"My Princess Consort

Chapter 12: Rong Huan

She stood there, stunned.

A fine drizzle began to fall, soaking through the clothes she had just dried, sending a cold chill that pierced through her heart, causing her very teeth to tremble.

The six-year-old child’s once clean clothes were now unrecognizable, his small face smudged with dirt. His lips were pale from hunger, and he held out a broken bowl, begging softly with a voice full of plea.

"Big sister, my father is sick. Could you please lend us some money so that my father can see a doctor? My big sister will pay you back when she returns."

"Auntie, could you lend me some money? My father is sick and needs medicine."

"Please, Auntie."

“Oh, poor little thing, how can you be wearing so little in such cold weather?” A woman, moved by pity, helped the frail child up. His thin arms were purple from the cold, pitiful indeed. The woman, who seemed to be struggling herself based on her worn clothes, hesitated before pulling out a few copper coins from her bosom. It was clear that this was all she could spare. “Child, quickly go buy yourself something to eat.”

Rong Huan didn’t understand the value of the money. He put down the bowl, knelt on the ground, and bowed deeply in gratitude before turning and running into a nearby alley with the bowl in his hands.

At the end of the alley, leaning against the wall, sat a man covered with a tattered quilt. Even so, he was still shivering, and from the bloodstained quilt, it was clear he was injured.

Due to the stifling heat, his face couldn’t be clearly seen.

The six-year-old child tried to support the man, but after several attempts, he still couldn’t lift him. With a change of thought, he ran toward the pharmacy. However, just as he took a few steps, he was knocked down by someone, and the money in his hand was rudely snatched away.

“Just a few lousy copper coins, and you think you can buy medicine?”

“Do you even know that medicine is only for the rich? Someone like him should just be wrapped in a mat and thrown into a ravine to feed the wolves. At least he wouldn’t be a waste in death.”

The beggars who had pushed Rong Huan burst into mocking laughter.

“You’re lying! Father won’t die!” Rong Huan glared at them with angry eyes.

“He won’t die? I think he’s almost there. But you, you little brat, claiming to be the young master of the Rong family, saying that when your sister returns, she’ll give us lots of money, and so we gave you our quilts and eating utensils. Hah! I went to check, and the Rong family’s eldest daughter is married to General Shen’s family as the third young mistress. The Rong family’s young master and old master went to one of the Rong family’s estates five days ago to check on this year’s harvest. They’re not in Liu’an City! I think you’re lying!”

“I’m not lying! That’s not my big sister, that’s not her! She’s a fake! We didn’t go to the estate, we didn’t…” Rong Huan cried, trying to explain.

But no one listened to him.

The beggars, growing impatient, grabbed the quilt that was wrapped around Rong Xiuyu and yanked it away, letting the man fall to the ground. Rong Huan quickly ran over to support Rong Xiuyu. His eyes were closed tightly, his back covered with several unhealed sword wounds, oozing pus and blood.

Rong Huan was terrified, crying so hard that his voice became hoarse.

His cries attracted the attention of nearby residents, who began pointing fingers at the beggars.

“Bullying a child and stealing his money—these kids are getting worse and worse.”

“It’s too much. I’ve seen this for several days now. These boys always steal the food from that child’s bowl. Yesterday, they even took the steamed bun someone gave him. Aren’t they afraid of retribution?”

“You kids are just asking for a beating!”

“Good hands and feet, and you’re learning to be beggars!”

“What are you talking about? None of your business!” The lead beggar, embarrassed and angry, cursed back.

But the crowd’s anger was growing, and as they spoke out more, the beggar, now enraged, stormed toward Rong Huan. He raised his hand and viciously slapped at Rong Huan’s head. “I’ll make you stop crying!”