Chapter 135: Malicious Illness

Lu Man looked at Mrs. Ding and said, “It was Mrs. Ding who took us out that day. You should remember that incident, right?”

Mrs. Ding didn’t want to be blamed and immediately widened her eyes, exclaiming, “Heavens, someone deliberately abandoned Man, how despicable! I knew it, with Man’s short legs, how could she disappear all of a sudden? We searched the area thoroughly but couldn’t find her…”

Then, they recounted how Lu Yuan insisted on getting off the carriage to play, and along with her nursemaid and Lu Man, they went to chase a rabbit. Before long, they claimed Lu Man had gone missing…

Continuing, Lu Man explained, “I was drugged by someone while chasing after the rabbit and fell asleep. When I woke up, I found myself in a valley, not where we were chasing the rabbit. Luckily, I encountered Third Young Master Jiang, who brought me back to the capital. Fearing for my reputation, he even suggested I say that a nun saved me.” She then turned to Jiang Zhanwei and said, “Thank you, Third Young Master. Without you, I would’ve died long ago.”

Jiang Zhanwei sympathetically replied, “You should not only thank me but also the person who carried you to the valley. Thank him for sparing your life and not strangling you to death in the mountains.”

Enraged, Lu Fangrong’s temple veins bulged, and he kicked Mrs. Xiao Chen to the ground, then lifted her up and slapped her twice, scolding, “Vicious wretch, you’ve done even this. I’ll kill you.”

Terrified, Mrs. Xiao Chen dared not admit to the crime, knowing it would seal her fate. She screamed, “I wasn’t even there, I knew nothing about it. Why are you pinning this on me…”

Jiang Zhanwei stated, “This is a grave crime of murdering a stepdaughter. Not only Mrs. Ding, but also Lu Yuan’s nursemaid is suspect. Mrs. Ding, Mr. Lu, and old lady Lu all appear to have been aware of the situation.” Turning to Liu Xin, he ordered, “Go, take the warrant to the court, have them arrest individuals, and also apprehend this thief who stole the deed.”

He then turned to Lu Man and remarked, “You were born in this den of wolves and still survived, you truly have great fortune.”

Terrified, Lu Fangming knew that being taken to the court, even if acquitted in the end, would tarnish his reputation. He had suspected Xiao Chen’s involvement in the matter but hadn’t immediately reported it as instructed by his mother.

Desperately, he pleaded, “Mr. Jiang, please. This is a family matter that can be resolved internally. There’s no need to involve the authorities.” He then instructed a maid, “Go, bring Lu Yuan’s nursemaid here.”

Thinking all was well since Lu Man had returned home, Mrs. Xiao Chen assumed there would be no trouble and didn’t dismiss Lu Yuan’s nursemaid.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao Chen burst into tears once again. This time, she was genuinely afraid, bowing her head repeatedly and pleading with the old lady to spare her life.

Jiang Zhanwei spoke coldly, “Her sins go beyond just this. Go, bring that wretched woman here.”

Liu Xin bowed and went out to drag a weak Hong Ling inside.

Hong Ling crawled on the ground, bowing to Lu Man, crying, “Third Young Madam, it was Second Madam who instructed me to lead Master Chen to the garden to meet you. She ordered me to guide you in those actions, threatening to beat me if I didn’t comply…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Liu Xin covered her mouth with a handkerchief. Those were scandals related to Lu Man’s reputation, best not spoken of in public. Even though Hong Ling didn’t finish her statement, everyone present understood that the affair between Chen Fei and Lu Man was orchestrated by Mrs. Xiao Chen.

Jiang Zhanwei continued, “These despicable acts were carried out by Chen Fei in the Lu household, under the orders of Lady Chen. I believe Madam Lu (Mrs. Ding) and Mr. Lu should be aware, General Lu may have also heard some rumors. Tell me, with all the evil deeds Lady Chen has done, how should she be punished?”

Old Lady Lu was sweating profusely and promptly responded, “It was my negligence that allowed her to commit such act. I will have my second son divorce her immediately.”

Jiang Zhanwei sneered and then looked at the enraged Lu Fangrong, “General Lu, for all the evil this woman has done, is divorce punishment enough? If that’s the case, I will have to resort to reporting her to the authorities to ensure she faces the appropriate consequences.”

Lu Fangrong bowed and said, “General Jiang, son-in-law, Man, I am ashamed. I failed to realize how wicked this woman truly was, leaving Man at home to suffer. I should have brought Man by my side earlier. I will ensure this vile woman faces rightful consequences, let’s not involve the authorities. If we do, our entire family will be ruined. Tomorrow, this evil woman will fall ill with a malicious illness, and in two days, she will succumb to it. Also, I will have Chen Fei’s legs broken, leaving him crippled for life.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao Chen fainted in terror.

Jiang Zhanwei and Lu Man seemed satisfied with this outcome.

Jiang Zhanwei then pointed to Bao Qin, who was still kneeling, and asked, “And how will General Lu handle this thieving woman?”

Upon witnessing Mrs. Xiao Chen’s fate, Bao Qin was truly frightened and dared not play tricks anymore. She continuously bowed to Lu Fangrong, pleading tearfully, “Master, everything I did was out of admiration for you, clouding my judgment. I have regretted every moment over these years… Master, although I have committed wrongs, I have also borne and raised two sensible sons for you. Please spare me.” Turning to Lu Man, she continued, “Second Young Miss, I was sold to the He family at a young age, served Madam He for nearly ten years, and have been serving you for almost two years. I beg for your mercy…”

Lu Man sneered, “You dare mention my mother? You despicable wench! It was my mother’s immense trust in you that led her to entrust you with her most precious daughter and the deed. Yet you stole the deed for riches. If you had an ounce of compassion or remembered the loyalty between my mother and you, you would have allowed me to live with my father, and I wouldn’t have suffered so much. But you didn’t. Not only did you betray me and my mother’s trust, but you also abused it.”

Mama Wang also spat, “How dare you mention Madam He! You are not only deceitful and shameless but also harmed the mistress just to become a man’s mistress. Madam He truly misjudged you, keeping you here to serve young miss…”

Lu Fangrong despised Xiao Chen but found it hard to deprive Bao Qin of a way out. He resented Bao Qin’s ruthless actions, causing a rift between Lu Man and himself, leading to his daughter not being by his side. Yet, apart from this wrongdoing, Bao Qin had not committed any further sins. She served diligently, raising their two sons well. With war looming and his mother’s lack of foresight, greed, his elder brother and sister-in-law’s selfishness, and the absence of her biological mother, Lu Man’s situation in the family was pitiful.

Feeling ashamed, he addressed Lu Man, “Man, what Bao Qin did was wrong. Father will punish her severely, sending her to live in the countryside, never to return to the capital.”