Union

Chapter 2 The Chen Family Mother and Son
The more you are afraid of something, the more you become afraid of it.

Just as we were about to reach the front hall, we ran into Steward Chen, who was hurrying over from outside.

Manager Chen is Chen's mother's son.

The people in the village all worked for Mother Chen, so they naturally treated her son with great respect and always addressed him as Manager Chen when they met.

Manager Chen's real name was Chen Ping. He was not good-looking and had a short stature. He had a large black mole under his lip, which, combined with his thin face, made him look sharp and mean.

Mrs. Chen lost her husband early in life and doted on her son like the apple of her eye.

Originally, they wanted to leave their son with the master's family to make a future for him, but unfortunately, Chen Ping was a hopeless case. He didn't think about making progress all day, but instead had his eyes on the girls on the estate, and stubbornly refused to leave.

This man is a cunning and lecherous fellow who has taken advantage of many young women in the past. Everyone, mindful that a local official is more powerful than a distant one, and out of respect for Chen's mother, gritted their teeth and tolerated it.

Chen Ping also knew his limits; most of the time he only talked a big game, but he didn't dare to do anything too outrageous.

However, some time ago, for some reason, Chen Ping suddenly set his sights on Yun Ying.

Not only did he make flirtatious remarks to the original owner of the body, but he also physically assaulted her.

The original owner of this body was a timid and cowardly girl who didn't dare to curse back when someone teased her. But when Chen Ping touched her face, she was furious and terrified, and reflexively slapped Chen Ping.

That slap caused trouble, and Chen Ping immediately turned hostile.

After that, not only did Chen's mother call the original owner over, but she also found another excuse to scold and beat her.

Chen Ping, through his mother, would always give the original owner the worst, rotten, and bad things, making the original owner eat and drink in fear.

Even more disgustingly, he secretly sent people to put snakes, rats, insects, and ants in the original owner's room.

The original owner was so frightened by these dirty tricks that she developed a high fever, but while she was bedridden, the medicine she was to cure was switched and withheld.

This caused Yunying to suffer repeated high fevers, which ultimately led to her death.

After Yunying transmigrated, Chen's mother was shocked to see that Yunying had almost lost her life. After that, she dared not indulge Chen Ping's nonsense again. Only then did Yunying seize the opportunity to recover three-tenths of her body.

Leaving aside these distant issues, although Yunying and Chen Ping's discord never came to light, the girls in the manor had all passed through numerous hurdles before being accepted, and they were very discerning.

Furthermore, Chen Ping was indeed not a good person. During that time, the way he looked at Yun Ying was also strange. After thinking about it for a while, everyone guessed the truth of the matter.

Upon encountering Chen Ping, all the young ladies couldn't help but look at Yun Ying.

They also felt sorry for Yunying for offending this scoundrel. Afterwards, Chen Mama was afraid that if Yunying gained power, she would take revenge on them and her son, so she probably wouldn't let Yunying stand up easily. In other words, Yunying was probably just there to make up the numbers when the manor was selecting people today.

But we can't be so absolute.

After all, no matter how much Yunying offended people, she still had a face.

If the girls in this manor are all exceptionally beautiful, then Yunying is definitely among the most outstanding. In addition, having just recovered from a serious illness, she is even more delicate, making her appear even more ethereal, like a fairy descended from heaven.

Seeing this, the pitiful look in the girls' eyes became even more restrained.

They were competitors with Yunying, and since Yunying was out of the running, their chances of being chosen were much greater.

Thinking of the immense wealth and luxury in the Prince's mansion, the girls' hearts burned even brighter. For a moment, they had no time to pay attention to these messy matters, and simply nodded slightly to Chen Ping before continuing towards the flower hall.

Yunying didn't recognize the man in front of her as Chen Ping, but when Que'er's arm suddenly tightened around hers, she realized something.

Yunying looked up and saw that Chen Ping was not looking at her, but was looking in a certain direction behind her.

Yun Ying's heart stirred, and a thoughtful look flashed across her eyes.

Just then, someone seemed to stumble behind her and pounced on Yunying's back.

The man's attack was too sudden and his strength too great. Caught off guard, Yunying was pushed and stumbled, falling straight towards the artificial rock like a kite with a broken string.

"oops."

"Watch out!" "You're asking for it!"

After bumping into several people, Yunying was finally grabbed by the arms on both sides. She stopped awkwardly, her heart pounding as if it were about to jump out of her throat, and her eyes were filled with lingering fear.

Que'er grabbed her left arm and asked anxiously, "Miss, are you alright?"

On the other side, Jin Kui released her right arm and cursed, "Are you looking for death?! Don't you want your face anymore? If you really fall onto the artificial hill, your life is over."

