Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The maid of the Marquisate Manor led me into the house without a word.
Her steps were quick, with no intention of waiting for me.
I wasn’t even as tall as her belt, and it was hard to keep up.
The maid glanced back at me and spat.
“The Marquis and Madam are a famously loving couple in the capital.
“And now look, along comes a little home-wrecker like you.
“Your mother’s really scheming-traded her life to get you openly entered into the Zhou Manor genealogy.
“Planning that once you grow up, she can also claim a tablet in the ancestral hall and enjoy incense, isn’t she?
“Low-born wretch, only knows underhanded tricks!”
I followed in silence, quietly lifting my head to memorize the maid’s face.
In the study, the Marquis and Madam sat facing each other in silence.
After delivering me, the maid withdrew.
The door closed.
The Marquis of Pingyang cast me a look of disgust.
“The Marquisate Manor tolerates you out of its mercy, not because of you or your mother’s merit.
“From today on, the Madam of the House is your only mother.
“But remember, only your elder brother and sister are true children of the Marquisate Manor.
“Keep to your place, and the household won’t deny you a bite to eat.
“Do you understand?”
I used the motion of nodding to lift my gaze and study this father I was meeting for the first time.
He was finely featured, with long, steady brows and eyes, a gentle and composed appearance.
Yet at this moment he seemed somewhat anxious and unfocused.
His words were addressed to me, but his eyes kept darting to gauge the Madam’s reaction.
Most of the Madam’s face was veiled in shadow.
I couldn’t make out her expression, and she said nothing.
After a long while, the Marquis heaved a deep sigh and ignored me.
He ordered someone to take me to live in the West Wing Courtyard.
It was probably the most desolate courtyard in the entire Marquisate Manor.
The houseleek on the roof ridge hung down, withered and yellow.
The window paper hung in tatters, exposing the mold-blackened lattice within.
A little maid who looked only a few years older than me hurriedly stood up, sniffed, and curtsied to me:
“I am Qi’er, a servant to attend upon Miss.”
I sighed inwardly.
I spent the whole afternoon by the dog hole in the corner, looking out.
From that angle one could see the carriages and horses passing the main gate of the Marquisate Manor.
By suppertime.
Without a summons, I naturally wasn’t allowed to dine with the people of the Marquisate Manor.
A servant brought food.
I looked it over.
Though certainly not of the standard the Marquisate Manor ate on ordinary days, it was at least clean and fresh.
Just as Qi’er and I were about to start, the sound of the door being kicked came from the entrance.
A girl with features five or six parts similar to mine, a little older, burst in with a group, aggressive and imposing.
“So you’re the one who’s come between Mother and Father?
“Qiuju, overturn her table for me!”