Chapter 35 - 35 35 Shes the Scapegoat

Words : 1484 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 She’s the Scapegoat! Chapter 35: Chapter 35 She’s the Scapegoat! “Today, for some reason, Mrs. Li was shouting Zhan Xuerou’s name in front of Madam,” Dugu Yan continued to share what she witnessed with Zhan Lan. Zhan Lan’s gaze darkened—a mother’s heart truly is connected to her daughter’s. Otherwise, how could Mrs. Li have risked her life to protect Zhan Xuerou at the moment of life and death, even calling out her biological daughter’s name in her dreams? This injury inflicted great harm on Mrs. Li, who in her previous life had spent her twilight years in peace inside the palace; in this life, she may no longer enjoy such fortune. Zhan Lan lay in bed, resting with her eyes closed. “Liu Xi wants me to tell you that Old General Zhan has written a letter to General Zhan,” said the messenger. Zhan Lan nodded, “Hmm, keep a close watch.” Little Black clumsily climbed onto Zhan Lan’s bed, nestling its small head against her arm. With her right hand, Zhan Lan stroked its head. “Ah, Mengmeng, I heard you are about to die!” The door was pushed open from the outside, and two little ones with eyes swollen from crying rushed in one after another. “Mengmeng hasn’t married yet, but she’s going to die!” Zhan Rui ran to the bedside and touched Zhan Lan’s cheek with her little hand. “Zhan Heng, Zhan Rui!” Zhan Lan sat up a bit. The two little ones wiped away their tears and threw themselves onto Zhan Lan. “I’m fine, it’s just a superficial wound, I’ll recover soon,” Zhan Lan hurried to comfort her younger brother and sister. “Mengmeng, Zhan Xuerou hasn’t woken up yet, is she going to die too?” Zhan Rui’s little red lips quivered. Zhan Lan touched her head to comfort her: “Don’t worry, she will wake up.” Upon hearing Zhan Lan’s reply, the two little ones were completely reassured and picked up Little Black to play, “Little Black, how did you get so fat!” Watching her carefree younger siblings, Zhan Lan couldn’t help but reflect: How wonderful it would be if they could always be this happy! “Don’t call me Mengmeng outside anymore, got it?” Zhan Lan shook her head helplessly. “Mhm mhm,” Zhan Rui pulled on Little Black’s ear while Zhan Heng patted its paw, and both nodded briefly. Zhan Lan lay comfortably back in bed; her injuries this time weren’t serious, and both Old Madam and Old General had come to visit. Although others from the second branch had not come, she didn’t mind. The Old Madam’s insincerity and superficial concern were understood by her. After all, everyone she cared about had visited—her grandfather, mother, brother, and sister. Maybe her father and brother would be back in a few days? ... Zhan Xuerou had been unconscious for two days and nights before she woke up. In her dreams, she spoke incoherently: “Don’t hit me, I am the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion!” “Ah, get away, it hurts so much!” Qin Shuang watched over Zhan Xuerou with furrowed brows. This incident would likely leave a deep scar on her daughter. “The authorities have already harshly interrogated Liu Chi, who kept saying no one had ordered him, and Old General went to the Capital Government half an hour ago.” Chunhua nervously picked at her fingernails, relieved that Liu Chi, a man of his word, did not betray the legitimate daughter. Zhan Xuerou suddenly opened her eyes wide. The mention of Liu Chi’s name terrified her, turning her face pale. “Rou’er, you’re finally awake!” Qin Shuang grasped Zhan Xuerou’s hand. “Mother, I heard Grandfather has gone to the Capital Government,” Zhan Xuerou said with difficulty. “Yes, don’t speak now, have some water.” Qiuyue handed over warm water, and Zhan Xuerou gulped it down. She dared not look at Qin Shuang. If her grandfather went personally to interrogate Liu Chi, it was possible that something might come out. Trying to appear calm, she clung to Qin Shuang’s arm in a coquettish manner: “Mother, I’m afraid I won’t be able to return again, to be your joy.” Qin Shuang hugged Zhan Xuerou tightly, heartbroken. “Rou’er, it won’t happen, you will get better, and no one will ever hurt you again, it’s all my fault for not protecting you!” Tears streamed down Zhan Xuerou’s face. Suddenly, her body curled up, a sharp