Chapter 43: Same Person, Different Fate

The mother and daughter looked at each other, both seeing a flicker of disbelief in the other's eyes.

"Do you think that girl might really be possessed by something unclean?" Lady Zhuang asked, her heart still racing with lingering fear. "Why does she have to pull this stunt every once in a while?"

Xin Mengxue twisted her mother's dirty sleeve. "Then, Mother, did you notice any other changes in her? Could it be that... she isn't actually our Sixth Sister? Should we say something to the Old Madam?"

"Her appearance and stature haven't changed at all. Even if we told the Old Madam she was acting strange, we wouldn't have any substantial evidence."

She knew the Old Madam well; telling her things without proof was useless. The Old Madam was not the type of elderly woman to believe everything she heard blindly; she wouldn't listen to her on every matter.

"Then, Mother, what should we do now?"

"Let's just observe for a while." Lady Zhuang squeezed her daughter's fingers. "Don't provoke them lately."

"How could I possibly provoke them?" Xin Mengxue lowered her eyes, looking aggrieved.

Lady Zhuang thought it was true; her daughter had a soft temperament. Not to mention that the Sixth Girl had mutated into such a state that she didn't dare approach her, even in the past, she wouldn't have provoked her without reason.

"Sister." As the two were speaking, a woman with a smiling countenance approached them briskly.

"What are you doing here?" Lady Zhuang glanced at the woman, making no effort to hide her loathing.

"I just took Mengye to fetch some water. I didn't know something had happened here until I heard it from the Master..."

"Concubine Qiu, don't think I don't know you're here to watch my show."

"How could that be, Sister?" The woman lowered her eyes aggrievedly, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Lady Zhuang could not stand this woman's mannerisms.

Back when the family was wealthy and powerful, this concubine would spend her days dressed in plain colors, her brows furrowed in a constant, delicate frown, lifting her face timidly with eyes invariably brimming with tears.

Now that everyone had been driven away into exile, she still maintained this fragile act; the only thing missing was a pair of red candles and a scene of blooming peach blossoms.

Speaking of which, the Duke's Manor was famous in the capital for its strict family discipline.

The late Duke had only one legal wife and no concubines, and through his example, his sons had also maintained their integrity.

Even the most disgraceful profligate, the Fourth Master, had never taken a concubine; the Third Master was the sole exception.

When Lady Zhuang first married into the family, the household had used many maneuvers to secure a match with the Third Master of the Duke's Manor, so she had never enjoyed his favor.

Her family background was low, and her brother from her maiden home was useless. It was only by leaning on the Duke's Manor over the years that her father, Zhuang Rengui, had managed to secure the position of Administrator of Binzhou.

The Third Master was not close to her; less than three months after marrying her, he brought this darling, Concubine Qiu, into the house.

The two daughters were born one after the other. Because of this, she was frequently mocked by noble ladies during social gatherings.

The wife and concubine were in constant conflict; with the Third Master protecting the concubine, Lady Zhuang was always the one at a disadvantage.

If not for the Old Madam's suppression, the concubine of the Third Branch would likely have run wild.

Now, Lady Zhuang suddenly felt a sense of despondency.

She suddenly felt that the mutated Sixth Girl was somewhat right—they were already in exile, so why bother with palace intrigues? It was a waste of energy.

Seeing that the primary wife lacked fighting spirit, Concubine Qiu raised an eyebrow in surprise and continued to manipulate her with words. "What is wrong, Sister? You haven't actually been intimidated by the Sixth Lady, have you?"

Lady Zhuang turned to look at her and sneered. "Weren't you just saying your feet hurt and that you wished the Master would carry you? Why do you look so energetic now?"

"Sister, how can you say that?" Concubine Qiu lowered her head, her face flushing as she spoke in a soft, delicate voice. "In public, how could I truly let the Master carry me? I could manage if I just persevered."

"Oh, right, I heard the Master mention that the officials intend to stay in Heng County for half a day to restock supplies."

"As you know, when the earthquake happened earlier, the officials lost many shackles and food supplies."

"If they buy supplies, we can rest a bit longer. As long as we make it to Heng County, we can get a good night's sleep, and we certainly won't have to start traveling at the hour of the Tiger tomorrow."

"Why are you telling me this?" Lady Zhuang sneered. "Are you showing off that the Master shares every little detail with you, while I am kept in the dark?"

Concubine Qiu twisted her sleeves, following closely behind the two of them while chattering incessantly. "Sister, you misunderstand me too deeply. I mean, if you have some silver on you, since the officials are buying things in Heng County, we could ask them to purchase some necessities for us."

"For example, the straw sandals the Master is wearing—it's time for a new pair. I saw today that the soles of his feet are half-rotten, and the toes are being chafed."

Lady Zhuang's anger flared. "Do you think I have any silver on me?!"

If she had silver, she would have bought her own daughter thick-soled straw sandals long ago!

She suddenly realized that the little devil from the Fourth Branch was half-right—their Third Branch was truly poor! Destitute!

That was why she had been secretly keeping an eye on the Fourth Branch's situation.

Truly, different people, different fates.

Both were daughters-in-law, but her maiden family was far away in Binzhou and could offer no help, whereas Xie Ninglan's family!

They had secretly sent things more than once; that whole cartload of food and supplies—though no one said it aloud, who wasn't envious and jealous?

"Sister, can't you suggest something to the Old Madam? You can't be this biased. Those people have soft cakes and dried meat all along the way, and they soak their feet every day to live comfortably. They are part of the same family and haven't split the household; the Old Madam shouldn't show such favoritism."

Lady Zhuang sneered. "Are you saying this yourself, or did the Third Master send you here specifically to say this to me?"

"Oh my, Sister, what does this have to do with the Third Master?" Concubine Qiu acted shocked.

"I am always the one at the forefront; it is time for you all to step up and show yourselves." Lady Zhuang pulled Xin Mengxue along and turned to give Concubine Qiu a mocking smile. "Isn't the Master your most beloved? Hurry and go to the Old Madam to drum up support. Borrow some silver from the Fourth Sister-in-law to buy the Third Master a new pair of shoes."

Concubine Qiu opened her mouth to speak, but as she watched the mother and daughter walk away faster and faster, she couldn't help but feel resentful.

The Old Madam detested her most and usually wouldn't even spare her a glance. Did she really want to go and cause a scene in front of her? Was she looking for trouble?

Xin Mengye stepped forward and spoke calmly, "We told you not to be so obvious. Lady Zhuang isn't completely brainless; she won't let you manipulate her. Wait a bit before acting."

Concubine Qiu frowned deeply. "If your eldest sister hadn't kindly given us a water skin, we would all be dying of thirst by now."

"Wait, wait... you saw the shoes on your father's feet; look at what they've become."

"Some things won't happen unless you fight for them. I'm going to mention it to the Old Madam."

"Concubine," Xin Mengye said, sounding disapproving, "let's first..."

A loud "BOOM" of thunder echoed.

Everyone jumped in fright and looked up at the sky simultaneously.

"Oh no! A heavy storm is coming! Run!"