Zhao Zhirou heard the carriage come to a halt, followed by a middle-aged man in official robes stepping down from the vehicle.
Her heart swelled with emotion, her lips trembling several times before she finally cried out:
“Father, I am your true daughter, Zhao Zhirou!”
The Admonishing Official’s gaze fell upon Zhao Zhirou kneeling on the ground upon hearing this exclamation.
When he clearly saw the woman’s face, he couldn’t help but startle.
Her features bore a striking seventy percent resemblance to his wife, Lady Li, particularly in the brows and eyes – they were practically identical.
In his heart, he already believed most of what Xiao Yaozu had said that morning.
The Admonishing Official composed himself and spoke calmly: “You claim to be my daughter. Do you have any proof?”
Upon hearing this, tears instantly welled up in Zhao Zhirou’s eyes as she choked out:
“Father, you were deceived by villains back then. I was actually swapped with another child. All these years, your daughter has endured countless hardships, wandering everywhere, just hoping to find you and be reunited with you.”
“I don’t covet wealth or luxury, I only wish to be recognized by my ancestors and return to your side.”
Listening to Zhao Zhirou’s tearful account, the Admonishing Official felt his heart ache with pity.
Zhao Zhirou wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and continued:
“Now that I’ve seen you, Father, I naturally feel a closeness in my heart. I know this might seem absurd, but I have no evidence or tokens to prove my identity. The only method left is blood testing for kinship.”
The Admonishing Official helped Zhao Zhirou to her feet and invited her inside to continue the discussion.
[Host, they’ve gone inside. Are we going to miss the exciting part?]
[System, can you give me martial arts skills?]
[Host, I’m just a Gossip System, not a High Martial Arts System.]
[What a pity. Let me think of a way.]
As he pondered, Xiao Yaozu’s gaze fell upon Fang Zheng.
“Lord, are you looking at this servant because you have some instructions?”
“Fang Zheng, take me up to that rooftop to get some fresh air.”
“Lord Xiao, that would be against regulations.”
Xiao Yaozu didn’t respond, instead offering a sweet smile.
Fang Zheng surrendered: “Lord, when did you discover that this servant knows martial arts?”
“Sixth sense!” A woman’s sixth sense.
“??? Sixth sense? Is that a martial arts technique Lord Xiao practices?”
“Secret.”
With those words, Fang Zheng grabbed Xiao Yaozu by the collar and lightly landed on the rooftop.
[Host, we have an assistant for our gossip hunting from now on.]
[Hehe, I plan to train him well.]
Fang Zheng felt a sudden chill – who was secretly plotting against him?
Xiao Yaozu stealthily lay prone on the roof tiles, gently shifting a few aside, even cupping one hand behind his ear to hear more clearly…
Zhao Zhirou followed nervously behind the Admonishing Official.
Soon the main participants had gathered in the hall, with both the real and fake daughters present.
[Host, it’s happening! The first confrontation between the real and fake daughters! Who will emerge victorious? Will the Admonishing Official feel more sympathy for his real daughter or care more for the fake one? Host, which do you think it will be…]
The Admonishing Official once again heard Xiao Yaozu and the System’s voices. Good heavens, they had even infiltrated his home.
Where were they?
Suddenly sensing a gaze from above, the Admonishing Official identified Xiao Yaozu’s hiding spot but chose not to expose him.
Fine, let him stay there.
Lady Li was also stunned when she saw Zhao Zhirou’s face: “Husband, why does this child look so much like me?”
The Admonishing Official replied: “Wife, this child claims she is our true daughter, and that Fei’er is someone else’s child.”
“How could this be?!” Lady Li seemed unwilling to believe it, thinking the Admonishing Official was joking.
Zhao Fei’er stood nearby with a pale face, looking terrified as she walked over to Lady Li.
“Mother, this isn’t true, right? I am your child, aren’t I?”
Lady Li comfortingly patted Zhao Fei’er’s hand: “Don’t be afraid, Fei’er. Mother is here.”
Zhao Fei’er glanced sideways at Zhao Zhirou.
Witnessing the deep mother-daughter bond across from her, Zhao Zhirou couldn’t help but clench her hands beneath her sleeves, her eyes unable to conceal their resentment.
[It seems this matter doesn’t just depend on the Admonishing Official. His wife Lady Li also appears somewhat unable to accept this.]
The Admonishing Official immediately looked at his wife’s expression – indeed, she didn’t look well.
Was she dissatisfied with this daughter?
But this daughter was her biological child.
He hadn’t had time to tell his wife before the daughter showed up at their doorstep, catching him completely unprepared.
“Someone bring a bowl over.”
“My lord, what are you going to do?” Lady Li looked at the Admonishing Official in confusion.
“Madam, to determine whether she’s our child, we need to perform a blood test.”
“But…” Before Lady Li could finish, she caught the Admonishing Official’s glance and swallowed her remaining words.
Clutching Zhao Fei’er’s hand tightly, she thought – if Fei’er wasn’t her daughter… how helpless and sad Fei’er would be.
She had raised this child herself, and no one understood better than her how well-behaved and sensible Fei’er was.
