The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 29 - 28

Chapter 28

Governor Cheng clenched his jaw to suppress his anger, asking in the calmest tone possible, "What exactly happened here?"

"I’m not entirely sure, master. While I was out for a walk, I suddenly heard cries for help. Following the sound, I found Eldest Young Miss Cheng fallen into the pond. There were no servants in sight, so I instructed mine to assist her."

Mu Yingying replied with an innocent face, her big, round eyes shimmering with feigned panic, like a little rabbit who had encountered something shocking.

“Yo...You”

Cheng Fuyuan glared at the petite figure for a moment, trying to muster the strength to retort, but she was too weak to utter anything.

Governor Cheng took a deep breath before ordering in a stern voice, "Take the Eldest Young Miss back to her quarters to rest!"

The servants around quickly complied, assisting Cheng Fuyuan to walk back to her residence under Governor Cheng’s icy gaze.

Feeling a chill down her spine, Cheng Fuyuan feared the scolding she might receive from her father upon returning!

Mian Li secretly smirked. The more this daughter behaved recklessly and disgracefully, the more exasperated her husband would become, perhaps no longer wishing to deal with her.

Surely, this incident would prompt a severe reprimand from Governor Cheng to both mother and daughter, worsening their marital relationship and inevitably solidifying Mian Li’s position as the real Furen of the house!

Earlier, Mian Li’s servant reported encountering the personal servant of Seventh Young Miss Mu, who seemed lost and was inquiring about directions to the pavilion behind the manor. She mentioned seeing Eldest Young Miss Cheng heading there before leaving to fetch snacks for her mistress.

Worried that something untoward might happen to Seventh Young Miss Mu, the servant wanted to hurry back to check on her charge, fearful of any mistreatment from Eldest Young Miss Cheng like their previous altercations. Thus, Mian Li’s servant told the direction and immediately came back to relay everything to her mistress.

Upon hearing the news, Mian Li instantly realized the gravity of the situation. Knowing her stepdaughter’s malicious nature, she suspected that another ruckus might be unfolding!

After that, Mian Li took the opportunity to invite her husband and the other guests to take a walk outside. Along the way, they were persuaded by one of the servants to rest at the pavilion beside the pond in the garden behind the manor. Mian Li instantly recognized that this servant was from the Eldest Young Miss’s retinue and happily agreed to follow along.

When they turned the corner towards the pavilion, they heard cries for help before stumbling upon the unfolding scene, providing Mian Li a chance to complicate matters for Cheng Furen and her daughter!

"I’m so grateful to you, Seventh Young Miss Mu, for assisting our Eldest Young Miss," Mian Li sincerely thanked Mu Yingying, who quickly shook her head in response, "It was nothing, Miss. My grandmother always taught me to lend a hand to those in distress."

Mian Li couldn’t help but smile affectionately. "Elder Mu Furen taught you well."

The following guests were equally impressed, admiring Seventh Young Miss Mu for her virtue and adherence to her elders’ teachings.

After the incident concluded, Governor Cheng escorted the guests back to the party. When the party was over, everyone soon returned to their respective homes, while the brewing storm was carried towards Cheng Furen’s residence.

Cheng Furen’s Quarters, Cheng Manor.

While the lively birthday celebration for the Second Young Miss was ongoing, Cheng Furen’s quarters were silent and isolated, a stark contrast to the festivities.

Cheng Furen had been ill for the past three days and had only recently improved. Consequently, Governor Cheng ordered her to rest and refrain from attending the event.

Despite her displeasure, Cheng Furen couldn’t protest due to her physical condition, preventing her from hosting the event and shining as the Furen of the house, leaving the Second Furen to bask in the limelight instead.

"The medicine is ready, Miss,"

Wei Xin carefully brought a tray with a freshly brewed potion. Cheng Furen, resting with her eyes closed by the window, swiftly took the cup and drank with ease before coughing.

“Cough, cough,”

She took water from the servant and drank it to clear the bitter taste lingering in her throat. "Why can’t I recover fully? That Mian Li has not only usurped authority in the household but is also pregnant. Nowadays, she nearly assumes the Furen’s role!"

"Miss, please calm down. You should get well first. After all, you are the Cheng family’s Furen. You are a true mistress."

