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

One morning recently, Zhu'er woke Xu Leyao up early.

Xu Leyao, still half-asleep, looked at the still dark sky outside and couldn't help but feel helpless.

"Zhu'er, just rest well, you'll be able to go out today."

Hearing her so confident words, Pearl was filled with confusion.

“Miss, but the master has punished you by making you kneel in the ancestral hall for a whole day! If people find out that we slept in the ancestral hall all night, I'm afraid the master will be angry.”

As Pearl spoke, she subconsciously glanced outside.

Seeing her acting so guilty, Xu Leyao shook her head with amusement.

"Don't worry, just go to sleep. I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

After saying that, Xu Leyao ignored Zhu'er's reaction and went back to sleep.

Last night, she finally dreamed of her deceased parents.

Now, Xu Leyao really doesn't want to wake up.

Seeing her performance, Pearl was dumbfounded.

She tried to wake Xu Leyao again, but this time it had no effect.

At this point, Pearl was truly at a loss.

But after waking up, she couldn't fall back asleep.

Pearl sat on the floor tiles, lost in thought.

Since that incident, the young lady has become a completely different person.

I don't know what exactly changed her.

Zhu'er couldn't say whether this change was good or bad, but seeing that Xu Leyao was finally no longer being bullied, she was happy.

By the time Xu Leyao was fully awake, it was already broad daylight.

This is an ancestral hall, so naturally it's not a place anyone can enter.

Then no one will bring them food anymore.

Touching her rumbling stomach, Xu Leyao felt a little unhappy.

Why is Zheng Zhihe moving so slowly these days?

If it were in the past, the imperial edict would probably have been issued by now.

Thinking this, Xu Leyao cursed inwardly.

However, she remained outwardly calm.

After waking up, she sat directly on the futon.

Zhu'er massaged Xu Leyao's shoulders from behind, her eyes filled with worry.

"Miss, I've recently met a cook in the small kitchen. How about I have her secretly bring some food over?"

A little while ago, Zhu'er saw Xu Leyao rubbing her stomach.

Hearing her suggestion, Xu Leyao shook her head and refused.

No hurries?

The hunger was only temporary; someone would come and ask them to leave soon.

Thinking this through, Xu Leyao calmly shook her head and refused.

These are connections that Pearl has worked hard to build; she can't just use them for such a small matter.

But at this moment, she set her sights on the offerings on the altar.

Pearl followed her gaze and saw the offerings placed in front of them.

A single thought caused Pearl's pupils to dilate instantly.

"Miss, you wouldn't be thinking of..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Leyao reached out and took a fruit.

This fruit is sweet with a slight tartness and has a crisp texture.

As expected of something offered to the Jiang family ancestors, it is indeed of high quality.

But now she's gotten off easy.

Xu Leyao didn't care what Zhu'er thought, and took bites one after another, chewing them crisply.

After what happened last night, Zhu'er knew that she couldn't persuade Xu Leyao.

Join if you can't.

When Xu Leyao reached out and handed her a piece of fruit, Zhu'er swallowed hard.

After a slight hesitation, she took it and put it in her mouth.

In an instant, Pearl's eyes lit up.

I must say, this fruit is indeed quite good.

Watching her eat fruit faster and happier than she did, Xu Leyao couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu'er felt a little embarrassed after Xu Leyao smiled at her.

"Miss, slave..."

Xu Leyao waved her hand, signaling her not to say anything more.

Over the next period of time, Xu Leyao took different offerings from the table and tasted them one after another.

Pearl has gone from being worried and anxious at the beginning to enjoying herself now.

The master and servant managed to fill their stomachs in a short time.

"Miss, do you think someone will be bringing the food later?"

Hearing Zhu'er's naive words, Xu Leyao shattered her illusions without hesitation.

"Don't worry, there's absolutely no such thing."

Jiang's father had just punished her last night, so naturally he wouldn't slap himself in the face now.

However, we'll find out how things develop in a little while.

Nowadays, the morning court session should be over by now.

Looking at the daylight outside, Xu Leyao silently judged the time in her mind.

If she guessed correctly, the one who came to deliver the imperial decree today should still be Li Huanian.

However, Li Huanian was ultimately served by Zheng Zhihe.

Since he didn't leave court, Li Huanian naturally couldn't leave.

As she was thinking, she suddenly heard light footsteps outside.

In an instant, Xu Leyao's expression changed.

She pulled Zhu'er over and made her kneel down on the prayer mat.

Pearl was caught off guard by her sudden pull.

She wanted to ask a question, but she shut her mouth when she met Xu Leyao's eyes.

Xu Leyao nodded in satisfaction, then adopted a devout posture.

Seeing this, Pearl did exactly as instructed.

They had just gotten into position when the door to the ancestral hall was pushed open.

When the old lady Jiang walked in and saw how serious Xu Leyao was, she was somewhat satisfied.

Although Jiang Yuwei has been living away from home for many years, she still retains some manners.

As long as she doesn't get in her daughter's way, Old Madam Jiang is happy to let her off the hook.

After all, no matter what, Jiang Yuwei is a descendant of the Jiang family.

"You knelt all night, but do you even know where you went wrong?"

Madam Jiang's stern voice rang out.

Xu Leyao trembled, looking completely frightened.

She turned around and saw the old woman standing in front of her, looking down at her with an air of superiority.

Madam Jiang's attitude really displeased her.

Xu Leyao narrowed her eyes slightly before lowering her head.

“I don’t believe I’ve done anything outrageous. Kneeling here was only my father’s order. What have I done wrong?”

Hearing her defiant words, Old Madam Jiang was instantly furious.

"Jiang Yuwei! You really have a lot of nerve!"

As she spoke, Old Madam Jiang pointed to the memorial tablet above, looking at her with a disappointed expression.

"Look at those ancestral tablets above! How can you say such shameless things? You are still an unmarried young lady. Returning home so late at night, what kind of behavior is that?"

Hearing her harsh words of reprimand, Xu Leyao could no longer bear it.

She stood up directly from the prayer mat and faced Old Madam Jiang.

Xu Leyao was already half a head taller than Old Madam Jiang, not to mention that she was now old and frail with a hunched back.

This immediately diminished her confidence.

Xu Leyao looked at Old Madam Jiang and said coldly.

"Grandmother, do you know why I came back late? You shouldn't have come to cause me trouble today!"