Chapter 1187: Chapter 1160: Cannon Fodder in the Demon Hunting Novel 24
Luo Anqing was quite shocked.
In her memory, her sister was still very young. She didnât expect that before she even returned home, her sister had already arranged a marriage.
And it was arranged with a Daoist.
She wanted to ask Cong Zhongbai a few more questions, but seeing that it was getting late, she quickly went to Chunniangâs rented courtyard to await instructions.
Probably because they were about to arrive in Yang City, Chunniang was also a little nervous, and she didnât have the mind to bother Luo Anqing any further.
Chunniang rested in the inn for a night and started dressing up early the next morning.
She applied makeup to resemble Luo Anqing, and soon they looked almost identical.
Before leaving, Chunniang instructed a few servants, "You stay here and guard."
She gave Luo Anqing a glance, "You shouldnât enter the city either, just wait here."
Luo Anqing lowered her head and agreed.
Once Chunniang, along with a group of people and many gifts, left the inn, Luo Anqing said she needed to rest and entered the inn room.
The servants who stayed didnât pay attention to Luo Anqing. With Chunniang gone, they wanted to slack off and go out to play. Who cared about what happened to Luo Anqing?
Luo Anqing entered the room, and soon Cong Zhongbai knocked on the window.
Luo Anqing opened the window, and Cong Zhongbai tossed a bundle inside from outside.
Luo Anqing opened the bundle, finding a dress, some jewelry, and rouge.
She changed into the dress, rearranged her hair, wore the jewelry, and applied some rouge on her face. After getting ready, with Cong Zhongbai waiting outside, she jumped out through the window.
After leaving the inn, Cong Zhongbai let Luo Anqing get in a carriage. To ensure safety, he personally drove the carriage to take her back to the Luo Family.
Meanwhile, Chunniang had already arrived outside the Luo Family with her entourage.
The Luo Mansionâs steward opened the side door, Sixi and Wufu led a group of maids and old women out to greet her.
"Miss is finally back."
Sixi smiled and saluted Chunniang, "Lady and Second Miss have been waiting a long time. Lady kept wondering why Miss hadnât come back yet."
Chunniang smiled warmly, "Thank you, Mother and Sister, for your concern."
Sixi led Chunniang into the courtyard, and Chunniang appeared nostalgic, "The home still looks as it used to. Seeing this courtyard reminds me of how I used to play here as a child."
Sixi laughed, "Indeed, Miss was quite mischievous back then."
The two of them chatted as they arrived at the main courtyard.
Two little maids stood under the corridor, hurriedly lifting the curtain upon seeing Chunniang approaching.
Chunniang entered the room, and one little maid set a cushion on the floor as Chunniang elegantly knelt to greet Mrs. Luo, "Your unfilial daughter greets Mother."
Mrs. Luoâs eyes brimmed with tears, "You child... Hurry and get up. Youâve been gone so many years without coming back, making me worry so bitterly."
Chunniang stood up, with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful with red-rimmed eyes, "Iâve missed Mother too, but the journey is long and family affairs are numerous, making it really hard for me to return."
She sat beside Mrs. Luo, "Is Mother in good health, howâs my Second Sister?"
"Your sister is still recuperating."
Mrs. Luo smiled, "I didnât expect you to return so soon, so I didnât call your sister over."
She glanced at Sixi, "Sixi, send someone to call Second Miss over and tell her Miss has returned."
Sixi agreed and went out to find a little maid to send a message to Anning.
Soon after, another little maid brought tea and snacks.
Chunniang was a bit hungry, she picked up a snack to eat, and also took a sip of tea.
Mrs. Luo said, "This time, stay home a bit longer. Your sisterâs marriage has been arranged, and since youâve returned, you must stay until your sisterâs wedding before leaving."
Chunniang looked troubled, "Mother, I shouldnât refuse, but my husband just arrived in Ding City, with many affairs at home requiring my presence..."
Mrs. Luoâs face suddenly fell, "What? You have only one sister. Are you not even here for her wedding? Have you married and forgotten me and your sister in your heart?"
Chunniang hurriedly stood up and said, "Mother, please calm down. Your words make me ashamed. Since Mother insists, Iâll send my husband a letter and surely stay until Second Sister gets married before leaving."
Mrs. Luoâs expression relaxed.
After about a quarter of an hour, Anning entered with her maid.
She looked at Chunniang upon entering.
Mrs. Luo smiled, "Come greet your elder sister quickly."
Anning scrutinized Chunniang a few times, "I almost didnât recognize you, Sister."
Chunniang felt a little panicked but kept a smile, "Second Sister has grown so much! Itâs only been a few years and youâre taller than me. If it wasnât at home, I might not recognize you either."
Anning smiled and sat down, "Sister has changed quite a bit, looking more prosperous now."
Since Chunniang took control of the Li family, she lived luxuriously every day without doing work, eating and drinking well, naturally gaining some weight. Compared to Luo Anqing, she appeared more plump and robust.
"Iâve been taking care of myself well."
Chunniang smiled and muddled a reply.
Anning leaned close to her, "Sister, Iâm glad youâre back. The other day, I read a book but couldnât understand some parts, you must explain them to me later."
Chunniang chuckled awkwardly twice, "Alright."
She felt anxious inside; she didnât know how to read books. She grew up poor, couldnât read, and only learned some characters after being sold to the Luo family by following Luo Anqing, but that knowledge didnât extend to understanding poetry or literature.
Mrs. Luo laughed beside them, "You always say thereâs no one to instruct you, now your sister will stay for a while and teach you anything you donât understand. Back in the day, your sister learned from your fatherâs meticulous teaching."
"Well then, let me thank Sister first."
Anning smiled sweetly at Chunniang, "Sister, donât find me annoying."
Chunniang waved it off, "How could I find you annoying, we are family."
Anning sniffed, "Sister, whatâs that smell on you, why is it so foul?"
She frowned, pointing at Chunniangâs face, "Sister, your face smells awful, what did you put on it?"
Chunniang panicked and hurriedly touched her face, it seemed fine, "I didnât put anything, perhaps you smelled wrong, Sister."
Anning suddenly stood, "My nose is very sensitive, never mistaken. Sister, come, let me check if someone has done something bad to you."
She turned to Mrs. Luo, "Mother, Daoist Lu told me if someone has ill intentions, or is under evil magic, or carries something bad near me, Iâll smell it as stinky. My Sister wouldnât have ill intentions; certainly, someone is trying to harm her."
Mrs. Luo was frightened, "Ningning, quickly check your sister properly, find out whatâs going on."
"Yes."
Anning went to touch Chunniangâs face, but Chunniang retreated several steps, "No, nothing happened, no oneâs trying to harm me, Sister, donât mess around."
Anning signaled to Sixi and Wufu.
Sixi and Wufu laughed, "Miss, donât avoid us. Second Miss is always very accurate, if she says thereâs something, then surely there is. Let Second Miss check to prevent being harmed by someone malicious."
As they spoke, the two maids surrounded and restrained Chunniang.
Anning quickly swiped Chunniangâs face and tore off the Jade Pendant from her waist.
"Who are you?"
Sixi saw Anning peel off a layer of Chunniangâs face, revealing a white tender face different from before, and instantly screamed.
Mrs. Luo also stood up in shock, "You are... Chunniang, Chunniang, what are you doing? Why are you masquerading as my daughter?"