Chapter 26: Had His Way With You
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Murong Yu looked disapprovingly at Madam Xue and said, "If you intend to punish Rui'er, I can't agree to it. What's the big deal about a man? I've let it go, so don't blame Rui'er. She's already had a hard enough time these days."
Madam Xue's mouth twitched as she looked at Murong Yu, unsure whether Murong Yu was sincere or not.
'What do you mean "it's just a man"? That man is your fiancé!' Madam Xue thought.
"I'm ashamed to even face his lordship now. All the way back here, I felt like I had nowhere to hide. I wish I could just end it all. But you, Lady Yu, shouldn't be so angry with yourself. If you have any anger, direct it at me; I can take it," Madam Xue added.
Murong Yu was aware that Murong Rui was not a natural-born actor but had taken up her mother's trade.
After Madam Xue offered a string of apologies, she softly asked, "My lady, those letters..."
"I'll keep them for Rui'er. Such letters shouldn't remain in the hands of a young girl like her," Murong Yu responded.
Without daring to say more, Madam Xue muttered an excuse about not wanting to disturb Murong Yu's rest and left.
Murong Rui had already heard the news and was waiting in the courtyard. As soon as she saw Madam Xue, she immediately greeted her, "Mother!" She noticed the bruise on her mother's forehead and quickly asked, "Madam Xue, what happened?"
"Get inside!" Madam Xue interrupted Murong Rui, her face darkening.
Once inside, Murong Rui learned from her mother that she had kowtowed in front of Murong Yu.
"Mother, you kowtowed too hard!" Murong Rui complained as she applied medicine, referring to Madam Xue as "Mother" when they were in private.
"If I didn't kowtow hard, how could I explain it to them?" Madam Xue snapped, then pinched Murong Rui, "How could you be so careless? This matter was discovered, do you know how anxious I was when I heard?"
Murong Rui winced, "I was indeed careless this time. I never thought she would take advantage of my absence to search my room."
"Search your room?" Madam Xue narrowed her eyes.
Murong Rui briefly recounted the incident involving the handwriting.
"How have I taught you all these years!" Madam Xue looked furious. "Besides Qiao'er, no one else should know about this. Haven't I warned you about that? She caught you red-handed because you were so careless!"
"I know, I was careless," Murong Rui sighed, "By the way, Mother, Ari has been sent to the estate and won't be back. With Nanny Xu having such strong evidence against Nanny Fang, she's doomed. We need to find a way to protect ourselves."
Madam Xue, unaware of this development, urgently asked, "What happened?"
Murong Rui filled Madam Xue in.
Madam Xue's eyes narrowed and said, "Murong Yu is quite cunning. I never saw that coming!"
Murong Rui hesitated, "Are you saying this was no accident?"
Madam Xue poked Murong Rui on the head and said, "How can you be so naive? Accidents? Where do so many accidents come from?"
Murong Rui's expression shifted and asked, "So, you're saying Murong Yu already knew Ari was my confidante? But if she knew all along, why didn't she expose me earlier?"
Murong Rui clenched her teeth.
Madam Xue lost her patience and said, "Enough of this useless talk. Tell me the truth, how far have you gone with the young Lord Huo?"
Murong Rui's face flushed red.
Madam Xue stared at Murong Rui and asked, "Has he had his way with you?"
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