Chapter 102: Dogs Biting Dogs (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 102: Dogs Biting Dogs

After Jun Moli finished speaking, An Ran almost couldn't hold back a laugh. This man was so certain—wasn't he afraid that she had been bluffing all along? If she couldn't produce evidence in a moment, wouldn't Lord Li’s reputation and dignity be completely destroyed? Losing face was one thing, but this was the crime of deceiving the Emperor!

"Many thanks to the Prince for clarifying the facts for An Ran, and many thanks to His Majesty for the imperial grace that allows An Ran to enter and exit the Prime Minister's residence with such legitimacy..."

"You demonic girl, you haven't even stepped into the Prime Minister's residence yet! Not a single person here welcomes you, so don't get ahead of yourself!" Seeing An Ran’s pretentious air, Leng Yiyun’s stomach churned. She wanted to tear that damn witch’s face to shreds.

"Since the Madam of the house doesn't believe it, then let us test it. Truth or falsehood will be clear in an instant! You and Old Madam Lu keep insisting you don't believe it, yet you refuse to verify—could it be that you are afraid?"

Jun Moli patted An Ran’s hand, his face darkening as he stared at Leng Yiyun. His stature, aura, and presence far exceeded those of a woman like Leng Yiyun. Even though she didn't believe it in her heart, she didn't have the courage to retort against him.

Just as Jun Moli finished his sentence, an abrupt voice rang out from outside the door, shocking Leng Yiyun as if she had been struck by lightning; she remained dazed for a long time.

"Second girl, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you believe I won't tear your mouth apart?"

Upon hearing Lu Xuexiang’s words, the fire in Lady Xu’s heart surged. This traitorous thing—not only did she fail to stand united against outsiders at a critical moment, but she was actually turning her elbows outward. Could it be that this brat was really a wild seed from outside?

Lu Xuexiang looked at Lady Xu’s glaring eyes and sneered. The old woman was always so biased. Where was she inferior to her sister, Lu Xueqing? In terms of filial piety, she sincerely prayed for the family; in terms of talent, she was not lacking in the arts. Was it a crime to be blunt and not understand the roundabout ways of others? To Lady Xu, a hypocritical, venomous snake like Lu Xuexin was a precious granddaughter, while she, a sincere granddaughter, was worth nothing.

*Hmph*, old woman, you underestimate me!

"Old Madam, you want to tear my mouth apart? Heh... what I said is the truth! I would rather have An Ran, the sister you call a 'demonic girl,' than that base woman Lu Xueqing, who has been secretly pregnant with someone else's child, as my sister!"

"Old Madam, don't be naive; it's time to wake up. Lu Xueqing is not as good as you think. That woman wearing a fairy’s skin is filthy inside and out. She is hideous now—she had an abortion and then caught smallpox. She looks as ugly as a ghost... Stop daydreaming about marrying her off to some prince. With her base nature, she isn't fit to be any prince's consort..."

"Ah—"

"I’ll show you nonsense! I’ll show you nonsense... Qing’er is your own sister! You actually help this demonic girl An Ran to slander your own sister. Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?"

Leng Yiyun grabbed Lu Xuexiang and landed two slaps across her face. Lu Xuexiang’s cheeks immediately swelled up like rising dough, with five bright red finger marks printed on her face.

Stunned by the slaps, Lu Xuexiang’s head buzzed. Her bloodshot eyes filled with tears as she stared blankly at Leng Yiyun. This was her mother. Even when her hypocritical sister had stooped so low as to conceive a child out of wedlock, her mother still refused to look at her with anything but disdain, insisting on the goodness of that sister.

Was she spouting nonsense? Was she slandering her? Did the filthy things Lu Xueqing had done even need slandering? Lu Xueqing’s wicked deeds were too numerous to record; even a single one would be enough to bring her down.

