Chapter 73: Change

 Chapter 73: Change

Chu Qianchen stood quietly on the side, calmly watching the scene. Among all the people present, she seemed the most composed.

She quietly mocked herself, feeling at peace: so this is how the game unfolded in her past life.

Back then, she was clumsy and weak. After her face was injured, she only knew sorrow and self-loathing, never once considering the hidden truths behind that "accident."

Even after being reborn, she only suspected that Chu Qianling had acted out of jealousy for Gu Nanzhao and in hopes of becoming the Second Prince's concubine. It was then that she had maliciously harmed her face.

Though in the past month, she'd gradually discovered that her elegant and noble older sister, Chu Qianhuang, seemed to have hidden many secrets, she never once suspected that Chu Qianhuang had anything to do with her facial disfigurement in her past life.

Chu Qianchen quietly observed the two sisters, who were blaming and deflecting responsibility from one another, without saying a word.

For these days, she had been watching Chu Qianling's chaotic behavior from the sidelines and had thought this matter through again and again.

That day, when she went to the garden to find Gu Nanzhao and agreed to practice sword dancing with Chu Qianling, it was all because of Liu Li's guidance.

With Chu Qianling's personality, it wasn't surprising that she could be ruthless enough to harm her own appearance. However, to scheme, to plan step by step, and to do so deliberately, might have been beyond her ability.

Chu Qianchen couldn't help but suspect that perhaps Chu Qianling was also being used by someone...

Determined to uncover the truth, Chu Qianchen had started using the ointment as bait to draw out the truth from Chu Qianling. That was how she uncovered Chu Qianhuang's involvement.

This answer surprised her, but it also made her feel a strange sense of 'as expected.'

Chu Qianchen shifted her gaze, no longer interested in the two girls' mutual accusations.

Her gaze turned to Shen Shi.

She could see the sadness and disappointment in Shen Shi's expression, and a wave of unspeakable heartache washed over her.

In two lifetimes, Chu Qianchen had never seen Shen Shi so upset.

Only a month ago, when Mu Ge'er had been in trouble, Shen Shi had been the first to lose composure, no longer displaying her usual elegance.

"..." Chu Qianchen's throat tightened. She wanted to say something to Shen Shi, but the words wouldn't come. It felt like her heart was being tightly gripped, and it hurt.

Although she had never intentionally used her legitimate mother, the current situation was, after all, the result of her own machinations.

She didn’t want to see her in pain...

Chu Qianchen subconsciously took half a step toward Shen Shi, but at that moment, Chu Qianhuang sobbed and grabbed Shen Shi's right hand, her voice trembling, "Mother! Please believe me."

Chu Qianchen silently withdrew her step.

"Mother," Chu Qianhuang's exquisite face was covered in tears. She lifted her face slightly, looking as pure as the moon, her eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness. She looked utterly pitiful, "I only wanted to comfort Third Sister. I don’t know why she misunderstood. I... I..."

"It was my fault for not thinking things through."

"I shouldn’t have told Third Sister that grandmother intended to choose between her and Second Sister as Zao cousin’s concubine. I didn’t expect Third Sister to develop such twisted thoughts."

By this point, Chu Qianhuang was so choked with sobs she couldn’t continue.

Liu Shi’s face grew darker as she pointed at Chu Qianhuang’s nose and scolded, "So it was you who instigated it!"

"So it was you who ruined Ling Jie'er!"

She had suspected it all along! Her daughter had always been obedient and well-behaved, how could she ever think of hurting someone with a sword? It was that little wretch who had instigated it!

And hearing Chu Qianhuang's every word, it was clear that she was trying to shift the blame onto Ling'er, implying that it was Ling'er’s malicious intentions that misinterpreted her words!

Liu Shi was livid, her whole body trembling with rage.

"Sister-in-law, you’ve always prided yourself on your strict household management. Today, you must give us an explanation," Liu Shi shouted to Shen Shi. "This Chu Qianhuang, will you punish her or not?!"

Shen Shi stared at Chu Qianhuang, her brows furrowed tightly.

Her heart was filled not only with disappointment but also with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Chu Qianhuang was her eldest daughter, the one she had personally raised since birth.

