As Tan Xiuying walked into the central hall with her maids by her side, she knew that she had to be cautious and observant. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, especially in the presence of her stepmother and others who might be influenced by Li Jiayi's manipulative tactics.
The drama of the Marquis Jiujiang's household continued to unfold, and Tan Xiuying was determined to play her part wisely, outsmarting the cunning vixen Li Jiayi and exposing her true nature to those who had been deceived by her facade.
With her new knowledge of medicine and poisons, Tan Xiuying knew that she held valuable insights that could be her key to reclaiming her identity and uncovering the mysteries that surrounded her family's tragic past.
As Tan Xiuying approached the front of the central hall, she could hear the voices of several people engaged in what appeared to be a heated discussion inside the room.
"Did Third Sister really go to see that scoundrel?"
Tan Xiuying recognized the voice of her half-sister, Tan Meixiu, thanks to the memories of this body's original owner.
"Shut your mouth, Meixiu! Be careful when you talk about the royal family. The floors and walls have ears," Liu Meifeng, her grandmother, scolded.
"To think that this young girl could behave so indecently! Ugh, I shouldn't have given her the chance to use her freedom by letting her go alone. Now she has committed a disgraceful act and tarnished the family's reputation!" The bitter voice of the current Second Madam Marquis resonated in the air.
"Everything seems uncertain, and we shouldn't jump to conclusions without concrete proof. It's best to approach her directly and seek the truth." Her second brother, Tan Xiaodan in his usual gentle and level-headed manner, showed his wise and thoughtful personality.
"I can't believe Xiuying would act like that! She's usually very law-abiding." Tan Guoliang, his older brother, spoke in a calm and wise tone, reflecting his observant and analytical nature.
"We may not know, but some people are born with a talent for disguising their true nature. Xiuying usually looks cute, but who knows what's really on her mind? Don't forget that she had the heart to tarnish her family reputation and run away for the sake of the..." Madam Marquis spoke again.
"Be quiet! Open the door!" A loud sound was heard. It was the voice of Marquis Jiujiang, Tan Xiuying's father, a cold-hearted person she rarely met.
Shortly after, a maid dressed in light brown hanfu opened the door to the large central hall slowly.
Excellent, everyone is here today! Tan Xiuying thought to herself, realizing that the people who framed her were determined to ruin her.
"Third Sister, they are talking about you," Tan Wenling whispered from behind.
Tan Xiuying simply nodded in response, seemingly unfazed by the discussion about her.
The central hall had only two ordinary doors, making it easy for several people to enter at once. Within moments, the room became full and crowded with people.
These people rushed over in a huff, but their expressions momentarily changed when they saw the girl standing in the doorway. All of them seemed stunned, especially Madam Marquis and her daughter, Tan Meixiu. Even Marquis Jiujiang's face showed a slight change.
Tan Xiuying stepped in gracefully, and Tan Wenling followed closely behind her.
In the center of the hall, Tan Xiuying stood with a respectful bow. She quickly glanced at everyone and finally locked eyes with her father. "Marquis Jiujiang, I'm your beloved youngest daughter. Greetings to you, Madam Marquis, Grandma, and everyone."
Even though the real Tan Xiuying was usually rough, capricious, arrogant, and reckless, she surprisingly had a melodious-sounding voice. Even now, as she spoke, her gentle tone was as melodious as the soft echoes of temple bells in the room.
Everyone was dumbfounded. They never thought that the usually jovial, rude, and sloppy Tan Xiuying could speak so sweetly, especially when she addressed her father as Marquis Jiujiang instead of Father.
Marquis Jiujiang, Tan Jianjun, was the first to react. He was stunned for a moment hearing this, then looked at Tan Xiuying with a pair of fierce eyes and scolded furiously, "What's wrong with you? Why are you causing such big trouble again this time!?"
Tan Xiuying braced herself for her father's inevitable outburst. She kept her composure, choosing to remain silent and lower her head as he started yelling at her. This was not the first time she had faced his anger, and she knew it wouldn't be the last.
As her father's voice filled the room, Tan Xiuying took a deep breath and tried to keep her emotions in check. She had prepared herself for this confrontation, knowing that her actions would likely spark his fury. But she couldn't back down now; she had a mission to fulfill, and she couldn't let her father's anger deter her.
Despite the familiar scolding, there was something different about Tan Xiuying today. Her voice and behavior seemed strangely composed, almost as if she had transformed into a different person. This sudden change caught everyone's attention, leaving them in awe and disbelief.
Madam Marquis, who usually enjoyed seeing Tan Xiuying in trouble, was taken aback by the unexpected shift in her stepdaughter's behavior. Tan Meixiu, who had been eagerly waiting to witness her sister's humiliation, was also left speechless.
As the room fell silent, Tan Xiuying lifted her head, her gaze steady and determined. She knew that she couldn't let her father's anger sway her from her purpose. She had a role to play, and she was determined to see it through, no matter the obstacles.
In that moment, Tan Xiuying's actions spoke louder than any words. The young girl who had been known for her recklessness and defiance was now showing a side of herself that no one had seen before. It was as if she had undergone a profound transformation, and everyone in the room could sense the change in her.
Marquis Jiujiang's anger seemed to wane as he looked at his daughter. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - confusion, surprise, and perhaps even a hint of pride. He knew that Tan Xiuying was a headstrong and spirited girl, but he had never seen her carry herself with such poise and grace.
After witnessing his daughter's uncharacteristic silence, Tan Jianjun noticed her subdued behavior and sighed with regret. "Xiuying, how are you? If you have any injuries or pain anywhere, have the maids call a physician immediately."
Tan Xiuying looked up at her father, his words touching her heart. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes, and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt for keeping secrets from him. But she knew that she had to proceed carefully; revealing everything at once could have disastrous consequences.
"Thank you, Marquis. I'm fine, just a bit tired from my studies."
Marquis Jiujiang nodded, relieved that his daughter was physically unharmed. "Remember to take care of yourself, Xiuying. I worry about you."
The other family members were still present in the room, and their gazes shifted between Tan Xiuying and Marquis Jiujiang, curious about the exchange between father and daughter.