Chapter 713: Years of Nightmares

Chapter 713: Years of Torment

Zou Pingping sneered and pretended to storm out: "Fine, then I'll go have a chat with the Dowager Duchess of Xin!"

Yu Mingzhu's face turned icy.

She took a deep breath.

After all, this bitch wouldn’t live much longer anyway.

Yu Mingzhu ground out, "Grandmother isn’t in good health. Don’t disturb her with such matters... I truly can’t guarantee you’ll marry my eldest brother." At these words, Zou Pingping’s expression twisted in fury, so Yu Mingzhu quickly added, "But I’ll pull every string I can to bring the two of you together. You must give me some time."

Zou Pingping stared at Yu Mingzhu for a while before reluctantly nodding. "Fine. But..."

She held out her hand to Yu Mingzhu as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Fourth Sister, give me some spending money."

A vein throbbed in Yu Mingzhu’s forehead, and she nearly lost her temper.

It wasn’t the silver she begrudged—it was Zou Pingping’s attitude, as if she were somehow above Yu Mingzhu, that set her teeth on edge.

Yu Mingzhu closed her eyes.

She feared the homicidal rage in her gaze would betray her if Zou Pingping noticed.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and retrieved a gold bracelet inlaid with rubies from her vanity, her tone stiff. "I don’t have much silver on hand. Take this and pawn it—it should fetch at least a few hundred taels."

Zou Pingping glanced at the jewelry box on Yu Mingzhu’s vanity and scoffed. "The heiress of the Duke of Xinguo’s household, and this is all the jewelry you have? Are you trying to brush me off like a beggar?"

Without hesitation, she snatched the bracelet from Yu Mingzhu and slipped it onto her own wrist. Then she helped herself to a pair of kingfisher-blue enamel earrings, fastening them to her ears, and finally plucked a flawless white jade hairpin, admiring it in the mirror before securing it in her hair. Only then did she nod in satisfaction. "This will do."

Zou Pingping flashed Yu Mingzhu a radiant smile. "Fourth Sister, don’t forget what you promised me. I’ll be waiting for your good news. If you can marry the Fourth Prince as his princess-consort, then as sisters, there’s no reason I can’t marry your eldest brother as his legal wife. Right?"

Yu Mingzhu inhaled sharply, her expression cold.

But Zou Pingping paid no heed, her lips curled in a smirk as she flounced out with exaggerated confidence.

After Zou Pingping left, Yu Mingzhu angrily smashed the tea set off the table.

Zou Pingping hadn’t even left the courtyard when she heard the sound of shattering porcelain from inside the house. She merely let out a mocking laugh.

Good. If Yu Mingzhu had agreed too readily to help her, she would have been suspicious.

Zou Pingping went to a pawnshop and hocked Yu Mingzhu’s bracelet for three hundred taels.

Her resentment burned hotter.

The more she thought about the luxurious life Yu Mingzhu had led all these years, the more bitter she became.

With the three hundred taels, Zou Pingping first bought herself three brand-new outfits, then blew the rest on fancy trinkets, top-shelf makeup, and powder, giving herself a thorough makeover.

When she returned to the residence in this state, Zou Wan Shi’s jaw dropped. "Have you gone completely insane?!"

She circled Zou Pingping, her anger mounting with each step. "Where did you get the silver for all this?!"

Still resentful over her parents’ scheme to send her to her death, Zou Pingping only shot back with an icy smile. "Mother knows perfectly well, doesn’t she?"

Zou Wan Shi’s blood ran cold at her daughter’s tone, and she instinctively took a step back. "...What do you mean by that?"

Zou Pingping let out a bitter bark of laughter and raised her voice. "You and Father know exactly why! Why should Fourth Sister get to be the heiress and marry a prince, while I’m forced to wed some lowly eighth-rank nobody and become a stepmother to a pack of brats!" she spat.

Upon hearing Zou Pingping's words, Zou Wan Shi was so startled that she immediately rushed forward to cover Zou Pingping's mouth.

Zou Wan Shi turned pale and quickly glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, she lowered her voice urgently, "...You little brat! H-how did you know about this?!"

Zou Pingping broke free and sneered at Zou Wan Shi, "I know plenty! Not only about Fourth Sister's affairs, but also how you and Father planned to have me die to avoid burdening the family, didn't you?!"

Zou Wan Shi inexplicably felt guilty, her eyes darting away. "No, child... don't be rash! Keep your voice down! After what happened to you, your father and I had no other option..."

Zou Pingping continued to sneer, "Oh, I think you and Father had plenty of choices—you even managed to scheme to place Fourth Sister into the Duke's mansion to become a young lady. Compared to that, my ruined reputation is nothing major! What's so difficult about that?!"

