Despite the overwhelming mix of irritation, gloom, and complexity in her heart, the Marquess's Wife was like a mute tasting bitter herbs—unable to voice her bitterness. No matter how much distress she felt, she had to maintain the dignified composure befitting the mistress of the marquess's household.
Turning her gaze toward Xie Mianmian, she forced a touch of warmth into her eyes and repeatedly exclaimed, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Choosing her words carefully, the Marquess's Wife tried to keep her tone as gentle as possible. "You must be exhausted from the journey. Go and rest first. I'll have someone tidy up a courtyard for you. You silly child, how could you trouble Nanny Qi to escort you back? If you need anything later, just say the word, and I'll have Steward Hu arrange it."
She truly never expected this child, who had been missing for ten years, to return alive!
Back when the child went missing, the marquess's household had searched everywhere but found nothing.
Later, they heard that several children had gone missing during the Lantern Festival that day—kidnapped by traffickers.
How heartbroken she had been then! How could her delicate, pampered daughter endure being sold by traffickers to those filthy, impoverished places?
Later, later…
Later, she gained a new daughter—obedient, well-behaved, and skilled at pleasing her—and she gradually came to accept the fact that her missing daughter could not be found.
Because of this new daughter, the marquess's household had encountered several strokes of good fortune in recent years, gaining much-needed support at critical moments.
She even began to think that perhaps Heaven had taken pity on her, exchanging one daughter for another and bringing blessings to the marquess's household.
That missing daughter might have long since perished in some unknown place.
As for the daughter by her side…
Thinking of her beloved, doted-upon daughter, the Marquess's Wife couldn't help but grow anxious. "I must go and see your younger sister. She's been feeling tightness in her chest these past few days, and even after taking medicine, she hasn't improved."
"Younger sister?" Xie Mianmian asked with a hint of curiosity. "In the ten years I was gone, did Mother not only give birth to a younger brother but also a younger sister?"
"Your younger sister isn't my biological child, but she's as dear to me as one."
Mentioning her well-behaved daughter, the Marquess's Wife's eyes filled with affection. "She came to the household only after you went missing. Thanks to her, I was able to move past the pain of losing you. Over the years, she has fulfilled your filial duties by our side and helped the marquess's household thrive. You must treat her well too."
"Madam! Something terrible has happened!"
A maid stumbled over, tears streaming down her face. "Madam! The Eldest Young Miss is in trouble!"
"What's happened to Yu'er?" The Marquess's Wife's face was etched with anxiety, her voice trembling with panic. "Has her chest pain flared up again? With the autumn dryness these past few days, I told her to rest indoors, but she wouldn't listen…"
The maid's words came out in broken fragments: "Madam, the Eldest Young Miss… she… she wants to take her own life!"
"What?!" The Marquess's Wife's voice rose sharply, the color draining from her face.
"Explain clearly! How could Yu'er, who was perfectly fine, suddenly want to take her own life? Has someone bullied her? Has any of you neglected her?"
"It's… it's because…" The maid suddenly lifted her head and glared at Xie Mianmian standing nearby, her eyes filled with grief and indignation. "The Eldest Young Miss heard that the missing young lady has returned to the household. She believes she should no longer occupy the position of the marquess's daughter. Earlier, she even caused the young master to be beaten, and now she fears upsetting the young lady and bringing trouble upon you and the master…"
"My poor child! How could you be so foolish!" Upon hearing this, the Marquess's Wife's legs gave way. If not for the quick reflexes of the nanny behind her, who caught her by the waist, she would have collapsed to the ground.
She clutched her chest, tears streaming down like broken beads, filled with both pity for Xie Siyu and resentment toward Xie Mianmian. "My Yu'er has always been soft-hearted, crying for half a day even if she accidentally steps on an ant. How could she endure such pressure? Quick! Call the house physician! Have Physician Liu bring the best medicines! If Yu'er suffers even the slightest harm, I won't spare any of you!"
Staggering forward a few steps, she suddenly turned and glared at Xie Mianmian, the "culprit," her gaze like venom-tipped silver needles piercing the ever-calm Xie Mianmian.
All the accumulated awkwardness, the shame of failed flattery, and the current panic instantly found an outlet.
"Are you happy now? Xie Mianmian! You've just returned to the manor and already can't settle down—do you have to drive your sister to her death to be satisfied? If anything happens to her, even if I have to risk my old life, I will never forgive you!"
At this moment, the Marquess's Wife's entire focus was on Xie Siyu, and she could no longer care about anything else.
She no longer paid any mind to Nanny Qi, lifting her skirt and following the maid who brought the news, rushing toward Xie Siyu's courtyard.
Her pearl hairpins and jade ornaments clattered chaotically, her retreating figure frantic.
Xie Mianmian stood still, her gaze sweeping over the maid who was crying as if "her heart were breaking," then shifting to the Marquess's Wife's face, slightly distorted with anger. Her feelings were indescribably complex.
She hadn't even met this adopted daughter yet—how could she be blamed for her attempted suicide?
Even though His Highness had described the situation she would face upon returning to the manor in his dream, she still harbored a sliver of doubt.
After all, it was just a dream!
She was the legitimate eldest daughter of the marquess's household, the one who had returned after ten years of disappearance.
How could the marquess's household treat her poorly?
But now, the dream was coming true one by one, and that sliver of doubt turned into indifference, as if it were indeed so.
As she pondered, Nanny Qi's somewhat disdainful voice suddenly reached her ears. "Don't panic, Miss. It's just some petty tricks to vie for favor."
She had seen plenty of such tactics in the palace.
This kind of feigned desperation was truly lowly!
Xie Mianmian nodded but quickly followed, her voice unable to hide her curiosity. "Then, Nanny and Lian Qiao, settle into the courtyard. I'll go take a look at the commotion."
To know oneself and know the enemy is the key to victory.
And besides…
His Highness once said that kindness should not be given indiscriminately, but occasionally, it could be extended.
If that person was truly determined to die, she wouldn't mind lending a helping hand out of kindness.