The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1042: Chapter 1019: Prestige Amid Chaos 87

”Why should I execute you?”

Anning smiled at Bai Mei: ”Since you were sent by the Zhang Family, let Lao Si return you to them.”

Bai Mei, upon hearing she would be sent back to the Zhang Family, felt it was worse than being killed.

She turned and kowtowed to Xiao Jin: ”Please, Mr. Four, don’t send me back? I’d rather die than go back, I...”

Xiao Jin turned his face aside, ignoring Bai Mei.

Anning stood up, smiled at Xiao Jin and said: ”Lao Si, even Qing’er and Zhu’er know that when gifts are bestowed, there must be a hidden agenda. They could see Bai Mei was off just by looking at her once, and you’ve been with her day and night and still didn’t notice? Are you blinded by your heart or by beauty?”

Xiao Jin felt embarrassed by Anning’s words, his face flushed red, his gaze flickering, not daring to look at Anning.

Anning said to Bai Mei: ”Get up, you should follow me for now.”

She led Bai Mei outside, and at the door, she suddenly turned to Xiao Jin: ”Lao Si, do you know where the Fifth Family is now?”

Xiao Jin shook his head.

Anning said: ”She established herself independently and lives with Kai’er under a new surname, living quite well.”

Anning suddenly smiled again: ”Oh, your Fourth Sister-in-law knows about this. She asked me to speak with your third brother about allowing her to divorce you, and she said she’s willing to live independently with the child...”

Before she finished, Xiao Jin became completely flustered.

He ignored Bai Mei and rushed outside.

”Stop.”

Anning ordered coldly.

Xiao Jin immediately stopped and looked at Anning in pain: ”Third Sister-in-law, you didn’t agree to Hui Family, did you?”

Anning looked Xiao Jin up and down: ”Lao Si, hearts are made of flesh; anyone can be hurt. If the hurt is severe and the heart grows cold, it can never be warmed again.”

Xiao Jin lowered his head, clenching his right hand tightly: ”Third Sister-in-law, I...”

”You speak to your wife yourself. Whether she wants to punish you, neither I nor your third brother will intervene. I’ll help you by taking Bai Mei away this time, but if it happens again, Lao Si, if I can help the Fifth Family establish independence, I can also help your wife set up her own household. Then you’ll truly be alone.”

Xiao Jin’s face turned ashen: ”I understand, Third Sister-in-law, it was my mistake this time, I... won’t let it happen again.”

Anning ignored him and took Bai Mei out the door.

Bai Mei looked terrified but obediently followed Anning.

She wondered what Anning intended to do with her, perhaps to sell her again or to use her as a tool like the Bai Family did.

However, to her surprise, Anning did not sell her, nor did she say she would give her to anyone, but instead took her home.

Upon reaching the Marquis Zhenan Mansion, Anning first settled Bai Mei in a small yard, then had the servants carry a bag containing a human-shaped object to a carriage, drove to the riverside, and threw the bag directly into the river.

The river was turbulent at that time, and the bag was quickly swept away.

Afterwards, rumors among the servants at the Marquis Zhenan Mansion claimed that the Fourth Madam found out about Mr. Four’s concubine and cried to Third Madam, and together they sought Fourth Madam, who couldn’t tolerate the concubine and joined forces with Third Madam to beat her to death and ordered the body to be thrown into the river.

Mr. Zhang who was still in Nanyi Prefecture City also heard this news.

He sighed deeply upon hearing the servants report the matter: ”Bad luck indeed, letting that tigress ruin everything. Alas, the Xiao Family has a tigress like her; no more women should be sent.”

Once Anning handled the matter, she called Bai Mei for questioning.

The servants led Bai Mei inside.

Upon entering, Bai Mei wanted to kneel to Anning, but Anning said: ”Sit nicely, I have something to ask you.”

Bai Mei obediently sat down.

Anning chuckled: ”Don’t be afraid, I’m not a man-eating tiger, nor will I harm you. Just now, I released information saying you were already beaten to death and thrown into the river. I suppose the Zhang Family thinks you’re already dead now.”

Bai Mei was instantly full of emotion, standing up to kowtow to Anning: ”Third Madam, I...”

Anning pulled her up: ”Listen to me first.”

Bai Mei forced a smile, too scared to sit, she stood on the ground: ”Please, speak, I’m listening.”

Anning said: ”You should change your name; henceforth, Bai Mei no longer exists in this world.”

Bai Mei thought for a moment: ”Then I’ll use my old name. I wasn’t originally named Bai Mei; my parents named me Yinya.”

Anning smiled: ”Then let’s call you Yinya.”

With her original name restored, Bai Mei finally relaxed and smiled.

Anning brought some food for Yinya, who took tiny bites and ate very little before stopping.

Anning knew her appetite had become very small due to hunger, unable to eat much.

The Zhang Family probably trained them that way, controlling their diet strictly to maintain their figures, with many foods prohibited; the little they were allowed was so meager that it left these girls very thin.

After Yinya ate, Anning asked her: ”How much do you know about the Zhang Family?”

Yinya shook her head: ”After I was bought by the Zhang Family, I was kept in the Manor with many other girls. For many years, we’ve been confined, rarely aware of outside affairs, so I don’t know much.”

Anning thought it was likely: ”Do you know where that Manor is?”

Yinya nodded and provided an address.

She thought for a moment and then said: ”Along with me, a brother from my village was also sold to the Zhang Family. He’s working as a servant and used to look after me secretly and occasionally help me. It seems he’s managing some tasks now.”

Anning’s eyes revealed a hint of a smile: ”What is your brother’s name?”

Yinya softly replied: ”Lansheng.”

Her face reddened slightly as she mentioned the name, with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

Anning perceived that Yinya and Lansheng were likely a pair of lovers, separated by circumstances as both were servants, unable to be together.

No doubt, the Zhang Family used Yinya to compel Lansheng into unspeakable actions.

”Do you have any tokens of affection?”

Anning asked again.

Yinya took a pendant from her neck and handed it to Anning: ”Lansheng brother gave this to me; I’ve always worn it.”

The pendant, carrying Yinya’s warmth, was carefully handed to Anning, and she respectfully placed it away: ”Since you’ve come, I won’t treat you unfairly. Stay here first, and once the Zhang Family is gone, I’ll arrange a place for you.”

”Thank you, Third Madam.”

Now understanding Anning wanted to help her, Yinya gratefully thanked her.

Anning asked Chun Xing to take Yinya out, then called for Xiao Bai.

She handed Yinya’s pendant to Xiao Bai: ”Take this to your Sixth Uncle and your brother, tell them...”

After hearing what Anning said, Xiao Bai agreed with a nod and promptly set off to find Xiao Ling and Xiao Ying.