“Don’t be afraid, Fei’er. It might just be that your father made a mistake.”
Zhao Zhirou hadn’t spoken since entering, quietly standing by the Admonishing Official’s side.
She took the knife from the servant and dripped blood into the bowl first, then looked at the Admonishing Official with expectant eyes.
At this moment, she understood that whether she could return to this family depended on the man before her.
Feeling Zhao Zhirou’s gaze, the Admonishing Official looked over and saw the child’s timid appearance, then also dripped blood into the bowl.
Everyone’s eyes fell upon the bowl as the two drops of blood gradually merged!
This scene shocked everyone. Lady Li widened her eyes in disbelief at the merging blood drops in the bowl, while Zhao Fei’er turned as pale as paper, her body trembling slightly.
The Admonishing Official felt mixed emotions – shock and anger. Whoever swapped his child was doomed.
A flicker of joy and anticipation passed through Zhao Zhirou’s eyes, her lips trembling slightly as if she had countless words but didn’t know where to begin.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yaozu and the System on the roof were watching with great interest.
[Host, this plot is getting more and more exciting.]
[I always felt it wasn’t simple. This Zhao Fei’er gives me a strange feeling, as if she knew all along that she wasn’t the Admonishing Official’s child.]
[Host, you were right. Zhao Fei’er knew several years ago that she wasn’t the Admonishing Official’s child, and moreover…]
And what?
You’re speaking too softly. Where’s that loud voice you use in Jinluan Hall?
The Admonishing Official wished he could pull Xiao Yaozu down to hear the rest.
Just then, Zhao Fei’er suddenly threw herself into Lady Li’s arms, crying loudly: “Mother, I don’t want to leave you. I am your daughter.”
Lady Li held her tightly, heartbroken, and looked at the Admonishing Official:
“My lord, could this method be inaccurate? Fei’er grew up with us since childhood. I simply can’t believe she’s not our biological daughter.”
Until they made Zhao Fei’er also drip blood, and the blood drops failed to merge.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense.
The Admonishing Official took Zhao Zhirou’s hand: “Child, you’ve suffered. It’s your father who failed you.”
“Father.” Zhao Zhirou called out softly, gazing at the Admonishing Official with filial devotion.
He was the only one in this household who welcomed her.
“Master, what about Fei’er?” Lady Li felt torn between the child she had raised and the newly discovered daughter of her own blood.
The Admonishing Official’s stance was clear: “Madam, this child is our true daughter.”
Lady Li couldn’t accept this immediately, avoiding Zhao Zhirou’s gaze with some unease.
Seeing that the Admonishing Official had made his decision, Zhao Fei’er’s eyes shifted cunningly as she spoke in a sorrowful voice:
“Father, Mother, your daughter thanks you for years of nurturing grace. Now that elder sister has been found, I have no face to remain in the Zhao household…” She broke into sobs before finishing her sentence…
The Admonishing Official glanced at Zhao Fei’er but remained silent.
Before learning his daughter was an imposter, he hadn’t intended to expel her from the Zhao residence. He never expected Fei’er had known the truth for several years.
The child who had grown up before his very eyes could now lie to his face without batting an eye.
Disappointment was inevitable.
Zhao Fei’er grew uncomfortable under his gaze.
Lady Li quickly interjected: “Fei’er, what nonsense are you speaking? How could Mother let you leave? This will always be your home.”
“Zhirou will be your elder sister from now on. You shall address each other as sisters and get along well. The Zhao residence can certainly support two children.”
The Admonishing Official suddenly spoke sternly: “Fei’er, won’t you tell the truth now?”
Zhao Fei’er trembled all over: “Father, what do you mean? Your daughter doesn’t understand.”
The Admonishing Official didn’t know who the hidden conspirator in the residence was, but he had Xiao Yaozu present.
“Guards, summon everyone from the madam’s courtyard.”
“Yes!”
Soon, the steward matron and servants from Lady Li’s courtyard stood assembled in the yard.
Lady Li was thoroughly confused by her husband’s actions: “Master, what is the meaning of this?”
The Admonishing Official motioned for Lady Li to remain seated.
“Who was present when the madam gave birth years ago?”
An old matron, three servants, and four maids stepped forward.
The Admonishing Official’s gaze swept over the group as he demanded in a grave voice:
“Regarding the child swapping incident during the madam’s delivery years ago, does anyone among you possess knowledge of this? Confess truthfully, and I may show leniency.”
[The Admonishing Official is truly clever, immediately suspecting a mole in the household. System, which person is it?]
The Admonishing Official naturally assumed this—how could someone with years of court experience lack such insight?
[Host, it’s that old matron. Her daughter-in-law gave birth around the same time as Lady Li. A passing Taoist priest suggested that for her granddaughter to survive, she needed to exchange fates. They targeted Lady Li’s family.]
[During the delivery, as Lady Li’s personal matron, she immediately seized the opportunity to swap the babies. Fearful the truth would emerge, she didn’t raise Lady Li’s daughter but instead abandoned her in a river to let the child fend for herself. Eventually, the child was rescued by someone.]
