After the fake heiress was arranged to marry a powerful future minister, she took him away.

Jiang Huaiyu moved gracefully to him, handed him a handkerchief, and said gently, "The weather is getting warmer, husband, please wipe your sweat."

Bai Yujing took the handkerchief that emitted a faint fragrance, but did not wipe it immediately. Instead, she stared blankly at Jiang Huaiyu.

Jiang Huaiyu noticed his unusual behavior and was somewhat surprised. She couldn't help but reflect on her actions, wondering if she had done anything impolite.

However, she was filial to her parents at home, and in her previous life she was also extremely filial in the Marquis's mansion, serving her parents-in-law with utmost care.

She pondered to herself that being considerate of her husband was something she should do with such care and thoughtfulness, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with it.

Jiang Huaiyu was lost in her thoughts when suddenly, Bai Yujing abruptly stood up, tightly grasped her hand, and gently pressed her down into a chair.

He picked up a soft silk handkerchief and gently wiped away the fine sweat that had seeped from her forehead.

"Before you married me, did you have servants at home who took good care of you?"

A hint of guilt flickered in his eyes. "I've been used to handling these chores on my own since I was a child, so there's really no need for you to trouble yourself. Now, you just need to take care of your health and don't have to exhaust yourself for me. When I achieve success in the future, I will definitely choose loyal servants for you and provide you with comprehensive care once again."

Jiang Huaiyu was surprised by his words, and while she was stunned, a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

To meet such a wonderful partner in this life is truly a blessing earned through countless lifetimes.

It seems that being reborn was indeed Heaven's way of making amends for her misfortunes in her previous life.

Bai Yujing wiped her cheeks clean, then gently wiped his own forehead with the same handkerchief. Although it was a bit casual, Jiang Huaiyu felt pleased by his behavior, which was completely natural with her.

Bai Yujing placed the silk handkerchief back into the basin and slowly said, "My lady, I know you plan to prepare books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the children's lessons. You may use the items in this room as you wish. I have some business to attend to today and will probably not return until tonight."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly, her tone full of support and encouragement: "Alright. Husband, go ahead, I'll take care of things at home."

Without a moment's delay, Bai Yujing carefully tucked the completed piece into his bosom and hurriedly stepped out of his house.

As his figure disappeared outside the door, Jiang Huaiyu turned her head and noticed that the desk was a little messy, so she tiptoed over and began to tidy it up.

Several sheets of paper were scattered on the table; they were manuscripts written by Bai Yujing. Jiang Huaiyu picked one up casually and examined it closely. These seemingly discarded papers contained strong and vigorous handwriting, and the sentences were ingenious and exquisite, truly admirable.

She couldn't bear to throw away these calligraphic works, so she carefully stacked them neatly, picked up a book, and planned to tuck them inside to preserve them.

As she turned the pages, a neatly folded portrait unexpectedly slipped out from between the pages.

Jiang Huaiyu's gaze inadvertently fell on the portrait. The woman in the painting had a distinct outline. Out of curiosity, she gently unfolded the portrait. When she saw the true face of the person in the painting, her face instantly turned pale, and she froze on the spot, as if time had stood still.

The person in the painting was someone she knew very well... Jiang Shuqin.

But what exactly happened?

Jiang Huaiyu felt as if her legs were nailed to the ground, and a chill crept into her heart.

noon.

After returning from working in the fields, Ms. Yang and Ms. Xie Wenyin busied themselves preparing a lunch.

The family sat around the dining table and began to enjoy their meal.

Bai Jinxiao embarked on his journey to the county town, while Bai Yujing happened to be away from home. Thus, only a few women and two children remained at home.

Dinner was prepared very simply. In the center of the table was only a bowl of stir-fried, vibrant green bok choy and a dish of pickled bamboo shoots, accompanied by coarse rice. That made up a dinner.

Jiang Huaiyu had lived through two lifetimes. The luxurious life she enjoyed in the Marquis's mansion goes without saying. Before her marriage, the Jiang family never let her lack food or clothing.

Therefore, she was not used to such simple meals, but she did not show this discomfort outwardly, and simply reduced her food intake.

She knew that given the Bai family's financial situation, she couldn't complain about it.

They could only hope that they could earn money as soon as possible and gradually improve their family's living conditions.

While embroidery could earn her a meager income, it wasn't a long-term solution; it could only temporarily alleviate her immediate financial needs. Once she had saved up some capital, she would need to find another profession that she could pursue sustainably.

While she was eating, she was already planning how to make money in the future.

However, in the eyes of someone with ulterior motives, all of this was interpreted in a completely different way.

Xie Wenying stole a glance at her, then took turns looking at Bai Qishi and Yangshi, but finally couldn't suppress her curiosity.

"Does my second cousin-in-law find the Bai family's food unpalatable?"

"No."

Xie Wenyin gently put down the bowl and plate, her gaze piercing Jiang Huaiyu like a sword, "Recently, I've been observing your expression while eating, and I've mistakenly thought that these dishes are like poison that burns through the intestines, making them unbearable!"

"Cousin, you're overthinking it." Jiang Huaiyu continued to enjoy her food with composure.

Xie Wenying noticed that Bai Qi's face had turned gloomy, and she continued in a provocative tone, "Really? Second cousin-in-law, after all, the Bai family is indeed no match for the Jiang family. It's a pity that your adoptive parents married you off here without providing any financial assistance, leaving you to endure this hardship with us. Don't they really care about your married life?"

Jiang Huaiyu's fingers, which were tightly gripping the chopsticks, trembled slightly.

Although Xie Wenyin's statement was accurate, she resolutely refused to admit it, and even less would she expose her family's secrets to her husband's family.

“My cousin Wenyin is truly amazing; she knows my parents better than I, a member of the Jiang family.”

Xie Wenying chuckled lightly, "Second cousin-in-law, you're joking. Actually, it doesn't matter. In reality, as long as you wholeheartedly serve your mother-in-law and truly adapt to the Bai family's lifestyle, who cares about your family's relationship? Isn't that common knowledge?"

Jiang Huaiyu was filled with doubt, but remained silent, wondering what Xie Wenyin was up to.

Xie Wenyin ignored her cold attitude and continued, "However, second cousin-in-law, I have to remind you that even if you don't need to work, just recently, my eldest cousin-in-law and I returned from the fields exhausted and hungry. While we were cooking, you should at least lend a hand, right? It's not a difficult task at all."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qishi abruptly raised her eyelids, her gaze piercing Jiang Huaiyu like a knife.

“Wen Yin is absolutely right. I just noticed that you neither did any embroidery nor helped Feng Yun with his studies. Could it be that you were deliberately being lazy?”

Xie Wenyin enthusiastically placed a piece of food into Bai Qishi's bowl.

“Even if you want to act like a rich lady, you have to know the occasion. This is the Bai family home. Second cousin-in-law, you have nothing to do but want to reap the benefits without doing anything. Do you really think of us as your personal maids and servants?”

Yang had no intention of delving into the matter; she simply wanted to have a quick dinner and then return to her room to rest.

But at this moment, anger flared up in his heart, and he cast a resentful glance at Jiang Huaiyu.