Chapter 26: Who’s More Pitiful Remains to Be Seen

Chapter 26: Who's More Pitiful Remains to Be Seen

She recognized the voice as that of Zhang Dezhi, a servant from the Zheng residence.

Last year, his wife had hanged herself, her body covered in bruises. Rumors had it that she couldn't bear his abuse and thus took her own life.

She would never let such a person defile her reputation.

In her panic, Chunmei let out a shrill scream and, remembering the scissors, seized them and stabbed backward with all her might.

The man had been stabbed in the groin, a region too sensitive for him to endure the pain. He howled in agony and promptly fainted.

His ability to perform as a man was likely compromised.

It was at this moment that Zheng Jinyu, who had just arrived with Qiu Ju to catch them in the act, heard the commotion and rushed inside.

She saw Chunmei, her face filled with terror, holding a pair of blood-soaked scissors.

Upon catching sight of Zheng Jinyu, Chunmei suddenly went limp, dropping the scissors to the ground as she herself collapsed.

"Second Miss…"

Upon catching sight of Qiu Ju standing behind Zheng Jinyu, she immediately grasped the situation.

Qiu Ju, Qiu Ju, you actually schemed against me.

The incident had escalated, drawing the attention of Lady Zheng.

Lady Zheng fixated her gaze on the two kneeling on the ground and forcefully slapped the tabletop.

"Speak, what exactly happened?"

Chunmei took a deep breath and respectfully answered Madam Zheng, "In response to Madam, it was Qiuju who asked this servant to meet her in the northwest courtyard. I had no idea why. But when I arrived, I encountered Zhang Dezhi, and almost suffered his advances."

"Qiuju, what is your explanation for this?"

"I...I..." Qiuju trembled with fear, lifting her eyes to glance at Zheng Jinxiu.

Under the sharp gaze of Zheng Jinxiu, she quickly bowed her head again.

"Zhang Dezhi claims to have affection for Chunmei, asking this servant to act as a matchmaker for them."

"Ridiculous! Chunmei isn't even fourteen yet, what matchmaking are you talking about? Zhang Dezhi is already thirty. Are you trying to harm her by doing this?"

"I wouldn't dare, this servant has no intention of harming Chunmei."

"You still dare to refute? If you're not trying to harm her, do you actually believe that marrying Zhang Dezhi would be beneficial for her?"

"This servant... this servant doesn't know..."

Madame Zheng gave a cold laugh. "So that's how it is. Since you don't know, I suppose you think marrying Zhang Dezhi as his second wife is a great match. Fine, then you marry him yourself."

Qiu Ju, who had been kneeling properly, collapsed onto the ground.

"Madame... Please spare me, Madame..."

She crawled towards Madame Zheng.

Madame Zheng kicked her away. "Scram. Fetch someone to drag her out and bring Zhang Dezhi here."

Zhang Dezhi was roused from his stupor by a splash of icy water, now kneeling before Madam Zheng, enduring the pain as he begged for mercy.

"Madam, Madam, my feelings for Chunmei are genuine. Please show mercy and allow us to be together."

Madam Zheng glared at him, seething with anger.

"Zhang Dezhi, I have tolerated you thus far out of respect for your late father, who served our household loyally all his life. Yet, he begot a son like you. When you drove your wife to her death last year, I gave you a final warning. Since you didn't cherish that chance, very well, bring in the guards! Break his legs and throw him out."

"Ahh?" Zhang Dezhi was filled with terror. "Madam, it has nothing to do with me! It was Miss Second's maid, Qiu Ju, who said Chunmei had feelings for me and arranged a meeting in the abandoned courtyard in the northwest corner. Little did I know this wretch would plot against me, attacking me with scissors. Madam, please, you must vindicate me!"

Madam Zheng had no patience for his nonsense and dismissed him with a wave of her hand, ordering his removal.

Soon, the agonizing cries of Zhang Dezhi being beaten echoed outside the room.

