Meng Wan was only wearing an undergarment, which revealed a mark on her neck from being strangled. The mark had turned from red to purple and was quite horrifying. The Third Madam glanced at it and was immediately shocked: "They actually used such a vicious method. Has Junyao really gone mad?"
Meng Wan also shed tears because she saw her aunt's concern for her. Leaning against the Third Madam's chest, she sobbed, "I don't know if my second sister has gone mad, but she must hate me to the core. Otherwise, how could she have been so cruel? Aunt, I really thought I was going to die at her hands just now."
The Third Madam patted her back to help her catch her breath, feeling extremely distressed, but she really couldn't understand: "You know, Junyao has never been like this before, so why has she been acting so strangely lately, causing trouble one after another? Could it be that she's still holding a grudge about what happened with the Third Prince?"
Meng Wan didn't know when it started, but she knew it definitely didn't start from that time. It should be said that for Meng Junyao, Meng Wan's existence was a nightmare. After all, with the status of the legitimate daughter suppressing her, who was born out of wedlock, how could the proud and arrogant Meng Junyao tolerate it?
A Dying Struggle (Part 1)
Meng Wan didn't know when it started, but she knew it definitely didn't start from that time. It should be said that for Meng Junyao, Meng Wan's existence was a nightmare. After all, with the status of the legitimate daughter suppressing her, who was born out of wedlock, how could the proud and arrogant Meng Junyao tolerate it?
So she probably wanted Meng Wan dead a long time ago?
The mother and daughter talked for a while longer. Because Prime Minister Meng was not in the mansion, even though the Third Madam felt sorry for Meng Wan, she could not take it upon herself to deal with Meng Junyao. She only instructed people to keep a close eye on her and sent someone to invite Prime Minister Meng back to the mansion.
During this lull, Meng Wan called Huan Yan over: "Go out of the manor later and secretly bring Granny Su here. Remember, tell her to be smart and not to say anything out of line."
Huan Yan nodded and went out. Meng Wan had been leaning against the window, looking out the window with a smile on her lips: Meng Junyao, are you still not dead this time?
--
Upon returning to his residence, Prime Minister Meng went straight to the woodshed without going anywhere else.
At this moment, Meng Junyao realized that she had caused trouble, so she sent Wu'er to secretly invite the Second Madam over.
The second wife had been bedridden for many years and was still in poor health. Seeing her daughter crying her eyes out, it was impossible not to feel sorry for her. Holding Meng Junyao in her arms, she also shed tears.
"Good child, don't cry. Tell your mother what happened."
Meng Junyao told the Second Madam everything, omitting the part about how she framed Meng Wan. She only said that she had been tricked. Although she had no hope for her useless mother, she was now her only lifeline.
The second madam listened quietly, her already pale and bloodless face growing even more ashen: "You, you injured the eldest young lady??"
"Yes." Meng Junyao gritted her teeth in hatred, but could only nod at this moment: "She plotted against me first. I wish I could kill her, otherwise I wouldn't be able to quell the hatred in my heart!"
The second wife's face turned noticeably paler: "No matter what, you shouldn't have hurt her. Since she framed you, why don't you go to your father and ask him to stand up for you?"
"My father has been completely fooled by that bitch Meng Wan. He won't listen to me at all. Now, no matter what I say, he thinks I'm up to no good. Mother, you have to save me!"
The second madam frowned, patted Meng Junyao's back and sighed. Of course she would not watch her own daughter suffer, but this time it involved the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife. What should she do?
--
Prime Minister Meng returned to his residence in a hurry, bringing his son Meng Junheng with him. They had heard about the family's situation from the messenger sent by the Third Madam and were worried about Meng Wan and the family, so they came back together.
Upon returning to the manor, the two did not linger and headed straight for the woodshed.
But just as they reached the door, they heard a series of ghostly wails and howls coming from inside.
"How dare you lay a hand on the young lady? How many heads do you have? Don't you know that the young lady is your father's precious daughter? Who gave you the audacity to disrespect her, you illegitimate daughter?"
The sound of the whip striking flesh, accompanied by Meng Junyao's cries for mercy, became even clearer and more jarring against the Second Madam's slightly hoarse voice.
Prime Minister Meng paused, then pushed open the door and entered: "Jinhua, stop!"
Jinhua was the second wife's maiden name. At this moment, she was raising her whip and bringing it down on Meng Junyao, who was crying and begging for mercy. She turned her head and saw Prime Minister Meng standing behind her. She was stunned, and then tears fell down her face.
A Dying Struggle (Part Two)
Jinhua was the second wife's maiden name. At this moment, she was raising her whip and bringing it down on Meng Junyao, who was crying and begging for mercy. She turned her head and saw Prime Minister Meng standing behind her. She was stunned, and then tears fell down her face.
"master--"
The second wife always presented herself as gentle and weak, and her gentle and tender nature was unmatched. Back then, Prime Minister Meng loved her so much that he took her as a concubine despite her humble origins.
However, the second wife remained ill, and with the passing of the first wife and the arrival of the third wife, Prime Minister Meng's treatment of her was not as good as before.
However, no matter what, there were still feelings involved. Seeing the Second Madam in tears, Prime Minister Meng's anger subsided considerably.
"It's freezing cold outside, why are you standing here in the cold wind? What if you get sick again later?"
Although she was scolding, her tone was full of concern. Upon hearing this, the Second Madam's tears flowed even more: "My frail body is no match for me. I could freeze to death here. But it's different for the Eldest Miss. That girl Yao'er not only implicated the Eldest Miss after doing something wrong, but even became violent towards her. As her mother, I have no words to say. I can only teach her a lesson myself to make her wake up."
Although the second wife was weak, she was undoubtedly intelligent.
If we don't punish him ourselves, it won't be as simple as just hitting him a couple of times once Prime Minister Meng takes action. So this move should be considered a self-inflicted injury strategy!
At this moment, Meng Junyao endured the pain and crawled down from the chair, kneeling to Prime Minister Meng's feet. She hugged his leg and said in a choked voice, "Father, I was confused. I know I was wrong. The incident of Lingyin Temple being framed was too much of a blow to me, which is why I did such a thing to my sister."
These were all taught to me by the second wife.
Now is not the time to act impulsively. After all, Prime Minister Meng trusts Meng Wan so much, and Meng Junyao is indeed in a disadvantageous position. Rather than complaining about Meng Wan and making Prime Minister Meng dislike her, it would be better to admit her mistake and ask for forgiveness.
After all, she was his own daughter, and he couldn't bear to see her beaten like that. In addition, his second wife was coughing sickly and had a pale face, so he couldn't say anything.
Moreover, the second son kept saying that she had been framed at Lingyin Temple, which made Prime Minister Meng somewhat stunned.
"In that case..."
He pondered for a moment before speaking. Just then, a furtive figure peeked out from behind the artificial hill. As soon as Prime Minister Meng finished speaking, his hawk-like eyes swept over the figure, and Meng Junheng, who was standing behind him, immediately understood.
Who is it?
Meng Junheng was a bodyguard with a sword, and the sword in his hand gleamed coldly. The person behind the rockery immediately went weak in the knees and leaned out, saying, "Young Master, please don't use your sword. It's me, not a bad person."
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Granny Su.
Meng Junheng turned to look at Prime Minister Meng: "What are you doing sneaking around here?"