Wei Xin soothed her. Overthinking would only worsen her mistress’ condition, leaving her powerless against the Second Furen.

"How can I remain calm when that vixen’s child might be a son?" Cheng Furen’s face immediately clouded with worry. "If that happens, I won’t be able to retain my position as the Furen of the house!"

"Remember, Miss, the Second Furen was merely a commoner’s daughter who married into our family. She can’t compare to you, who are born of nobility," Wei Xin reminded her of this fact.

"That’s true...But what if she gives birth to a son? I only have a daughter. What will I do then?"

Cheng Furen heaved a deep sigh. For years, she had tried to conceive a second child but to no avail.

"There’s still a way out, Miss..." Before she could finish, Wei Xin was interrupted by a sudden shout outside the quarters, which immediately alarmed them.

"Miss! Something has happened to the Eldest Young Miss!"

Cheng Furen, initially contemplating her dilemmas, felt her heart sink. She quickly got up from her daybed and hastened outside, supported by Wei Xin.

Upon reaching the hall, Cheng Furen was shocked again. Her only daughter was being supported by the servants, her body wet, her face pale and lips almost colorless. The girl looked at her mother with narrowed eyes as she barely managed to utter,

"Mo...Mother"

Cheng Fuyuan lost consciousness immediately after that word, her body slumping down. The servants hurried to support her in shock, while Cheng Furen nearly fainted herself...

After calling for a doctor to examine Cheng Fuyuan, Cheng Furen dried her off, changed her clothes, and laid her to rest, applying cold compresses to her feverish forehead.

Sitting beside her daughter’s bed, Cheng Furen gently brushed the girl’s hair from her forehead and checked her temperature with the back of her hand.

Watching her daughter’s fever-flushed face with deep concern, her face full of distress. That morning, her daughter had been healthy and vibrant, but now she was critically ill due to falling into the water!

She couldn’t bear to think what might have happened if no one had rescued her daughter from the water. What if her daughter hadn’t been lucky enough to survive?

Just thinking about that possibility made her heart ache instantly, and tears of sorrow uncontrollably flowed down her cheeks.

Bang!

The door was slammed open violently, creating a loud noise, as a robust man stormed into the room with a grim face. He glanced at his daughter lying on the bed and growled in a low voice,

"Huh! Look what an excellent situation your daughter has created today!"

"She did nothing wrong, it was just an accident..." Cheng Furen wiped her tears and argued firmly with her husband. Governor Cheng, who was countered, immediately glared fiercely.

"An accident!? Do you think I am a fool? She went to cause trouble for others but ended up getting herself into this situation, and now you claim it was an accident!?"

"And what now? When Yuan’er is this seriously ill, do you still feel no compassion for her?" Cheng Furen argued tearfully. Why was her husband so intent on blaming them, even when their daughter had fallen into the water and become so feverish, yet he still lashed out at them?

"It’s all her own doing! Have I not warned you all? We are all in the same boat. If you won’t help row, then don’t disrupt by splashing water, undermining our family’s interest!"

Governor Cheng rebuked without sparing any feelings, his eyes blazing with anger. Even as he glanced at his daughter’s feverish face on the bed, no sympathy arose, just a reminder of a shameful memory.

"But she is still your daughter! You’re her father. Don’t you care about her at all? Why berate her like this!"

Cheng Furen gasped for air, using the little strength she had to argue with the man before her. Originally, she was still a sick person who had not yet recovered. Her strength was already low. Using emotions to argue like this, it, thus, creates a huge burden on her body.

Governor Cheng’s face turned red with anger at Cheng Futen’s words, adding fuel to his fury. "You say she is my daughter, what about the child in Mian Li’s womb? Isn’t that my child too!?"

"Wh...what has that woman got to do with this?" Cheng Furen asked, bewildered. Wasn’t today’s incident only about her daughter falling into the water? How did it involve Mian Li’s unborn child?

"Huh! Just look at how your precious daughter has behaved, causing a scandal not just enough, but also disrespecting me in front of our guests and attacking Mian Li in everyone’s view," Governor Cheng stared coldly at the mother and daughter. "If anything happens to my child in Mian Li’s womb, how do you two think you can take responsibility for that?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Furen’s face turned pale instantly. She had never imagined her daughter would cause such a ruckus!

