Chapter 19 She Can't Live Without Being Neglected

"Haven't I been good to you, Mian'er?"

This was the second time she had mentioned leaving to him.

He pulled her close, pressing her body against his chest, and rubbed his fingertips against her face.

He made her keep the child, promising her a position, taking her in, and providing her with everything she needed. What more could she ask for? She resisted him time and time again, repeatedly asking to leave.

It seems that something changed after she became pregnant.

His cat seemed to have grown claws without him noticing, scratching him and making him feel uncomfortable.

But he patiently plucked it out little by little.

Mingying tensed up; with each touch of his fingertips, she trembled, a mixture of fear and resistance.

Are you good to her?

Being nice to her means not treating her like a human being; being nice to her means you can punish and humiliate her at will, trample her into the dust, and not let her raise her head; being nice to her means cruelly forcing her to drink abortion pills.

Since things have come to this point, why won't he let her go?

Her resistance only made Pei Xiaoyun more displeased. He frowned and reminded her one last time, "Take good care of yourself and don't run away again."

Mingying knew perfectly well that provoking him would have no good outcome.

His methods were cunning; even though she was pregnant, he used every means to humiliate her. In that suffocatingly hot tent, the coldness was bone-chilling.

She felt dizzy, opened her mouth and sobbed softly, uttering indistinct sounds.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the cool rim of the bowl touched her lips. She groggily took a mouthful of water, then quickly spat it out, which served as rinsing her mouth.

Then, she was pulled down into the tent by an arm, his steady breathing hitting her ear.

She didn't look at him, but calmly gazed at the bamboo pattern on the curtain. Her eyes blinked with difficulty, and her hands, hanging at her sides, seemed to find guidance, slowly touched her lower abdomen. Her gaze gradually softened.

She and the child in her womb were a burden to Pei Xiaoyun, and he wouldn't treat them well in the future.

They lingered in this dark and gloomy courtyard, with no end in sight.

She was really exhausted.

"Young master, when will you send me to the estate?"

If he won't let her go, can't she find another way to survive? She can't leave the manor, but perhaps she'll have a chance on the estate.

She could never look at Mr. Lin's painting of a thousand miles of rivers and mountains.

The rivers are vast, and the misty waves are boundless; she longs to personally set foot in every place.

Fortunately, she still has her child.

This child will be her only family. Then, she can go to Suzhou with Ling Shuang. There are so many things a person can do. She can live a simple, free, and ordinary life, no longer being anyone's servant.

Just thinking about it made a surge of heat slowly spread through my chest, completely dispelling the chill from before.

"This is not something you need to worry about. Just focus on your pregnancy."

Pei Xiaoyun touched the back of her forehead, making her look into his eyes. In the darkness, her bright, watery eyes seemed to have lost their sparkle.

He was naturally displeased when she suggested going to the estate.

Mingying was afraid that he would discover her still-developing plan, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her palms. "I'm afraid that my delivery date will coincide with your wedding date, which would not be good if word got out. Perhaps I should go a month or two earlier so that there will be room available for your household to make arrangements."

Pei Xiaoyun was stung by her words, and felt a strange unease in her heart. She sneered, "Fine, it's not proper for you to stay on my wedding day. Get ready, I'll send you there a month in advance."

He spoiled her rotten, making her ungrateful. Once he really ignores her for two months, she'll know how unbearable it is.

Mingying slowly opened her clenched fist and exhaled gently.

It would be much easier if we sent her there in advance.

The next morning, Mingying realized that he had indeed kept his word; he had punished everyone around her without exception.

Yu'er was given a few lashes and expelled from the courtyard. The other maids who could talk to her, except for Ling Shuang, were also sent away by him.

The rest of the people were there to watch over her, like guards in a prison cell; she was even more shameful than those prisoners.

She sits in the house all day, opens the window, and watches the sliver of light go from bright to dark, day and night alternating.

I never thought this place was so boring.

Ling Shuang brought her the medicine to prevent miscarriage as usual. She seemed lost in thought, and the bowl of medicine clattered to the ground, pulling Ming Ying back from her reverie.

Mingying was startled and quickly checked her hands for burns. "What happened to you? You look so pale."

Ling Shuang stammered and brushed it off, saying she hadn't slept well.

Mingying pulled her aside and whispered her secret plan: "...We can go to Suzhou together then."

"That's wonderful."