pain erupting in her abdomen. “Mother, my stomach hurts.” “Qiuyue, bring the warmer, quick!” Qiuyue immediately handed it over, and Qin Shuang took the warmer and placed it on Zhan Xuerou’s abdomen. “Mother, is there something wrong with my stomach?” Zhan Xuerou was extremely scared. She took a sharp breath, watching for any changes in Qin Shuang’s expression. Feigning calm, Qin Shuang gently smiled and said, “Silly child, there’s nothing wrong, your injuries need some time to heal, don’t worry.” Qin Shuang dared not reveal the true situation to Zhan Xuerou, afraid that knowing it would be detrimental to her recovery. Zhan Xuerou let out a sigh of relief, her eyes flashing with a touch of relief as she tentatively asked, “How are Lan’s mother and daughter?” She believed that even if Zhan Lan wasn’t dead, her injuries must be more serious than her own, perhaps horribly disfigured or had broken limbs. That would settle the score in her heart. Qin Shuang patted her hand and said, “Miss Zhan Lan’s injuries are quite serious, she is covered in blood and even hurt her head. To protect you, Madam Li has been severely injured, probably shortening her life by ten years, we should be grateful to them.” Hearing that Zhan Lan was so badly injured, Zhan Xuerou could hardly suppress her laughter. She truly deserved it, it would be best if Zhan Lan turned into an idiot! As for what happened to Madam Li, that had even less to do with her. Housekeeper Zeng knocked on the door and relayed, “Madam, the Old General has ordered: Bind Chunhua and turn her over to the authorities!” Shocked, Zhan Xuerou shuddered on her bed, while Chunhua collapsed to the ground in fright. Qin Shuang understood that Chunhua was involved in this matter, and she looked at Chunhua with a stern gaze, demanding, “Speak, what happened?” “I am wronged!” Chunhua dared not admit that she was instigated by Zhan Xuerou. Qin Shuang coldly ordered, “Beat Chunhua with twenty planks before turning her over to the authorities!” Upon hearing Madam’s words, Chunhua felt like her soul had fled. She knelt in front of Zhan Xuerou’s bed, pleading, “Miss, please speak on my behalf!” Zhan Xuerou feigned surprise, looking innocently at Chunhua, “Was this your doing, Chunhua? I have rewarded you with plenty of silver, could it be you orchestrated a murder?” Chunhua had not expected Zhan Xuerou to completely disregard her, let alone frame her. She cried out, “Miss, I just did what you told me, I didn’t do anything!” Zhan Xuerou coughed angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting!” Qin Shuang quickly patted Zhan Xuerou’s back, and Qiuyue brought over a cup of warm water, how could her meek and weak daughter ever conspire to commit murder. As a mother, she couldn’t tolerate her daughter being slandered; Qin Shuang was resolute about not enabling it! “Take her away and give her thirty planks!” Qin Shuang did not know what had become of the General Mansion! First Qinglian betrayed her master, now Chunhua conspired to commit murder. If they did not make an example of someone, who knows what other troubles might arise in the future. “No, Madam, I didn’t do it! I truly didn’t!” After the two nanny servants dragged Chunhua out, Housekeeper Zeng said, “Chunhua’s cousin harassed Miss Zhan Lan half a year ago, was kicked in the vital parts by Miss Zhan Lan, and has been holding a grudge ever since. Chunhua was his accomplice, and her cousin has already confessed!” Now Chunhua realized that from the beginning, Zhan Xuerou had planned to use her as the scapegoat! How Zhan Xuerou threatened the cousin, Chunhua had no idea, but he had admited everything. Madam Chen and Nanny Zhang held Chunhua down on the ground. After several lashes, her skin split and flesh bared. “Ah!” Amidst Chunhua’s screams, Qin Shuang’s eyes grew cold; it seemed that she usually treated people too leniently and now needed to discipline the servants well. Inside the room, Zhan Xuerou listened to Chunhua’s screams without expression. Although Chunhua had grown up with her, such a useless and incompetent servant deserved to be beaten to death! As for why Chunhua held a grudge against Zhan Lan, she had already thought of an excuse.

Chapter 35 - 35 35 Shes the Scapegoat

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