Supporting the small body, Wei Kun asked with surprise : âWhat is Ah Luo saying? Madam wants to sell you? Didnât she take you to burn incense at Huguo Temple? Where is everyone?â Since he mentioned them, he looked around, and not seeing a trace of Madam Du, furrowed his brows, âHow did you come back?â
The maidservant, who had delivered Wei Luo to the reception pavilion, muttered quietly: âFourth Miss was brought here by a bodyguard⊠At that time, there was no one else with the fourth Miss.â
That was a serious issueâââMadam Du had led her out, but the girl had come back alone. No matter what, Madam Du hadnât properly looked after Wei Luo. Wei Kunâs complexion wasnât very good. Ah Luo was crying as well, the tears soaking through his clothing material. His heart hurt for her. He squatted down and held Ah Luoâs small face, asking gently: âAh Luo, tell Daddy clearly, what has actually happened? Who was that guard? What about Madam?â
Wei Changhong, who was standing nearby, was equally distressed. His older sister was crying, but he had no idea why. He stepped forward to comfort her, but didnât know what to say.
He slowly reached for Wei Luoâs hand, his grip tightening the longer he held it, âAh LuoâŠâ
Wei Luo was crying very pitifully, out of breath, her beautiful little face was red. She was wiping her tears and at the same time piling up the accusations: âAfter we finished burning incense, we passed through a forest on the way back, and two people were waiting there⊠Jin Lu elder sister heard them, Madam said she was going to sell me to themâŠâ
She repeated everything that had happened that morning. Her words were child-like and simple, but each spearhead was pointed at Madam Du. She was the one, who had contacted the slave traders, had prepared the sedative medicine, and had wanted to snatch her forcefully⊠The more she cried, the more dejected she looked. Finally, she asked Wei Kun in a terrified way: âDaddy, did Ah Luo make a mistake? Thatâs why Madam doesnât want me. Daddy tell Ah Luo, Ah Luo can changeâŠâ
Wei Kunâs complexion was black like the bottom of a pot. His thumbs gently wiped the tears from her face, his tone was doting: âAh Luo hasnât made any mistakes. Youâre Daddyâs little treasure.â
He had barely spoken, and Wei Zheng, who had heard everything from beginning to end, shouted angrily from the entrance: âYouâre saying nonsense! My mother didnât do that, sheâs not a bad person. Youâre lying to Daddy!â
Although Wi Zheng was five, she could roughly understand what was going on. Wei Luo complained to father, saying that mother had done something wrong. She saw that father looked very angry, and would certainly punish mother later. She subconsciously knew she had to protect her own mother, couldnât let Wei Luoâs scheme prevail.
Wei Zheng wasnât aware of the whole truth behind this matter. Madam Du alone had planned it all in secret. Today, Wei Zheng had wanted to go to Huguo Temple together with them, and even threw a fit that Madam Du was favoring Wei Luo, only taking her. Madam Du had had no choice but to tell her, as long as she behaved, she wouldnât ever see Wei Luo again. After considering for a while, Wei Zheng had nodded in agreement.
Wei Zheng and Wei Luo had never gotten close. Wei Zhengâs temper was very similar to Madam Duâââcompetitive, doing anything to fight for first place, wanted to be more outstanding than anyone. So whenever official Ying praised Wei Luo, she couldnât accept it in her heart.
Where was Wei Luo better than her? Why did everyone like her? Mother had said that Wei Luo didnât have a mother, that she was an illegitimate child. She quietly bore these words in mind, therefore had always thought Ah Luoâs status was lower than hers. Now that she saw Wei Kun being so good to Wei Luo, she got even more furious.
Wei Zheng stepped forward, prepared to pull Ah Luo away from Wei Kunâs embrace, and yelled: âYouâre lying, youâre a liar!â
However, before she managed to touch Wei Luoâs clothes, she was shoved away by Changhong. She staggered back a few steps, couldnât come to a stop, and slumped on the ground.
Changhong stood protectively in front of Wei Luo, his small face very serious, eyes cold: âDonât touch her!â
Wei Zheng hadnât seen Changhong so furious. She was usually calling him âWei Changhong, Wei Changhongâ, never called him sixth older brother. She didnât regard him as an older brother, let alone respect him. Yet now, as she looked at Changhongâs fierce face anxiously, she suddenly felt scared. Turning to Wei Kun, she saw he was still comforting a crying Wei Luo, and simply had no time to pay attention to her situation. Frustrated, she also started crying.
