Chapter 14 Retribution Arrives

Lady Leng hurriedly returned to the Prime Minister’s residence with a group of servants, and as soon as she entered, she heard Lu Junfan’s agonized cries that sounded as if he were on the brink of death. Gritting her teeth, she rushed toward the rear courtyard, but the more anxious she became, the slower her steps. She could hardly bear to witness her son’s misery and listen to those wretched screams.

Though she often scolded Lu Junfan, thinking him idle and ignorant, unworthy compared to her eldest son who strategized on the battlefield, or her delicate and lovable daughter, he was still the flesh she carried for ten months. A mother never finds fault with her child; no matter how misguided he might be, he remains her son. How could she bear to see him suffer such torment?

Her hands clenched into fists, fingernails digging so deeply into her palms that she did not even notice the pain. Drops of blood fell onto the flagstones below.

Taking two deep breaths to steady herself, Lady Leng finally stepped into the room. Lu Junfan’s face was ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead, contorted in agony. Despite Physician Shen’s bandaging, the pain was unbearable.

Seeing Lady Leng, Lu Junfan cried out miserably, his voice full of grievance, “Mother, is that wretch dead yet? Your son is in agony, in agony! I don’t want to be crippled, Mother…”

Each time Lu Junfan cried out, Lady Leng’s heart twisted in pain, as if a knife were carving her flesh. Tears welled in her eyes.

“Someone, send word to the master immediately! Tell him of Second Young Master’s condition, and ask him to request the head physician from the Imperial Medical Institute to come and treat him!” If those court physicians were useless, surely the head of the Imperial Medical Institute would have the skill.

“Yes, madam!”

The servants hurried away. Lady Leng glanced at the sky before turning back to embrace her son, whispering comfort, “Mother will not let anything happen to you! Your leg will not be crippled!”

*

In the most desolate and neglected courtyard of the Lu residence, a young girl’s tearful voice echoed, plaintive and pitiful.

“Miss, don’t cry anymore. Lu Junfan has finally received his retribution!” The old woman held her gently, soothing her. “I heard that brute had both his legs broken. He’ll never walk again, never go out to do evil!” Her tone was triumphant, as if she herself had broken his legs, her spirits lifted at last.

The girl was only fifteen or sixteen, her clothes worn out, her frame thin and small, hands tightly clutching the old woman.

Hearing her words, the girl stopped crying and raised her head, gazing at the old woman with large, dull eyes, her face sallow and emaciated—a clear sign of malnutrition.

“Miss, that brute truly is crippled now. He won’t be able to come here again. You’re safe!” Lu Junfan was less than a beast, attempting even to violate his half-sister. If not for Lu Anrong’s passing by that day, the poor girl would have been ravaged by that monster. Heaven had eyes and finally intervened—her years of prayers had not been in vain.

“Granny, I’m hungry!” The girl’s voice was sweet and beautiful, like a mountain spring, pure and untainted.

“Miss, you’re finally willing to eat!” The old woman’s heart rejoiced, wiping her tears as she hurriedly offered the thin porridge she’d saved, along with half a nearly moldy bun. The girl ate happily.

The old woman’s nose tingled. She did not know which concubine had given birth to this girl, Lu Xuexin, but she had raised her from infancy and cared for her as her own child. The poor girl had suffered the pain of losing her mother and being unloved by her father. When she was four or five, the Prime Minister would occasionally visit her, bringing treats. But after that fever, when the girl deliriously called out for her mother, he never returned, never cared for her again. The poor miss was often beaten and scolded by the lady of the house and had to endure the bullying of that brute, Lu Junfan. Who knew when these days would end?

But now, at last, the Lu family had received its retribution—how satisfying!

“Miss, eat slowly, slowly…”