Zou Wan Shi was so furious her head throbbed. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, her voice strained, "Stop talking nonsense! You... you..."

At this point, Zou Wan Shi suddenly realized something. "That outfit... you..."

Zou Pingping scoffed and said nonchalantly, "That's right. I went to see Fourth Sister and asked her to arrange a match between me and the Young Master. If a lowly merchant's daughter like her can become a royal consort, why can't I marry her elder brother as his official wife?"

Zou Wan Shi's head pounded so hard she couldn't even speak.

Zou Pingping stared at her. "Mother, don't worry. I know what's at stake. If I marry Fourth Sister's elder brother, I'll be a great asset to our Zou family. Isn't that better than putting all our eggs in Fourth Sister's basket? If something happens to her in the future, won't I still be here to support Ming Lei and the others?"

This actually hit home with Zou Wan Shi.

Her heart wavered slightly, and she found Zou Pingping's reasoning somewhat persuasive.

Seeing her mother's expression, Zou Pingping knew she had swayed her.

She sneered inwardly.

What good was talking about family ties with these parents of hers?

Only by laying bare the benefits would they ever be moved.

Zou Wan Shi softened her tone. "...Even so, recklessly going to your Fourth Sister for money was too rash. We’ll let it slide this time, but don't do it again. If anything goes wrong, we’ll all pay the price."

Zou Pingping scoffed inwardly. After everything she'd been through, what more did she have to fear?

Zou Wan Shi looked at Zou Pingping's fancy clothes with a pang of distress, wondering how much money the girl had squandered.

"I bought some things for Ming Lei," Zou Pingping said coolly. "I'll go see him now."

Hearing that her daughter still cared for her son, Zou Wan Shi calmed down a little.

She grumbled, "If you spent less on yourself, you could've bought your brother more tonics. What's the use of all this..." Noticing Zou Pingping's displeased expression, she didn't press further and only warned, "Your brother is naïve. Don't let him find out about Miss Yu being your Fourth Sister. If word gets out, none of us—including your Fourth Sister—will escape unscathed."

Zou Pingping replied dismissively, "Yeah, yeah," and left without another word to find Zou Minglei.

Zou Minglei had been brutally beaten with twenty strokes by the Shuntian Prefecture, lucky to be alive. Now he lay on the bed, moaning in pain.

When Zou Pingping arrived, Yan Shou was just bringing him medicine, but Zou Minglei flung the hot medicine bowl away, splashing it all over her. "Get lost! I won't drink it!"

A few drops of the boiling liquid splashed onto Yan Shou's face, instantly leaving red marks.

Tears welled in Yan Shou's eyes, but she dared not let them fall, quietly kneeling to clean up the mess.

Zou Pingping stepped forward. "What’s the matter? You won’t heal if you don’t take it."

Zou Minglei snapped, "I won't drink it! I want to find that—little bitch!"

Zou Pingping rolled her eyes.

Still thinking about that stuck-up princess in this state!

Why doesn't he take a good look in the mirror to see if he's even worthy of her!

Zou Pingping didn't realize these words could just as well apply to herself. She placed the things she bought for Zou Minglei by the bedside: "Here are these pastries. If the medicine tastes bitter, eat this instead."

Zou Minglei was in so much pain that it was only upon seeing the pastry that he noticed how different Zou Pingping looked.

Look at that brand-new dress, look at all that bling!

"Did you steal money?!" Zou Minglei shrieked.

Zou Pingping rolled her eyes again. "Don't be ridiculous! I just found a way to make some money."

Zou Minglei grew suspicious as he narrowed his eyes and gave Zou Pingping the once-over.

Having achieved her goal of showing off, Zou Pingping stepped forward and patted Zou Minglei’s cheek. "Take your meds like you're supposed to, got it? Once you’re healed, Third Sister will take you to make some money too."

With a mocking laugh, Zou Pingping strode away.

Zou Minglei spat on the ground, his irritation flaring again. "Pah! Look at her, acting all high and mighty like she’s somebody now!"

Lying on the bed, he suddenly recalled the events of that day, all he could see was Princess Fusui frowning angrily at him.

Zou Minglei’s body ached fiercely, and he was boiling with frustration.

Clenching his jaw, he yelled for Yan Shou again: "You—go find out where Princess Fusui’s residence is! Camp out there, and if you see the princess leaving, tell her I’m dying and beg her to come see me!"

At this news, Yan Shou’s dull face showed just the tiniest flicker in her eyes.

She murmured in a hoarse voice, "...Young Master, she is the County Lady. What if I get beaten to death?"

