Chapter 6: Not a Biological Daughter

Rui Chen was left dazed and bewildered. Why hadn't Lian Qiao mentioned this to her? Furthermore, according to the typical plot of transmigration novels, shouldn't she be the female lead? Why did it feel like she was being left out of everything? Well, being the daughter of the female lead was arguably acceptable enough. However, the way the First Madam looked at her was as if she wanted to devour her whole, which made her feel quite uneasy. Fortunately, she had Lian Qiao; no wonder Mother felt safe leaving her alone in the Murong Estate.

Seeing that Murong Zhi seemed to believe Lian Qiao after only a few words, the First Madam burned with rage. She shot a meaningful glance at Lü Yi, who nodded slightly and said, "Master, the First Madam instructed this servant to go to Baicao Hall. On the way, I encountered the midwife who delivered the Fifth Madam. She said some things that I couldn't quite decide upon, so I brought her back."

Rui Chen had an intuition that the First Madam was trying to harm her, but she didn't know what to do to avoid it. Lian Qiao, however, seemed to realize something. She let out a silent cry of alarm, stamping her feet in anxiety, though she maintained a calm facade: *What should I do? The Fourth Aunt is too far away to help in this immediate crisis. No, even if I have to sacrifice my own life, I must ensure the Young Lady's safety. If something happens to the Young Lady, how could I face Madam's kindness toward me?*

Murong Zhi appeared to be extremely exhausted, leaning half-way against the couch, yet his heart was filled with trepidation. Lian Qiao's words had finally put his mind at ease, and he did not want to hear anything unfavorable regarding Su Ying. It was as if by doing so, he would no longer doubt Su Ying—but would he truly stop doubting?

The First Madam, however, was determined to oppose him to the bitter end: "The midwife who delivered Fifth Sister? Wasn't she recommended by Doctor Shen of Baicao Hall? What did she say? Lü Yi, you are always steady by my side; how could you be so muddled this time?"

"First Madam, please listen to what this midwife has to say first, and then you will understand why I brought her back." As she spoke, she turned to instruct the little maid at the door, "Go, bring Midwife Huang in."

Midwife Huang had been in the profession for decades and was one of the top midwives in Ningzhou. She also possessed medical knowledge; any wealthy or influential family in Ningzhou with a pregnant woman would spare no expense to invite her. However, Midwife Huang was greedy for money. With many clients and conflicting schedules, she always decided whose house to visit based on the amount offered. Having entered many noble households, she was nonetheless very tactful: "This old woman greets the Great General and the General's Wife."

The First Madam asked, "Lü Yi said you said something very strange to her. What exactly did you say?"

Midwife Huang recalled for a moment and said, "It was nothing much. It's just that the Fifth Madam of the General's Estate was delivered by this old woman. Today, I happened to run into Lü Yi while inquiring about Doctor Shen at Baicao Hall, so I asked about the condition of the Fifth Madam and the Fifth Young Lady. Back then, the Fifth Madam went into premature labor—she gave birth at only seven months. This old woman thought it was very perilous. I wonder if the Fifth Young Lady's health is alright?" After pausing, as if remembering something else, she smiled, "Thinking back, it was Doctor Shen who came looking for me, and even gave me some high-quality medicinal herbs. He truly is a wonderful doctor. If it weren't for those life-saving herbs, the Fifth Madam and the Fifth Young Lady might have... But where has Doctor Shen been these past few days? This old woman wanted to find him to ask for some more good herbs."

Lian Qiao had been picked up by Su Ying on the road three years ago and did not know much about the circumstances of Su Ying's childbirth. She didn't dare say anything for fear of making matters worse, so she could only fret anxiously. As for Rui Chen, she was completely in the dark, not understanding the implication of Midwife Huang's words at all.

The First Madam acted as if she hadn't noticed anything: "Thank you for making the trip, Midwife Huang. Lü Yi~" Lü Yi handed a silver ingot to Midwife Huang, who accepted it with many thanks and exited the room.

