Chapter 17: A Troublesome Incident

 Chapter 17: A Troublesome Incident

Chuo Qianchen's gaze was steady.    

In her past life, the death of Fourth Brother was ultimately deemed an accident.

At that time, although she was muddling through, when she heard of Fourth Brother’s incident, she had inquired about it. She heard that, aside from the wet nurse who hadn’t properly looked after him, no one else had been punished.

Therefore, it was still unclear whether Mei’er’s words held some truth or were entirely false.

Chen Mama glanced at Chuo Qianchen and reported to Shen Shi, "Madam, Mei’er asked for leave yesterday and went home. She hasn’t returned to the residence yet." 

Shen Shi replied, "Then we’ll wait for her to come back before discussing it."

Chen Mama acknowledged and, having no further updates, stepped aside.

After playing with Chuo Yunmu for a while and noticing his tiredness, Chuo Qianchen excused herself.

"Second Sister, don’t forget to bring the layered pastry tomorrow..." Chuo Yunmu, his eyes barely able to stay open, still didn’t forget to seal the promise with a pinky swear.

After Shen Shi had coaxed Chuo Yunmu to sleep and reminded Jun Niang to take good care of him, she quietly left the room.

Once only the two of them were left, Chen Mama, who had been holding her tongue, finally asked, "Madam, do you think it could be 'that person'?"

By "that person," she meant Concubine Jiang.

After Madam gave birth to the eldest daughter, there had been no more pregnancies for several years. When the eldest daughter turned six, the Marquis had suggested that the son born to Concubine Jiang be acknowledged under Madam’s name, intending to use the lack of a legitimate heir from the main wife as a reason to make the eldest son the heir. Madam refused. It wasn’t until the birth of Fourth Brother that the matter was dropped.

However, even now, at the age of five, Fourth Young Master had not been officially named heir, which seemed to indicate that the Marquis still intended to make the eldest son the heir.

For Fourth Young Master to have fallen after stepping on a loose stone on the artificial mountain—it seemed far too coincidental.

If Fourth Young Master truly had an accident, the Marquis would probably want Madam to acknowledge the eldest son under her name again.

Chen Mama, who had been Madam's maid and wet nurse, sometimes couldn’t help but feel for her mistress.

Her mistress came from a prestigious family, and it was only due to the Duke’s ties with the old Marquis that she even married into the family. If not for those connections, her mistress could have married into a royal family.

"..." Shen Shi pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Chen Mama, who knew Madam too well, could tell that she harbored some suspicions. Unable to hold back, she added, "Then, just now... Why didn’t you avoid Chuo Qianchen?"

"She saved Yunmu," Shen Shi replied with a gentle smile, her voice calm but firm. "This shows that her heart is righteous."

In the situation from yesterday, had Chuo Qianchen been selfish or afraid of getting involved, she could have chosen not to save Chuo Yunmu. But she stepped forward, even revealing her medical skills to help.

This proved that Chuo Qianchen was a person with principles—there were things she would do, and things she would not.

Leaving aside the past, ever since yesterday, Shen Shi had begun to distinguish between Concubine Jiang and Chuo Qianchen as separate entities. Concubine Jiang was Concubine Jiang, and Chuo Qianchen was Chuo Qianchen.

Shen Shi thought for a moment before saying, "Let’s ask Mei’er first."

"Yes, Madam," Chen Mama responded. She had originally planned to wait for Mei’er to return before questioning her, but since the matter had come up, she would go directly to ask.

"Also..." Shen Shi mused, "Have someone check on Second Miss Liu’s injuries."

Chen Mama immediately understood. Madam was concerned about the second daughter. If Third Miss Liu’s face was truly scarred, Second Madam might cause trouble for the second daughter.

"At this time, Physician Zhang must have already left."

Indeed, Physician Zhang had just left, leaving behind a jar of medicinal ointment with instructions to apply it for a few days. His tone had been so disheartening that it gave no hope. Hearing this, Liu Shi felt her heart sink. After comforting her daughter, she stormed off with a group of servants toward Shen Shi’s courtyard.

