"Very well, this is a good idea, we’ll do as you say."
Mada Zhao’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly agreed. Staying at the ancestral temple, fasting, and performing religious observances could not only cover up the fact that her granddaughter had been kidnapped, thus preserving her reputation, but it would also leave the Mu Family with a good impression of her granddaughter, which would make her future marriage into the family less troubleso. There couldn’t be a better plan than this.
But thinking of her granddaughter, whose life and death were uncertain, and not knowing if she would ever return alive, Mada Zhao’s heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife. However, she could not think of a better plan to find her granddaughter and rescue her.
Having discussed the details, mother and son harshly beat the servants that night and then spread the news that Fan ijiao was entering the ancestral temple for fasting and religious observance. The maids and older won in the mansion, unaware of the truth, believed the story and spread the word everywhere.
The servants who were in on the secret were secretly delighted at the misfortune, cursing Fan ijiao to never return. Those who didn’t know the truth actually believed it, and for a mont felt impressed that Fan ijiao could change her ways. They just hoped that Fan ijiao would not resort to beating and bullying them as she had before. This showed how disliked the proud and arrogant Fan ijiao was in Zhao Mansion.
...
In a desolate and dilapidated courtyard in North Market, there was an aura of decay and despair. The people who lived there were either holess beggars or extrely poor families who couldn’t afford to improve their lives. Due to the extre poverty, even thieves would not bother to co by.
At that mont, in a low, damp room with a cellar, there lay a finely dressed woman, bound hand and foot. A pair of dirty, stinky socks had been stuffed into her mouth, and her hair was scattered on the ground, mixing with weeds and dust. Her clothing was in disarray, the front of her gown gaping open to reveal her pale skin underneath. To an uninford observer, it might even seem as if she had been violated.
"Big brother, the relatives of the Zhao Family are wicked, and it’s all because he backs them. By capturing his niece, we’re just giving him a taste of his own dicine. Why won’t you let lay my hands on that woman?"
An angry voice echoed in the cellar, clearly reaching the ears of the terrified Fan ijiao, who had now woken up. Realizing that it was her uncle’s enemies seeking revenge, she beca even more frightened. Her eyes, covered by a black cloth, bulged in terror, and her whole body shook violently.
"Are you an idiot!" Another rough voice rang out. The man called big brother spoke with exasperation, "We’re going to use this wretched woman to get back at the Zhaos. If you violate her, the Zhaos would probably be glad to have us take away this disgraceful woman who tarnishes the reputation of their household. With what then would we bait the Zhaos to co out so we can take our revenge properly?"
"But, but this is letting the stinking woman off too easily. Look at her clothes and jewelry—everything she has cos from the things she’s plundered from us. She’s enjoyed so many years of luxury, so why can’t our brothers have so fun?" The man who spoke first grumbled, discontented with the situation.
"Hmph, our target is the Zhaos. Once we’ve dealt with them, not just this woman, but even her birth mother, we’ll nab them as well to have our fun, then sell them off to so remote place where n can’t find wives to be their bride," the ’big brother’ said cruelly, as if he truly despised Zhao Fengnian and everyone associated with the Zhao Family.
Listening to this, Fan ijiao nearly collapsed. In that mont, she too despised Zhao Fengnian profoundly, hating the uncle whom she had affectionately addressed for more than twenty years. She completely forgot that for many years, all the food she had eaten, the clothes she had worn, and the honor—greater than even that of a legitimate daughter of the Zhao Family—was all provided by her Uncle Zhao Fengnian.
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