Chapter 92: Rumors

Chapter 92: Rumors

Bei Jingchu took a closer look at the information and cursed even more fiercely: "Damn, you were originally planning to drown her? But out of supposed mercy, you decided to throw her into the Abandoned Baby Tower instead."

"Are you seriously calling that an act of mercy?"

"Do you really think you’re being a compassionate father?"

"F*ck—beep beep beep—"

Compared to Bei Jingchu, Nurse Yu was more familiar with the Abandoned Baby Tower.

There was one in her village, and many families would throw their baby girls into it.

Her parents would always tell her, "We raised you well and didn’t throw you into the Abandoned Baby Tower, so you should be grateful."

"How many families would actually raise their daughters well?"

Nurse Yu had always believed this was the right thing to do, so she had always been filial, obedient, and sensible.

She married whoever she was told to marry.

But after giving birth to her child, she realized it wasn’t a blessing.

Because if they truly loved their child, they wouldn’t have thrown her into the Abandoned Baby Tower, no matter what.

Just like how she felt about her own daughter.

So, it could only mean that her parents didn’t love her.

But now, her daughter was going to be thrown into the Abandoned Baby Tower?

The little princess was still anxiously trying to communicate with her, healthy and lively.

She knew that different people had different fates; she didn’t dare to compare her child with the princess, but couldn’t she just live safely?

No, she had to save her child!

She had to get back home!

But the imperial palace wasn’t a place you could just leave easily.

A figure walked into the side hall, and Concubine Fang entered with a smile, teasing, "Is our Grand Princess eating porridge?"

"Didn’t you fart today?"

Bei Jingchu: ......

"That’s too much! Who brings up a baby’s embarrassing moments every day?"

Concubine Fang walked over and crouched in front of Bei Jingchu, who reached out and gave her a little punch.

Concubine Fang thought the punch of a five-month-old baby wouldn’t have any impact, but the little punch actually had some force.

She couldn’t help but smile. "Chuchu is really strong."

She reached out to take the bowl from the nurse. "Let me feed the princess."

The nurse avoided her and bowed. "Forgive me, Concubine Fang. The emperor said that the princess’s food utensils must not be touched by anyone else."

The emperor was genuinely terrified by the numerous poisonings and assassination attempts.

Concubine Fang, being a shrewd woman, realized that her actions were indeed improper.

"Indeed, the emperor's commands are paramount."

Then Concubine Fang cast an evil grin at Bei Jingchu: "If Auntie can't feed Jingchu, then Auntie will just eat Jingchu!"

Bei Jingchu: "? What kind of reasoning is that?"

Concubine Fang pinched Bei Jingchu’s chubby little hand and gave it a gentle bite.

Bei Jingchu: !

"Help! Someone is eating a child!"

The baby’s hand resembled a fluffy, milky bun, with four tiny dimples due to its chubbiness.

It looked so inviting to poke.

The little hand looked quite plump.

Concubine Fang felt she was showing great restraint by not biting the chubby cheeks.

The child, wary yet obediently drinking the gruel, was incredibly adorable!

After Nurse Yu finished feeding Bei Jingchu, the princess was to be taken back to the Imperial Study.

Concubine Fang knew this routine and prepared to leave.

There was no room for hesitation.

Nurse Yu made up her mind and, with a thud, knelt on the ground.

"Concubine Fang, I have an urgent request."

Aware that this was considered impolite.

She bent very low after kneeling, raising her head slightly in anticipation.

Concubine Fang was startled: "What are you doing, Nurse Yu?"

Nurse Yu bowed her head and said: "I know that once one enters the palace, it is like entering the depths of the sea, and one must serve the princess wholeheartedly."

"But I truly miss my child and beg for Concubine Fang’s mercy to allow me to leave the palace!"

Concubine Fang: Ah?

Are you being serious?

Concubine Fang's expression turned serious, revealing the authority of someone in a higher position: "Do you think the inner palace is a place where anyone can come and go as they please?"

"If everyone were as disobedient as you, this palace would have fallen into chaos long ago."

"Missing your child? What a frivolous reason."

"Who in this palace does not miss their home?"

"Even the imperial concubines miss their families, but can they freely leave the palace to visit their relatives?"

"Given your devoted service to the princess, I will forgive you this time. However, since you have harbored doubts, you no longer need to remain by the princess’s side.

"I will inform His Majesty and have you reassigned."

Just as she was speaking, she heard Jingchu's milky thoughts, "Let her go back, auntie!"

"Nurse Yu's daughter is dying. If she goes back now, she might still be able to save her.

Nurse Yu was anxious inside. She already knew everything Concubine Fang had said.

Normally, she could endure her longing for her child.

But her daughter was in mortal danger!

Though she was reluctant to leave the princess, the princess enjoyed a life of luxury in the palace.

She had many servants, a doting father, and was cherished by the Empress Dowager and Concubine Fang.

However, her own daughter had only her to depend on.

She had to go back and save her daughter.

But she couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse and could only keep bowing her head to the ground.

"Enough," Concubine Fang raised her hand to stop her.

If Jingchu wanted her to return, it could be arranged.

"Everyone else, leave."

The other nanny in the room bowed and left.

Only then did Concubine Fang say, "Remember, you are not missing your family.

"You simply found that your milk has dried up and you can no longer nurse the little princess.

"You have also developed a cough and are no longer fit to serve by the princess’s side.

"After falling ill, your body has weakened. You can no longer carry things or perform heavy labor, and you are illiterate. Therefore, I am expelling you from the palace.

"Do you understand this?"

Nurse Yu pondered Concubine Fang’s words and finally understood their meaning.

"Thank you, my lady! Thank you so much!"

"Your great kindness, I will repay in my next life..."

Concubine Fang interrupted her, "Stop!

"No need to thank me. I am expelling you from the palace, not sending you home. You are being dismissed due to your illness, which has nothing to do with me.

"Remember this."

Jingchu raised her hands and made two little heart shapes toward Concubine Fang, who immediately went forward, picked her up, and kissed her cheek.

Perhaps because her wish had just been granted, though the little one was startled and frowned,

But there was no resistance.

Hahahaha, so worth it!

"Little Jingchu was born to be devoured by Auntie, hehehe~"

Nurse Yu moved quickly, packed her things, and set off.

In Hejia Village.

A household was posting bright red "double happiness" characters, and villagers were celebrating the wedding night at the house.

A few people who didn’t go inside, seeing the lively scene indoors, pursed their lips.

"Genzi is really heartless. His wife is out there making money for the family, and he’s gone and found someone else."

"I heard that the eight-month-old baby girl was thrown into the Abandoned Baby Tower by him and his new wife."

"Oh my goodness gracious."

Another person disagreed, "Genzi only has one daughter and no son. It’s understandable to remarry to continue the family line."

"But abandoning the baby in the tower is wrong."

"You say that poor families who can’t afford to raise a child often abandon them, which could be true, but Genzi's household receives silver sent by his wife every month."

"Now they’ve even upgraded their thatched roof to tiles, and yet he abandoned the daughter he had with his previous wife. That’s just inhumane."

"That’s why they say a stepmother means a stepfather."

One person was surprised, "What? You mean Genzi’s wife left to earn money?"

"I thought she ran off with another man?"

"... "

"Ah? She ran off? I thought she was dead?"

"Dead? I heard she was caught cheating?"

"... "

They looked at each other, unsure which rumor was true anymore.