Reincarnation and Rebirth

At the main gate, the Chen and Zhao families were already arguing with the Zhang family. The Zhao family had their own agenda, wanting Zhao Ji to marry Su Ping, while Su Cuihua's ulterior motive was to matchmake Zhang Ying and Su Ping. As for the Chen family, they looked at the Zhao family with disdain. It was clearly the elder sister who was betrothed in the first place, but now, instead of seeing their eldest daughter, they saw a thin, small, and obviously underdeveloped Zhao Ji. Who would be happy? This marriage was arranged by the Chen family in the first place, and now that it had turned out like this, the Chen family was worried that Su Ping would be angry, so naturally they disliked the Zhao family.

"Hey Zhao Hengde, where's your eldest daughter?"

Zhao Hengde's eyes darted around, and his words were so perfect that no one could find fault with them. "These days, it's good enough if people can just survive. Back then, to keep the eldest girl alive, we found her a good family so she could enjoy a life of luxury. Originally, Ji girl wanted to sell herself, but I thought, since she's engaged to Su Ping, how could she sell herself into servitude? So, I had to let her eldest sister have it."

As Zhao Ji listened to his father's distorted words, he clenched his little hands, pursed his lips, and lowered his head without saying a word.

"Bah, Zhao Hengde, stop spouting nonsense. Everyone in this town knows that your Zhao family originally intended to marry my nephew's eldest daughter. Now you're saying it's this girl, Zhao Ji? Who would believe that? Zhao Ji is only a few years old. Zhao Hengde, how could you do such a thing? You're worse than an animal."

Zhao Hengde glanced at Su Cuihua indifferently and said with a sly smile, "Who wouldn't want to marry a young and beautiful wife? Isn't Ji'er a perfect match for General Su?"

Chen's family was stunned by this shameless remark and stood there, unsure how to refute it. The servants, upon hearing Zhao Hengde's words, secretly agreed—after all, what man wouldn't want to marry a young woman? However, after seeing Zhao Ji's appearance, they were speechless. He was young, yes, but his emaciated appearance was hardly attractive. Touching him at night felt like touching a skeleton—how unsettling! Their own General was a man of great stature; how could he possibly marry such a village girl?

Su Cuihua, with her sharp eyes, spotted the returning gatekeeper immediately. She rushed over and asked, "Well, did my mother let me in?"

The man nodded. "Gentlemen, my master requests that you wait in the side hall."

"Hmph, they really have forgotten about us poor relatives now that they've made it big." The youngest daughter-in-law of the Chen family complained unhappily, holding a little girl who was a little over a year old.

Granny Chen glared at her. "You have no right to speak here. Don't think I don't know what you're up to, hmph." Granny Chen didn't like this daughter-in-law to begin with. It was one thing for her to be lazy and good-for-nothing, but after giving birth to a worthless child, her belly stopped showing any signs of pregnancy. Who would be happy about that?

"Mother, please say less." Although he knew his wife wasn't a good person, now was not the time to kick her out.

Su Cuihua rolled her eyes at them, turned around and walked inside. At this moment, they did not notice that the coachmen who had brought them here had disappeared.

She rushed into the courtyard first, and seeing the maid who was dressed even better than herself, she assumed she was someone important and her eyes were full of flattery. The maid was flattered and, after bowing, put down her teacup and hurriedly ran away.

The Chen family arrived shortly afterward, and upon entering, they made a ruckus, ordering the maid who had just come out to bring them food and arrange accommodations.

Zhao Hengde went even further, his lecherous eyes fixed on the maid.

When Granny Kui came over and saw this scene, her eyes twitched violently. She lowered her head and said indifferently, "Everyone, my lady will be here after she finishes her meal. Please wait a moment."

Old Chen slammed his hand on the table and roared, "What? I'm her father, and she dares to make me wait? Tell her to come over right now!"

Granny Kui remained unfazed. "Madam will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, sir. Madam has already instructed the kitchen to prepare the meal. It will be ready in a moment."

"Hmph." Old Chen was furious, while his daughter-in-law sneered, "My sister-in-law is now the mother of a general, so she really looks down on us poor relatives."

“She wouldn’t dare. If she dares to be unfilial to her father, I’ll kneel in front of the yamen and see what face the Su family has left.”

When Chen heard her father's words halfway there, she stopped in her tracks, a hint of embarrassment appearing on her face.

Back in Sunset City, my parents always favored my younger brother. Because we owned a shop and our lives weren't as difficult as the Su family's, their favoritism wasn't too obvious.

Knowing something in one's heart is one thing, but having one's parents say it to one's face is quite another. Chen tightened her grip on the hand warmer and stepped into the side hall.

Zhang Ying was the first to see her. She stood obediently to the side, bowed, and said, "Hello, Aunt."

Su Cuihua then looked away from the pastries and stared at Chen Shi for a long time, her jealousy becoming more and more obvious. Why was it that Chen Shi, who was several years older than her, looked younger than her? And what kind of fabric was that? It looked so warm, much better than the ordinary cotton-padded clothes she was wearing.

Zhao Hengde shifted his lecherous gaze from the maid to Chen Shi, and immediately felt a surge of heat coursing through his body, no longer feeling cold at all.

Because of her recent pampered lifestyle, with good food and clothing, Chen's complexion was indeed much better than those of the refugees.

She unconsciously raised her hand to fan her nose lightly, "Father, Mother, Aunt, what brings you here?"

"What? You're not welcoming your father?"

"Not at all, Father, Mother, I'm naturally happy that you could come."

Su Cuihua rolled her eyes. "Why aren't they serving us some food? How can we possibly get full with just these snacks?"

Although Madam Chen was annoyed, she had learned a lot about the rules of high-class families thanks to the teachings of Granny Kui. Besides, her daughter and son were now successful, and she couldn't let them get into trouble. So she suppressed her anger and said, "I just gave the order, and it should be ready soon. Please wait a moment, Auntie."

Seeing that Madam Chen was ignoring him, Zhao Hengde couldn't wait any longer and rushed forward. Fortunately, Granny Kui was quick-witted and stopped him, saying, "Sir, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't offend my lady."

"Hehe, I get it, I get it. Um, Ms. Chen, don't you recognize me?"

Madam Chen frowned, and Granny Kui shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? How dare you call the Madam by her name? The Madam is the head lady of the General's Mansion. How can you just claim to be her?"

Zhao Hengde hurriedly nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, yes, I was rash. I am Zhao Hengde. Our Zhao family had a marriage agreement with your Su Ping before, don't you remember?"

Madam Chen's face darkened. In fact, she had recognized Zhao Hengde earlier and had roughly guessed his intentions. They had already discussed it, and if the Zhao family came to them, it wouldn't matter if they accepted the marriage. Given the Su family's current status, they thought the Zhao family would have no reason to object to having their daughter as a concubine.

But now that she saw Zhao Hengde, Chen suddenly didn't want the Zhao family to have any connection with her son.

Chen twitched the corners of her mouth, glanced in Zhao Hengde's direction, and then frowned. There were only four of them. In her memory, the one who was to be married to them was Zhao's eldest daughter, Zhao Di. That girl should be sixteen or seventeen years old now, and could not possibly be the skinny girl in front of her.