“What method?” Lin Siqiong asked curiously.
After all these years, the Marchioness had never doubted her origins. Why would she suddenly claim to have found her biological daughter?
The Marchioness sighed and looked at Lin Yu. “Yu’er, roll up the sleeve on your right arm.”
Lin Yu, with his usual casual demeanor, lazily rolled up the sleeve on his right arm, revealing his sturdy forearm.
On the inner side of his forearm, there was a distinct birthmark shaped like a red plum blossom.
“All members of the Lin Family’s direct lineage have a red plum birthmark on the inner side of their right arm. Your father had one too.
Siqiong, when you were born, there was no plum blossom birthmark on your arm. I thought it was just an occasional anomaly and didn’t pay it much mind.
But just the day before yesterday, on my way back from an outing, I encountered Tingwan. At the time, she saved a child who was nearly hit by a carriage, and her sleeve was torn. I saw the plum blossom birthmark on her arm and noticed her resemblance to me—about fifty percent. That’s when I realized there might be more to the story from all those years ago, so I sent someone to investigate.
Although the matter hasn’t been fully clarified yet, and not everyone involved back then has been found, we must bring Tingwan and her daughter home first.”
At this point, the Marchioness’s eyes grew moist again.
Yu Youniang raised her hand, exposing her right arm, and pointed to the plum blossom pattern on the inner side. “Grandmother, is this the flower? Youniang used to think it was drawn on, but no matter how much I washed it, it wouldn’t come off!”
The Marchioness was amused by Yu Youniang’s innocent words. “Of course it’s not drawn on—it’s something you’re born with. Although others in the world might have similar birthmarks, the Lin Family’s red plum birthmark has deeper red lines in the center, faintly forming the character ‘Lin’…”
Before she could finish, the Marchioness saw Yu Youniang walk over to Lin Yu, earnestly stretching her arm toward his.
Lin Yu looked at Yu Youniang, puzzled and slightly impatient. “Little girl, what are you doing?”
“Grandmother said our birthmarks are exactly the same. I’m comparing mine with Uncle’s! What if we’ve mistaken him for someone else?”
Lin Yu grew intrigued and crouched down, placing his arm side by side with Yu Youniang’s.
Their arms were starkly different—one thick and one slender, one dark and one fair, one long and one short.
Yet, in the same spot, there was an identical red plum birthmark.
The Marchioness also walked over and pointed to the center of the two plum blossoms. “Youniang, look closely. Isn’t there a ‘Lin’ character here?”
Yu Youniang examined it carefully. “There really is! Now I won’t be afraid of mistaking him! This is my uncle!”
Lin Siqiong and Lin Ruoli exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.
Yu Youniang’s actions had effectively cemented Yu Tingwan’s identity. From now on, it would be impossible to cast doubt on Yu Tingwan’s origins.
Yu Youniang stood up and walked back to Yu Tingwan, taking her hand.
“Mother, I’ve checked. We weren’t tricked!”
The Marchioness was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
She had thought Yu Youniang was afraid of mistaking her uncle, but it turned out the little girl was worried about being deceived. What an interesting child.
Lin Yu stood up and snorted, "With how destitute you are, what's there to fear about being deceived? This is Yong'an Marquis Manor. What could you possibly have that's worth the Marquis Manor deceiving you for?"
Yu Youniang touched the red pom-pom hair accessory on her head and said cheerfully, "Oh, there's plenty!"
"Tch."
Lin Yu turned his head away. "Mother, is there nothing else for me here? Can I go out now? I've already made plans to go hunting with someone!"
"Yu'er, your eldest sister has just returned. Our family should have a meal together—"
"She's already back. When can't we have that meal? I made plans with the young prince and the crown prince. Am I supposed to break my promise for her?"
Marquis Yong'an stood up at this point. "Yu'er is right. One must keep their word. You may go."
Only then did Lin Yu smile with satisfaction, but he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he looked at Lin Ruoli. "Li'er, the crown prince is also going hunting today. Is there anything you need your uncle to bring to him?"
Lin Ruoli blinked, pursing her lips into a smile. "Uncle, there's no need. Tomorrow, when I go to the Imperial Academy, I'll give it to Crown Prince Brother myself."
"Alright, then your uncle will take his leave first. I'll hunt a few extra red foxes, and when winter comes, I'll make you a fiery red cloak!"
Hearing this, Lin Ruoli's little face tensed. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to speak up. "Uncle should give it to her instead! Li'er doesn't want to take what belongs to others."
Lin Yu's expression instantly turned cold. "Nonsense! This is specially for Li'er! Don't worry, Li'er. In your uncle's heart, you are the most important. No one can take away your uncle's affection for you!"
"But—"
"No buts!" Lin Yu interrupted Lin Ruoli. "This is your uncle's decision, and no one can change it!"
Lin Siqiong chided Lin Yu with a reproachful look. "Speak properly! Why be so harsh? You'll scare Li'er again!"
Only then did Lin Yu smile. "Sister is right to scold me. I was wrong. I won't do it again in the future. Then I'll take my leave now."
As he passed by Yu Tingwan and Yu Youniang, Lin Yu didn't spare them a glance but snorted coldly.
Yu Tingwan tightened her grip on Yu Youniang's hand, her eyes slightly stinging.
She and Youniang never said they wanted it. Why did he have to act like this?
Yu Youniang looked up, her face filled with confusion as she gazed at Yu Tingwan. "Mother, is a fox fur cloak such a rare thing? Why are they passing it back and forth like this?"
Hearing this, Lin Siqiong glanced disdainfully at Yu Youniang. Truly a child raised in a remote, impoverished place, completely unaware of the value of a fox fur cloak.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard Yu Tingwan's soft, delicate voice.
"Mother doesn't know why they're passing it back and forth either, but a fox fur cloak isn't really a rare thing. You have several yourself, but you don't like wearing them, so they're all piled up in a corner gathering dust."
Yu Tingwan's voice was soft, sweet, and delicate, matching her exquisite appearance and fair skin. She seemed as fragile as a snow lotus that needed careful nurturing.
Even though Yu Youniang was already so grown, Yu Tingwan looked like an unmarried young woman. Her skin was incredibly smooth, without a single fine line at the corners of her eyes, and her gaze was clear and pure.
The more Lin Siqiong looked, the more alarmed and furious she became.
Despite being the same age and having grown up in the Marquis Manor with every luxury, meticulously cared for all along, why does she now look several years older than Yu Tingwan?
And what did Yu Tingwan mean by those words?
A fox fur cloak left in a corner gathering dust?
With their shabby appearance, have they ever even seen a fox fur cloak?
If you want to puff yourself up at your own expense, at least weigh your boasts carefully—don’t make a fool of yourself!
After hearing Yu Tingwan’s words, Yu Youniang nodded her little head and, the next moment, said with a smile, “Then I’ll give all my fox fur cloaks to Li’er!”