Chapter 371: Chapter 370: I Can’t Keep Her Anymore
The woman always had to criticize her proudly held nose.
——The studies are strenuous; the young lady must be exhausted.
——Learning to read and write is a good thing. I come from poverty and can hardly understand a few principles, let alone read. But seeing the young lady being praised by the teacher every day always fills me with joy. You are well, and so is your wet nurse.
After she was bullied by Yan An, the wet nurse, in her protection of her, accidentally pushed Yan An.
In the end, she was clapped in irons and thrown into prison.
"I spent 500 taels."
Yan Mi spoke slowly, yet it was as if she was being tormented.
"I tried every means to pull strings, every method I could think of to save her. I spent the silver, but just half a year later, she died in the jail cell."
Dowager Yan dared not listen any further, but the girl’s words, gentle and soft, compelled her to listen regardless.
"How could I not wonder? I thought she was just frail, and a prison is no place for a person. I hated myself for not giving enough silver."
"But now I see it clearly."
Yan Mi looked at Dowager Yan.
"I understand now why, when I begged desperately, you remained unwilling to relent and release her."
All it would have taken was a word from the Governor Mansion.
"Mi."
Dowager Yan hurried to grasp Yan Mi’s hand but was deftly avoided.
"Over all these years, I truly cared for you from the bottom of my heart!"
She had set up her own people early in Qi Xi’s quarters out of vigilance and knew full well that Yan Mi was adopted from outside their household.
But somehow, she simply took to her with just one glance.
She couldn’t accept the sordid affairs between Yan Kun and Qu Xi behind closed doors, but she also reveled in the glory of the Yan Family. She couldn’t bear to blame Yan Kun and thus directed all her hatred towards Qu Xi.
She disdained her in every aspect.
But even if she exposed Qu Xi, what then? If she burnt her bridges, she would only bring ruin upon the Yan Family.
"For over a decade, I’ve raised you by my side."
"You are well-versed in poetry and literature, both beautiful and wise. I’ve taught you how to conduct yourself in society. Without me, you would not be where you are today."
"Yes, once I learned of her identity, I was troubled and couldn’t sleep all night, thus I developed selfish thoughts."
She looked at the standing dignified girl, finally stripped of former extravagance, her eyes brimming with tears.
"But you should also understand me."
To say it wasn’t hard would be a lie.
Yan Mi glanced at the sky, recalling the conversation she had overheard a few days ago while holding a small box.
——What would the official do with a crime of deceiving the Emperor?
——Exterminating the nine familial clans wouldn’t be an exaggeration. But if someone were to protect him, they might just get off lightly.
He said.
——Most likely the latter.
The Commander’s status is high, and if Emperor He were to truly take his head, keeping the balance of power would be difficult.
The Xie Family had never thought to send Yan Kun directly to hell this time.
Beheading him would be too boring; it’s better to torment him slowly.
Yan Mi lowered her eyelashes.
"I do not forgive."
"Neither I nor she does."
Dowager Yan hastily said: "Grandmother was wrong."
"The sins committed by the Yan Family are too many, it’s not something that can be resolved with a simple acknowledgment of wrongdoing."
Qu Xi was terrified as she listened until a group of fierce and terrifying troops broke down the door.
"Mrs. Yan, you need to come with us."
Yan Mi seemed detached as she walked out with her back straight.
Dowager Yan took a couple of steps after her but staggered and nearly fell, only to be swiftly supported by the old woman behind her.
The Yan Family was thrown into complete chaos, and Qu Xi was dragged away while struggling.
"Mi!"
In Dowager Yan’s eyes, it seemed as if there was only that girl in the aquamarine skirt.
Second Old Lady was anxious: "Mother-in-law, what has eldest sister-in-law done wrong? Shall we send someone out to inquire?"
"I can’t keep her any longer; I just can’t," Dowager Yan said simply.
And yet, Yan Mi paused in her steps. She turned around and walked back swiftly, her gentle and delicate face revealing a calm demeanor.