"Mother, why did you stop hitting? Hmm? Didn't you say I was slandering my good sister? Keep hitting my face... go on, hit me..." Lu Xuexiang covered her face and stepped closer to Leng Yiyun, her expression twisted, her eyes staring at her mother like an evil spirit. Suddenly, she lost control and shrieked at Leng Yiyun, "In your heart, there is only Lu Xueqing! Only her! Even after she did such shameful things, you still protect her everywhere. And me? I think of you in everything, yet you despise me, always comparing me to her. I hate you! I hate Lu Xueqing! How could I have a mother like you..."

Lu Xuexiang’s emotions were completely shattered, looking as if she wanted to devour Leng Yiyun alive. Lady Xu grew more confused the more she heard, and her heart couldn't take it; her head felt like it was going to explode. How could Qing’er be pregnant out of wedlock? How could she have had an abortion? The image of Lu Xueqing—so quiet, gentle, virtuous, and filial—flashed through her mind. How could she do such a shameful thing?

No, she didn't believe it. This must be a fabrication by this brat Lu Xuexiang. She mustn't be fooled!

"Old Madam, let me help you sit down for a moment. Please, don't get excited..." Seeing Lady Xu’s ashen face, Nanny Bi felt furious at the loose-lipped Second Miss, yet deeply worried for Lady Xu.

Lady Xu suddenly felt the world spinning, as if she were trapped in a whirlpool. She pressed a hand to her temple, eyes squeezed shut, her mind in chaos.

Just as Lady Xu sat down, Lu Xuexiang continued her barrage against Leng Yiyun. Unable to bear it anymore, Lady Xu cursed, "Lu Xuexiang! What did that demonic girl An Ran give you? You actually help her slander your own sister. How could the Lu family produce such a disaster? You have disgraced the family! The Lu family has no such descendant as you!"

"Old Madam, if An Ran and I aren't the descendants of the Lu family, then who is? Your precious granddaughter? Don't be naive. If An Ran hadn't been kidnapped by traffickers back then, where would Lu Xueqing even come from? I know you don't want to admit it, but don't doubt it. The year you went to the countryside, sister was only one and a half. When you returned, she was already four and a half. Can you tell who is real and who is fake?"

"Nonsense! Absolute rubbish! What kidnapping? What traffickers? You are spouting lies! Qing’er is my daughter, the daughter I have loved for fifteen years! Lu Xuexiang, stop slandering her, or I will drive you out of the Prime Minister’s residence and sever all ties with you!"

"Hahaha... Drive me out? Sever ties? Mother, you’ve wanted to do this for a long time, haven't you? I’m not as pretty as Lu Xueqing, I’m not as famous in Yue City, and I can't bring you a son-in-law with a prestigious background. Do you hate me? Do you? Hahaha... I know you all hate me. Even when I said I wanted to marry Brother Li, Lu Xueqing had to interfere. I wasn't even allowed to think about it—she is so overbearing that she makes me hate her every single moment..."

Leng Yiyun couldn't understand how Lu Xuexiang had turned into a different person today. Even in her wildest moments, she had never acted like a mad dog biting everyone in sight. Suddenly, she thought of An Ran. She was ruthless and skilled in medicine; she must have drugged Xiang’er to make her lose her mind!

"You demonic girl, what did you feed her? What poison did you give her? Is your heart made of flesh at all?" Leng Yiyun’s pupils dilated, her brown eyes clouded with mist. Her heart ached, and she couldn't breathe properly. She pointed her pale fingers at An Ran and roared.

An Ran had already sat back down with Jun Moli, finding this display of "dogs biting dogs" quite entertaining. She sipped her tea while watching the show. Such a life was truly interesting. *Go on*, she thought, *the louder the better. If a couple of people don't die and the residence doesn't hang white mourning banners, then the show I painstakingly arranged today will have been a waste.*

Just as she finished a sip, she was called out by Leng Yiyun. An Ran slowly set down her cup and looked at Leng Yiyun, her lips curling into a bloom that was vibrant yet venomous, blossoming across her fair, cold face.

