Nuan Nuan woke to Nanny Wang's annoyed voice.
"Miss Nuan, someone awaits you downstairs."
Nuan Nuan's heart skipped a beat, hope swelling.
"Mother?" she whispered, rushing out of bed.
Nanny Wang's expression faltered.
"Miss... It's... Chu Anxin."
Nuan Nuan's smile crumbled.
Downstairs, Chu Anxin smiled sweetly.
"Nuan Nuan, dear sister," Anxin said, eyes gleaming.
Nuan Nuan's anger simmered.
"What do you want, Anxin?"
Anxin's smile widened.
"I came to share the wonderful news."
Her voice dripped with malice.
"Your mother now loves me, Nuan Nuan. I've taken her heart."
Nuan Nuan's eyes stung.
"You lied, manipulated... stole her from me!"
Anxin shrugged.
"Whatever it takes."
Nuan Nuan's mother appeared, her eyes cold.
"Nuan Nuan, I... I don't know you anymore."
Each word cut like thorns.
"You're no longer my daughter."
Nuan Nuan's world shattered.
"Mother, how could you?"
Anxin's laughter echoed.
"You'll never have her love again, Nuan Nuan."
Nuan Nuan's tears fell, her heart torn apart.
Meanwhile, Ling continued her investigation.
Nanny Wang's wariness had waned, allowing Ling to dig deeper.
She befriended a few guards, extracting crucial information.
Guard 4 slurred, drunk:
"Master tortures Miss Nuan every day... just because she looks like Miss Mei."
Ling's curiosity piqued.
"Why does he keep Miss Nuan if he despises Miss Mei?"
Guard 3 leaned in:
"I heard Miss Mei wanted to leave him... found another lover."
Guard 4 nodded.
"He killed her."
Ling's eyes narrowed.
Guard 4 continued:
"I saw a hidden door in Master's room... while taking files."
Ling's thoughts raced:
"A hidden door... tomorrow, I'll investigate."
She smiled, feigning drunkenness.
"Tell me more, friends."
Guard 3 whispered:
"Master's obsessed with Miss Mei... even after death."
Guard 4 slurred:
"Miss Nuan's resemblance drives him mad."
Ling's determination solidified.
"I must uncover the truth."
Next day, Ling cleaned Master Chen's room.
She searched for the hidden door.
A small keyhole caught her eye.
Ling's heart pounded.
"This could be the breakthrough."
She memorized the keyhole's location.
Tonight, she'd return.
And uncover the secrets within.
---
Ling returned to the hidden door, password memorized.
She entered the secret passage, heart pounding.
Another door led to a room filled with boxes.
Curiosity piqued, Ling opened one.
Female clothes spilled out.
Shock filled her eyes.
"These are Sister Mei's clothes."
Tears welled up.
She opened another box, finding handwritten letters.
Sister Mei's handwriting.
Letters never sent.
Ling's heart ached.
"My dearest Zhong," one letter read.
"I love you more with each passing day."
"Wait patiently for me."
"I'll escape Chenheng's grasp soon."
"I long to be in your arms."
Other letters revealed Sister Mei's desperation.
"I'm trapped, Zhong."
"Chenheng's obsession grows."
"I'll find a way out."
"Yours always, Mei."
Ling's eyes stung.
Sister Mei's love story unfolded.
A tale of longing, trapped love.
Chenheng's true nature revealed.
A monster, hiding behind wealth.
Ling's determination solidified.
Justice for Sister Mei.
Freedom for Nuan Nuan.
She carefully replaced the letters.
Memorized key points.
Escaped the secret room.
Mind racing with plans.
She immediately went out to report to Li Jin