Shangguan Yue was stunned and thought about it subconsciously, but couldn't find the answer.
"Eighteen years."
Aunt Zhao's tears flowed down her cheeks and she sobbed uncontrollably.
"In the past eighteen years, I gave birth to a daughter for you. I carefully tried to please you, your wife, and your daughter. But...what about my own daughter? Just because of her status as a concubine, she has to suffer injustice and oppression everywhere..."
"Master, she is also your own flesh and blood. I am a woman. I don't seek wealth and honor. I just want to be with my man forever. But... outsiders say that your man is a good man. He is the prime minister but he has no concubines."
"I am the only one who knows that you only give your kindness to her." Aunt Zhao pointed at Madam Shangguan, her eyes full of jealousy and resentment. "Since you don't like me at all, why did you marry me..."
Aunt Zhao covered her chest in pain and burst into tears.
Her crying infected Mrs. Shangguan.
"Sister, I'm sorry..."
Madam Shangguan wanted to go forward and help Aunt Zhao up, but was held back by Shangguan Wanning.
Shangguan Wanning shook her head slightly, not wanting her mother to get close to Aunt Zhao.
Aunt Zhao's crying did not cause much ripples in her heart.
It is true that her father did not give her much love over the years, but her mother, as the mistress of the household, had never treated Aunt Zhao and her daughter badly.
From childhood to adulthood, whatever she has, Shangguan Xiaoxiao must also have.
My mother has done her best, but Aunt Zhao is not satisfied and wants to replace my mother.
Moreover, the memory of the previous life was clearly present in Shangguan Wanning's mind. She would never allow history to repeat itself.
"Is this your reason?"
Shangguan Yue's voice was cold. Shangguan Wanning felt that her father had the same idea as her.
Aunt Zhao found that her words did not win any sympathy from Shangguan Yue, and her heart became even colder.
"Master, please let me go because I have served you for so many years and even gave birth to a daughter for you..."
Aunt Zhao was worried that she could not impress Shangguan Yue, so she knelt down and crawled in front of Mrs. Shangguan. "Sister, I don't dare... I won't dare again..."
Shangguan Wanning just felt disgusted.
"Master, my sister is indeed wrong, but..."
"Mom!" When Shangguan Wanning saw that her mother was about to plead for Aunt Zhao again, she was suddenly filled with helplessness and disappointment.
Mrs. Shangguan patted her daughter's hand gently, signaling her to be patient, and then walked in front of Shangguan Yue.
"Master, now Xiaoxiao is married to the Second Prince, you should give Xiaoxiao some face."
Shangguan Yue actually knew very well that this matter was most likely related to Xiao Zhenting.
He had not originally planned to deal with Xiao Zhenting so quickly, but since the other party had taken action first, he would not be polite.
Thinking about it this way, Aunt Zhao really can't die yet. At least, she has to tell the whole truth with her own mouth.
"Okay, I will not kill you for now because my wife pleaded for you. However, you will not have a second chance to harm me."
Shangguan Yue's face was gloomy, and he shouted, "Come here, drag her away and lock her up in the woodshed. Don't let her out without my permission."
"Master...Master..."
The servants dragged Aunt Zhao away until her cries could no longer be heard.
"Madam, Ning'er, I'm sorry for putting you through so much trouble these days."
Shangguan Yue felt extremely distressed when he thought that he not only neglected his wife, but also ordered his precious daughter to be whipped.
"I'm not wronged. I'm glad you're okay, master." Mrs. Shangguan's eyes were filled with tears.
"Who said I didn't feel wronged? My injuries haven't healed yet." Shangguan Wan Ning muttered, and came forward to hold her father's arm affectionately, "I don't care, Dad, you have to compensate me well."
Shangguan Yue laughed and pinched Shangguan Wan Ning's nose lovingly. "Okay, then let Daddy think about how to compensate you. Or... I'll find you a marriage partner?"
Shangguan Wanning immediately thought of Mu Jingrui, her cheeks turned red, and she stomped her feet and ran away.
Late at night, Aunt Zhao was curled up in a dark corner shivering, and she vaguely heard a slight noise.
"who?"
Aunt Zhao was tense with vigilance.
The door of the woodshed was carefully pushed open, and a dark shadow appeared in front of her.
She was overjoyed and quickly stood up and asked, "Are you here to save me? Take me away quickly. I'm afraid the master will regret it one day and beat me to death..."
"Don't worry, he won't have such an opportunity anymore."
The next day, at dawn, Shangguan Wanning was still half asleep, and Lutong kept shaking her body.
"Miss, wake up... wake up quickly..."
"Oh!" Shangguan Wanning sat up suddenly, very unhappy, "Why are you calling me so early? There's nothing important today..."
After saying that, he lay back down and prepared to go back to sleep.
"No, Miss, Aunt Zhao is dead."
"What?"
Shangguan Wanning suddenly lost all sleepiness, opened her eyes wide and asked in surprise: "Why did he die suddenly?"
"This morning, the kitchen staff got up to prepare breakfast. When they were fetching water, they found Aunt Zhao in the well... She had already died..."
"She threw herself into a well?"
Shangguan Wanning was stunned for a moment, then put on her clothes and ran out.
Shangguan Yue came to see her after receiving the news. He ordered his servants to carry her back to his room and then went to attend the morning court.
When Mrs. Shangguan learned about this, her eyes were red. She asked the housekeeper to notify Shangguan Xiaoxiao immediately and start setting up the mourning hall.
Only an hour later, Shangguan Xiaoxiao came back.
She looked at her mother lying motionless on the bed, her face ashen and her heart as still as water.
She moved closer step by step, and finally, she knelt down beside the bed and burst into tears.
Mrs. Shangguan was afraid that she would hurt herself from crying, so she walked over and comforted her softly, "Xiaoxiao, you have to mourn less, your health is the most important..."
Shangguan Xiaoxiao shook off Madam Shangguan's hand, and glanced around with an angry look, finally stopping on Shangguan Wanning.
"How did my mother... die?"
"Jump into the well and commit suicide." Shangguan Wanning looked at Shangguan Xiaoxiao calmly.
"Why did she commit suicide by jumping into a well?"
"Why...you should know."
"You are the ones who killed my mother." Shangguan Xiaoxiao rushed over and was about to hit Shangguan Wanning.
Lu Tong quickly stood in front of Shangguan Wan Ning, and the nanny beside her also hurried forward to dissuade her and stopped Shangguan Xiaoxiao.
"I understand that you are in a bad mood, so I won't bother with you."
Shangguan Wanning didn't want to quarrel with Shangguan Xiaoxiao at this time. Since she was unwelcome, she didn't want to curry favor with someone so she turned around and walked out of Aunt Zhao's room.
She always felt that Aunt Zhao's death was suspicious, so she went to the woodshed alone to check.
There doesn't seem to be any trace left here.
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