*
Wei Kun coaxed Wei Luo with great difficulty, and asked the maidservant Jin Ge to bring her in the blue-screened room to lie down for a while.
Just as Jin Ge got close, she tightly held onto Wei Kunâs neck, not letting go: âI donât want her!â
Jin Ge awkwardly froze in place.
She clearly remembered the past Jin Ge and Jin Ciâs actions. As soon as she saw them, Wei Luo would think of the way Madam Du had strangled her neck. She hated everyone who had been at the scene, but most of all the indifferent Jin Ci and Jin Ge. At that time, they had already been bought over by Madam Du. She would definitely not trust them now, and if opportunity came, sheâd give them both a harsh lesson.
She also refused to be held by unfamiliar servants.
Wei Kun thought she didnât allow anyone to get near her, because sheâd received a scare, so he indulged her: âAlright, since you donât want her, Daddy will take you.â
An ironwood arhat bed was set up in the blue-screened room. Wei Kun put her on the bed gently and rubbed her head: âAh Luo, stay here for a while. If you want to eat anything, tell Daddy, so I can ask people to prepare something.â
Wei Luo was tossed about for most of the day. Aside from one bowl of small wonton in the early morning, she hadnât eaten anything. Today had tired her out more than usual, naturally, her belly was also hungry. Looking at Changhong, she still remembered the dishes theyâd always liked to eat :âDaddy, I want to eat hibiscus cakes and pine nuts fish.â
Wei Kun was brooding over the earlier matter, barely forcing out a smile, âAlright, Iâll ask the kitchen to make them.â
After his departure, he sent a maidservant to the kitchen to let them prepare these two dishes, in addition to eight treasure gourd chicken and shrimp sauce tofu, also stewed carp soup, and a few side dishes. He had just returned from the Imperial Academy. There had been no time for lunch yet, but he didnât have an appetite anymore. He settled the two children first, then sent people to the Songyuan (Madam Duâs court). The people, who had recently served Madam Du were called to the front of the pavilion, kneeling neatly in two rows.
These people served Madam Du daily, it was certain they had to know something to a degree, but they werenât saying anything. The thought that these people had ganged up to harm Ah Luo, had him quaking with fury.
A maidservant brought over a pot of freshly brewed green tea. He took the ink-colored small cup and smashed it in front of the servant, the hot tea spilling all over the ground. He said: âFlog each person 20 times, and donât spare the rod!â
The people cried out as one, claiming they were innocent and knew nothing.
They truly didnât know, as Madam Du hid everything from them and only kept her closest attendant informed. But Wei Kun was extremely angry. He didnât listen to excuses, and without even waiting for Madam Du to come back and explain herself, punished all the servants in Songyuan.
In the blue-screened room, Wei Luo and Wei Changhong were sitting on the arhat bed, while a maidservant gracefully placed the food to the side and waited on the two children.
Wei Luo picked up a hibiscus cake. She was half-done eating it, when she noticed Changhong hadnât moved his chopsticks, but his gaze was firmly locked on her. Not in a hurry to eat, she put down the chopsticks, and holding her cheek, asked: âChanghong, why arenât you eating? Are you full just from watching me?â
Changhong wasnât hungry as he still hadnât gotten over his shock, after listening to Wei Luoâs words from earlier. More mature than his peers, he could understand what had happened. He knew what âslave traderâ meant. Although he wasnât too intimate with Madam Du, usually heâd show respect for her and regard her as an elder. It never crossed his mind she would harm Wei Luo.
Pursing his lips, Changhong slowly and solemnly said: âAh Luo, Iâll protect you from now on.â
Wei Luoâs hand paused over her food, and raised her head to stare at him blankly. Sheâd never had the chance to hear such words in her previous life. Though they really affected her, Changhong was still only six years old. Sheâd lived ten years longer than him, it made more sense for her to protect him.
There was no trace of the sadly sobbing in Wei Kunâs bosom appearance on Ah Luoâs face. She picked up a piece of gourd chicken and held it in front of him, asking with a smile: âYouâre younger than me, how can you protect me?â
Changhong anxiously raised his head to argue: âOnly younger by an hour!â
Oh, he was actually younger than her in that way as well. Ah Luo didnât bicker with him over that, and shook the chicken between the chopsticks, âAre you eating or not? My hand is all sore from holding it up.â
Of course, Changhong ate it. As he chewed, he suddenly remembered, âThe maidservant said you were brought back by a bodyguard. Who is he?â
He unexpectedly thought of the point that even Wei Kun hadnât taken note of.
