Chapter One: Past and Present

ied in the wild outskirts, Xia Zhiyu's eyes welled up with tears. It was a nightmare throughout her life. Every time she thought about it, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. 。"Yu'er, wha...Others burn incense for blessings, praying for the well-being and happiness of their parents, relatives, spouses, and children. They pray for their husbands' success in their careers, for their children to find suitable partners, and for themselves to achieve fame and fortune...

Perhaps Xia Zhiyu years ago knew exactly what she was asking for: good health and longevity for her aunt; a son of her own, preferably a male, whom she could watch grow up, educate, and eventually see married. Years have passed, but none of her prayers have been answered. Yet, burning incense, chanting scriptures, and meditating… have become a part of her daily life.

That day, as usual, I cleansed my hands and lit incense. Just as I was about to place three incense sticks in the incense burner, kneeling with my knees bent towards it, a voice suddenly called out, "Sister,"... 。Xia Zhiyu naturally had sisters, but those sisters weren't equal. There were two extremely favored ones because they were born from the stepmother's womb. The other two, like Xia Zhiyu, were of humble birth, and from the moment they were born, their lives were all under the control of the stepmother. 。As a child born out of wedlock, Xia Zhiyu followed her aunt's teachings and from a young age, she understood her place. She never competed or fought for anything, always following the rules and striving for a simple life, not seeking wealth or power. But her obedience did not bring her the life she hoped for; in the end, she was still just a pawn manipulated by others. 。It seems like just a blink of an eye, and a lifetime has passed. 。

Xia Zhiyu slowly turned, standing before a pretty woman not far away. Her appearance was beautiful, and because she was in her prime years, it added to her charm. If it wasn't for the sudden upheaval at home, she should have been married to an equally handsome husband during her best years, instead of ending up in Houfu, becoming a concubine to an old man.

Although it's still early in the month, because of the Duke's favor, Lin Xiuhua walks everywhere with a hand on her pregnant belly carrying the Duke's old son. At this moment, looking at Xia Zhiyu, there is a flash of jealousy in her eyes. People say that time makes people old, especially a woman's appearance, that's what heaven has wasted the most. But Xia Zhiyu... she's simply God's favorite. Even at their age, they could call her "mother," but looking at her, she looks like a younger sister. 。Lin Xiujin's gaze drifted down to Xia Zhiyu's slender waist. Was the reason she looked so young because she had never given birth "Is something the matter" To be blunt, Xia Zhiyu was old enough to be Lin Xiujin's mother. So even though Lin Xiujin could naturally call her sister, the word "sister" felt a bit awkward to say. 。But know, nothing is done without a reason for it to reach the Three Treasures Hall. 。This incense hall is the most secluded place in the mansion. If you don't come here intentionally, no one would ever come here. 。

My husband, seeing that I was pregnant, instructed the kitchen to make nourishing soups for me. At first, my younger sister thought they tasted good, but after a while, she got tired of them.

I was just thinking, sister has worked so hard for the Hou family for so many years, and she still prays every day in front of Buddha for the well-being and safety of our whole family. She truly can't be more hardworking. It's time to give her some compensation. 。After saying that, Lin Xiuhua turned her head and said, “Come on, hurry up and bring the soup to your sister.” 。To show her sincerity, Xia Zhiyu felt a bit nauseous the moment she saw the soup. She lightly turned her head away, trying to avoid the pungent, greasy smell. 。Just as I was about to say a polite word of thanks, two gossipy women who were standing next to Lin Xiuhua suddenly stepped forward, one on each side, and grabbed Xia Zhiyu's arms. 。"What do you want to do" Xia Zhiyu struggled instinctively, but instead of breaking free, she was held even tighter. 。These two must be powerful, their strength is immense. They squeezed Xia Zhiyu's arms with such force that it felt like her bones were going to break. 。But within a few breaths, Xia Zhiyu's forehead was dotted with beads of sweat, and her back was suddenly drenched in cold sweat. 。“What are you doing” Lin Xiufen tilted her head slightly, her face innocent and harmless. She supported her waist and walked slowly towards Xia Zhiyu, stopping at a place she felt safe. “Sister, don’t you think you’ve been in Madam Hou’s position for too long You're a woman who can't bear children, so what right do you have to hold this position It's all because your sister is too disrespectful that her younger sister had to resort to such measures.” 。I have a child now, and I have to think about the child. I can't let him be a bastard, you... you are getting in the way. 。"Speaking of this, Lin Xiufen's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Remember to clean it up, the silver... I won't allow you to..." 。Xia Zhiyu's last memory was of two greedy eyes and the violent churning in her stomach. After the excruciating pain, there was only darkness. 。

The breath she had swallowed suddenly came out, Xia Zhiyu breathing greedily, each inhale as if it were her last, taking in a deep breath and slowly exhaling.

"Yu'er, you're awake Are you still feeling unwell anywhere"

Hearing this soft voice, Xia Zhiyu was startled. This was...

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate! 。His aunt, unlike when she was sent away years ago, did not look haggard and frail. At this time, her elegance still lingered. 。"

“Aunty, are you here to pick me up Did you see Xiaojin over there How is he doing Is he still so mischievous”

Xia Zhiyu’s aunt, due to her appearance, was favored for a period of time and was also very competitive. During those years of favor, she gave birth to one son and one daughter, first blooming and then bearing fruit"

Life was pretty good, but things don't always go smoothly. It's either sickness or disaster. My younger brother, my own blood, who had always been healthy, died at the age of fourteen in an accident. 。Of course, Xia Zhiyu never believed it was an accident. Because Xiao Jin was so well-behaved, he had once said that he would study hard, become a high official, and be the support of his aunt. How could such a him run out of the academy just to ride horses and have fun He was a frail scholar, how could he suddenly feel like learning how to ride horsesThinking of her younger brother who died too early, he couldn't even enter his ancestral tomb and had to be buried in the wild outskirts, Xia Zhiyu's eyes welled up with tears. It was a nightmare throughout her life. Every time she thought about it, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. 。"Yu'er, what nonsense are you talking about Are you delirious What do you mean this side and that side Little Jin would definitely be at the academy at this time." 。"Otherwise, your aunt will have someone else invite a doctor to check on you"

"Doctor" Xia Zhiyu had only uttered two words when a sharp pain suddenly struck her abdomen. 。

I thought I'd vomit again, but soon realized I was wrong.

After washing her hands, Xia Zhiyu, whose face was as pale as paper, was helped back onto the bed. This time, she did not lie down, but leaned against the pillow her aunt had placed behind her waist, carefully examining her mother. 。Although it might seem unbelievable, ... no matter if it's the aunt's hand or his hand, there are no calluses on top of them. 。This is not a hand, or rather, this is not the hand of many years hence. 。 。Xia Zhiyu's last memory was of two greedy eyes and the violent churning in her stomach. After the excruciating pain, there was only darkness. 。The breath she had swallowed suddenly came out, Xia Zh...