The entire process of dealing with Zhang Dezhi was handled by Qiu Ju, who couldn't implicate Zheng Jinxiu in any way.

She dared not speak the truth; it would only hasten her own demise.

That very night, Lady Zhou paid Qiu Ju a visit while she was confined.

"Though you didn't succeed, Miss has taken note of your loyalty. Don't worry, she will look after your family. Here, take this pouch of silver. Tomorrow, leave the estate with Zhang Dezhi. He's been punished with a beating and won't be able to move for at least ten days or half a month. He won't dare harm you during this time. Within these ten days or so, Miss will find a way to obtain your indenture. When that happens, you'll be free and can reunite with your family using this silver."

Touched to tears, Qiu Ju thought to herself that even though the mission was unsuccessful, Miss had not mistreated her.

Returning home with the indenture and silver, she could marry a good man in a couple of years and never have to be a servant again. This outcome turned out better than she had dared to hope.

Indeed, she had chosen the right person to follow.

"Miss Eldest is truly kind. Nurse Zhou, please convey my gratitude to her."

She bowed respectfully.

Madam Zhou offered a faint smile and left without comment.

Not long after Madam Zhou's departure, Qiu Ju heard approaching footsteps once more.

She hurriedly hid the silver away.

Moments later, the door opened and Chunmei entered, her face contorted with anger.

She pointed an accusing finger at Qiuju. "We entered the household together, relied on each other during the toughest times, and I always thought we were as close as sisters. Yet, you schemed against me and betrayed me. If not for Miss Two's warning, I wouldn't have had a scissors on me today, and I would've been defiled by Zhang Dezhi. Then, I'd be doomed to be his second wife, my life ruined forever."

Qiuju, now relishing her newfound freedom, looked at Chunmei with pity. "You have the nerve to blame me? What about you? You accuse me of scheming against and betraying you – haven't you done the same to me? We both came to serve Miss Two. When I asked if we should commit to her, you said we should wait and observe. But secretly, you aligned yourself with Miss Two and promptly sold me out. Don't blame me – your actions pushed me to do this."

Chunmei was momentarily speechless.

She couldn't refute, for she indeed spoke ill of Qiuju in front of Miss Two.

"I never intended to ruin you, yet you nearly destroyed me," Chunmei said with a chill in her voice.

Qiu Ju scoffed in response, "What good does it do now for you to say these things? In the end, you outmaneuvered me, and you've emerged victorious. As for me, I've been bestowed to Zhang Dezhi by Madam, and it is my life that will be ruined."

"You deserve it," Chunmei spat at her before turning away coldly.

Qiu Ju saw no point in arguing further, for they were no longer of the same world.

Chunmei continued her life as a trembling servant, loyal to the second young miss, and always on guard against the first young miss. Who knew what fate awaited her?

And soon, she would be reduced to nothing.

Chunmei returned, fuming with anger and, of course, deeply saddened.

After all, she and Qiuju had spent many years together. Their rivalry had never escalated beyond private jockeying for favor; they had never entertained the thought of actually harming one another.

"I never imagined she could be so ruthless towards me. To actually employ Zhang Dezhi to defile me... If not for Miss Zheng's warning, I would have suffered greatly. Zhang Dezhi's wife hung herself last year, covered in bruises. It was because she couldn't endure his abuse any longer."

Zheng Jinyu merely said coolly, "It's just a matter of taking someone's money to alleviate their troubles."

Chunmei was taken aback but quickly regained her composure. She had been so enraged that she hadn't thought it through. Now that she had calmed down, she realized Qiuju wouldn't stoop so low, no matter how much she disliked her. If this was a task assigned by the Eldest Miss, things would make more sense. "Sigh! She's also a pitiful soul. Now that Madam has promised her to Zhang Dezhi, she'll have a miserable life ahead. It was because of her that Zhang Dezhi was expelled from the Zheng residence. He must be plotting his revenge against her."