Chapter 291 The Biggest Joke
In just a few days, those deliberately fabricated lies were exposed.
After countless embellishments, it has become unrecognizable, yet damnably "reasonable."
For a time, the Meng, Zhou, and Gao families became pariahs in the capital.
The once bustling mansion is now nothing but desolation and humiliation.
The two vermilion gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion have been tightly closed for five days.
Outside the door, however, it was more "lively" than ever before.
Every day, people would gather in front of the government office.
Rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and even excrement were all thrown at the tightly closed door.
They cursed the people in the mansion as traitors and rebels.
The air was filled with a sour, putrid stench.
The Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, which once symbolized supreme glory and iron-blooded military achievements.
At this moment, it has become the biggest joke in the entire capital.
Fu'er hasn't been to the Imperial Academy for quite some time.
The vast mansion kept the outside noise and filth at bay.
Yet it was also like a magnificent prison, trapping everyone inside.
Meng Shilan was afraid that her daughter would be frightened by the scene outside.
I'm even more afraid that those foul words will taint the child's pure ears.
She specifically instructed the kitchen to grind the apricot kernels into a paste and simmer a bowl of sweet and soft almond custard. She then personally carried the bowl to Fu'er's courtyard.
Meng Shilan walked lightly through the silent corridor.
She pushed open her daughter's bedroom door, and her heart clenched instantly.
Fu'er's small figure was lying on the bed.
Not moving at all.
Like a wounded fledgling with broken wings.
Seeing that small figure from behind made Meng Shilan's heart ache.
She is only six years old.
They should be in the school, reading and practicing calligraphy with their teachers, laughing and playing with their classmates.
But now, they are confined to this small world, unable to even leave through the main gate.
The outside world, to her, had become a place full of malice and danger.
How could she not be heartbroken and afraid?
A pang of sadness welled up in Meng Shilan's nose.
She slowed her breathing and carefully, step by step, walked towards the bed.
However, when she got closer, she saw the scene before her clearly.
Fu'er lay there, her small body pressed close to the ground, her big, dark eyes fixed intently on her hand...
slingshot?
The workmanship is somewhat rough, but you can tell that a lot of thought has been put into this slingshot.
Fu'er was carefully adjusting the tension of the bowstring with her little fingers, over and over again.
His earnest expression made it seem as if he were handling the most precious treasure in the world.
Meng Shilan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, suddenly settled back into place.
She's overthinking it.
Her lips curled slightly, a hint of helpless exasperation in them.
She quietly sat down next to her daughter and placed the sweet white porcelain bowl in her hand on the small table beside her.
She spoke softly, "Fu'er, what are you doing?"
"The kitchen just made almond milk. Get up and have a bite while it's hot."
Fu'er was startled by the sudden sound, and the slingshot in her hand fell to the bed with a "thud".
She turned around, saw it was her mother, and immediately gave her a bright smile.
"Mother!"
She scrambled off the bed, using both her hands and feet, and like a kitten, snuggled up to her mother.
A cunning glint flashed in those clear, watery eyes.
"Mother, do you think Fu'er is secretly crying?"
Are you worried that Fu'er will be hurt by the nonsense those people outside are saying?
Meng Shilan's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, both soft and warm.
She reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair from her daughter's forehead behind her ear.
"Mother is overthinking it."
Fu'er proudly raised her chin, like a little general who had won a battle.
"Don't worry, Mother!"
"Fu'er isn't afraid of them at all!"
She picked up the small slingshot again, as if presenting it as a treasure, and handed it to Meng Shilan.
"Mother, look! Fu'er is making a slingshot!"
"Once Fu'er finishes, she'll chase away all those bad guys who throw rotten eggs!"
"Drive them all away, one by one!"
The little girl spoke with unwavering conviction, her eyes showing no fear or hesitation, only boundless fighting spirit.
Looking at her daughter's indignant face, Meng Shilan was filled with mixed emotions.
There was relief, there was heartache, but above all, there was an indescribable pride.
She stroked her daughter's soft hair, her eyes brimming with joy.
"good."
"Mother is waiting for our Fu'er to protect her."
Fu'er was even happier to receive her mother's approval.
She leaned close to Meng Shilan's ear mysteriously and lowered her voice, as if she wanted to share a huge secret.
"Mother, let me tell you something."
"The Seventh Prince gave me some nice things a few days ago."
"He gave me a box of black pills and told me to keep it so I could use it to protect myself if I encountered any danger."
"Fu'er was thinking about making an even more powerful slingshot!"
"Then, use a slingshot to shoot those black pills far away!"
Upon hearing Fu'er's words, Meng Shilan's expression froze for a moment.
It's the Seventh Prince again, who seems to thrive on chaos. Not content with causing trouble with Fu'er, he even tries to give her black medicine!
Meng Shilan's head began to throb slightly.
The last time I took Fu'er to see firecrackers, it shocked half of the capital.
The time before last, several houses were burned down, and she had to pay a lot of money in compensation!
Meng Shilan's expression darkened slightly.
"Fu'er, listen to your mother."
"The things His Highness gave you are too dangerous. You're not allowed to play with them anymore."
Fu'er tilted her head in confusion. "Why? His Highness said this is very safe."
"It's not safe!" Meng Shilan's tone unconsciously became more forceful.
She didn't know anything about black medicine or its ingredients.
But she knew that every year, accidents would happen at fireworks workshops in the suburbs of Beijing due to improper handling of illegal chemicals.
Every year, people have their hands blown off, their eyes blinded, or even their bodies blown to pieces!
Aren't those bloody lessons enough?
"Fu'er, that thing can explode, you know that?"
"If something goes wrong, you could lose a hand, a leg, or even... your life."
"If our Fu'er gets hurt, what will your mother do?"
By the end, her voice was trembling slightly.
In her previous life, she and Fu'er died tragically.
Having been given a second chance at life, they finally managed to take their destiny into their own hands.
How can you treat life so lightly!
Seeing her mother's suddenly pale face, Fu'er quickly waved her little hands and hurriedly explained.
"Mother, don't be afraid!"
"The Seventh Prince said that these black pills are all sealed with white wax, and are wrapped in a thick layer."
"As long as there's no open flame, everything will be fine, and there won't be any accidental injuries!"
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