"Miss, you are truly amazing!" Xixi held her breath, feeling amazed as she listened to Hu Lihua's story. However, deep down, she felt a bit uneasy. Was her mistress's change due to heartbreak, having given up on seeking love from her family? While she felt relieved seeing her mistress's cheerful demeanor, in their world, how could a woman stand firm in her husband's household without the support of her birth family?
"Xixi, why do you look so worried?" Hu Lihua asked, pulling Xixi out of her thoughts.
"Ah, Miss, no, it's nothing! I was just thinking about something unimportant," Xixi replied. She quickly shifted her gaze to the tea cup in front of Hu Lihua and said, "Miss, your tea has gone cold. Let me replace it with a warm one."
Hu Lihua nodded and picked up a green bean cake Xixi had just bought from the pastry shop. After a while of relaxing, she began to feel a little bored. "Xixi, I'll take a short nap."
"Very well, Miss," Xixi said, escorting Hu Lihua to her room. After lighting calming incense, she stepped out, closed the door tightly, and stood guard outside.
In truth, Hu Lihua wasn't sleepy at all. She tossed and turned on the bed, trying to recall the plot of the novel. But eventually, she unknowingly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, at Ruyi Pavilion, Song Xiuyan sat, glaring coldly at her husband. She was furious knowing that Hu Lihua had suffered so much injustice. Ever since she could hear Hu Lihua's inner thoughts, her anger only grew.
Hu Zhangwei sighed softly. He knew his wife had always disliked Hu Rui'an, but the girl behaved so kindly and gently that he couldn't bear to drive her away.
After a prolonged silence, Hu Zhangwei could no longer hold back. Glancing around cautiously, he asked hesitantly, "My wife, can you... can you hear... ah!"
"My husband? What's wrong?" Song Xiuyan asked, worried as she saw his face flush red. She quickly approached him and handed him tea.
After drinking the tea, Hu Zhangwei regained his voice. He shook his head slightly and asked again, "I wanted to ask if you could... ah!"
The same thing happened again, causing Hu Zhangwei to grab his tea and gulp it down.
"My husband, you don't need to say anything. I know what you're trying to ask. You're not hallucinating. But it seems... we aren't allowed to say it?" Song Xiuyan said, unsure.
Hu Zhangwei nodded. "It seems so. My throat feels choked every time I try to say it."
Xixi heard subtle movements inside the room. She immediately entered to assist Hu Lihua. "Miss, let me help you get ready."
"Hmm," Hu Lihua murmured. With Xixi's help, she managed to change her clothes, albeit still groggy.
Hu Lihua walked with Xixi toward Ruyi Pavilion. Along the way, they passed several servants. One thing was consistent about the servants—they only greeted her half-heartedly.
Hu Lihua sneered. She didn't care in the slightest. Sooner or later, she would leave this household with her mother and Xixi. There was no need to feel attached to the others.
After a tea-cup's worth of time walking, they finally arrived at the gate of Ruyi Pavilion. Hu Lihua jogged slightly to meet her mother sooner. In her previous life, she had been an orphan, relying solely on herself to achieve success. That was why she never cared about familial warmth. However, for Song Xiuyan, who gave her maternal love, she wouldn't refuse.
Hu Lihua's steps froze as she reached the dining room. She hesitated when she saw an unexpected figure.
[Eh? Why is my stingy father here too? Why is he smiling at me? That looks terrifying!]
The genuine smile Hu Zhangwei had on suddenly froze. But, with Song Xiuyan pinching him under the table, he forced himself to maintain the smile until his face turned red. He worked hard to keep his tone gentle. "Hua'er is here. Come, sit down and join us for a meal."
Hu Lihua stepped forward, saluted her parents, and then sat next to Song Xiuyan. Soon after, a variety of vegetable and meat dishes were laid on the table.
Hu Lihua's eyes lit up brightly.
[How nice it is to be rich! At least I don't have to work hard to get food!]
Hu Lihua's inner voice was interpreted differently by Song Xiuyan and Hu Zhangwei. Could her life have been worse than they had imagined all this time? Both suddenly felt their hearts grow heavier. How blessed Hu Rui'an's life must have been, entirely opposite to their own daughter's.
"Father? Why aren't you eating yet?" Hu Lihua asked, feeling famished. However, according to the rules, juniors weren't allowed to move their chopsticks before seniors did.
[Aiyo! My useless father is truly hopeless! Doesn't he know how hungry I am? I could even eat an entire pig on my own!]
Hu Zhangwei's face, which had just softened, suddenly stiffened. His daughter appeared calm on the surface but was fierce inside! Forget it! After all, she was his biological daughter!
"Alright, let's eat," Hu Zhangwei said, finally picking up some food.
The atmosphere at the dining table couldn't be described as harmonious, but it wasn't bad either. Everyone ate in silence.
After the meal, Hu Lihua patted her stomach contentedly. She turned to Song Xiuyan and said, "Mother, how about I accompany you for a walk in the garden to help with digestion?"
Song Xiuyan smiled warmly. "Alright. My Hua'er is so considerate!"
"Ahem!" Hu Zhangwei cleared his throat softly. "I'll join you both."
Hu Lihua frowned. [Why does he have to come along? He's such a party pooper!]
Song Xiuyan glanced at her husband. She smirked inwardly. She knew he only wanted to gather more information from their daughter's inner voice. But if it could open his eyes to the truth, she was willing to cooperate.
Hu Zhangwei had already made up his mind, so even though Hu Lihua silently berated him, he didn't budge.
"Well then, let's go now," Song Xiuyan said.
Hu Lihua extended her hand and held Song Xiuyan's to assist her in walking. The two strolled and chatted while Hu Zhangwei trailed behind them. Without realizing it, they passed by Xiangyu Pavilion, where Hu Rui'an lived. From outside, they could faintly hear Hu Rui'an coughing.
Hu Zhangwei frowned, feeling a bit worried. But suddenly, Hu Lihua's voice entered his mind.
[Ha! Look at that! She's bold enough to harm herself just to frame me. No wonder she ends up destroying the General's Residence in the future!]