Can you avenge me?

Zhao Tonghe pondered for a long time before finally speaking, "Sihui, since you already understand everything, I will be straightforward. As Prime Minister, I suspect that you and Lihua were switched at birth all those years ago, and Lihua is actually my true daughter."

"You grew up in this estate, and although we did not communicate much, I still hold genuine affection for you."

"However, I never expected your heart to be so venomous that you would resort to such malicious acts. Regardless of whether you were momentarily blinded by greed or acting with deliberate intent, I hope you will not persist in your delusions."

"You now have three choices: first, remain quietly and obediently within the estate; second, marry someone of your own choosing; or third, I can have people escort you back to your biological parents."

As soon as Zhao Tonghe finished speaking, Zhao Sihui immediately cried out, "I will not go back to my biological parents! I want to stay in the estate!"

Were her biological parents not Jiang Lihua's rustic family in the countryside? She could not possibly return there; to go back meant she would never have another day of prominence in this lifetime.

"Lihua, what do you say?" Zhao Tonghe turned his gaze toward Jiang Lihua.

"Very well, but she can no longer hold the title of the Prime Minister's Estate's young mistress. From now on, she shall reside here under the status of a distant cousin," Jiang Lihua replied after a moment of thought.

This would serve as Zhao Sihui's punishment.

"No—" Upon hearing this, Zhao Sihui was instantly unwilling. "Father, Sihui knows she was wrong. I have been Father's daughter for over a dozen years; Sihui does not want to be some distant cousin."

Zhao Sihui wept in utter heartbreak, looking truly pitiful.

Yet, Zhao Tonghe's heart did not soften.

"It is settled then, Sihui. From now on, you are the cousin."

With those words, Zhao Tonghe led his entourage away.

Zhao Sihui knew that once Zhao Tonghe made a decision, it could not be altered.

She knelt upon the ground, sobbing in a low voice, and no longer followed them to make a scene.

Truly, one wrong step led to every subsequent step being wrong!

Just a few days ago, she was the lofty and honored legitimate young lady of the Prime Minister's Estate, but now she had been reduced to a cousin living under someone else's roof.

All of this was because of her encounter with Ni Wenyu. If she had not crossed paths with Ni Wenyu that day, she would not have fallen for him, and the subsequent chain of events would never have occurred.

She watched their retreating figures, her eyes brimming with intense hatred.

By this time, dusk had already fallen.

Lin Yunxia had long since instructed the servants to prepare dinner. Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, Jiang Lihua and Ni Wenyu stayed at the estate to dine.

Zhao Tonghe was evidently in high spirits. He had always been fond of wine, but usually had no one in the household to drink with him. With Ni Wenyu present this time, he insisted on having Ni Wenyu accompany him in drinking quite a bit.

"My lord hasn't been this happy in a very long time," Lin Yunxia said with a touch of deep emotion as she watched the scene.

She reached out to take Jiang Lihua's hand, gently patting the back of it. "Lihua, do move back into the estate. Although the master says he respects your decision, deep down, he truly hopes you will return."

Jiang Lihua withdrew her hand, still unaccustomed to such intimacy with someone she hardly knew. "Thank you, Madam. I will give it serious consideration."

"Mm." Lin Yunxia did not mind her detachment and picked up a piece of food for her with her chopsticks. "Come, Lihua, eat more. They are already drunk; I have prepared a courtyard for you. Rest here in the estate tonight, and we can discuss other matters tomorrow."

Jiang Lihua glanced at the two men who were still drinking and nodded with a helpless sigh.

After the meal, Lin Yunxia personally led Jiang Lihua to the courtyard arranged for her.

"Lihua, this is the place. Get some rest early, and if you need anything, just call out. There are maidservants keeping watch at the door for the night," Lin Yunxia said.

"Thank you, Madam."

After Lin Yunxia departed, Jiang Lihua pushed open the door, and a refreshing fragrance greeted her senses.

