Marrying into the Wife's Family, the Ten-Year Simulation Ends

Parasol Tree had carefully prepared a meal, including the delicious perch Hua An had given her. She made four dishes and a soup.

Before the sun had even set, Old Madam Xie's personal maid arrived from the Main Estate with food. Unlike on previous occasions, she brought seven plates and eight bowls—an unusually lavish spread.

The maid cast a disdainful glance around the little courtyard. Ordinarily, when Old Madam Xie sent gifts to the various estates, their ladies and young masters would reward the messenger.

You signaled Parasol Tree to give her a tip. The maid reluctantly accepted it, cursing her bad luck inwardly. She knew tips from this courtyard were always meager and envied the rewards her fellow maids received at the other estates. She hurried off without lingering a moment.

Before long, Xie Hou'er of the Second Estate arrived in a rush, leading several servants.

"Young Master Guan, my lady sent this. She wishes you good health."

You had Parasol Tree give him a tip. It was not much, but Xie Hou'er accepted it sincerely, without a hint of disdain, then took his leave.

You found it strange that Madam Zhuge of the Second Estate had sent food.

Parasol Tree opened the food box. Its contents were even more lavish than Old Madam Xie's.

"Young Master, people truly do fawn on the powerful and trample the weak. Those maids bow and scrape before the favored young masters and ladies of the Main Estate, but give us the cold shoulder. Nothing shows how fickle the world is better than that." Parasol Tree sounded indignant.

You were not angry. "Learning who treats you warmly and who treats you coldly isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Laughter and cheerful voices rang throughout the Xie Manor. They could be heard even in the