Chapter 9

Chapter 9

In my previous life, when my elder sister discovered that my sister-in-law had been bewitched by a dandy, she kindly warned the Old Madam and Fu Huai.

She successfully prevented my sister-in-law’s tragedy.

But everyone in the Duke’s Mansion not only failed to thank her-they hated her for it.

All because my elder sister had witnessed the Duke’s Mansion’s dirty secret.

This time, I had no intention of meddling.

Everyone ought to walk toward the fate already laid out for them.

Fools should be foolish, do foolish things, and set foot on a road of no return.

I instructed Cui Niang, “Keep an eye on Second Miss. The moment she makes a real scene of it, inform me.”

The Zhou Family Dandy was famously charming and romantic. He was indeed handsome, and his greatest skill was honeyed words.

But a woman who runs off with a man can only become a concubine.

If Young Master Zhou were truly sincere, why would he meet my sister-in-law in secret like a thief?

Today, when I arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard, Shen Ru was being punished with the rod.

Linglong had been lashed by her a few times. Now, her face was deathly pale as she stayed by the Old Madam’s side, sobbing pitifully.

Fu Huai looked utterly troubled.

I advised, “Concubine Shen has old injuries. She cannot withstand a beating. I beg Mother to show mercy and punish her by having her copy scriptures instead.”

Shen Ru could not be allowed to fall so easily. I was still counting on her to bring Linglong down.

I personally stepped forward to support Shen Ru, but she flung me away with one hand. “Spare me your hypocrisy!”

It was June, and the sun was scorching. I had deliberately worn a low-collared dress, revealing the red marks blooming like plum blossoms on my fair neck.

Shen Ru must have found the sight unbearably offensive.

I pretended to lose my balance. Fu Huai was quick to catch me, his concern plain. “Madam.”

With that, Fu Huai shot Shen Ru a displeased look. “Enough! Madam meant well. How can you be so ungrateful?!”

Shen Ru’s face was filled with disbelief.

Back at the border, Fu Huai had only had her. After returning to the capital, he had not doted on Linglong either. She had truly believed she was the one and only person special to him.

She probably never imagined that within just a few days of entering this household, I would make Fu Huai pay such particular attention to me.

There was no sharper way to wound a person than to strike at the heart.

However…

The grievances between Shen Ru and me would have to be settled slowly.

Where Fu Huai could not see, I gave Shen Ru a faint smile.

Her pupils widened. She had seen my true face. Unfortunately, anger rushed to her head, and before she could think of how to respond, she exploded on the spot, pointing at me furiously. “You wretch! I knew it! You’ve been pretending to be a good person all along!”

I shrank back and hid in Fu Huai’s arms. “Concubine Shen, I have always considered your humble origins and never treated you harshly. How can you speak such vicious words? This is the capital, not your hometown. You are Husband’s concubine, so you should also think of Husband’s dignity.”

Fu Huai cared most about his reputation.

No matter how much he liked Shen Ru, he would never truly love someone so crude in speech.

Shen Ru caught the look in Fu Huai’s eyes. Losing control of herself, she cried out, “General, have you forgotten? You and I survived countless brushes with death to get where we are today. You promised me… you would never betray me in this lifetime!”

No man was willing to be burdened with a “promise,” let alone be publicly reproached over one.

Even if Fu Huai felt guilty, his expression had turned ugly now.

“Enough! Stop making a scene! Madam has already pleaded on your behalf. Leave at once!”

In a fit of anger, Shen Ru turned and ran out of the room.

Meanwhile, Linglong continued weeping miserably before the Old Madam.

The Old Madam could only snap at Fu Huai, “Look at the woman you’ve spoiled! She disrespects the mistress of the household and is viciously jealous besides!”

I seized the opportunity to smooth things over. “Mother, please don’t be angry. It would not be worth harming your health over this. Concubine Shen comes from the countryside, so her rough manners cannot entirely be blamed on her. Let Husband go and talk some sense into her. A harmonious family prospers in all things, after all.”

In my previous life, the Old Madam had been extremely dissatisfied with my elder sister. Now, however, she was exceedingly kind to me and said, “The new bride is the one who understands the bigger picture.”