Chapter 2: The Wicked Father

  Through Chun Xiao's words, Li Suyan only then came to know that she was in a dynasty completely unrelated to Chinese history. It is currently the 16th year of the Sheng Xi Dynasty. The emperor is Xuan Yuan Chen, the third generation emperor of this dynasty. After long years of governance, the country has become prosperous and peaceful, with music and dance flourishing, and the people living in peace and contentment.

  Her father, Xu Ruoyi, had just been appointed as the Minister of the Board of Officials, and there were countless wives and concubines in the mansion. Unfortunately, her mother, Fan Yuqiao, was a concubine. Li Suyan was shocked when she first heard about it. Then, wasn't the boy that the woman was holding just an illegitimate child? In modern times, illegitimate children face great social pressure. Li Suyan thought that ancient times were different. Children born to concubines were considered illegitimate and did not receive a share of the family property; they could be discarded like trash. How would she and her mother and son make a living? Wasn't this life very insecure? She was only eleven or twelve years old, still a minor. Would she have to start experiencing a life of uncertainty and instability? Heaven, you are really playing with me! Li Suyan thought resentfully.

  Her father, Xu Ruoyi, moved to the capital a few years ago. The Xu family, who had been merchants for generations, suddenly produced a top scholar, her father. As a result, the Xu family, who were originally just merchants, entered the ranks of the aristocracy. Her father broke off his engagement with her mother and married the second daughter of the Ye family, a prominent family in the capital. After marrying into the Ye family, his official career flourished, and he is now the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. The Xu family in Liucheng also rose to prominence, becoming the first major household in the area from an ordinary large household. It's really true that having someone in power makes all the difference! thought Li Suyan.

  Her father rarely returned to Liu Cheng in the past decade or so, except for returning to his hometown to pay homage to his ancestors. However, his influence on Liu Cheng was not insignificant. After all, no family in Liu Cheng had produced an official more powerful than Shangshu. Her mother's family, the Fans, were originally a prominent clan in Liu Cheng but declined rapidly during her father's generation. Especially during her mother's generation, they produced a good-for-nothing second uncle who was a gambler and a wastrel, causing the already declining family business to collapse quickly. At the same time, the Fan family's population also dwindled along with their fortunes, leaving only her mother, who had become Xu Ruoyi's concubine, and her uncle, who had become a beggar. It was indeed a sad state of affairs.

  Li Suyan didn't understand why her mother wanted to make Xu Ruoyi a concubine. In her opinion, marrying into an ordinary family as the legitimate wife and living without any concubines was also quite comfortable.

  "Miss, you don't know that the old mansion of the Fan family was sold by Uncle Lao. The lady was driven out and had nowhere to go, so she was brought here by someone sent by the master. She was very happy."

  Spring Swallow's words made her sigh, "Indeed, the world is full of foolish women and heartless men." The Xu and Fan families had been friends for generations. Her mother and father were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. Alas, fate played tricks on people. Li Suyan could imagine that back then, her father was a high school champion, riding the wind and waves, enjoying the flowers of Chang'an in one day. He was also handsome and elegant, like a jade crown. He attracted the attention of many aristocratic families in the capital. It was only natural that he would be chosen by the Ye family to marry their daughter. Later, he abandoned her mother and married another woman, which was also a matter of course. Li Suyan couldn't help but feel deeply moved, what a clichéd plot, what a helpless ending. The one who suffered was only her mother.

  Back then, becoming Xu Ruoyi's mistress was probably a helpless move made by Mother out of desperation. Although, she had once felt happy about it. Li Suyan couldn't help but mock her, wondering if Father had taken Mother as his mistress because he still had feelings for her from their past engagement. Or was it because he had become powerful and wasn't afraid of having a large family with many wives? It seemed like the latter. He had some affection for Mother, but not enough to make him break up with his wife at home. So, Mother wasn't even considered a concubine, just a secret mistress hidden outside. She and her brother were almost non-existent in the eyes of Xu Ruoyi's family. Unless one day all of Xu Ruoyi's sons died out, he might remember them. Li Suyan thought about her mother, who was beautiful, gentle, elegant, and refined - the kind of wife many modern men would dream of having. Xu Ruoyi had abandoned her outside, which was a waste of her beauty! He probably already had many beautiful concubines at home and might have even forgotten about Mother by now. After all, he had already gotten what he wanted, and after getting it, he discarded her. Men in this era wouldn't understand the concept of responsibility. The relationships between Li Suyan's family members would only become more distant. Li Suyan thought to herself that this was for the best, as being far away from Xu Ruoyi's family drama allowed her to live a peaceful life.

