During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Beijing
It was a late night with snowflakes falling.
Looking at the snowflakes falling slowly outside the window, Qiao Jun's pale face had a calm smile.
She had never felt happy before. But half an hour ago, she had the happiness that she had always dreamed of.
That was her daughter, a little life that was tightly bound to her. It was so wonderful and unbelievable. From now on, she was a mother. How blissful was this!
She carefully touched the sleeping face in her arms and smiled at the little thing that was a part of her life.
What a beautiful little thing! Her fair face was flushed red, and she couldn't help but touch it again and again.
Snow white and beautiful. She turned her gaze to the window. Yes, her daughter was as beautiful as snow falling from the sky.
"Xue 'er, my daughter!" She leaned her face against her daughter's face and said softly,""Your name is Xue 'er. Xue' er, do you hear mother calling you? Mother will make you the happiest child in the world, my little Xue 'er!”
In the eyes of others, Qiao Jun had always been a person with a tragic fate.
She was born in a poor farming family. In order to support her family, she was sold to a rich family as a slave at a young age of less than ten.
After working as a servant for several rich families, Qiao Jun settled down in the Yi family at the age of 18.
However, this was not what she wanted. She was forced to do so.
Yi Mengsheng, the master of the Yi family, saw that she was young and looked very beautiful. One night, he sneaked into her room and took her by force.
After that, Yi Mengsheng treated her well. Even if he had a powerful wife, he could not control himself and often spent the night in her room.
Qiao Jun, who was powerless to resist, could only accept it. She didn't blame the heavens, nor did she blame anyone. She only blamed herself for her bitter life.
Yi Mengsheng's kindness to her had finally incurred the displeasure of his jealous wife, Nianyu.
Nianyu hated Qiao Jun to death! She blamed Qiao Jun for her husband's cold treatment of her.
However, she had no choice but to accept Qiao Jun as a concubine because Qiao Jun got pregnant very quickly. Nianyu had been married to the Yi family for six years, but her stomach had not moved at all. Therefore, even if Yi Mengsheng was afraid of his wife, she, who could not give birth to children, could not stop Qiao Jun from entering the house.
However, this was only on the surface. She had no choice but to pretend to accept Qiao Jun. In private, she used all kinds of opportunities and excuses to bully Qiao Jun. There were even a few times when the fetus in Qiao Jun's stomach almost died. Half of it was luck, and half was due to Qiao Jun's self-preservation. She barely survived the difficulties and finally gave birth to the child.
There were several times when Qiao Jun wanted to die, but her unborn child gave her the courage to continue living in this cruel world.
Her child, Yi Xue 'er, looked exactly like her. She was snow-white and more beautiful than her. She was her baby and the most important person in her life.
Xue 'er was loved by Yi Mengsheng the moment she was born, but he was afraid of his wife. Under Nianyu's surveillance, he never dared to act rashly in front of her, which caused the couple to fall out.
Besides, Nian Yu and Wan Qiaojun also gave birth to a daughter for him in a year. Although she was not as pretty as Yi Xue 'er, she was still a beautiful doll that everyone loved. Most importantly, she was born from the first wife, so he could not be too biased.
Therefore, Qiao Jun was not as noble as a mother and her son. She was still living the same life-being treated as a thorn in Nianyu's side.
That year, Yi Xue 'er was eight years old.
On this day, Nian Yu found an excuse to bully Qiao Jun. Taking advantage of Yi Mengsheng's absence, she brought a few confidants to Qiao Jun's courtyard.
As usual, she didn't give Qiao Jun any chance to explain. She ordered her subordinates to catch Qiao Jun and then punched and kicked her.
Her face, her body, she didn't let go of any place that she could hit. She was not afraid even if Yi Mengsheng saw her wounds. He had never been able to outspeak her. Who would dare to say that she was wrong when the main wife disciplined her concubine?
"Mother, Mother!" The little Yi Xue 'er wanted to save her mother, but her petite body was held by someone and she could not move. Seeing her mother being beaten to the ground and wailing, her heart ached so much that tears fell like rain.
" Don't hit my mother, mother!" It took her a lot of effort to escape from the person who was holding her. She pounced towards Nian Yu, who was sneering at the side, and knelt in front of her.
"Auntie, I beg you to let my mother go!"Xue 'er, I beg you!" She cried as she grabbed Nianyu's skirt.
" Xue 'er, you go quickly, ah--" Qiao Jun wanted to pounce on her daughter's body but was caught back. A series of punches made her see stars.
