The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 177 - 138: The Home That Cannot Be Returned To (Part 4)
The eldest madam appeared, behind her was Nanny Chen, accompanied by two big maidservants. Beside her, a young girl in a light green dress adorably held her hand.
Xiao Chunlan recognized her; it was Xiao Chunqing, the daughter of the second concubine, half a year younger than herself, who had always been inconspicuous. Now, she became the young lady? Did she fill her vacancy?
Was her abduction also part of her doing?
Xiao Chunlan never expected that one day she would be replaced and her position taken.
And her mother, who had always loved her dearly, how could she give her love to another?
Xiao Chunlan couldn’t stand it; she wouldn’t allow others to have what belonged to her.
Even if she couldn’t have it herself, she definitely wouldn’t let others have it.
"Mother, slow down."
"Alright, it’s the first time going back to see your grandmother. Remember to sweeten your words."
Xiao Chunlan’s mouth opened wide, wanting to call out to her mother, yet she couldn’t utter a word.
Seeing them about to get on the carriage, Xiao Chunlan decided to fight one last time.
She dove headfirst, colliding with Mrs. Wen.
"Ah..."
Screams and cries of pain erupted instantly.
"Where did this beggar woman come from? Truly worthless. Someone, drag her away and throw her at the mass grave."
Xiao Chunqing had always refrained from competing or snatching because she knew that some things couldn’t be obtained by mere ambition—they required the right timing and circumstances.
When Xiao Chunlan had her mishap, Xiao Chunqing realized: her opportunity had arrived.
As for the beggar before her, she naturally could recognize her at a glance.
Indeed, even if the person before her turned to ashes, she could still recognize her.
Though they were half-sisters, born of different mothers, with Xiao Chunqing only half a year younger, she had suffered bitter trials at her sister’s hands that were etched deeply into her memory.
Her aunt was not of sound mind, and as she aged, she was never valued by the family patriarch.
Yet, she persistently dreamed foolishly of gaining favor, repeatedly used by others and punished routinely, without learning her lesson.
It is said that you need not fear a wolf-like opponent but a pig-like teammate, and with such a foolish birth parent, Xiao Chunqing had no support, often relying on her quiet efforts, hoping to rise someday.
Of course, being smart as she was, she always respected and showed filial obedience to her stepmother.
Finally, Xiao Chunlan had successfully "brought about her own downfall," and the stepmother needed to register a name, thus capturing this hardly available opportunity.
She had just clung to her stepmother, and now this beggar woman wanted to do the same, but no way!
"Ah ah ah..."
Xiao Chunlan was thus dragged away by two rough servant women.
Though not dumped at the mass grave, she was tossed at a distant alley entrance.
Just as she was about to board the carriage, Xiao Chunqing suddenly stopped, turned, and whispered something to Nanny Chen.
Nanny Chen was taken aback upon hearing.
"Go, don’t worry, I’m here."
"Yes, young lady."
Indeed, Xiao Chunqing’s rise largely relied on Nanny Chen’s support.
The two were already on the same boat, and hearing Xiao Chunqing’s words now, Nanny Chen was shocked.
Once Mrs. Wen’s carriage left, Nanny Chen swiftly went to the alley entrance.
"Yah yah oo oo..." Seeing Nanny Chen, Xiao Chunlan became extremely emotional, desperately trying to throw herself at her.
Nanny Chen saw she harbored hate, hatred towards her.
"You hate me?" Nanny Chen laughed in anger: "Indeed, you are the master, and I am the servant. No matter what I do for you, it’s never enough for you. You wouldn’t remember my goodness, only blaming all that’s bad on me."
"Yah yah oo oo..."
"No matter how you fuss, in the eyes of everyone in the Xiao family, you are already a dead person." Nanny Chen counted the time: "Indeed, today is the seventh day since your death, who knew you’d come back dead."
No, it shouldn’t be like this, why am I like this, it wasn’t supposed to be this way!
Xiao Chunlan screamed, unable to speak and unable to prove her innocence, she couldn’t even enter the gates of the Xiao family.
Having now experienced the disdain from the family servants, she understood.
What should she do?
"The Xiao family doesn’t lack a young lady; Miss Chunqing is knowledgeable and educated, liked by everyone high and low." Nanny Chen hadn’t forgotten to twist the knife: "This is the poise of the Xiao family’s young lady. This time, the lady takes her back to the Wen family, in fact to meet the second son, Second Son is young but already a scholar. Do you think Miss Chunqing is blessed?"
Xiao Chunlan’s mouth hung wide: Could her mother have really forgotten her?
She thought again of her second cousin in the Wen family, that gentle young man, whose gaze had always been so tender towards her; was he really about to meet Xiao Chunqing?
Was his tenderness merely an act?
No, it can’t be like this. The position of Xiao family’s young lady and Wen family’s second cousin, both belong to her, they are hers, no one can take them.
Xiao Chunlan wanted to rise up, but eventually collapsed again.
"Nanny, it seems she’s fainted again."
"Following the young lady’s instructions, take her to the manor."
Nanny Chen sighed.
"Sometimes, sparing others can be a mercy; had she not been so ambitious back then, she might not end up like this today, and this result might be too much for her to bear."
"Nanny, how will the young lady settle her?"
"I don’t know, that’s the young lady’s matter."
The carriage-bound Xiao Chunqing’s heart was racing.
Not because of the upcoming matchmaking, but because of Xiao Chunlan’s sudden appearance.
Thankfully, Mrs. Wen did not recognize her.
If not, the hard-won position of young lady she fought to secure could not be retained.
The stepmother’s compromise was because of her son; if her biological daughter appeared, she’d certainly take her back.
Yet that shouldn’t be a concern, because in the eyes of the world, Xiao Chunlan is deemed dead; what fear remains?
As for the current young lady, she is already listed in the family tree, documented under Mrs. Wen.
Presently, Xiao Chunlan must be controlled well and kept from running about, especially from appearing before the Xiao family or Mrs. Wen, precautions must be taken. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
After all, the calm days are here, everyone is living well, some people and things need not reappear.
Xiao Chunlan was sent by Nanny Chen’s arranged people to a manor outside Changzhou.
That manor was secretly established by Xiao Chunqing.
Indeed, Xiao Chunqing, this concubine-born daughter, was remarkably shrewd, turning a loss-making shop managed by her mother into a profit, and after gathering enough Silver, she placed a manor in a neighboring county, unknown even to her real aunt.
While Xiao Chunlan engaged in various machinations, Xiao Chunqing quietly worked hard and laid plans; such a person not succeeding seems against reason.
Unbeknownst to Xiao Chunqing, all she had done was watched over by an unseen observer.
"Was she sent to the manor?"
"Yes, she was sent to the manor. What does Xiao Chunqing intend?"
