Chapter 26: Asking Brother Yan to Pose as Her Husband

Rong City lacks the bustling prosperity of the capital, yet it possesses a unique charm. The entire city is blanketed in silver; though the temperature is biting, the warmth of the hearths and the smoke rising from the streets make one feel at ease.

However, for Chu Li, the surrounding atmosphere of human life brought no comfort. Instead, the moment she entered Rong City, an irrepressible sense of repulsion welled up from the depths of her heart.

Chu Li knew this was not her own emotion, but that of the deceased original owner, Chu Meng.

Although Chu Meng was dead, a sliver of her lingering obsession remained within Chu Li’s body. It was the residual emotions of Chu Meng that were controlling her.

Chu Li let out a soft sigh. The memories she had previously ignored began to surface in her mind, bit by bit, growing clearer. They were the tragic experiences of Chu Meng’s life. As long as that obsession remained, Chu Meng’s karma would continue to follow Chu Li.

"Miss Chu, this is my first time visiting. Should I prepare some gifts?"

Jiao Yan broke the silence. Chu Li shook her head and replied, "No need. They aren't worth it. Just accompany me back to the Chu family residence to settle things."

Jiao Yan nodded at her words, though he still felt something was amiss.

When Miss Chu had approached him that day, she had unexpectedly asked him to pose as her husband to help her settle matters at the Chu residence.

Jiao Yan did not know Miss Chu's history, nor did he understand what this "settling" entailed, but he had agreed without hesitation.

He could vaguely sense her distaste for the Chu family. Yet, given that it was her family home and he was to visit as a "husband," Jiao Yan felt somewhat uneasy, fearing he might ruin the task she had entrusted to him.

Following some hazy memories, Chu Li found the Chu residence. The imposing gates were currently shut tight. On the two stone lions at the entrance hung ghastly white mourning cloth. The absence of funeral banners indicated that someone had died recently, but the funeral rites had already concluded.

A faint, lingering aura of death drifted from the cracks in the gate, tinged with a trace of resentment. Chu Li reached out, caught it, and clenched it in her palm.

A thought flickered in her mind as she sensed the resentment; moments later, she understood the state of the Chu family.

The one who had died was the old matriarch of the Chu family—that old woman who enjoyed chanting sutras and reciting scriptures, yet was aggressive, sharp-tongued, and mean-spirited the moment she set them aside.

Chu Li curled one corner of her lip with indifference. The old matriarch was truly a despicable person who had bullied Chu Meng relentlessly; she was not worth pitying.

It was only a pity that the old hag had died so quickly, denying Chu Li the chance to punish her personally.

Standing beside her, Qiu Yi looked at her mistress, worried. "Miss, it seems the Chu family has just finished a funeral. Should we inquire a bit more before deciding on our next step?"

Over the past few days, Qiu Yi had learned something of the past from Chu Li.

Her mistress’s real name was indeed Chu Meng, the adopted daughter of the Chu family, a merchant clan in Rong City. No one knew where she had come from; it was only known that she had been taken into the Chu household at the age of three, becoming their only young mistress.

It was said that at the beginning, the Chu family treated Chu Meng like a treasure. The people of Rong City said she had cultivated great fortune over many lifetimes to be adopted by such a prominent family, to be named a young mistress, entered into the genealogy, and showered with the family's affection.

Alas, the good times did not last. Not long after, the Chu family welcomed new life. The house, which had previously lacked heirs, suddenly began to flourish.

None of the Chu patriarchs had children of their own, but shortly after Chu Meng was brought home, news of pregnancies emerged one after another from the various households. The Chu family lineage suddenly thrived.

Not long after that, Chu Meng fell out of favor. She became the most dispensable person in the Chu family, suffering cold shoulders and indifference.

Qiu Yi had never imagined that her mistress, who was so cherished at the Prince’s manor, had once lived a life of dependence. She did not understand why her mistress would return to this place of sorrow, but she had already sworn in her heart that if the Chu family dared to bully her mistress, she would fight them to the death.

Chu Li looked up at the vast gates of the Chu residence and curled her lips at Qiu Yi. "No need to inquire. Whoever died in the Chu family, I am happy. Go knock on the door; it is time to settle things."

Qiu Yi nodded and went to knock. Soon, a gatekeeper responded from within: "Who is it? The Chu residence is closed to guests today. Please turn back."

Qiu Yi looked at Chu Li. Seeing her nod, Qiu Yi straightened her back and shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Open the door! The eldest young mistress of the Chu family has returned!"

Qiu Yi’s voice was not particularly loud, but it had great penetration, quickly drawing the attention of the surrounding townsfolk.

"What? That adopted daughter of the Chu family is back?"

"Not early, not late, but right at this juncture? That poor child, what a tragedy..."

"Isn't it? The Chu family just lost the old matriarch and is looking for ways to ward off bad luck. Why would this foolish child run back right now?"

The onlookers watched Chu Li’s back from a distance, sighing with pity. Chu Li naturally heard them, but her expression remained unchanged.

At this moment, the Chu family gates slowly creaked open. The entire Chu family appeared in a neat row at the entrance. Leading them was the head of the house, Chu Zhonghe, Chu Meng’s adoptive father.

Leaning against his side was the bejeweled Mrs. Sun, Chu Meng’s adoptive mother.

When Mrs. Sun saw Chu Meng standing outside with an inconspicuous jade pendant hanging from her waist, she recognized it instantly as an item that had belonged to her adopted daughter.

But when she caught sight of Chu Meng’s face, her expression shifted abruptly, and a wave of intense suspicion surged in her heart.

Why did this little wretch look so beautiful? She shouldn't have looked like this three years ago!

Suppressing her shock, Mrs. Sun’s tears began to stream down her face like pearls. She ran over, weeping, "Meng'er, my good daughter, you’ve finally returned! You don't know how much we have missed you these past three years. How could you just leave without a word? It made your father and uncles search for you everywhere!"

As she spoke, Mrs. Sun reached Chu Li, preparing to throw herself into her arms to stage a scene of a mother and daughter reunited after a long separation. However, her tears were so fake that they lacked any shred of sincerity—even Jiao Yan could see she was acting.

A flash of disdain crossed Chu Li’s eyes. She stepped aside, dodging Mrs. Sun’s embrace, and stood calmly to the side with a sneer.

"Mrs. Sun, your talent for weeping hasn't faded over the years—you’re still as good at shedding tears as ever. But you’ve cried for the wrong person; your tears are worth nothing to me."

Mrs. Sun’s expression froze, and she looked up at Chu Li sharply.

How did this little wretch dare to call her bluff and mock her in public?

Had the Chu Meng of the past ever been this sharp-tongued?

"No, you aren't Chu Meng! Speak, who are you really!"

As if convinced that the person before her was not Chu Meng, Mrs. Sun stared at her with piercing eyes, as if trying to bore a hole through her.

Chu Li walked a few steps closer, unhurried, and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"Mrs. Sun, I know you have an old lover hidden away in the residence. Would you like me to tell the head of the family about this to prove that I am indeed Chu Meng?"