afternoon progressed and evening approached, Meng Jinyao felt the urge to take a stroll while the sun's heat had subsided. Chunliu entered and reported, "Madam, the Marquis requests your presence in...In springtime, the sun shines brightly and everything is full of life.

In the back garden of Hou Mansion, flowers were in full bloom, birds sang sweetly, butterflies fluttered among the blossoms. Meng Jinyao and her three sisters-in-law strolled through the garden, admiring the flowers and chatting about the latest happenings in the capital. It seemed they were getting along quite well.hing like embezzling her stepdaughter's dowry, it wouldn't be surprising if she had murdered a bastard son as well.He looked into the little girl's eyes and asked, in a calm voice: "If someone poisone...