Chapter 197: How Can It Be Forgiven So Easily!

Chapter 197: How Can It Be Forgiven So Easily!

Shuang Hong looked at the scene before her, feeling bitterly ironic and heartbroken.

Back then, because of Dan Hong, she and her mother had endured countless grievances.

Because they had two daughters in a row, Dan Hong was almost drowned by her grandmother right after she was born.

Her mother, who had just given birth, begged desperately and managed to save Dan Hong’s life.

Later on, when the family didn’t give Dan Hong food, she followed her mother to the fields to pick leftover rice and to the mountains to dig for wild vegetables. They ground the rice and cooked it into gruel, feeding Dan Hong mouthful by mouthful.

When her grandmother beat and scolded her, it was always her and her mother who protected her.

In the end, when her mother tried to escape, it was because Dan Hong couldn’t run fast enough that Shuang Hong offered herself to be caught and sold, so they could escape.

Yet, she seemed to have forgotten all those past sufferings.

Because her grandmother said she had been confused back then, she easily forgave them. Her being sold, her mother’s desperate escape, and even her adoptive father’s dedicated care and upbringing... all of it was exchanged for her forgiveness of her enemies!

Shuang Hong’s heart churned with anger, resentment, and a sense of worthlessness.

At that moment, she thought of what Lu Lingyun had told her—treachery and ingratitude!

“Sister, don’t hold onto that hatred. Family is everything, isn’t it?” Dan Hong looked at Shuang Hong innocently.

“I am already bonded to the Marquis's Mansion.” Shuang Hong realized that with the Marquis's Mansion and Lu Lingyun behind her, she had no need to fear them. She looked at Dan Hong coldly, “There can be no family warmth between us.”

“Sister, you can ask your master!” Dan Hong said, as if she had it all figured out, “You’re of age now, you can beg your master to set you free, and then we can be a family again!”

Shuang Hong didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

She had always been simple-hearted, usually swallowing the insults thrown at her.

But now...

To beg her master to release her?

It was ridiculous!

They weren’t offering to buy her freedom, but instead, asking her to beg for it. What for? To continue serving them like a beast of burden, or to let them make another profit by marrying her off and selling her again? This was humiliation at its peak!

“You’re good, really good. You want me to beg for mercy so you can sell me again!” Her lips trembled, turning blue with rage.

“What do you mean by selling you? We’re looking to find you a good family!” Her father said, “Do you want to spend your whole life as a servant?”

“Sister, I think you’re just a lowly servant!” Little Treasure pointed at Shuang Hong, insulting her.

His grandmother quickly covered his mouth, “Don’t say that.”

“Shuang Hong, we really couldn’t bear to see you as a servant, selling you has always been a thorn in our hearts! After finding Dan Hong, we promised to bring you back, so we could be a family again and never be separated!” The old woman wept, her words touching the heart.

“Yes, Sister, you’ve really misunderstood us! You don’t know how well they’ve treated me since they found me! They gave me the best food and drink on our journey, even Little Treasure had to wait until I finished eating!” Dan Hong chimed in.

“Father didn’t scold or hit me once. Even though his legs aren’t good and he wouldn’t buy new shoes for himself, he made sure to get me a new pair so I could walk better.”

“Grandmother always let me sleep on the inside, afraid that I might get lost again, so she could see me the moment she opened her eyes.”

Previously, the confused Shuang Hong might have been moved by her tears and words and could have even started to side with them. But now, everything was becoming clearer to her.

She couldn’t help but point at Dan Hong and ask, "Dan Hong, do you really think they are treating you well because they have your best interests at heart?"

"What else could it be?"

"They see you as valuable because you’re worth money now! They can use you to track me down, and even if they can’t find me, they can still sell you for a good price!"

Hearing this, Dan Hong furrowed her brow again, but before her grandmother could say a few comforting words, she blurted out, "Sister, why are you suddenly all about money?"

"Dan Hong, are you being tricked by them, or are you really that clueless?"

"Sister, you are too cold-hearted!"

"Fine, I am cold-hearted. You’ve already sold me out, so I have nothing to do with you anymore! Don’t come looking for me!" Shuang Hong’s eyes welled up with anger, and she couldn’t stand being there another second. She stormed out.

"You can’t go!" Little Treasure broke free from his grandmother, ran over, and hugged Shuang Hong’s leg.

This time, Shuang Hong didn’t pull away, but her new jacket got dirtied in the process.

"I want meat buns! Buy me meat buns! Dad said that when you see me, you’ll buy me meat buns!"

Shuang Hong looked at the boy sprawled on the ground, acting like a brat, feeling both angry and frustrated. "Let go!"

"Don’t let go," the old woman came forward and grabbed Shuang Hong. "Little Treasure, your elder sister giving you money is only right. If she doesn’t give you the money, don’t let her go!"

"That’s right, give him the money! You’re dressed so nicely, while your own family is struggling—where’s the fairness in that? The clothes on your back are worth a fortune!" Shuang Hong’s father chimed in.

Shuang Hong was surrounded by these people.

Just as they were about to strip her clothes and rob her money bag, the door of the private room was pushed open.

"What are you doing!"

Captain Qian had returned, angrily shouting at the people surrounding Shuang Hong and grabbing her.

Seeing Captain Qian, they immediately let go, even the previously bold Little Treasure shrinking back his hand.

Shuang Hong took the opportunity to quickly slip away from everyone and ran out of the private room.

"Shuang Hong!"

"Shuang Hong!"

Shuang Hong burst into tears as she ran back to the Marquis's Mansion.

All the way, Captain Qian chased after her to apologize, but Shuang Hong didn’t listen.

In young mistress Lu Lingyun’s courtyard, the maids were still whispering when they saw Shuang Hong burst in, sobbing.

"Sister Shuang Hong?"

"Shuang Hong! Why are you crying?"

"Shuang Hong, what’s wrong?" Lu Lingyun came out from the room. "She’s back?"

"Young mistress, Sister Shuang Hong just ran back, crying with her clothes disheveled!"

The maids stood up, each looking frightened.

"That Captain Qian is probably a beast! He did something to Shuang Hong in broad daylight!"

Lu Lingyun was speechless.

"Get Captain Qian over here."

Captain Qian worked for the estate, but he couldn’t just wander into the inner courtyard. After seeing Shuang Hong rush back, he had no choice but to leave it at that.

But shortly after, Lu Lingyun summoned him inside.

"Young mistress, how is Miss Shuang Hong?" As soon as he entered Lu Lingyun’s courtyard, Captain Qian asked anxiously.

"How is she? I should be asking you!" Lu Lingyun looked at him. "What did you do to Shuang Hong just now?"

"I, I didn’t do anything," Captain Qian stammered, clearly baffled. "I met Shuang Hong’s family today and brought them to the teahouse to reunite with her. I don’t know what happened after that."

"Her family!" Lu Lingyun’s eyes instantly widened in shock.