s afraid the stone would make her little sister's bottom cold, so she held her sister in her arms and sat on her legs.Jixi held the fruit in his mouth and quickly took off his outer garment to put it...“You don’t know this person, but you must have heard of her.” Mrs. Liu grabbed Tao Hongying’s sleeve beforehand and said, “This is the Empress Dowager, the head mistress of the Wu family!”

Tao Hongying was stunned for a moment, then her eyes turned red.

Lately, at home, I've been investigating. Although I haven't figured everything out yet, I have uncovered some clues!

It is the Wu family who wants to kill Fuku and offer a bowl of her blood to the empress!

And this whole thing was instigated by Wu, the mistress from beginning to end…

This is not the Queen Mother, this is, the enemy who killed her daughter!

Tao Hongying's heart felt as if a knife had been plunged into it, the pain was excruciating, but her mind was startlingly clear. She spoke in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I won't do anything foolish!"

Mrs. Liu was a bit surprised, but she still advised, "You mustn't be impulsive. After all, she is the Empress Dowager!"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I've come out with you so many times. Though I haven't learned much else, I've gotten pretty good at putting on a show recently!" Tao Hongying took a deep breath and patted Liu's hand.

Mrs. Liu, hearing that she still had the mind to joke, finally felt relieved.

She saw Lady Wu and Lady Cao talking, and said again, “The other day, I heard people say that the Wu family had their eye on Miss Cao as their daughter-in-law. I thought it was just a rumor. Seeing this today, perhaps it is true.”

"I just don't know, the Wu family was put in a difficult position by Mr. Wen, and with Master Wu currently in seclusion, I wonder if the Cao family would take advantage of this to decline the marriage."

A glint flashed in Tao Hongying's eyes as she coldly smiled, "Rest assured, don't even think about getting married to the Cao family. I'll make sure they can't find a daughter-in-law in Xindu!"

Mrs. Liu was startled. "Do you have a plan, or has the Wu family fallen into your hands"

Tao Hongying refused to say more, only saying: "Come on, let's go back. You'll know in a while."

As soon as they returned to the flower hall, Cao's wife came in to greet Wu Da.

Mrs. Cao wore a smile on her face, but everyone could tell it wasn't genuine warmth.

It was evident that she wasn't too welcoming to Dr. Wu's arrival.

People looked at Madam Wu's appearance with surprise, after all, the Wu family had suffered one misfortune after another these days, to say nothing of damaging their reputation and losing money.

Wouldn't Madam Wu be feeling feverish To have the heart to come out to a banquet

Mrs. Wu was being stared at by everyone, her heart filled with anger and frustration.

She doesn't want to come out either!

Her house was a mess, the mistress of the household practically overwhelmed with problems she couldn't solve.

However, the private engagement with Cao's family had already been basically settled. All that was left was for the Cao family to give their official word and then they could send an official matchmaker.

As a result, because their house had been ransacked, the Cao family never brought it up again.

Although Lord Cao was only the Minister of Works, he wasn't a man of insignificant power. The Cao family held considerable influence, and nearly all of Lord Cao's uncles and cousins were spread across the six ministries, totaling eight or nine in all.

If he were related to the Cao family by marriage, his son would become a half-son of the Cao family. Not only would he not be afraid of this investigation, but his future prospects would also be guaranteed.

So, she bore the headache and, putting on a brave face, came to offer her congratulations. She had even made up her mind to slip in the idea of an arranged marriage between their families today!

Thus, the Cao family, for their daughter's reputation, even though they were reluctant, had to agree to the marriage...

Thinking of this, she smiled and asked Cao's wife, "Where is our Meilan Why isn't she in the room"

"This child is so good-looking and has a gentle disposition. I love her so much! It's only been a few days since I last saw her, but I already miss her!"

Such a familiar tone, every word revealing fondness.

The other women immediately sensed something was different, so they all put down their teacups and waited to "eat melons."

How could Mrs. Cao possibly not guess Dr. Wu's intentions She was furious inwardly, but she still had to smile and respond on the surface.