It was evident that a great deal of thought had gone into preparing the room; everything a young lady's boudoir should possess was fully provided, and there were even several sets of fresh clothing in the wardrobe.

"My lady, this Madam seems quite pleasant," Jixiang remarked while helping Jiang Lihua undress.

Ruyi disapproved, shaking her head. "You can know a person's face, but not their heart. This is only our first time interacting; how can we tell if she's truly good or not? No one from a grand and powerful household is simple."

Jiang Lihua nodded in agreement. "Ruyi is right."

After Jixiang and Ruyi withdrew, Jiang Lihua, exhausted from the day's turmoil, lay down upon the bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

As she slept, Jiang Lihua heard a distant and ethereal voice drifting toward her: "Why won't you acknowledge my father? Why won't you restore my identity?"

Jiang Lihua was startled awake by the voice. "Who... who are you?"

"I am Jiang Lihua."

"What?! You're not..." Jiang Lihua was suddenly seized with terror. If the original owner of the body was still around, where would that leave her?

"That's right, I am dead, but the people who harmed me are still alive. I will watch them die before I finally depart."

"Then why didn't you appear earlier? The Yang family has already received their retribution."

A piercing shriek came from the original owner: "No—they haven't! I can feel that Yang Wenbin is still alive and well."

Jiang Lihua's ears were nearly deafened. She had no idea how the original owner could sense that Yang Wenbin was living a good life, but this was hardly the time to dwell on such matters.

She asked cautiously, "You... do you still want this body?"

"Even if I wanted it back, I cannot reclaim it. Once my hatred is completely spent, my soul will disperse as well..." The original owner's words carried a boundless, sorrowful grief.

"Though I am dead, my flesh still lives. Go and claim your rightful ancestry; let those who looked down upon me know that I am a daughter of wealth and prestige."

Then, the original owner began to cry and laugh wildly all at once: "Hehe... a wealthy young lady. Yes, had we not been switched, I would have been a lady of high birth. Those who switched us all deserve to die. Will you help me exact my revenge?"

"I will," Jiang Lihua replied without the slightest hesitation.

How could she possibly dare to refuse? She had not even known the original owner was lingering by her side; just thinking about it sent chills running down her spine.

After she gave her promise, a long time passed without hearing another sound from the original owner.

Jiang Lihua, lying upon the bed, suddenly snapped her eyes open, sat upright, and scanned her surroundings.

With lingering fear, she patted her chest. Could it be that it was all just a dream?

Jiang Lihua lay back down, but this time, sleep completely eluded her.

The original owner's words from moments ago continued to echo in her mind.

What did it mean when the original owner said Yang Wenbin was still alive and well?

Could it be that after fleeing, Yang Wenbin had encountered some fortuitous stroke of luck?

If that were the case, then she and Ni Wenyu were in trouble. Yang Wenbin was lurking in the shadows, and since he understood them thoroughly, he held a massive advantage.

Lost in these turbulent thoughts, Jiang Lihua eventually drifted into a deep sleep.

"My lady, my lady," Jixiang's voice called out.

Jiang Lihua slowly opened her eyes, immediately pierced by the sunlight streaming in through the window.

She covered her eyes and mumbled, "Jixiang, why is the sun so bright this early in the morning?"

"My lady, it is almost noon now," Jixiang chuckled. "My lady has never been one to sleep in; what is the matter today?"

"Almost noon?!" Jiang Lihua instantly jolted awake, sitting up in bed. "Quickly, help me get dressed and tidy up."

"No need, my lady. The Prime Minister's wife said that since you were frightened yesterday, sleeping in a little longer is of no consequence," Ruyi said as she carried in a basin of washing water.

When Ruyi mentioned the Prime Minister's wife, Jiang Lihua recalled the original owner's words from the previous night and sighed softly. "Alas, it seems we will likely be living in the Prime Minister's Estate from now on."

"Really? My lady has decided to return to her ancestral clan?" Jixiang and Ruyi looked at her with pleasant surprise.

Jiang Lihua said helplessly, "Are you two really that happy about it?"

