Chapter 5, Life and Death (Part 2)

Although Zhang Han had already guessed the possible outcome since Mama Song personally brought two maids to bind her here, she was still greatly shaken the moment she heard those words. Seeing that detestable woman sitting on the edge of the bed, suddenly reaching out to pull out the rag that was gagging her, she couldn't help but cough violently a few times, and then glared at her in anger

Zhang Han cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Changyong and then smiled, saying: "In that case, I shall certainly plan well for the master. Master, please do not inform Mama Song of this matter just yet. Call a young maid to help me with my grooming, and please come back again during dinner time, so we can discuss this thoroughly then"

Having just heard Song Mama's plan, Zhang Changyong felt that his immediate crisis had been resolved. Moreover, the idea of turning raw rice into cooked rice was exactly to his liking, which is why he had the leisure to come here. However, at this moment, when Zhang Han pointed out this situation, he was immediately taken aback. The thought of the Gu family drawing near filled him with dread, as this was his greatest hope of returning to the capital. Otherwise, if his mother-in-law and brother-in-law were to take their anger out on him, he feared he might even lose his position as the governor of Guidé. Now, this scheme was his last chance, and his expression changed unpredictably. After a long while, he stubbornly said, "With Song Mama around, she is an old hand at the Hou residence, so she will naturally be able to manage!"

As a servant of the marquis's household, with both your foster mother and sister having passed away, how dare you!

Regarding the final threat, Zhang Han had long anticipated it. Although she felt anger in her heart, she was even more attentive to the preceding words. Realizing the implications within them, she felt a chill run down her spine, but more importantly, her mind became exceptionally clear.

"How bold!" Mother Song suddenly burst into laughter, looking at Zhang Han with a mocking expression, "At this point, you still dare to threaten me? No need for Miss Han to worry; I am well aware of my own matters. You should be more concerned about yourself instead!"

She slowly walked forward and saw that although Zhang Han was covered with a thin blanket, it could not conceal the predicament of her limbs being bound and spread wide. Her mouth was tightly gagged with a cloth, leaving her only able to glare at her with unwilling eyes. She couldn't help but stand there, observing that struggle, and finally, she suddenly let out a cold laugh

However, why is Mother Song so confident that she can pass the test of the Hou residence

Zhang Han rubbed the two deep indentations on her hands and suddenly said without raising her head: "What the master said before was indeed correct; this prominent family in Guide is truly worthless compared to the prestigious families in the capital. You need not use the words 'I will never treat you unfairly' to placate me. If you truly care for me, you must give me a proper status in the future"

Zhang Changyong was rendered speechless by Zhang Han's pointed gaze. Seeing the intensity in their eyes, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart: "Could it be that you have a good idea?"

Do not forget your words today, my lord!" Zhang Han struggled to suppress the nausea in his heart, raised his hand to avoid his touch, and then spoke each word clearly, "Although I am not from a prominent family, I have been taught by my adoptive mother for many years. If you, my lord, wish to take me without a legitimate title, then even if it implicates my mother and younger brother, I would rather die to prove my innocence

She struggled to drive away the despair within her, as if clinging desperately to a lifeline, pondering intensely without knowing how much time had passed. Only then did she hear a commotion nearby. Looking up, she saw Zhang Changyong entering the room, his bare gaze landing directly on her chest. Gathering her courage, she spoke up as if she had made a final decision.

Naturally, it is true. Moreover, my mother and younger brother are still in your hands. Are you still afraid that I might have a change of heart

"Mother Song? How many characters can she recognize? How many books has she read? She can't even read the account books properly; otherwise, she wouldn't have exposed my mistakes in front of my godmother before. Moreover, how would she know what kind of interactions a lady from a prestigious family should have? You actually think she could deceive everyone just like that? Even if my sister was weak and sickly, she was ultimately going to get married. My godmother had invited a lady from the palace through the Marquis's residence to teach her etiquette... The master should be grateful that this lady has already passed away; otherwise, it would have been even more troublesome. Even if you could find a similar lady, do you think you could have her teach Sister Qi etiquette all the time under the watchful eyes of the people sent by the Marquis's residence?"

"Very well, as you wish, as you wish!" Although Zhang Changyong felt a great regret for not being able to enjoy her beauty at this moment, he naturally valued his future more than mere beauty. Moreover, such promises were not worth much; Zhang Han, being just a common woman, was not someone he could not manipulate at will. With this thought in mind, he immediately stood up, smiled, and nodded, saying, "As long as I return to the capital and get promoted, I will immediately host a banquet to welcome you into my home. By then, you will certainly enjoy endless wealth and glory!"

No more tears can be shed; from now on, she no longer has the right to cry! It is not just her life or death at stake, but also that of her family, all resting upon her shoulders! As long as she can leave this Gui De Mansion, she at least still has a chance!

This matter is of great importance, and Zhang Changyong did not dare to take it lightly. He immediately frowned and asked, "Are you serious about what you just said?"