She passed through the small garden and entered a winding corridor. Just as she was about to turn a corner, she saw Chuo Qianchen coming toward her.

Liu Shi froze for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

With her head held high, Liu Shi walked directly toward Chuo Qianchen, glaring at her delicate face with mockery in her voice. "So it’s Second Miss Chuo. In just one day, you’ve become even more beautiful."

That little wench, who didn’t know how to grow up, had turned into such a seductive little thing.

"Second Aunt," Chuo Qianchen greeted her with a bow, completely indifferent to Liu Shi’s reaction. She continued walking, brushing past her.

As they brushed shoulders, Liu Shi suddenly stumbled, her body tilting as she collided with the nearby railing.

"Second Madam, are you alright?" Zhang Mama quickly supported Liu Shi, then angrily scolded Chuo Qianchen, "Second Miss, even if you hold a grudge against our second branch, you shouldn’t deliberately bump into Second Madam! Second Madam is your elder!"

Chuo Qianchen stopped and gave Liu Shi and Zhang Mama a faint smile, her expression  unreadable.

She hadn't even brushed against Liu Shi’s clothing earlier, but the way these two were acting—making a scene and pretending—was clearly an attempt at a staged confrontation.

Liu Shi, supported by Zhang Mama, sharply retorted, "Chuo Qianchen, you little wench, you’re growing more and more disrespectful, no regard for your elders, and becoming bolder by the day, even daring to bump into me!"

"Second Aunt," Chuo Qianchen responded with a smile, "Look at you, walking perfectly fine, and yet you’ve tripped and fallen. Perhaps your back and legs aren’t as well as they used to be. You should see a physician. Don’t let your condition go untreated, it could worsen."

Liu Shi’s expression darkened, the old grudges and new anger resurfacing at Chuo Qianchen’s words.

"Chuo Qianchen, you’ve bumped into your elder and now you’re saying such mocking words. You’re becoming more and more unruly. Since your mother hasn’t taught you properly, I’ll step in and teach you some manners."

Liu Shi’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Chuo Qianchen’s beautiful face, her mind focused on the scar that marred her daughter’s face. Hatred surged in her gaze.

She gritted her teeth and commanded, "Someone, slap her!"

Chuo Qianchen’s actions had caused her daughter to be disfigured, and there had been no punishment for her. Liu Shi knew the truth—Chuo Qianchen was only protected by the Old Madam’s influence, who wanted to win favor with the Second Prince.

But this was different. Now, it was Chuo Qianchen who had "bumped" into her, and there were plenty of witnesses. Today, Liu Shi intended to make use of this opportunity to take revenge for her daughter!

After all, once the slap was delivered, what could the Old Madam do to punish her?

With Liu Shi’s command, a burly servant woman stepped forward and responded, "Yes, Second Madam."

The woman, facing Chuo Qianchen, gave a false smile and said, "Second Miss, I apologize for the offense."

Then, raising her large palm, she swung it toward Chuo Qianchen’s face.

This servant was used to doing rough labor, with thick calluses on her hands, and her strength was considerable. A slap from her could definitely knock out a few teeth.

"Miss!" Hu Po rushed forward to block the blow, but Liu Shi’s side had the advantage in numbers, with other servants holding Hu Po back and pushing her away.

Hu Po struggled, sweating, as she tried to force her way forward, shouting, "Someone help!"

"Hit her hard!" Liu Shi observed coldly, feeling a cruel satisfaction.

Chuo Qianchen had caused her daughter’s disfigurement but was shielded by the Old Madam. Now, she was alone. Liu Shi believed that today she would make Chuo Qianchen’s face as ruined as her daughter’s.

Chuo Qianchen smiled faintly, her lips curving up slightly. She gently pressed a pressure point on the servant’s arm, causing the woman to suddenly feel a numbness shoot through her half-body.

In the next instant, Chuo Qianchen swiftly retaliated with a backhanded slap of her own.

(End of chapter)