Grandmother
The servants in the estate were most adept at gauging the wind and adjusting their sails. In her previous life, because she had foolishly failed to understand the implications behind their words, she had been mistreated under various pretexts.
In this life, Yu Shuwan naturally would not allow herself to suffer any grievances.
Without showing any change in expression, she freed her hand from Yu Guiwan’s grasp and stood in place, looking at Yu Fangyi with a faint, ambiguous smile. “Do I need to worry about being driven away when returning to my own home?”
“This is your home. You’re overthinking it.”
Yu Fangyi hadn’t considered it that deeply. “Why are you still standing here? Didn’t you say you were tired on the way?”
“But I still need to clarify things.”
Yu Shuwan’s expression was remarkably composed. “Didn’t you say I was the one who was switched at birth? Then I should be the daughter of the Houfu (Marquis Estate). But this young lady… oh, sister—this sister makes it sound as if I’m just here for a short stay.
I’ve seen Liu Chunlan always fawn on the powerful and trample on the weak, cursing those relatives who come to freeload. Although the Houfu is a prestigious and noble household, I’m still afraid there might be someone as ungrateful as Liu Chunlan who thinks I’m just a relative and tries to bully me.”
The servants immediately felt a chill run down their spines. Exchanging glances, their eyes were filled with shock and uncertainty: Could this be the young lady who was switched at birth?
The Marquis only has one daughter. Doesn’t that mean…
They secretly gasped in astonishment, but hadn’t the young lady hinted to them that the one coming to the estate was merely a distant relative of Su Jintang?
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Su Jintang couldn’t help but scold her. “Your sister was kindly trying to make you feel at ease, and you dare twist her words!”
Yu Guiwan, at this moment, also appeared flustered and helpless. “I—I don’t know why my sister would think that way. I didn’t mean it…”
Before she could finish speaking, tears welled up in Yu Guiwan’s eyes. Her fragile, delicate appearance made her seem pitiable and endearing.
“Why are you crying? Didn’t I say it? I’m just afraid some clueless people might act recklessly.”
Yu Shuwan said kindly, “Look, I’m the one afraid of being bullied, and I’m not even crying.”
Yu Guiwan felt as if something was stuck in her throat.
This was completely different from what she had imagined!
A trace of irritation stirred in Yu Guiwan’s heart. She had no idea how Liu Chunlan had handled things, allowing Yu Fangyi to bring this person back. And that Doctor Fang too.
After all this back and forth, not a single one of them was reliable!
“Although your birth mother, Liu Chunlan, is no good, I believe you’re a good shoot growing from a bad bamboo.”
These words were like a bombshell. Yu Guiwan could instantly feel everyone’s gazes piercing through her.
Su Jintang, both shocked and furious, quickly shielded Yu Guiwan in her arms and ordered everyone to keep quiet and disperse.
Yu Shuwan looked somewhat innocent. “Did I say anything wrong? Why are you glaring at me like that, Mother?”
“You!”
Su Jintang wanted to say something but heard Yu Guiwan call out to her tearfully, “Mother, am I not your daughter?”
Yu Shuwan chuckled inwardly.
As expected, once everything was laid bare, Yu Guiwan immediately began clamoring for her status.
Watching Su Jintang and Yu Fangyi continuously comfort Yu Guiwan, Yu Shuwan knew she had been overlooked once again.
But she couldn’t be bothered to care. Instead, she briskly walked away along a small path nearby.
Yu Fangyi noticed Yu Shuwan leaving, but at this moment, he truly had no time to attend to her.
The sight of Yu Guiwan crying her heart out filled him with guilt, and he felt increasingly displeased with Yu Shuwan’s blunt and straightforward words earlier.
As for Su Jintang, her eyes were only on Yu Guiwan.
“Don’t cry anymore. Whether you are my biological daughter or not, you are the most important in my heart.”
Su Jintang, her eyes red, comforted Yu Guiwan, “Tomorrow, I will go beg the old lady. I will definitely not let you suffer any injustice.”
Yu Guiwan sniffled, “But what about younger sister…”
“You actually…”
Remembering Yu Shuwan’s words from earlier, Su Jintang’s face darkened, wanting to reprimand her, only to find that the spot where Yu Shuwan had been standing just moments ago was now empty.
A gentle breeze blew by, leaving only the rustling sound of leaves.
Yu Shuwan, who had finally been remembered, had long since followed the memories of her past life to a quiet courtyard. Looking at the bold and vigorous characters “Changhong Courtyard,” she felt her eyes grow slightly sore.
This was where her grandmother, who had protected her for a lifetime in her previous life, lived!
In her past life, she had faced hardships everywhere. Although her grandmother was frustrated by her lack of ambition, she still did her utmost to raise and educate her.
If it hadn’t been for her grandmother later catching a cold, lingering on her sickbed before passing away, she would never have married He Huaixin, nor would the events that followed have occurred.
But Yu Shuwan later learned that it was because Yu Guiwan despised their grandmother and deliberately tampered with her medicine, causing her health to deteriorate further.
Her heart aching with sorrow, Yu Shuwan held back the tears that threatened to fall, her gaze growing increasingly resolute.
In this life, she would definitely protect those she cared about!
“Who’s there?”
A voice startled Yu Shuwan. She looked up and met the somewhat stern face of a woman.
This was Zhi Qiu, the maid by her grandmother’s side, who had served her faithfully for a lifetime.
Before Yu Shuwan could think of what to say, she heard a voice tinged with laughter, “The Marquis returned today. Who do you think it might be?”
Zhi Qiu realized, “It’s the young lady. This servant greets the young lady.”
Yu Shuwan had no time to look at her, her eyes fixed intently on Grandmother Yu behind her.
Memories surged like a tide, flooding her eyes. At this moment, she couldn’t utter a single word.
“What’s wrong, child?”
Grandmother Yu found it strange, but at first glance, she knew this was a child of the Yu family, her expression gentle.
Yu Shuwan hastily wiped her tears and stepped forward, kneeling down.
“Your granddaughter is unfilial, unable to bring joy to your knees. Now that I have returned, I will serve you well from now on!”
“How do you know who I am?”
“On the way back, Father told me about the family situation. I am foolish, but upon seeing your dignified bearing, I realized you must be Grandmother.”
Grandmother Yu stepped forward, helped her up, and teased, “Zhi Qiu, look at this girl. She keeps calling herself foolish, but I see nothing but cleverness.”
“This servant thinks so too. The young lady bears some resemblance to you in your youth.”
Feeling Grandmother Yu’s strength and warmth, Yu Shuwan could no longer hold back her tears. All her fears and the relief of having regained what was lost turned into tears.
Grandmother Yu was startled at first, then led her into the room, quietly waiting for her to finish crying.
After what felt like an eternity, Yu Shuwan finally sniffled, somewhat embarrassed, and said, “Grandmother must find this amusing.”
“You’ve suffered a lot of hardships before, haven’t you?”
Hearing these words, Yu Shuwan nearly burst into tears again, but she forced them back and smiled, “It’s all in the past now.”
Grandmother Yu sighed, “It was the Yu family who wronged you back then. From now on, if there is anything, just tell your grandmother. I will stand up for you.”