Chapter 724: 721: Punishment_1

Chapter 724: Chapter 721: Punishment_1

“Later, Wen Juan transferred her affections… She deceived me by saying she wanted me to accompany her to clarify things with Fu Anze, but she set me up with him. I… had the intention to act according to circumstances, going along with her plan! I thought I was winning a good marriage for myself, fulfilling my wish to admire Fu Anze…”

Dong Tingfang choked up, starting to cry softly: “Who knew Wen Juan was so deceitful, entangling with others while telling Fu Anze that I was the one scheming against them, just to give herself a virtuous reputation! And that Fu Anze, appearing wise but actually blind-hearted, wholly believed Wen Juan, thinking I was a despicable concubine daughter trying to climb his family tree, ruining his marriage prospects, never seeing me favorably!”

In this marriage matter, as a mere concubine daughter, she originally didn’t match the legitimate eldest son of the Fu family. But because her father was the Minister of Judicial Review, and due to a familial connection with the Bai family in Dadu City, the Fu family reluctantly accepted her. Later, when Bai Qingyan was titled the Princess of Zhen, the Fu family finally found this marriage agreeable.

“Fu Anze’s mother, thinking that cousin was the Princess of Zhen… always wanted me to help arrange good futures for the Fu family’s eldest son’s children. I, Dong Tingfang, am just a concubine daughter of the Dong family. Besides, I am not as close to cousin as Tingzhen is, even if I were as close, I would not want to be manipulated like this by my mother-in-law! I feared even more that after marrying into the family… once the eldest son’s wife discovered I couldn’t secure futures for her children, my life would become hard! If Tingfang were to live this way all her life, I’d rather marry a farmer!”

Dong Tingfang spoke with heartfelt sincerity today. These words had been bottled up inside her. She couldn’t tell her tearful mother-in-law, nor her chastising father; naturally… not her authoritative stepmother either.

In fact, she knew… the life of concubine daughters in other households under their stepmothers’ watch might be even harder than under her mother, Mrs. Song!

But if she hadn’t seen how the concubine sons and daughters of the Bai family were cherished, it might have been different. Having seen it, how could she not feel envious?

Bai Qingyan nodded: “You may rise, I understand! But, to dissolve this marriage without damaging the Dong family’s reputation, you might have to endure some grievances.”

Dong Tingfang did not expect Bai Qingyan to be willing to help her. In the Dong family, no one wanted to listen to what she had to say, let alone care for a concubine daughter like her.

She couldn’t help but kowtow to Bai Qingyan: “It’s fine to endure some temporary grievance, but Tingfang fears a lifetime of grievance! Initially… I was indeed blinded by love, willingly used as a pawn. Now enlightened, this grievance is what I deserve!”

“Good, knowing one’s mistake and correcting it is a virtue. You are still a good daughter of the Dong family!” Bai Qingyan smiled slightly. “I will invite my aunt to discuss it, then ask Mrs. Fu here to talk about calling off the engagement. No worries, if the engagement is called off and you don’t wish to stay in Dadu City, you can come with me to Shuoyang. I’ll have my mother find a match for you there.”

“Cousin…” Dong Tingfang’s face was suddenly filled with tears. She thought this cousin, always close to Tingzhen, would also look down on her, a concubine daughter of the Dong family. To her surprise… her cousin felt the same for her. She had even considered forcing her cousin by long kneeling, not expecting her cousin to offer help first.

From now on, she would never think this way about her cousin again.

“I was of small heart! I originally thought I would have to kneel long to persuade cousin to save me, but cousin… Tingfang is not worthy of such kindness from you!” Dong Tingfang choked up.

“Alright, get up!” Bai Qingyan said with a smile, “This soup is getting cold.”

“Let me feed you, cousin!” Dong Tingfang quickly got up.

“No need to be so delicate, just help me place a cushion behind my back so I can be more comfortable.”

Dong Tingfang quickly wiped her tears, responded and put a cushion behind Bai Qingyan. She then handed a spoon to Bai Qingyan: “If cousin likes it, Tingfang will make you medicinal diets every day!”

“That would be hard on you…” Bai Qingyan smiled faintly at Dong Tingfang, lowered her head and tasted a spoonful. The taste was indeed good.

Soon, Bai Jinxiu came in, smiled and said to Dong Tingfang: “Cousin Tingfang, go rest. Eldest Sister has me and the maids serving her, Tingzhen is waiting for you.”

Dong Tingfang realized Bai Jinxiu wanted to speak to Bai Qingyan in private, nodded, and curtsied to Bai Qingyan: “Cousin, send for me if you need anything.”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Go rest.”

Watching Dong Tingfang leave, Bai Jinxiu lifted her skirt, stepped on the rosewood footrest, and sat by Bai Qingyan’s bed, lowering her voice: “Eldest Sister, General Fu Ruoxi has come quietly, asking to see you at the corner gate.”

Bai Qingyan, still eating the medicinal soup, didn’t look up: “Why has he come at this time, did he mention any urgent matter?”

“General Fu said he has something urgent to discuss with you, nothing more,” Bai Jinxiu replied, handing her a handkerchief.

Bai Qingyan took the handkerchief, dabbed her lips: “You go personally invite General Fu in, we can speak with a screen between us.”

“Alright!” Bai Jinxiu lifted her skirt and went to invite General Fu herself.

Once Bai Jinxiu left, Bai Qingyan called the maids into the outer room to clear the soup bowls and small table. She heard the Hidden Guard’s movements, got up, walked to the window, and slightly opened it.

“Greetings, master!” The Hidden Guard, seeing Bai Qingyan open the window, knelt hastily.

Bai Qingyan hadn’t seen this Hidden Guard before, she asked: “What is it?”

“Master, today someone sneaked into King Liang’s mansion. I couldn’t identify the person, tried to follow but the individual had excellent martial arts. I trailed for an hour only to be led in circles, ultimately lost them. Before losing track, I saw General Fu Ruoxi following the person. Please punish me!”

Bai Qingyan frowned. It seemed Fu Ruoxi came because of this.

What kind of person could evade a highly skilled Hidden Guard but be tracked by the one-armed Fu Ruoxi? It piqued her curiosity.

“Understood, keep an eye on King Liang’s mansion. We are short-handed now, your punishment will be dealt with later. Go!” Bai Qingyan commanded.

The Hidden Guard responded and disappeared under the corridor.

Soon, Bai Jinxiu brought the cloaked and hooded Fu Ruoxi to Qinghui Courtyard.

Qinghui Courtyard had loyal old servants left behind by the Bai family before returning to Shuoyang. Bai Jinxiu didn’t avoid them, directly bringing Fu Ruoxi into the main room.

Full of cold air, Fu Ruoxi entered and knelt behind the screen: “Greetings, Princess of Zhen!”