"Mother!" Xue 'er cried. "Auntie, I beg you." She grabbed Nianyu's skirt tightly and refused to let go.
"Annoying fellow, don't dirty my dress!”Nian Yu frowned and kicked Yi Xue 'er away.
Yi Xue 'er endured the pain in her body and crawled over without giving up.
She hugged Nianyu's calf tightly and shouted,""Auntie, I will tell Father. Quickly tell people not to hit my mother!”
"Wretched girl, how dare you threaten me!" Nianyu cursed and gave Yi Xue 'er a tight slap.
A slap was not enough to vent her anger. She grabbed Yi Xue 'er's small body and threw her to the side.
There was a row of short trees beside him, and every tree had protruding branches.
Yi Xue 'er was thrown over just like that.
" Ah!" Yi Xue 'er could not open her eyes due to the sharp pain. Her clothes, her skin, her hands and feet, and her pretty face were all cut by the branches.
"Xue 'er, my God!" Seeing Yi Xue 'er covered in blood, Qiao Jun blacked out on the spot.
Yi Xue 'er had been bedridden for a whole month.
A month later, the injuries on her body and hands and feet had mostly healed, leaving only faint red marks. It was difficult to tell if one did not look carefully.
The doctor said that these scars would gradually fade away, and the best result would be that they would disappear without a trace. It would be impossible to tell that they had been injured.
There was only one wound that the doctors could not do anything about, and that was the wound on Yi Xue 'er's left cheek.
The wounds on Yi Xue 'er's face were the deepest and the most serious. She had also lost too much blood and her life was in danger. It was not easy to save her life now. Compared to breaking, life was always more important.
After another month, the wound on Xue 'er's face finally healed. However, the scar on her face had not disappeared.
Apart from Nianyu and her daughter, everyone in the Yi family felt sorry for Yi Xue 'er.
Although the scar wasn't long, it was a shocking sight on her snow-white face.
On her originally fair and flawless face, there was a deep red scar on her left cheekbone, from the corner of her eye to the height of her upper lip. It made a little girl who was only eight years old and already stunningly beautiful lose her original beauty. No one would praise her beauty anymore. Words such as horror and ugliness followed her closely because of this scar.
For the past two months, Qiao Jun had been crying almost every night.
"Daughter, mother has treated you badly!" She hugged Yi Xue 'er and cried bitterly.
It was fine if this scar was on a boy's face, but if a girl had this on her face, it would harm her for the rest of her life!
"Mother is useless. Mother didn't protect you well.”Her trembling hand touched Yi Xue 'er's left cheek, which was no longer beautiful. Tears of pain fell on Yi Xue' er's face.
"Mother, don't cry." Of course, Yi Xue 'er knew what her mother was sad about. Although she was also sad, she still put on a smile and tried her best to comfort her mother.
She knew how much this scar had affected her. His sister Die 'er laughed at her for being ugly, for being a ghost, for being a hag. Her father, who had always doted on her, shook his head and sighed when he saw her. There were also the expressions of pity and fear on the faces of the servants when they saw her. She saw all of this and felt very uncomfortable.
However, she could not cry in front of her mother. Her mother was already sad enough. She could only hide all her pain and face her mother with a smile.
"Daughter!" Qiao Jun's tears couldn't stop because she felt that she had let down her only flesh and blood." My poor child, Mother wanted to protect you so much, but…"
"Mother, I said I'm fine! Don't cry, if you cry, Xue 'er will cry too.”Yi Xue 'er choked.
What a sensible child!" Qiao Jun hugged Yi Xue 'er tightly, as if he was hugging her with all his life.
"Xue 'er, you are still young. Mother knows that you might not understand, but Mother still wants to say it.”Qiao Jun cupped Yi Xue 'er's fair little face and said,""Look at mother, it's a tragedy. Not only can she not protect herself, she can't even protect you! When you grow up, don't be like a mother, understand?”
Yi Xue 'er widened her watery eyes and asked in confusion,""Mother, why can't I be like you when I grow up?”
Isn't it good to be like your mother? Mother is beautiful and gentle! That was what the servants said about their mothers.
Qiao Jun smiled sadly." What's so good about being like your mother? If she wanted status, she had no status. What was the use of having beauty?”
She grabbed Yi Xue 'er's tiny arm and shook her hard.