  In the past, during the Qingming Festival, Xu Ruoyi's family would return to Liu City to pay respects to their ancestors and stay for a few days. Xu Ruoyi would secretly sneak back to visit them during these days. This year was no exception. As in previous years, a large group of people returned, drawing the attention of everyone in Liu City, truly impressive. However, this time when Xu Ruoyi came back to secretly see them, somehow his actions were exposed and Shangshu's wife found out.

  Xu Ruoyi never came again.

  Until they returned to the capital. Madame Fan and the children waited with bated breath, but Xu Ruoyi did not come to visit. Madame Fan's demands were not high, she only hoped that he could come back every year and take a look at her, and send some silver each month, enough for her and the children to live on. This time, Xu Ruoyi came hastily and then disappeared without a trace. Madame Fan had a bad premonition in her heart. Sure enough, just a few days after the Xu family returned to the capital, something unexpected happened.

  A rumor about Xu Mingjin, the daughter of Xu Shangshu, spread in Liu City. No one knew when and who started it, but everyone was talking about it; "Xu Mingjin, the 11-year-old illegitimate daughter of Xu Shangshu, has a stunning appearance that can overthrow cities. However, she is promiscuous and has had affairs with the son of the county magistrate of Liu City and the nephew of Xu Shangshu. She is indeed a morally corrupt person."

  Mrs. Fan was struck as if by lightning.

  Even if the three of them had been staying indoors for a long time, it didn't prevent disaster from striking. It was even more impossible to explain. Xu Mingjin originally just caught a cold, but after suffering this blow, he fell ill and never got up again. He almost lost his life. Li Suyan thought to herself, in fact, Xu Mingjin had died at that time, and the person inside this body now was her, Li Suyan.

  Rumors arise quickly and disappear quickly. No one knows why.

  Li Suyan, now should be Xu Mingjin. The three words Li Suyan will be deeply hidden in her heart from now on. From now on, she is the daughter of Madame Fan, Xu Mingjin.

  She let out a long sigh and looked at Chun Xing, saying: "What was your young lady like before?"

  "Miss had not liked to socialize with people before. She never went out. Usually, she just read books and embroidered flowers. Only when the old master came would she have a smile. In recent years, the old master only sent someone to deliver things a few times, except for coming back once during the ancestor worship ceremony, he didn't come back again, it's no wonder that Mrs. and Miss cried every day." It seems that Xu Mingjin's feelings towards her father are quite deep.

  "Miss, don't be sad. You and the young master are Master's flesh and blood after all. There will come a day when you'll return home with honor. At that time, you'll be the daughter of the Minister, and Master will arrange a good marriage for you. As for those rumors, Master said in his letter that they've already been taken care of."

  Xu Mingjin did not confirm or deny. He smiled lightly and asked again, "What kind of person is the son of Liu Cheng County Magistrate mentioned in the rumor and the illegitimate child of Xu Shangshu's cousin?"

  "The young master of the county magistrate is a notorious playboy in our willow city. He likes to tease and flirt with respectable women. He once drove the daughter of Liu Dashi from next street to death. He's really too much. But his father is the county magistrate, so no one dares to do anything to him." Chun Xing continued indignantly, "The Xu family, relatives of the Minister of Works, have declined and now rely on handouts from the Xu clan to get by. Their son has a sly look in his eye, and his behavior is even more absurd and lawless. He's already 15 years old and spends all day idle."

  "Didn't you say that I wouldn't leave the house or take a step outside? How could such rumors spread?" Xu Mingjin thought for a moment, nodded and asked: "Chun Xing, what do you think?" Xu Mingjin almost blurted out: "Yuan Fang, what do you think." Fortunately, he caught himself in time and changed his words.

