So in her previous life, Li Jingshu had seduced her father, caused her mother’s death, and then married into the Song family with a clear conscience to become Second Madam, making her and Song Yan call her mother for over twenty years.
Most detestable of all, she had raised herself into a useless waste who only knew how to bring shame, and had sent Song Yan to the underworld.
Song Chuyi felt her throat ache. The despair and unwillingness from the final moments of her life overwhelmed her bit by bit, drowning her. She clenched her fists tightly, her face expressionless as she stared fixedly at Qing Tao’s parents.
Nanny Xu was quite frightened, thinking Song Chuyi had been scared, and hurriedly came forward to pat her shoulder.
When Song Chuning had said she hated her back then, where exactly had that confidence come from?
That mother and daughter had stolen everything that should have been hers, even usurping the nest and causing her mother’s death. They had received all of Song Yi’s affection and tender care, coldly watching as she and Song Yan showed them gratitude and devotion.
After a long silence, she finally found her voice again. Looking at Qing Tao’s parents, her gaze was somewhat complex. “I asked you to inquire about news of the people who served my mother back then. I hadn’t expected that you two would also be people in the know.”
Qing Tao’s father looked at her anxiously, immediately kowtowing continuously on the ground, his tone sincere and straightforward. “Sixth Miss, back then we were in the wrong—”
Song Chuyi turned back to look at Qing Tao behind her, waves surging in her heart.
Although Qing Tao’s parents had ultimately pulled back from the brink and had not continued helping the tyrant commit evil, later they had still used connections by every means to send Qing Tao into the Earl’s household, hoping she could serve at Lady Li’s side. This indicated they still harbored thoughts of repaying loyalty to Lady Li.
Because she appreciated Qing Tao’s cleverness, she had won Qing Tao over. Now it seemed the benefits were more than just one.
The room was quiet for a long while. Song Chuyi’s expression was very different from usual, and even Nanny Xu didn’t dare speak again.
It was Qing Tao’s mother who first broke the silence. She cried out mournfully, “Although we never actually did anything wrong, we are still people of the Li family. If Sixth Miss resents us, we have nothing to say. But little Tao truly follows you wholeheartedly. Otherwise she wouldn’t have us reveal even these secrets from so many years ago. I ask that Sixth Miss, in consideration of her devoted loyalty, give her a living.”
Only then did Song Chuyi come back to her senses. She looked at Qing Tao behind her, who was already shedding tears, and slowly shook her head. “I have no intention of venting my anger on you. You were merely following orders. Moreover, fortunately Uncle pulled back from the brink—otherwise my mother might have met with disaster long ago.”
She laughed self-mockingly, then gathered her spirits to ask, “I just wonder, besides these things, did you manage to find out news about any of the servants who used to serve my mother?”
“Yes, we did.” Qing Tao’s father hurriedly straightened up and said earnestly, “The estate manager on the estate was one of the people who handled matters back then. I dealt with him for over a month and finally obtained some information.”
Nanny Xu was somewhat excited, her face flushing with emotion as she hurriedly asked, “Whose news is it? Do you know where they are?”
She and the people who had served at Cui Shi’s side back then had grown up together since childhood. Over these years she had also made inquiries, but had never been able to find out anything. This time, hearing there was news, she was immediately so excited she lost her composure.
“They were all given muting drugs.” Qing Tao’s father’s voice was somewhat hoarse. “They were sold far away to Guizhou.”
Guizhou, such a distant place thousands of miles away—Lady Li was truly ruthless and cunning.
Nanny Xu felt somewhat sad and chilled in her heart. She couldn’t help but redden around the eyes. “What a sin.”
Back then, all four senior maids at Cui Shi’s side had been fresh and lovely. Who would have thought they would end up with such a fate—given muting drugs and sold to Guizhou. And given Lady Li’s vicious nature, who knows what filthy places she actually sold them to.
Thinking how they had usually been more honorable than ordinary young ladies of good families, yet now were so pitiful, Nanny Xu clenched her teeth tightly, wishing she could devour Lady Li’s flesh.
Song Chuyi was also somewhat stunned. “Guizhou?”
So far away, and without knowing the specific location—wouldn’t finding them be as difficult as ascending to heaven?
Seeing Song Chuyi’s disappointment, Qing Tao’s father didn’t dare continue keeping her in suspense and hurriedly said, “There’s one who wasn’t sold. The estate manager’s son happened to fancy one of the maids and pestered his father stubbornly until the manager secretly kept her. She seems to be called Lianyi or something. Now everyone calls her Second Sister-in-law Li.”
Hearing a familiar name, Nanny Xu hurriedly looked at Song Chuyi and nodded. “Yes, yes, yes, there was one called Lianyi!”
Song Chuyi breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly asked again, “Have you had any contact with her?”
Qing Tao’s mother shook her head. “Very little. Manager Li and his wife are both cautious people—they rarely let her come out. She doesn’t even have to do farm work. Most of the time she stays in the house tending the fire, cooking, and watching the children. I once tried to exchange a few words with her, but was turned away.”
Really guarded tightly.
Song Chuyi looked thoughtful. After considering, she asked again, “Approximately how far is Lady Li’s estate from here?”
“In Yongshun County—about half a day’s carriage ride.” Qing Tao’s father discerned Song Chuyi’s intention. “It’s just that Manager Li guards her closely. It’s very difficult to get a word with Second Sister-in-law Li.”
Yongshun? If she remembered correctly, in her previous life Yongshun County had suffered the worst disaster. In her panic and anxiety, Song Chuyi had a flash of inspiration and suddenly thought of Ye Jingchuan.
Perhaps she could take advantage of Ye Jingchuan’s situation and rescue Lianyi without anyone knowing.
Having formed a plan in her heart, her expression improved considerably. Looking at Qing Tao’s parents, she nodded. “I want to ask Uncle and Auntie one more question. Qing Tao said before that you had also made up your minds to follow me. Are you certain about following me now?”
If there had still been some uncertainty before, by now there was nothing left to hesitate about.
Qing Tao’s parents clenched their teeth and nodded continuously.
“Then you simply shouldn’t go back.” Song Chuyi’s face brightened. “My stepmother probably doesn’t have that much time to manage your affairs. If you go back and reveal any signs of what you know, it would actually be unsafe. You might as well just stay at this estate for now. As for your slave registration, I’ll think of a way.”
Qing Tao’s parents had been worried that if they returned they would be made difficulties for, and were also nervous and uneasy from having revealed Lady Li’s secrets. Now that Song Chuyi said this, the two naturally agreed hurriedly.
Qing Tao also came over with reddened eyes to thank her. Song Chuyi supported Qing Tao and didn’t let her kneel, then stood up and walked step by step out of the room.
Her previous life had truly been too bitter, too difficult. So bitter that even now reborn, she found it hard to feel at ease. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t accumulated enough virtue. Thinking that she still had tomorrow, and after tomorrow there would be the day after, and at home she had her grandmother and younger brother, her heart involuntarily softened first. She thought—she would treat others kindly, treat everyone who showed her goodwill and acceptance with kindness, only hoping that Heaven, seeing she was also devout enough, would be a little better to her loved ones in this life.