After the eunuch left, Zhuang Shiyang continued to punch and kick Zhou Shi and her daughter. Zhou Shi was kicked so severely that she lay motionless on the ground. Even in this state, she kept Zhuang Yushan protected beneath her. All of Zhuang Shiyang’s blows landed on her body. At first, she still wailed and begged for mercy, but eventually, her voice grew increasingly faint.
“Father…” Zhuang Yushan sobbed breathlessly, “Please stop hitting Mother… there’s so much blood… Mother is bleeding…”
Han Yan felt her heart stir. Looking up, she finally noticed the large pool of blood spreading beneath Zhou Shi. The bright red color was blinding in the sunlight, staining the hems of Zhou Shi and Zhuang Yushan’s skirts crimson.
“Father, please stop. It seems Concubine Zhou is bleeding,” Han Yan quickly intervened, seeing the situation deteriorating.
Zhuang Shiyang was still enraged. He kicked Zhou Shi once more, and seeing her unresponsive, he looked down to find his boots stained with blood. Noticing the blood spreading across the hall floor, he panicked and quickly ordered, “Get a doctor immediately!”
Zhuang Yushan had cried herself nearly unconscious. Concubine Mei, being pregnant, was unable to witness such a bloody scene and returned to Furong Garden. Zhuang Hanming, being male, was sent back to his quarters by Han Yan. Zhuang Qin went to fetch a doctor. Zhou Shi now lay unconscious on the bed, with the bedding beneath her soaked in blood. The sight was shocking to behold.
Zhuang Shiyang felt some fear, but remembering his recent demotion, any guilt he felt toward Zhou Shi vanished like smoke.
Han Yan, standing beside the bed, noticed that Zhou Shi’s bleeding seemed to be coming from below. Her heart skipped a beat, though she tried to deny her suspicions.
The doctor arrived quickly, sat by the bedside, and took Zhou Shi’s pulse. After a long while, he shook his head.
“How is my mother?” Zhuang Yushan asked anxiously.
The doctor looked at Zhuang Shiyang, and seeing him looking back questioningly, sighed and said, “Madam has suffered a miscarriage.”
Like a thunderbolt from the blue, both Zhuang Shiyang and Zhuang Yushan stood frozen. Han Yan’s gaze sharpened – had her guess been correct? But…
“When did this happen?” Zhuang Shiyang hurriedly asked.
The doctor looked at Zhou Shi: “About a month along, so the pulse signs weren’t very clear.”
Zhuang Shiyang swayed: “How could she miscarry…” He recalled his recent beating and kicking of Zhou Shi and found it even harder to believe.
Han Yan was puzzled. Zhou Shi had indeed been pregnant, but that was supposed to happen a year later when she gave birth to a son. By then, Zhuang Hanming would have been dead, and Zhuang Shiyang had made that son his heir apparent.
But in this life, how could Zhou Shi be pregnant now? And this unborn child had perished so early. Since her rebirth had changed her fate, had it also altered others’ destinies?
Zhou Shi gradually regained consciousness and vaguely heard Zhuang Shiyang’s words. She weakly asked, “Who… who miscarried?”
Seeing everyone staring at her, she panicked. Suddenly feeling a piercing pain below and her stomach churning, Zhuang Yushan rushed over, crying, “Mother…”
An unbelievable thought entered her mind. Trembling, she grabbed Zhuang Yushan’s hand: “Yushan… tell Mother, who miscarried?”
Zhuang Yushan looked at her fearfully: “Mother… the doctor said… you miscarried…”
Zhou Shi felt as if a dagger was twisting in her heart, making it impossible to breathe. This was the son she had hoped for many years. All these years, she only had Zhuang Yushan, one daughter. If she had had a son, the position of primary wife would surely have been hers. But now! That son had become nothing but a pool of blood, leaving nothing behind!
Bitter hatred blazed in her eyes as her gaze swept over Zhuang Shiyang and Han Yan. It was this man who had killed her unborn child, and this little wretch who had brought her to such straits. If she didn’t take revenge, she wouldn’t be Zhou Shi!
Han Yan saw the hatred in Zhou Shi’s eyes and sighed inwardly. Now Zhou Shi truly hated Zhuang Shiyang to death – no need for her to sow discord. However, Zhou Shi would certainly view her as a thorn in her side, and her future schemes would likely be a hundred times more vicious than before. Currently bedridden and severely injured, she couldn’t act rashly, but even a dying centipede doesn’t lie still. Once recovered, she would surely seek revenge.
Han Yan wasn’t afraid of Zhou Shi, but she was wary of the power behind her – specifically, Grand Tutor Zhang.
She remembered that in her previous life, shortly after the New Year, Grand Tutor Zhang’s favored concubine – Zhou Shi’s elder sister, Da Zhou Shi – had visited the Zhuang residence with her son.
It wasn’t long after those nephews arrived that the incident with Zhuang Hanming at the brothel occurred.
Very well, it was time to settle both old and new scores.
It was early in the year, and Beijing was filled with New Year’s atmosphere. Every household was festive, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, people visiting each other, and scenes of joy visible throughout.
However, this year’s Zhuang residence was unexpectedly quiet.
Ji Lan wound thread from her basket into circles while saying, “Young Miss, why are you doing embroidery again? Don’t let your hands get too cold in this winter weather.”
On the snow-white embroidery hoop was a half-finished wild goose, embroidered with golden thread. It somewhat resembled a magnificent phoenix, though it couldn’t soar to the ninth heaven.
Han Yan cut away excess thread with scissors and smiled, “Just passing time. Besides, I fear my skills will get rusty if I don’t practice for too long.”
Madam Chen felt distressed and moved the hand warmer closer to Han Yan: “Young Miss, don’t tire yourself too much. Zhou Shi’s sister is coming to the residence today – how shameless, treating the Zhuang residence like this!”
Han Yan waved her hand: “Concubine Zhou just lost her child. As sisters, it’s normal for her to come visit. Since they’re so close, the Zhuang residence should welcome them warmly.”
Madam Chen pursed her lips: “If it were just a visit, that would be fine, but she’s bringing her son too – quite unusual. I think she’s planning to stay long-term.”
Han Yan found it amusing: “Why make it sound like relatives coming to mooch? Let them stay if they want – it’s just a matter of setting two more places at the table.”
Madam Chen couldn’t help saying, “Young Miss… this old servant is worried. She’s coming to seek revenge for Zhou Shi, and will surely cause trouble for you.”
Han Yan put away her embroidery hoop and said, “Are we supposed to fear her? This isn’t the Grand Tutor’s residence – once they enter this door, they won’t leave easily. If they come to trip us up, they’d better be fully prepared.”
“This…” Madam Chen looked hesitantly at Han Yan, but seeing her confident expression, felt somewhat reassured. She had noticed how Zhou Shi had repeatedly fallen into traps recently. The Young Miss before her could now stand on her own and no longer allowed others to bully her. If Madam were alive, she would surely be proud.