"Xue 'er, did you hear me clearly? When you grow up, don't be like your mother and become someone else's concubine. You have to become someone else's wife, do you hear me?”Qiao Jun's eyes were sharp, and her stern tone gave people a great sense of oppression.
"Mother." Yi Xue 'er couldn't help but feel afraid. Where did that gentle and kind mother go? She realized that she didn't know this mother who could make people feel afraid.
"Hurry up, hurry up and agree to Mother!" Seeing that Yi Xue 'er did not respond, Qiao Jun shook her again.
"I agree, mother, I agree.”
"Xue 'er!" Qiao Jun was relieved. She hugged her daughter tightly and whispered,""Xue 'er won't be like mother. Xue' er will find someone who loves Xue 'er. Xue' er will live a very happy, very happy life.”
"Mother!"
"Xue 'er, you must remember this." Qiao Jun returned to her original gentle and loving Qiao Jun. She said softly to her daughter,"No matter what others say or laugh at you, just ignore them. You have to believe that you are beautiful. You are the most beautiful and cute girl in the world, understand?”
"Yes." Yi Xue 'er nodded vigorously. Although she was a little confused by her mother's words, as long as it was what her mother said, she would believe it. Her mother would not lie to her.
Nine years passed in a flash. Yi Xue 'er was already 17 years old.
When Yi Xue 'er was thirteen years old, her beloved mother fell ill and left her alone in another world.
Without her mother to rely on, her days in the Yi family were even more miserable.
Although her father treated her well, the one who made the decision in the Yi family was not Yi Mengsheng, but Nianyu. Once Qiao Jun died, she became Nianyu's only thorn in her side.
Although she was a young miss, no one served her. Not only that, Nianyu would assign her the work that the servants could not finish and order her around like a servant.
Although Yi Mengsheng was aware of this situation, he could only watch Yi Xue 'er suffer.
Although life was tough, Yi Xue 'er never complained. Ever since she was young, her personality had always been gentle and obedient. Other than Nianyu and her daughter, everyone in the Yi family could not help but like her.
Although her face was flawed, in the eyes of those who liked Yi Xue 'er, she was still the most beautiful, just like her flawless right face.
She was clearly an ugly woman, yet so many people liked her! This was the main reason why Nianyu and Yi Die 'er disliked Yi Xue' er.
Yi Die 'er, who shared the same father as Yi Xue' er, did not understand. She was clearly prettier than Yi Xue 'er, so why did the servants treat Yi Xue' er better than her?
It was fine if the servants were blind, but who knew that Yuqi, whom she admired, would also be attracted to that disfigured woman.
Yu Qi was the only son of Yu Xiu, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, who was now heavily valued by the emperor. At the age of 21, he had a good impression of Yi Die 'er and often visited the Yi family.
As Yuqi was the descendant of an official, he was an extremely important figure to the Yi family who was only a commoner. Although Yi Die 'er was not yet 16 years old, Nianyu intended to betroth Yi Die' er to Yuqi so that the Yi family could climb up the social ladder and increase their reputation and power in the capital.
It would be best if Yi Mengsheng could also get an official position so that she could enjoy the pleasure of being an official's wife.
Yuqi was the son of an official, and he looked decent. Nianyu liked him, and Yi Die 'er also hoped to be with him.
Everything was going smoothly, but the thorn in their side had come out at this time to disrupt the situation.
Because she thought that Yi Xue 'er's disfigured face would scare away the guests, she was not allowed to appear in the main hall of her house when there were guests.
Who knew that Tian Yuqi had waited in the hall for Yi Die 'er, who was still dressing up, for too long. He was impatient and came to the Yi family's back garden to stroll.
Coincidentally, he saw Yi Xue 'er picking flowers in the back garden.
Yuqi was shocked at first, but after taking a closer look, his surprise turned into a sigh.
What a pity! If not for that scar, this would be the most beautiful and refined face he had ever seen.
Yi Xue 'er did not realize that there was someone behind her. She was focused on picking flowers until she saw a black shadow falling under her feet.
She hurriedly looked up. The strange man who appeared in front of her shocked her so much that she let out a low cry. Then, she turned around and ran.
"Miss, please wait a moment." Yuqi's tall body blocked in front of her and he said apologetically,""Sorry, I scared you. I'm Yuqi, yes."
"I know you're Die 'er's friend. I'm sorry, I have to leave!”Butterfly thousands of instructions, Wan told her not to scare her friends, Yi Xue 'er knew that Yi Butterfly valued Yu Qi, Yu Qi saw her face should not be, she had no reason to stay by his side.
