Sure enough, what the guard handed over was one package of the sleeping medicine and not a small amount of money.

Nurse Dou and Madam Dus faces were white.

They couldnt figure out how these people had managed to find Wuzhou and Wang. Werent they supposed to leave Sheng, why were they found?

Wei Kun crushed the bank notes and the medicine in his hands, that were trembling with anger. He waved the items then threw them at Nurse Dou and Madam Du, What is this? Do you have anything else to say!

A madam, who rarely went outside the residence, unexpectedly kept this kind of thing on her. Obviously, her conscience wasnt clear.

Wei Kun was both furious and disappointed. What was more, he felt sorry to Wei Luo. These years, he had thought Madam Du was taking care of Ah Luo very well, going along with any of her wishes, showing how much she loved her all the time. But he hadnt considered that she would be hiding such evil intentions. If Ah Luo hadnt been rescued today, she wouldve been sold to the slave traders. That small child, who had only turned six earlier this year, was well-behaved and sensible. Just what kind of ruthless heart would hate her?

Wei Kun grew more and more uncomfortable, his heart heavy. He couldnt stop himself thinking of Jiang Miaolan. If she was still here, if she hadnt gone, Ah Luo wouldnt be in the current situation He would properly love the mother and daughter pair, making sure nothing would harm them He was so in love with her, why had she left?

With so many years since then, hed believed his love for Jiang Miaolan had faded, only resentment remaining. But the truth was, he still loved her. Loved her brighter than the sun smile, her gentle and passionate eyes, and her whimsical nature. She had taken root in his heart, and nothing could uproot her for as long as he lived.

She had appeared in his life without a warning, but it had never crossed his mind that she would leave the same way, without a trace.

Since then, whenever he saw Ah Luo and Changhong, he would think of her.

Wei Kun was in pain, his back hunched over as if he had suddenly aged several years. Standing up, he said to the fourth madam: As soon as father and mother come back, fourth sister-in-law, please help me tell them, Madam Du is not virtuous, and her heart is malicious Closing his eyes, he said resolutely: I want to divorce her.

His words were like thunder, exploding in the gathered peoples ears, startling even the meddlesome third madam Liu.

Shocked, Madam Du staggered back a few steps. If it wasnt for Nurse Dou holding her in place, she wouldve collapsed on the ground.

Divorcing wasnt a minor incident. Coupled with Wei Kuns accusations, it was enough to give her a reputation of a vicious wife. If she wanted to remarry afterwards, it wouldnt be easy. Not to mention her own daughters reputation would be implicated, also affecting her future marriage.

Moreover, Madam Du was the maternal niece of Count Zhongyis madam, she was backed up by the Count of Zhongyis house. Duke Ying and Count Zhongyi were good friends for many years. Even if Wei Kun wanted to divorce her, it wouldnt go so easily.

Nurse Dou crawled on her hands and feet, hanging onto Wei Kuns foot, and wept noisily as she begged for mercy: Master, please investigate this issue thoroughly, Madam is innocent Madam wasnt aware of anything, it was all planned by this old servant, the madam isnt related to it Begging Master to think it over

Madam Du looked at her dumbfounded. She hadnt expected that at the critical moment, Nurse Dou would take the fall to save her.

Speaking of it, Nurse Dou was truly loyal to Madam Du. The two of them, master and servant, had a close relationship. Nurse Dou was Madam Dus wet nurse, as Madam Dus parents had perished early. Since childhood, she had been placed in Count Zhongyis residence with only Nurse Dou as a devoted servant. Nurse Dou had raised her, hence their feelings could be compared to those of any mother and daughter.

Wei Kun flapped his robe, kicking her out of the way: She wasnt aware? The two of you always stick together, how can she not be aware!

The kick wasnt light, it had hurt Nurse Dous chest, but she still insisted: Madam truly didnt know, it was me who deceived her at Huguo Temple, the hidden sleeping medicine is also mine. There is a rich family in Liulin county, who want a beautiful girl to become their daughter. The Wuzhou couple then contacted this old servant This old servant lost her mind for a moment, thought the fourth miss fit their condition, and made those plans. Master, if you must punish someone, its me. This matter has nothing to do with the madam!

Wei Kun was enraged, did this old thing really believe he wouldnt punish her? He leaned over and grabbed her neck, the fingers squeezing, and asked through gritted teeth: Your courage is really great. The fourth miss of Duke Yings family is not something you can sell just because you decided so. Did you think I would spare you because you have Madam Du backing you?

A mans strength was obviously larger than a womans, even if he was a scholar.

