Chapter 14: Suisui's Background
Chapter 14: Suisui's Background
Zhan Yuan was the one sent out to gather information.
Knowing the importance of his task, he wasted no time and rode back swiftly on horseback.
Upon his return, he discovered that...
Not only the Prince, but also Doctor Liu, awaited him.
Zhan Yuan felt no undue pressure and quickly relayed Suisui's situation.
"She's the daughter of Chen Dalang's sister from Hongye Village."
"The Chen family's situation is a bit complicated. Chen Sanniang once had a brief liaison with the Marquis of Jinyang, but their relationship fizzled out. When the Marquis returned to the capital, Chen Sanniang tried to use their child to keep him tied to her. However, the Marquis only left a sum of money and departed."
"Chen Sanniang had no choice but to take the child back to the village."
"As she had given birth out of wedlock, her reputation in the village was not good, and Suisui... that's the child."
"Chen Sanniang passed away when Suisui was not yet three years old. At the time, Chen Dalang's family intended to bury Suisui along with her mother. But the villagers said that the child resembled her mother and might grow up to be beautiful. Perhaps she could be given to the lord as a concubine, and the dowry received would be enough for Chen Dalang's family to marry off their sons. After discussing it, Chen Dalang and his wife decided to keep her alive for the time being."
"They didn't treat Suisui well."
"Moreover, Suisui's original name wasn't Suisui, but Chen Suisui. Her mother, Chen Sanniang, is said to have given her that name, wishing for her daughter to be like delicate, precious glass."
"Yesterday, the Marquis of Jinyang's manor in the capital came to recognize their kin. Chen Dalang and his wife pushed forward their biological daughter, Chen Yueyao, to impersonate Suisui and go to the capital to live a life of luxury."
"To eliminate any future troubles, the couple tied up Suisui and threw her in the back mountains to be fed to the wolves."
...
One could not listen to the details of Suisui's life in the Chen family.
After hearing all this, Doctor Liu felt the urge to go out and practice his sword skills to release the pent-up killing intent that had suddenly risen within him.
"Suisui often went hungry. She secretly ate whatever scraps the chickens were fed, or she might have starved to death long ago."
"Even so, if Chen Dalang's wife saw her, she would still beat her."
"Suisui had to wash the clothes of the entire family, wake up early to fetch water from the river, feed the chickens, and water the vegetables."
"She had to go to the mountains to gather wild vegetables and firewood. If she was a bit slow or lacked in her reactions, she would be beaten."
"The worst beating left her bedridden in the woodshed for three to four days. Everyone thought the child was dead, but somehow, she survived."
...
Doctor Liu: ...!!
Bring me my sword of annihilation!
Doctor Liu prepared to leave, his killing intent palpable. Seeing this, Zhan Yuan hesitated and added, "According to the head of Hongye Village, Chen Dalang has already reported Chen Suisui's death to him. After verifying the information, he will report it to the county seat of Xiangshui County."
Doctor Liu: ...!!!
Very well, that gives me one more reason to kill!
Not only was Doctor Liu furious, but Prince Qing's brows were also tightly furrowed as he listened.
Since she truly was a pitiful child, Prince Qing felt that whether it was the Qi Manor or the Qing Manor, they could certainly afford to take her in.
Moreover, Doctor Liu also intended to bring her along.
Thinking of the poor child, Prince Qing's brows furrowed even deeper. He nodded to Zhan Yuan and said, "As for that couple, find a reason to send them to the southwest quarries."
When Zhan Yuan had gone to gather information, only his sense of discipline had prevented him from taking action.
Now that he had received the Prince's order, it was as good as a command from his master! Zhan Yuan responded loudly and turned to carry out the task.
This matter was not difficult for them.
However, Zhan Yuan had only taken two steps when he was stopped. "Hold on, General Zhan."
"The one who stopped Zhan Yuan was the military advisor by Prince Qing's side, a man by the name of Yu Leng. He was a middle-aged man with feminine features and a sinister air about him.
This person... one had to admire his intellect, but in daily interactions, one would instinctively keep a distance.
As soon as Yu Leng spoke, Prince Qing turned his head and looked at him, "Mr. Han Frost, do you have a different insight?"
Han Frost was the pseudonym that Yu Leng went by.
Hearing the prince's inquiry, Yu Leng quickly cupped his hands and replied, "It's just a personal thought. Your Highness, please hear me out, and if you find it inappropriate, then let Battle General Zhan handle the matter."
The prince nodded in response.
Yu Leng continued, "Chen Dalang and his wife are unaware of the situation in the Marquis of Jinyang's household. However, we are informed. They assume that sending the child to the capital means a life of luxury, but whether or not she enjoys that luxury depends on the child's fortune and abilities."
Zhan Yuan agreed with this assessment, "According to what I've heard, the old madam of the marquis had a dream about bringing back all her scattered children? The number of the marquis' children outside the household... should be quite substantial."
With several children returning to the household all at once, it was uncertain if Chen's daughter could even secure a favorable position.
Yu Leng nodded, "There should be at least four or five. While Chen Dalang and his wife are short-sighted, their ambitions are not. Since they were willing to send their daughter off to enjoy a life of luxury, they will undoubtedly try to take advantage of the situation and seek benefits from the marquis. By helping Chen Yueyao get rid of Chen Dalang and his wife, we've inadvertently saved her from future troubles."
At this point, Yu Leng smiled, and then continued, "Chen Yueyao has taken advantage of Suisui's good fortune. We can't just let her off that easily, can we?"
Indeed, when one thought about it that way, it was only fair! However, the thought of that adorable little Suisui actually being the child of the Marquis of Jinyang left a bitter taste in everyone's mouths.
Of course, Doctor Liu understood the complex emotions everyone was feeling. He secretly rolled his eyes and then smiled as he said, "If Chen Yueyao is willing, then from now on, she will be the daughter of the Marquis of Jinyang. As for Suisui, she will simply remain Suisui, my beloved granddaughter!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Qing frowned in disagreement.
However, before he could say anything, a youthful yet energetic voice rang out, "Doctor Liu, how can Suisui be your granddaughter? She's my sister!!!"
During lunchtime, Feng Xuanrui had drunk too much milk and fallen asleep. Now, he had woken up because he needed to urinate.
After getting up, he heard that everyone was in the front yard, so he hurried over to join in on the fun and also to ask Doctor Liu about the best way to make a river lantern.
But as soon as he arrived, he heard Doctor Liu saying that his sister was his granddaughter?
That wouldn't do! Suisui was Feng Xuanrui's sister, and no one could take that away!
The young boy stood there with his hands on his hips, glaring at Doctor Liu with his big round eyes.
When Doctor Liu turned to meet the boy's gaze, he felt a twinge of guilt.
He thought to himself, 'Aren't you all hesitant because Suisui is the child of the Marquis of Jinyang? Well, I'm not hesitant at all! Moreover, Suisui doesn't know about this, and Chen Yueyao, who impersonated her, wants to keep this secret buried.'
'If you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, who will ever know?' Doctor Liu organized his thoughts and was about to speak when he saw Di Jiao rush in with a panicked expression, shouting, "Master, it's not good! Suisui has a fever!"
...
(End of Chapter)
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