The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

Zhu'er looked at Xu Leyao with indignation.

“Miss, Miss Xiuxiu is really too much! The master clearly didn’t intend to punish you, but she just had to talk back.”

Seeing her like this, Xu Leyao couldn't help but chuckle.

"Who said this is punishment for me?"

The ancestral hall door was already closed, so Xu Leyao sat directly on the cushion.

Seeing her like this, Pearl was so frightened that she couldn't speak clearly.

"Miss, you..."

As she spoke, she hesitated, glancing at the high platform where the memorial tablets were placed.

Noticing her gaze, Xu Leyao scoffed.

Since becoming a ghost, she is no longer afraid of ghosts.

Now that she's back, Xu Leyao is even less afraid of these things.

Moreover, the ancestors of the Jiang family are enshrined here.

The Jiang family was one of the culprits responsible for the annihilation of her Xu family.

Xu Leyao has no respect for such an enemy.

"sit down."

Xu Leyao patted the cushion next to her and gestured for Zhu'er to sit down.

Pearl shook her head repeatedly, "Miss, why don't you get up? If the master finds out, the consequences will be even more serious."

Seeing her worried expression, Xu Leyao didn't take it to heart.

Since Zheng Zhihe brought her back so late tonight, someone must have gone to check on her condition.

Xu Leyao then tried to sow discord between him and Jiang's father, saying that he would be punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall.

Tonight, those words came true.

How could Zheng Zhihe not be angry?

In his view, this must be a provocation from Jiang's father!

After all, people came back late because of him.

All of this was planned by Xu Leyao.

Xu Leyao wouldn't be willing to copy the "Rules for Women" ten times!

But if she were made to kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment, that would be a different story.

Anyway, the people enshrined in the ancestral hall don't receive her respect or incense offerings, so it doesn't matter if she sleeps here.

It's just a matter of making do for one night anyway.

She has been living in the wilderness for five years.

At least tonight there's this cushion to lie on.

You can also take the food offered above.

Aside from the bed not being very comfortable, there was nothing to complain about.

Thinking about what might happen tomorrow, Xu Leyao couldn't help but look forward to it.

At this moment, she wished time could pass faster.

I wonder what kind of punishment Zheng Zhihe will give tomorrow?

As she thought about it, Xu Leyao felt sleepy.

Since Zhu'er wouldn't feel at ease anyway, Xu Leyao decided not to try to persuade her.

Seeing Xu Leyao fall asleep immediately, Zhu'er was completely stunned.

How did Xu Leyao fall asleep so quickly?

Looking at the flickering candlelight, blown by the wind, and then at the pile of memorial tablets above, Zhu'er felt a cold wind swirling around her.

At that moment, she regretted her earlier refusal.

There's no way around it, this atmosphere is just too terrifying!

Seeing that Xu Leyao was fast asleep and not making a sound, Zhu'er gritted her teeth and made up her mind.

Never mind, she'll go to sleep too!

At worst, I can just wake up earlier tomorrow and wake Xu Leyao up.

Having made up her mind, Zhu'er suppressed her fear and slowly lay down beside Xu Leyao.

Even fearing she wouldn't sleep comfortably, Pearl didn't even touch the cushion.

After serving her all day, Pearl was actually tired too.

Even in such a frightening environment, her breathing soon calmed down.

After she fell asleep, Xu Leyao slowly opened her eyes.

She smiled and shook her head, then went back to sleep.

That night, the master and servant slept very soundly.

Meanwhile, the bodyguard Zheng Zhihe had sent to Xu Leyao's side also went to report back.

He lingered outside for a long time today, and there are still some memorials he hasn't dealt with.

At this moment, Zheng Zhihe was sitting at his desk, which was lit by candlelight, dealing with a pile of memorials.

"How's Vivi doing?"

Zheng Zhihe asked without looking up.

The guard assigned to keep an eye on Xu Leyao reported, "The adopted daughter of the Jiang family caused trouble, and Lord Jiang was angry and punished Miss Jiang."

"What punishment?"

Zheng Zhihe paused, his hand holding the pen stiffening, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"He was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall for one day."

The bodyguard explained what had happened that night in just a few words.

At this point, Zheng Zhihe didn't even want to read the memorials anymore.

He put the pen down and couldn't help but sneer.

"Lord Jiang is truly impressive."

Just as Xu Leyao had predicted, Zheng Zhihe felt that Jiang's father was deliberately going against him.

He took the person out with him, and he also personally escorted them back.

Xu Leyao didn't believe that Jiang's father didn't know the news.

Not to mention Zheng Zhihe.

"I remember that the Japanese Dynasty recently presented some gold, silver and jade artifacts as tribute. Distribute them as rewards to the women in the harem. However, Consort Jiang has never liked these gold and silver items, so there's no need to prepare a special portion for her."

Zheng Zhihe touched his chin and then came up with this wicked idea.

Upon hearing this, Li Huanian lowered his head and agreed.

A bitter smile played on his lips, hidden beneath the brim of his hat.

Jiang Yunxue is not someone who is easy to deal with.

She doesn't like gold and silver? That's the most ridiculous thing to say.

It seems that Zheng Zhihe is truly angry this time.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to embarrass Jiang Yunxue.

Of course, the main reason behind this is not because of Jiang Yunxue.

Thinking about all this, Li Huanian felt even more respect for Xu Leyao.

Xu Leyao had not yet entered the palace, but Consort Jiang, who held the highest rank in the harem and managed all affairs of the six palaces, had already been implicated.

This master must have a very promising future!

Thinking about it, Li Huanian elevated Xu Leyao's position in his heart even further.

Zheng Zhihe was unaware of his conflicting thoughts.

He glanced at the memorial presented, which included Jiang's father, and a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes.

Jiang's father was not a man of great talent, but he was obedient.

Otherwise, Zheng Zhihe wouldn't have brought him up when he was dealing with the Xu family.

But human greed is insatiable, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

Over the years, because of Jiang Yunxue, Jiang's father has developed many unfounded desires.

Zheng Zhihe had never given Jiang Yunxue any hope before, so he didn't bother with her jumping around.

But things are different now.

The moment Zheng Zhihe thought of Xu Leyao, he became somewhat dazed.

As long as Jiang Yuwei can continue to resemble Xu Leyao, he is willing to continue to pamper her.

He is gone, leaving only him to remember him.

Seeing that Zheng Zhihe was about to fall into some kind of emotional state, Li Huanian hurriedly interrupted him.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. You should finish dealing with the memorials and rest now."

Hearing his words, Zheng Zhihe rolled his eyes at him in annoyance.

"You dog of a servant, you're getting better and better at doing your job these days."

Li Huanian simply responded to his joking and scolding with a smile.

"Isn't this servant just worried about Your Majesty's health?"

Zheng Zhihe nodded, and then began to deal with the memorials again.

"Go to the Jiang residence again tomorrow."

He casually gave the order.