Nurse Dous face turned red, her eyes rolled back: Madam

That woke Madam Du up. Like a drowning man finding a lifeline, she hurried to Nurse Dous side and said with astonishment: Nurse, how can you be so muddled! Why did you want to do such a thing? Ah Luo is my daughter. I dont even have enough time to spend with her, how can I be willing to sell her!

Madam Dus response was quick, also fixing her expression appropriately. She was thinking that as long as she could avoid this disaster, it was not a bad idea to trouble Nurse Dou to take on the blame. She would certainly compensate her later. She couldnt get divorced, she wasnt willing to, and she believed Wei Kun had at least some feelings for her.

Seeing that Nurse Dou couldnt breathe, Madam Du knelt to Wei Kun, pleading: Nurse Dou was muddled for a while. Begging Master to forgive her this once

Did she think Nurse Dous words were enough to wash her hands off this matter? Wei Kun had said, today he didnt plan to let them off. First, he would punish those servants who thought themselves untouchable, then he would wait for Duke Ying to come back and discuss the divorce. He loosened the fingers around Nurse Dous neck, and said to the gate guard: Bring Nurse Dou out to the courtyard, use the wooden rod to beat her to death!

Nurse Dou went soft from fear, and couldnt rise from the ground. With two bodyguards on both sides, she was dragged out.

Wei Kun was still not done, he said: Find the servants who went to Huguo Temple with Madam Du today, give them 30 hits each, lock them in the woodshed after. Sell them off tomorrow!

Among those were Madam Dus trusted maidservants, one was Ning Xue, the otherHan Shuang.

Madam Du suddenly lost her closest people. She wanted to beg for mercy for them, but she was in trouble herself. Her mouth opened, but couldnt utter a single word. In the end, she helplessly watched as they were led to the courtyard, tied up, and hit with the wooden rod. Her despair was indescribable.

Seeing this, the fourth madam Qin initially intended to placate him, but Wei Kun didnt seem open to any words. She had to swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

These people were truly wretched, even 100 hits wouldnt be sufficient to let out his anger.

Wei Luo was the dignified Duke of Yings family legitimate Miss. Having such evil intentions toward her, they were really tired of living.

Third madam Liu, listening to the crying coming from outside, knitted her brows: These servants are so wicked, but fifth brother-in-law, you also heard, fifth sister-in-law is innocent Isnt a divorce too much?

Madam Liu was usually close with Madam Du, at this time she naturally spoke up for her.

Wei Kun was indifferent to the sounds coming from outside, his resolve firm, he said: Even if she was unaware of this matter, she didnt show proper care for Ah Luo, thats for certain. If she cant manage the servants of her own courtyard well, I can blame her incompetence. If I dont divorce her, should I keep her so she can go on harming Ah Luo?

Madam Liu added: This is no small matter. Its better to discuss it with Father and Mother before coming to a conclusion

Cries kept coming from the courtyard. Nurse Dou was old, she couldnt endure the rod punishment. Several hits already brought her to deaths doorstep. Madam Du glanced at the entrance. She wanted to tell the servants to hit lightly, but Wei Kuns orders were beat to death. Would the servants dare disobey? So whether she pleaded for Nurse Dou or not, the rod would keep hitting steadily, and soon she would be bruised all over.

Madam Du was holding onto the door with water chestnut flowers design. The March day was cold,while the sun was blindingly bright from above. Her head dizzy and her body weak, she fainted on the ground.

*

In the blue-screened room, Ah Luo was lying next to the window, looking out to the row of kneeling servants. She was listening to the rod hitting the bodies, finding the sounds delightful and refreshing to hear.

Nurse Dou thought hiding behind Madam Du would save her? Nave.

Madam Du couldnt save herself, where would she find the ability to help her? She was already useless. No matter whether Nurse Dou lived or died, or how ugly her death would be, these were now beyond Madam Dus control.

Wei Luo was grinning. Under the bangs, a pair of clever eyes were spinning around. One didnt need to guess, to know that evil thoughts were definitely lurking there.

Wei Changhong was standing behind her, silent for a long time. At last, he couldnt help but ask: Ah Luo, why did madam want to sell you? Is it because shes not our mother?

Ah Luo turned around, meeting his puzzled eyes. She jumped down from the short couch to stand before him, You know she isnt our mother?

Changhong nodded, he knew, he had always known. Apparently, there had been a maidservant, who had let it slip in front of him, saying that biological and non-biological was different. He had heard it, and since then, had always kept it in mind. He had more on his mind than his peers. He hadnt told about it to Ah Luo before, however, he was only a six year old child. After much deliberation, he still couldnt figure it out, so he asked in the end.

Ah Luo held his hand and let him look out the window at the servants getting hit. She answered happily: Thats right, because she is not our mother. She is Wei Zhengs mother. So in the future you cant consider her as mother anymore, you must stay away from her, shes a bad person.

