Chapter 18: Cutting Flesh
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Geng Momo twisted Su Mei’s cheek with one hand and pinched Su Jin’s ear with the other, looking malicious, but speaking in a very low voice, full of righteousness: “How did you serve the young lady? If someone dares to harm the young lady, you should rush up and protect her, feel her pain, die for her…”
Mingzhu seized the opportunity, sighed deeply first, and then pretended to be incredulous, asking Geng Momo: “What did Momo just say? Are you cursing me to die?”
Geng Momo was startled, quickly trying to appease her, “Young lady misunderstood, even if I had ten times more courage, I wouldn’t dare, it’s not what I meant.”
Mingzhu glanced at her, stubbornly without room for rebuttal, “Your meaning is that I’m deaf? You are my wet nurse, worked hard, but you should know the rules. You knew I wasn’t feeling well, yet you ran to my door and spoke recklessly, because you knew there were outsiders in the courtyard and wanted to force me to spare you, otherwise, you’d give me a bad name for mistreating my wet nurse. Are you still holding a grudge against those few words I said to you earlier?”
As such a bucket of dirty water was heartlessly poured down, Geng Momo’s heart was anxious as if fried in oil. She couldn’t care less about her dignity anymore and hurriedly knelt down to plead, “I was just worried about Miss, and I spoke hastily. I would never dare to entertain such evil thoughts. Please, Miss, consider Madam’s face and spare me this time, considering how hard I’ve worked to raise you.”
Mingzhu said lightly, “You don’t deserve it. Your heart and eyes have nothing to do with me. Even if you raised me, all you remember are your own benefits. If you didn’t wish ill upon me, why would you curse me to die?” Without waiting for Geng Momo to speak again, she called out to someone, “Why keep such a disloyal person around? Lock her up and take her back to be dealt with by Fourth Brother.”
Fu Xiang had four sons, each with a different temperament: the eldest was astute, the second brave, the third elegant, and the fourth cunning. Among them, the eldest, second, third sons, and Mingzhu were all born to the primary wife, Lady Cui, while only the fourth son was born to a concubine. The “Fourth Brother” Mingzhu mentioned was her half-brother, Fu Mingzheng. Mingzheng’s birth mother passed away early, and he had a rebellious temperament. Having spent a long time in the Dali Temple, he was influenced by his surroundings, and his methods of tormenting people were varied and innovative. Because of his expertise, any unforgivable traitors from the Fu household were handed over to him for punishment, and hardly anyone survived intact under his hands. It could be imagined that if Geng Momo fell into his hands, even if her crimes weren’t worthy of death, she wouldn’t fare well.
“Miss, spare me… I know my mistake.” Geng Momo was terrified, crying out in desperation and crawling forward to clutch at Mingzhu’s legs, pleading bitterly, “Please spare me this time? I’ll be your servant, do whatever you ask…”
Mingzhu looked at the top of Geng Momo’s head, feeling somewhat reluctant. Regardless, this was the person who had nursed her, the one she had trusted the most apart from her parents. She remembered the embrace of Geng Momo, remembered the milk fragrance on Geng Momo’s body, so she gave Geng Momo a lot of power, trust, and indulgence. Geng Momo’s courage was nurtured by her day by day, so this handling would only take away Geng Momo’s dignity. In the future, it would take away the lives of her entire family, and even drag down others’ lives and the reputation of the family, and hand over the handle to the enemy.
Mingzhu bent down, with a determined heart, slowly prying apart Geng Momo’s fingers, and coldly ordered Jiang Duo, “Drag her away, if she cooperates, let it be, if not, teach her a lesson.”
“I’m your wet nurse, young lady!” Geng Momo despairingly lifted her head to look at Mingzhu, hope extinguishing inch by inch in her eyes. She absent-mindedly allowed the guards to drag her away until she was about to leave the courtyard gate, then suddenly realized, crying out bitterly, “Young lady, you’re so cruel… What did I do wrong? Why would you be so ruthless to me? Even if someone is to be killed, they should be given a convincing reason. Otherwise, isn’t it chilling?” Her following words were blocked, only the sound of sobbing could be heard.
Other servants were shocked, their eyes looking at Mingzhu inevitably complex. Just as Geng Momo said, even if she was at fault, it didn’t warrant being handed over to Fourth Master for punishment. If Mingzhu couldn’t provide sufficient reasons, and just because Geng Momo made a fuss, she received such severe punishment, it would inevitably chill and alarm people’s hearts.
Mingzhu pretended not to know, lazily entered the room, lying back on the bed pretending to be dead again. Su Lan brought a hot towel to wipe her hands, and timidly asked, “Young lady, are you trying to scare Momo to make her behave better, or do you really intend to hand her over to Fourth Master?”
Mingzhu indifferently said, “Whether it’s a scare or not, what does it matter?”
Su Lan whispered, “If it’s just a scare, it’s appropriate to teach Momo a lesson. If it’s real, this servant feels it’s a bit excessive.” Sneaking a glance at Mingzhu, seeing no anger, she boldly continued, “Momo’s behavior, relying on being your wet nurse, is indeed annoying, but thinking it over, it’s not a serious fault. Whose wet nurse doesn’t rely on having nursed the young master or young miss, and thus acts arrogant? But after all, she is your wet nurse, she nursed you, without merit, there’s also effort. If it’s excessive, it won’t be convincing, and spreading it won’t sound good.”
Mingzhu remained unmoved. How could wounds heal without cutting away rotten flesh? There were quite a few evil servants in the residence, and those that needed correction would start with Geng Momo. Reputation? Go to h*ll! What good reputation could the daughter of a corrupt official have? In the eyes of her relatives, she would always be good, as for other outsiders, what did she care about their opinions?
Su Lan saw she wouldn’t listen to advice, and continued to persuade persistently. Mingzhu grew tired of it, unkindly said, “Your courage is growing, aren’t you afraid I’ll make you keep Geng Momo company?” Former Su Lan didn’t love to advise her like this, could it be because she returned from her rebirth, she was too gentle and considerate to Su Lan, causing Su Lan’s courage to grow?
Su Lan felt a little nervous, steadied herself, smiled, and said, “This servant isn’t afraid, the young lady is understanding, knowing what is a bitter pill to swallow.”
“Like I want you to flatter me.” Mingzhu huffed, “Stop advising me, I have my own opinions about Geng Momo. I won’t wrong her. If you really want what’s best for me, manage the people and things in this room well, so I don’t have to worry about it.” With that, she closed her eyes and said no more.
Under the dim light, she carried a sense of gravity and determination that was indescribable. Su Lan inexplicably believed her words and quietly finished her tasks before retreating.
Inside the room, only a faint night light remained. Mingzhu opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ink-colored gauze canopy, scenes from the year of the family’s upheaval replaying in her mind.
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