Chapter Thirty-Five Entrusting an Orphan

  Zhen Shining sighed and withdrew her gaze, saying in a low voice:

  Four years ago, I was on the verge of death and reluctantly agreed to let you ask him for help. At that time, I thought I wouldn't survive either, but I just wanted to send Wu Ge and Wen Ge back to him. Without their mother, at least they would have a father... They were still young then, and although it was hard for me to part with them, I sent them away anyway. Over the years, I had forgotten about all this, unfortunately... Suddenly remembering when Ji Xiwu returned from the Zhuangyuan's mansion, his head was beaten into a pig's head, and his cheeks were swollen for half a month, unable to see anyone, Zhen Shimu's voice paused.

  The past experience was still in front of her eyes, and the magpie tightly pursed her lips to prevent herself from crying out loud.

  Looking at the trembling shoulders of the magpie in the dark, Zhen Shiniang let out a long sigh. So many years have passed, I've watched Wen Ge and Wu Ge grow up day by day, watched them hide in my arms and play coquettishly, seeing me frown and trying every means to please me. Just now, they were still tightly hugging me, vowing that when they grew up, they would make money to support me, take the imperial examination to earn money for my medical treatment... A thin layer of mist floated in her eyes... Now you want me to send them into that General's mansion that swallows people without spitting out their bones? How can I bear it? Her gaze deeply stared at the dark window, without them, I might be a little more at ease, but, magpie! She suddenly turned her head and looked seriously at the magpie. Without them, I would still die of sorrow, unable to live for even one day!

  Miss, don't say that! The magpie has already cried tears like rain. She shook her head hard and said, "Just leave them by your side."

  Jixiwu finally understood, Zhen Shiniang let out a long sigh of relief, reached out and grasped her hand... Jixiwu, now that we've opened up to each other, I have something to ask of you.

  In the dark, the magpie's face suddenly turned red. The slave is just the young lady's person. If the young lady has something to do, she will only instruct and not ask for anything.

  My body is weak and I don't know how much longer I can hold on, you promise me that if I die, you must wait until Wen Ge and Wu Ge are thirteen years old before telling them who their real father is, and then send them back to the General's Manor to acknowledge their ancestors.

  At the age of thirteen, in modern times, he was still a middle school student who would hide in his mother's arms and act spoiled, but in ancient times, men of this age had already moved out to live on their own, especially those from wealthy families, who had already started arranging marriages.

  Choosing this age, Zhen Shiniang also has a relatively good appearance.

  If she unfortunately passed away, they had to send Jian Wu and Jian Wen back to the General's mansion. They were too young to be killed, but if they were too old, they would also worry that Ji Kuai would be burdened too heavily and unable to raise them.

  Thirteen is not too big or too small, once inside they will be placed in the outer courtyard, and their chances of survival are greater. As long as Jian Wu and Jian Wen are clever enough, know how to hide, and do not covet the position of the young master, the future mistress of the General's Manor may spare them, and they may escape with their lives.

  She is entrusting her orphan!

  The magpie's whole body twitched as if electrocuted, Miss! The sharp voice pierced the darkness and echoed far away, even scaring the magpie itself.

  Shh... Zhen Shiniang covered her mouth with one hand, turned her head to look at the door, and heard the quietness in the yard before releasing it. What are you doing? I was just saying that, not really dying tomorrow.

  Miss... The extremely suppressed sobbing sound of the magpie overflowed from her lips.

  Don't worry, I'm also being cautious. In the darkness, Zhen Shiniang tightly grasped her hand, and I promised you that from now on, I will try my best to get along with the general. The voice paused for a moment, as if there was a hint of hesitation, and then Zhen Shiniang continued resolutely, "I am the daughter of a guilty minister, and it would be detrimental to his future prospects to seek him not to abandon me is impossible, I can only try my best to delay our separation by a year or two, so that I can save up some more silver, and you and Wen Ge and Wu Ge will suffer less in the future."