Dowager Yan’s muddled eyes brightened.
Yan Mi knelt down and kowtowed to Dowager Yan.
With this kowtow, while she thanked her for years of nurturing, wasn’t she also severing all affection?
After doing all this, Yan Mi left without looking back, thoroughly leaving behind the cage that had trapped her for more than a decade.
————
Outside Shengjing City.
Two carriages were parked by the Observation Platform.
Wei Yingying was pacing back and forth, making Shen Hua’s eyes hurt from watching.
"It’s strange today, the morning court should have started by now, but my father still hasn’t returned home. I can’t help feeling uneasy."
"Why did you ask me to come here? The wind is strong in the countryside, and although the day is bright and sunny, it still feels rather cold."
Shen Hua: "To see you off."
"See off? Who are we seeing off?"
Shen Hua glanced at the sky.
"I’ve been thinking about something."
She thought, Qu Xi is truly malicious.
Instead of remaining Mrs. Zhu, she insisted on returning to Yan Kun’s side.
With the interference from Duke Wei Mansion, Yan Kun had no choice but to lower his head; he hated Qu Xi, and even more so the Lord Zhu who had helped elevate him.
After all... even a man like him knew shame.
Especially when Qu Xi lay beside him again.
Meanwhile, Lord Zhu, in his fury, found himself bankrupt and saddled with the accusation of corruption and bribery in the end.
Before he could confront Yan Kun, he was killed in his home, and it was made to look like a suicide due to fear of punishment.
Wei Yingying stepped closer: "What’s the matter? Tell me, and I’ll help you analyze it."
Shen Hua looked at her with an expression that seemed to carry endless depth.
"Did you give the Third Prince more silver?"
"Of course, I’ve just received my monthly salary. I’ve been very lucky these few days, always finding money. You don’t know, just yesterday I was saying that the bracelet that cheap Wei Zhuzhu bought was very pretty, and this morning I found it, immediately sold it, and sent the money to the Third Prince Mansion. He was reluctant to take it at first, but he couldn’t resist me in the end."
Shen Hua smiled: "Did you just ask me what I was thinking about?"
"I’m wondering if a door has ever smashed your head?"
Wei Yingying: ??? Is that something a person would say?
The carriage from Yongchang Marquis Mansion slowly stopped, and Yan Mi leaned out as she exited.
Wei Yingying: ???!
"Could it be that you’re seeing me off?"
Xuan Ai knew they had things to discuss and said a few words to Shen Hua before waiting inside the carriage.
"Where are you going?"
"Sister Yan, you—"
Yan Mi with regret: "I probably won’t be able to attend your wedding."
Wei Yingying struggled to come to terms with this news.
Shen Hua slowly stood up: "Will you come back?"
"I don’t know."
The girl pursed her lips: "Then... will you ever marry?"
Yan Mi looked at her, a soft smile on her face, the same one Shen Hua saw when they first met.
Xie Xun, she probably won’t be able to forget and let go of him in this lifetime.
But in the casket she carried, there was only a letter with a few brief words.
The letter said.
To find herself a young man who had eyes and heart only for her, that would give him peace of mind.
"I don’t know either."
Her voice dissipated in the wind: "But I probably will."
Fifteen minutes later, the carriage wheels began to roll again.
Watching the carriage growing farther away, Wei Yingying could not hold back and burst into tears with a loud ’waah’.
"Shen Hua, I only have a few close friends, and at my wedding, you’ll be the only one there!"
"I’m afraid I might not be able to attend your wedding either?"
Wei Yingying sobbed uncontrollably: "What do you mean?"
Shen Hua withdrew her gaze: "It’s time for me to return to Fengzhou City."
Wei Yingying’s crying came to an abrupt halt.
She somewhat admired Shen Hua.
"So, you seduced Marquis Cui, got what you wanted, and now you’re planning to dump him?"
(Visit Xiao Xiang Academy for updates)