If the child in that woman’s womb were harmed...the two of them, mother and daughter, would undoubtedly be held accountable!

Moreover, this offense was so severe that they could even be stripped of their positions!

Governor Cheng, observing the pallid countenance of his wife, exhaled sharply and concluded with an icy expression, "You had better educate your daughter properly to avoid a day when an irremediable incident occurs, leading you to regret it later!”

“From this day on, I command that the Eldest Young Miss be confined to her quarters until I decree her punishment lifted."

After issuing this authoritative command, Governor Cheng turned on his heel and left the room immediately. Cheng Furen’s vision blurred for a moment as she slumped onto the large bed beside her unconscious daughter, her sobs faintly audible outside the room.

"Sob...my dear Yuan’er."

Eastern Wing House, Mu Manor.

A few days after the Cheng family’s feast concluded, Uncle Wang sent Fei Ren to serve in Mu Yingying’s quarters, as they had discussed.

The back balcony of the Eastern Wing House had been newly extended, providing more space for relaxation and leisure on this balcony. Mu Yingying often sat here enjoying the surroundings.

The petite figure sat on a wooden chair, intently embroidering a floral pattern before a servant approached and bowed, "Greetings, Seventh Young Miss, I am called Fei Ren."

Mu Yingying set her embroidery aside and turned to face the newcomer. The image of the girl named Fei Ren, still fresh from a few months ago, contrasted starkly with the Fei Ren before her now.

From a gaunt, pallid ten-year-old girl, constantly on the brink of death, Fei Ren had blossomed under several months of care into a healthier, radiant beauty, her innate attractiveness now more evident.

This Fei Ren, with her charming appearance and dignified poise, was like a precious jade that maintained its allure wherever it resided.

"You look much better now. Stay here from now on; there’s no need to endure hardships outside," Mu Yingying said with a smile. Fei Ren, who had long intended to express her gratitude, immediately knelt, and said,

"I am deeply grateful to you, Miss, for saving my life!"

Mu Yingying paused momentarily, surprised by the other’s actions. She knew deep down that someone like Fei Ren would naturally feel grateful and seek to reciprocate, yet she did not expect someone of her previous noble status to abandon her pride and kneel in genuine thanks.

"There’s no need to thank me. That day, I merely happened to pass by; think of it as fate," Mu Yingying chuckled softly, her eyes warmly observing the girl before her, filled with genuine friendliness.

Fei Ren bowed her head even lower, "No matter what, Miss, you were the one who saved me. Without you, I wouldn’t be alive today. I swear, I will repay this debt of gratitude!"

If not for Seventh Young Miss Mu pulling her from that hellish abyss, she wouldn’t have peaceful nights like these!

For five long years, she endured hardships only she knew, transitioning from a noble lady to a lowly royal slave subjected to endless abuse and humiliation.

At one point, she thought she wouldn’t survive, unable to vindicate her family, her grandparents, her parents, and siblings who died unjustly. She couldn’t allow herself to die just like that!

She refused!

And then one day, awakening to find herself still alive, cared for and healed from illness, she lived in peace like any ordinary person, no longer a degraded royal slave.

From that day forward, she awaited the chance to repay the kindness of the person who saved her life...

She hoped to have the opportunity to kneel and express her gratitude for the gift of continued existence. With life to live on, only then could she seek justice for her family!

Mu Yingying felt a familiar fierce determination emanating from Fei Ren, one she recognized within herself too – a vengeance that propelled them to keep living, to reclaim what they had lost!

Understanding Fei Ren’s feelings all too well, she couldn’t help but sympathize with her.

"Don’t worry too much. Just focus on doing your duties well." Mu Yingying consoled with a smile before changing the subject to distract Fei Ren’s attention.

"Can you do embroidery? I was thinking of embroidering a handkerchief for my brother’s upcoming birthday. Could you teach me?"

Fei Ren looked up, meeting Mu Yingying’s innocent eyes, and smiled willingly, "I have some skills, Miss. Perhaps I can indeed teach you."

"That’s wonderful! I’d like to..."

Mu Yingying then elaborated on the details of the handkerchief she wanted to embroider as a gift for her brother to Fei Ren. They began to converse and exchange information, with Fei Ren providing guidance on the needlework techniques for various patterns.

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