"Drugged? Is the Madam so angry that she’s gone senile? What kind of medicine can control a person’s mind? Besides, of course my heart is made of flesh—bloody flesh, at that. But I wonder, is Madam’s heart made of flesh? Does watching a bloody scene excite you, or terrify you?" An Ran’s eyes were like hooks, drawing all of Leng Yiyun’s attention into them, pulling her into an endless abyss as if by magic.

Leng Yiyun looked at An Ran in terror. In the dead of night, Lu Junchen always appeared in her dreams, bloody and calling her "Aunt" with a desolate, tragic voice that filled her with panic. She wanted to wake up, but she couldn't; night after night, she was chased by a blood-drenched corpse.

"Old Madam... Old Madam..."

Nanny Bi suddenly cried out in terror, drawing everyone’s gaze to the hall. Even the delirious Lu Xuexiang fell silent.

Jun Moli also felt something was off. Usually, no matter how far away Lu Xuexiang was, she would always greet him. She would call him "Brother Li" constantly. What was wrong with her today? Was he not eye-catching enough? Or was An Ran really...?

"The Old Madam has fainted! Call the doctor! Call the doctor!"

Seeing Lady Xu unconscious, Leng Yiyun shouted in panic toward the hall. The servants outside had been terrified by the tense atmosphere and hadn't dared to approach, but upon hearing her cry, someone immediately sprinted away.

Seeing Lady Xu faint, An Ran shook her head in disappointment. What a waste of her medicine. Her warnings had completely gone to waste! This Old Madam likely suffered from a burst vessel due to blood rushing to her head.

However, since the Divine Doctor An was here, no one would be allowed to take Lady Xu’s life. The show wasn't over yet; why was she in such a hurry to faint? She still had more exciting things for her to see. Suspicion was one thing, but when suspicion turned into truth, the resulting impact would surely make her vessels—burst again!

"Demonic girl, what are you doing?" Nanny Bi asked, her voice trembling as she stared at the silver needle in An Ran’s hand.

"An Ran, are you planning to commit murder in the Prime Minister’s residence?" Leng Yiyun suddenly reached out to push An Ran, but she didn't even touch the hem of An Ran’s dress; she dodged easily, and Leng Yiyun fell flat on her face.

Bi Qing watched everything in the hall, her mind unable to keep up. They had invited the Madam to help, but before anything could be done, the family had fallen into chaos. The Second Miss was truly mad...

"What am I doing? I am trying to save the Old Madam. What did you think I was doing? Waiting for the doctor outside to come and diagnose her, or waiting for a physician from the Imperial Hospital?" An Ran gave Nanny Bi a cold glance, her voice dropping sharply as she snapped, "I am treating the Old Madam now. If anyone dares to stop me and delays her recovery, you can wait for the Prime Minister’s blade to fall on your heads!"

Nanny Bi dared not stop her; she was shaken by An Ran’s aura. She had never seen a teenage girl with such a terrifying presence. The coldness radiating from An Ran was not something just anyone could imitate!

Leng Yiyun climbed off the floor, grinding her teeth and wiping her face. Looking at An Ran’s back, she wished she could rush up and stab a bloody hole in her. Her hatred for An Ran intensified.

An Ran took a white pill from her bosom and forced it into Lady Xu’s mouth, then quickly inserted silver needles into several major acupuncture points. The speed and precision made Nanny Bi forget to blink. This girl’s technique was more skillful than the doctors outside, and even far superior to Physician Sang from Huichun Hall.

"Old Madam, if you can't hold on and faint from anger again, I don't have a third pill to save you!" An Ran muttered to herself calmly as she inserted the needles.

Fortunately, she had brought the pills today, or this old woman would have died tonight. She had already used two pills to save her; she wouldn't waste a third. The old woman wasn't worth the effort!

Jun Moli sat quietly on his chair, watching, until he felt a fierce gaze fixed on him. He turned slightly to see Lu Xuexiang staring at him blankly.

Lu Xuexiang’s spirit seemed dazed. Her face was pale, and the two slap marks were swollen and red, making her look like a pig’s head. Clearly, Leng Yiyun had used quite a bit of force.

