After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen
Chapter 51 - 050 She is not Fu Zhen, then who is? (Two more, seeking votes)

Chapter 51: Chapter 050 She is not Fu Zhen, then who is? (Two more, seeking votes)

Fu Zhen stared at Mrs. Fu, astonished by the response, yet it matched her vague suspicions.

"The two people who died are the old friends your grandfather told us would visit," Mrs. Fu said, her hands on the soup bowl, her voice low. "I had reserved guest rooms for them, but they never got to stay. When they were murdered, I, who was eagerly waiting to entertain them, was watching from an upstairs window.

"Zhen Er, do you believe in retribution in this world?"

This voice sounded as if it was scraping Fu Zhen’s insides, causing unbearable discomfort.

"I feel very guilty. I didn’t expect anything in return from them; it was simply your grandfather’s wish, so I valued it highly. But I couldn’t prevent it from happening and let your grandfather’s instructions down.

"Later, I often thought, if it were Miss Liang who saw everything from the window, she would have bravely stepped forward, right?"

"No," Fu Zhen grasped her hands tightly. "This matter is strange, not something ordinary people can get involved with. Even if it were Miss Liang, she might not have rushed out.

"You’re a gentle woman, to remain calm in such a situation and protect yourself is already commendable!

"I believe in retribution, but this retribution will not fall upon us. However," Fu Zhen paused and said, "since the ones who died were the friends grandfather spoke of, perhaps we can find a way to uncover the truth of this case and bring the murderer to justice, thus offering solace to grandfather and those two friends in heaven!"

"I have thought of that, but—" Mrs. Fu sighed, "without any clues, it’s easier said than done. Even identifying them as the people I was waiting for was only confirmed from their clothing when others cleaned the bodies.

"With a family like ours, how could we shake those behind this?"

Hearing this, Fu Zhen also fell silent.

Mrs. Fu’s words indeed hit the crucial point.

The key to Xu Yin’s death might lie in this case, but solving it requires enough clues and strength, yet right now, they’re too weak and don’t even know the identities of the deceased.

The only thing she has at hand is that dagger.

Liang Ning spoke to Xu Yin about it partly out of trust and because the incident happened near the Xu family, so she needed to warn him for his safety.

And as only Xu Yin came to ask Liang Ning for the dagger later, it’s certain Xu Yin did not disclose it to anyone else.

If he didn’t disclose it, he naturally had his considerations, and attacking Liang Ning not only hinted at severing ties with the Liang Family for better prospects but also possibly aimed to silence her.

After all, their search for the dagger was to prevent the secret from being exposed, killing her as a witness would have been a straightforward solution, wouldn’t it?

But they never expected Mrs. Fu had also seen it and, fortunately, she didn’t want to implicate Mrs. Fu, so she concealed this from Xu Yin.

In this light, Xu Yin’s sudden lethal attack on Liang Ning may not have been premeditated for that day.

It could very well have been the people or matters behind the dagger that drove him to this step.

Assisting him in staging a murder at Baihe Temple and then deceiving the Dali Court and the Liang Family must also be related to the dagger’s owner.

Unfortunately, waking up abruptly that day and then suddenly encountering Fu Rou’s plot against Fu Zhen meant it was impossible to think of searching the ruins for the dagger—

"Madam, Aunt Li from the main kitchen has a message."

At this moment, a maid announced through the door curtain.

Fu Zhen heard this and glanced at Mrs. Fu, got up, and prepared to leave: "I am full, mother, you go ahead."

She suddenly paused at the door, turned back to Mrs. Fu, whose gaze was fixed on her, walked back, and leaned into her embrace: "My body, skin, and all are nourished by your blood and flesh during ten months of pregnancy. Your kindness is etched into my bones and soul, and no one can change that fact."

After saying this, she straightened up, bowed, and then walked out.

Mrs. Fu sat cross-legged on the bed, watching through the open window as Fu Zhen straightened her back and exited, then the corridor, and finally the courtyard.

Her arms and embrace still retained the young girl’s warmth.

Upon hearing the servant’s report, she decisively avoided the situation, her demeanor graceful and dignified while paying respects, strutting like a proud little peacock when walking, and brimming with confidence like a fearless young colt when handling affairs.

This is the appearance Mrs. Fu had always dreamt Fu Zhen would exhibit, yet it was not the demeanor Fu Zhen had shown over the past fifteen years.

She clutched the window sill, tears rolling down her eyes.

Gradually, her silent crying turned into soft sobs, finally becoming a deep wail buried in her robe.

She hugged herself tightly, unwilling to let that trace of warmth fade.

Jin Zhu, who had entered upon hearing the sobs, silently watched her shoulders tremble under the candlelight, eventually gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

Outside, the night deepened unnoticed.

The sorrows and joys of the world, placed within the long river of time, are merely pages in a book, each turning into a Chapter from the past.

Fu Zhen walked beneath the quiet corridor, watching her shadow stretch like a bamboo pole.

This body had passed here countless times, and her mind held all the experiences from the past decade; if she wasn’t Fu Zhen, who else could she be?

...

Fu Jun returned to the mansion and first went to Rongfu Hall.

Previously tricked by Fu Zhen, Old Lady Fu was so angry her heart ached, yet neither the daughter-in-law nor granddaughter paid her any mind. When sending someone to the main courtyard to deliver a message, they were rebuked by Mrs. Fu with phrases like "how can a mother blame her daughter-in-law for impiety," and Jin Zhu even turned them away.

Old Lady Fu grew even angrier because of this.

She said many bad things about Mrs. Fu and her daughter in front of Fu Jun, who had slightly lessened his hatred towards Fu Zhen after resolving issues with Xu Yin.

Listening to what Old Lady Fu said, he remembered being hit twice by Fu Zhen previously and felt that even though she had given him a piece of advice, it was not worth much and could never offset her prior arrogance.

Adding to this, being publicly humiliated by Du Su on the street today left him still embarrassed and indignant.

At times, he resented Old Master Ning’s choice for arranging such an opportunistic marriage for the Fu Family. At other times, he thought the Du Family was indeed excessive, refusing to acknowledge him as their long-standing familial partner! Perhaps it was unnecessary altogether!

Recollecting the admiration Liang Chen received earlier, he couldn’t help but envy and lament why he couldn’t be born into a prestigious family and become a dignitary himself?

Yet, when reconsidering his marriage with the Du Family, he felt reluctant to let go!