Unexpectedly, Lord Wei was known for his integrity and righteousness, which upset many people in the court.
The mother and daughter duo returned to Lord Weiâs hometown in Jizhou, seeking refuge from their relatives.
However, the patriarch of the Wei clan not only refused to shelter them but also reported their whereabouts to the local government.
The Magistrate of Jizhou held opposing political views to Lord Wei. Their disagreements in court had resulted in their relationship becoming hostile.
Once the magistrate discovered the whereabouts of the Wei mother and daughter, he kicked them while they were at their lowest.
Under the pretense of them being fugitive slaves, he arrested the two of them and assigned them hard labor at a coal kiln.
To protect her daughter, Lady Wei suffered unimaginable humiliation and unjust treatment at the coal kiln.
After six years of hardship, she wore out her health and finally passed away, not even having a coffin for her funeral.
Even so, he still refused to let the descendants of Lord Wei go.
Source: novgo.co
He had Wei Shumin taken out of the coal kiln and, using the same excuse of her being a government slave, sold her off to an agency, intending to humiliate the deceased Lord Wei.
The reason for Wei Shumin entering the Duke of Zhenâs mansion and changing her surname to Li turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Because of her particular status, no one dared to buy her, causing her to go through several transactions between agencies, and eventually ending up in the hands of Madam Ma in Mingshui County.
Madam Ma was shrewd; any household that had bought a servant from her would be meticulously recorded in her books.
The whole county was talking about how the daughter of the Su family of Mingshui county suddenly became the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke of Zhen, and word got to Madam Ma.
While other families didnât dare to buy Wei Shumin due to her unique status, the granddaughter of Duke of Zhen was different.
She had helped Madam Ma once before, back when she was only five and a half years old.
Now, as a noble lady, she would certainly not be afraid of the wicked Magistrate of Jizhou.
Madam Ma acted swiftly, getting hold of others in the capital who heard that the Duke of Zhenâs Mansion needed people, and hurriedly sent Wei Shumin over.
Just as she had predicted, Chief Steward Lin from the Duke of Zhenâs Mansion, following the old ladyâs wishes, personally came to pick out a servant.
Upon hearing Wei Shuminâs identity, he only slightly furrowed his brow. Without any hesitation, he took her with him.
Wei Shumin was already ten years old. Having suffered in the coal kiln from a young age and experienced the death of loved ones, she was more moderate and understanding than kids her age.
When she first arrived at the Duke of Zhenâs Mansion, she didnât want her identity to cause trouble for Chief Steward Lin, so she deliberately changed her surname to her motherâs maiden name and called herself Li Shumin in front of others.
Chief Steward Lin, having pity on her background, turned a blind eye and did not intentionally correct her.
**
âShumin, from now on, please feel free to stay in Fluttering Snow Residence.â
Seeing her crying so sadly that she couldnât stop, Lin Qingluo gently patted her back to comfort her.
âSince you called me âSister Qingluoâ six years ago, youâre my little sister from now on.â
âSister Qingluoâ¦â
Wei Shumin couldnât catch her breath amid the sobs. Upon hearing the word âsisterâ, a warm current surged through her heart, and she was so moved that she cried even harder and couldnât stop the tears from streaming down her face.
âThatâs enough, donât cry anymore.â
Lin Qingluo looked at her firmly, her eyes giving her an extraordinary sense of trust: âFrom now on, sister will protect you, no one will dare to bully you again.â
âSister Qingluoâ¦â
Wei Shumin was overwhelmed with emotions, unsure of how to express her feelings at the moment. She just kept crying and calling out âSister Qingluoâ.
âZizhu, fetch a basin of clean water so Shumin can wash her face.â
Lin Qingluoâs mood was wistful as she quietly ordered Zizhu from behind the door curtain.
âYes, Zizhu is going right now.â
Zizhu had slipped out to the kitchen under the pretext of brewing tea. The tea was long ready, and she waited outside the curtain with the teapot, hearing the constant crying from inside and not daring to interrupt hastily.