The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure -
Chapter 657 - 656: Resentment
Chapter 657: Chapter 656: Resentment
The messenger old woman knew that Madam was unhappy and mentally prepared herself, taking the command and went downstairs.
She came out and sent a menial old woman to bring Lady Qian in.
Lady Qian had been to the County Yamen’s backyard once before, when the Magistrate’s Lady had entertained the families of her subordinates, and had even held a banquet in the garden.
Therefore, following the old woman through the rear garden, Lady Qian kept walking forward, but the path grew increasingly remote, which made her uneasy, "Sister, where are we going?"
The menial old woman replied impatiently, "Naturally, I am taking you to the new Concubine’s place, just follow me!"
Seeing the location becoming more and more remote and the courtyards smaller, Lady Qian could not help but say, "Why here? Aren’t there lots of unoccupied places next to the garden up front?"
She was heartbroken for Jinchai and did not know how she had gotten through the previous day. To have her precious daughter serve as a concubine to the County Magistrate was such a humiliation. How could the Eldest Lady of the house not allocate a better courtyard for her own daughter?
The menial old woman laughed scornfully, "Oh, the mother of this Concubine, listen to yourself. You really think too highly of yourself! Have you not considered your own status? Do you think you deserve to live in such a grand courtyard?"
"That courtyard is reserved for our family’s young master and miss; why would we let a Concubine of dubious origins and status live there?"
A few sharp words, and Lady Qian’s face burned with shame, and she wished she could just disappear into the ground.
For the sake of seeing Jinchai, she had to force a smile and said, "My mistake! I’ve made Sister laugh."
Only then did the menial old woman give a cold snort and stopped talking.
This was not part of her duties, having been given the task of showing the way quite reluctantly; if the new Concubine’s mother had some sense and gave some gratuity, she might have been more amiable and perhaps let something slip.
But Lady Qian had not thought of this at all, and she was short on money herself. It had not been long since Wang Yongan had gotten involved with the Lord County Magistrate, and in these past few days, Wang Yongan had only brought back a few taels of Silver; with the current rise in vegetable prices in the city, these few taels were hardly enough for household expenses.
So, even when the old woman had escorted Lady Qian to Jinchai’s courtyard and called for the door to be opened, handing her over to Qing Ye and Hong Hua, the two maids, she hadn’t received a single penny from Lady Qian.
The menial old woman’s face was so dark with anger it could drip water. But luckily, Hong Hua and Qing Ye, who were somewhat versed in the household rules, managed to distract her to their quarters with an offer of tea and pastries.
Jinchai had felt as if she were at death’s door and had barely slept all night, finally dozing off just before dawn.
By the time she awoke, it was already noon, and Gao Jin had long since left.
Apparently, since it was still a novelty, Gao Jin didn’t request Jinchai to wait upon him when he left and even instructed the two maids to take good care of her.
After Gao Jin had gone to the front courtyard, he sent a young servant with a pile of gifts for her.
Qing Ye and Hong Hua had never seen such things and were so delighted they couldn’t stop grinning.
Thinking that this new Concubine might still be favored for a few more days, they served her with increasing diligence.
They prepared hot water for Jinchai to bathe in and brought easily digestible food from the kitchen; their efforts led to a slight return of color in Jinchai’s pale face.
Feeling miserable, Jinchai could hardly stomach the food on the table, sitting propped against a pillow on the kang and sipping porridge listlessly. When she heard that Lady Qian had arrived, she excitedly tried to get off the kang to greet her.
But Hong Hua persuaded her to stay put, meanwhile escorting Lady Qian in.
When mother and daughter met, it had only been one day apart, yet it felt like several lifetimes had passed.
Lady Qian’s eyes reddened at the sight of Jinchai, her only cherished daughter, who, despite the events of the previous night, still had a youthful face with red-rimmed eyes and a hint of flush.
Her complexion was somewhat pale, but overall, she looked passable. Looking at the well-laden table full of dishes, they were all good food.
She knew Jinchai hadn’t suffered too much harm, and she let out a sigh of relief.
Jinchai, having endured so much the day before, trembled as she called out "Mother" upon seeing Lady Qian, and then tears started pouring down.
Lady Qian quickly stepped forward, pulled Jinchai into her arms, and began to console her.
Since Qing Ye was accompanying the crude maid, Hong Hua, being very sensible, discreetly left the room, giving mother and daughter some space for their private conversation.
The mother and daughter wept together for a while before they managed to stop their tears.
Lady Qian sized up Jinchai once more before asking softly, "Last night, did he—?" She really couldn’t continue.
Jinchai’s small face turned deathly pale; she simply lifted her clothes to reveal the bruises on her body, which had turned even more purple and terrifying after a night.
Seeing this, Lady Qian’s heart trembled, and tears came flooding out as she held Jinchai and cried, "My poor Jinchai—"
As she spoke, she took out the medicine she had brought, "Quick, lie down so mother can apply the medicine—"
Jinchai’s expression changed. Although it was her own mother, those unmentionable parts of herself were the ones that hurt so much. Even a slight movement caused her pain, and even at her young age, she knew such matters were not to be spoken of.
Moreover, after the tears had dried and she became calm, didn’t she know that her plight was because of Wang Yongan?
Her mother, Lady Qian, might speak words of affection, but wasn’t she unable to stand up to her own father?
If she could bear to send her own daughter to serve as a concubine, who was this display of sorrow for?
Thus, she coldly refused.
"Mother, why cry so pitifully now, as if you truly care for me? If you really cared, why didn’t you stop father from sending me here?"
"My child, what are you saying? You’re cutting your mother’s heart—How could I not truly care for you? But what could I do? Who dares to disobey your father? Besides, your father had no other choice; if he hadn’t sent you here, our entire family would have suffered!"
"It’s all because of your eldest sister, that wretched girl. If she had agreed and obediently allowed herself to be sent here, how could you have suffered like this? Do you think your father doesn’t feel the pain? Last night, after you were taken away, he drowned his sorrows in drink for half the night. Before sleeping, he was still worried about you and instructed me to visit you."
"You are flesh that has fallen from our bodies, who else would we care for if not for you? We simply had no other choice. If you want to blame anyone, blame your eldest sister! It’s all her fault! Now her life or death is unknown, taken by force, and even if she returns, she will have lost all her reputation, which serves as her retribution!"
Lady Qian heard the resentment Jinchai harbored towards her and Wang Yongan, and how could she not feel distressed?
She was naturally guilty and at fault, but she couldn’t show that in front of Jinchai, and instead, she deflected the blame onto Wang Yongzhu.
When Jinchai heard this, it struck right to her heart. If Wang Yongzhu hadn’t adamantly refused to be sent to this mansion, how would it have ever been her turn?
If Wang Yongzhu had obediently become the official’s concubine, she herself would have maintained her status. Clean and pure, she could have married a husband of her liking in the future.
It was because of Wang Yongzhu that she found herself in such a plight!
With these thoughts, a look of deep animosity appeared on Jinchai’s face: "Wang Yongzhu!"
In her heart, she silently resolved to have someone find out where Wang Yongzhu had been taken by the abductor. Only by knowing that Wang Yongzhu was faring poorly, could she find some satisfaction.
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