She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Ms Qin, named Qin Yanran, was originally an entertainer in the red-light district, but later married into the Duke of the Nation’s residence and became a concubine to Zhao Zun’s father, the former Duke of the Nation.

In the first two years after the former Duke of the Nation and the old madam got married, the old madam’s belly showed no signs of movement.

The old madam felt sorry for the Zhao family and proactively suggested taking a concubine for the Duke of the Nation to continue the family lineage for the Zhao family.

It is unknown whether Qin Yanran’s entrance brought joy or whether she greatly benefitted the old madam. Less than two months after entering, the old madam discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to Zhao Zun.

A few years later, when the former Duke of the Nation had the opportunity to return from the border, Qin Yanran became pregnant again, and the old madam hurriedly became pregnant as well. Qin Yanran gave birth to a daughter, and immediately afterward, the old madam also gave birth to a daughter, who was Zhao Ling’er.

When the former Duke of the Nation was alive, Qin Yanran respected the grandmother, staying within her bounds and being honest. The family was harmonious. Later, when Zhao Zun went to the frontier and the former Duke of the Nation died on the battlefield, it was as if the sky had collapsed for the family.

Overnight, Qin Yanran seemed to change and was no longer the honest and straightforward woman. She began to engage in intrigues within the residence, vying for control of household affairs, bribing servants, and constantly making things difficult for the old madam and Zhao Ling’er.

Her sharp tongue and cunning actions revealed her strong and harsh side without a doubt, plunging the life of the old madam and her daughter into deep distress.

They not only faced the pain of losing family members but also suffered from the abuse and oppression of the concubine. The atmosphere at home became tense and oppressive.

Although the old madam was the wife of a military general, she did not know martial arts and was gentle in character. She often sighed, feeling that marrying Qin Yanran into the family was like lifting a stone to smash her own foot.

In order not to make her son in the frontier worried and to ensure her daughter could find a suitable marriage proposal as the legitimate daughter of the Duke of the Nation’s residence in the future, she had to muster the courage to deal with the concubine over the years and strive to protect the last peace of this family.

Now that her son has returned safely, the mother and daughter finally have support.

...

Late at night, after three days of heavy snowfall, it gradually stopped, with only the biting cold wind still howling.

At the edge of Qingshui County’s more than 800 acres of wasteland, a wall was built with stone and concrete. On the wall, several solar lamps cast an eerie, ghostly white light on the snow-covered ground.

At this moment, the captain of Team Da led over twenty members of Team Da’s senior brigade, divided into three groups, patrolling the wasteland.

A night with a dark moon and high winds always triggers the most primal fears and curiosities within people.

Two figures peeked around in the shadows outside the wall like ghosts walking at night, their eyes flickering with greed and unease.

These two were exactly the two servants sent by Wei Dabao last time to gather information.

”Old Three, are you sure those farmers came here sitting on a carriage?” asked the slender man with a sly look, lowering his voice.

”No mistake, Brother Li. I’ve been following them back and forth for two days now, and dare not sit on the carriage. I hide far away and follow them.” The other man, called Old Three, said excitedly.

”Have you investigated what is inside?” Li asked again.

Old Three shook his head, pointing to the wooden gate in the distance. ”I only saw grass sheds from afar, nothing else. Those farmers have to queue up at the gate to verify identity when entering.”

”The entire area is wasteland. Why build such a high wall for farmers to go in to farm? What could be inside?” Li squatted along the wall, touching his chin, filled with curiosity.

”Shouldn’t be farming, right? Look, what’s hanging on the wall looks like a Luminous Pearl.” Old Three pointed again to the solar lamp hanging on the wall far away.

Li stood up, moved out of the shadows, tiptoed, and looked at the wall. There was indeed a Luminous Pearl hanging there, shining brightly even from afar.

Li suddenly became excited.

Using Luminous Pearl as a lamp for illumination in this wasteland? What luxuriousness! There must be more precious gold and jewels hidden inside.

”Let’s, tonight, we must sneak inside and take a clear look.” Li restrained his excitement, elbowing Old Three.

Just as the two were about to investigate further, a bright light suddenly sliced through the darkness, accompanied by the ”zzzz” sound of an electric shock, instantly knocking the two to the ground, unable to move.

It turned out that Team Da patrol personnel had been secretly watching them.

”Hmph, you think you can fool me? Dare to cause trouble under my watch,” Team Da’s captain snorted coldly, and then, along with his men, tied the two up and sent them to the county office overnight.

If asked what County Magistrate Luo Hai currently values most, of course, it’s the project on that wasteland, which can bring him significant political achievement. If the project succeeds and Qingshui County develops, it is naturally expected that he will rise in rank.

He had already instructed everyone at the county office that as long as it’s related to the wasteland, regardless of size or how late, it must be reported promptly.

Thus, when Team Da people brought the electric-shocked Zhang San and Li Si to the county office on a carriage, Luo Hai, who was asleep, received the report and immediately got up, put on a thick cloak, and rushed to the front hall.

”What’s going on?”

Upon entering the main hall, Luo Hai saw the two men lying on the ground like dead pigs.

”Reporting to sir, these two tried to sneak into the pig farm at night but were caught by us,” Team Da’s captain clasped his fist and said.

”Audacious!” Luo Hai shouted angrily, storming toward the two men and kicking them hard. ”You filthy creatures dare cause trouble? Wearing night outfits—definitely not good people.”

”Sir, how should we handle these two?”

Team Da’s captain’s face also showed anger. Those brothers of theirs didn’t have to risk their lives in battle anymore, they had just gotten a safe and easy task following Miss Han, and someone dared to ruin their livelihood.

If it weren’t for Miss Han saying that such matters must be handled by County Magistrate Lord, they would have loved to kill these two on the spot.

”How to handle? Hm...” Luo Hai’s brows furrowed, pondering.

Before leaving, Miss Han instructed that the pig farm’s matters must be kept temporarily secret. If these two were beaten and let go, the pig farm’s affairs would inevitably spread around the city.

Luo Hai thought it over and decided it would be best to have them disappear for a while.

”Detain them temporarily, guard them strictly, and reveal nothing to the outside world. Just treat them as if they disappeared.” Luo Hai said sternly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried undeniable authority.

”Understood!”

The guard on duty at the county office took the command and proceeded forward, dragging Zhang San and Li Si out like dead pigs.

Luo Hai turned to Team Da’s captain and said, ”The pig farm is very important to Qingshui County. If anyone is caught trying to sneak in or infiltrate, just quietly throw them in jail. Don’t let out a single word; understand?”

”Understood!”

Team Da’s captain nodded forcefully. The pig farm is crucial not only to Qingshui County but also to them brothers.