From childhood, Chu Qianhuang had never given her any trouble. She had always been the most obedient and considerate daughter, wise and graceful, with exemplary character. How could she... How could she have turned out like this?

Shen Shi clutched her chest, feeling her heart constrict in sharp pain.

"Mother," Chu Qianhuang kneeled on the ground, lowering her head in apology, "I was wrong."

She knew Shen Shi was angry, and no matter what explanation she offered, it would only make her more upset.

Shen Shi felt as though all the strength in her body had been drained.

As a mother, she wanted to believe Chu Qianhuang's words, to believe that she hadn't intended to harm Chu Qianchen. But Chu Qianling's words, full of provocation, were hard to ignore.

Shen Shi couldn’t understand why her daughter would deliberately instigate Chu Qianling. As her daughter had said, she had no reason to harm Chu Qianchen.

Sisters fighting, causing trouble, would only tarnish the Chu family's reputation. There was no benefit for her daughter in this, and she couldn’t believe that Chu Qianhuang didn’t understand that. Why would she engage in such self-destructive behavior?

The pain in Shen Shi's chest deepened.

"Sister-in-law!" Liu Shi, seeing Shen Shi silent, said angrily, "Are you trying to cover up for Fang'er?"

Chu Qianhuang kept her head lowered, her shoulders slumped in dejection. She looked pitiful and lost.

Shen Shi closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, they were filled with exhaustion. She weakly said, "Huang'er, you no longer need to go to the palace."

Her meaning was clear: she would refuse the position of the princess’s companion on behalf of Chu Qianhuang.

"...?" Chu Qianhuang, who had been kneeling, clenched her fists in disbelief and slowly lifted her head.

The position of the princess’s companion had been something she fought for among the noble daughters of the capital, and it was a great honor, both for her and for the Chu family. How could she simply give it up?

Chu Qianhuang's pupils dilated, and her mind raced to the visions she had seen in her dreams, imagining the future slipping away...

Her body tensed, her face paling with a mixture of stubbornness and hurt.

In the past, whenever she had been unhappy, Shen Shi would gently speak to her, comforting her. Even when she had made a mistake, Shen Shi would patiently teach her. But this time, there was no softness in Shen Shi’s eyes.

Shen Shi continued coldly, "Punish her."

Chu Qianhuang’s slender shoulders trembled slightly, and her bright eyes filled with unshed tears.

She had already admitted her mistake, and her mother had explicitly said she would be punished and lose the opportunity to be the princess’s companion. But why did it have to go as far as a punishment with the family’s cane?

By her side, Chen Mama was also startled, hesitating as she looked at Shen Shi. The eldest daughter had been raised with care, never even spoken to harshly.

"Take it," Shen Shi ordered firmly.

Since her daughter had done something like this, whether intentional or not, it could not be easily dismissed. She had failed to properly raise her daughter. Now, at thirteen, it was time to enforce discipline—otherwise, it would be too late.

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Mama reluctantly instructed the maid to fetch the cane.

Moments later, the maid brought in the bamboo rod.

The rod was over an inch wide and about two feet long, shaved thin, but its force was enough to leave bruises with just a few strikes. Ten lashes could break the skin...

"Twenty lashes," Shen Shi ordered.

"Madam," Chen Mama furrowed her brow and said with a tinge of reluctance, "The young miss still needs her hands for writing and playing the piano."

These twenty lashes could cause serious damage to her hands, making it impossible for her to hold a pen.

Wasn’t this punishment too harsh?

Chen Mama didn’t believe that Chu Qianhuang had intentionally harmed anyone. She was the eldest daughter, beloved in the household, and there was no reason for her to target her illegitimate younger sister. Moreover, the second daughter was always quiet and soft, like dough—there was no reason for Chu Qianhuang to harm her.

It was simply because Chu Qianhuang had acted impulsively, misled by Chu Qianling, and misjudged the situation. She had tried to help, but everything had gone wrong. If anyone was to blame, it was the third daughter for twisting the eldest's good intentions.

Even Chen Mama, and even Liu Shi, didn’t think Chu Qianhuang had been intentionally malicious.

Compared to Chu Qianchen, Chu Qianhuang was far removed from scheming or malicious thoughts.

