Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Acknowledging Ancestry and Returning to the Family Tree
 

Murong Jiu’s birth mother, named Murong Shuang, was not only beautiful but also a famous talented lady.

Being the late-born daughter of her well-off family, she was doted upon and developed an innocent and kind nature.

However, her character could not be blamed, Lady Wang was too ruthless in her schemes, adept at pretense, and given their childhood friendship, as well as being cousins, how could Murong Shuang have imagined that this person would want her dead?

She was truly the most pitiable one, never having seen the face of her own daughter, eternally separated from the husband she loved and her three sons.

The arch culprits were Lady Wang and the complicit Marquis Murong.

They would surely pay the price they deserved.

The father and sons of the General’s Mansion were also innocent, weren’t they? They were not omniscient, they too were kept in the dark.

Upon suspicion, the first thing was not to fully trust Fu Baozhu, but to actively investigate behind the scenes.

Although today the servants helped Fu Baozhu dress, it was because despite their suspicions, they were unclear about Fu Baozhu’s innocence and did not wish to see the General’s Mansion’s reputation trampled by her.

This also proved that they were not heartless, but normal people with feelings and flesh.

“Father, don’t be sad, when there’s a chance, I’ll accompany you to pay respects to mother with incense.”

Upon hearing the term “Father”, General Fu was pleasantly surprised, “Very good, very good, your mother will be very happy to hear this from below.”

He thought Ah Jiu was wonderful in every way, with not a single defect.

If it had been anyone else, they surely would have held a grudge against them, but Ah Jiu comforted them instead, calling him father and the three sons her brothers.

Without any resentment, she even said they had a hard time as well.

Her maturity was heartrending.

Actually, General Fu would rather she wasn’t so understanding, to throw a little tantrum or act spoiled sometimes, especially since she was only sixteen years old.

“No, no, no, let’s not wait for later, let’s do it now, I will enter you into the family records and remove Wang Baozhu’s name, Ah Jiu, your father can’t wait another day.”

Murong Jiu smiled and nodded, “Alright, as father wishes.”

Fu Han suddenly turned away to wipe his tears.

“Third brother, I returned safe and sound, didn’t I? Don’t feel guilty, really, I’m very happy now, happier than ever before,”

Murong Jiu earnestly looked at them as she spoke.

In her previous life, she had never experienced kinship.

Now that her father and brothers cared so deeply for her, what wasn’t there to be satisfied with?

It was only then that Jun Yuyan spoke, “Father-in-law, Ah Jiu was well taken care of in the Prince Mansion, but she indeed suffered a great deal in the past, which is indelible, if Ah Jiu doesn’t mind it, then you shouldn’t be too guilty. I just hope from now on you won’t have any more contact with Wang Baozhu, this would be the greatest respect for Ah Jiu.”

Jun Yuyan valued General Fu, but in his heart, Ah Jiu always came first.

In fact, he didn’t want Ah Jiu to lightly gloss over the past suffering, for that was what the Fu Family owed her.

Ah Jiu didn’t wish to dwell on the past, but he had to set expectations clear to prevent them from upsetting Ah Jiu in the future.

Murong Jiu gently tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to be less blunt.

She wasn’t worried because of her past life experience, knowing how much her father and brothers cared for her, but Jun Yuyan didn’t know this, hence he spoke out for her.

He truly placed her at the top of his heart.

Fu Heng said solemnly, “Prince, you needn’t worry, our feelings for Ah Jiu are not just lip service. As for Wang Baozhu, we have done all that duty requires, the one who should feel indebted is her, not us. From now on, we can guarantee, there will be no further dealings with Wang Baozhu!”

Fu Sheng and Fu Han also nodded in succession, making their promise.

General Fu said, “Ah Jiu, do not say that Wang Baozhu is innocent, even if she were, she is not of the Fu Family’s bloodline, and we have nothing more to do with her!”

This was made crystal clear to Murong Jiu, so she would not feel uncomfortable in her heart because of Wang Baozhu in the future.

Murong Jiu smiled and agreed. Of course, she trusted her father and brothers.

Once everything was out in the open, General Fu immediately wanted to take her to be recognized and return to her ancestral clan.

But as soon as they stepped out the door, they saw that Wang Baozhu hadn’t left yet, and she was being surrounded and scolded thoroughly by the townspeople.

Her body was covered in the foul stench of sticky egg yolk and rotting vegetable leaves, her hairdo had been ripped to shreds, and her valuable headwear was either stolen or lost. The original color of her clothes was unrecognizable.

“Father! Brothers! Save me, please!”

Wang Baozhu had been watching the Yamen, unable to leave, so she waited for her father and brothers to come out.

Seeing her in such a sorry state, they surely could not be indifferent to her.

The worse off she was, the more they should pity her.

She thought she was miserable enough for any anger in their hearts to have been extinguished.

Yet, her father and brothers, as if they hadn’t heard her cries, first watched as Prince Ling helped Murong Jiu into the carriage and then mounted their horses, taking the lead.

The crowd hurriedly made way.

Someone shouted loudly, “General Fu, congratulations on recognizing your daughter, the Princess Consort! You must treat the Princess Consort well!”

“Yes! The Princess Consort is so pitiful! Fu Baozhu deserves her punishment, but she should not be brought back to the General’s Mansion again!”

General Fu’s voice was deep and sonorous, “Rest assured, everyone. Fu Zheng has only one daughter, Ah Jiu, and I am taking her now to be recognized and registered in our family genealogy. As for Fu Baozhu, she has been expunged from our family. She is no longer one of the Fu Family; you should call her Wang Baozhu.”

Upon these words, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

But Wang Baozhu felt utterly despondent and screamed, “No! I do not carry the surname Wang! I am Fu Baozhu!”

How could she possibly share the same surname as a mere servant!

She was once the most envied lady in the Capital City!

Her beautiful dream shattered as if it were a bubble, completely and utterly.

Still unwilling to accept the truth, Wang Baozhu loudly insisted on catching up with General Fu and the others.

But the townspeople, who loathed evil, wouldn’t let her get her way and kept throwing filth at her, making it impossible for her to even walk.

Later, when rotten eggs clogged her mouth and nose, Wang Baozhu fell down, nearly asphyxiating to death. Only then did the people stop, fearing they might accidentally kill her and become entangled in a lawsuit for causing a death.

There were also those who, taking advantage of the chaos, stole Wang Baozhu’s valuable bracelets and jade pendant. With no strength to fight back, Wang Baozhu could only watch helplessly as her possessions were taken from her.

Some had thought of taking liberties with her, but she was so foul-smelling that even after washing ten times, one couldn’t rid off the stench of rotten eggs, and anyone who got close felt extreme disgust.

Before long, Wang Baozhu lay on the ground, ignored by all.

Steward Wang’s family had left early.

They had no idea whether Steward Wang would be implicated, and they had no spare time to care for this illegitimate daughter.

The Marquis Mansion was even less likely to care for her.

The servants under Lady Wang could not wait to grab their belongings and flee to avoid being dragged down by Lady Wang’s misdeeds, as they had been her accomplices in her wrongdoings over the years.

But because their indenture contracts were still in the Marquis Mansion, they could not run even if they wanted to.

With everyone concerned for their own safety, who would care about Lady Wang’s illegitimate daughter?