Chapter 256: Chapter 256

Qu Fulan was taken back to the Xiao Family for an exorcism, Mrs. Xiao surely knew about it.

This is why Xiao Shiqing, as the male lead in the book, ended up causing the female lead to die from grievances.

Since ancient times, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has always been a delicate matter. No matter what happens or what is done, he does not help cover it up, and in front of his own mother’s eyes, for fear that his mother does not dislike the girl enough.

Mrs. Xiao already didn’t like Li Jirou, and now she had reached the point of disgust.

"It has come to the point of needing an exorcism, truly a disaster. Even if the exorcism is successful, and she wants to be my Xiao Family’s daughter-in-law, I still won’t agree!"

Ji Nishang listened to her aunt say this and her anxious heart completely calmed down.

Her cousin suddenly brought someone back, which made her very frightened.

Given that her aunt now disregards Li Jirou, how would anyone else in the Xiao Mansion regard her? There were plenty who would talk behind her back.

Even the lowest-ranked maids could make a comment or two.

"I heard she was a maid for someone, just like us, tsk tsk tsk, now she wants to rise up."

"I heard she is somewhat good-looking. In these big and wealthy families, any slightly good-looking maid either becomes a concubine or a mistress. Being a concubine at least is a recognized position, but now there’s not even that, she must be just a personal maid."

"Then she’s not clean. Why would the Young Master still bring such a person back? Isn’t it sullying the Xiao Mansion’s reputation?"

"It must be due to their childhood friendship. Perhaps seeing her living poorly, he brought her back to care for her out of regard for past ties."

"There are already countless cases of mistresses being exchanged in wealthy families. Now that she’s brought back, it’s likely just to be a mistress. Does she really think she can become the Young Lady?"

"If she could become the Young Lady, this world would be in chaos; maybe even I could become a concubine for the Young Master, hahaha."

"Stop dreaming, get back to work."

Qu Fulan is now passed out and cannot feel the ridicule of the Xiao Mansion people, but the original owner had indeed suffered from those mocking remarks firmly.

On the seventh day after Li Jirou entered the Xiao Mansion, she asked a maid to get some daily supplies from the steward. The maid sarcastically said she was ignorant, just arrived and already wanting this and that, not afraid of becoming a laughing stock.

"I just ran out of soap and can’t wash my hair tonight..."

"If so, why didn’t you save some earlier?" The maid cut her off and mocked, "The moment you entered the mansion, the lady sent a lot of things to you. Even though you were a young lady before, didn’t your family fall? I also heard you’ve been a maid for some time, so you should know to save some. Why act so lavishly as soon as you arrive? Things that could last half a month, gone in just seven days. Since there’s none left, go ask for it yourself. I don’t have the face to ask and be disliked."

After speaking, the maid slammed the door and left, leaving Li Jirou in tears before the mirror.

She didn’t deliberately misuse things. She was a rough maid in the Pei Mansion; though not tiring, her body was inevitably stained with dust and dirt that couldn’t be washed off. Being a maid meant restricted washing times, hastily washing and going. Now at the Xiao Mansion, she just wanted to clean herself better to appear decent before Mrs. Xiao.

So she used more soap.

But she didn’t expect...

All Li Jirou could do was shed tears.

Even worse, the maid delivering her meals was always late. It was winter, and meals from the morning arrived at midday, covered with congealed fat.

Li Jirou mentioned it once, and the maid retorted, "If you want hot food, why not fetch it yourself? We’re busy all day, still need to remember to bring you meals. You’re still dissatisfied, from now on, fetch your own!"

Thus, Li Jirou dared not speak further. Missing something, she wouldn’t mention it; whatever meals were delivered, she’d eat as they were, even with no appetite, she’d still eat a few bites.

A month later, Xiao Shiqing returned. He naturally first saw Mrs. Xiao and then immediately went to see Li Jirou. Besides noticing her unchanged thinness, he saw nothing else.

"Didn’t I tell you before I left to eat more? Why are you still so thin?"

Li Jirou didn’t tell him about her experience in the mansion, instead, she forced a smile, saying she had a small appetite and couldn’t eat much.

Xiao Shiqing further asked if she was comfortable living at the Xiao Mansion and whether the servants served her well.

Li Jirou only said everything was fine. Those servants were assigned by Mrs. Xiao, if she said otherwise, wouldn’t it mean Mrs. Xiao treated her poorly? Li Jirou dared not overstep.

Indeed, things changed. After Xiao Shiqing returned, Li Jirou’s treatment was completely different, Xiao Shiqing thought it had always been .

Not long after, he had to leave again, this time to train troops in a distant region for a year.

"When I return, we’ll get married." Before he left, he kissed her forehead.

Li Jirou then embarked on a year-long solitude and helplessness. She couldn’t resist writing to him from the first month, expressing concern for him, saying everything at home was fine, he needn’t worry but focus on training.

Second month, similar words.

Third month, fourth month, the same cycle.

By the fifth month, the letters changed.

"Things aren’t good, Mother-in-law doesn’t seem to like me. How can I make her happy?"

"A cousin arrived at home, everyone likes her, including Mother-in-law. I’m a bit jealous, what do I do?"

"The servants are overbearing; Cousin Ji helped me teach them a lesson. I feel ashamed not measuring up to her."

"I heard from the servants that Mother-in-law wants to betroth Cousin Ji to you. After all, she’s exceptional. Would you agree?"

"I miss you, when will you come back, would you send me a reply? If you’re too busy, that’s okay."

"I’ve been sick these days, feeling terrible. The servants are disobedient; I can’t trouble Mother-in-law and Miss Ji with everything."

"Could you send someone to fetch me? I could disguise myself as a man; I promise to behave without causing trouble for you."

"Please send someone to get me, I can’t bear living in the Pei Mansion any longer..."

Li Jirou waited in vain for twelve months with no reply, but finally, he returned.

His first words after seeing Mrs. Xiao were: Thɪs chapter is updated by novelꞁire.net

"Do you have an issue with my mother and refuse to serve her?"