Chapter 6
Dad started frequently going out early and coming back late, returning to his old ways from the countryside, busy with who knows what.[]
In his spare time, he’d visit his new concubines‘ rooms. Those new concubines all looked somewhat like Mother.]
As Lydia’s pregnancy advanced, she began staying indoors, even having meals delivered to her door.]
In reality, she was in my room, holding my latest essay and praising it:[]
“Little Luna is so clever. When I was your age, I couldn’t write anything this good…“]
She’d let something slip and froze first.[]
Someone knocked on my door: “Miss, the Earl wants you to come pour wine.“[]
Lydia frowned: “That bastard thinks he’s about to succeed and can’t help showing off again.“[]
“It’s fine, Mother.” I put down my book: “I’ll go and come right back.“[]
Lydia froze. Before, I only secretly called my stepmother “Mother” in private.]]
Dad was drunk out of his mind, and the concubine beside him lay there with vacant eyes, blood soaking through her clothes.]
“Lily…” Looking at my face, he unconsciously called out Mother’s name.]
I poured his wine without changing expression.]
He suddenly shed two tears and said to me:
“Little Luna, I’m sorry. But I had my reasons.“]]
“I had to treat you badly because I was afraid your aunt might change her mind someday and make you die mysteriously like your mother.“]]
But Mother was killed by his own hand. I’d seen his whole journey – what reasons could he have?
“In a few days, when I pull this off, I’ll make you a princess…“]
He was clearly wasted and talking nonsense, with no idea the walls had ears – these were words that could get him executed.]
When I got back to my room, Lydia was still sitting on my bed, staring at a lotus sachet by my pillow.]
My stepmother had embroidered this for me when she was alive. Knowing how much I missed Mother, she made a little sachet with Mother’s name and secretly tucked it under my pillow.
“When did you… figure it out?” For once, Lydia seemed lost for words
Actually, the moment she said “Little Luna, you’ve suffered so much,” I somehow knew my stepmother had come back.[]
The person who cared about me – whether human or ghost, I wasn’t scared.]
Lydia let out a soft sigh and pulled me into her arms.
She only saw Dad’s true face before she died, and her soul wandered restlessly without peace.[]
She wanted to drift home for one last look at her parents, but along the way met a girl trying to kill herself.
The girl’s story was heartbreaking – first she sold herself to pay for her mother’s funeral, then was resold to a brothel and brutally abused.]
She sobbed as she put her neck through the noose tied to the tree, whispering: “I can’t accept this…“[]
My stepmother found the courage somewhere and dove straight into her body.[]
Dad was right about one thing – these high–class ladies were just too timid.[]
But proper ladies had always been this way, crushed under the weight of propriety and virtue, only to be scorned by men.[]
My stepmother used Lydia’s body to return to the brothel, putting on a smile to welcome customers.
A drunk who was one of Lydia’s regular customers got into a fight with another young man who’d come seeking her out.]
My stepmother just gave a gentle push, and both men tumbled down the stairs. The drunk hit an iron shovel by the door and died on the spot.
My stepmother coldly hid behind the madam, but caught sight of Dad standing in the crowd across the street, watching the show.
She knew exactly what Dad liked.]
So, fighting back nausea, she crouched down and smiled as she lifted the drunk’s bloody eyelids, saying:
“Since you’d risk your life for me, I’ll remember your face forever and repay you in the next life.“]
Dad found her absolutely fascinating, and when he struck up conversation, discovered they were from the same hometown.[]
Lydia’s tragic, impoverished background probably reminded Dad of his first wife who’d suffered alongside him.
And to spite Aunt Empress, he made a grand show of marrying this brothel girl and bringing her home.[]
Having lived through one life, my stepmother’s mindset was completely different now.
So in the dungeon, she showed no fear at all and even revealed her true face, literally scaring that unfaithful old woman to death.
I was so heartbroken that tears streamed down my face as I threw myself into her arms: “Mother, it’s all my fault.”
“Stop crying.” My stepmother was rarely this serious, only telling me:[]
“Study hard. When your father’s play is over, it’ll be our turn to take the stage.“]]
