The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 272 - 276: Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (Part 2)

Chapter 272: Chapter 276: Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (Part 2)

Duke Ying Su Shi, since he wished to bring that woman into the family, Gai Yinyin, who occupied the status of the rightful wife, certainly became an eyesore.

Because of the protection from the Old Madam, Su Shi didn’t dare to bring up this request to the elderly lady—had he done so, his legs might not have remained intact, let alone preserving his precious son.

Gai Yinyin had committed none of the seven grounds for divorce, but considering her own daughter was sick and weak, she probably wouldn’t last much longer.

Once the child passed away prematurely, the claim of ’failure to bear issue’ could barely serve as a pretext to demote her.

But now, Zhu Liusha couldn’t wait any longer; she had been pregnant with her own flesh and blood for over a month.

Seizing the opportunity when the Old Madam left home to offer prayers at the temple, as soon as the Old Madam stepped out, Su Shi wasted no time in driving Gai Yinyin out to make room for Zhu Liusha.

Su Shi no longer planned to care about what others thought of him—after all, he was inherently stingy.

After the original owner and her mother were chased out, they fell into the same plight that Su Li had experienced—they both fell severely ill.

At that time, she was just an ordinary baby. Although she ultimately survived, a high fever had left her brain slightly impaired, her thoughts slower than those of others.

Yet she had always been a kind and good girl.

But very few people saw this in her.

It was quite a while before the Old Madam heard the news from the mansion and rushed back home in a hurry.

But it was too late; a wedding had already been held in the mansion, and Zhu Liusha with her visibly pregnant belly was there to welcome the Old Madam at the entrance.

The Old Madam loathed Zhu Liusha, who had seduced her son to the point of losing his mind. However, she also felt compassion for the descendants of the Su Family; not to mention, it was said that the doctor had confirmed that Zhu Liusha was carrying a boy.

As much as she hated the situation, the Old Madam was still obligated to provide for them well.

The original owner and Gai Yinyin, who had been living in an inn, were brought back by the Old Madam, who had no choice but to settle them in the most secluded courtyard of the mansion due to Su Shi’s uproar.

The Old Madam was getting on in years and although she wished to make amends to the mother and daughter, the attitude of Duke Ying influenced everyone in the mansion, and the occupants of the small courtyard were not treated well.

The original owner grew up to be fifteen years old and had never once stepped foot outside the courtyard.

The only time, at the age of five, she wanted to see her father and ventured out of the courtyard.

In the lush and vibrant garden, she saw a family of four frolicking happily.

A girl slightly older than her leaned into the arms of a tall man, while an elegantly dressed woman held a small boy in her arms as she tenderly watched the father and daughter.

Her intrusion, however, disrupted everything.

Upon seeing her, the man flew into a thunderous rage, and the beautiful woman’s face fell, filled with sorrow and depression.

The original owner only remembered that she was swiftly carried back to the courtyard by the servants, who, in their panic, secretly pinched her thighs several times along the way.

The pain made tears uncontrollably fill her eyes.

From that day on, the old woman guarding the courtyard was replaced again, and the original owner never had the chance to step out again.

Even after her mother died of melancholy, they simply carried her out in a small coffin.

When she turned fifteen, the original owner was once again brought out of the courtyard due to the Emperor’s decree for marriage.

The Second Prince had taken a liking to Su Ying, the stepdaughter renamed by Su Shi and the girl brought by Zhu Liusha when she entered the family.

He specifically asked the Emperor to grant the marriage.

However, it turned out that Su Ying had her heart set on the current Crown Prince.

Because of his wife and daughter’s tearful pleas, Su Shi, seeing that the imperial edict only called for the marriage to a daughter of the Su Family, came up with the idea of having the original owner replace the bride.

The original owner was confusedly married off to the Second Prince, but on the wedding night, when the Second Prince lifted the bridal veil and saw that the bride was not the one he loved, he flew into a rage.

In his fury, he whipped the original owner mercilessly throughout the night.

The original owner, already frail, couldn’t withstand such torment, and the next day, covered in bruises and injuries, she succumbed.

Her divine soul floated in mid-air, watching as the Second Prince had her body directly carried back to the Su Family.

Watching Su Shi put on a show of lamenting a few times, the Second Prince was merely scolded by the Emperor.

Watching Su Ying eventually achieve her wish and marry the Crown Prince.

Watching those related to her live a life of happiness and well-being.

The original owner was simple-minded; she held no grudge nor hatred, only a sense of bitterness.

Her brief life was as if soaked in bitterness, the only warmth being the love from her mother.

She was scared, too pained; such a life was too much to bear.

Su Li watched the cautious, tender smile of Gai Yinyin in front of her, and she too waved her tiny arms.

Dispelling some of the sorrow from Gai Yinyin’s face.

After finishing a bowl of goat milk for Su Li and quickly wiping the corners of her daughter’s mouth with a handkerchief.

Gai Yinyin tidied up the dishes and bowls, then cradled Su Li in her arms again, gently consoling her, "Baby, don’t be afraid. Once your nanny returns, we’ll be able to go back home."

Gai Yinyin expressed hopeful thoughts: "The Old Madam has always been the kindest to us. She surely won’t stand to see us fall into such a plight."

Su Li wanted to say, even if the Old Madam returned, her closest kin would still be her own sons.

No matter what, even if she felt pity for her daughter-in-law, a mother’s heart could never truly go against her children.

Remembering the memories of the original owner, Gai Yinyin eventually returned to the Duke Ying Mansion, but her fate was not much better than being cast out.

Nevertheless, with the Old Madam’s return still some time away, Su Li did not dwell on such thoughts. With her small arms and legs, even if she wished to do something, she couldn’t manage. She best just quietly drink her milk and sleep.

Throughout the entire winter, Su Li and her mother Gai Yinyin huddled together inside an inn.

When the season of blooming flowers arrived, the Old Madam returned as well.

Su Li had just woken up from her nap when she heard Gai Yinyin speaking in a low voice with someone in the room.

"Madam, the moment the Old Madam heard the news, she immediately had us set off to return. The lord has acted shamefully. For a woman of such a background, even if one is fond of her, a simple sedan chair through the gate would have been sufficient. How could he give her the status of the principal wife?"

"The Old Madam won’t tolerate this. She will stand up for you, but now..."

The visitor was the Old Madam’s most favored maid, Hehua. With her eloquent speech, she brought Gai Yinyin to tears.

"What a relief that Mother remembers."

Suddenly, Hehua’s face showed difficulty, and after hesitating, she said, "But now, with that person in the mansion carrying the Su Family’s bloodline, the Old Madam intends to..."

As Hehua spoke, she keenly observed Gai Yinyin’s expression, "The Old Madam feels deeply guilty towards you, but she too is struggling. Despite her disdain for that person, we must wait for her to give birth to the young master."

"The Old Madam’s wish is for you, Madam, to endure temporarily."

Gai Yinyin’s expression was one of shock, and she looked at Hehua in disbelief, "Are these, these the Old Madam’s own words?"

Hehua bowed her head and said, "Yes."