[While out once, the old matron encountered and recognized the grown Zhao Zhirou. She arranged for Zhao Zhirou to become pregnant, intending to ruin her life forever. Unexpectedly, the man who impregnated her was from Wa Country. He investigated Zhao Zhirou’s background and deliberately had Zhao Zhirou seek out the Admonishing Official, planning to later bring the child to claim kinship.]
Wa Country?
A fierce glint flashed in the Admonishing Official’s eyes. It appeared his daughter’s swapping wasn’t a simple matter.
This needed to be reported to His Majesty.
The servants glanced at each other nervously, all bowing their heads: “We know nothing, master.”
One person stole a glance at Zhao Fei’er before quickly lowering their head again.
The Admonishing Official stared at the old matron and said coldly, “Matron Zhang, you’ve long served by my wife’s side. Do you know why you’re here?”
The old matron fell to her knees with a thud. “Master, this humble servant has always been loyal to the mistress, without any disloyalty.”
The Admonishing Official said, “Such unwavering loyalty.”
He waved his hand, and a man and a woman were suddenly brought before Matron Zhang.
“Spare us, my lord! Spare us!”
Upon seeing the couple, Matron Zhang’s face instantly turned pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
The man and woman cried out, “Mother, we can’t endure this any longer. Please confess!”
It turned out they were Matron Zhang’s son and daughter-in-law.
“My lord, it was all my mother’s doing. It has nothing to do with us!”
Betrayed by her own son, Matron Zhang shook all over. Under the Admonishing Official’s stern authority, she could no longer hold out and confessed fully to the baby swap years ago and the subsequent schemes against Zhao Zhirou.
The Admonishing Official turned to Zhao Fei’er. “Fei’er, when did you find out about this?”
Zhao Fei’er’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.
“Father, I… I… Matron Zhang did all this behind my back. I only learned of it later. Please don’t cast me out!”
Lady Li was both shocked and enraged, never expecting the two she trusted most to commit such deeds.
The Admonishing Official sighed.
“Fei’er, though you are not my biological daughter, the years of raising you were genuine. You should not have concealed this.”
Zhao Fei’er sobbed uncontrollably, but her eyes held resentment.
As for Zhao Zhirou, standing to the side, she didn’t know whether to feel joy or sorrow.
“Take them away.”
In her terror, the old matron lost control of her bladder, emitting an embarrassing odor. She pleaded desperately for mercy but was firmly restrained by the servants.
Imperial Study
The Emperor had finished reviewing two piles of memorials when a spy reported Xiao Yaozu’s activities to Eunuch Rong.
After hearing the report, Eunuch Rong hurried over to the Emperor with quick, delighted steps.
“Your Majesty, the spies have brought news of Lord Xiao.”
“Speak.”
The Emperor set down a memorial and shifted his posture, ready to enjoy some gossip.
“Your Majesty, after court, Lord Xiao went to the Admonishing Official’s residence. It’s said the daughter in the Admonishing Official’s household is an imposter.”
“Today, a woman knelt at the Admonishing Official’s gate, claiming she is the true daughter, pitifully adrift for over a decade, and has now returned on her own.”
“According to the shadow guards, the Admonishing Official even conducted a blood test, and the woman’s blood actually merged with his. Right now, Lord Xiao is eavesdropping from the roof of the Admonishing Official’s house.”
“This Xiao Yaozu has quite the nerve, unafraid of being caught by the Admonishing Official’s guards.”
After listening, the Emperor narrowed his eyes. Satisfying his curiosity during work made reviewing memorials less tedious.
“How skilled are the men we sent?”
“Your Majesty, they are top experts from the Tian Group. Ordinary people cannot get near Lord Xiao.”
The Emperor gave a soft hum, and Eunuch Rong bowed and withdrew.
…
The Admonishing Official had one more matter to resolve and summoned Zhao Zhirou to the study.
“Rou’er, we’ve only just been reunited, and there are things I shouldn’t discuss with you today.”
“Father, please speak.”
“Rou’er, with many people around earlier, now it’s just the two of us in the study. Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”
Silence filled the air.
Zhao Zhirou felt somewhat uneasy.
Seeing how her father had immediately punished the wrongdoers and Zhao Fei’er for her sake today, she couldn’t help but be moved.
Thinking of her children and husband at home, a tender expression softened her brow.
“Father, your daughter gave birth to a child while living abroad, and I have found a good man. My husband treats me very well.”
The Admonishing Official nodded slightly, his face showing little surprise.
“I am happy for you. But now that you have returned to the Zhao family, what are your plans for your husband and child?”
Zhao Zhirou bit her lip and said softly, “Father, I wish for my husband and child to have a stable life. Could they also join the Zhao family?”
The Admonishing Official stroked his beard for a moment. “Rou’er, you have not understood my meaning. I am asking how you intend to handle this! Your husband and child.”
Zhao Zhirou’s face turned pale.
“Father never intended to accept my child and husband. Why? Do you look down on me?”
The Admonishing Official said, “Rou’er, one may know a person’s face but not their heart. Do you know… what identity your husband holds? Think carefully.”
He left a bottle of medicine for Zhao Zhirou and had the Steward escort her back to the small courtyard where she had previously rented a room.