When Mrs. Dai returned to the inner chamber, Pang Cheng fixed his gaze on Hong Mian, not blinking at all: "Isn't Sister Hong Mian deeply valued by your foster mother in Wutong Garden? How could your foster mother bear to part with such a beloved one?"
A flicker of unease crossed Hong Mian's face. She lowered her eyes and sighed mournfully: "It's better not to speak of it."
"Why can't you say it?" Pang Yu pressed.
Hong Mian hesitated: "Everyone has their own karma. I offended Hong Ye, whom the madam brought from her maiden home, and was driven to the needlework room to work for a long time. These days my eyes are almost stitched blind, and my hands are covered with needle pricks. Cui Ming, wanting to vent for her, assigned me endless tasks. The madam favors the two of them, so I just have to endure it."
As she spoke, she stretched out her hand for the twins to see.
