Chapter 13 Sending Away Cressida, Opening a Shrine for Rose
That day, Cressida had just finished breakfast.
The curtain was lifted, and Tatum came in with a flattering smile on his face.
"This old servant greets Ms. Cressida Hamilton. Mrs. Clio Hamilton sent word that she's found the whereabouts of your wet nurse Ingrid."
"Didn't Mother say a few days ago that Ingrid had retired to her hometown and couldn't be found? She even told me not to make a fuss about it."
Tatum stood with his hands pressed against his trouser seams, slightly bowing.
"Ms. Cressida Hamilton, Mrs. Clio Hamilton keeps everything about you close to her heart. To be honest, after you mentioned it last time, even though Mrs. Clio Hamilton didn't say anything, she still sent people to look for news of Ingrid."
"You and Mrs. Clio Hamilton are mother and daughter - your hearts are connected. How could Mrs. Clio Hamilton not care about you? As soon as there was news of Ingrid, she immediately sent this old servant to tell you."
Cressida pressed her lips together. "Then I really must thank Mother for her trouble. When can we bring Ingrid back?"
"Ms. Cressida Hamilton, this old servant was just about to discuss this with you. I heard Ingrid refuses to come back. If you want to bring her here, you might need to make the trip yourself."
Cressida said nothing.
Tatum spared no effort in persuading her. "Ingrid raised you for many years. If you ask her yourself, she couldn't possibly refuse. Mrs. Clio Hamilton said that as long as she comes back, she'll be treated well."
"When should I go get her?"
"Tomorrow. Early in the morning, this old servant will have a carriage ready, waiting for you at the west gate."
"Alright then, thank you for your trouble, Tatum."
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Tatum bowed with clasped hands and took his leave.
After he left, Emma frowned. "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, I heard from Della in the kitchen that tomorrow Mr. Patrick Hamilton and Mrs. Clio Hamilton are opening the ancestral hall to add Rose Miss Hamilton to the family registry, and they've even invited the clan elders."
"But now Tatum comes to you about the wet nurse - isn't this clearly trying to get you out of the way?"
Cressida nodded. "I know."
It was the same in her previous life. Opening the ancestral hall to add someone to the family registry was no small matter - they would invite many close relatives and clan elders.
Even Patrick's older brother Donny Hamilton's family and younger brother Reid Hamilton's family would come.
Clio was afraid Cressida would make a scene, so she ordered everyone in the household to keep it from her.
On the day of the registry addition, she used Ingrid's whereabouts to lure her away.
In fact, they hadn't found any trace of Ingrid at all - they just made up an excuse to trick her into leaving the mansion.
Poor Cressida in her previous life was so eager to find Ingrid that she rode the carriage all the way outside Emerald City, only to be told "wrong person."
By the time she returned to the mansion, it was already sunset. All the procedures were complete, and Rose had already legitimately taken on the identity of a Hamilton family daughter.
Emma didn't understand. "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, since you know, why did you agree to Tatum?"
"Because I'm going to turn their plan against them. Just watch - I won't let them have their way." Cressida's heroic and beautiful face showed a cold like ice.
The next day.
Clio woke up early.
Today was her precious daughter Rose's big day. After today, she would truly be her daughter.
"God bless us." She knelt with closed eyes, praying devoutly.
Tatum came in. "Mrs. Clio Hamilton, the clan elders and relatives have been arriving one after another. Mr. Patrick Hamilton and Mr. Michael Hamilton are greeting them up front."
Clio opened her eyes and stood up with her help. "Has Cressida left?"
"She has. She came before dawn, eager to find her wet nurse. This old servant watched her get into the carriage with my own eyes."
"Tatum, look at this - the girl really is heartless. Just the whereabouts of a wet nurse makes her so happy she can't think straight. I nearly died giving birth to her!"
"Good thing Mrs. Clio Hamilton now has Ms. Rose Hamilton by her side. She's your devoted daughter. Mrs. Clio Hamilton's life will surely be very happy from now on."
Clio smiled and touched her hair. "Well said. Come on, today is Rose's big day. Let's not be late."
Today, the ancestral hall courtyard of The Hamilton Mansion was lively and grand.
Just the clan relatives alone numbered over a dozen people.
There was also Saul Pena, invited by Patrick to serve as a witness.
This was a Novarian custom - on the important day of opening the ancestral hall to add someone to the registry, besides clan relatives, they also had to invite someone with no blood relation.
The higher their status, the better.
This represented that he also recognized this person's entry into the family.
Saul didn't really have much connection with Patrick, but in recent years, as Cameron had been racking up achievements, the Pena family had actively drawn closer to the two families.
So today, Saul was willing to attend.
Rose had deliberately dressed up today. Having learned from last time, she didn't wear such bright colors, but she still wore a pair of pigeon blood ruby earrings as an accent.
With her naturally good skin and delicate figure, when she appeared wrapped in fox fur, walking with graceful steps, she was indeed eye-catching.
Michael walked beside her, introducing her everywhere: "This is my sister."
Those who didn't know the situation would clasp their hands and say, "Miss Hamilton, pleased to meet you."
Rose didn't explain and accepted all the greetings.
Only Reid's family knew that Rose wasn't Cressida. When Rose walked up to them, an awkward smile appeared on Reid's honest face.
"Rose is really beautiful. This is a greeting gift." Reid's wife Brynn Elise was quick-witted and had her servant hand over a brocade box.
Rose smoothly said, "Thank you, Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Hamilton."
Clio smiled with satisfaction. "Reid, Brynn, why don't I see Donny and Azalea?"
Reid said, "Azalea's father is sick. They've been staying there these past few days. They're probably delayed on the road, but they should be here soon."
The three Hamilton brothers usually lived their own lives, only getting together occasionally during holidays.
Patrick sent someone to have Clio bring Rose to pay respects to Saul.
Lucy Hamilton, standing next to Reid, muttered, "When did she become the eldest sister?"
Brynn quickly covered her mouth.
"On an occasion like today, don't say what you shouldn't."
At that moment, at the entrance of The Hamilton Mansion, a carriage stopped and Donny got out, leaning on his cane.
Today, Donny's daughter Jessica Hamilton was accompanying him.
"Father, Mother said we should give our gift and then quickly go back. Don't get involved in their family business," Jessica reminded him.
Just then, a voice came from nearby.
"Donny?"
Donny turned around and saw Cressida dismounting from her horse.
"Cressida, why aren't you at the mansion?" He was somewhat surprised.
Cressida smiled openly. "Mother asked me to go bring my wet nurse Ingrid home. I thought the carriage was too slow, so I unhitched it and rode the horse myself. Halfway there, I realized I forgot to ask for the address, so I came back."
Then she asked curiously, "Uncle, what brings you here?"
Donny looked at her with a complicated expression. "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Cressida, your father and mother are going to adopt another daughter!" Jessica, young and quick to speak, blurted it out directly.