Once Midwife Huang had left, the First Madam spoke leisurely, "If what Midwife Huang says is true, then Rui Chen really isn't... According to the rules, the matter regarding Su Ying and Rui Chen is to be decided by the clan elders. The Old Madam is staying at the ancestral home in the countryside, and it will take several days for her to arrive. Master, what do you think..."

Murong Zhi, however, felt as if the world were spinning into darkness; he didn't hear a word the First Madam said. He could only think bitterly: *So it was all just speculation, and now it has all been confirmed. Shen Mingyuan really does have an affair with Su Ying. Seven months premature? When I went to the border in Yangcheng, Su Ying gave birth to Murong Rui Chen after eight months! To think I treated that mother and daughter like precious treasures. For five years, I, Murong Zhi, have been a cuckold, raising someone else's daughter for five years. What a Su Ying, what a Shen Mingyuan!*

Murong Zhi slowly turned his head, staring intently at Rui Chen. His eyes were bloodshot, looking as if they might drip blood. Rui Chen was terrified; she couldn't help but take a step back. Lian Qiao rushed forward to shield Rui Chen and tried to speak up for Su Ying, but she was violently shoved aside by Murong Zhi. As if driven mad, Murong Zhi lifted the terrified Rui Chen and swung her violently to the ground. Murong Zhi had lost his mind, and Lian Qiao was driven mad with panic. Having practiced martial arts, she scrambled forward to try and cushion Rui Chen's fall, but she was half a step too late.

Rui Chen's head landed against Lian Qiao's chest, but her entire body hit the floor. What kind of man was Murong Zhi? A Great General who rose from the ranks of the vanguard, highly skilled and a ruthless killer. Though his strike was fueled by rage and boiling blood, using only thirty to forty percent of his strength, it was enough to displace Rui Chen's internal organs. A large mouthful of blood sprayed from Rui Chen's mouth—half landing on herself and Lian Qiao, and the other half landing, quite coincidentally, right on Murong Zhi's bloodstain. *Am I going to die again?* Rui Chen thought with a bitter smile before losing consciousness.

Lian Qiao, whose chest had been struck by Rui Chen's head, was not doing much better. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and her head was ringing, but she forced herself to pick up Rui Chen's head: "Young Lady, Young Lady, you can't die, Young Lady!"

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the door, rushing in to support the staggering Murong Zhi. It was none other than the Fourth Aunt. The Fourth Aunt cast a worried glance at Rui Chen and Lian Qiao on the floor before helping Murong Zhi back to the couch: "Master, the Old Madam sent a letter. She says she knows about the Fifth Madam's matter and that everything should wait until she returns to be dealt with."

Murong Zhi shook off the Fourth Aunt's hand, still feeling unsatisfied. He swept his gaze across the tea cups on the low table: "From this day forward, there is no Fifth Madam in the Murong Estate!" The Fourth Aunt stumbled a few steps before managing to stand steady.

The First Madam snorted coldly, "Where is the letter?"

The Fourth Aunt replied submissively, "It was a verbal message. The messenger is still in my courtyard. If the First Madam does not believe it, you may send someone to ask."

The First Madam regained her composed and virtuous demeanor: "It is not that I do not believe it. Since it is a message from the Old Madam, how does Master intend to deal with Rui Chen?"

Murong Zhi glared at Rui Chen through gritted teeth. Seeing the bloodstains covering the small master and servant, his heart suddenly softened; after all, she was the daughter he had cherished above all else. But thinking of Midwife Huang's words, his rage flared up again, followed by a sense of utter despair. For a moment, he couldn't think of how to deal with Rui Chen, so he left it to the First Madam.

This was exactly the result the First Madam wanted: "In that case, lock her in the ancestral hall for now. Everything will be decided once the Old Madam arrives." *Though, Murong Rui Chen, this little wench better have the life to survive until then.* Of course, the First Madam would never say such words aloud.