  "The lady had instructed that all the servants in the house were not allowed to spread rumors outside. Once discovered, they would be punished with ten sticks and sold out of the house." Chun Xing thought for a moment and said, "I think it's not from our house that the rumor is spreading." Xu Mingjin nodded in approval and asked after thinking for a while, "When did the rumor start spreading?"

  "Before and after Qingming Festival."

  Xu Mingjin was lost in thought.

  "What's the name of Xu Ruoyi's wife?" Xu Mingjin asked after some thought. Chun Xing exclaimed, "Miss, how dare you call the old master by his name! Wife, what thing is that?" Xu Mingjin rolled her eyes towards the sky, that heartless and ruthless man, thinking she would call him father, wait till next life!

  "Cough, Spring Apricot, what time is it?" Xu Mingjin changed the subject. Spring Apricot put away her puzzled expression and looked at the water clock, saying "It's past one o'clock."

  "Who is my father's wife? How many concubines does he have?" Xu Mingjin asked. Chun Xing tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Madam Xu is the second daughter of the noble Ye family in Beijing, Ye Honglian. The master has three concubines: Fang Concubine, Bai Concubine, and Li Concubine." Xu Mingjin knew that since ancient times, wives and concubines could not coexist peacefully. Having read so many palace fight novels, she wouldn't naively think that everyone in the Xu family was kind-hearted. Moreover, without asking, she already knew that her mother was now a thorn in Madam Xu's heart. Those rumors didn't start early or late, but coincidentally started when the Xu family returned from Beijing. It couldn't be helped that Xu Mingjin connected the two together.

  Xu Mingjin thought that Mrs. Xu was afraid that one day her father would take them back to the Xu family, and her mother would divide his favor. So she tried every means to obstruct and create trouble for her, wanting her father to abandon her, and thus also abandon her mother. But unexpectedly, her father immediately sent someone to resolve this matter. This was probably beyond Mrs. Xu's expectations? It seems that her ruthless father still had a bit of conscience left. He hadn't become completely irredeemable yet.

  This matter has passed. However, Xu Mingjin's vigilance couldn't be put down. The enemy can't possibly have only two tricks up their sleeve. There must be endless follow-up moves waiting for his mother and him.

  Since you're here, then make yourself at home. Xuming Jin secretly made up her mind that since she had crossed over, she must live a good life and protect her mother and younger brother well, just like how her past self protected her younger brother. Xuming Jin never thought of acknowledging her ancestors and returning to the Xu family. To outsiders, it seemed like a prestigious and wealthy household, but to her, it was something to be avoided at all costs. This was because in her past life, although she had lived a hard life, she had grown accustomed to a carefree existence and really didn't want to live a life of intrigue and deception. Having only been here for one day, she was already so exhausted, and truly didn't dare think about the future.

  "Spring Apricot, Miss, I'm asking you these questions, don't tell anyone, okay?" Xu Mingjin instructed seriously. After finishing, he carefully stared into Spring Apricot's eyes, seeing her nodding without hesitation, with a firm expression in her eyes, only then did he satisfyingly pat her shoulder and say: "Accompany me for a walk."

  Chun Xing nodded in agreement and followed her out of the room.

  Only Xu Mingjin's black hair was simply tied up, with only a jade pin inserted at an angle, looking delicate and lovely. Chun Xiang remembered that when she got up to help her dress, Miss stared intently at her own hands in the mirror, which had startled her at the time. She thought Miss didn't like her to do her hair anymore. But Miss comforted her saying it was okay, she just found out after being sick for a few days that her hairdressing skills had improved and she took a closer look. In fact, for Xu Mingjin who only knew how to braid pigtails, this was definitely worth observing carefully. Chun Xiang didn't think much of it at the time, but now looking at Miss walking in front of her, she felt dizzy, when did Miss last go out?

  "Chun Xing, what's wrong with you? Why are you lagging behind?" Xu Mingjin shouted back.

  She hastily quickened her pace and caught up with the young lady.

  Digression

  Dear friends who have walked by, passed by and floated by, please give me more guidance!