dered short in their eyes. Her oriental features also made her appear younger than she actually was. These people viewed ripples as if she were a truant child. Her clothes, boots, and backpack behind...Xia Xin (xin) ranks second. True to her name, she is slender and graceful. She hails from the qingyi troupe, rumored to have been sold there due to poverty. On the day of her debut performance, she was noticed by her biological father and taken as his second concubine.

However, Xia Xin was not only beautiful but also a shrewd and charming person. She was the most talkative of the four, even making the original body laugh and smile without giving the other women any face.

Autumn Cicada is the third mistress. She's the type of pitiful little white flower that can easily evoke a man's desire to protect her. Her ancestors had produced a top scholar, and she herself had attended private school. It was only because of the warlord chaos that her entire family was killed by the infamous Yuan warlord. Because she was attending private school, she narrowly escaped. In the end, Duan Zongqing led his troops to wipe out the Yuan army, which was as barbaric as bandits, and returned her property.

But in such a chaotic world, she was a young, beautiful, and wealthy orphan. Many people would have ill intentions towards her. Qiu Chan wasn't foolish; she directly entered Duan Zongqing's mansion, claiming to be his concubine. In reality, she sought protection and also considered it a way to repay him. After all, it was Duan Zongqing who had eliminated the Yuan army that killed her entire family.

The youngest concubine, Dong Qing, was the daughter of another warlord's family. As a child born out of wedlock, she wasn't favored by the main wife, but Dong Qing was exceptionally beautiful. Because her mother was a foreigner, she was half-blooded and caught the mistress's eye, being constantly made difficult for.

That little warlord wanted to join forces with Duan Zongqing. Besides presenting a letter of submission, he also sent his most beautiful daughter to Duan Dazhuai in order to improve their relationship.

But Dong Qing didn't feel wronged, because her mother had already passed away and she wasn't well-treated at home. Now that she had entered the mansion of a high-ranking official, she didn't even have to look at the faces of her relatives, those people would flatter her instead.

Moreover, she didn't have to bear children and lived a comfortable life. In this turbulent world, she was well-protected. Most importantly, she admired the valiant Duan Zongqing herself. With no mistress above her, she happily became the fourth concubine.

In her past life, Chun Xiao, Xia Shen, and Qiu Chan had fought desperately to protect Dong Qing, allowing her to survive the journey off the boat.

Because she had a somewhat Western appearance, under the protection of her original friends, she quickly established herself in Country Y and ignited her bloodline talent. She learned languages at an astonishing rate, earned money, and was able to return to Summer Country twenty years later to avenge herself and the three other concubines for Ripple.

Lianshui was currently being surrounded by four beauties while having breakfast. Because Duan Zongqing, the patriarch, was away, the five of them did not observe the rule of "eating in silence" during their meal.

"Ripple Miss, if your body isn't feeling well, don't rush to class."

Xia Xin: "Chun Xia is right, it's not a big deal to miss a day or two. Anyway, Da Shuai donated a library to Saint Laurent, so missing a class or two won't matter much. Your health is the most important thing."

Autumn Cicada: "I see that Miss's complexion is white with a blush, she must have recovered. Since your body is well, you should go back to class. Learning knowledge is an accumulation process, it can't be too lax."

"Three elder sisters, each of you say one sentence. Miss should first answer who you are! Let Miss eat her fill first is the most important."

Ripples smiled and finished the last mouthful of white rice porridge before saying:

"Thank you, three aunts, for your concern. I'm much better now. I also think it's better to go back to school. The past two days were my fault. I was reckless and insisted on seeing the prodigy."

It turned out Zhang Xuedao wasn't as legendary as the rumors claimed. He was just an ordinary guy with a nose, two eyes, and a mouth. He was such a white-faced boy, not even close to my father's strength. I wasted my time and energy for nothing. Had I known better, I wouldn't have gone in the first place.

The ripples began to make subtle preparations, at least making sure everyone in the mansion knew that she didn't have any special feelings for Zhang Xuetao. In fact, one could even say she didn't look down on him at all; she was just curious about him.

With a "poof," Dongqing couldn't hold back her laughter and covered her mouth with a handkerchief, saying:

"Miss, if you tell this to the Zhang family, they would surely be furious."

"What are you afraid of! Zhang Xuedao is a member of the Zhang family, their power lies in the north, but here is the south, it's my father's territory."

Ripple puffed up her chest and raised her head, looking fearless and bold.

"Alright, let's just take this as a joke. He's not important anyway, even the ladies don't care about him, so we certainly shouldn't."

After breakfast, a car took Ripples to Saint Laurent Girls' School. After Ziyan sent her young mistress to school, she drove back to the Marshal's Mansion and would pick her up after school.

Liàn yī wore her lavender-colored uniform, and as soon as she entered Saint Laurent Girls' School, classmates greeted her warmly and asked why she hadn't come to class these past two days. Liàn yī smiled and explained that she had been absent because of a cold, and someone immediately offered to lend her their notes from the past two days, which was very kind.

After a day as a student, Lianyi was taken home by Ziyan. Then she saw a tall young man chatting with her father.

"Ripple, you're back! Come here, let me introduce you. This is Zhang Xuetao, the son of your Uncle Zhang. He's studying in the south and asked me to take care of him for a while. You two are about the same age, so when you have time, take Xuetao out for a walk."

Ripple smiled and nodded, then politely greeted Zhang Xuetao. She could tell that Duan Dashao had a good impression of Zhang Xuetao.

"Father, Zhang Gege, I just got out of school, I'll go change my clothes first, and then I'll have dinner with you all."

Liàn Yī didn't want to stay in the same room as Zhāng Xuě Tāo, so she made an excuse and left first.

Back in her own courtyard, Ziyuan had already prepared her toiletries and brought out the clothes she was going to change into.

Ripples was not in a hurry. After washing herself and smelling fragrant, she put on a simple pink dress and went to the hall to have dinner with him. Then she personally sent Zhang Xuetao off by car, fulfilling the hospitality of the host, and then went to find her own father.

When she went back, all four aunts were there, talking about Zhang Xuetao. When Lianyi walked in, they all stopped talking.

"Ripple, I see that you're being rather indifferent towards Zhang Xuetao today. However, I distinctly remember you getting sick from the rain just to see him before."

Duan Zongqing wasn't stupid, he could clearly see his daughter's attitude towards Zhang Xuetao was just like how she treated ordinary guests. Not overly enthusiastic, nor coldly distant, she kept a good balance.

"Father, please don't bring this up again. It was because of him that I got sick in the first place, and as a result, things turned out like this. He's being portrayed as some kind of god, but I think it's all a bit exaggerated."

The ripples blinked and said.

"Don't you like him"

Duanzongqing asked directly.

"I don't like him! He doesn't like me, why should I like him"

The ripples' response was straightforward and logical.

"How come I thought Zhang Jia's son was very interested in you. He took good care of you at the dinner table, and his words were tailored to your liking."

"Father, you are the big boss in the south, and many people flatter you. I can still tell who is sincere and who is insincere."

"Hehehe! I underestimated my daughter."tely, the stench on him was too unbearable. Several people had voluntarily resigned and left Tao's villa afterward, fearing they would be implicated as well. For a time, Hong Kong's business community...