This highlights the importance of explanation. Jiang Jiuniang chuckled twice and continued, "That's true, but it's also true that they sold their daughters to survive. Think about it, if Brother Qin were replaced by a seventy or eighty-year-old fat man, would he care whether Cao Shulan liked him or not?"

"Or what if Brother Qin kept her, but wanted to take revenge on Cao Shulan because he resented the assassination? They must have considered these consequences, but for their own sake, they still sent their daughter away without hesitation."

I didn't think much of it at first, but after Jiang Jiuniang's analysis, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.

Previously, Cao Zheng and his wife doted on Cao Shulan, suggesting she was pampered from a young age. Yet, at this moment, they didn't hesitate to send their daughter away.

Or perhaps, in their minds, Cao Shulan was born merely a tool for them to pursue their own interests.

Thinking of this, Peng Yuan couldn't help but think of her parents, and a chill ran down her spine.

She touched her lower abdomen with some unease, thinking that she must love her child well in the future and never let her child live in fear like she did now.

Sensing her unease, Jiang Jiuniang comforted her, "Don't be afraid. You've married Brother Qin, and your family can't control you. Besides, you have the Empress protecting you, so don't worry."

Both sisters married well, but the one most valued by the family was definitely the Empress. If there was anything, they would go to the Empress first, and then they would go to Peng Yuan.

The Empress has become much stronger over the years and can directly refuse to do things she doesn't want to do. I believe Peng Yuan can also be like her sister and no longer have to be so timid.

"Yes, I know."

Peng Yuan nodded. Having known Jiang Jiuniang for so long, she had learned a lot from her. In any case, a woman can only rely on herself. She couldn't place her hopes on anyone else. She had to find a way to make herself strong so that she wouldn't have to worry about becoming a pawn at any time.

At that moment, something was taking root and sprouting in her heart, gradually growing branches and becoming more and more lush and powerful.

Qin Jian, unaware of his young lady's change in mood, simply looked at Cao Zheng with a half-smile and asked, "What does Lord Cao mean by this?"

Cao Zheng smiled obsequiously and said, "My daughter has admired the general for a long time, and as parents, we should naturally grant her wish. It just so happens that your wife is pregnant and unable to serve you, so I have sent my daughter Shulan to serve you."

He didn't mention the assassination attempt at all, but kept repeating, "General, you are wise and brave, and have made great contributions to the court. I truly admire you. I sent my daughter here today so that we can become even closer in marriage..."

Cao Shulan sat to the side, looking shy and demure like a young girl.

Hearing his father say that, his heart started racing.

Peng Yuan has been pregnant for so long, she definitely can't take good care of him. I haven't heard anything about him taking a concubine recently. My arrival is like a timely rain, and I'm sure I'll win her favor.

As long as she could stay by Qin Jian's side, she didn't mind starting as a concubine. After all, she had the cunning and resourcefulness to defeat Peng Yuan.

"Lord Cao's words are truly interesting. My wife is only a few months pregnant and needs care. I am busy taking care of her, so why would I need any other woman to serve her? How can my wife suffer while I, as her husband, am enjoying myself? My wife is a precious treasure that I went to great lengths to marry, and I gave everything to bring her home. How can I let her be sad and upset before we have even been married for a year?"

This was clearly a rejection, and Cao Shulan's face turned pale. She couldn't help but say, "I...I have long admired the General..."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Qin Jian's attitude was very tough, and his tone was also unpleasant.

"Does this mean that every person who is fond of me must be brought home by me?"

Qin Jian looked completely bewildered, and even said to Cao Shulan, "Miss Cao is a lady from a respectable family. Does she not even know the most basic manners and shame? I am a married man. Please have some self-respect."

After saying that, he started to chase them away, completely ignoring the expressions of the Cao father and daughter.

Cao Zheng never expected to be humiliated like this after delivering his daughter to Qin Jian's door. He was furious and got up to leave, but Cao Shulan couldn't bear Qin Jian's humiliation and fainted as soon as she stood up. If it weren't for the maid supporting her, she would have fallen badly.

Cao Zheng glanced at her and felt that the current situation was all because of his daughter, so he didn't bother with her anymore and said, "Since I've sent her here, she's now the general's woman. How the general deals with her is none of my business. Farewell!"

After saying that, he left.

The maidservant looked at the unconscious Cao Shulan and then at the departing Cao Zheng, and tears streamed down her face.

Qin Jian never expected Cao Zheng to be so shameless, directly ordering people to kick Cao Shulan and her servant out. Even her father didn't care about her, so why should he?

The Cao family has no shame, so why should he care about anything else?

Cao Shulan and her servant eventually returned home on their own, enduring the stares and whispers of the people along the way. This was the most humiliating moment of Cao Shulan's life.

At this moment, however, she harbored hatred for her father.

He slapped her at noon, then gave her away without a second thought, and later left without caring whether she lived or died. In that day, she was utterly disappointed in her father.

No one stopped him when he went back, but he fell ill as soon as he got back to his own yard and developed a fever. His body was burning hot, but his heart was ice-cold.

Ma didn't come to see her for a long time, and the first thing she said to her was not concern, but blame.

"You child, why are you so impatient? If you make a scene at the other house and force him to take you in, our family will be saved!"

When she learned that her daughter had returned, Ma's first reaction was anger. This daughter seemed to only cause her trouble and was of no use at all.

Cao Shulan was delirious with fever. She thought her mother had come to check on her, but she was shocked to find out that this was the case. Her heart was completely broken.

She had originally planned that once she felt better the next day, she would go to the other courtyard and kneel down to beg Qin Jian to spare her family this time. She would do anything he asked. After all, her parents had been very good to her over the years, and as their daughter, she should do something for her family.

But now it seems that such parents are not worth her doing this.

"Mother, I'm not feeling well and want to sleep. You should go back."

She turned away, unwilling to look at Madam Ma; her true heartbreak wasn't about making a scene.

Seeing her attitude, Ma was even more furious and said, "At a time like this, you can still sleep? I never thought that I've been raising an ungrateful wretch for the past ten years."

After saying that, Ma left.

She believes that as long as a woman is willing to yield, no man will not be moved. Her daughter's current behavior is entirely due to her not trying hard enough to please her. She has never thought about protecting the family. What else is she but an ingrate?