After being reborn, I became the apple of my enemy's eye.

Chapter 140 Intolerable

Looking at those things, Qing'er couldn't bring herself to tell him to throw them away directly, so she could only secretly keep them in private.

But she simply accepted those things; she didn't have any ulterior motives because of them.

Qing'er assured Yan Yun, "I have never worn those pieces of jewelry even once."

Yan Yun, however, did not feel anything was wrong.

"If you like it, you can wear it. If you don't like it, you can go to a pawn shop and exchange it for silver to keep on your person."

Qing'er kept saying that it was against the rules.

"And you, do you admire him?"

Qing'er was quite frank this time. She nodded, saying that it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved by such a handsome young man.

She was also a young girl in love, and naturally, she was moved when she met such a gentleman.

But she also knew that she was Yan Yun's maid, and her mistress had already kept her by her side. Even if it continued in the future, she would stay with her mistress.

Yan Yun treated Qing'er differently this time than he had treated Ru Qing.

Sima Yueyue was no ordinary person.

Yan Yun naturally thought Qing'er was extremely beautiful, but she also knew that the emperor had seen all kinds of women, including the princess of the Southern Border who was now a favorite concubine of the emperor.

Therefore, these princes, naturally, had seen all kinds of beauties.

Yan Yun grabbed Qing'er's hand and whispered in her ear, "Don't let him deceive you."

The two words are "body".

Yan Yun couldn't bring himself to say it.

Qing'er has already said she wants to stay by my side, so it wouldn't be good for me to say too much.

"Did he lay a hand on you?"

Qing'er immediately waved her hand upon hearing this.

"Don't worry, Miss. Although Qing'er comes from a poor family, she knows propriety and shame. She will not associate with men before marriage..."

Yan Yun was relieved to hear her say that.

Sima Yue acted frivolously in front of her, but that night she witnessed his cruelty.

This person is far more two-faced than I thought.

Yan Yun felt that the innocent Qing'er might not have genuine feelings for Sima Yue, and that Sima Yue was not a good match for Qing'er at all.

She knew she had said a bit too much today, so she decided to stop while she was ahead and didn't press the matter further.

Qing'er pulled off the blanket that the black eagle had soiled, and then placed the white eagle on the lantern that the steward had set up.

Yan Yun looked at the white eagle beside him and wondered why the white eagle didn't hunt for food when the black eagle could hunt for itself.

Yan Yun reached out and touched the white eagle. Why didn't it soar through the sky? And why was it willing to stay by his side?

Whether it was Qing'er or Bai Ying, Yan Yun was somewhat puzzled.

The reason for returning to the capital was that something had happened: the princess from the southern border, who had once been the emperor's favorite concubine, had given birth to a princess.

His Majesty the Emperor has permitted the people of the Southern Border to enter the capital to celebrate.

Sima Yue first escorted Mr. Han Shu back to his residence.

On the Zheng Academy's side, Zheng Jihua, who had been waiting outside the door, was already extremely anxious.

Unable to wait any longer, I went to wait on the outskirts of the city.

He followed the carriage the whole time, watching Sima Yue's men escort it back to Zheng Yuan, but he did not show himself.

They must not let others know what is going on with them now.

After the people who came to see us off left.

Zheng Jihua immediately headed towards the main entrance.

The carriage door opened.

The first thing Yan Yun saw was Zheng Jihua's face. So many years had clearly passed, yet his features remained unchanged, only now more resolute.

That face no longer overlapped with its former lifeless appearance.

Zheng Jihua saw Yan Yun lying on the blanket and looked at Qing'er.

Qing'er immediately lowered her head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Zheng Jihua's eyes were red. He stepped forward and hugged Yan Yun, "Ning'er, you really worried your father to death."

He immediately picked Yan Yun up in his arms.

Qing'er was about to speak, but because of Zheng Jihua's sinister gaze, she immediately shrank back and followed closely behind as she got off the carriage.

Waiting at the door were not only Zheng Jihua, but also the concubine, Lu Lan, and other people from the mansion. Zhu Mama, the old lady's maid, also came.

They were all waiting at the door for Yan Yun to return.

Qing'er remembered Yan Yun's instructions not to give these things to anyone else, so she quickly put away all the things he had told her to.

Zheng Jihua turned and glanced at her, then sternly rebuked, "Why did you bring these things into the mansion?"

"Sir, these are Miss's things."

Zheng Jihua said, "Take everything and destroy it."

The concubine also rushed over, and seeing her daughter's weak face, she leaned against Zheng Jihua.

She was also worried about her daughter, wondering why her life was always full of ups and downs and why she always suffered.

She recalled hearing other ladies mention during casual conversation that there was a temple in the south of the city where one could obtain a peace charm. She had originally planned to go and obtain the charm after Yan Yun returned.

Lu Lan anxiously stepped forward. She was now dressed as a woman, but her face was still very youthful, so she looked like a child.

