Chapter 42

Chapter 42

I hurried over and helped Cuinong up with both hands.

Vaguely, I had guessed what Cuinong had done, but I hadn’t dared to believe it.

“Steward Li, he…” I looked at the girl, my heart aching for her. I didn’t know how to speak without hurting her. “He is much older than you. You clearly had a better future ahead of you.”

Cuinong’s eyes reddened as she looked at me. “I couldn’t watch you suffer here all alone, Madam. I had to help you, but my own power is far too small. Becoming involved with Steward Li was the best choice.”

My nose stung with grief, and my voice cracked with sobs. “You didn’t have to do this. You… how can I ever face you?”

Cuinong cried as well, yet she managed a smile. “Madam, you needn’t worry about me. I was a criminal slave, sent to the palace as a young girl, lonely and without anyone to rely on. I’ve spent half my life serving others, once pouring my heart out to someone in hopes of receiving just a little in return, only to find…”

She sighed. “Only after experiencing life and death did I realize that you are the only one who truly treats me well. Besides, without you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to live again.”

I was choked with tears. “But this is too much of a sacrifice for you!”

Cuinong pulled out a handkerchief to wipe my tears, smiling. “It’s not all bad. Old Li has been in the Marquis Manor for many years; he’s long since been freed from his slave status. He even has more dignity than ordinary officials and his words carry weight. Looking at it that way, he’s the best man I could possibly reach.”

I sighed. “Does the Marquis know?”

Cuinong nodded. “The Marquis gave his reward and still ordered me to serve you.”

Suddenly, Cuinong looked at me in shock. “Madam, your face… what happened to it?”

I gave a cold snort. Instead of answering immediately, I jerked my chin toward the door.

Understanding, Cuinong went outside to check the surroundings before closing the door tightly.

“No one is eavesdropping. You can rest easy.”

I hummed in affirmation, sat down on the embroidered bed, and patted the spot next to me.

Cuinong sat down.

“Meng Huaiqing has also been reborn.” I lightly touched the side of my face. “This rash must be his handiwork. He wants to see me.”

Cuinong gasped. “Even though that man took you away in our past life, he also betrayed your whereabouts. Do not trust him!”

I patted Cuinong’s hand. “Don’t worry. However, he knows a great secret about Yuan Heng…”

Cuinong hurriedly asked, “Do you need me to ask Old Li?”

“No, no, no,” I said quickly. “Do not ask him anything. Steward Li wasn’t present when we were killed in our past life. He has managed this massive Marquis Manor for years; I suspect that even if he knows something, he likely wouldn’t openly involve himself in Yuan Heng’s murderous, dirty business. Cheng Wei handles those things. So, do not ask a single question, lest we alert the enemy.”

Cuinong nodded. “Madam, the capital is full of rumors that the Marquis is obsessively in love with you. Why would he be so cruel as to kill you? Is it because…”

She looked at my stomach. “Because of you and Lord Cheng?”

Cuinong had also been in the Dungeon that day and had overheard my conversation with Yuan Heng.

I thought about it but didn’t tell her the real reason. After all, one can never truly know what’s in another’s heart; I couldn’t afford to gamble on human nature.

If Cuinong was helping me because the Ghost Officer had instructed her to do so upon her rebirth, that was fine-who would dare not revere a deity who decides life and death?

If she was helping me because I had shown her kindness and we had faced death together, that was even better.

I let out a cold laugh. “The Marquis drugged me on our wedding day and handed me over to Cheng Wei to humiliate me. Now that I’m pregnant, he can no longer tolerate me. Tell me, how can he be so despicable?”