Used to Send Beggars
"Master..."
"Madam, you—" Yu Shoudao sighed, helping her sit aside. "I'm so confused, I'm so confused!"
"I have heard about everything concerning Xiaozhuangzi's mothers. They are the ones who wronged Linlang. It's only natural that our daughter harbors resentment in her heart."
"I just said that all these years, even if you sent her to that small village, you should have at least checked in on her. After all, she is your biological daughter. Now, I don't know how to resolve this matter."
"Is it my fault?" Huo Jinxiu suddenly became furious. "Do you think I wanted this? It was caused by those deceitful servants who lied and covered things up! I never intended for her to suffer in that village."
"Yes, yes, I understand. You and I both know that no parent wants their child to suffer. But Linlang has been away since childhood—she doesn't understand your struggles. These matters must be handled with patience and care. You can't keep using Pianpian to provoke her."
"Pianpian is your daughter, and so is Linlang. She must have suffered greatly over the years. Compared to Pianpian's life of wealth and privilege, it's only natural that she feels dissatisfied. That is human nature."
Huo Jinxiu's fury intensified. "Why must she always compare herself to Pianpian? Can she even compare to Pianpian? Pianpian is filial, respectful, well-mannered, and talented—she is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. And what about Linlang? She is lonely, arrogant, rebellious, and disobedient. She is narrow-minded and petty, unable to tolerate anyone who outshines her."
Huo Jinxiu clenched her teeth and cursed, "She can't measure up. The more she compares, the more ashamed she should feel. Why bother? Why bring herself so much trouble and misery? Wouldn't it be better for her to simply live her own life?"
"And now, she has found out about the Xia family in Wuhu County. Clearly, she is scheming, waiting for an opportunity to take Pianpian down. Does she think that by exposing this, we will turn against Pianpian? She has ulterior motives—her heart is full of malice!"
Huo Jinxiu clutched Governor Yu's arm, crying, "Master, I still remember the night I gave birth to her. A thunderstorm raged, lightning struck, and the temple roof collapsed!"
"She refused to come out, tormenting me to the brink of death!"
Governor Yu nodded fearfully. "It was my fault for not being by your side at the time. I have been plagued with guilt ever since."
"How can you blame yourself, Master? It's all because of that girl! She was born in the seventh month of the lunar year, bringing misfortune from the very start. The very day after she was born, the sun disappeared behind dark clouds! How do you expect me to feel about that? Even the passing Taoist priest warned that she was a calamity, a disaster star entering our household."
"And sure enough, that very year, your career suffered a severe setback—you were nearly demoted to a remote county!"
"See? She is destined to bring ruin to us! Before she returned to the household, everything was fine. But the moment she came back, there were murders, plagues, and disasters—one catastrophe after another! Master, she is a cursed star, bound to bring misfortune to her parents. Keeping her here will only bring trouble!"
Governor Yu pondered for a moment, then gently patted his wife's hand. "It's not all bad. Madam, do you know? The prince and Lord Lu specially invited me to discuss her."
He proceeded to tell Huo Jinxiu about what Yu Linlang had done for the starving people over the past half month.
Huo Jinxiu was shocked and skeptical. "Are you sure? You mean to tell me that she prepared the prescription, served porridge outside the city for half a month, and even managed to control the epidemic?"
Governor Yu shook his head. "There is no mistake. This could greatly enhance the reputation of the Yu family."
Lowering his voice, Yu Shoudao said, "If the prince reports this to the court, my contributions will be recognized. She is now our daughter in name, and everything she does reflects upon the Yu family."
"If the epidemic is truly brought under control because of our family, it will be a great achievement, Madam. The court will certainly reward us!"
"But where did she get the means to contact the grain merchants and apothecaries along the Jiangnan trade route? How did she purchase such large quantities of supplies? Didn't you tell me before that grain stores were running low?"
"Yes. Where did she get the money? How could she afford to distribute free porridge and medicine for fifteen days?"
Governor Yu furrowed his brows. "This is likely connected to the ten years she was missing."
"Now that the prince and Lord Lu are praising her, if we drive her out of the Yu family, how do you think that would make us look in their eyes?" Lowering his voice, he warned, "Madam, you must be cautious from now on."
Huo Jinxiu felt stifled, her chest tightening with frustration.
"Madam," Yu Shoudao continued, "since we owe her so much, why not return all the stolen silver those servants embezzled? That way, she can use it to purchase more food and medicine for the epidemic. It will still be credited as an achievement of our Yu family."
Huo Jinxiu, her face expressionless, nodded slightly. Early the next morning, she sent 1,400 taels of silver notes to Malan Garden.
But unexpectedly, the old servant who delivered the money was beaten and kicked out by Miss Yu's two maids.
"What is this? Do you take my lady for a beggar? Does she need your measly one thousand taels?"
"Take it back! Buy yourself a coffin shop and go lie in it—you're an eyesore!"
"I have seen shameless people before, but never this shameless!"
"More than a thousand taels, and you think that's worth celebrating with drums and flowers? Do you think my lady has never seen such an amount before?"
"You must be blind! You aren't even qualified to polish my lady's shoes!"
"And what is this nonsense? Your fake daughter receives a monthly allowance of a hundred taels, but my lady is only worth ten? Ridiculous! How laughable!"
"If you can't afford to pay, then don't! But don't insult the legitimate daughter by treating her like a beggar! Even that little servant girl, Miss Zhihuan, gets a monthly allowance of fifty taels! Are you saying Huo Jinxiu's womb is worth less than a servant girl's?"
The servants who had come to deliver the money were kicked out, their faces bruised and swollen, sprawled on the ground gasping for breath.
Just as Qiqian finished cursing, she looked up and saw the steward standing at the eastern gate with a young man. The man hesitated, as if afraid to speak.
"Who is this?" Qiqian raised her brows, exuding confidence.
"This is Changqing, a guard sent by the prince of the Hou Mansion. He has come to deliver silver to Miss Linlang."
Qiqian approached with a charming smile and lifted her delicate jade hand.
Changqing, flustered, quickly lowered his head and handed over a box, speaking nervously, "O-our prince bears no ill will toward Miss Linlang. This contains three thousand taels issued by the court. The prince has also written to request additional funds from the Ministry of Revenue. The epidemic relief is thanks to Miss Linlang's efforts. He is deeply grateful."
Qiqian chuckled. "Little brother, how could my lady possibly misunderstand the prince's goodwill?"