Chapter 3: 003 Misunderstanding, Not the Culprit

As Rong Jing drew closer, Lady Xu was so frightened she was almost moved to tears.

"Rong Jing, let's talk this through properly. If you dare to be disrespectful to me, just you try!"

"As your elder, I am only doing this for your own good. You are pregnant out of wedlock; people will look down on you for the rest of your life!"

Rong Jing was in no hurry to answer, continuing to close the distance.

Look down on her?

She had always lived for herself; what did anyone else's opinion have to do with it?

If she were down on her luck today, she didn't need anyone's sympathy; if she were magnificent tomorrow, she wouldn't need anyone's flattery.

This old woman was simply afraid of ruining the reputation of the Rong family and affecting her own family's future!

She wanted this child to be born, she wanted him (or her) to take the Rong surname, and she wanted him (or her) to continue the lineage of the first branch! She wanted to take back everything that had been usurped by the second branch!

Suddenly, Rong Jing lunged forward, bringing her face almost nose-to-nose with Lady Xu. Her expression was dark and silent, yet it frightened Lady Xu so much she nearly wet her pants.

"Jing'er, Jing'er, listen to your auntie explain. Calm down!"

"Impulsiveness is bad for the fetus!"

Tch...

Now she knew how to be afraid? Now she was telling her that impulsiveness was bad for the fetus? Did she think she was still that timid and weak Rong Jing from before, so easy to deceive and coax?

Rong Jing grabbed Lady Xu's cheek, making her wail in pain. "Ow... stop..."

"Second Aunt, you should think carefully. Was it you who intentionally got me drunk that day and sent me to the dance hall? If you can't remember, the consequences will be very serious."

From the memories of her predecessor, Rong Jing knew that Lady Xu had always wanted to drive her out of the Rong family to seize the second branch's residence. Ten months ago, Lady Xu had feigned kindness by inviting her to a family banquet; she was drugged, and when she woke up, she discovered she had been violated.

She hadn't even dared to go home. Later, upon discovering she was pregnant, she had sold all her jewelry and fled to the desolate outskirts.

"It wasn't!"

Rong Jing's seemingly reasonable tone made Lady Xu's legs go weak.

"It wasn't? But you said I was clearly in your courtyard that day, and then how did I lose consciousness?" Rong Jing furrowed her brows, her expression anything but innocent.

"I really don't know! I've been looking for you for a long time too!" Lady Xu grew increasingly terrified; she would have preferred Rong Jing to be more violent.

"Second Aunt, don't you like telling the truth? I don't much care for people like that."

Her words were gentle, but her actions were so ruthless they were breathtaking. She pulled out a hairpin, pressing the tip against Lady Xu's face, and stabbed downward without warning. "Second Aunt, just say it. I'm begging you, just say it!"

Lady Xu screamed in pain, "I don't know! I don't know anything! Let me go! Rong Jing, if you dare touch a single hair on my head, don't even think about returning to the Rong family!"

"Second Aunt, it's not good to refuse to admit defeat until you see the coffin."

She called her "Second Aunt" so affectionately, yet when it came to ruthlessness, she was no less than a man.

She abruptly pulled the hairpin back and pressed it against Lady Xu's cheekbone, finally dropping her smile as she said eerily, "A wound to the flesh is easy to heal, but if your cheekbone collapses..."

Before she could finish, Lady Xu lost control of her bladder. "I'll say it! I'll say it! I drugged you that day! I intended to send you to a temple to be ordained as a nun, but on the way, you were intercepted by someone! It was only a few days ago that I discovered you were pregnant and living here!"

Rong Jing was slightly startled. Lady Xu had been scared enough to wet herself; she wasn't likely to be lying.

Could there be another culprit behind this matter? Who could it be?

Just as Rong Jing was pondering this, a sudden, sharp cramping pain surged from her abdomen!

It hurt!

It was several times more intense than the previous cramping. The pain was so great she couldn't even hold the hairpin, and she couldn't pay any more attention to Lady Xu as she stumbled back several steps!

This pain, this feeling!

The child... was coming!

She had estimated it wouldn't be until tonight at the earliest. Could it be because she had moved around too much?

Rong Jing clutched her stomach, unable to stand steadily. She desperately wanted to sit or lie down immediately. After retreating a few steps, she finally couldn't take it anymore and slowly crouched down.

When she looked up, she saw Lady Xu clutching her face, gasping for breath as she scrambled up, staring viciously at her large belly.

"You slut! Keep acting arrogant! If you have the guts, stand up!"

"I... I'm telling you, heaven is watching! Today, I will personally clean up this disgrace!"

Lady Xu's hair was disheveled, and her blood-stained face was hideous. She stood up unsteadily and grabbed a stone at random.

Enduring the increasingly violent pain, Rong Jing wanted to laugh for a second time, but she couldn't.

Little one, whose side are you on? You certainly have a knack for picking the worst timing!