"Who are you?" Yuqi began to doubt Yi Xue 'er's identity. Since she was a servant, her clothes were better than a servant's. Moreover, this young girl called Yi Die 'er by her name, which meant that she was definitely not a servant here.
However, if she was not a servant, then who was she? Why had he never seen her after so many visits to the Yi family?
Yi Xue 'er felt uneasy. She had never been stared at by a man for so long!
"I'm sorry, can you please move aside?”She was a little anxious. If Die 'er saw this scene, she would not be able to rest in peace.
Yuqi shook his head." No, I won't let you go unless you tell me your name." He didn't know why, but he just didn't want her to leave.
"Young Master Yuqi, please don't make things difficult for me.”
"Yeah, Yuqi, don't make things difficult for others!”
Yi Die 'er's sudden appearance startled Yi Xue' er. Seeing Yi Die 'er's reproachful eyes, she lowered her head and hurriedly ran away from Yu Qi.
"Miss," Yu Qi called out. He ran forward to chase after her.
"Yuqi!" Yi Die 'er was about to go crazy. The moment she arrived, she saw the two of them facing each other and talking about something. Now, her sweetheart was actually going to chase that ugly woman!
"Don't chase after her. She doesn't want to talk to you. Don't you know that?”
Yu Qi stopped chasing and asked Yi Die 'er,""Who is she to you? Your sister?"
"Hmph, I don't have such an unpresentable sister!”Yi Die 'er's face was filled with disdain.
" Die 'er?" Yu Qi was surprised by Yi Die' er's attitude. How could Die 'er, who had always been gentle, have such an expression?
"No, no!" Yi Die 'er found that Yu Qi's expression was not right. She explained guiltily,""Her name is Xue 'er, the daughter of my father's concubine. She's older than me by a year.”
"That's your half-sister!”
Yi Die 'er nodded helplessly. In order not to make Yuqi unhappy, she had to admit it.
"Since she's your sister, why haven't I heard you mention her before?”Yuqi asked again.
"Because she doesn't want me to mention her in front of you!”Yi Die 'er pushed all the responsibility to Yi Xue' er. "You've seen her face. She has a very low self-esteem! She was afraid that it would ruin my image in your heart, so she didn't let me tell you about her existence.”
"I see!" Yuqi looked in the direction where Yi Xue 'er had left and muttered to himself,""She's overthinking. Why would I look down on her? I just feel that it's a pity."
"A pity?"
"Yes, I am!" Yuqi, who was deep in thought, not only did his eyes not look at Yi Die 'er, but his heart also seemed to not be on her.
"If it weren't for that scar," he muttered,"I can't imagine how beautiful she would be.”
Yi Die 'er glared at Yu Qi. She was so angry that she didn't want to talk anymore.
"Mother, what do you think I should do?" After Yuqi left, Yi Die 'er immediately went to her room to cry to her mother.
"That little slut, I knew she was as cheap as her mother!”After Nian Yu scolded Yi Xue 'er, she hugged her crying daughter and comforted her,""Don't cry, don't cry. Don't think too much! They had only met once. How could Yuqi take a fancy to a person like Xue 'er?”
"Mother, you wouldn't know if you weren't there!"Yi Die 'er cried," You didn't see Yuqi's eyes. I've never seen his eyes. They were gentle and affectionate. It was as if there was no one else in his eyes except Xue' er! I don't care! Mother, you must help me, don't let Yuqi be snatched away by the hateful Xue 'er!”
" Mother will naturally help you, but " Nianyu still found it hard to believe her daughter's words. That Yuqi was good-looking and had a good family background. It was really hard to believe that he would like Xue 'er.
However, she would rather believe it than not believe it. Yuqi was her favorite son-in-law candidate. No matter what, she could not let Yi Xue 'er, this little slut, take advantage of this.
"Mother, what should I do?" Yi Die 'er asked her mother for help.
"I think it's better to chase Xue 'er out of the house once and for all!" Nianyu said after thinking for a moment.
Yi Die 'er jumped up happily. "Do you really want to chase Xue 'er away? That was great! However, she thought of her father. "Mother, but father, he…"
"How is he?" Nianyu sneered." I've tolerated this wretched girl for so many years because of him. I'm chasing her away now. If he dares to say a word, I'll fight him to the death!”
She made up her mind and said," Tomorrow, I'll have someone take her away when your father goes out. When he comes back, he'll be long gone. I don't believe he can find that wretched girl!"”#
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