This child is soft-natured and unwilling to go against others. I feel sorry for her and want to keep her with me for two more years, so I haven't let her go out.

"What if someone takes a liking to her and tries to steal my daughter away from me What can I do then"

This statement is practically pointing right at Doctor Wu's nose! My daughter wants to stay for two more years, so don't even try anything anymore!

But when Mrs. Wu understood, she was about to pretend to be confused and speak, but Tao Hongying interrupted her.

"Mrs. Cao, I don't often go out, so I am rather short-sighted and didn't know this was..." She looked towards Lady Wu with a curious and puzzled expression.

Mrs. Cao was delighted that someone had come to her rescue. She quickly smiled at Tao Hongying and said, "It's my fault, it's my fault, I haven't spoken much with the Fourth Madam. "

"This is Mrs. Wu, the matriarch of the Wu family, and also the Empress Dowager's mother."

"Oh my, it's the Empress' mother. How disrespectful of me!" Tao Hongying smiled warmly and stood up to bow.

Some people watching nearby smirked and joked that Tao Honghong was fawning over them.

Tao Hongying, as if she hadn't seen, still enthusiastically chatted with Lady Wu.

"A few days ago, while I was among the clouds, I had the fortune of meeting your Lordship's uncle. At the time, he was already astonishingly impressive, but now that I see you, Madam, I realize that his noble character comes from his mother."

Mrs. Wu listened with delight, her head nodding slightly with restrained pride.

Tao Hongying then added, "I just don't know when the uncle-in-law will get married. Our Li family is a small and humble household, we don't even have the chance to drink some wedding wine, it's truly regrettable.

Fortunately, the maternal aunt enjoyed the snacks from our shop, and her husband also doted on his wife. On that day, he bought a full seven or eight boxes of snacks.

However, the imperial consort's belly is big. Eating so many snacks isn't good for digestion.

"I've been thinking about this all day. It's wonderful to meet you today. On my way back, I'll be sure to tell your aunt for me."

"In the future, if she has anything she likes to eat, just let me know and I'll have the staff bake a fresh batch and send it over."

Mrs. Wu listened more and more unpleasantly, her face changing directly, she rebuked: "What nonsense are you talking about Our son Yan hasn't married at all, where did you come from as his wife"

Tao Hongying seemed to be a bit unhappy, even offended by the scolding. She collected her smile and retorted.

"Lady Wu, this is not right. The marriage of the Imperial Uncle is a joyous occasion, and the pregnancy of the Imperial Aunt adds even more joy to it. What do you have to hide"

Besides, even if I was wrong about seeing it, I couldn't have misheard it, could I

The maternal uncle was married to that woman with a big belly, their love for each other made everyone jealous, how could there be anything wrong!

If that woman wasn't the imperial uncle's wife, then was she perhaps his mistress kept on the side

"Impossible! Who calls their mistress 'wife' Who lets their mistress get pregnant before they're married!"

Tao Hongying adjusted the golden hairpin in her hair bun, seemingly unaware that she had just dropped a bombshell. She continued, "If it's really so, madam should definitely tell your uncle-in-law when you return home."

"Before he's even married, he's already keeping mistresses and fathering illegitimate children! Who in their right mind would marry their daughter to him!

"

“This is a big deal, it can't be ignored, otherwise everyone will probably say that the Wu family's foundation is crooked and their branches are even more so. By then, both Old Master Wu and Old Madam will be blamed by others, and it will be too late!”

Wu Dafu's face turned ashen with anger. She wanted to retort, but Tao Hongying was too quick, leaving her no room to speak.

Looking around, everyone was straining their necks, their expressions like they were about to choke on melon seeds. She felt a burning rage inside!

"Presumptuous! What family are you from To dare run amok here and slander the Grand Tutor, smear the Marquis's Mansion, do you know what a grave crime this is"husband and son. Then she pulled her daughter aside to have a private conversation."Wan'er, don't get angry because of the rumors outside."Initially, your mother hesitated to arrange this marriage wit...