Ling Shuang had hoped for this before, but now she could only force a smile.

Looking at Mingying's increasingly thin face and her slowly growing belly, she thought, "It would be good if she could walk."

"And what about you?" Mingying asked her.

Ling Shuang could only keep it from her and tell her to wait a little longer.

She stole the old man's account book, copied it, and gave it to the madam. All had been peaceful for so many days, and she thought the old man hadn't noticed.

This morning, the old man chased away many acquaintances, but he didn't drive her away. This unique exception made her uneasy.

Mingying, of course, had no idea what was on her mind. She assumed that she was saddened because of her mother's illness, and offered her a few words of comfort.

—

For the next two months, Pei Xiaoyun kept Mingying at a distance.

With him gone, Mingying was happy to have some peace and quiet. She drank those nourishing and pregnancy-stabilizing medicines, but instead became increasingly thin.

He was calculating the time; he would have to send her to the other house next month.

At night, she secretly put away the money she had saved, intending to take it with her later.

Wherever you go, you must have money with you.

As night fell, Pei Xiaoyun returned to his residence.

As usual, Mingying was not seen brewing tea and waiting for him to return. When he went into the house, he did not see her sitting by the window making sachets for him.

I deliberately ignored her for a few months to toughen her up and teach her who to rely on and who to please.

Two months passed, and she made no move. A hint of impatience instantly rose in his eyes.

A strange maidservant came forward eagerly to help him undress, but he glanced at her coldly and said, "Get out of here."

The maid was so frightened that she fled in panic.

He went straight to Mingying's room and saw her sitting at the table counting silver, completely unaware of his footsteps.

She wasn't a money-grubbing person; she accepted whatever he gave her in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, and never asked him for anything.

He liked her gentle, mild-mannered, and unassuming nature.

What are you doing with the money?

He walked up behind her.

Mingying gasped for breath, her money bag fell to the ground, and several copper coins spilled out with a clanging sound.

We must not let him find out.

She had prepared countless drafts in her mind, but only managed to cobble together a single sentence: "I've saved up some money, thinking I'd buy some little trinkets for the baby after it's born."

Pei Xiaoyun stared at her intently, then sneered, "You're so free. Is this something you should be worrying about?"

She was indifferent to him, and he was also uninterested, but if he punished her on the bed, she would still cry her eyes out.

It's okay, he has time to slowly smooth out her temperament, soften her mind, and make her as obedient as before.

Mingying gripped her cold fingertips, her heart pounding wildly.

"What use are these valuables to you if you never leave the house?"

As she listened to his words, each one struck her heart like a heavy blow, making her dizzy and feeling utterly hopeless.

Pei Xiaoyun took away her belongings one by one: "I will keep this money for you. You don't need to collect your monthly allowance anymore. Eat or use whatever you want. Just say the word and someone will bring it over."

After he finished speaking, he stopped looking at her, suppressed his anger, and turned to leave.

He took all her money.

The hope that had been building in Mingying's heart was extinguished by him.

She was in a daze and couldn't speak.

—

In mid-May, as the weather warmed up, the jasmine flowers in the yard bloomed beautifully.

A servant fanned Lan Shi with a palm-leaf fan, allowing her to rest her head on her hand and drift off to sleep.

Granny Tian came in with a book of papers and whispered in Madam Lan's ear: "Madam, this is the master's account book that Ling Shuang brought over."

Madam Lan slowly opened her eyes, picked up the item, glanced at it, and a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes: "You little hussy, trying to fool me with something like this! Go tell her that if she doesn't send anything useful again, she'll have to watch out for her mother's life!"

She was determined to find something on Pei Xiaoyun and hold it tightly in her hands, so that he would not have an easy time!

Granny Tian turned around to give instructions.

"etc."

Madam Lan called out to her, slowly sitting up: "How is that lowly maid he favors?"

Granny Tian replied, "She'll probably give birth in about two more months."

"She's about to give birth?" Madam Lan clutched her handkerchief tightly. "I told you to inform the county princess, did you do as I said?"

She had already learned from Ling Shuang through coercion that the concubine was pregnant.

Pei Xiaoyun has always doted on this little slut. Back when she was in the villa, she couldn't be driven away no matter what. If the county princess were to find out about her pregnancy, she would definitely not let that slut live, or she might refuse to marry in a fit of anger.

