C14 Poor Woman

The woman recounted her experiences in a fragmented manner, her eyes filled with resentment and anger, as if a fire burned within them, leaving Feng Qingchen uneasy.

Through her story, Feng Qingchen began to piece together what had happened.

The woman's name was Yanlan, the illegitimate daughter of General Hee from the Western Continent. She was born just an hour after her legitimate sister, Yimian, but that hour determined their fates.

The Emperor, grateful for General Hee's military achievements, had arranged a childhood betrothal with the eldest daughter of the Hee family. Since Mrs. Hee's child was born first and happened to be a girl, the engagement naturally fell to her.

From birth, Yimian was the center of attention, highly respected among the elite circles in the capital. General Hee adored her, Mrs. Hee cherished her, and even Yanlan's own mother, a concubine, went out of her way to curry favor.

In the mansion, Yimian was spoiled and indulged, her every whim catered to. In stark contrast, Yanlan was neglected. Despite being born just an hour apart, she was unloved by her parents. She didn't wish to replace Yimian; she only hoped her own mother might spare her a glance...

Yanlan's mother, Mrs. Yuh, held a low status in the household but was cunning. She managed to overthrow Mrs. Hee and treated Yimian as her own, earning General Hee's favor. It was only a matter of time before she would be officially recognized.

She knew that Mrs. Yuh had used a scheme to harm Mrs. Hee, and she had accidentally witnessed it. From that day on, her health declined rapidly. Mrs. Yuh seemed to realize her daughter was unwell and, in a rare display of care, personally brought her soup and medicine every day. She was so happy that she drank even the bitterest medicine without complaint, just to see Mrs. Yuh smile.

Eventually, the poison inside her matured, and her body reached its breaking point. Mrs. Yuh begged General Hee to let her take her daughter on a journey to see the beautiful landscapes one last time. Since she was her own flesh and blood, no one suspected Mrs. Yuh, and General Hee agreed, allowing a grand procession to escort them.

During the journey, Mrs. Yuh remained silent. When they encountered bandits, most of the General's men were killed, and the bandits addressed her as "Madam." These bandits were hired by Mrs. Yuh, and those who survived were her loyal followers. Hee Yanlan was confused, but Mrs. Yuh revealed a devastating truth.

Mrs. Yuh was not her real mother; the true mother was Mrs. Hee, the one Mrs. Yuh had killed. Years ago, Mrs. Yuh had only wanted her daughter to marry into royalty and be highly esteemed, even resorting to taking medicine to hasten childbirth, but she was an hour too late.

With a heavy heart, she resorted to a desperate switch, bringing Yanlan over while her own daughter was sent to Mrs. Hee. As Yanlan recounted this, her whole body trembled: "No wonder she's always been so kind to Yimian... so kind, no matter what I did, she never even glanced my way... I, I even harmed my own mother..."

The potion sent to Mrs. Hee was her doing. Mrs. Hee was kind to everyone, and Yanlan was very fond of her. Yet, it was Yanlan who unwittingly sealed Mrs. Hee's fate.

"So, you want me to help you expose Mrs. Yuh's true nature?" Feng Qingchen's eyes flickered, contemplating the situation.

Yanlan was truly a pitiable soul, deceived her entire life, only to learn the truth at the end. If it weren't for this encounter, this secret might have remained buried forever.