"The old lady buried the young lady and then immediately found someone to sell us, specifically instructing us to be sold as laborers."
I was sold to be a laundry maid. If I hadn't been relatively healthy, my bones would have rotted away long ago.
That's not all, the Xiao family couldn't even wait a month! Their young lady had barely left when they married a new bride—and it was that Yao woman at that!
After returning to the capital, Xiao Qingyin had not yet met the old lady of the Xiao family, only knowing that she lived in a temple and worshipped Buddha year-round.
I don't know if it's because I've done too many bad things and I'm afraid of going to hell to suffer, that's why I'm trying to seek help from Buddha.
Xiao Qingyin asked about the relationship between the Yao family and the Yun family.
"Although the Yao family is a noble family, it has long since declined and now only holds the title."
The household had many members, and a whole bunch of daughters. Yao was the eighth child in the family, but she was neither particularly beautiful nor talented, and was not valued.
When Miss was still a young lady, Madam Yao wanted to befriend her, but at that time Miss was close to the eldest daughter of the Ning family and didn't pay much attention to her.
Later, she and Miss Ning got married. The Duke's mansion was full of things to do, and Miss Ning was very busy, so she rarely came to see her.
Yao visited almost every day, and the young lady gradually began to associate with her more.
She learned everything from her mistress; whatever her mistress wore and used, she wore and used too.
At that time, I felt that she was intentionally imitating the young lady to make her be careful. The young lady didn't take it to heart and thought that she might be doing this because she was insecure.
Yao had been pretending very well until her daughter's death, at which point her true colors were revealed.
"Has my mother ever used or eaten anything she gave me?"
Xiao Qingyin was quite concerned about this.
It is rare for a woman to die from exhaustion when she is only four centimeters dilated, especially someone like Ms. Yun who has given birth once.
Unless she was already in poor health.
“No.” Mrs. Fang shook her head. “Miss was pregnant at the time, and she was very careful about what she ate, wore, and used. She would have her food checked repeatedly before she would eat or use anything.”
Did Yao come to the hospital on the day of delivery?
"No."
"Has the old lady or the master done anything unusual?"
"No, the old lady hadn't gotten up yet, and the master hadn't finished his morning court session."
Xiao Qingyin listened with a somewhat bewildered expression.
None of these three people were present at the time. Does that mean that Yun's death had nothing to do with them?
How was my mother's mental state during that time?
“Not very well.” Mrs. Fang sighed. “When the Yun family had their accident, she cried all the time and couldn’t eat or drink. She only ate a little for the sake of the baby in her belly. She probably lost ten pounds in those two months.”
If a person is too weak, it is indeed possible for them to die during childbirth.
Xiao Qingyin was silent for a while, then asked Fang's mother, "Do you think my mother's death has anything to do with the Xiao family or the Yao family?"
"This old servant does not know."
Fang's mother said bitterly.
"But this old servant feels that Miss should not have left like this. She was in good spirits the day before and could walk for an hour. How could she not make it?"
If someone can walk continuously for an hour, their physical strength must be quite good.
Xiao Qingyin was deep in thought.
If what Fang's mother said is true, the Xiao family is not very suspicious.
But like the prince's string of deadly jewels, there are some things that people are completely unaware of their danger.
What if Xiao Shengyuan placed something in the room that could cause sudden physical weakness?
It would be best to do an autopsy.
"Aunt Fang, do you know where my mother is buried?"
Yun was Xiao Shengyuan's lawfully wedded wife, but she was not sent back to the ancestral graves in Yizhou for burial.
It's unclear whether Xiao Shengyuan was afraid of being implicated in the Yun family's affairs, or whether he felt that Yao Shi was more deserving to be buried with him.
"It seems to be in the western suburbs, but I don't know the exact location."
After all, she was sold off as soon as Yun died, and she never went to pay her respects.
Xiao Qingyin asked a few more questions, and seeing that she was a little tired, she said, "Aunt Fang, let's talk another day. Why don't you come with me to see your grandmother first?"
He then asked Yi Jiu, "Did you redeem Fang Mama? How much silver did it cost? I'll make it up to you."
"It's not much money, don't worry about it."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Xiao Qingyin gave him a bright smile.
Yi Shuihan felt slightly dizzy and awkwardly looked away.
I thought to myself: How come I never noticed how beautiful her smile was before?
Is it really true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
Or has he lost his mind?
When Han saw Fang's mother, she was naturally overcome with sorrow and felt sad for quite a while.
Upon hearing Xiao Qingyin inquire about Yun's grave, she looked grief-stricken and indignant: "I always thought your mother had been sent back to Yizhou for burial, but who knew..."
The thought of her daughter being buried in the wilderness for so many years with no one to pay respects to her made her blood boil, and she wanted to rush to Xiao Shengyuan and give him a good scolding.
He said such sweet words when he was welcoming his bride: "Mother-in-law, rest assured, I will take good care of Wanyin and grow old with her."
Is this what he calls taking care of someone?
People who die aren't even allowed to enter their ancestral graves!
"Go find Xiao Shengyuan right now and get to the bottom of this: where exactly did he bury your mother?"
"Okay, I'll go ask right away."
Xiao Qingyin patted her back.
"Please don't get too upset, your health is the most important thing."
Han burst into tears.
"My poor Yin'er..."
Xiao Qingyin comforted the old woman for a while, and only went to the Xiao residence after Madam Han calmed down.
Xiao Shengyuan was quite surprised by her arrival, and as soon as he saw Xiao Qingyin, he had tea made.
"When are you going to move back in? It's not right for a young lady to live outside all the time. People will think the Xiao family can't tolerate you."
I don’t know if my mother can accept me, but she definitely can’t.
Xiao Shengyuan was taken aback.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