Either make him lose his love, or ruin his career.

If he is not doing well, then she is doing well.

She's alive now, isn't it to prove herself?

"Madam, this old servant has already sent them out long ago," Granny Tian muttered to herself. "The county princess should already know."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a maid came to report.

"Madam, the county princess has arrived."

Lan was overjoyed: "Quickly! Brew a pot of good tea!"

Xiao Fuying was so angry upon hearing the news of Mingying's pregnancy that he lost his appetite. Unfortunately, he also suffered an asthma attack and had to stay home to recuperate for a few days before he finally had the strength to come to the Duke's mansion today.

She wore a primrose-colored embroidered butterfly gauze dress, her eyes sharp and piercing, showing none of her usual grace and poise. When she saw the Lan family, she merely gave a perfunctory bow before sitting down.

"I was unaware of the esteemed county princess's presence; I have failed to greet you properly." Madam Lan smiled insincerely and hurriedly instructed her maid to serve tea.

Xiao Fuying said lazily, "You're too kind, Madam. I won't have the tea. I need to see Brother A-Yun."

"I've already sent someone to invite him." Madam Lan glanced at her face and said casually, "The eldest son's wife is pregnant and about to give birth. She's been pestering me a lot lately. Even I, as his mother, have to send someone to invite him several times to see him."

Xiao Fuying's expression immediately turned cold. Spoiled and pampered, she had never had any scruples. Her anger surged, and she overturned a cup of tea.

It's that bitch again! She's seduced Brother Yun time and time again!

A moment of silence fell over the room as everyone held their breath.

Madam Lan concealed her deep gaze and put on a smiling face: "This matter is indeed unfair to you, County Princess, and it is also our family's fault. Don't worry, I have already mentioned it to my eldest son and asked him to send that vixen away as soon as possible."

"When is 'as soon as possible'?!" Xiao Fuying raised his voice.

She knew that Brother Yun was reluctant to send away that lowly maid. Did he expect her to be on equal footing with a lowly maid in the future?

The atmosphere inside was tense, as if frozen solid.

The stalemate was broken only when Pei Xiaoyun appeared.

He heard from Kong Qing that Xiao Fuying had arrived, so he came to the main courtyard to take a look. As soon as he stepped up the steps, Xiao Fuying came forward crying, "Brother Ayun, how long are you going to keep this from me? Are you going to wait until your concubine gives birth to the child and then force me to drink her concubine's tea?"

Pei Xiaoyun was slightly stunned.

How did Xiao Fuying find out about this?

He met Lan Shi's sharp and shrewd eyes and understood everything immediately.

His thin lips pressed into a sharp line as he looked at Xiao Fuying and slowly said, "How could that be? Even if she has a child, she is still just a servant."

Xiao Fuying refused to listen to his excuses today; she wanted to force him to settle things with that vixen: "Brother Yun, I want you to deal with her immediately."

“But she is pregnant now.” Pei Xiaoyun’s statement was tantamount to an admission.

Xiao Fuying said, “Of course I’m not such a heartless person. The imperial physician said that my asthma attacks are getting worse, and I may not be able to conceive in the future. If Brother Ayun can’t bear to part with her, you can keep the child and raise her under my care. I have always loved children and will definitely love her as my own flesh and blood. But she cannot be kept!”

It's just a child; just give him a few bites of food and let him live.

Pei Xiaoyun paused for a moment, her tone unreadable: "I will send her away."

Xiao Fuying was straightforward and still wouldn't let it go: "That's not enough. She made me feel so humiliated, she shouldn't be allowed to live in this world."

Everyone knows that sending her away is just a pretense, and they can bring her back later. Only when she dies forever will Brother Ayun completely forget her.

"Brother Yun, we're getting married next month. Are you going to let a mere servant ruin our wonderful marriage and damage the harmony between the Prince Yi's Mansion and the Duke's Mansion?"

Xiao Fuying wasn't stupid; there was also a warning in those words.

Pei Xiaoyun stared at her, remaining silent for a long time, his dark eyes churning.

If Mingying is not dealt with according to her wishes, it will create a rift between the Duke's Mansion and the Prince Yi's Mansion.

Now that the important matter has not yet been accomplished, he naturally cannot afford to fall out with Prince Yi.

His eyes were filled with a sharp glint, as if he were making a promise to her: "When the time comes, I will make my own decision."

A note from the author:

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