Chapter 326 - Chapter 326: He Even Beat Me
Chapter 326: He Even Beat Me
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhao Chuchu and Yuan Hui visited the largest textile shop in Guangqing Province. There, they came across Kang Xiuwan.
Kang Xiuwan was wearing a bamboo hat, and her entire body was covered by her clothing.
From the way she walked, Zhao Chuchu could tell that she was injured and that her injuries were not light.
Kang Xiuwan also saw her, and subconsciously, she tried to avoid Zhao
Chuchu.
The moment they passed by each other, Zhao Chuchu said, “With such serious injuries, if you don’t see a doctor, your leg will have complications in the future.”
Kang Xiuwan stopped in her tracks. She looked sideways at Zhao Chuchu in disbelief.
Zhao Chuchu locked eyes with her and asked, “Do you want me to take a look?”
She had a rather good impression of Kang Xiuwan. At least this young maiden knew how to be grateful. Zhao Chuchu’s resentment toward the Xia clan did not stop her from helping Kang Xiuwan.
Yuan Hui also heard this and recognized Kang Xiuwan.
“Both of you can head inside. I can choose the textiles on my own,” she said knowingly. She then called a servant and said, “My friends are tired. Bring them inside to rest first.”
“Yes, Miss Yuan.”
Yuan Hui told Kang Xiuwan softly, “Go inside with her.”
Kang Xiuwan shook her head and said, “I am grateful for your concern, but it won’t be necessary.”
“What isn’t necessary?” Just then, the voice of a woman that made people’s skin crawl suddenly interrupted them. A woman dressed in fancy clothes came over and pulled Kang Xiuwan behind her. “Who are you people? How dare you kidnap a maiden from my clan in public.”
“Aunt Liu, this is Miss Yuan. She just came over to greet me,” Kang Xiuwan said in a low voice from behind.
“Miss Yuan?” When the woman heard who Yuan Hui was, her facial expression immediately changed. She said, “Aiya, look at me. I did not recognize you, Miss. Please forgive me for my impudence.”
The Kang clan dared to wrestle with the Xia clan, but they definitely did not dare to go against the Yuan clan.
Even the Yuan clan’s servants were well respected by the members of the Kang clan, let alone the young mistress of the Yuan clan.
“Miss Yuan, are you friends with our Wanwan?” asked Aunt Liu with a flattering look on her face. “Wanwan, why didn’t you mention this before? I nearly had a misunderstanding with Miss Yuan.”
“I did not have the chance to speak,” said Kang Xiuwan calmly as she pushed down the disgust she felt.
Aunt Liu coldly snorted, “I don’t go out very often. How could I recognize her? Moreover, your father instructed me to keep an eye out for you before we left the house. I had to follow his instructions. If anything happens to you, I would not be able to bear the consequences.”
Kang Xiuwan did not want to deal with Aunt Liu.
She was forced to come out with her today.
Yuan Hui said, “Sister Wan and I became fast friends after the poetry and literature gathering. We agreed that she would come and visit me some other day. However, my clan has been busy recently, so we had to put it off till now. Since we happened to meet each other here, why don’t you come over today?
What do you think, Aunt Liu?”
Yuan Hui knew that Zhao Chuchu planned to help Kang Xiuwan, so she simply made up an excuse for her.
If it were any other day, Aunt Liu would have wanted nothing more than to agree. She would even shamelessly follow along.
However, today, she didn’t dare to do so.
Aunt Liu said with hesitation, “I’m sorry. Her father instructed us to be back home soon. If we are late, I fear that he will get angry. Miss Yuan, can Wanwan visit some other day?”
“You are already out now. I just want to have some tea and chat a bit with Sister Wan. Aunt Liu, can’t we do that?” asked Yuan Hui, emphasizing Aunt Liu’s title.
In a large clan, a person with the title of an aunt was nothing but a servant with honor. In reality, she was even lesser than a slave. The sale of slaves was regulated by the government. Giving away an aunt only required the approval of the master.
Could such an aunt be in charge of the daughter of the first wife?
What a joke!
Even a stepmother had the title of mother. What did an aunt have to win the respect of the daughter of the first wife?
Zhao Chuchu glared at Aunt Liu with a cold stare. She could roughly guess what had happened to Kang Xiuwan.
Having a father who favored a concubine over his wife was no ordinary sadness.
Kang Xiuwan was the granddaughter of Xia Songquan. The Kang clan completely ignored this. It was apparent what Xia Chengxuan’s life in the Kang clan was like.
“Sister Wan, I will be leaving Guangqing Province in a few days. M/ho knows when we will be able to see each other again,” said Yuan Hui as she looked at
Kang Xiuwan. “I have some leads on what you asked me to check out last time. I might just send someone to inform the Kang clan.”
“What matter is this?” asked Aunt Liu, her ears perking up. ‘Can’t you talk about it here?”
“We can, but if others hear us, they will spread rumors about the Kang clan!
Aunt Liu, are you sure you want us to talk about it here?”
“Then, why don’t we go inside?”
Aunt Liu really wanted to know what Yuan Hui wanted to talk with Kang Xiuwan about.
If it was truly a secret of the Kang clan, she might be able to use it as blackmail!
Yuan Hui read the mood and walked into a resting room that the textile house specially arranged for their guests.
Before Aunt Liu could inquire further, her attention was drawn toward Yuan
Hui who exclaimed, “The pattern of this cloth is lovely.”
Yuan Hui was D0intinz at a design that Aunt Liu had seen just now.
“Miss Yuan, you also think that this is beautiful?”
“It is very beautiful. Let me go over and take a look.”
Yuan Hui got up and walked out of the room.
Aunt Liu was not an intelligent woman. When she saw Yuan Hui walk out of the room, she followed suit.
Zhao Chuchu closed the door behind her and walked up to Kang Xiuwan.
Kang Xiuwan took off her bamboo hat.
The veins on Zhao Chuchu’s head pulsated. She asked, “What happened? You were fine before this. Don’t tell me that you fell down on your own. Such injuries are not something that can result from a mere fall.”
Kang Xiuwan’s eyes instantly reddened.
Something seemed to be stuck in her throat, preventing her from speaking.
Zhao Chuchu frowned slightly. She knelt before Kang Xiuwan and lifted her dress. The wounds on her legs were even more shocking.
“Did your father hit you?” she asked as she looked at Kang Xiuwan.
Tears flowed down Kang Xiuwan’s cheeks uncontrollably.
“I just wanted to save my mother. I didn’t think that he would beat me…” Her body was trembling as she recalled the incident yesterday. The scenes were still fresh in her mind. She was filled with terror and despair. She said, “This morning, he forced me to leave the house with Aunt Liu. I…”
Kang Xiuwan could not continue. “Then, what about your mother?”
“She is bedridden now.”
“Why did he beat your mother?”
“He was drunk and was coerced by my aunt.”
Kang Xiuwan forced herself to say, “Chuchu, I am alright. The doctor has already applied medicine for me. Don’t interfere with matters of the Kang clan.”
Zhao Chuchu raised her eyebrows and asked, “Are you certain that the doctor they found for you can treat you? Doesn’t your leg hurt? Why are you still walking around? Our fates are intertwined. Just take it as me not being able to stand watching you and forcing you into it.”
“But…”
“No buts. Be obedient. Let me check you thoroughly. I will have medicine sent over to your house later.”
“There is no need to do so.”
Kang Xiuwan rejected her without any hesitation.
“If they find out that you have treated me, I will cause trouble for you. Name a place and I will arrange for someone to collect the medicine..”