Chapter 4: From Today On, You Are My Third Uncle

Except for Yan Luo, everyone else was stunned.

The Third Madam stood up, looking somewhat at a loss: "Father, I have never raised a child."

Yan Luo, who had been quiet just a moment ago, spoke up in a milky, childish voice: "I am very easy to raise. I eat little, talk little, and I am well-behaved."

The Third Madam looked toward her. The little one was wearing an ill-fitting Taoist robe, her frame thin, small, and tender.

She had only a clean, fair face, straight bangs, and large eyes. When she smiled at her, dimples appeared.

For some reason, the Third Madam’s heart softened instantly.

The Duke of Zhong did not want to listen to his children arguing any longer and said directly, "If there is anything you do not know how to do, please ask your eldest sister-in-law."

This meant it was settled.

The Third Madam did not refuse again: "Yes, Father."

Yan Luo was overjoyed.

She had wanted to go to the Third Branch all along.

In her past life, she had seen through the actions of the First Branch and was filled with disappointment.

As for the Second Branch, they had three sons to spoil and no place for her.

The Third Branch, however, was just right. The Third Master’s horoscope belonged to the Yin element, which attracted ghosts, making it more suitable for nourishing the Yin-Yang eyes.

Being by his side was like being seated at a dining table where one could freely pick the "dishes" they wanted to eat.

The Second Madam held Lin Shiying and said unwillingly, "It doesn't matter if I don't raise a Spirit Girl; after all, we are all one family. But if Chu Yue is ever again so disrespectful, I will feel it is because her eldest sister-in-law failed to teach her properly!"

Having finished speaking, she and the Second Master pulled the groaning, pain-crying Lin Shiying and hurried away.

Yan Luo watched the backs of their family, tilting her small head slightly.

She saw the female ghost, Xing'er, floating away following them.

The little one hadn't been talking nonsense just now; there truly was such a female ghost following Lin Shiying.

In her previous life, Yan Luo only heard later that Xing'er's death was related to Lin Shiying, though the specifics were unknown.

After a ghost dies, they only haunt those related to their life and death. Lin Shiying might not be innocent; otherwise, he wouldn't have jumped out after being frightened by just a few words.

The First Madam instructed her maid: "Send the Shuhun Ointment bestowed by Consort Shu from the palace this year to the Second Branch."

The Duke of Zhong had no intention of staying longer and praised the First Madam for her capable management of the household.

"Chu Yue, Yan Luo, from now on you are the children of this house. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell your Grandfather."

These words were spoken without any emotion. He did not wait for their response before stepping away.

Yan Luo knew that the Duke of Zhong had been a martial man his whole life and believed that what the State Preceptor said was nothing but strange powers and chaotic spirits.

But since it was a gift from the Emperor, he could not refuse; he could only raise them.

The First Madam pulled the Third Madam aside to speak, instructing her on how to arrange for the child and so on.

Chu Yue and Yan Luo fell a step behind.

"What a pity, Junior Sister. I originally wanted to help you go to the Second Branch to enjoy a life of luxury, but who knew you wouldn't have that luck?" Chu Yue sneered coldly.

Yan Luo looked at her calmly: "The Third Branch is also very good."

Chu Yue mocked even more: "Once you encounter the Third Master, it will truly be too late to cry."

Having said that, she walked to the front, putting on an innocent and charming expression, affectionately calling the First Madam "Mother."

Yan Luo watched her quietly, feeling only that it was laughable.

In the entire manor, the First Madam was the most black-hearted and ruthless person.

She could make her actions appear flawless in the eyes of outsiders, while simultaneously allowing her children to endure torment they could not speak of.

Yan Luo thought of her past life, where she had been sculpted into an exquisite porcelain doll by the First Madam's rigid rules.

She looked bright and beautiful, but if one tore away the magnificent outer clothing, the flesh underneath would be dripping with blood.

Fortunately, in this life, she could follow the Third Branch.

Once the First Madam finished all her instructions, Yan Luo followed the Third Madam away.

The First, Second, and Third Branches each had a large courtyard, with the various courtyards connected by corridors.

In her past life, Yan Luo had never visited the Third Branch's courtyard because the First Madam disliked the Third Branch and did not allow her to associate with them.

