Fortune Across the World

Chapter 107: Haunted Dreams, Echoes of the Past

So early to retire... Ding Qiyu's guilt and concern deepened. After hesitating a moment, she finally asked, "Sister Yinsuo, her... her scars, what happened to her face? How did... how did it come to be like that?" Ding Qiyu was desperate to understand the cause, not just to apologize for today's incident but also to help the little girl unravel her emotional knots, allowing her true self to emerge from the shadows and bask in the sunlight once more.

Yinsuo hesitated, as one of the few who knew the forbidden past of the Fu family. She was unsure whether to reveal the story to Ding Qiyu. However, seeing Ding as the person most likely to help untangle the young lady's heart, she decided to take a chance. Based on Ding's character, even if she couldn't help in the end, she wouldn't spread the secret. Yinsuo led Ding Qiyu out of Fumeng Courtyard to a secluded room, ensuring no one was around before closing the door to recount the past: "The madam, who was the young lady's mother, was a very gentle and kind woman. At that time, the head of the family had just taken over all of the Fu family business and was extremely busy, rarely having time to spend with the madam. She never complained, managing the household in his stead. That year, the young lady was only six years old. The madam took her to Chan Jue Temple to pray, only to encounter bandits on the mountain path, bandits who had been bribed and were lying in wait..."

Outside Fumeng Courtyard, Yinsuo narrated the events of that year to Ding Qiyu, while inside, Fu Ruqing, exhausted and having gone to bed early, tossed and turned before falling into a nightmare...

"Mother, what wish will you make?" In the carriage, little Ruqing sat obediently next to her mother, clutching her arm and looking up with curiosity.

Madam Fu glanced down at her daughter, a doting smile on her lips, "I will wish for Qing'er to grow up happily and healthily, and for your father's business to prosper smoothly."

Little Ruqing giggled with her mother, resting her head against her arm, as if pondering or asking, "Then what wish should I make?"

Madam Fu caressed her daughter's face, "Of course, you should also wish for your own health and happiness."

After a moment of serious thought, little Ruqing shook her head, "You've already wished for that, and for Father too... then, I'll ask Buddha to bless Mother with health and happiness."

Warmth filled Madam Fu's heart, and she took little Ruqing's small hand, "Having Qing'er is my greatest happiness."

As mother and daughter shared a tender moment, their carriage suddenly halted, and the clash of weapons and cries of battle echoed from outside. Madam Fu's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately embraced her daughter, whose face showed fear. Their escort was small, and the ruthless bandits were well-prepared, quickly overpowering the guards and attendants. The carriage curtain was yanked open, and a fierce-looking bandit stepped in, grinning as he saw the two inside, signaling to his men with satisfaction, "Got the right ones!"

"What do you want?!" Madam Fu's voice trembled with anger and fear. Little Ruqing clung tightly to her mother's clothes, terrified.

"Madam Fu, my brothers are short on cash and thought they'd ask the head of your household for a loan. We'll have to trouble you and your daughter for a bit!" The bandit leader finished, roughly dragging Madam Fu out of the carriage.

Madam Fu, unable to resist the bandit's strength, could only hold her daughter tightly as they were pulled out, only then seeing their guards and attendants lying in pools of blood, and the number of bandits surrounding them. She shielded her daughter's eyes, her voice filled with grief and anger, "If it's money you want, why kill?"