She placed the amulet she was holding tightly on Yan Yun's body. "This is a protective amulet that I got for Ning'er from a temple in the south of the city. I can't always be by Ning'er's side, and I hope this amulet can protect her in my place."

The concubine looked at Lu Lan in disbelief. This girl? She's done so many things behind my back?

Zheng Jihua's gaze towards Lu Lan softened considerably. After all, Ning'er was the most important thing to him, and he naturally felt that Lu Lan was sensible for being able to care so much about Yan Yun without any distractions.

On the contrary, the concubine on the side was completely unable to distinguish between what she should and shouldn't do.

The concubine was so frightened by Zheng Jihua's gaze that she immediately lowered her head.

Zheng Jihua did not embarrass her in front of so many people; he took Yan Yun back to Yuanyi.

Four or five doctors have already been invited to the courtyard, and Zheng Jihua has also sent people to find that miracle doctor.

Before the miracle doctor was found, all the doctors said they would stay at the manor to take good care of Yan Yun's body and leave after the young lady recovered.

Back in Yuanjing, the doctors were naturally much better than in Changgucheng. Those doctors would come to Yan Yun's courtyard five times a day to examine him.

Lu Lan also found an opportunity to come over.

She is completely different from the simple person she used to be. She dresses up with great care, wearing the best clothes, and the hairpins she wears are the latest creations by artisans.

She would come to Yan Yun's courtyard every day and sit for a while, without having to do or say much.

After each visit, Zheng Jihua would go to her yard.

Yan Yun wasn't annoyed by the doctor's daily visits; after all, it was her own body, and she naturally hoped to recover as soon as possible.

Yan Yun recalled the medicine Nan Yunjing had brewed for her; after drinking it, she felt a sweet aftertaste and her body felt warm.

But the doctors' medicines were always incredibly bitter, and Yan Yun felt as if he had been marinated in those medicines.

She wanted Qing'er to help her go out for a walk.

A maidservant came forward to greet her, "Miss, the doctor said you need to lie down and rest."

Yan Yun searched the room again and again, but still couldn't find Qing'er.

Yan Yun immediately realized something was wrong, and she struggled to her feet and walked outside.

This time, Qing'er was in the old lady's courtyard, and Granny Zhu was looking at the maid kneeling on the ground.

"You can't even take care of the young lady properly outside, and you're going to be punished? Do you have any objections?"

"Qing'er shall be punished."

Granny Zhu sent someone to find a bamboo root braid, with roots still attached that hadn't sprouted yet.

Qing'er's outer garment was also stripped off, leaving her only in a thin layer of clothing.

The old lady sat inside the house, and through the door, Qing'er could see the woman sitting there.

She lowered her head.

Granny Zhu raised her whip, lifted her hand, and lashed down hard with all her might. She was most skilled at disciplining these maids.

The bamboo whip made no sound as it touched the flesh.

Qing'er suddenly felt as if half of her body had exploded, and the pain instantly spread throughout her body.

Granny Zhu said, "You still have to endure 29 more blows. Grit your teeth. If you make even the slightest sound, you'll get ten more blows."

Granny Zhu raised her hand again.

Once, twice...

The maids on the side were counting.

Qing'er bit her lip tightly, trying her best not to make a sound.

The pain was so intense that she felt an urge to bite her tongue and commit suicide.

Yan Yun ran out of the courtyard and ran into Lu Lan who was coming over.

She was surprised to see that Yan Yun was able to move around freely, as she had thought he would have to stay in bed for a while longer. It seemed that his illness was not serious.

Seeing her in such a hurry, as if she were looking for something, Lu Lan remembered the maid who had been taken away by Granny Zhu.

She asked tentatively, "Ning'er, are you looking for your maid?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Yun stopped in his tracks.

Lu Lan looked and, sure enough, they were looking for the maid who had been taken away.

She stopped smiling and looked at Yan Yun very seriously, saying, "She was taken away by your mother, presumably for questioning, right?"

Yan Yun immediately rushed to his concubine's courtyard.

Lu Lan stood behind her, watching her back, raised her sleeve to cover her mouth, and secretly chuckled.

She said to the maid standing nearby, "Wasn't Miss's maid taken away by Granny Zhu, who works for the Old Madam?"

Lu Lan looked at her, pretending to understand, and clapped her hands, "Then I'll tell her I was wrong."

When Yan Yun hurriedly arrived at the concubine's courtyard.

The concubine was taking medicine, and she was extremely anxious. Zheng Jihua was coming to her room less and less often, and she could count the number of times he came on one hand.

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became.

Why is it that drinking so much medicine is still not working? Drink every last drop of medicine in the bowl.

She threw the bowl directly outwards.

The man who had been left at home by the nanny, who was also her distant relative, rushed over after hearing the commotion.

He looked at the concubine's face.

Who would have thought that the skinny girl who used to eat dirt would now become the lady of this courtyard, while I myself am left to rely on her to survive?

This stark contrast naturally made him feel resentful.

He looked at the broken pieces on the ground and recognized the medicine bowls she had drunk from.

It smells worse every day.

