Chapter 17 - 17 Stolen Life......

Words : 1201 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Stolen Life...... Madam Li's wrist ached from Zhan Lan's strong grip. She couldn't understand why Zhan Lan, who was usually so obedient that she wouldn't even dare to talk back, had suddenly learned to resist. And what was with that look in her eyes? Disappointment, grief, and even a trace of hatred? Could she have seen it wrong? Madam Li tried to pull her wrist out of Zhan Lan's grip, but she was no martial artist, especially compared to Zhan Lan's strength. She felt like a small animal trapped under the giant claw of King Beast, about to die at any moment. Zhan Lan's voice was firm as she said with neither servility nor overbearing pride, "Why did you hit me?"@@@@ Then she suddenly released Madam Li's wrist, causing her to stagger backward two steps and fall onto a stool. She shakily took a sip of water from a porcelain cup, trying to appear calm. After a moment, she said softly, "Haven't I always said? We, mother and daughter, are under the protection of Zhan Family members, and shouldn't stand out. If it comes to talent, how could you possibly compete with Lady Zhan?" She stood up again and said gently, "Lan'er, tell me honestly, have you used any underhanded tactics...?" "Tactics?" Zhan Lan looked at Madam Li with eyes full of disappointment, realizing everything in her second life. It wasn't that Madam Li was compromising in Zhan Family, but that this woman was not her birth mother at all. That's why Madam Li always used the excuses of not standing out and gratitude towards Zhan Family to make her yield in everything and appear inferior to Zhan Xuerou. Had she not fallen deeply in love with Si Jun in her previous life and made changes, she might have remained a fool for her entire life. Perhaps it would have been peaceful to be a fool. But the things deep in her bones and blood couldn't be suppressed; even without Si Jun, they would have erupted one day! Madam Li took Zhan Lan's hand and said earnestly, "Mother knows you have been wronged, but we rely on Zhan Family for everything in our lives. You are my daughter; when have I not considered you?" Tears filled Madam Li's eyes as she affectionately patted Zhan Lan's hand. "Lan'er, the main branch of our family is very kind, but now that you've made such a scene, what if second branch or Aunt Ji Yue's people come to trouble you?" "Mother just wants you to be safe and not be surrounded by dangers and criticism!" Madam Li looked down and saw the unhealed wounds on Zhan Lan's hand, exclaiming, "Lan'er, how did your hand get injured? I told you, you can't put yourself in danger!" Zhan Lan looked emotionlessly at Madam Li's performance. Having seen through this woman in this life, Zhan Lan thought, Zhan Xuerou really was Madam Li's own flesh and blood. Had she not known the whole truth, she might have been deceived. "Come, let Mother dress your wound," Madam Li said with concern, taking Zhan Lan's hand to walk into the inner room. Zhan Lan withdrew her hand and said, "No need, it's almost healed." In this moment, Madam Li felt the growing estrangement from Zhan Lan. Usually, even if she hit or scolded her, Zhan Lan would not retort or talk back. But today was different, as Zhan Lan hadn't called her 'Mother' once since her return. Madam Li thought to herself: Did she go too far with Zhan Lan just now? In the east courtyard of the General Mansion, Zhan Xuerou sat by the window, watching Qin Shuang bustling around. The wooden window was open, and occasionally, the voices of children playing could be heard. Then, Madam Qin Shuang took out an antique-looking box. She blew off the dust on it, which rose up in the sunlight, while Xuerou watched, her headache intensifying at the sight of Madam. "Mother, what are you doing? Today, why are you rummaging through all our old belongings?" Xuerou cooed, holding on to Qin Shuang's arm. Qin Shuang patted her hand, "Tomorrow, your fourth sister will go to worship the Qingfeng Scholar as her teacher, and surely she doesn't have a present worthy enough to give. The Qingfeng Scholar likes to collect old books, and we happen to have four of them." The smile on Xuerou's face crumbled at each word, and that was why she detested Zhan Lan so much! Her mother always worried about that lowly adopted daughter! Xuerou herself had failed to become the disciple of the Qingfeng Scholar and was already upset. To her surprise, her mother, instead of comforting her, was now adding fuel to the fire at such a time, making her even angrier. Did she appear too magnanimous and gentle on a regular basis, leading her mother to think she didn't care about these things? Qin Shuang, a woman from a military family, did not have the same concerns as Xuerou. She thought these old books were useless anyway and just right for Zhan Lan to use. Qin Shuang felt Xuerou's silence and pinched her cheek, "Rou'er, mother bought you a piece of jewelry at Linlang Pavilion, have a look and see if you like it?" A bracelet set with pearls and rubies was taken out from the box, and Qin Shuang personally slipped it onto Xuerou's wrist. "Ah, my daughter is so beautiful, and wearing this makes you even more splendid!" Xuerou smiled contentedly and leaned into Qin Shuang's embrace, "You are the best, mother!" She took the opportunity to say, "Mother, I think if the fourth sister gives these books to the Great Scholar, he will definitely like them a lot." Qin Shuang nodded with a smile, her daughter was so considerate and kindness was her best quality. Xuerou picked up two of the old books to flip through them. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, "But, mother, I would like to keep these two books, is that okay?" "Of course, my Rou'er, it's fine if we have two less, as long as you are happy!" Qin Shuang agreed without a second thought. Xuerou's smile bloomed like a flower as she lowered her eyes, filled with both triumph and hatred. She couldn't wait to get rid of Zhan Lan! No, it would be even better if Zhan Lan died outside after being driven away! But, what excuse could she find? "Rou'er, what are you thinking about?" Qin Shuang poked Xuerou's arm. Xuerou gazed out the window, "Mother, I was wondering where Rui'er and Heng'er have gone. Weren't they just in the courtyard?" Qin Shuang abruptly closed the box and walked outside, shouting at the maids and old servants cleaning the courtyard, "Hey, where did those two kids run off to? Go look for them quickly!" Several maids and old servants immediately responded and went looking. ...

Chapter 17 - 17 Stolen Life......

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