Changhong obediently agreed. His understanding of good and evil was still a little fuzzy, but whoever bullied Ah Luo was surely a bad person. After a while, he asked: Then who is our mother? Where is she?

Ah Luo hadnt seen her, either. She didnt know what Jiang Miaolan looked like. She thought for a moment, then said:

Shes dead.

*

In the afternoon, Duke Ying Wei Zhangchun and his wife came back from their trip to their ancestors home. Immediately after entering the residence, they learned of the situation, and called everyone to the reception pavilion to discuss how to settle the problem.

Wei Kun was wholeheartedly decided on divorce, regardless of some of the other masters (his brothers) efforts to dissuade him. Madam Du had fainted at noon and had yet to wake up. The third madam had called for a doctor a moment ago, and they had no results for now.

Wei Zhangchun was over 50, a man of integrity. Having heard the whole story, he pounded his fist on the table angrily: How can Madam Du be so irrational!

Beside him was his wife, Madam Luo, wearing patterned plum-colored dress and golden jewelry encrusted with a green jade going around her forehead. She said with a frown: Didnt you say Nurse Dou personally admitted to planning everything, so its unrelated to Madam Du? Where is she?

The quiet fourth madam Qin said: Fifth brother-in-law had her punished with a dozen hits by the rod. She couldnt endure it, barely alive, she was locked in the woodshed along with the other servants.

Actually, in accordance with Wei Kuns wishes, Nurse Dou shouldve been killed, but at that time Madam Du had fainted, causing the scene to fall into chaos. The third Madam made the servants stop for now, then let them bring the people into the woodshed, so when Duke Ying and his wife returned, the matter would be handled again by them.

The old Madam ordered someone to bring in Nurse Dou, who stumbled onto the ground like a pile of mud. She was covered in wounds from top to bottom, beaten to the point that she was barely breathing.

The old Madam asked her: How did you plan everything? Tell us again in detail.

Nurse Dou was very loyal to Madam Du, given this chance, she didnt forget to protect her. She repeated todays excuse, taking in all the blame, she wept and yelled: Madam was wrongly accused Madam didnt know anything. If she made a mistake, its the mistake of trusting this old servant too much. Begging the Duke and old Madam to exonerate Madam

The old madam waved, letting someone bring the person back to the woodshed.

The room with a dozen people inside, suddenly turned quieter.

The eldest master, Wei Min, thought things through, then said: Fifth younger brother, its better to think again, just in case what fifth sister-in-laws Nurse said was true. While we dont know all the facts, if you break the marriage, our familys relations with Count Zhongyis family will get damaged in the future. After all, father has decades of friendship with Count Zhongyi

That was exactly what all the people present had to consider, Count Zhongyis status wasnt to be taken lightly. Most importantly, Count Zhongyi was from the same clan as the current Noble Consort Ning (Ning Guifei). She was being favored now, Emperor Chong Zhens heart was set on her. Duke Yings house was powerful, they werent willing to offend Noble Consort Ning

Wei Kun stood suddenly, saying with red-rimmed eyes: Eldest brother needs not persuade me again. In the first place, when Ah Luo and Changhong were just born, you said that no one was looking after the children, and advised me to marry Madam Du, so Ah Luo and Changhong would also have a mother. But now, what is this mother doing? Whether shes related to todays matter or not, Ive decided to end this!

Wei Min opened his mouth, feeling guilty toward his brother after all, had nothing good to retort.

On his right side was sitting the third master, Wei Chang, who smiled coldly and secretly tightened his fist. Wei Min looked at him startled, afraid that he would punch someone the way his eyes threatened of violence.

It was good that Wei Chang knew propriety and reigned in his impulses.

These two brothers really gave him a headache. That was the case 67 years ago, and it was the case now. When all was said and done, the root of the problem was a woman.

The year Wei Kun brought Jiang Miaolan to the family, no one in the Dukes residence had expected that the two brothers would end up liking the same woman.

At that time, the two of them had fought for Jiang Miaolan quite a lot. After Wei Kun and Jiang Miaolan had gotten married, the two brothers relations not only didnt get better, but dropped below the freezing point. These many years, it still hadnt gotten better.

In third master Wei Changs eyes, Wei Kun didnt know how to cherish people. At present, he viewed him as a hoodlum.

And in fifth master Wei Kuns eyes, Wei Chang was a lunatic, who coveted his younger brothers wife.

Eldest master Wei Min was in the process of getting a headache, when the third madam led the doctor inside. Madam Lius complexion was very subtle, greeting Duke Ying and his wife, she hesitantly said: Father, Mother, just now, the doctor diagnosed fifth sister-in-law Fifth sister-in-law is one month pregnant.