However, in his opinion, drinking so much traditional Chinese medicine did not help to improve his condition.

But she clearly gave birth to a girl, which means she was a normal woman, so the problem naturally lies with Zheng Jihua.

He bent down and picked up the pieces that his concubine had thrown out.

The concubine also discovered him.

Because her mother said that the person in front of her was her true family, she saw him bend down to pick up those things and naturally felt that he was too humble, completely different from Zheng Jihua.

She said sternly, "The maids will take care of it, why are you doing it yourself?"

"I'm just worried that the maids won't clean it properly, and if you step on it, it might hurt you. I'm only doing this for you."

The concubine smiled when she heard him say that he was only doing it for her.

What nonsense are you spouting?

She looked at him and asked him?

"Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"The lady is naturally beautiful."

If it's about beauty, then why didn't Zheng Jihua come to her own room to say that?

Thinking about this made her even angrier.

She also overturned the table next to her to the ground.

Hearing the sounds coming from inside, Yan Yun assumed it was Qing'er and rushed in.

But then he saw the concubine standing with a strange man.

Yan Yun was slightly taken aback.

The concubine, however, was pleasantly surprised to see Yan Yun. She looked at him and said, "Are you worried about your mother? Is that why you came to see her?"

Yan Yun frowned, searching high and low but not finding Qing'er. She immediately turned around and went out, searching all over the garden.

Completely ignored, the concubine grew even angrier and overturned the dressing table next to her.

The old woman wasn't there either.

Could it be that she took Qing'er somewhere?

Yan Yun searched frantically but couldn't find anyone.

The concubine's courtyard was completely exposed; there was nowhere to hide.

Yan Yun thought of a possibility: Lu Lan had lied to him.

Think of this.

He immediately turned around and went into the old lady's courtyard.

When she entered the old lady's courtyard, she naturally witnessed an unforgettable scene.

Qing'er's back was a bloody mess, and the ground was covered in blood from her rolling around in pain.

Granny Zhu raised her whip, ready to strike again.

Yan Yun couldn't stand it, so she rushed forward immediately. The maidservant beside her was also a little scared when she saw her appear.

Worried that Granny Zhu might accidentally hurt the young lady, she immediately reminded Granny Zhu not to do anything after the young lady arrived.

But how could Zhu Moumou listen to that?

"I only punished these useless servants because of Miss."

She just wanted to vent the last bit of anger she had been holding in on Qing'er. This girl was so patient; anyone else would have begged for mercy, but she didn't say a word.

Granny Zhu thought she had hit the girl too lightly, so she hit her harder, determined to make the girl scream. When the bamboo whip in her hand fell with all her might again.

Yan Yun pushed aside the maid who was blocking him and rushed over, taking the blow squarely to the face.

Inside the house, the old lady, who had been leisurely drinking tea, dropped her cup after seeing Yan Yun suddenly rush over.

When Granny Zhu saw Yan Yun in front of her, and saw the red marks on his cheek where she had slapped him, she felt as if the sky had fallen.

Oh no. How could this happen?

She immediately dropped the bamboo whip in her hand and walked towards Yan Yun.

"Miss, Miss, what are you doing here?"

The person on the ground only slowly opened their eyes after hearing the word "Miss".

Looking at Yan Yun.

Qi is like a gossamer.

"Miss, I have no regrets just to see you one last time."

She closed her eyes after she finished speaking.

Yan Yun immediately grasped his hand and was about to lift Qing'er up, knowing that the many doctors in the manor could save her.

Unfortunately, Yan Yun was physically weak and almost fell over while supporting Qing'er.

Yan Yun reached out and tugged at the maid next to him.

The maid didn't dare to speak and just stood there, trembling slightly.

The old lady's voice came from inside the house, "Hurry and fetch a doctor to examine the young lady."

She said she was going to fetch a doctor only for Yan Yun's sake, not because of Qing'er on the ground.

Fortunately, because the old lady spoke up, the maids immediately sprang into action, and Yan Yun stayed by Qing'er's side the whole time.

When the doctors arrived, Yan Yun's face was already swollen and red. Granny Zhu collapsed to the ground; she had only acted out of anger, and now she felt everything was over.

The old lady knew that Zhu Mama's methods had never resulted in anyone's death.

The doctors came over to Yan Yun, but Yan Yun didn't let them touch her. Instead, she pointed to Qing'er standing to the side.

The doctors looked at Qing'er's injuries. They were well aware of the rules of these high-ranking families, but they wondered if they should treat someone who had been beaten to such an extent.

Yan Yun looked at them, not understanding why they hesitated.

The person was right in front of them, about to die. They were clearly doctors, so why weren't they saving her?

Yan Yun grabbed one of the doctors and dragged him in front of Qing'er.

The doctor asked Granny Zhu, "What has this maid done wrong? We can treat her, but will the household pay for the consultation?"

Yan Yun heard that they only wanted payment for the consultation, so she took off the bracelet that Zheng Jihua had given her and put it in the doctor's hand.