The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Just as she was looking out the door with hope, she didn't hear the heavenly sound, but only the fatal final blow from her mother.

"I've given her a drug to make her mute. Tonight, I'll take her to the mass grave and bury her." The voice was icy and merciless, making Xiangcao's teeth chatter. She didn't understand which sentence had gone wrong and brought death upon her.

The next day, Yantai received news that a girl in Chunfeng Tower who looked like Xiangcao had died of illness.

Inkstone: ...

He went to Chunfeng Tower again to confirm it in person, and only after confirming that there was no mistake this time did he return to report.

Although no real person was brought back, it's better for him to be dead than alive. Meng Silang said expressionlessly, "Since you handled things efficiently this time, you can go and take your punishment."

The inkstone, which had been hanging in suspense, finally felt truly relieved.

Only those who serve him closely know that a blank expression is the best way to survive; if the master has a genuinely humble and smiling face, then he's in for a world of trouble.

He Zhihuan, from the second branch of the He family, also received the news soon after. She clutched the note in her hand, her palms clenching tightly.

Vanilla is dead?

If, if she hadn't believed Meng Silang, would Xiangcao have survived?

Furthermore, Meng Silang is so ruthless and cruel; what will happen in the future...?

By candlelight, she burned the note and secretly called her elder brother to tell him about it.

He Zhilang's face was somber. Because of the marriage alliance between the two families, he and Meng Silang had a good relationship on many occasions. But who would have thought that behind that gentle and refined face, there was such a ruthless heart?

"Second sister, why don't I go and beg Grandmother and Uncle to dissolve the marriage agreement between our two families?"

He Zhihuan shook her head. "Can't you see, Second Brother? We can annul the engagement, but the initiative is not in our hands."

I used to think that I was born into a noble family, and that the Meng family was lucky to have married above their station. But this incident has changed my perspective.

Meng Silang sent me a message directly: Xiangcao is dead. Either he has nothing to do with this, or he did something wrong and wouldn't bother to hide it, because our family is inferior to theirs.”

We are outmatched, outmatched...

These words were like fine needles, piercing straight into He Zhilang's heart.

As the young men in the manor grew older and spent more time socializing, they gained a clearer understanding of their family's status within the capital's elite circles.

The male heads of the household are not very capable, possessing only titles, and consequently the children in the household are not as prominent as their ancestors were.

Therefore, He Zhilang from the second wife's family has been studying hard these past few years, and his half-brothers have also made many demands of him.

In the future, the second branch of the family will rely on these few to uphold the family's status. If they don't work hard now, they will fall out of the circle of power and wealth once they are separated from the Marquis's mansion.

"It's all because my father and brothers are useless that my second sister has to suffer."

"Second brother, just focus on your studies and don't let my affairs distract you." If our stepmother finds out, she'll skin her alive. "As for Meng Silang, he's a man of means, so his future is bound to be bright. On the bright side, I'm just waiting to become a Lady of the Imperial Decree."

Seeing that his younger sister was still calm, He Zhilang felt less distressed. "Second sister is naturally intelligent, unlike ordinary women. Meng Silang is also renowned for his talent. After marriage, the two of you will surely be like teacher and friend, respecting each other as guests."

After all, talented people appreciate each other, especially since they are a man and a woman.

Thinking about it this way, Meng Silang might not be a bad match. But at this moment, he forgot that the person who was erased was He Er's personal maid.

He Er nodded in agreement, looking embarrassed.

After seeing her elder brother off, she leaned against the bedside couch, lost in thought.

If she had a choice, she definitely wouldn't want to marry Meng Silang again.

But let's not even talk about who she can marry better than Meng Silang. I'm afraid the next one won't be as good as Meng Silang.

Actually, things are fine as they are now. Knowing what kind of person Meng Silang is, she only needs to guard her own heart and rely on the power of the Marquis's mansion to live her own quiet life. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

---

Where did Second Sister go?

He Zhihuan was holding two books, which she had borrowed from Hua Sirong.

With the matter of Xiangcao settled, she went to Qingwu Courtyard to relax, but unexpectedly ran into He San and He Si, the two younger sisters, in the garden.

"You guys play together for a while, I'm going to Qingwu Courtyard to return some books, we'll talk later."

"Qingwu Courtyard? What are we going there for? What books are there? We don't even have any in our own residence?" It was He San and He Zhiyao who spoke.

He Zhihuan frowned slightly. "Ayao, Cousin Rong is also a book lover. The more you get to know her, the more you'll find that she's very easy to get along with."

He Zhiyao didn't like being lectured. "You can make friends with her if you want, but don't drag me into it." She muttered to herself, "She's obviously plain-looking, but she insists on befriending a beauty. I wonder if she's lost her mind."

Seeing He Zhihuan's obviously displeased expression, He Si and He Zhizhen tugged at her sleeve, "Say less, aren't you afraid that your aunt will find out that you disrespect your elder sister and punish you later?"

Upon hearing this, He Zhiyao indeed backed down. Although He Si was annoying, he occasionally showed her some genuine affection; their relationship was one of love and hate.

He Si then smiled at He Zhihuan and said, "Second sister, go ahead and do your work. Third sister and I will just enjoy the flowers in the garden."

After everyone had gone far away, He San looked around and then pulled He Si aside to complain, "Second Sister usually seems so proud and dignified. In the girls' school, she was someone the teachers all wanted to praise. Who would have thought that, in order to curry favor with my stepmother, she would stoop so low as to try to climb up to a merchant's daughter?"

"Third sister, be careful what you say."

He Zhiyao stuck out her tongue. "Isn't this right in front of you? Although we've never gotten along very well, I know in my heart that you would never hurt me."

He Zhizhen rolled her eyes. "We're sisters, why would I harm you? Besides, since you know I usually look down on your pretentiousness, you should at least tone it down a bit when you're in front of me."

He San hugged He Si's arm, "Good sister, if I didn't do this, how could my aunt and I have a good life in this mansion? You are the legitimate daughter, so naturally you don't have to put up with your stepmother's attitude."

But my stepmother is your aunt, and you know best what kind of person she is. Although my seventh sister is young, I wouldn't dare steal her thunder; my current situation is just right.”

He Si was the legitimate daughter, and she couldn't empathize with He San, nor could she stand on her side and contradict her own mother.

"As you wish. Just don't use me as a pawn in your future endeavors. My mother is keeping a close eye on me now, so be careful." Her mother was arranging a marriage for her and was extremely concerned about her reputation.

If He San takes this opportunity to belittle her, smear her, or spread bad rumors about her, affecting her marriage, don't blame her mother for not considering kinship and causing trouble for this eldest niece.

He San revealed an envious look; this was the source of the power of his maternal clan.