Yunying breathed heavily, trying to steady her racing heart. After a moment, she calmed down and looked in the direction of the crowd. "Someone deliberately pushed me just now."

"Oh dear, Sister Yunying, I didn't mean to push you. There's moss on this stone slab, and I slipped and fell right on top of you. I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. Are you feeling alright? Should we call a doctor to come and take a look?"

Yunying looked at the person who spoke.

The girl was wearing a pomegranate red dress, looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, and was both pretty and clever.

She had a naturally smiling mouth, which made her seem approachable even when she wasn't speaking. Her voice was as clear and melodious as a lark's, and her expression was so apologetic as she looked at Yunying with such earnestness. No matter how angry Yunying was, she couldn't vent her anger at that moment.

Although she knew perfectly well that the girl in front of her hadn't pushed her accidentally, and had even used considerable force when she did it, it was definitely intentional. But there were more footsteps approaching in the distance, and now was not the time to argue.

She said softly, "Never mind, I'll be more of a..." Before she could finish the last word, Jin Kui, who was standing to her right, suddenly spoke up.

"Xianglan, what do you mean? Calling a doctor at this time? Are you afraid the master doesn't know that Yunying is not feeling well?"

Jin Kui was aggressive, but Xiang Lan spread her hands in grievance, "I didn't."

Jin Kui was about to argue when a group of people approached. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Chen Mama with her maids and servants.

Mrs. Chen was about forty years old, with a long face and a tall, slender figure. Her face was deeply lined, and her gaze was serious, making it clear at a glance that she was a woman not to be trifled with.

Mother Chen held considerable authority in the village, and everyone fell silent as soon as they saw her approaching.

Mother Chen had obviously heard the earlier argument, but she had no time to pay attention to it. She stared at Yun Ying for a moment, then looked at Jin Kui and Xiang Lan, and then scolded everyone, "Why aren't you waiting in the flower hall? What are you all doing standing around here? Mother Liu will be here soon. Do you all want Mother Liu to see your most unseemly side?"

He added coldly, "I've said it before, this time we're selecting people to send to Prince Zhaoyang's residence. Whether you're destined to climb the social ladder or not, we'll see today."

These words struck at the heart of the matter, and for a moment, no one cared about arguing or watching the spectacle. The young ladies quickly greeted Madam Chen and then all entered the flower hall.

Once things quieted down outside, Chen's mother looked at her son, who was staring intently ahead, and snorted in dissatisfaction, "Why aren't you busy with your work? What are you doing here? Liu's mother values ​​rules the most. If she sees you hanging out with girls, not only will you be in trouble, but your mother will also lose face."

Chen Ping reluctantly turned his gaze away, chuckled, and said, "I know, Mother, I understand that principle. You can rest assured about what your son does."

"I'm at ease? What am I at ease about? If it weren't for your mother's help last time, Yunying would have been ruined by you. She's a good prospect, and we'll definitely send her to a noble family in the future. You can vent your anger, but if you really ruin her life, neither of us will be in any good way."

Chen Ping was impatient to listen to his mother's long-winded lectures, and when she mentioned Yunying again, he pursed his lips in annoyance.

But Liu's mother was coming soon, and she was getting anxious and stressed. He didn't dare to add fuel to the fire at this time.

Chen Ping replied, "I understand, I won't do it again. Mother, you go about your business. I'll keep an eye on things at the stove, I guarantee there won't be any mistakes."

Before Chen's mother could respond, Chen Ping turned tail and left the place of trouble.

After taking a few steps, he paused, turned back as if to say something to his mother, but hesitated only for a moment before gritting his teeth and walking towards the kitchen.

As Chen's mother watched her son's retreating figure, she gritted her teeth in anger.

The only advantage of the girls in this village is their good looks. What else is there that they could be considered presentable?
With neither a wealthy and reliable maternal family nor a caring and supportive brother, marrying such a girl is truly a source of pride.

Moreover, these girls were all beauties collected from all over the Xia Dynasty by their master at great expense. They were served fine silks and satins and delicacies every day, and famous teachers were invited to teach them various skills. In fact, every girl was a golden nugget.

These girls are very valuable, and they will all be of great use later.

Even if the young masters of the main family wanted to take one or two into their household, the Lady of the Marquis would not agree.

The son wants to have another woman as a concubine; what is that but a pipe dream?
Mother Chen was both angry at her son's lack of ambition and annoyed that these girls were seducing Chen Ping and leading her good son astray. Therefore, her expression grew even more unfriendly as she looked at the girls in the flower hall.

(End of this chapter)