The Fourth Aunt had grown up by the Old Madam's side and was well-versed in the intrigues of great households. How could she not understand the First Madam's intentions? She immediately said, "Forgive me, First Madam, I did not explain clearly. The Old Madam's intention is to send the Fifth Young Lady to Jingyue Temple first. Externally, we shall say the Fifth Young Lady is in poor health, and the Fifth Madam has accompanied her to Jingyue Temple to recuperate." Whether she recovered or worsened, or even died, it would be up to the Murong family to decide. This was the common way for great families to handle embarrassing matters.

But the First Madam was not thinking that way. Her move this time was naturally intended to ensure Rui Chen's death to achieve complete peace of mind. Even if Su Ying returned later, she would likely fall out with Murong Zhi. Just as she was about to speak up to stop it, Lü Yi quietly shook her head and whispered a few words in her ear. Only then did the First Madam realize that her relationship with the Old Madam was already poor; since the Fourth Aunt was using the Old Madam's name, she could not disagree, otherwise the Old Madam would find fault with her again. Lü Yi was also right: even if Murong Rui Chen had suffered such heavy injuries, whether she could survive was still a question. There was no need to clash with the Old Madam over this. Furthermore, even if Murong Rui Chen survived to reach Jingyue Temple, whether by fire or by hired assassins, without Su Ying or Shen Mingyuan, killing two children would be easy. Thus, she nodded in agreement.

Murong Zhi did not say yes, nor did he say no; he simply treated it as a default agreement.

Seeing that the First Madam had also agreed, Lian Qiao felt a sense of relief and also fainted. The Fourth Aunt also breathed a secret sigh of relief: "Since the First Madam has agreed, then let this servant handle the matter. This is also the Old Madam's wish."

The First Madam nodded magnanimously: "Then we shall trouble Fourth Sister." She acted as if she didn't care at all that the Fourth Aunt's words had undermined her authority as the primary wife.

The Fourth Aunt carefully picked up Rui Chen and instructed her maid to carry Lian Qiao. They left the First Madam's courtyard, passed through the side gate of the Murong Estate, where a carriage had long been waiting. The Fourth Aunt gently placed Rui Chen on the soft cushion of the carriage and placed Lian Qiao beside her. She instructed the driver, "Go to Baicao Hall first. Say they are the Fifth Young Lady of the Murong Estate and her maid." Turning to leave, she felt truly uneasy and instructed her trusted maid, "You follow them. Once the Young Lady is delivered to Baicao Hall, go and buy some clothes and personal items to send over. For anything else, use your own judgment."

The Fourth Aunt's maid asked worriedly, "Wasn't it said they were being sent to Jingyue Temple? If the First Madam finds out, what will you do?"

The Fourth Aunt frowned deeply: "Sending the child like this now is no different from sending her to her death. I will be fine; you must be careful in everything. After delivering her to Baicao Hall, send the carriage to Jingyue Temple. Go quickly and return quickly."

The girl responded and boarded the carriage. The Fourth Aunt sighed, "Madam Su Ying, if not for your rescue back then, I would not have been able to give birth to Xin'er safely. Today, I consider Wanxiang to have repaid your life-saving kindness to my mother and daughter. It is just that my abilities are truly limited. With the Fifth Young Lady injured so heavily, whether she can remain unharmed depends on her own fate. Please, protect her!" Seeing the carriage depart, the Fourth Aunt turned to go back, leaving behind only a thin, lonely silhouette.

In the First Madam's room, Murong Zhi could no longer hold on and leaned against the couch with his eyes closed, feigning sleep. The First Madam quietly covered Murong Zhi with a small cashmere blanket. She glanced sideways at the bright, vivid bloodstains of the father and daughter on the floor, feeling half-worry and half-joy—worrying for Murong Zhi's health, but rejoicing at Rui Chen's fate. "Wanxiang, do you really think you can save this little wench?"

***

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