Chapter 3: [A New Identity]

"Father! These lowlife wenches knocked over Sister's medicine!"

Gu Wanrou wished for the scene to become as chaotic as possible and hurried forward to add fuel to the fire. Little did she know that Gu Chengfeng's sharp gaze would suddenly sweep over her, scaring her into shutting her mouth immediately.

"What are you all doing here? Didn't I say that no one is allowed to approach Ludao before Xiaoman wakes up?"

"I only wanted to come and see my sister," Gu Wanrou said, struggling to maintain her image of a well-behaved daughter.

"Get out, all of you!"

"Father! How can you be so mean to me? Don't forget, I am also your daughter!" She was truly furious.

"Do not make me say it a second time!" Gu Chengfeng's pupils constricted, and there wasn't a trace of emotion in his eyes as he looked at Gu Wanrou.

Gu Yifang hurried forward and pulled at the corner of Gu Wanrou's sleeve. "Sister, let's go back first. It won't be too late to visit her once Third Sister wakes up."

She was a useless thing who only knew how to cause trouble; if she were allowed to keep making a scene, there was no telling what kind of mess would ensue.

"Fine, I'll go! Anyway, Father has never cared about us. I'm leaving! I'm leaving the Prime Minister's Estate and I'll never come back!" Gu Wanrou stomped her foot in anger, fighting back the tears in her eyes as she lifted her skirt and ran off.

Gu Chengfeng watched her fleeing figure, his heart trembling slightly, but he was quickly overcome by his previous rage once more.

"Someone, drag all these lowly maids away and throw them into the venomous insect pit!"

"No! Lord Prime Minister, have mercy..."

...

Inside the room, Gu Man frowned slightly and opened her eyes, enduring a violent headache.

She wasn't dead!

Her entire body was so weak and sore that she lacked strength, but the crying and shouting outside triggered a strong sense of curiosity, making her exert all her strength to see what was happening.

By the time she had managed to shuffle her body to lean against the bedroom door, she was already drenched in sweat.

Outside, the sun was bright. In the picturesque courtyard, several girls dressed as maids were kneeling, crying as they begged for mercy from a man in brocade clothing.

Standing beside them was a woman with exquisite features. She wore a tight-fitting rose-pink silk top with long sleeves, paired with a flowing emerald green gauze skirt. A large bow made of golden-threaded soft smoke silk was tied at her waist, and a jade-adorned phoenix hairpin was tucked low into her hair, making her figure appear slender, glamorous, and soul-stirring.

Just as she was shamelessly observing others, Gu Yifang also spotted Gu Man nearby. "She's awake! She's awake!"

The middle-aged man turned around, and the furious madness in the depths of his eyes gave Gu Man a violent shudder. However, in the next second, his dark, clouded expression shifted into a kind smile. He strode over in a few large steps and reached out to support her.

"My daughter has finally woken up!"

...

"Your body is still very weak, hurry back to bed and lie down." Without waiting for an answer, he scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the bed.

The man before her looked to be in his forties, with impeccable features that suggested he must have been exceptionally handsome in his youth.

"Sister, you're finally awake! You have no idea how much you've been driving Father crazy these past few days!"

Gu Chengfeng placed her on the bed, intending to scold her, but seeing her face—which was identical to her mother's—he found himself unable to speak.

"Father..."

Gu Man called out timidly. Given the current situation, she truly didn't know what to say; the more she spoke, the more mistakes she might make.

She didn't know if she had transmigrated in her own body or as a soul; if she exposed herself, wouldn't her life be in danger?

"So you do know that I am your father?"

"I'll go instruct the kitchen to prepare something for Sister to eat."

"Mm." Gu Chengfeng nodded with satisfaction. Among his three daughters, Yifang was the one who gave him the least trouble.

Withdrawing his gaze, his oppressive stare fell upon Gu Man once more. Beneath his tempered anger, it wasn't hard to see the doting affection he held for Gu Man, his legitimate daughter.

"Father, I know I was wrong." *Whatever, I'll yield first and see how things go,* she thought.

Gu Chengfeng sighed helplessly, and then his expression became exceptionally solemn. "Xiaoman, you must promise Father not to go to the Magic Beast Forest again. If anything were to happen to you, how could I face your deceased mother?"

The Magic Beast Forest? Could it be that night...?

The moment she remembered being sexually assaulted by someone while she was completely unable to resist, Gu Man felt a surge of fury. She instinctively grabbed Gu Chengfeng's hand. "Father, what kind of thing was that giant snake?"