Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

A hint of coldness flashed in Jiang Yining's eyes.

In her efforts to save the entire Chu family, she went through countless trials and tribulations, only to be told in the end that she was merely a "plaything."

"What do you think, my husband?"

Jiang Yining picked up the account book and dusted it off.

"If it was given by some other man, wouldn't the newly renovated general's mansion where my husband now lives, with its delicacies and fine silks, all bear the scent of that other man?"

"You—! Shameless!" Chu Jinglan's chest heaved violently with anger.

He had always thought his wife was a gentle and virtuous lady from a respectable family, but he never expected her to change like this in the past three years.

Sharp-tongued and shameless!

Liu Xueru seized the opportunity to add insult to injury: "Sister, the General is doing this for your own good. A woman's reputation is of paramount importance. You're supporting the family with another man's money; if word gets out... where will the General put his face?"

Jiang Yining turned to look at her, her gaze suddenly turning sharp: "Do you even have the right to speak here?"

The aura emanating from that moment made Liu Xueru swallow back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

"Since my husband has already condemned me in his heart, why ask any more questions?"

Jiang Yining was too lazy to explain.

"Great! Excellent!"

Chu Jinglan laughed angrily: "Since you refuse to tell me, then don't blame me for not showing any mercy."

"From today onwards, you relinquish your power to manage the household!"

He held out his hand, his eyes cold: "Hand over the pair."

Chu Jinglan turned to look at Liu Xueru, who was secretly pleased with herself: "Xueru comes from a noble family. Although she is new here, she knows a bit about managing a household. From now on, Xueru will be in charge of the household affairs."

"As for you..."

Chu Jinglan pointed to the pitch-black night outside the door, his voice cold and resolute.

"Go kneel in the ancestral hall!"

"You can only stand up again when you've figured things out and are willing to tell the truth!"

Jiang Yining looked at that hand.

That was a hand accustomed to wielding weapons, but now it was used to deal with his own wife.

She didn't argue, but took out a heavy bunch of keys and an ivory pendant from her sleeve and casually tossed them onto the table.

"Take it."

Jiang Yining straightened her skirt, her expression relaxed as if she had shed a huge burden.

"Let whoever wants to clean up this mess do it."

Liu Xueru picked up the key as if it were a priceless treasure, but feigned concern, saying, "General, my sister is frail; she might not be able to withstand kneeling in the ancestral hall..."

"She's frail?" Chu Jinglan sneered. "I think she's incredibly capable! Go!"

Jiang Yining turned and left, her steps light as if she were going on vacation rather than being punished.

Chu Jinglan watched her retreating figure, feeling a tightness in his chest.

She wouldn't even say a kind word?

Soon, the Chu family underwent a dramatic change.

The legal wife was stripped of her rights and banished to a cold and gloomy ancestral hall.

The newly arrived Miss Liu, wielding her authority like a chicken feather, began to tour the mansion with an air of arrogance.

Chu Jinglan kept the news under wraps.

He didn't let anyone else know what was happening in the backyard.

The ancestral hall's doors slowly closed.

Jiang Yining stood before the ancestral tablets and let out a long sigh of relief.

Finally...it's quiet again.

"lady."

Old steward Zhao Bo sneaked out, followed by two clever maids carrying several thick brocade quilts.

"The second young master has already given instructions that if the eldest young master acts recklessly, you must not suffer."

Uncle Zhao quickly set up a soft couch in a blind spot behind the offering table.

Three thick mattresses were laid out, with a warm hot water bottle sandwiched in between.

In the four corners, the finest silver charcoal braziers were quietly placed, each thoughtfully covered with an incense burner, so there was not a trace of smoke.

"This calming tea was specially prepared by the Grand Secretary."

Jiang Yining comfortably lay down on the soft couch, munching on a chicken leg, looking at the rows of ancestral tablets of the Chu family in front of her.

"You may all leave now, so that no one finds out."

Jiang Yining waved her hand and closed her eyes contentedly.

Chu Jinglan, that idiot.

He thought he was punishing her, but little did he know that this was exactly what she wanted.

late at night.

An autumn rain came down without warning.

Thunder roared and lightning tore through the dark night sky, illuminating the solemn memorial tablets in the ancestral hall in a stark white light.

The wind howled and seeped in through the crack in the door, making a whistling sound, as if a wronged soul was crying out.

Jiang Yining was half asleep when she suddenly felt a slump in the ground beside her.

A chill, carrying damp, cold air and mixed with the familiar scent of cold pine, quietly approached.

She opened her eyes, and in the flash of lightning, she saw a face so pale it was almost transparent.

Chu Sikong sat on the soft couch, soaked by the rain. His clothes clung tightly to his body, outlining the boy's thin but wiry frame.

Her dark hair was wet and disheveled, with water still dripping from the ends.

Those breathtakingly beautiful, crystal-clear eyes were now "staring" at her.

Her eyes were gloomy and damp, like a beautiful ghost crawling out of hell.

"Sister-in-law..."

Jiang Yining was startled and quickly sat up, reaching out to touch his hand.

It was as cold as a block of iron.

"Why are you here? It's raining so hard, are you crazy?!"

Jiang Yining scolded him in a low voice while wrapping the blanket around him, trying to warm the madman who was emanating cold air with her own body heat.

"I heard from Uncle Zhao that your elder brother punished you."

Chu Sikong let her do as she pleased, leaning forward slightly and resting his chin on the crook of her neck.

His cool nose brushed against her warm skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"I can't sleep."

He greedily absorbed the warmth from her body, like a dying snake finally finding a source of heat.

"I waited in the room for a long time, but my sister-in-law didn't come back to warm my bed..."

"Are you crazy!" Jiang Yining whispered. "This is an ancestral hall! Our ancestors are watching!"

"So what if it looks like that?"

Chu Sikong chuckled lightly, his laughter filled with mockery and madness.

"If they have spirits, they should strike that ungrateful elder brother to death."

He took out an oil paper package from his pocket and carefully opened it.

Inside were several delicate peach blossom pastries, still warm from his body, not wet at all by the rain.

"Sister-in-law hasn't had dinner yet, has she? This is what I hid."

Chu Sikong picked up a piece and held it to Jiang Yining's lips, his fingertips still trembling slightly.

"Take a bite, and I'll feed you."

Jiang Yining's heart softened completely when she saw his pitiful appearance, soaked to the bone.

She opened her mouth and took a bite.

The flaky pastry crumbled, and a sweet, cloying flavor spread across the tongue.

Chu Sikong did not withdraw his hand, but instead pressed his fingertip against her lips, feeling the soft touch.

"Is it sweet?"

He asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes dark and frightening.

"Sikong..." Jiang Yining mumbled as she pushed his hand away.

Chu Sikong leaned forward and pinned Jiang Yining against the memorial tablet behind her.

With a loud "clang".

The memorial tablet of an unknown ancestor was knocked and shook.