Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 26 Extra Warmth (3)

Ten-year-old Wen Xin leaned against the rockery, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair. She touched the jade bracelet in her arms and called out in her heart, "Mom." Just now, she saw a distinguished guest come to her home named Wuji Lao Ren. What a strange name. She said her father wanted him to teach his so-called sister. She also wanted to learn to read! If only her mother were still here...

Wen Xin was growing up fast at her age. Last year's clothes were already too short and too tight. They were covered in stains that couldn't be washed out. After all, how could a ten-year-old clean her clothes? Her hair was a little messy. After all, she had done it herself, and it hadn't been tied too tightly, so it fell apart when she ran. She untied her washed-bleached hairband and was about to tie it up again when she saw a group of people walking towards her in the corridor. Leading the group was her sister Wen Rou, followed by a group of maids and servants.

Wenrou was wearing a pink silk dress and a short jacket, and she looked energetic and cute.

Wen Xin caught sight of the group of people and was startled. She was about to hide behind the rockery to avoid this little devil. However, Wen Rou had sharp eyes and had already spotted Wen Xin. Wen Rou had no intention of letting her go. Wen Rou walked up to her, looked her up and down with disdain, and then said to her arrogantly: "Where did you come from, you wild girl? Why are you so dirty? Go back to your room, you are an eyesore here!"

The tone and expression were exactly the same as that woman's. Wen Xin clenched her fists and endured it. She turned and wanted to leave, but Wen Rou called out again: "What's in your arms?" Wen Xin covered the object in her arms cautiously, took two steps back, and then ran away.

"Hurry! Help me catch her!" Wenrou shouted at the top of her voice. Several servants immediately held her down, and one of them pulled out the jade bracelet from her arms and handed it to Wenrou.

Wenrou knew in her heart that even the maids at home wouldn't wear such a poor quality bracelet. Wenxin didn't lie, but how could Wenrou let go of such a good opportunity to kill Wenxin's prestige! After all, Wenxin was nominally her father's eldest daughter! Wenrou took the bracelet and said in a pretentious manner: "Where did you steal it? If you don't tell me, I'll beat you to death!"

Wen Xin suddenly jumped up, pushed Wen Rou away, snatched the bracelet, and cried, "This is what my mother left for me! I didn't steal it!"

Wenrou was young after all, and when she was pushed, she started crying: "Smash her bracelet for me! And then slap this lying bitch a hundred times!"

The jade bracelet fell to the ground and broke into two pieces. Wen Xin was pinned down by two maids, while another older maid slapped her hard. Wen Xin's eyes were bloodshot and she screamed, trying to grab it. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

"What are you doing here?" An old man who witnessed the farce came out from the corner of the corridor and said sternly to Wenrou.

"Hello, sir." She called out timidly, pretending to be harmless, and then ran away.

The old man squatted down, picked up the broken jade bracelet, wiped the dust off with his hand, and then wrapped it with a clean handkerchief. His eyes were deep and emotionless. He took the bracelet into his arms and said: "The jade bracelet is broken, but it can be repaired. I will help you fix it. But if you don't have the ability to protect yourself, you will not be able to protect anything else in the future. Make yourself stronger, and you will be able to protect what you want to protect."

The old man stretched out his hands, Wen Xin stretched out her hands and held those hands. The tears that had accumulated in her eyes finally fell and she burst into tears.
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Later, although the old man did not agree to stay, he said a few words to Wen Yi: "There is a piece of unpolished jade at home. Why not carve it together? It will increase your chances of success in the future. Now, the current emperor is selecting female officials and is opening up a wide range of opportunities..."

Wen Yi pondered it, and it made perfect sense. He could use her for a future marriage, perhaps even for the chance to enter the imperial palace—what better way to win than to take advantage? And Wen Wen, with her gentle temperament, was a father he knew perfectly well. Being spoiled beyond measure by her mother, how could she possibly have any ambition? Putting aside the question of whether she could enter the palace, even if she did, it would likely be a trap for her. Wen Wen, on the other hand, seemed composed and composed… Without much thought, he immediately agreed.

The father also hired a female teacher to teach his two daughters. Wen Xin finally got this opportunity and studied very hard, learning to read and write, playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even doing business... Gradually, Wen Yi saw his daughter's talent and valued her more and more.

