Wu Caiwei nodded slightly, and wet nurse Li snorted and walked ahead.
In her opinion, the eldest young lady would not let go of this opportunity. After all, this was the first time in so many years that the manor had sent someone to pick her up. If she missed this opportunity, there would be no other. Besides, the manor was not a place where this bird wouldn't lay eggs.
When they arrived at the carriage, no one helped her. Wu Caiwei didn't mind and jumped onto the carriage, sitting inside amidst the astonished gazes of everyone.
As soon as she sat down, Wu Caiwei lowered her head to receive memories. Wet nurse Li observed her for a while, and seeing that she was still the timid and weak eldest young lady, she relaxed. She had thought she had changed her ways with that jump just now, but it turned out she had worried unnecessarily.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Wu Caiwei opened her eyes. She had no mood to admire the scenery outside and was contemplating her next plan.
It was at this time that she realized her identity was different from what she had guessed. Her status was not low, but her circumstances were not good.
The original owner was named Mu Yan. Her father was a Dali Si Qing (Minister of the Court of Judicial Review), a third-rank official. Her mother was the original wife, who unfortunately died in childbirth when Mu Yan was two years old, taking both lives.
The current Madam Mu was a concubine who had been promoted. She regarded her stepdaughter as a thorn in her side. Taking advantage of her pregnancy, she bribed a Taoist priest who claimed that Mu Yan, being so young, carried a baleful aura in her destiny and could not be kept by their side, otherwise, she would harm the family.
Lord Mu and Madam Mu were hesitant. The original wife had only passed away for less than two years, and they were promoting a concubine, yet they were going to send their eldest daughter away. Fearing that others would accuse them of abuse, but unable to resist their wife's incessant pleas and constant nagging, they deliberately engineered some incidents to make everyone believe that the eldest young lady was an ominous presence. Sending her away thus became a natural course of action.
Alas, for the young original owner, she was sent to a manor in the countryside at the age of four. Her maternal uncle received the news and rushed over, wanting to bring her back to raise her. However, Lord Mu felt that his own family could afford to raise a child. People outside had always said that he relied on the original wife's dowry and the help of his wife's family to study, achieve the top scholar, and rise through the ranks. Sending his own daughter to his wife's family to be raised would further solidify the connection between his family and the Liu family in the eyes of outsiders, something he was unwilling to see.
Although the Liu family possessed considerable wealth, it was like an egg hitting a rock against officials. Lord Liu saw that his terms were rejected no matter what, so he had to settle for the next best thing. Fearing that Madam Mu would harm his niece, he discussed something with Lord Mu, after which Lord Mu guaranteed to protect the original owner's life.
Not only that, but Lord Liu, fearing that the original owner would not live well, sent a steward every few months to deliver some money. At a certain age, he even sent a wet nurse to teach her to read and write.
Unfortunately, the wet nurse only stayed with her for two years before Madam Mu found an excuse to dismiss her. However, it was during those two years that she learned a great deal, enabling her to pass the time by reading afterward.
This manor in the countryside was managed by a family. The man was somewhat fierce and had accepted Madam Mu's bribe to not take the original owner's life, but he wanted her to suffer a bit. His wife, however, did not think so. She felt that the eldest young lady was about the same age as her own daughter, knew nothing, and was also pitiful. On weekdays, apart from dressing her poorly and feeding her scantily, she did not mistreat her. She always looked at her with pity and even covered for her at times.
Overall, her life on this manor was relatively peaceful, except for the occasional visits from Madam Mu's people to witness her pitiable state.
If it were just this, she wouldn't have come here. Thinking of what would happen next, a surge of malice involuntarily arose in her heart. Knowing that this was the lingering emotion of the original owner, she quickly and silently vowed, "Don't worry, I will avenge you and make those who harmed you pay the price they deserve..."
After a while, her heavy heart felt a little lighter. In fact, the reason Madam Mu had sent someone to bring her back this time was for her daughter, Mu Fei.
Mu Fei was a famous beauty in the capital. Many young scions of noble families had proposed to her, but she had rejected them all. Even so, she was not short of suitors, and everyone wanted to see where this flower would eventually land.
Mu Fei possessed not only beauty but also intelligence and ambition. She disdained these common men. Her gaze was fixed on the future crown prince, that is, the Crown Prince, and she was determined to become the Crown Prince's secondary consort.
Unfortunately, as she was indulging in her sweet dreams, an imperial decree descended upon the Mu family. Unbeknownst to them, the eldest son of the Xu family had taken a fancy to her and secretly petitioned the Emperor to grant them a marriage.
Seeing that her scheme was about to succeed, and that the Crown Prince looked at her with favor, only to be caught completely off guard, how could Mu Fei be reconciled? Thus, she went to her mother.
If it were someone else proposing marriage, Madam Mu could have refused, but this was an imperial decree. Who dared to defy it?
At this moment, Mu Fei remembered Mu Yan, who was at the manor. The imperial decree only mentioned the young lady of the Mu family, without naming her. Although she was reluctant to admit it, Mu Yan was the legitimate eldest young lady of the Mu family.
Lord Mu had long forgotten that daughter. Now, upon hearing her mention it, he remembered. Indeed, if she were married to the Xu family, it would not be an insult to the young master of the Xu family's status. The key point was that he was an ambitious person, skilled in manipulation, and had great aspirations. Although the young master of the Xu family had a noble status, he was not the best son-in-law candidate.
Years ago, he had been childhood sweethearts with his cousin. Everyone thought he would marry his cousin, but for the sake of his future, he cruelly hid his cousin away and married the Liu family's daughter, whom he did not love.
As he had imagined, the Mu family, which was originally poor, became wealthy immediately with the large dowry brought by the Liu family's daughter.
With money, he naturally did not want to mistreat himself. All his expenses were of the best quality, and he eventually achieved the top scholar. Riding a tall horse down the grand avenue of the capital, he was filled with passion and swore to do his utmost to climb higher.
He had no backing in the court, but no one had issues with money. Relying on the Liu family's wealth, he greased palms all the way and rose at a visible speed.
Liu Zhiyi had just returned from the brink of death, giving birth to a daughter for him. Looking at the tiny child, her heart softened. This was her child with him. Unfortunately, before she could even rejoice, her husband entered the house with a woman with a bulging belly.
She was in confinement and had not seen the woman before, but she heard the news. Her face turned ashen, and she swayed precariously, not even recovering from her confinement properly, leaving behind a root of illness. To her relief, two months later, the other woman also gave birth to only one daughter.
It was then that she realized her husband had a childhood sweetheart cousin outside. She wanted to make a scene but dared not, fearing she would push him further away. In the quiet of the night, she also cried, but no one paid attention.
Thus, the manor gained an additional concubine. Although her status was not high, she could not withstand the protection of Lord and Madam Mu. For a time, Liu Zhiyi was in an unusually awkward position.