  Life is unpredictable, since she no longer has time to start over, then not getting a divorce would be her best choice for now. To leave an inheritance for Jian Wu and Jian Wen, the fastest way would be to get along with Shen Zhong Ge and gain from him.

  Miss... is Miss really willing to be nice to him? The voice of the magpie was slightly trembling. For five years, Zhen Shiniang had been rejecting Shen Zhongjie, and she knew it best.

  Shen Zhongge is not an unfeeling and unrighteous person. If she had humbled herself five years ago, they might be in a different situation today.

  Being noble can't fill one's stomach. Zhen Shiniang let out a snort of laughter, don't worry, for the sake of Wen Ge and Wu Ge, not to mention bowing my head to him, I'd even bend my waist if needed. A teasing expression on her face, but in her heart, it was like being bitten by ants, aching with a piercing pain that drilled into her bones.

  Is this the sorrow of being a weak mother?

  Life is tough like this, it's not because she's a traverser that she has privileges and can be above life and material.

  She can be strong, she can be noble, she can refuse to bow down for a handful of rice, but she cannot selfishly deprive Jian Wu and Jian Wen of their carefree childhood just because she wants freedom, dignity, and her own persistence, letting them bear the heavy burden of life too early, tasting the hardships of this world too soon.

  After all, it was for Wen Ge and Wu Ge that Miss's family was willing to suffer this humiliation.

  But now is not the same as before, now that his family's young lady has blocked his promising future, even if she wanted to put aside her dignity and compromise, would he be willing to agree to a two-year postponement of their divorce?

  For some reason, when Duan Xiangniang finally agreed to put aside her pride and yield to Shen Zhongjie, she should have been happy, but instead, it felt as if a ball of cotton was stuck in her chest, making her feel suffocated and unable to breathe. It was too dark, so the servant went to light the lamp! Suddenly, Xiangniang turned around, wanting to escape this sudden feeling of depression.

  Magpie! Zhen Shiniang grabbed her with one hand.

  The room was dark and gloomy, the magpie couldn't see Zhen Shiniang's face clearly, nor could she guess what she was thinking. She only felt the chill emanating from her own icy hand, which made her teeth chatter. After a long while, she stammered, "Alright, I agree to your request... If that day really comes... I will take good care of the young master, and as long as I have food to eat, I won't let them go hungry until they are thirteen years old, then I'll hand them over to the general!

  Good! Zhen Shining slowly let out a breath.

  Next, Zhen Shining did not dare to be strong again and actually took good care of herself for a while.

  That day early in the morning, while picking lotus root with Qiujie in the yard, Li Qizhen's wife from Rui Xiang pharmacy rushed over in a flurry.

  I knew you were unwell and didn't dare disturb you, but this time you have to help. Li Qizhi's wife held her hands together and repeatedly curtsied to Zhen Shiniang.

  What's wrong? Zhen Shi Niang took off her gloves and stood up.

  He was the youngest son of Liu Ma Zi's family in Xigou, Er Gui. He fell ill a few days ago and was diagnosed by Doctor Feng as having wind chill. After taking two doses of medicine, he initially showed signs of improvement, but suddenly took a turn for the worse. His head swelled up like a cow's head, and he had to be carried here on a wooden board. You, Li Ge, also invited Dr. Ma from Daren Hall, who said it was wind chill and that Doctor Feng's treatment was not wrong, but Er Gui just wouldn't wake up... Thinking of Liu Er Gui's life slipping away, the whole family blocked the entrance to Rui Xiang Pharmacy, wailing uncontrollably. Li Qi's wife stared at Zhen Shi Niang, Ah You, please go take a look...

  It's okay, as expected, the code is out... celebrate with flowers...

  Considering how hard Qiu Hua has worked, everyone please give me a few more recommendation votes, I just saw that the new book list dropped one place again.