"Brother Li..."

Lu Xuexiang called out softly and affectionately, then her voice faded. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with hatred and a bloodthirsty smile.

Jun Moli was now increasingly certain that An Ran had done something to Lu Xuexiang; otherwise, she wouldn't have reverted to her previous state in the blink of an eye. He just couldn't figure out how An Ran did it. He thought to himself: *When An Ran finishes her business here, I must ask her for the secret. I should try it out for fun when I’m bored!*

Just as Jun Moli was coveting An Ran’s secrets, Lady Xu’s eyelids fluttered. She stirred and slowly regained consciousness.

"Old Madam... Old Madam is awake! Madam, the Old Madam is awake!" Nanny Bi, who had been standing close and watching intently, cried out in joy.

Lady Xu’s eyes were bleary. Everything before her was a blur of shifting figures and colors. Her head felt muddled.

She shook her head, closed her eyes, and opened them again. The figures seemed clearer. After repeating this a few times, she finally recognized the face before her: An Ran. It was actually this demonic girl...

"Old Madam, you’re awake. If you hadn't, I would have thought my medical skills had deteriorated!" Seeing her wake up, An Ran reached for the needle in her temple, pinched it with her thumb and forefinger, and quickly withdrew it. Seeing the long, thin needle, Lady Xu shuddered.

Seeing the anger rising in Lady Xu’s face, Nanny Bi feared she would faint again from excitement. She glanced at An Ran and quickly said, "Old Madam, she saved you!"

Bi Qing was conflicted. She couldn't understand why An Ran would help. An Ran hated the Lu family and was trying to infiltrate the residence; her goal was to see the residence in ruins. Shouldn't she be happy that the Old Madam fainted? Why save her?

Bi Qing didn't know that Lady Xu had fainted from a burst vessel. Without An Ran’s intervention, she would have died before the doctor arrived. An Ran saved her because she wanted Lady Xu to see with her own eyes that Lu Xueqing was not her biological granddaughter. She wanted to avenge her mother, and she wanted Lady Xu to die filled with regret and guilt, never finding peace.

Lady Xu was clearly stunned by Nanny Bi’s words, staring at An Ran in disbelief. Why would she save her at a time like this? She couldn't fathom An Ran’s heart. Yet, if An Ran were truly the eldest daughter of the Lu family, then her actions might be explained.

"Bi Qing, go fetch a bowl of clear water! Do it yourself; don't let anyone else touch it!" Lady Xu’s mood had calmed, and she looked at An Ran with a steady gaze.

Bi Qing felt a shock in her heart—the Old Madam’s resolve was wavering!

"Yes, Old Madam!" Bi Qing glanced at An Ran, then at the fuming Leng Yiyun and Lu Xuexiang, before leaving the hall to head toward the kitchen.

Leng Yiyun felt a chill in her heart, a bad premonition. However, she was certain that Lu Xueqing and Lu Xuexiang were Lu Anrong’s biological daughters, so nothing could be proven. Yet, she felt a strong, nagging sense of impending disaster.

What angered her most was that Lady Xu had initiated the blood test herself. It seemed like a small matter, but for Lu Xueqing, it was an insult. If a daughter of the Lu family were questioned about her bloodline by her own grandmother, how could she ever hold her head up in high society again?

"Old Madam, I can swear on my life that Qing’er is your true granddaughter. This demonic girl is just bluffing. She wants to sow discord between you and Qing’er to ruin the Lu family. You mustn't fall for her tricks!"

Leng Yiyun had carefully chosen her words, but as soon as she finished, An Ran seized the opening: "Madam, are you questioning the Old Madam? Or do you think the Old Madam is doing this because she is senile?"

Hearing this, Lady Xu’s expression darkened, though she did not immediately lash out.

Seeing Lady Xu’s reaction, Leng Yiyun grew tense, wringing her handkerchief and glaring at An Ran: "You demonic girl, what nonsense are you spewing? Don't dream of turning a wild pheasant into a phoenix! You aren't the one who wanted this test? Fine! When Nanny Bi brings the water, I will personally test it with you! I will reveal your true colors and have you kicked out of my residence!"

