Chapter 996: Chapter 996: Hua Xian’s Encounter

Hua Xian’s fingers tightened, carrying a trace of anxiety.

In truth, after leaving her previous master’s household, she should have buried the past and never brought it up again. Speaking ill of the former master might easily make her current masters displeased, seeing her as someone who stirs trouble and sows discord.

So, when the old lady noticed the scars on her body earlier, Hua Xian instinctively denied them.

Though the old lady didn’t probe further, she later gave her two boxes of scar removal cream, claiming it was very effective. The third Miss had used that cream before to remove the scars on her face.

Compared to Old Mrs. Fan, her current masters were truly kind. Especially the old lady she now spent time with daily, who despite her sharp tongue, had a soft heart. Even though Hua Xian was merely a servant, the old lady cared for her deeply.

Hua Xian cherished and adored her current peaceful and warm life, wanting nothing more than to serve the old lady with all her heart.

Yet, she never expected Old Mrs. Fan to move in with the Young Madam. Hua Xian knew that when the second Miss purchased her, it was largely due to the Young Madam’s kind words on her behalf.

Hua Xian felt grateful to her and didn’t want the Young Madam to suffer losses while dealing with her sweet-talking yet bitter-hearted grandmother. Moreover, from the conversation earlier, it seemed as though the second Miss was persuading the Young Madam to bring the old lady over.

If Hua Xian’s silence led to the Young Madam’s life spiraling into chaos or caused a rift with the second Miss, Hua Xian would regret it for the rest of her life.

Thinking of this, Hua Xian took a deep breath. At last, she spoke up. “Second Miss, Old Mrs. Fan is not an easy person to deal with.”

“Not easy to deal with” was already putting it politely.

“What do you mean?”

Hua Xian hesitated for a moment before rolling up both sleeves, revealing the scars on her arms.

Shu Yu’s brows furrowed deeply. Though the old lady had mentioned Hua Xian’s injuries before, Shu Yu had never seen them with her own eyes.

Now that she did, she realized the situation was far worse than she had imagined.

With a grim expression, Shu Yu pulled Hua Xian into the courtyard and faced Ding Yuehua squarely.

The latter froze for a moment, her gaze immediately landing on Hua Xian’s exposed arms. Her expression shifted instantly. “How did this happen?”

Hua Xian looked at Shu Yu, who nodded. “Go ahead and tell her.”

“Old Mrs. Fan had many arguments with Mrs. Fan years ago, which changed her temperament greatly. People thought she moved to the Manor out of despair, but the truth was she had no choice. She was forced into it. Her moods often swung drastically–when she wasn’t feeling well, she would complain of headaches or chest pains. During those times, her attendant, Nanny Zhao, would order me to massage the old lady. If I pressed too lightly, I’d be scolded; if I pressed too hard, I’d be hit. The other servants were smart enough to avoid her, but I couldn’t escape, so I became her punching bag.”

Now that things had come to this, Hua Xian decided not to hide anything and disclosed everything in detail.

“When the Young Madam married into the family, and the old lady brought me back, I went looking for Aunt Xue myself. I begged her to plead with Mrs. Fan on my behalf–to let me stay in the household and get married, so I wouldn’t have to return to the Manor.”

Aunt Xue was the old woman in charge who usually cared for Hua Xian greatly.

Hua Xian rolled her sleeves back down. “Over the past year, Old Mrs. Fan’s temper has grown increasingly volatile. Even Nanny Zhao has been hit twice, let alone me. To be honest, I never intended to marry, but without using that excuse to stay, I might not even be alive now.”

She lifted her head and looked directly at Ding Yuehua. “Young Madam, these matters–I originally shouldn’t have spoken of them, but I…”

Ding Yuehua raised her hand to stop her. “I understand.”