CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: ANNOUNCING THE MARRIAGE INTO THE FAMILY PUBLICLY

Kathryn hadn’t expected Sienna to agree and couldn’t help but voice her concern. "But, Old Madam’s health can’t bear too much. If something were to happen, what are we supposed to do?"

Father Johnson was Grandmother’s only son; he had passed away before her. Her grief would surely be greater than Sienna’s, not less. If Sienna were to use Grandmother’s health as a reason for her not to go, it would probably become Grandmother’s lifelong regret.

"Bring more people, and take the family doctor along, as well as Grandmother’s usual medicines." Sienna thought for a moment and said, "Go and make some calls to find some palanquin bearers. Have them carry Grandmother there."

There was a wheelchair at home, but the Johnson Family’s cemetery was at the foot of Eastminster Mountain, which wasn’t suitable for a wheelchair. A palanquin carried on shoulders would be more convenient.

Kathryn glanced at Sienna. Sienna looked pale and weak, but the aura she exuded carried such a sense of pressure that Kathryn found herself unable to refuse.

"Yes, I’ll go prepare it right away."

「 」

On the day of the funeral, everyone who was supposed to come to pay their respects and offer condolences arrived.

In the crowd, Sienna also spotted Sabrina Johnson and Frederick Stewart, dressed in mourning attire. They were now husband and wife.

Through the crowd, Sienna’s gaze met Frederick’s. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with a warning. She curled her lip at him in a faint smile and then withdrew her gaze.

Sienna knelt beside Mother Johnson, watching certain people with cold eyes.

She would settle accounts with that despicable pair sooner or later!

"The hour has arrived! Smash the basin!"

Someone handed Sienna the basin used for burning incense ashes. Holding it—feeling as if she were cradling her father himself—tears blurred her vision. Sienna found herself reluctant, as if by not smashing it, her father’s soul wouldn’t depart.

"Dad, don’t go..."

"Young Miss, the auspicious time for the funeral procession is almost here. Please smash the basin quickly. If you miss the hour, it will delay his journey to the afterlife, and that wouldn’t be good."

It was, after all, her husband. They had shared a deep love, and now Father Johnson was truly leaving. Mother Johnson cried sorrowfully.

Sabrina, also in mourning clothes, walked over. She embraced the weeping Mother Johnson and softly comforted her, "Mom, don’t cry. You still have me, Sabrina. I’ll take care of you."

"Sabrina, your dad is gone. He doesn’t want us anymore. BOO HOO..."

Sienna raised the basin of incense ashes high, gritted her teeth, and slammed it heavily onto the ground. CRACK! The basin shattered into myriad pieces. Her strength left her, and she nearly collapsed, but Kiki, who was beside her, quickly supported her.

The hour for the funeral procession had come. Just as the coffin was about to be lifted, Sienna suddenly stood up. She walked to the front of the coffin, knelt, and kowtowed three times. Then, with tears in her eyes, she spoke before everyone:

"Dad, please rest assured. The Johnson Family will not end. I, your daughter, vow before you that as soon as the mourning period is over, I will find a husband to marry into our family and continue the Johnson family line.

"I will take good care of this home for you, and I will also look after Grandmother and Samara.

"Dad, travel well!"

After Sienna spoke, she burst into loud sobs. The others present also began to cry. At that moment, the rain stopped and the wind died down, yet the sky remained overcast, deepening the somber atmosphere enveloping the Johnson Family.

「Three days later, Father Johnson’s funeral concluded.」

Sienna fell gravely ill, suffering a high fever for two consecutive days. Grandmother also fell ill and was taken directly to the hospital.

Kiki brought Sienna her Traditional Medicine. The moment Sienna smelled it, she felt like vomiting.

"Why do I have to drink Traditional Medicine? Can’t the doctor prescribe some Western medicine?" Sienna complained.

"This medicine also contains many restorative herbs. Drinking it will not only treat your illness but also strengthen your body." Kiki helped Sienna by blowing on the dark brown medicinal soup to cool it. The look in her eyes suggested she believed the bowl in her hands held a panacea.

"Where’s Curly Baby?" She was ill and naturally couldn’t see her daughter, afraid she might pass the sickness to her.

Kiki handed the medicine to Sienna and said, "Drink your medicine first."

Sienna had experienced Kiki’s relentless persistence before and knew she couldn’t get out of it. Holding the bowl of medicine, an expression of grim acceptance on her face, she gulped it down. Kiki quickly handed her some water, and Sienna took several sips to wash away the nauseating taste in her throat.

Seeing that she had obediently drunk the medicine, Kiki told Sienna about Curly Baby: how she could roll over now, had become more mischievous, and missed her mother. Hearing this, Sienna’s heart softened.

"I want to see her."

"But you’re still not well."

"I’ll just take a look from afar." Sienna had been lying in bed for days and was thoroughly tired of it. She was eager to get up and walk around.

"Alright, I’ll help you."

"No need. It’s just a minor illness." It was due to overexertion combined with catching a cold. Furthermore, she hadn’t recovered well after childbirth, which was why she had fallen ill. After resting for a few days, Sienna had regained some strength and was mostly better.

However, her body still required further recuperation.

Stepping out of her room, Sienna heard a melodious piano tune. She was instantly annoyed. Father has just been buried, not even seven days have passed since his death! Who could possibly be in the mood to play the piano right now?

Sienna spotted a servant cleaning nearby and asked icily, "Who is playing the piano?"

"It’s Second Miss."

"Sabrina?! ... Listening to this music, the melody is so cheerful. It figures, since it wasn’t her own biological father who died!" Sienna said with scathing sarcasm.

Just as Sienna was about to head to the piano room to confront Sabrina, the servant hurried over to block her path, saying cautiously, "Young Miss, Second Miss said just now that no one is to disturb her."

Sienna glared at the servant, her gaze cold. "What’s your name?"

The servant was intimidated by the imposing aura emanating from Sienna and replied timidly, "My name is Iris Harris."

"Iris Harris? ... Iris Harris, do you know who I am?"

Iris Harris stole a glance at Sienna and whispered, "Y-Yes, you are the Young Miss."

Iris Harris was the niece of the Johnson Family’s Housekeeper and had only recently started working for the family. She had already heard about the matter of Sienna and Sabrina being switched at birth. Iris Harris also knew that although Sienna was the true young miss of the Johnson Family, she wasn’t favored. Conversely, the one who had been mistakenly raised as the young miss, Sabrina, was well-liked by everyone in the Johnson household.

Sienna shed her formerly meek and easily bullied demeanor, her voice sharp and imperious as she berated her, "Since you know I am the Young Miss of the Johnson Family, what tone were you just using with me? This is my home. Do I need an outsider like you to dictate where I can and cannot go?"

After venting her anger at the servant, Sienna headed to the piano room.

What on earth was Sabrina thinking? Did she really believe Sienna would continue to tolerate her as before? Sienna hadn’t settled accounts with her and Frederick Stewart yet only because she hadn’t had the chance.