The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Just as the old lady was about to put it on her, Qin Yao quickly withdrew her hand.

The old lady didn't react at first and looked at her with confusion.

Yes, in her view, Qin Yao was already a sure thing to be her granddaughter-in-law, so it was only natural for her to accept her gifts.

Several aunts and uncles nearby also looked over.

Qin Yao took a few deep breaths. Having been a matriarch for ten years, she still had this much composure.

With a shy smile, Qin Yao said, seemingly embarrassed, "Grandma, perhaps... perhaps we should give it to her after the wedding!"

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of understanding.

She's about to become a new bride, and she's getting shy.

The old lady smiled and was about to say something more to persuade her when Qin Yao had already taken her hand.

"Grandma, I know you're good to me, but as a junior, I also have to consider Auntie's feelings."

The old lady was the only person in the Marquis's mansion who treated her well. Although she had already made up her mind to stay away, Qin Yao did not want to break off relations with her.

Jiang Su's mother, Liu, was the best excuse.

The Liu family of Jiangdong was a large family, but Jiang Su's mother was from a very distant branch of the family, and his father was only a minor official of the seventh rank.

She was only able to marry the Marquis because the Marquis's mansion had fallen into ruin, leaving her with no choice but to look for someone lower down the social ladder.

Liu thought she had ascended to heaven, looked down on her own family, and couldn't climb the social ladder by marrying into a prominent family. She could only act arrogantly at home.

The housekeeper was not good at managing the shops, so the power of housekeeping had always been in the hands of the old lady, who had long been unable to do so.

Naturally, once Qin Yao entered the house, the old lady wanted to entrust the matter to her.

Skipping over the current Lady Hou, Liu was humiliated, and given her temperament, she might very well cause a scene outside.

Thinking of this, the old lady gave up on the idea, deciding that she could give it to him after the marriage, behind closed doors.

Qin Yao breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this; she had taken on this hot potato in her past life.

The next day, Liu went to the Qin family and made some sarcastic remarks, which made the neighbors laugh for quite a while.

This continued even until their wedding day. During the wedding ceremony, he gave Qin Yao a hard time, and everyone else lost face because of him.

Qin Yao didn't care about the Marquis's reputation, but she did care about the Qin family.

This time, she didn't want her neighbors to laugh at her family again!

After chatting for a while, Qin Yao finally left the Jiang family home.

She and Jiang Su were already engaged, and she often came here. This time, it was the old lady who asked her to come and meet the Jiang family in advance.

The women in that room were all from collateral branches of the Jiang family. Since the Jiang family had not been restored to power, the collateral branches of the Jiang family were naturally not doing well either.

With her joining, everyone was happy; at least life would be much easier.

In her previous life, these were the people she had been supporting after her marriage.

Her wedding is still two months away, so it's perfectly understandable for her to get to know her relatives.

However, her future mother-in-law never attended. Every time she came, it was because she had a headache, an appointment, or was too busy taking care of the Marquis.

The Marquis is already bedridden, and his eldest son and daughter will find excuses not to come.

She didn't care before.

The Marquis and her father were good friends. The Marquis wanted to rely on her family to revive their former glory, and her father also wanted her to have someone to rely on.

What she wanted from beginning to end was never Jiang Su himself.

But now, given a second chance, she doesn't want to waste her youth and money again.

She didn't want Jiang Su or the Marquis's mansion!

She can make a living on her own, but she will also avenge the suffering she endured in her past life and the grudges she suffered!

As soon as she left the Marquis's residence, her head maid, Qingzhi, was already waiting by the carriage.

Qingzhi is only thirteen years old now. She was chosen for her by her mother when she was still alive, and she accompanied her into the Jiang family after marriage.

She married the housekeeper's son in less than a year.

At that time, she was pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness, so she didn't have the energy to take care of herself. Jiang Su said that Qingzhi and the housekeeper's son were in love, but she didn't investigate further.

However, after getting married, Qingzhi never appeared again. When people were sent to inquire, they were only told that the couple had returned to their hometown together. Two years later, news came that Qingzhi had died in childbirth.

Looking back now, I'm afraid it wasn't that simple!

She grew up with Qingzhi, and only after her death did she realize that her death was suspicious.

"Miss, what's wrong?" Qingzhi reached out but saw Qin Yao making no move. She looked up and saw Qin Yao looking at her, so she asked curiously.

"Nothing, I just wanted to eat the peach blossom pastries from the west of the city," Qin Yao said, as she helped Qingzhi into the carriage.

Upon hearing her words, Qingzhi was overjoyed and told the driver to go to Yunxiangzhai.

Upon arriving at their destination, Qingzhi quickly got off the car and returned with two food boxes in her hands.

“Miss, isn’t buying two too many? Granny Zhao…” Qingzhi was a little worried.

"So, I only need one box." Qin Yao took a box and said with a smile.

Qingzhi didn't react for a moment and looked at her in confusion.

"To keep Granny Zhao from nagging me, I'm sorry to trouble you and Qiu Liu."

Qiu Liu is another maid of Qin Yao.

Granny Zhao was Qin Yao's wet nurse and also helped manage the household. She was very strict with Qin Yao, especially when it came to food; even if she liked something, she had to be moderate.

Qingzhi naturally knew this, but she was somewhat flattered and dared not accept it.

"Miss, this...this won't do! This is far too valuable!"

The things from Yunxiangzhai are so expensive! One box costs one tael of silver. Usually, the young ladies would eat them and then give them as a reward, but now they're just buying a whole box...

"Qingzhi, you're being too formal! Miss is in a good mood today and wants to share it with you all, how can you refuse?"

Qingzhi dared not say anything more. She loved Yunxiangzhai's pastries the most, and since her mistress had said so, she could only accept it with a mix of trepidation and excitement.

She will definitely take good care of the young lady to repay her kindness.

The carriage swayed and rocked, and soon arrived at the Qin family's residence.

Standing at the gate again, Qin Yao felt as if she had been transported to another world, no, it was a world apart.

Since she married into the Marquis's mansion, she has not been able to return. Firstly, the people in the mansion do not like her, and secondly, there is no one left here, so returning would only cause her more trouble.

This time, she will not marry into the Marquis's family. The Qin residence will always be her home, and it will never be deserted again.

Stepping into her home and through the connecting corridor, Qin Yao arrived at her own courtyard.

Every plant and tree here was arranged by my parents and brothers, and all the flowers and plants are ones I like.

Her happy home wasn't worth giving up for those people.

The furnishings in the room were so familiar. Qin Yao's gaze swept around the room before finally settling on the dressing table.

After dismissing Qingzhi, she sat down in front of the dressing table.

The bronze mirror reflected her face; this was her at sixteen.

She inherited her mother's beauty, with skin as white as snow, jet-black hair, and exquisite features. She had money, beauty, and power.

Therefore, how could Jiang Su be worthy of her?

Jiang Su, are you ready to accept my revenge?