Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 404: The Empress’s Invitation Letter (6)_1

Du Yongchun sneered, saying, "As I see it, Father and brothers should drop this idea. You all know how much abuse Auntie Mei endured in our mansion, and it’s evident from the attitude of the Mu family. Auntie Mei might be harboring resentment towards us, unable to do anything, forced to keep silent. But if she gains power through that girl, she might return to haunt us!"

"She... she wouldn’t have told them about those matters." said Duke An with firm conviction.

Even though he had only been with Lady Mei for one year, he had a clear understanding of her character. She wouldn’t easily confide in others. Even when wronged, she wouldn’t share her grievances. She had her pride, her self-esteem. She was stubborn; even in her worst times, blinded by tears, abused and beaten by the servants, she would grit her teeth, not crying or begging for mercy, refusing to bow to him.

Actually, if she had sought his help, even with just a word or a look, he would have immediately saved her, letting bygones be bygones, renewing their old good relations.

However, she would not. From the moment they parted ways, she became as unyielding as a rock, refusing to look back. She would rather endure repeated, humiliating beatings until death than return to the pleasant and affluent life he provided. There was no room for reconciliation between them!

Du Ruohai was lost in his reminiscence. Back then, Lady Mei was a gentle girl from Jiangnan, soft-spoken and tender, pledging eternal love with him...

But in a blink of an eye, her childhood sweetheart came from far-off Jiangnan. She met with him secretly and was caught by him. At that time, she was already pregnant yet she committed such an unfeminine act. Later, after he had beaten her severely and confined her in the ancestral hall, her childhood sweetheart, in a fit of rage, bought a coffin, put it before the mansion, and headbutted on the mansion’s stone lion until death...

The Duke An Mansion became the target of public criticism, reprimanded by the Emperor, pointed at by a thousand fingers, cursed by the world. Yet, he could not bear to let her go. For her, he was scolded and beaten by his father, almost losing the position of the Crown Prince. Nevertheless, she never admitted her wrong, nor confessed her illicit relationship. Even when he saw her crying in the arms of that man, she refused to admit...

He despised her disloyalty and her stubbornness. Over the years, he was well aware of the suffering she endured, but he let his wife vent her anger on her, only warning her not to take her life. This is the reason why, despite suffering abuse for over a decade, Lady Mei did not die.

He was waiting for her to seek his forgiveness and beg for mercy when she couldn’t bear the torture. Unfortunately, that day never came!

His past was like smoke, weaving around him, immersing him until he was drawn back to reality by his son’s voice.

"To win over that girl and use her to our advantage isn’t hard. Her family harbours resentment towards us because of Auntie Mei’s abuse. If we find a suitable person to take the blame, wouldn’t that absolve us? We are still her blood kin, so why wouldn’t she side with us?"

Du Yongzhi was very confident in his proposition.

Second Brother Du Yongbang couldn’t resist asking, "Since Eldest Brother says so, do you have a suitable person to take the blame in mind?"

"Hehe, I do, as long as Father agrees."