After thе еunuсh lеft, Zhuаng Shiyang cоntinuеd to kick аnd punch Маdаm Zhоu аnd hеr daughter. Мadam Zhou was kicked sо hаrd that shе laу оn thе grоund, unablе tо mоvе. Еven in this stаte, she shieldеd Zhuаngshan bеneath her. Zhuаng Shiyang’s blоws all landеd оn hеr. Аt first, shе wаilеd and beggеd fоr merсу, but grаduallу, her vоiсe grew wеаker аnd weaker.
"Fаther..." Zhuangshan sоbbеd, gаsping fоr breath. "Stoр hitting Моther... Тhеrе’s sо muсh blоod... Моther is blеeding..."
Нan Yan’s hеart stirrеd, аnd shе loоkеd uр, оnly then notiсing a large poоl of blood sрreading bеneаth Мadаm Zhou. The bright red color was glaring under the sunlight, staining Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan’s skirts crimson.
"Father, stop hitting her. Concubine seems to be bleeding." Seeing the situation turn dire, Han Yan quickly stepped forward to intervene.
Zhuang Shiyang was still furious. He kicked Madam Zhou once more, but when she showed no reaction, he looked down and saw his boots stained with blood. Glancing at the spreading pool of blood in the hall, he panicked and hurriedly said, "Quick, go fetch a doctor."
Zhuangshan was already crying weakly, on the verge of collapse. Concubine Mei, being pregnant, was not suited to witness such a bloody scene and returned to Hibiscus Garden. Zhuang Hanming, being a man, was also sent back to his room by Han Yan. Zhuang Qin sent someone to fetch a doctor. By then, Madam Zhou lay unconscious on the bed, the bedding beneath her soaked through with blood. At first glance, the sight was shocking.
Zhuang Shiyang also felt a twinge of fear, but remembering he had just been demoted, his slight guilt toward Madam Zhou vanished entirely.
Han Yan stood by the bed, noticing that Madam Zhou’s blood seemed to be flowing from below. Her heart sank, and she dismissed the thought with disbelief.
The doctor arrived quickly and sat by the bedside to take Madam Zhou’s pulse. After a long while, he shook his head.
Zhuangshan asked anxiously, "How is my mother?"
The doctor glanced at Zhuang Shiyang, who was also looking at him inquiringly, and sighed. "This lady has suffered a miscarriage."
As if struck by lightning, Zhuang Shiyang and Zhuangshan stood frozen in place. Han Yan’s gaze sharpened—had she guessed correctly? But...
Zhuang Shiyang hurriedly asked, "When did this happen?"
The doctor examined Madam Zhou. "It was likely just about a month ago, so the pulse was not very clear."
Zhuang Shiyang staggered. "How could she have miscarried..." Remembering how he had just kicked and punched Madam Zhou, he found it even harder to believe.
Han Yan, however, was puzzled. Madam Zhou had indeed been pregnant, but that was a year later. She gave birth to a son, and since Zhuang Hanming had already passed away by then, Zhuang Shiyang made that son the legitimate heir.
But in this life, how could Madam Zhou be pregnant now? And how could this unborn son die so prematurely? After her rebirth, she had changed her own fate—had she also altered the fates of others?
Madam Zhou slowly regained consciousness at this point and faintly overheard Zhuang Shiyang’s words. Weakly, she asked, "Who... who miscarried?"
Seeing everyone staring at her, she panicked. Suddenly, she felt a piercing pain below and a churning in her stomach. Zhuangshan threw herself forward, crying out, "Mother..."
An unbelievable thought crossed her mind. Trembling, she grabbed Zhuangshan’s hand. "Yu'er... tell Mother, who miscarried?"
Zhuangshan looked at her fearfully. "Mother... the doctor said... you miscarried..."Madam Zhou felt as if a dagger were twisting deep in her heart, the pain so intense she could hardly breathe. This was the son she had longed for all these years—for so long, she had only had one daughter, Zhuangshan. If she had borne a son, the position of mistress of the Zhuang Manor would undoubtedly have been hers. But now! That son had turned into nothing but a pool of blood, leaving nothing behind!
A bone-deep hatred flashed in her eyes as her gaze swept over Zhuang Shiyang and Han Yan. It was this man who had strangled the child in her womb, and it was this little wretch who had brought her to such a state. If she did not take revenge, she would not be Madam Zhou!
Han Yan saw the hatred in Madam Zhou’s eyes and sighed inwardly. This time, Madam Zhou truly hated Zhuang Shiyang to the core, sparing Han Yan the effort of sowing discord. However, Madam Zhou would undoubtedly regard Han Yan as a thorn in her side, and the schemes she would employ were likely to be a hundred times more vicious than before. For now, bedridden and severely wounded, she could not act recklessly. Yet, like a centipede that does not die even when cut, once she recovered, she would surely repay every debt in full.
Han Yan was not afraid of Madam Zhou, but the power behind her did give Han Yan some pause—for example, Grand Tutor Zhang.
She remembered that in her previous life, not long after the New Year’s Eve celebrations, Grand Tutor Zhang’s favored concubine, Madam Da Zhou—Madam Zhou’s own elder sister—had come to the Zhuang Manor for a visit, bringing her son along.
And it was not long after those nephews arrived that Zhuang Hanming got involved in that incident at the brothel.
Very well. New debts and old scores should be settled together.
It was the beginning of spring, and the capital was still filled with the lingering festive atmosphere of the New Year. Every household was bustling with joy, decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere. People strolled through the streets and alleys, and scenes of harmony and happiness could be seen at every turn.
Yet, this year, the Zhuang Manor was unexpectedly desolate.
Ji Lan wound the silk threads from her basket into coils as she said, “Why is the young lady doing embroidery again? In the cold of winter, you mustn’t freeze your hands.”
On the snow-white embroidery frame lay a half-stitched wild goose, embroidered with golden threads that made it resemble a magnificent phoenix, though it could never soar through the heavens.
Han Yan snipped off the excess threads with scissors and smiled. “Just passing the time. Besides, if I don’t practice embroidery for too long, I’m afraid my skills will grow rusty.”
Mama Chen’s heart ached for her, pushing the warmer closer to Han Yan. “Young lady, don’t overwork yourself. Madam Zhou’s sister is coming to the manor today—what a shameless woman, treating the Zhuang Manor as if it were her own place.”
Han Yan waved her hand dismissively. “Concubine Zhou has just lost her child. As her own sister, it’s only natural for her to come and visit. It’s rare to see such sisterly affection, so the Zhuang Manor should naturally welcome her warmly.”
Mama Chen curled her lip. “If it were just a visit, that would be one thing, but bringing her son along—now that’s a strange sight. I think she plans to stay here for a long time.”
Han Yan found this amusing. “Why does it sound like she’s some distant relative here to freeload? Let her stay if she wants. It’s just a matter of two more mouths to feed.”
Mama Chen couldn’t help but say, “Young lady… this old servant is worried that she’s here to seek revenge for Madam Zhou. She’s bound to cause trouble for you.”
Han Yan set down her embroidery frame and said, “Are we afraid of her? The Zhuang Manor is not the Grand Tutor’s residence. Once she steps through this gate, she shouldn’t expect to leave easily. Since she’s come to trip us up, she’d better be fully prepared.”"This..." Mama Chen hesitated, glancing at Han Yan. Seeing her calm and confident expression, she felt somewhat reassured. She wasn't blind to the fact that Madam Zhou had suffered repeated setbacks recently. This young lady before her could now stand on her own, no longer allowing herself to be bullied. If her mother were still alive, she would surely be immensely comforted.
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