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Before Bao Qin could finish speaking, her eyes widened as He Mingzhu, Mama Wang, and Mrs. Fu Qin entered through the gate. She thought she was seeing things at first, but after blinking a few times, she realized it was indeed her former mistress—Madam He.
He Mingzhu also laid eyes on Bao Qin. Bao Qin wore a slightly worn-out spring green satin jacket embroidered with lotus flowers, paired with a pleated long skirt in pale blue satin with bamboo leaf embroidery. Her hair was styled in a simple bun, adorned only with a pearl hairpin, and her face lightly dusted with rouge.
He Mingzhu found this outfit very familiar, it reminded her of her younger days when she favored such attire. Lu Fangrong once described her as exuding an ethereal beauty like a lotus in clear water…
However, the same attire didn’t suit Bao Qin at all. Being nearly thirty years old and having borne two children, this style of clothing only accentuated her age and slightly robust figure.
As He Mingzhu entered the courtyard, she spoke, “Bao Qin, or shall I say Aunt Qin, do you still recognize me?”
Bao Qin was petrified, standing there dumbfounded.
He Mingzhu, wearing a crimson satin embroidered apron and a light yellow skirt with embroidered blessings, adorned with a golden hairpin inlaid with gems, looked at Bao Qin coldly.
After all these years, she remained as beautiful and elegant as ever. Though she might lack the same ethereal beauty as before, the added maturity and splendor made her even more captivating… If she had stayed by Second Master’s side all this time, she would never have had a chance…
Seeing He Mingzhu in such a state, Bao Qin’s thoughts drifted.
Mrs. Fu scolded, “You wretched servant, the mistress is here, and you show no respect?”
Startled by the scolding, Bao Qin quickly came to her senses and stammered, “Heavens, it’s really Madam.” Hurriedly descending the steps, she knelt down and bowed, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, “Madam, you’ve finally returned. I never thought I would see you again in this lifetime. It’s truly wonderful.”
He Mingzhu sneered, “Bao Qin, upon seeing us, did you think you were seeing a ghost? You must have thought I would never return to the capital, so you dare to steal the deeds to replace me, instigate Lu Fangrong to neglect my daughter, instigate discord between my daughter and her father, waiting for Xiao Chen to harm my daughter, am I right?”
He Mingzhu used to have a very good temper, always speaking gently and kindly. Today, her coldness and sharpness instilled fear in Bao Qin.
Bao Qin quickly shook her head, denying, “Madam, I’ve been wronged, truly wronged! I never instigated Master to neglect Second Miss, in fact, I care for her too. I admit stealing the deeds was wrong, a mistake on my part. But I never incited Master, I always reminded him to write letters to show concern for Second Miss, not… not to be harm by Madam Xiao Chen. I always emphasized treating Second Miss well…”
Mama Wang spat in anger, scolding, “You despicable woman, still putting on an act. You’re more cunning than a mouse, how could you not know that the more Master mistreated Second Miss, the more Xiao Chen would resent her, putting Second Miss in danger? Your plan worked perfectly, not only did Xiao Chen mistreat Second Miss, but she also forced her into the mountains, and leading her to attempt suicide…”
Before Mama Wang could finish, Mrs. Fu charged forward, grabbing Bao Qin by her hair and delivering slaps to her face while scolding, “I’ll beat you, you deceitful wretch, you ungrateful scoundrel. Have you forgotten how kind Master He, Madam He, and Madam treated you? Your head was covered in sores, your hair shaved off, and no reputable family wanted to buy you. People were ready to sell you to the kiln for a couple of silver coins. Only Madam He took pity on you and brought you back to the He family, where Master He healed your illnesses, and Madam He treated you like family, providing for you so you lacked nothing. Madam He trusted you so much that she left you to care for Second Miss. How could you treat her this way, you despicable ingrate…”
Mrs. Fu cried, scolded, and beat Bao Qin, causing her to scream in pain.
At that moment, a boy rushed over, embracing Mrs. Fu’s striking hand, pleading, “Don’t hit my aunt, please don’t hit my aunt…”
Despite the boy’s efforts, Mrs. Fu forcefully pushed him aside, grabbed Bao Qin’s face, and continued to kick and hit her. The boy got up, crying loudly, trying to pull Mrs. Fu away, his voice filled with distress.
“Enough, Fu Qin.” He Mingzhu intervened.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fu released Bao Qin’s hair, kicked her to the ground with her foot, and menacingly said, “Madam He is kind-hearted, otherwise, I would have beaten you to death.”
Bao Qin’s hair was a tangled mess, her face swollen and red from the beating, with long scratch marks visible. Her clothing was torn open as well. She held onto Lu Feng, her son, tightly, both of them crying in agony.
He Mingzhu remarked, “Hmph, is Lu Fangrong really that good? For him, you betrayed your mistress, acted like a thief, and tried to harm my daughter?”
Bao Qin wept, burying her face in Lu Feng’s shoulder, not lifting her head or responding.
He Mingzhu glanced disdainfully at Bao Qin and said, “Bao Qin, I always knew you were clever and ambitious. Before leaving the capital, I specifically told you and Mama Wang that in three or four years, when Manman is older, she would return your servitude contract and provide you with some money so you could marry a commoner and lead a respectable life. Mama Wang would look after Manman at home, while you would assist outside. Manman’s life would improve, and so would yours. Never did I imagine that your heart was set on Lu Fangrong. If I had known your true intentions, I would have granted your wish back then, preventing you from committing so many wrongdoings… Hmph, you achieved your goal of becoming his concubine, bearing two sons, yet look at your current situation. Banished to the countryside, crippled… I live with my daughter and son without a man, and we live well. We’ve done nothing morally reprehensible, leading peaceful, content lives… As Master and servant, I’ll give you one last piece of advice: good and evil deeds have their consequences, wrongdoing will eventually catch up to you.”
After her speech, He Mingzhu turned to leave but noticed a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy standing at the gate. He wore a slightly worn blue and white long shirt, resembling Lu Fangrong with his tall, handsome figure, red eyes, and tightly pressed lips.
He Mingzhu recognized him as Bao Qin’s eldest son, Lu Chang.
Lu Chang studied at the Fuxiang Mountain Academy located ten miles away, where he reportedly achieved the title of Tongsheng this spring. It was unusual for him to be present at this place today, instead of being at the academy.
He Mingzhu paid him no mind and was assisted by Mama Wang as she walked towards the exit.
As she passed by Lu Chang, he surprisingly bowed slightly and softly said, “Please, take care, Madam.”
He Mingzhu paused, glanced at Lu Chang, nodded, and continued on her way.