Granny Zhang's hand tightened slightly as she held the bag, realizing that something was wrong; this old woman had come to cause her trouble.
They even dug up old stories from over a decade ago; they must have no good intentions.
Back then, she found a child in the mountains, Zhang Fusheng, who almost killed her because he believed the slander of the fake abbot.
Granny Zhang treated the child like her own grandson, giving him meticulous care.
Zhang Fusheng was mischievous from a young age and would bully other people's children at the drop of a hat. Once, he even broke the leg of his neighbor's youngest son, and the neighbor demanded that he pay 500 taels of silver in compensation.
Zhang Mama's original job was to help village women give birth and induce labor, and she didn't earn much money.
She spent all her savings to compensate her neighbor, but she was still short three hundred taels.
The neighbors come to her house every day and yell at her, saying that if she can't pay back the money within a month, they will send Zhang Fusheng to the authorities and make him go to jail.
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhang was immediately thrown into a panic. How could she bear to see her precious grandson suffer in prison? This hard-won grandson was someone she cherished dearly, afraid of dropping him or melting him in her mouth.
How could I just stand by and watch him get sent to jail?
Therefore, Granny Zhang took on jobs day and night in order to pay off her debts as soon as possible, but with the one-month deadline fast approaching, she had only managed to save up a hundred taels.
Just as the neighbors were about to forcibly drag Zhang Fusheng to the yamen, Liu's maid suddenly came to the door.
It was said that as long as she made a small move during the woman's childbirth, causing the woman and child to die together, the five hundred taels of silver would be hers.
When Liu's maid saw that Zhang was in trouble, she thoughtfully gave her the three hundred taels as a deposit in advance.
When the neighbor saw that Granny Zhang had money, he snatched it from her hand.
The neighbors stopped causing trouble after receiving the money, but since Granny Zhang had accepted the money, she had no choice but to follow Liu's arrangements.
Thus, Ningyin's mother was murdered by Liu Shi and Zhang Mama, resulting in the deaths of both mother and unborn child.
Later, Granny Zhang was plagued by nightmares day and night until she went to Huguo Temple and specially invited Master Liaoyuan to perform a ritual to help Ningyin's mother and child pass on to the afterlife. Only then did her nightmares subside slightly.
The matter was thus completely buried in the dust. She had thought that as long as she served the Crown Princess well, her future days would be easy.
After all, the Crown Princess not only saved his life, but also showed great consideration for her servants. Where else could one find such a good mistress?
Thinking that so many years had passed and no one would ever mention this matter again, I never expected that I would run into the person I least wanted to see this time.
In fact, after accepting Liu's money, Zhang Mama regretted it very much. This was a murderous act, and the victims were pregnant women and children. It was an act of utter depravity that would be punished by heaven.
No wonder her own grandson tried to kill her; this must be retribution.
As Zhang Mama recalled the past, her eyes turned red, and she felt as if a piece of her flesh had been ripped out of her heart by a knife, causing her excruciating pain.
Seeing that Zhang Mama's expression was not good, Liu Shi couldn't help but laugh out loud and said sarcastically, "What, you finally remembered? I thought you were so arrogant because you'd climbed up to the Empress in the palace."
Liu gave a sarcastic snort, toying with the jade bracelet in her hand. Although she was down on her luck, she still didn't want to be outdone by an old woman.
"Liu, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Granny Zhang was getting impatient, but she didn't dare to yell at her, since she knew Granny Zhang had something on her, and she felt very guilty.
"Hehe, alright, since you're so straightforward, I won't hide anything from you. You're working in the palace now, right?"
"So what if it is?"
Granny Zhang peeked out to check the situation at the carriage, then returned to the fruit shop. It would be unreasonable for her to have only bought some pastries after being out for so long.
Liu followed closely behind, saying smugly, "It's simple. Since you work in the palace, then kill another person for me!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Mama's face turned pale instantly. Had Liu Shi gone mad? Did she really think of herself as a ruthless killer?
She sneered, paid the money, and was about to leave.
"Wait, I haven't told you yet, the woman you killed before was the current Crown Princess's mother. You personally killed the Crown Princess's mother and her sister. Tell me, if I report this to the authorities, what do you think will happen to you?"
Liu Shi gripped Zhang Mama's hand tightly, her eyes flashing with malice, like a cold-blooded and ruthless snake, making people feel a chill down their spines.
She was certain that Granny Zhang wouldn't dare disagree with her request. After all, she was now enjoying wealth and honor, and who would be willing to give up such wealth and honor and send themselves to the executioner's block?
Moreover, it was Zhang Mama who did the drugging and tampering, and the maidservants nearby saw it all. She couldn't defend herself no matter how many times she tried.
Seeing that Zhang was deep in thought, Liu couldn't help but remind her, "Don't forget, you took my money and signed a confession, taking all the blame yourself, all to find a way out for your good grandson."
"I did fulfill my duty by sending him to a private school for a few years to make him look like a respectable scholar. Otherwise, he would still be a lowly peasant."
As Liu Shi spoke, she became more and more excited, unaware that Zhang Mama was getting angry just hearing about her damned grandson.
Her trembling lips were completely bloodless; she was like a frightened bird, utterly devoid of the strength to argue.
She did indeed sign a document that covered up the charges, in order to find a way out for Zhang Fusheng.
Now, this charge is like a thick rope around his neck; if Madam Liu is displeased, she could take his life at any time.
What suffocated her most was that she had actually killed the Crown Princess who had saved her life.
This was the thing that Zhang Mama found hardest to accept. Now, when she recalled the woman's appearance, she realized that she did indeed resemble Ning Yin by about five or six points.
She stood there blankly, her eyes vacant, her face filled with despair, her lips trembling slightly, yet unable to utter a sound.
She wanted to resist, but she was powerless to do so. She couldn't bear to give up this wealth and honor, nor did she want to go to the guillotine, but she was even more unwilling to harm others.
She killed her benefactor's mother with her own hands, and now she wants to harm her benefactor as well? Is she even human?
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