Liu Shi, however, was growing increasingly uneasy. She feared that after Shen Shi punished Chu Qianhuang, she would punish Chu Qianling as well. She quickly moved to protect her daughter, stating firmly, "Sister-in-law, if you must discipline your daughter, we will take our leave."

"But you must give us an explanation! My Ling'er cannot be left with her face ruined without recompense."

With that, Liu Shi glanced toward Chu Qianchen, subtly signaling that Shen Shi should make sure to offer some compensation to Chu Qianling for the ruined face.

Of course, if Chu Qianchen were clever enough, she would willingly hand over the Tiaoqian ointment as compensation.

Chu Qianchen lowered her head, offering no response, seemingly unaware of Liu Shi's implied meaning.

Liu Shi couldn’t help but inwardly curse Chu Qianchen for being uncooperative.

Liu Shi tenderly wrapped her arm around her daughter, half-dragging, half-leading her away from the main courtyard. "Ling'er, let's go."

As they walked, she whispered into Chu Qianling’s ear, "Don’t worry, mother will definitely get that jar of ointment for you..."

Although Qingyu still had a jar, they couldn’t just take someone else’s used item.

If word of that got out, Ling'er would inevitably be given a reputation for arrogance and entitlement, and they couldn't afford to lose face over such a thing.

Anyway, Chu Qianchen still had a jar!

At this moment, the sun was nearly setting, casting the sky in a dim yellow hue. Night was about to fall.

Shen Shi didn’t pay attention to Liu Shi and her daughter, nor did she care whether they left. She kept her gaze lowered on Chu Qianhuang, still kneeling on the ground. She uttered only one word, "Punish!"

Chen Mama couldn’t bear to watch and turned her face away, but a maid brought the cane and struck Chu Qianhuang’s palm forcefully.

"Slap!"

One, two, three...

At first, Chu Qianhuang tried to endure, but after just a few blows, she could no longer hold back. She bit her lower lip, emitting quiet sobs between her clenched teeth. Her eyes reddened, looking pitiful beyond words.

Shen Shi watched her daughter, her heart wrenched with pain.

She had raised this daughter with great care from the moment she was born, never letting even a single finger be harmed. Even when she pricked her finger with a needle, Shen Shi had felt heartache.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Each lash seemed to strike Shen Shi’s own heart.

It was a pain that reached deep into her soul.

Finally, after the twenty lashes, Chu Qianhuang’s palms were red and swollen. The delicate skin had torn open, and fresh blood seeped from the wounds.

She lay there, helplessly kneeling, raising her head to look at Shen Shi. Her eyes had become even redder, and her lips were tightly pressed together, as if asking, Is this enough?

"Chen Mama," Shen Shi averted her gaze, forcing herself to harden her heart as she said, "Send the eldest daughter to the small Buddhist hall to kneel for ten days. Let her calm her mind."

Chen Mama opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke, "Madam, the eldest daughter already knows she was wrong."

"Go ahead."

Shen Shi spoke in a soft tone, but her decision was final.

In her heart, she reassured herself: My daughter is still young. I can still teach her.

She didn’t want her daughter to keep going astray.

Only when one feels true pain will they remember their lessons and learn to behave better in the future.

Chen Mama sighed softly and went to support Chu Qianhuang, helping her stand. She spoke gently, "Miss, be careful. Don’t touch your hands."

"I was wrong, mother’s punishment is justified." Chu Qianhuang seemed even more dejected.

Her head was lowered, her black hair falling in strands to partially cover her face, hiding the fleeting look of resentment in her eyes.

With Chen Mama’s help, she slowly stood up.

Chu Qianchen didn’t care whether Chu Qianhuang truly understood her mistake. She just stared at Shen Shi, her heart aching at the sight of her sadness and disappointment.

"Mother."

Chu Qianchen called softly, unsure of what she could do, but wanting to speak with her. She walked toward her.

However, when her gaze met Shen Shi’s calm eyes, Chu Qianchen felt lost for words and experienced a sense of frustration.

After a moment, she took out a small porcelain jar with a white base and orchid pattern from her sleeve and handed it to Shen Shi.

Her gesture seemed to say: Do as you wish with it.

Chu Qianchen’s black-and-white eyes stared at Shen Shi, her lips slightly curved in a soft smile. Her expression was tender, her gaze filled with filial piety.