Before the old man left, he returned the repaired jade bracelet to Wen Xin. The silver bell was very beautiful, and there was a red bean on it...
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Wen Xin never imagined that her fourteenth birthday present would be a secret sachet containing the secret of her mother's death. The doors and windows were nailed shut, a drug was slipped into her dinner, and Wen Yi was deliberately lured away... All the evidence pointed to that woman. And this secret sachet was given to her by her former housekeeper.

Wen Xin's first thought after receiving the lucky charm was to feel sorry for her mother: "Why is it that he was clearly wronged, yet you were the one who sacrificed your life? He doesn't feel any guilt or pity for this at all. He just feels relieved and then continues his wonderful life."

Her second thought was: revenge! She wanted them to pay! But when she put the poison pill in the hidden buckle of the jade bracelet, she softened her heart. She reduced the poison by half. What if he really didn't know?
When Wen Yi took the medicine mixed with sleeping pills, she couldn't help but ask, "Dad, how did Mom die at that time? Did you kill her?" "Why is my head so dizzy? Did you poison her? Xin'er, don't kill me, I'm your dad!... It's not me, it's really not me! It's... that woman who killed her. It's none of my business!" Wen Yi shirked responsibility in a panic.

"If that's the case, then why did you marry her! She killed my mother!" Wen Xin asked in disbelief.

"Xin'er, you don't understand. You were too young at the time. That woman had..." Wen Yi seemed to realize that he had said the wrong thing and quickly changed his words, "Your mother had tuberculosis. Even if she didn't die in the fire, she wouldn't have lived long! Anyway..."

Wen Xin couldn't believe that his father actually said such a thing, and he stood there for a long time, unable to calm down.

"If I don't marry into their family, I will be burdened with a huge debt that I will never be able to pay off in my lifetime! I don't want that..." Wen Yi said with a painful look on his face.

"So you let her kill my mother? So you married her like nothing happened?"

"I don't want to, and I can't help it." Wen Yi argued cunningly.

Wen Yi's panic, pale excuses, and lies full of loopholes made Wen Xin's heart grow colder and colder.

Wen Xin was heartbroken: "Dad, it was your cowardice, greed, and ruthlessness that killed her! I'm even a little relieved now that my mom died early so she didn't have to endure your anger!"

Wen Yi frantically tried to grab Wen Xin's sleeve, but the drug was taking effect and he had no strength left: "Xin'er, have you forgotten? Dad was so good to you when you were little. He often hugged you and bought you dragon beard candies... Dad really loves you!"

Wen Xin had tears streaming down her face, but she didn't wipe them away. She looked like someone possessed, sobbing as she said, "But the person you love the most is yourself!... There was an ant daddy who got lost. If he didn't go home, the ant children wouldn't be able to find him and would definitely be very sad! How could this ant daddy be willing to leave? Oh, I remember now. He died a long time ago in a fire when I was five years old. He can't go home..."
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As the kerosene lamp tipped over and the pavilion burst into flames, Wen Xin suddenly felt at peace, as if the world had fallen silent. Without hesitation, she plunged into the icy water, its piercing edge enveloping her. The only sound of the water remained in her ears. Wen Xin felt at peace, thinking that even death like this wouldn't be a bad thing.

However, it seemed as if the heavens were unwilling to take her away. Suddenly, a sweet taste rose in her mouth, like the taste of dragon beard candy, and a familiar and warm voice echoed in her mind repeatedly:

"Sister Xin, here, try this freshly made dragon beard candy. Isn't it sweet?"

"Sister Xin, this lotus root pink color suits you best!"

"Sister Xin, do you think this kite is pretty? Do you want to fly a kite together?"

"Sister Xin, you still have such a long life to live. I want to go with you to the south of the Yangtze River to watch the orioles sing and the green willows bloom. I want to go with you to watch the snow fall in the frontier!"

A new life? Wen Xin felt as if a new bud were breaking through the soil, a tiny glimmer of light suddenly appearing in the darkness. She actually felt a little bit of anticipation. This kind of life seemed quite good, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. She opened her eyes in the water, trying to discern her direction, and swam towards the light, struggling to escape from the dark river...

thank you!
(End of this chapter)