Chapter 538 - 529: Hanging
Speaking of recuperation, that was only relative to Chen Yuhui. Despite all medical efforts, her health had failed irrevocably. Now, the mere gust of wind could knock her down. Without the help of makeup, her face was pale as paper, and even a few steps made her pant. In this state, there was no chance of her remarrying.
Chen Shiying bore a deep hatred for He Linsheng’s malicious acts and for his own daughter’s relentless behavior. He felt she had brought this fate upon herself. Considering her strong bond with her grandmother, as well as their shared incapacity from ailments, they could keep each other company and wouldn’t feel lonely living together in the countryside. All her dowry would be moved along with her, attended by more servants, and a bigger courtyard. With the allowance he provided them annually, they wouldn’t have a hard life.
However, when Chen Shiying shared this plan with Chen Yuhui, she broke down.
She sobbed as she accused her father, "Dad, are you really my father? How can you treat me like this! Is this what mother and Afu told you to do?"
The intensity of her emotions gave some color to her face, but she struggled to draw breath after uttering these two phrases, visibly exhausted.
Chen Shiying was astounded, believing there wouldn’t be many fathers as benevolent as him in the whole world. When The Hes’ misfortune struck, his well-intentioned colleagues advised him against incurring the emperor’s displeasure because of Yuhui’s disobedience. Her uncles also tried to persuade him numerous times. But he stubbornly chose to save her from The Hes’ disaster. He couldn’t bear to see his young daughter cope with the situation at The He household. Yet, all he got from his daughter was reproach.
Chen Shiying became angry enough for it to show in his face. He replied sternly, "Yuhui, has your father not already done enough for you? Your mother and elder sister helped you so much, how can you talk about them like that? You were able to escape from The Hes’ situation, thanks to your grandfather’s soothing the emperor’s wrath. The emperor quickly granted you a separation mostly due to the influence of the Chus, don’t imagine that I have such an impact."
Chen Yuhui cried and retorted, "They helped me out of their guilty conscience. The marriage proposal from the Chus was primarily for me and General Chu wanted to marry me..." She coughed violently as she confronted a constant source of pain in her heart. Once it subsided, she continued, "Such a splendid proposal, but with the help of Mrs. Jiang, was snatched by Afu. Everything Afu possesses now was supposed to be mine".