47 Scapegoa (2/2)

She was there, in that dimly lit night, to break a couple up.

Meng Fuyao had had already heard about Guo Pingrong even before she had arrived there. He had no concubine of sorts. In fact, any woman that stayed by his side had ended up committing suicide. Having only resided and served deep within the De Residence, Qiao Ling had no idea what she was in for.

On the other hand, the people on the outside were well aware of it, and every daughter was ordered to go around the doors of the Guo Residence. Now that Qiao Ling had, through eyes that resembled Meng Fuyao's, piqued the interest of Guo Pingrong, there was no way she would be treated kindly.

Dressed in black and well-veiled, Meng Fuyao utilized her memory of the layout and martial arts footwork to get her into the back garden quickly.

Qiao Ling had, in one night, been transformed into a phoenix and moved to the Lotus Fragrance Residence, located in the back garden. The bride-to-be was ready for the ceremony the next day, but perhaps due to the jitters, the lights within the house were still on.

Meng Fuyao made her move, swiftly crossing over the half-opened window before landing lightly like a ball of cloud.

The girl sitting before the makeup counter was startled. She shot her head up, the light shining down on hair, giving it a radiant color. It was Qiao Ling, who was already dressed in a Madam's outfit.

She was about to scream, but Meng Fuyao darted forward like an arrow to cover her mouth. ”I'm here to save you, don't shout,” she informed in a low voice.

Qiao Ling opened her eyes wide. Meng Fuyao's words seemed to have jolted a certain idea in her head, and she started trembling.

”Hey, hey, why are you afraid?” asked Meng Fuyao kindly. ”I'm not here to deflower you. You're not a beautiful man.”

She patted Qiao Ling's shoulder, adding, ”Let's make it short. Come with me, quick. You can't marry that man.”

At that Qiao Ling pushed her hand away, glaring. ”Why not?”

”How do I explain this...?” Meng Fuyao muttered urgently. ”He's up to no good,” she highlighted.

”I'll serve whoever I marry. Plus, General Guo is a prominent figure. How could you defame my husband like that?” she retorted, pricking her brows up. She was angered.

”Your husband?” Meng Fuyao raised a brow. 'No way, aren't you getting into character too quickly?”

”Don't tell me you're ready to follow by his side just like that? You've seen him only once.”

”Why not?” she waved, lifting her brows. ”I'm the lowliest of servants and a clumsy one at that. I was sold into this house when I was 5, and have been working day and night since. How much do I get? 3 silvers a month. I'll need to save for a long, long time before I can even think about going home. What do I do then? I starve myself even while working. Do you know how many times I've mended my old clothes? In the house, Master orders me around, Sister bullies me, the senior servants rip me off, and even the little servants in the courtyard look at me with contempt.”

Then, bared her forearm, revealing a scar on her wrist. ”See this? Sister gave it to me. Now that I'm able to leave all this misery behind, to become a high-grade general's first wife, am I crazy enough to forgo it?”

Meng Fuyao remained silent, briefly at a loss as to how she could clarify things with that girl as she wasn't wrong. The life of a lowly servant was tough, and now that a life-changing opportunity had presented itself, did it make sense for her to give it up?

Of course, while Qiao Ling appeared eager and full of hope, Meng Fuyao simply couldn't watch her marry a lecherous tyrant. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she were to allow such an unpredictable and tragic fate befall that girl.

After a long time, Meng Fuyao went for what she believed would be effective. ”Do you know that Guo Pingrong is a sadist?”

”Sadist?” Qiao Lin repeated, opening her eyes wide, roughly figuring out what this rather modern term meant. Suddenly, she lowered her head, as if abashed, and started twirling her waist ribbon. ”Mother taught me that whatever a husband does in bed... a girl should just comply and endure... it will be over in a bit.”

Meng Fuyao threw her head up, frustrated and helpless. She had forgotten that women in ancient and modern times had absolutely different concepts of family and marriage.

”Aye, I don't care anymore.” Meng Fuyao clenched her teeth. What was the point in talking nonsense? Wouldn't it be easier to knock and drag her out? Qiao Ling might hate her, but it was better than leaving her to suffer. Plus, rescuing her would feed her own conscience.