Xue Zhen was the legitimate daughter of the Deputy Minister of the Court of Ceremonies, but her treatment at home was worse than that of a servant.
“How can that be? She’s the master’s child!”
“Her mother died giving birth to her. Rumors said Xue Zhen ‘cursed’ her mother, and her father remarried his cousin Zhou Yongxin. Initially Zhou Yongxin maintained a semblance of harmony with Xue Zhen, but once she had her own daughter, Xue Baozhu, all maternal love went to the biological daughter. Xue Zhen was neglected, often hungry and poorly clothed, and had to perform tasks usually reserved for servants just to eat.”
“And the Deputy Minister did nothing? She’s still his blood!”
“The Deputy Minister believed the rumors that Xue Zhen caused her mother’s death. He disliked her and rarely paid attention to her, almost forgetting she existed.”
“Didn’t Xue Zhen ever resist?”
“She was raised to be obedient and endured quietly. The servants often bullied her as a result.”
“And her stepmother?”
“Zhou Yongxin, after having her own daughter, revealed her true nature. She frequently ordered servants to bully Xue Zhen, fearing her daughter would lose her father’s favor.”
“She’s paranoid! The Deputy Minister never loved Xue Zhen—what favor could she have taken?”
“Even so, Xue Zhen was the legitimate daughter. In name, she ranked above Xue Baozhu.”
“Has it been like this for over ten years?”
“Pretty much. For today’s flower-viewing banquet, Xue Zhen only attended because the Prefect’s wife required legitimate daughters to participate. Even her clothes were borrowed from servants, who demanded she work for a month in exchange.”
“How tragic. Her father is unworthy of being a parent.”
“Host, there’s an even juicier piece of gossip. Do you want to know?”
Nearby noblewomen perked up at the mention of something more explosive.
“Stop teasing. Tell me!”
“Xue Zhen’s mother didn’t die in childbirth—she was murdered.”
Xue Zhen’s eyes widened, filled with shock and burning resentment. “Could it be true? My mother was killed?”
“Exactly. And the perpetrators were Zhou Yongxin and the Deputy Minister himself.”
“How did they do it?”
“The midwife who assisted Xue Zhen’s mother was bribed to kill both her and the newborn. However, a nanny protecting Xue Zhen’s mother intervened, sacrificing herself but leaving behind critical evidence.”
“The nanny died protecting them?”
“Yes, but she left two crucial items: a secret letter from Zhou Yongxin to the midwife and a delicate jade hairpin used to bribe her. The hairpin came from Zhenbao Pavilion, a renowned jewelry shop with decades of records—conclusive evidence.”
“Where are these items now?”
“They were hidden in a village in the suburbs where the nanny had lived before her death.”
Other guests exchanged incredulous glances, realizing the truth behind the Deputy Minister’s household.
“The midwife likely met a tragic end too?”
“Indeed. She vanished without a trace. Neither seen alive nor dead.”
“So this dark secret remained hidden?”
“Yes. Publicly, the Deputy Minister claimed his wife died in childbirth, and the officials didn’t suspect foul play.”
“Evil people can really escape justice.”
“Here’s another bombshell: Xue Baozhu is not the Deputy Minister’s biological daughter. Zhou Yongxin was already two months pregnant when she remarried, meaning Xue Baozhu is not of his bloodline.”
“No wonder the child was said to be premature!”
“The Deputy Minister was a cuckold by fate! He loves the non-biological daughter and neglects his own blood.”
Xue Zhen felt disbelief and righteous anger. Everything Gua Gua said matched her own lived experiences.
“I must avenge my mother!”
“This melon is bitter indeed. Even after nine lives, I never had a good ending, but at least not like hers.”
“Host, the world is harsh; good and evil will eventually meet their due.”
Xue Zhen quietly left the flower-viewing banquet. Few noticed, and no one spoke, feeling pity and hoping she would one day settle her score.
In the shadows, Long Wu clutched a ledger, urgently recording everything. This was per the Emperor’s order, who, bored with palace life, found amusement in tracking court scandals.