Although it was merely a slight turn of events, Zhang Han would not let this lifeline slip away. She immediately suppressed the turmoil within her and calmly said: "Everything that my sister has learned, I have learned as well; everything that my sister has not learned, my godmother has arranged for someone to teach me. Moreover, she has personally guided me on the affairs of the Hou residence and has written to the matriarch and the two lords about me on multiple occasions. As long as I stay by sister Qi'er’s side, carefully teaching her the rules and etiquette along the way, when we arrive in the capital, I can use the excuse of her poor health to catch up on reading and writing. This way, it might be possible to deceive them."

Zhang Changyong's hand suddenly froze in place, realizing that his words had hit the mark. In a flash of inspiration, Zhang Han's mind erupted with a desperate plan for survival. He couldn't help but take a deep breath to calm himself, and then looked at Zhang Changyong with a mocking gaze: "I wonder whose foolish idea this was. Are the Gu family members really such gullible fools? Even if everything is arranged in this household, although Sister Qi appears delicate and can temporarily feign illness to deceive, how could a daughter raised by a stepmother be completely illiterate, utterly ignorant of etiquette and propriety, and know nothing about the affairs of the two marquis families?"

When that person happily turned and left, Zhang Han suddenly collapsed, the smile on her face vanished without a trace. After a long while, she tightly clenched the gauze blanket beneath her, then raised her sleeve and vigorously wiped away the tears that had streamed down her face.

After a moment of daze, Zhang Changyong felt as if all the gloom in the sky had dissipated. He unexpectedly sat down next to Zhang Han, laughing heartily as he reached out to embrace her, saying, "Why didn't you say so earlier! As long as you help me accomplish this, I will definitely find a way to welcome you into my home in the future"

Are you suggesting that Qimei should replace the deceased Yujie?

Miss Han should have guessed it all from the pictures and books. The master is fine, but the young lady unfortunately drowned last night.

When Zhang Han opened his mouth, he uttered this sentence, but Zhang Changyong's reaction was much more intense than that of Song Mama. Angrily, he slapped his hand down, and seeing that the other party was still glaring at him, he furiously said: "That old woman last saw Yu'er when she was three years old. As long as I say Yu'er is still alive, who dares to claim she is dead? Instead of wasting time thinking about others, you should think about yourself first! I have already sent your mother and brother to the estate to live. If the Gu family wants to see you and you say the wrong thing, you know the consequences!"

The east wing was personally arranged by Madam Gu for Zhang Han. Each table, chair, and stool was chosen with a discerning eye, exuding an air of elegance that perfectly matched Madam Gu's preferences. Therefore, upon stepping into this room, Mama Song felt extremely uncomfortable. However, once she lifted the curtain and entered the inner room, her mood immediately brightened.

As soon as Mama Song left the room, Zhang Han's earlier defiance and fearlessness vanished without a trace, leaving her completely limp. No wonder Madam Gu had always explained the royal circumstances to her, even detailing the conflicts and disagreements among the princes and princesses... Now, the questions that had once puzzled her have all been answered, but it is too late to know these things! If she cannot overcome this obstacle before her, she will truly become, as Mama Song so proudly stated, a tragic plaything for others!

She chuckled and stood up, ready to walk out. Suddenly, as if recalling something, she turned around and said with a forced smile: "I can't be bothered to silence you anymore, but even if you scream your lungs out at hetushu.comcom, don't expect anyone to come to your rescue. Just think about your mother and brother! Moreover, do you think the lady invested so much effort in you and had the Marquis of Wuning look after your family for no reason? It was all to ensure that the young lady marries the Prince of Zhi, born of the noble Consort, and that you would serve as her maid of honor at the wedding! Your family is firmly in the hands of the Gu family; you cannot escape the Buddha's grasp. Even if you have a son, you won't be able to raise him in front of the young lady, and you will be of no use! You should consider yourself fortunate that you don't have to take this path now!"

Are you not afraid that the old master will be furious with you for causing the family to lose its beloved daughter and then its granddaughter?

Zhang Han was still staring directly at her, and in his gaze, there seemed to be no trace of fear. Mama Song became angry again; she raised her hand, intending to slap him, but then thought about Zhang Changyong's determination to have his way. Hurting him recklessly would only bring trouble upon herself, so she reluctantly withdrew her hand and coldly huffed: "If it weren't for you insisting on exposing my shortcomings in front of the madam during the account check, if it weren't for you obstructing the second young lady's marriage, if it weren't for you repeatedly opposing me, I would have originally wanted to let you go and just leave. This is all self-inflicted! The master taking a liking to you is your fortune. Serve the master well; if you use all your seductive skills to make the master comfortable, you might still have a way out. Otherwise..."

Zhang Changyong thought it over and ultimately felt that it was indeed the case, so he simply stepped forward to untie Zhang Han's hands. Seeing her sit up, only lowering her head without any extreme actions, he felt somewhat reassured. He then softened his tone and said: "If you can truly help me accomplish this matter, I will certainly not treat you poorly in the future"