From that moment on, Qin Feifei frequently appeared at the Lu residence. Outwardly, she claimed to be visiting her sister, but in reality, she was having secret meetings with Lu Changxuan.

Qin Yaoyao tried her utmost to conceal this from the outside world, because Qin Feifei’s husband had died two years ago, and now this unclear relationship—if people found out, it wouldn’t just be shameful for Qin Feifei. The one who would suffer the most would be her only son Feng’er. How would outsiders view him?

Moreover, Lu Changxuan protected Qin Feifei so thoroughly that there was no room for Qin Yaoyao to speak.

From then on, she knew that originally Lu Changxuan had set his sights on Qin Feifei, the legitimate daughter, not her, the concubine-born daughter. However, at that time Lu Changxuan was merely a small scholar. How could Qin Yongtao, who was a Fifth Rank official with real power, marry his legitimate daughter to him?

Even after Lu Changxuan married her, he couldn’t forget Qin Feifei, finally waiting until Qin Feifei became a widow.

Two months ago, the incomprehensible “catching adultery” incident occurred—she was actually caught in bed with the steward by Lu Changxuan and Qin Feifei leading a group of servants!

And it happened on her mother-in-law’s birthday, with a house full of guests—the scandal instantly spread throughout the capital!

Her mother-in-law wanted to beat her to death, but under Qin Feifei’s desperate pleas, she was left with a thread of life and moved with Feng’er to a small, remote courtyard.

Later, when Feng’er had a high fever that wouldn’t break and she desperately begged Qin Feifei to let a physician come see Feng’er, she was mocked instead. Feng’er died of illness.

After Feng’er died, she also wanted to follow him in death. Even this wish could not be fulfilled. No matter what method she used, Qin Feifei would always save her. Lu Changxuan, ever since she was confined to the rear courtyard, never appeared again.

She still remembered that just a few days ago, she learned from Qin Feifei’s mouth that the tragic deaths of her concubine mother and her maternal uncle’s entire family were all related to Xu Shi and her daughter.

Qin Feifei had said smugly: “Second Sister, thank you for your years of painstaking management—only because of that does the Lu residence have its current prosperity. After I become the mistress of the Lu residence, I can live without worry about food and clothing, still living a life of luxury. I also thank you for always supporting Changxuan, so that Changxuan could reach where he is today. I must also thank you for sending countless amounts of silver to the Qin Manor over the years, so that Mother could overcome difficulties time and again, and so that Elder Sister could navigate smoothly in the palace. Second Sister, tell me, how should I repay you?”

…

The maids were right—everyone in the entire Qin Manor knew that Qin Yaoyao was making wedding clothes for others, and only Qin Yaoyao herself thought her marriage was happy and fulfilling!

Her concubine mother’s death, Feng’er’s death, her maternal uncle’s family suffering complete annihilation…

Feng’er, poor Feng’er!

His soft body seemed still in her arms, his innocent “Mother” seemed still in her ears, his brilliant smile seemed still before her eyes…

Qin Shuying’s eyes were blurred with tears, her eyes already swollen red like peaches, yet tears continued flowing without stop. She bit down hard on the quilt, trying to suppress her sobs to the minimum.

Now, what did she still have to lose? What was still worth protecting?!

Even if she had to go to hell, she would seek justice for her loved ones!

The tears on Qin Shuying’s face dried and became wet again, wet and dried again. Her entire body kept trembling, her teeth chattering, making continuous “clicking” sounds…

Lu Changxuan, Xu Shi, Qin Feifei, Imperial Concubine Lianpin, and all those who have harmed me—I have returned. Are you ready?! You must stay well, otherwise, against whom would I seek my revenge?

You must stay well, stay well, absolutely, absolutely…

From this moment forth, Qin Yaoyao no longer existed. In this world there was only Qin Shuying, who had returned from hell and lived for revenge!

Qin Shuying gazed at the bed canopy, deep in thought.

Qin Shuying’s increasingly weak body was definitely connected to Xu Shi.

Qin Yongzhou’s position was a lucrative post, and he was exceptionally intelligent and clever. The shops he opened had accumulated enormous wealth. Now all this money was under Qin Shuying’s name—how could Xu Shi not be envious!

If Qin Shuying died, that wealth could be absorbed into the Qin Manor’s common funds, and Xu Shi, as the mistress managing the Qin Manor, could secretly pocket a large sum of private wealth.

However, Xu Shi had always had a reputation for virtue in public. Even Qin Yaoyao had initially been deceived by her virtuous and gentle demeanor, treating her as her closest person. When major events occurred, her first reaction was to discuss them with Xu Shi.

Among the families they knew in the capital, who didn’t know that Xu Shi was a great benefactor—pitying the orphaned and suffering, charitable and generous? The food, clothing, and upbringing of concubine-born sons and daughters were comparable to legitimate children.

Therefore, Xu Shi’s treatment of Qin Shuying—while wishing she could swallow her wealth in one gulp, she also wanted to win a good reputation. How Qin Shuying would die required great consideration.

Wasn’t Qin Yaoyao’s situation exactly like this? Everyone knew that Qin Yaoyao didn’t maintain wifely virtue, yet Qin Yongtao and Xu Shi, out of love for their daughter, completely disregarding status and dignity, actually begged the Lu family desperately not to divorce her, giving Qin Yaoyao some dignity. To make up for Qin Yaoyao’s transgressions, they wanted to marry their legitimate daughter Qin Feifei into the Lu family.

Especially from the maids’ conversation just now, she learned that after Qin Yaoyao set herself on fire, Xu Shi went to the temple to personally chant sutras for Qin Yaoyao, praying for her good fortune in the next life. Throughout the capital, who didn’t praise Xu Shi’s benevolent intentions?

Set herself on fire?

That fire was set by either Lu Changxuan or Qin Feifei, because Qin Feifei was already pregnant.

…

A low, angry shout in the courtyard interrupted the maids’ increasingly loud conversation: “What are you all standing around here for?! Why don’t you each go do your own work? Is Second Miss’s hot water ready?”

This voice was exactly the one full of care and worry that she had heard during her unconscious period.

Listening carefully, the maids immediately scattered like birds and beasts. Light footsteps stood under the eaves for a while, sighed softly, then a middle-aged woman wearing a turquoise blue silk jacket with silver mouse trim and a blue front-opening vest walked in. She was only about forty years old, her face full of worry and sorrow.

This was exactly Qin Shuying’s wet nurse, Nanny Fu.

Nanny Fu thought Qin Shuying was still unconscious. She tucked in the quilt at the bedside and sighed softly: “Miss, Second Miss passed away three days ago. They say she went mad and burned herself to death with fire, but this old servant doesn’t believe it. The First Madam is a wolf that devours people without spitting out bones, and Third Miss is also an evil ghost wearing a beauty’s skin. It’s obvious that they were the ones who killed Second Miss. But now, all the rumors outside are unfavorable to Second Miss. They all say that originally Second Miss’s adultery had long been exposed, and to secure favor, she plotted to have Third Miss, who was a widow, follow the young master. They say Second Miss was selfish and could even use her own widowed sister—everyone spits on Second Miss! Only this old servant doesn’t believe it! Second Miss’s death must be a trap set by this mother-daughter pair! Sigh, what’s the use of this old servant saying all this? Second Miss is already dead, and Third Miss will soon become the legitimate wife of the Lu residence…”

Qin Shuying’s fingers curled tightly. Her nails dug into her palms without her knowing it. Her chest felt stuffy and uncomfortable, as if stuffed with cotton, unable to draw a breath. Her throat itched terribly, as if millions of insects were gnawing at it—

“Cough cough…”