Her long lashes fluttered slightly, and Shen Shi couldn’t help but soften. She pulled Chu Qianchen into a gentle embrace, saying, "Take it, then."

This was Chu Qianchen’s possession, and she could give it to whoever she wished. There was no need to hand it over to the second branch.

"Chen’er, you should go back now," Shen Shi added.

Chu Qianchen nodded. "Mother, you should rest early."

She bowed respectfully and prepared to leave. Before she did, she handed the jar of Tiaoqian ointment back to Shen Shi.

In her mind, she thought about sending a pot of calming herbal tea over with Hu Po later.

Shen Shi watched Chu Qianchen leave with a smile, then rubbed her aching forehead. She was completely unaware that Chu Qianhuang, as she got up, was staring at the two of them.

Chu Qianhuang bit her lip and slowly followed Chen Mama to the small Buddhist hall.

Though Shen Shi hadn’t ordered it, Chen Mama still decided to send for Physician He from Baicao Hall.

For a physician, treating Chu Qianhuang’s injury was an easy task. Physician He quickly bandaged her hands and cautioned her not to let the wounds come into contact with water before they healed, and not to write, sew, or do any strenuous work.

After Physician He left, Chu Qianhuang remained alone, kneeling on the meditation cushion in front of the Buddha statue.

The April night air was a bit chilly, and distant thunder rumbled. Before long, rain began to pour in steady, gentle drizzles.

In the small Buddhist hall, Chu Qianhuang was the only one there.

Her hands hurt terribly. Though she had been treated, the pain was so intense that it nearly felt numb.

Her whole body felt weak and dizzy. The candlelight flickered intermittently, casting eerie shadows across the room. The thunder grew louder, making her feel anxious and afraid.

Unconsciously, she drifted into a half-sleep, her eyes fluttering closed...

She didn’t wake until the sound of the third watch bell rang outside.

Suddenly, she jolted awake.

Cold sweat drenched her, soaking through her undergarments.

She had been dreaming again.

Chu Qianhuang looked up and saw a carved lotus-patterned red sandalwood table placed against the wall. On the table, in a Buddha shrine, was a dignified and solemn white jade statue of Guanyin.

The incense burner on the table was still burning sandalwood, and wisps of blue smoke rose from the three-legged enamel incense burner, curling upwards.

Outside, the sky cracked with lightning, illuminating the room in flashes of light and shadow. The white jade Guanyin statue in the shrine appeared even more cold and distant, giving off a sense of divine detachment, as though looking down upon all beings.

Chu Qianhuang fixed her gaze on the statue, her expression resolute.

Even with gods and Buddha, so what? She wouldn’t accept her fate. She was determined to change her destiny, to carve a path for herself filled with glory!

Becoming the third princess's companion was something she had worked hard to earn. Only by doing so would she have the chance to rise.

But—

Shen Shi had ruined everything.

At first, she had thought Shen Shi was just trying to intimidate her with the matter of being the companion. But when Shen Shi had someone strike her hands like this, her current condition made it impossible for her to return to the palace anytime soon. It would take at least half a month to heal, and the third princess, a precious jewel, could not wait for her. The Empress would undoubtedly choose a new companion for the princess.

Chu Qianhuang bit her lower lip.

She had finally gotten this far, only for Shen Shi to destroy everything with just a few words...

At this rate, would she repeat the fate she had seen in her dream?

"Boom!" Another round of thunder echoed outside.

Chu Qianhuang’s eyes, shaped like willow leaves, were dark and deep, like a bottomless pool.

A soft creak sounded from behind her as a door gently opened.

Baoqin quietly slipped into the small Buddhist hall, closed the door behind her, and hurried to Chu Qianhuang’s side.

Though there was no one else in the hall except for them, Baoqin still lowered her voice and said, “Miss, just now, Old Madam summoned the Madam. Old Madam will likely send someone to release you soon.”

Baoqin looked at Chu Qianhuang with a heart full of sympathy, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

Her young mistress had never endured such suffering, and for Madam to be so harsh was truly heartless!

Baoqin wasn’t the only one who thought this way. Old Madam shared the same sentiment. Unable to hold her tongue, she spoke out:

“Ah Zhi, you are too heartless!”