Wei Luo thought it really wasnât an easy matter to explain, so from the thousand words, she formed a single sentence: a good-hearted person passed through there by chance, and conveniently rescued her.
Saying that, Zhu Geng was too cheap. Instead of saving her, he wanted to deliver her to his master for retribution.
Changhong didnât think much of it and didnât ask further. They sat on the bed and finished eating their meal. When the maidservant went forward to tidy up the tableware, they heard someone announce from outside that Madam Du had come back.
Finally back.
Ah Luo jumped down from the arhat bed full of enthusiasm, in a few steps ran up behind the sliding door, and pasted her ear to the surface with a mysterious appearance.
Changhong followed after her bewildered, âWhat are you doing?â
Ah Luo turned around, raised up a white and tender finger to place it on her lips, and hushed him, âMadam is backâŠâ
*
After Madam Du returned to the residence, she wanted to go directly to Songyuan, but the gate servants specifically told her the fifth master was waiting for her in the reception pavilion, and had her escorted there.
Madam Du was able to guess correctly the reason for this. It was certain that Wei Luo had come back and blabbed to Wei Kun one-sidedly. Wei Kun had always loved Wei Luo, so he must have believed her. As he was positively angry right now, heâd try to find trouble for her (Du).
She clenched the fists hidden in her sleeves, forcing herself to calm down, and signaled the maidservant Ning Xue with her eyes. Ning Xue caught on quickly, quietly slipping away to go to the rear court of Liyuanâââthe third family branch living quarters.
Together with Madam Du, Jin Lu and nanny Ye also arrived at the reception pavilion. After Zhu Geng carried off Wei Luo, they had pursued part of the way, but couldnât catch up with him. Madam Du had wanted to silence them immediately while they were all in the wilderness, getting rid of two witnesses, as well as removing Wei Luoâs close confidantes, killing two birds with one stone. However, one had to pay attention to the bigger picture. If Jin Lu and nanny Ye died, it would only make her look more suspicious. By then, no matter how much she explained, it wouldnât be enough.
Anyway, she couldnât admit her own thoughts of bringing harm to Wei Luo. As long as she insisted Jin Lu and nanny Ye were speaking nonsense, she would also have a little wiggle room to save the situation.
Though she was thinking so in her heart, when she passed by the main hallâs wall, she saw the servants kneeling outside the reception pavilion. Madam Du suddenly felt her legs giving out, and shrank back.
It seemed like Wei Kun was for real this time.
Wei Kunâs temper was mild and tolerant, he rarely punished the servants. Today, those servants had injuries as if they had been flogged. She couldnât help but tightly grip the nearby granny Douâs hand (not a really grandma, an old female servant), taking a deep breath: âGranny⊠Iâm afraid I canât get out of this todayâŠâ
Granny Dou was the wet nurse she had brought over from her maternal home. Sheâd taken care of her since childhood, so they were very close and affectionate. Narrow-minded, mean, and crafty, selling off Wei Luo was half her idea. Wuzhou and Wang, those two slave traders, were also her acquaintances.
Granny Dou comforted her, âMadam, donât worry. Youâve shared marital affections with the master for 5â6 yearsâŠâ
Saying that, they walking into the reception pavilion.
Wei Kun was sitting on the ironwood mandarin chair with a cold face. He saw her coming in, but didnât speak a word.
Madam Du steadied her mind, fixed a smile on her face, and was about to ask what had happened. Before she could ask, Wei Zheng, who was held by a nearby maidservant, cried out: âMother!â She was waving her thin arms, wishing to jump into Madam Duâs arms, âMother run, Daddy is angry, he wants to punish youâŠâ
Madam Du clutched at her heart, âZheng!â
She wanted to go forward to hug Wei Zheng, but Wei Kun ordered in a cold voice: âTake the fifth Miss outside!â
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The maidservant obeyed Wei Kunâs instruction, Wei Zheng was forcefully taken away. Even as they disappeared from sight, Wei Zhengâs weeping could still be heard from outside.
Hearing her cry so sadly, Madam Du felt her own heart breaking. No matter what Wei Kun intended to do, she had to say: âHow can master treat Wei Zheng so heartlessly, sheâs your daughter!â
Wei Kun looked at her, finally letting his anger out, âYou dare say these words? Is Zheng my daughter, but Ah Luo not?â He paused, took a deep breath, and asked enraged, âWhere did you take Ah Luo today? You met anyone?â
This is an arhat bed.
Note: They call Wei Zheng something like little miss Zhengâr, I donât really know how to translate it well, too culture specific. So I opted for Zheng. There are LOTS of culture specific terms *headache*.