"Of course we're happy! From now on, my lady is the young mistress of the Prime Minister's Estate; who would dare provoke you?"

"Indeed! It's a status others would kill for, so why is my lady still frowning?"

Jiang Lihua casually fabricated an excuse. "It's nothing; I simply preferred my previous life of freedom."

"Hehe," Jixiang beamed with a mischievous smile. "Does my lady remember the wager you made with this servant?"

Ah... If Jixiang hadn't brought it up, she truly would have forgotten. She waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Just wait to become a head maid."

"Thank you, my lady," Jixiang feigned a formal bow of gratitude. "Did this servant look convincing? The rules of the Prime Minister's Estate are so numerous."

"Very convincing. However, you don't need to be so overly formal in my presence; just be as you were before."

"Has Lihua-小姐 awakened? The mistress requests the young lady's presence for the midday meal," a maidservant's voice echoed from outside.

Ruyi replied, "She is awake and will be right there. Please kindly wait a moment, Elder Sister."

"You learn quite quickly," Jiang Lihua praised.

"Naturally. The two of us cannot afford to embarrass our lady."

Escorted by Jixiang and Ruyi, Jiang Lihua followed the maidservant to the front hall, where she found quite a few people already waiting.

None of these individuals were familiar to her.

Could these people possibly be the Prime Minister's concubines and children?

Jiang Lihua suddenly felt a mild headache coming on. Previously, she had assumed the Prime Minister only had Lin Yunxia as his wife!

Where there were many women, jealousy and petty rivalries inevitably followed. She certainly had no desire to spend her days engaging in inner-court intrigue with these women!

Alas, she had acted too hastily!

Ni Wenyu was conversing with Zhao Tonghe about something.

Noticing her arrival, Zhao Tonghe gestured for her to approach. "Lihua, come and sit here."

Lin Yunxia warmly walked over and took her by the hand. "Come, Lihua, sit right beside your father."

Allowing herself to be led, Jiang Lihua took a seat next to Zhao Tonghe.

Zhao Tonghe asked eagerly, "Lihua, have you given it thought? What is your decision?"

Jiang Lihua glanced sideways at Ni Wenyu.

"Whatever decision you make, I will accompany you through it," Ni Wenyu said.

Jiang Lihua nodded, then turned her gaze to Zhao Tonghe and Lin Yunxia. "I have considered the matter. I am willing to return to my ancestral lineage, but I hope the household will not restrict my freedom."

Jiang Lihua knew that noble young ladies of this era were not permitted to leave their residences at will.

As long as her freedom wasn't restricted, she could spend less time cooped up in the estate, which would save her from a great deal of trouble.

Zhao Tonghe agreed without hesitation. "No problem."

Shortly thereafter, Zhao Tonghe explained the situation to everyone gathered in the room, formally establishing Jiang Lihua's identity.

"Tomorrow, we shall open the ancestral hall and add your name to the genealogy."

Jiang Lihua indicated that she had no objections.

Everyone in the room looked at Jiang Lihua with curious eyes—some filled with envy, some with jealousy, and others with undisguised disdain.

Lin Yunxia took her by the hand and began introducing the people present.

"Lihua, this is Concubine Lin and the Second Young Miss of the secondary branch. Concubine Lin also has another daughter, but she is already married off."

...

After going through the entire circle of introductions, Jiang Lihua's head felt even heavier. Every single woman looked far from simple!

Zhao Tonghe had a total of four concubines, two sons by concubines, and five daughters by concubines.

She truly was his only legitimate daughter, though there was also a legitimate son born to his current wife, Lin Yunxia, who was currently away on a scholarly tour and had yet to return.

Judging by Zhao Tonghe's demeanor, he indeed held an undying attachment to her mother, yet that did not prevent him from taking concubines in the slightest.

It truly mirrored that old saying: in ancient times, horse-drawn carriages were slow and distances were vast; a lifetime was only long enough to love one person, yet one could still take countless concubines!