The legitimate daughter returns, and everyone in the Marquis's mansion regrets and begs for for

Su Muya's scream pierced the rain, startling Old Madam Lin, who was pruning flowers in the garden. "What's going on? Who's screaming?" Old Madam Lin put down her pruning shears, her brows furrowed. Her maid, Cui'er, quickly stepped forward. "Old Madam, it sounds like the Second Young Lady's voice. It's coming from her courtyard."

A torrential downpour began, raindrops dripping from the eaves and forming tiny streams. Old Madam Lin immediately instructed Cui'er, "Go quickly and see what's happening!" Cui'er opened an oil-paper umbrella and hurried into the rain, running towards Su Muya's courtyard. The rain soaked her clothes, and her shoes were covered in mud, but she dared not delay, her mind solely focused on the old madam's instructions.

Cui'er braved the rain to reach Su Muya's courtyard. Pushing open the half-closed gate, she immediately saw Su Muya slumped on the ground, rain streaming down her pale face, several clear whip marks a shocking sight. Su Muya's personal maid, Hongmei, knelt beside her, soaked to the bone, shivering, her head bowed, not daring to utter a word.

"Second Miss! What happened to you?" Cui'er quickly dropped the oil-paper umbrella she was holding and ran to Su Muya's side, helping her up. Su Muya's clothes were soaked through by the rain, clinging tightly to her body, making her look even thinner. Cui'er gently touched the whip marks on Su Muya's face and gasped, "This... how did these injuries happen?"

Su Muya raised her head, tears mingling with the rain as they streamed down her face. She choked back sobs, saying intermittently, "It was...it was Hongmei...she accidentally...tumbled the hot water...and scalded...scalded me..." She sobbed as she spoke, her body trembling slightly, making her look pitiful.

Upon hearing Su Muya's words, Hongmei immediately kowtowed, her forehead slamming heavily against the bluestone pavement with a "thump, thump" sound. "Madam, spare me! This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die! It was this servant's carelessness..." She dared not refute Su Muya's words, only kowtowing repeatedly to beg for forgiveness. Rainwater washed over her pale face, making her look even more disheveled.

Cui'er looked at the wounds on Su Muya's face, and then at Hongmei who was constantly kowtowing. Although she had some doubts, the most important thing right now was Su Muya's injuries. She said to another maid beside her, "Quickly go and fetch a doctor! And also have someone bring the Madam here!" The maid obeyed and left, quickly disappearing into the rain.

A short while later, Su Daya rushed over and was heartbroken to see the bruises on her daughter's face. She shoved Hongmei, who was still kowtowing, aside and scolded her angrily, "You silly girl, how could you be so careless! You actually burned the Second Miss!" Her tone was stern, and her eyes were full of anger, as if she wanted to devour Hongmei alive.

Hongmei was pushed to the ground by Su Daya, but she didn't dare to get up. She remained kneeling on the ground, taking all the blame upon herself. "Madam, please calm down! It's my fault! I deserve to die! Please punish me, Madam!" She kept kowtowing, her forehead was already bleeding, and blood mixed with rainwater flowed down.

Looking at the injuries on her daughter's face, Su Daya's anger was hard to quell. She said to the two burly women behind her, "Guards! Drag this wretched girl away and give her twenty lashes!" The two women immediately stepped forward, grabbed Hongmei on either side, and dragged her away. Hongmei's cries gradually faded into the rain. Su Daya held Su Muya, gently patting her back, comforting her, "Don't be afraid, Mother is here..."

As the rain subsided, Cui'er led the doctor over in a hurry. The doctor carefully examined Su Muya's injuries, his brows furrowed: "This is a scald from hot water. Although it's not serious, it still needs careful care to avoid infection." As he spoke, he skillfully took out ointment from his medicine box and meticulously applied it to the wounds on Su Muya's face.

When Madam Lin arrived after hearing the news, the doctor was bandaging Su Muya's face. Seeing Su Muya's swollen cheek, Madam Lin felt heartbroken and asked in a trembling voice, "What happened? How did you get burned like this?" She gently stroked Su Muya's hair, her eyes full of concern.

Su Muya leaned against Su Daya's chest, sobbing softly, and repeated what she had said earlier in broken sentences. Upon hearing this, Old Madam Lin's face darkened. She turned to Su Daya, her tone reproachful: "Daya, how did you take care of Muya? How could you let her get so badly injured?"

Su Daya quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "Mother, I was careless for a moment and caused that girl Hongmei to..." She hesitated, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

"Where is Hongmei?" Old Madam Lin asked sternly, her tone tinged with anger.

Su Daya lowered her head slightly and said in a low voice, "They've already...they've already been punished..."

Madam Lin sighed and waved her hand, "Alright, let's leave it at that. Muya's injuries are serious; she must be taken good care of." She turned to the doctor, "Doctor, when will Muya's injuries heal?"

The doctor bowed and replied, "Madam, the second young lady's injury is not serious. She will recover after a few days of careful recuperation."

Madam Lin nodded and instructed the maid beside her, "Go and bring me my Snow Lotus Ointment and apply it to Muya." Snow Lotus Ointment is a precious healing medicine treasured by the Lin family, and it has a miraculous effect on burns.

Upon hearing the words "Snow Lotus Ointment," a hint of joy flashed in Su Muya's eyes. She knew that this Snow Lotus Ointment was priceless, and using it on her face would surely lead to a rapid recovery without leaving any scars.

In the following days, Su Muya took the opportunity of recuperating from her injuries to stay at the Lin family home, where she was well taken care of and enjoyed a very comfortable life. She would often visit the old lady of the Lin family in her courtyard to pay her respects, showing concern and care, which made the old lady of the Lin family very happy.

One day, Su Muya was admiring the flowers in the garden with Old Madam Lin when Lin You approached. He inquired about Su Muya's injuries with concern and offered her a few words of comfort. Su Muya's eyes reddened slightly, and she whispered, "Ayou, I...I want to go to the capital to participate in the imperial examination..."

Lin You held Su Muya's hand and said softly, "Muya, I know your wish. I will arrange for you to go to the capital as soon as possible."

Su Muya smiled through her tears, her eyes sparkling with hope. Back in her room, she began to diligently study poetry and literature, preparing for the upcoming imperial examinations. Outside, the sun shone brightly, birds sang, and flowers bloomed; Su Muya's mood was as bright as the spring day.

"Cousin, you must keep your word." Su Muya put down the book in her hand and looked at Lin You with a firm gaze.

Lin You nodded and gently patted the back of her hand: "Don't worry."

After Lin You left, Su Muya gently touched her scalded cheek, a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. She rose and walked to the window, gazing at the blooming peonies in the courtyard, a cold smile playing on her lips. A maidservant entered with tea and respectfully placed it on the table: "Second Miss, your tea." Su Muya withdrew her gaze and responded indifferently, "Hmm, you may leave." The maidservant curtsied and withdrew.