Upon hearing that Chu Qianhuang had been punished, Old Madam summoned Shen Shi to Rongfu Hall, feeling a mixture of anger, worry, and heartache. Chu Qianhuang was her most beloved granddaughter.

Shen Shi said nothing, merely pursing her lips in silence.

Old Madam sighed and softened her tone. "A mother's heart aches more than her child's punishment. I know you love her deeply, and that's why you're so strict with her."

"However, the punishment has already been given, and the matter of the princess's companion cannot be undone."

Old Madam looked directly at Shen Shi, her eyes firm, not allowing for any argument.

The Yongding Marquis's family had fallen from its former prominence, and becoming the companion of a princess was an honor. It would also demonstrate that the family still had some influence and depth. Moreover, the Third Princess was the daughter of the Empress, the younger sister of the Crown Prince, and the most coveted position for young noblewomen in the capital. Only Chu Qianhuang, with her exceptional qualities, had been chosen for the position.

Now, after only a month of being the companion, she was about to resign. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Chu family?!

Old Madam believed she had reasoned with Shen Shi kindly and had explained the situation, hoping that Shen Shi would come to her senses and accept the situation gracefully.

However, Shen Shi only replied with a brief sentence: "Mother, Huang Jie'er did something wrong."

The implied meaning of this was clear.

Old Madam’s expression darkened immediately. After finally managing to calm herself, her mood plummeted again. She was at a loss for what Shen Shi was thinking.

"Ah Zhi, Huang Jie'er is your daughter. You carried her for ten months and gave birth to her. A mother's heart is connected to her child. Do you truly believe that Huang Jie'er was trying to manipulate Ling Jie'er to harm Chen Jie'er?" Old Madam said sternly.

Wang Mama, who was present, also spoke in defense of Chu Qianhuang: "Madam, the young miss has always been kind to her younger brothers and sisters. She meant well."

Since all three of Old Madam's granddaughters were her own flesh and blood, Wang Mama didn't dare to criticize the others but focused on defending Chu Qianhuang.

Shen Shi didn’t want to argue further with Old Madam and said, "Mother, the physician said that Huang Jie'er cannot hold a pen for a month, nor can she play the piano."

"If you think she can still be the companion, then please proceed."

Old Madam’s eyes widened in shock, trembling with anger. Her voice wavered with fury: "You… you…"

Shen Shi’s actions were becoming too reckless. She wasn't considering the reputation of the Marquis's family at all! She was utterly heartless!

Wang Mama hurriedly tried to calm Old Madam down.

Shen Shi stood up and bowed. "Mother, if there's nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

Without waiting for a response from Old Madam, she turned and exited.

"..."

Old Madam became even angrier, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She wanted to say something but ultimately kept quiet.

Wang Mama passed Old Madam a cup of warm tea, and after she took a sip, she finally began to calm down, gritting her teeth and muttering, "Ah Xiao was right. Shen Zhi is relying on the support of the Marquis of Mu's family, becoming more and more disrespectful toward our Chu family, even defying me, her mother-in-law!"

"Poor Huang Jie'er, her bright future has been ruined by her own mother!!"

Old Madam’s voice trembled with anger, her face turning a deep shade of displeasure as her fingers gripped the handkerchief tightly.

Wang Mama didn’t dare to comment on this, as Shen Shi was not just a concubine or a lesser wife; she was the wife of the Marquis with official titles. Even if Old Madam was dissatisfied with her, she couldn’t do much.

Wang Mama continued to console Old Madam with soft words and smiles: "Old Madam, as you said, the Madam's actions were out of love. Her deep affection led to a harsh punishment."

Old Madam still felt frustrated, taking a couple more sips of tea but still looking unhappy.

Shen Shi had always been proud and self-assured, and Old Madam’s feelings toward her were quite complicated. On one hand, she appreciated Shen Shi’s noble background, but on the other hand, she often felt slighted by Shen Shi’s lack of respect compared to the other daughters-in-law.

Sometimes, Old Madam wished Shen Shi would learn a lesson, but the Marquis of Mu’s family had been flourishing in recent years, and her son still relied on the support of the Shen family for future endeavors. The noble consort had also often advised her to get closer to the Shen family, as the emperor had plans to utilize their resources.

Old Madam rubbed her forehead, looking tired and worn out.

(End of Chapter)