g most easily inhabited by lingering spirits.Ripple followed the two teams, burying spirit marrow carved in advance at the spots where they had felled trees.Although it is only the size of a quail egg...After lunch, when it was time for her rest, Grandma Lian and Grandma Yao were brought to Bilin Garden by Sun Grandma.

Liàn Yī now, with the help of Hong Qí, had removed the hair ornament from her head. Seeing Yao Mama, she raised an eyebrow and then asked with a smile:

"Grandmother Yao, why are you here at this time"

"Miss, this old slave is here at the mistress's command to ask you to go to the back garden."

Grandma Yao said lightly.

"Grandmother, did I hear that wrong A spring banquet is being held in the back garden right now. How could I possibly show my face in public with my status What if I offended the esteemed guests"

The ripples don't even seem to want to go out.

> All Grandmother Yao could say was:

"Miss, you only need to show your face in the back garden. You don't need to interact with those people."

"This is not a good idea. Although my sister and I are twins, wouldn't close friends be able to tell the difference This would backfire in the end. Is this really what our mother ordered"

Ripples said with doubt.

"Miss"

Ya MaMa knew she couldn't fool LianYi, and just as she was about to say something, LianYi frowned and said:

What's with all of you today One by one, you all want me to go to the Spring Festival Banquet. I just punished Sakura for being out of line. Grandma...

Before the ripples of her words could finish, she turned to Hong Qi and instructed:

"Hongqi, Lvcui, you two help me get ready."

Then, she said to Grandma Yao:

"Grandma, please wait for me a moment."

>Grandma Yao could only temporarily retire with Grandma Sun.

"Miss, did you find out something"

Grandma Yao frowned and asked.

"Miss was cautious by nature, unwilling to cause trouble for herself or anger her husband."

Grandma Sun shook her head.

The two didn't wait long, and the ripples were ready. They were dressed in simple elegance, easily distinguishable from the young lady's attire.

The ripples, accompanied by two grandmothers and two maidservants, went straight to the courtyard of the Dowager Madam, without going to the back garden.

Yao Mama wanted to stop her, but she couldn't. Along the way, there were only maidservants. She didn't want to make a big fuss, but she noticed that Miss seemed to be deliberately avoiding the people who came to the Chunri Banquet and took a back path into Madam Hou's courtyard.

"Mother, have you rested"

Ripples outside the door whispered softly.

"Please come in, Miss!"

A maidservant beside Madam Hou spoke.

Mrs. Hou rubbed her temples, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

At this time, there were guests in her house, a shrewd woman with her own son. It was the wife of the Minister of War and her only son, Lin Yaizu.

Two people came to the Hou Mansion to attend the Spring Banquet, their sole purpose being to meet Xue Lianyi. After all, rumors spread that she was critically ill. As their family were military generals, they certainly didn't want to marry a sickly woman back home. After all, Lin Yaozhu was the only son of the Lin family, and it was crucial for him to carry on the family line.

The door curtain was lifted, and Lian Ri stepped inside. She saw her future mother-in-law and husband. Her steps faltered, and she looked up at Madam Hou at the head of the table, saying somewhat awkwardly:

"Mother, the daughter didn't know you had guests."

"Ripples, come quickly to your mother's side."

Lady Hou could only beckon to Lian Yi.

"Yes, Mother."

Ripples meekly answered with a sound, then raised her steps and walked over.

And Mrs. Lin and Lin Yaizu's eyes were almost glued to Lianyi, especially Lin Yaizu. He was increasingly satisfied with his fiancee. She had rosy cheeks, a light frame, and a stunning appearance, like a blooming flower. Just looking at her made his heart flutter.

Ripple, ignoring the gazes of the two people, came to sit beside Madam Hou before speaking.

"Mother, you let Grandma take me to the back garden."

"Ripple, I just want you to go to the back garden for some fresh air. You always stay cooped up inside."

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. I'm just hosting guests at home."

Before Lian Yi could finish her words, Madam Hou grasped her hand and interrupted with a voice.

"Ripples, you are already betrothed, it is indeed inappropriate to go to the back garden. However, it would be alright for you to meet these two."

Mrs. Hou said with a smile, and she also squeezed Ripple's wrist forcefully. Ripple pretended to be surprised and didn't respond this time.

"Ripple sister, I'm Yaizu. We've met before, don't you remember me"

Lin Yaozu immediately spoke, and was glared at by Madam Lin beside him.

Mrs. Hou had no choice but to pull Ripple's hand and turn to Lin Yaozhu, saying:

"My daughter Riyi is the most well-behaved. The last time I saw you, you were still engaged. Since you haven't married yet, it's best to be discreet. A girl's reputation is very important."

"If it weren't for the rumors spreading outside, I wouldn't have wanted you to meet Ripple. But I didn't want you to misunderstand, so I had her come here."

After Madam Hou finished speaking, she gently patted Ripples' hand back, while Ripples lowered her eyes and remained silent, seeming a little embarrassed.

When Mrs. Lin saw Lian'er's flushed complexion, she knew from her appearance that she wasn't as critically ill as the rumors claimed. She then smiled and smoothed things over:

"This must be some people who don't want our two families to get married, so they spread those rumors. Ripples has been staying indoors lately, probably sewing her wedding clothes!"

"Mrs. Lin understands. There are still three months until the wedding, and Lianyi has a lot to prepare, so she doesn't go out much. Unexpectedly, someone with ill intentions spread rumors about her."

If you say my body isn't good, or that it's this old woman's body that isn't good, this daughter who married out, it's like digging out the meat from my heart.

Mrs. Hou was adept at putting on a show. With a single sentence, she reversed the situation. She took up her handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes, feigning sadness at her daughter's impending marriage.

"Madam Hou, please don't be sad. The marriage between our families is a close bond like Qin and Jin. Lian Yi marrying into the Lin family is also my daughter. Please rest assured."

"Raising a child for 100 years, one worries for 99. As someone who has been a mother myself, I naturally understand the wife's feelings."

Mrs. Lin immediately said.

The ripples were just hanging their head, not saying a word out of place.

After meeting the main person, Mrs. Lin and Lin Ya zu didn't stay long. They sat for a while and then took their leave.

When everyone else had left, Lian Yi just then raised her head to look at Madam Hou, frowning slightly as she softly asked:

"Mother, what is going on When did I become betrothed to Master Lin This is the first time I have ever seen him."

Mrs. Hou waved her hand, dismissing the servants around her. Then she took Liyin's hand and said:

"That Lin Yaizu is your sister's betrothed."

"Huh Then why didn't you let my little sister come over What does that even make me"

Her face paled, her eyes welling up with tears, as if she had been deeply humiliated.

Mrs. Hou's liver ached with anger, but she knew it was most important to keep her eldest daughter calm. She could only patiently explain:

"Ripples, do you think I wouldn't want your sister to come over"

"It's just that your sister is now bedridden, so frail that she is nothing but skin and bone. How could you possibly show her face If the Lin family saw your sister like this, they would definitely break off the engagement."

"You can't fool people with that! It will be exposed sooner or later. I'm not your sister, even if we look alike, it won't work!"

Rill said anxiously.

"Ripple, there are some things you don't understand. This is not just about your younger sister's marriage; it involves matters at court. The union between the Lin and Xue families is inevitable, our family cannot afford to lose this alliance."ords, she finally looked at Zhen Grandma who was respectfully standing beside Ripples. Before Sun Grandma could say anything else, Zhen Grandma spoke up:"Grandmother Sun, the mistress's belly is getti...