Chapter 958: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 958: A Clean Sweep (3)
“Good, good, this is a fine idea. Let’s do as you say.”
Old Madam Zhao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly agreed. Taking residence in the ancestral temple and performing purification rituals not only concealed the truth of her granddaughter being abducted by criminals—thus protecting her reputation—but also painted a favorable image of her in the eyes of the Mu family. That way, once she married into them, she’d face fewer difficulties. There was truly no better plan.
But the moment she thought about her granddaughter’s life hanging by a thread—unsure whether she’d ever return alive—Old Madam Zhao felt as though her heart was being sliced to ribbons. Still, she couldn’t think of a better solution. The most important thing was to find her and bring her back.
After the mother and son discussed the details, that very night, they gave the servants in the household a fierce warning. Then, they spread the news that Fan Meijiao had gone to the ancestral temple for purification rituals and prayer.
The ignorant maids and old women in the estate actually believed it, and the rumor spread rapidly.
Those who knew the truth secretly gloated over her misfortune, cursing Fan Meijiao to never return. Those unaware of the inside story were amazed at her supposed transformation, hoping that she’d stop bullying and abusing them when she came back. It showed just how much Fan Meijiao, with her arrogance and temper, was disliked in the Zhao household.
…
In a run-down, desolate courtyard in the northern district, decay and dilapidation clung to every corner. Those living there were either homeless beggars or impoverished families too poor to change their circumstances. It was so destitute that even thieves didn’t bother coming.
At that moment, in a low and damp cellar of one such house, a woman dressed in fine clothes lay bound hand and foot. Her mouth was gagged with a filthy, stinking sock. Her hair was disheveled and scattered across the dusty ground, tangled with weeds and grime. Her clothes were in utter disarray, her front partially open and exposing white skin. Anyone unaware of the situation might assume she had already been violated.
“Big Brother, the Zhao clan and their relatives are utterly vile. They get away with everything because he shields them. We kidnapped his niece this time to teach him a lesson. Why didn’t you let me touch that woman?”
An angry voice echoed in the cellar. The words landed clearly in Fan Meijiao’s ears, jolting her awake. Hearing that her uncle’s enemies had come for revenge, her terror deepened. Her eyes, covered by a black cloth, widened in fear, and her whole body trembled.
“You idiot!” another harsh, gravelly voice replied. The man addressed as “Big Brother” scolded him bitterly. “We’re using this wretched woman to get back at Zhao. If you force yourself on her, he’ll just be glad to get rid of the shameful, disgraceful woman who’s been ruining his family’s name. Then what leverage do we have to lure him out and take proper revenge?”
“But… but that’s letting this rotten woman off too easily! Look at the clothes and jewelry she’s wearing—every bit of it came from squeezing us dry. She’s lived in luxury for years. Don’t we brothers deserve a little fun?” the first man said resentfully.
“Hmph. Our target is Zhao. Once we deal with him, don’t worry—not just this woman, we’ll grab her mother too. After we’ve had our fun, we’ll sell them off to some remote village to be wives for men who can’t get one. And those families often have more than one man. Sharing a woman is common there. We’ll see if these shameless bitches can still show their faces then.”
His words were laced with cruelty, showing deep hatred not just for Zhao Fengnian but for anyone connected to the Zhao family.
Hearing all this, Fan Meijiao nearly broke down. At this moment, she too began to hate Zhao Fengnian with all her heart—the uncle she’d once affectionately called by name for over twenty years. She had completely forgotten how she’d eaten, worn, and lived better than the Zhao family’s legitimate daughters all these years—entirely thanks to that same uncle.
(End of Chapter)
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