Proofread by Peter Gong
Oh, so was it! It seemed that Guo Qi was probably the child of Concubine Zhao, her elder brother. But she didn’t understand that if he knew the truth, why didn’t he come to Ma Family? Dad was thirsty for a son. It he came, dad would be glad. Unless, he didn’t know the truth. But if he didn’t, why did he hold hostility to Ma Family. It seemed that there was something that mother didn’t know.
“Mom, I think it is a necessity to let the Concubine Zhao know for the sake of eliminating misunderstanding. If we could find her son, how about acknowledging him? Maybe there is some misunderstanding. The conflict would be solved if we made it clear.” However, if that boy was Guo Qi, the situation would be rather tough.
“You are right. It has been so many years. If that boy could be found, at last I could atone for my sin and leave your father a son.”
“Mom, I don’t agree with you. That boy is the son of father, so am I.” Ma Tian’en said half-coquettishly and half seriously.
“Dumb daughter, dad and mom felt sorry for you. You are a girl and you should be married. It is normal to bear sons and daughters. I would pray to Buddha to bless you.” Madam Ma felt relaxed after speaking this. She was afraid that Ma Tian’en and her husband would despise her, thinking she was malicious, so she didn’t speak it out for many years. Now she felt comforted that her daughter didn’t alienate her.
“Actually, I felt that it is not bad to be a man. I can drink wine and fight. I am fine. I will not get married and I will take care of you and dad later.” Then, Ma Tian’en stood up, walked behind Madam Ma and held her gently.
The mother and daughter almost stayed awake that night.
Next morning, Madam Ma asked the servant girl to invite Concubine Zhao. She had prepared to talk to her and try to find that child. The servant girl said nervously that Concubine Zhao was missing. The servant girl who kept watch over Concubine Zhao was taken before Madam Ma.
“Concubine Zhao locked herself in the room and chanted scriptures these days. We came in when sending her food. This morning, we found she was missing. Chun Lan came the moment we were about to report to Madam Ma.” The servant girl knelt down, lowering her head.
Madam Ma asked the servant to notify Ma Tian’en and she kept asking the servant girl whether she heard something at night. The servant girl said no.
Ma Tian’en came back immediately she received the news. Recently, lots of things happened to Ma Family, so servants became sluggish, which provided a chance for Concubine Zhao to escape. But, where could she go? Her father had passed away a few years ago. Moreover, she couldn’t go to her relatives. Everyone knew she was the concubine of Ma Family, so no one dared to take her in.
“Mom, don’t worry. I will send someone to find her. She can’t run fast, but I am afraid that ……”
Ma Tian’en stopped at this time. There was another possibility-she was picked up by Guo Qi. Now she couldn’t figure out the relation between her and Guo Qi. But it was better to take care. She arranged for someone to watch over Tian Family and connected Tian Fugui to check whether she hid in there.
Concubine Zhao didn’t think that she could leave Ma Family one day. From the day she entered Ma Family, she felt she would stay here this life. If she was useless one day, she would be thrown away like an article. Even though she died, she would be just a concubine. After her son died, she could do nothing, although she felt reluctant. She was only a servant and had no power to compete with Madam Ma. Then Guo Qi appeared, and he told her that all evildoers should be punished. She should revenge her dead son. From that day, she got a new expectation—-revenge.
“Why did you pick me up?” Concubine Zhao asked. She had been caught, so she was useless for him. Why did he take the risk of saving her from Ma Family.
“I have talked to you. I have a feud with Ma Family. However, I researched the past things recently and found an interesting secret accidentally. I found the midwife who delivered Ma Tian’en. She told me a secret that you must be interested in, I think.” Guo Qi said slyly. Concubine Zhao’s eyes were shining the moment she heard the “midwife”.
“Is it about my child?” Concubine Zhao asked.
“No, I didn’t find the midwife who delivered your son, but I found the one who delivered Ma Tian’en. I gave her money, then she told me that Madam Ma gave birth to a daughter. Concubine Zhao, do you know what it means? Ma Tian’en is a girl! Madam Ma killed your son and disguised her daughter as a son. She cheated everyone, and seized the fortune which should belong to your son.”
“So it is…… tell me, what do you want me to do? I can die with no regret as long as I take reprisals against that woman.” Guo Qi’s words stroke Concubine Zhao like a bolt from the blue. “Madam, you didn’t have the destiny to give birth to a son, but you killed my son.” Concubine Zhao became more spiteful. Now that he told her this, she understood that Guo Qi wished her to do something.
“Are you serious?” Actually, Guo Qi knew that Concubine Zhao didn’t have any desire for a better life. For her, revenge was the one thing that mattered in her life. It was accidental for him to find the midwife. Guo Qi had promised Concubine Zhao to find the midwife who delivered her son. The midwife had moved to another place. She thought the secret about Ma Tian’en was unveiled. Only a few words betrayed her and the secret was revealed. As a girl, it was powerful for Ma Tian’en to stabilize Ma Family. Actually, Guo Qi showed respect for her. Ma Tian’en was his little sister. If he lived in Ma Family, he could care her and watch her get married. Unfortunately, it was not the case as he expected. Ma Chaosheng got her mother pregnant and abandoned her. He lived his life through the torture of his foster father. His heart was filled with hatred when he abandoned himself.
Concubine Zhao nodded. Looking at Guo Qi, she was lost in thought. If her son was alive, he should grow up like him.
Except for Ma Chaosheng and his three brothers, Ma Family had other branches which lived in Er Zha. Although Ma Chaosheng’s father passed away, her uncles were alive. Besides, the elders of other branches were alive. Ma Chaosheng was the eldest son, so he became the leader of Ma Family. The family enjoyed peace because he had high prestige.
The clans of Ma Family came without invitation. It was the first time for them to come together. The doorkeeper dared not to stop them, but reported in a hurry.
Ma Tian’en was discussing business when she heard that the clans came. She thought there must be something wrong and came out hurriedly.
Ma Chaosheng’s uncle, who had the highest position among the elders, walked ahead of others. His name was Ma tailai. The men behind him were Ma Tian’en uncles and other clans. At the end of these people came a woman. She was Concubine Zhao who escaped!