family, how can you be a wife? Do I, an old woman, need to teach you again?"