Following behind the Third Madam this time, she saw that the courtyard was filled with flowering vines. Wisteria bloomed across the trellises, and the colors of tender green and vibrant purple were everywhere.

The Third Branch was more full of life than Yan Luo had imagined.

"Yan Luo, you can call me Third Aunt or Third Niang. In a moment, the First Madam will arrange for elderly servants and maids to come and serve you," the Third Madam said as she walked beside her.

Her real name was Tong Qingyu. She had a quiet temperament and a face as clear and beautiful as white snow. She was not old, having just passed twenty.

When looking at Yan Luo, there was not the slightest hint of contempt or perfunctoriness.

"I understand, Third Niang."

"Our courtyard has few people and is quite simple, but there are two places you cannot go."

The Third Madam cautioned her that she could not enter the Third Master's bedroom or his study.

Furthermore, all the porcelain and utensils in the courtyard must not be broken, as they were all the Third Master's antique collections.

She then led Yan Luo on a tour of the large Third Branch courtyard and arranged a courtyard for Yan Luo, located in the southernmost corner of the main estate.

Her small courtyard was quiet and filled with fragrance upon entering; it was planted full of pink hibiscus.

The Third Madam explained, "I enjoy flowers and plants in my daily life. Since this courtyard was unoccupied before, I used it to grow flowers. If you find it bothersome or in the way, just tell someone to pull them up."

Yan Luo immediately shook her head: "Keep them, I like them."

The Third Madam looked at the little one, who was thin and small, her little face even smaller than a palm. When her eyes blinked, she looked exceptionally pitiable.

Her tone couldn't help but soften a bit: "It is almost noon. Come with me to dine. If there are any taboos in your daily life, tell me."

After speaking, the Third Madam instructed the maid beside her.

"Go tell the Third Master that the Spirit Girl has been assigned to the Third Branch. Ask him if he wishes to join us for lunch; if he is unwilling, let it be."

"Yes." The maid departed.

After walking this circuit, Yan Luo discovered that the Third Madam and the Third Master did not seem very close.

The two slept in separate courtyards and had their own preferences, like strangers living under the same roof.

Thinking carefully, the Third Madam had already married in four years ago.

Sleeping separately meant, of course, no offspring. Did they simply dislike each other?

Yan Luo suppressed her curiosity and followed the Third Madam to the dining hall.

The dishes were served one after another. Just as the two began to use their chopsticks, a servant at the door called out: "The Third Master has arrived!"

Yan Luo immediately put down her chopsticks, placed her small hands together on her knees, and lifted her chin to look at the door.

A page boy pushed the Third Master, who was in a wheelchair, inside.

Seeing the wheelchair, Yan Luo suddenly realized that when she had toured the courtyard just now, she had noticed many doorways had no thresholds; they had been removed specifically to accommodate the wheelchair.

The master of the Third Branch, Lin Li, was thirty years old and possessed a sharp, handsome face.

Perhaps due to his recent days of illness, his temper had become unpredictable, and his expression always seemed gloomy and intimidating.

"Who gave you permission to adopt a child?" Lin Li questioned as soon as he arrived.

The Third Madam stood up, neither humble nor arrogant: "It was Father's arrangement; he would not let me refuse."

Lin Li snatched up a teacup beside him and smashed it into a corner with a loud *bang*.

"Send her back!" he roared, the veins bulging on his fair forehead.

Yan Luo was startled, but the Third Madam seemed accustomed to his volatility.

She looked at him calmly: "Then go tell Father. Do not vent your anger here and frighten the child."

Lin Li's thin eyes looked toward Yan Luo with a chilling intensity.

The little one seemed to snap out of her daze. She ran to the side, standing on her tiptoes to lift a porcelain vase off a pedestal.

She huffed and puffed as she carried it over to Lin Li's side.

"Third Dad," she called out softly, her eyes sparkling, "smash this one, this one makes a loud sound."

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone around was dumbfounded. The Third Master valued his antiques immensely and allowed no one to touch them.

Lin Li:...

*Put down that Warring States peony vase you're treasuring immediately!!*

However, Lin Li did not reach out to take it. Yan Luo's small hands held the heavy vase, and she was struggling.

*Bang!*

The vase slipped and shattered.

Everyone gasped, and the Third Madam hurriedly looked at Lin Li's expression.

(End of Chapter)