Forced to be a concubine? I turned around and married the scumbag's father.

Gu Hua entered the room and eagerly looked up to find her biological mother.

At a glance, one could see his biological mother, whom he had missed day and night. She was dressed in a dark brown ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), sitting upright in a chair, her face slightly pale, and she looked unwell.

Gu Hua felt a pang of sadness. Afraid that she would notice something amiss, she lowered her head and slowly stepped forward, kneeling directly on the bluestone slab in front of her.

Both Granny Zhou and Madam Wang were stunned.

Is such a grand ceremony really necessary?

It's not like a married woman returning home; it's just a concubine's daughter paying her respects on a daily basis.

Therefore, Granny Zhou didn't even think about putting down the prayer mat.

Gu Hua's mind was filled with the words Gu Wanru had said to her before her tragic death in her previous life.

The evil deeds committed by Aunt Pei and her daughter caused them to be unable to recognize each other in two lifetimes.

Overwhelmed with grief, she solemnly and respectfully performed a deep bow with tears in her eyes.

Zhou Zhilan frowned. She could tell that the mistress of the Marquis's mansion was indifferent to Gu Hua, and even though she had performed such a grand ceremony, she remained unmoved.

"Your daughter, Gu Hua, greets her mother. May your mother enjoy good health and longevity." Gu Hua's voice choked with tears.

That word "mother" came from the bottom of her heart, a genuine expression of deep emotion.

Wang suddenly felt as if her heart had been stabbed.

What terrible thing happened to this child? Why is he crying like this?

His eyes softened immediately: "Good child, get up quickly."

Gu Hua was helped up by Zhou Zhilan. She raised her tearful eyes and saw Wang Shi's kind and gentle face. Her heart was filled with turmoil.

Mother, I am your own daughter!

However, she had no evidence, and even if she spoke up, no one would believe her.

When Wang saw Gu Hua's unusual expression, she felt a pang of sadness, thinking to herself that this child must have suffered a great injustice.

She glanced at the three maids following her. The maid supporting her was clearly in charge, and her clothes were even better than those of the young ladies in the Marquis's mansion. Looking at Gu Hua's attire, it was several times better than Gu Wanru's in the mansion.

Two men were standing outside the door. She recognized one of them; he was Steward Zhou from the Duke's mansion.

The chief steward was dispatched to accompany them...

Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that her and Granny Zhou's guess was true?

Did she win the favor of her eldest son-in-law?

Judging from this, the favor shown to her is probably even greater than that shown to her daughter, Ru'er.

The budding pity vanished instantly.

His face returned to its usual stern expression: "You will be living with your elder sister in the Duke's mansion. Be careful of your behavior and words, and don't do anything wrong that would disgrace the Gu family."

Gu Hua felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Controlling her emotions, she obediently replied, "Yes. Mother, please rest assured."

Looking at her pure white face, alluring eyes, and enchanting figure, Wang felt a strange tightness in her chest.

She couldn't understand why Ru'er would keep such a younger sister by her side. Could it be, as Granny Zhou said, that Aunt Pei had tricked Ru'er into letting Gu Hua seduce the young master and take the position of the young mistress of the Duke's mansion?

Thinking of this, he immediately became vigilant, and his tone became even more stern.

"As an unmarried woman, it is truly inappropriate for you to dress like this. Do not forget that your every word and action affects the Marquis's mansion. If you willingly degrade yourself and disregard your reputation, do not tarnish your elder sister's honor. If you dare to act recklessly, I will not allow it!"

Gu Hua looked up in astonishment, her tearful eyes fixed on her biological mother whom she longed to see. Her words were like a thousand arrows piercing her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Zhou Zhilan frowned, unable to hold back any longer, and stepped forward, curtsying: "This servant Zhou Zhilan greets Madam Hou."

Madam Wang looked at her. After all, Ru'er was in the Duke's mansion, and it was not good to offend servants of high status. So her tone softened.

"No need for formalities. Thank you for bringing her back today."

She looked at Granny Zhou: "Reward her."

Just as Granny Zhou was about to take the red envelope, Zhou Zhilan waved her hand: "No need. Today, we accompanied Miss Gu back to the manor because the master instructed us to report something."

Gu Hua turned her head to look at Zhou Zhilan with a puzzled expression.

She had no idea what Mu Junyan had instructed Zhou Zhilan and the others to do.

Wang and Granny Zhou's expressions changed slightly.

"Please speak," Wang said calmly.

"Because Miss Gu has excellent handwriting, the master specially invited her to stay at the Duke's mansion to transcribe the late Duchess's manuscripts for the master. Therefore, Miss Gu will need to stay at the Duke's mansion for this period of time."