Zou Minglei sneered coldly, "Then go and die! If you can't even handle such a trivial matter, what good are you alive? Get out! Go quickly! When you see the County Lady, kneel or do whatever it takes, but make sure she comes to see me! If she doesn't come, you'll kneel there until you die!"

Zou Minglei threw the package of pastries that Zou Pingping had brought directly at Yan Shou.

Yan Shou could only bow her head in agreement and retreat.

Yan Shou moved woodenly, picking the pastry crumbs off her clothes as she made her way out of the estate.

By chance, Zou Wan's eyes caught this scene.

Zou Wan frowned.

This little wench should be taking good care of Minglei in the house. Where is she going?

Suspicion arose in Zou Wan's heart, and she quietly followed Yan Shou out.

Yan Shou's expression was dull as she inquired about the residence of Fusu County Lady according to Zou Minglei's instructions.

"You mean Fusu County Lady? She lives in the Western General's Mansion on Wuyi Lane. Don't tell me you don't even know that?"

"How do I get to Wuyi Lane? The houses there are already sky-high in price! Oh my, I thought everyone in the capital knew where Wuyi Lane is! ... Come, let me tell you, first you go this way, then that way..."

Yan Shou thanked the enthusiastic teahouse owner and set off for Wuyi Lane.

Zou Wan clutched her handkerchief, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

What is this little wench up to, asking where that County Lady lives?

Don't be harboring any improper thoughts!

Zou Wanshi steeled her heart and followed.

Whether it was good fortune or misfortune, when Yan Shou arrived at the Black Robe Alley, Xingxing was just about to leave for the Meimu Opera Troupe to watch a performance.

Yan Shou’s gaunt little face still bore the redness from the scalding medicine water earlier. Her eyes lit up as she approached, calling out in a hoarse voice, "My Lady!"

Zou Wanshi's anger flared.

So, this wretch wants to conspire with that so-called lady to bring about my son’s downfall?!

Before Zou Wanshi could take another step, she saw a lively young girl turn around, looking curiously at Yan Shou.

A gentle breeze blew past, and Zou Wanshi clearly saw the girl’s face, as if struck by lightning!

For more than ten years, in the dead of night, she always dreamed of the frail little girl she had thrown into the surging river from the boat...

At the moment the girl fell into the river, an endless black mist rose from the water, rushing straight toward her face, as if throwing the girl into the river was the most heinous act imaginable!

The overwhelming black mist enveloped her entire body, choking her even in her dream!

This had been her deepest nightmare for many years!

Even though more than ten years had passed, the moment she saw the girl’s face, she almost immediately recognized her as the little girl she had thrown into the river!

Zou Wanshi’s face drained of color, her heart pounded like a drum, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

How, how could this be!

Didn't she seek out a master who gave the girl's birth details and condemned her to the eighteenth level of hell, never to rise again?

What, what now?!

Zou Wanshi couldn't move, watching helplessly as Yan Shou stood before the young lady, addressing her as "Princess."

Princess?!

This is the princess who caused her son's downfall?!

Zou Wanshi clutched at her chest, unable to catch her breath.

"Princess, our Young Master says..." Yan Shou hesitated, then continued, "He's dying, and he wants the Princess to see him."

Xingxing frowned slightly.

She recognized the little maid in front of her.

She refused, "I won't go."

Yan Shou stammered, "But, but..."

Zhao Ying glared, almost laughing in anger, "So what if your Young Master dies! Who does he think he is, coming before our Princess with such talk!"

Yan Shou could only kneel as instructed by Zou Minglei.

Xingxing frowned, "What are you doing?"

Yan Shou hesitantly replied, "...Our Young Master said that if the Princess doesn't go, the servant will kneel here until death."

Zhao Ying was so angry she wanted to call someone to have the maid removed, but Xingxing stopped her.

Xingxing looked at the gaunt, petite maid before her. She was extremely thin—not the normal kind of thinness, but the unnatural kind that hinted at some recent tragedy, causing her to waste away rapidly.

On her face, there were fresh, angry red burns.

Xingxing pursed her lips, then took out a tiny porcelain bottle from the sachet at her waist. Inside was an excellent burn ointment, enough for one or two emergency use.

With her slender fingers, Xingxing scooped out the burn ointment and applied it to the maid’s swollen, burned areas.

Yan Shou had been kneeling with her eyes downcast, utterly hopeless, when she suddenly felt a cooling sensation spread over the searing, throbbing burns on her face.

Dazed, she raised her eyes to look at Xingxing.

Xingxing focused on applying the ointment to all the burned areas on Yan Shou’s face, emptying the tiny bottle completely.