"Heh... why? Are you feeling guilty now? Or do you think I’m an imposter? Do you really think that just because you covered your tracks back then, no one would know? Madam Lu, don't be so naive. After the blood test, you will regret not acknowledging me sooner!"

"Is that so? I don't recall ever losing a daughter during an outing!" After a deep, heavy voice, a figure in a green robe stepped into the hall, followed by Lu Anrong’s voice as he bowed to Jun Moli: "This official greets Prince Li!"

"Prime Minister Lu, no need for formalities," Jun Moli said flatly, though his voice rose slightly as he looked at Lu Anrong with surprise. "Prime Minister, what is the matter? Why are you wearing a bamboo hat on such a fine day?"

"Many thanks for the Prince’s concern, but I have caught a cold and cannot be exposed to the wind!" Lu Anrong kept his hands hidden in his robes, pulling them back instinctively after Jun Moli spoke.

"Husband, you’re here! This demonic girl caused the Old Madam to faint!" Leng Yiyun seized the chance to complain as soon as Lu Anrong arrived. However, when her hand brushed his arm, Lu Anrong gasped and stumbled back several steps to steady himself!

"Husband, what’s wrong?" Leng Yiyun found it strange. It was one thing to fear the wind due to a cold, but why fear being touched? Could Lu Anrong also be an imposter?

She quickly dismissed this. She had been with him for twenty years; she knew his voice and every mark on his body.

"It’s nothing, I will handle it!" Lu Anrong remained silent for a moment. Only he and An Ran knew that Leng Yiyun’s touch had aggravated his rotting skin, causing him excruciating pain. It had taken him a long time to endure the agony and reply in his usual voice!

"Yes, husband!" Leng Yiyun felt strange but dared not overstep. With the Old Madam and the Prime Minister present, she had no say. Now that Lu Anrong was here, An Ran would have no good end!

*Want to enter the Prime Minister’s residence? You’re dreaming!*

"What? Is the Prime Minister unable to face people so quickly? What a pity. I haven't seen your face in so long, I almost forgot it. I wanted to see it today, but it seems you’re not in a position to show it. How is it? Does it hurt?"

An Ran walked over to sit beside Jun Moli, her eyes provocative, her words striking directly at Lu Anrong’s pain!

How could it not hurt? He was in agony! He wanted to be seen, but how could he show his ghostly appearance? Even worse, Jun Dingyue had taken advantage of his illness to send Eunuch Fu with an imperial decree, absurdly declaring An Ran the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence!

"An Ran, the Emperor’s decree says you are the eldest daughter of the Lu family. Very well, I shall perform the blood test with you and let everyone see who is lying!"

Lu Anrong no longer cared if Lady Xu had fainted. Every inch of his skin was screaming with pain from the friction of his clothes. As long as he could prove An Ran was not of the Lu bloodline, he would kick her out and submit a report to the Emperor accusing her of "deceiving the Emperor." Then, this witch would have nowhere to run!

"Very well! That is exactly what I intended!" An Ran smiled, her black eyes anticipating the next act of the show.

Jun Moli was also looking forward to it. The buildup had been splendid; he wondered what the main event would be like. A smile appeared on his gentle face as he said calmly: "Should we also test Miss Lu Xueqing? To be fair, of course."

"Qing’er is my own daughter! Do you think I, her mother, wouldn't know? Prince Li, please show Qing’er some respect!" Leng Yiyun protested immediately, her tone lacking the usual respect.

"Go fetch the eldest daughter!" Lu Anrong knew Lu Xueqing had smallpox; bringing her here would surely scare An Ran and Jun Moli.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he spoke, a coquettish voice came from outside: "No need to fetch me, I’m already here!"

*(PS: Actually, you all have guessed that Lu Xueqing’s blood will not mix with Lu Anrong’s, but can you guess what Lu Xueqing’s ending will be?)*