Madam Wang and Granny Zhou were astonished; this was something they had never expected.

Zhou Zhilan smiled, then changed the subject: "Because Miss Gu often needs to be by the master's side in his study, she will frequently encounter important officials and nobles who dote on her, so she needs to dress appropriately. Previously, Miss Gu always wore a maid's clothes in the Duke's mansion, which was really inappropriate."

Those in the know say that Miss Gu is kind and considerate of her elder sister's authority; when her sister made her a servant, she obediently complied. Those who don't know might think that the prestigious Marquis of Wenchang's household was trampling on and abusing a concubine's daughter, reducing a noble lady to a servant.

Therefore, all of Miss Gu's necessities during her stay at the Duke's mansion were provided by the Duke's family, including her clothing.

Zhou Zhilan's words caused Wang's expression to change drastically.

This was tantamount to rebuking Wang Shi for her earlier criticism of Gu Hua's attire, and it was a slap in the face for Wang Shi.

Gu Hua felt a pang of sadness.

But she didn't know what to say.

Madam Wang stared at Gu Hua, utterly shocked, and asked, "Ru'er made you wear a servant's clothes? How could she do that? Why didn't you come back and tell me? Your elder sister has always been gentle and kind to people; someone must have instigated her."

Gu Hua felt a little relieved upon hearing this, realizing that her mother was unaware of the situation.

Consort Pei and her daughter held absolute power in the Marquis's mansion, and even the mother was completely fooled by Gu Wanru's gentle facade.

Zhou Zhilan sneered: "Not only that, but when the master learned that Miss Gu had been forced to sign the slave register by the Marquis's mansion when she entered the mansion, the master was really puzzled."

The lord said that the Wenchang Marquis's family is a noble family with a history of hundreds of years. The lady comes from the famous Langya Wang family, which is the family that values ​​etiquette and rules the most. How could she do such a shocking thing?

The master has sent me to inquire of the lady whether this matter is true. Do the lady and the marquis know of this? Or is it that someone with ulterior motives has deliberately orchestrated this?"

Wang's expression changed drastically: "How is this possible?"

Even if a young lady is born out of wedlock, she is still a mistress. How could she possibly become a servant in our household?

If word gets out, the Gu family will lose all face and will be the subject of gossip.

Gu Hua was shocked and stared blankly at Zhou Zhilan.

The lord asked her to stand up for him?

Zhou Zhilan turned her head and smiled at her, giving her a smug look.

Slave documents are not something that anyone can sign casually.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Wang naturally didn't believe it, and her face darkened: "Gu Hua, what's wrong with you? How could you let outsiders make wild guesses? This will affect your elder sister's reputation."

Gu Hua looked up.

This is indeed hard to believe.

It's all my fault for being cowardly and foolish in my past life, not daring to disobey the seal of the mistress.

This is the best opportunity to regain her status as a law-abiding citizen, and she will naturally not let down Mu Junyan's arrangements and Zhou Zhilan's efforts.

She knelt down, lifting her skirt: "Mother, it's true. It was Aunt Pei who brought the document, and it bears your seal."

Wang was shocked and turned to look at Granny Zhou: "Do you know about this?"

Since it concerned the Marquis's mansion and her reputation, Madam Wang dared not take it lightly and quickly asked her most capable head maid.

Her personal seal was always kept by Granny Zhou.

Granny Zhou frowned: "This servant knows nothing about this matter. The private seal is always locked. If someone had touched it, this servant would definitely know. Why don't we ask Consort Pei?"

Not wanting to be ridiculed by the Duke's family, Wang calmed herself down.

Ignoring Gu Hua, who was kneeling, he said to Zhou Zhilan, "Miss Zhou, this must be a misunderstanding. How could a young lady from the Marquis's mansion become a slave?"

I disagree, and Your Excellency will certainly not agree. However, this matter involves the internal affairs of my Marquis's residence, and I will handle it appropriately after I have ascertained the details.”

It means that the Duke's Mansion should not interfere.

Zhou Zhilan is not someone to be easily appeased.

She bowed respectfully again: "Please ask the madam first. If anyone betrays the master, please correct the wrongs so as not to tarnish the reputation of the Marquis's mansion."

After all, for Miss Gu Er, who was copying the questionnaire for the Duchess, to be of slave status was also disrespectful to the late Duchess.

Wang choked with sobs.

Why can't you find someone else to copy it?

Judging from the situation, the Duke's Mansion is determined to get Gu Hua.

If this is true, then it's a family scandal.

Family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, but people are watching...

Helpless, he ordered, "Granny Zhou, go and call Concubine Pei here."