“You’re just a worthless girl, yet Hou Manor is throwing you such a lavish Flowing Feast? What gives?!”
Hearing this sour voice, Jiang Xianian in her swaddling clothes struggled to open her eyes.
Sure enough, it was her Nurse Yao Zhaodi.
Jiang Xianian had always felt this nurse harbored hostility toward her, presenting completely different faces in front of her mother Qiao Shi and behind her back.
Unfortunately, Jiang Xianian had just turned one month old today and couldn’t possibly report this detestable nurse to her mother!
Just as Jiang Xianian was fuming with anger, she suddenly felt dizzy as a flood of plotlines rushed into her mind.
She was actually the true heiress in an ancient True and False Heiress story! Nurse Yao Zhaodi, jealous of Hou Manor’s wealth and status and resentful that the young mistress had been doted on since birth, maliciously swapped her own daughter with Jiang Xianian. This allowed her daughter to enjoy luxury in Hou Manor while the true heiress, swapped into her household, would suffer beatings, scoldings, hunger, and cold from infancy, working like an ox yet never having enough to eat!
Jiang Xianian broke out in a cold sweat and immediately started crying at the top of her lungs. Having lived a life of drudgery in her previous existence, she had finally won the reincarnation lottery by being born into Hou Manor – she wasn’t about to go suffer again!
The moment Jiang Xianian began crying, her father Jiang Yucheng (who was entertaining male guests in the outer courtyard) with her three brothers, along with Qiao Shi (hosting female guests in the inner courtyard) and Hou Manor’s eldest daughter Jiang Qianyu, all felt an inexplicable shudder.
“I think I heard little sister crying!”
“I think I heard it too…”
“Maybe we should go check on sister! Her crying is making me feel awful.”
“But if we all go see sister, what about the guests?”
After weighing the situation, Jiang Yucheng in the front hall and Qiao Shi in the rear courtyard simultaneously said: “You (all) stay here with the guests, I’ll go check and return shortly.”
Jiang Xianian’s crying also startled Yao Zhaodi, who immediately snapped viciously: “Stop that crying! You’ll have plenty to cry about later!”
Jiang Xianian could only curse her infant helplessness – if she had even one tooth, she’d bite this nurse to death!
Yao Zhaodi was changing Jiang Xianian’s clothes, stripping off all her pearl-adorned brocade garments. The smaller, less conspicuous gold and jade accessories she simply pocketed.
Her movements were particularly rough and forceful, probably thinking that since she was swapping the children today, any marks on Jiang Xianian would go unnoticed, thus deliberately taking out her frustrations on the infant.
Seeing Jiang Xianian crying so intensely that she might attract the maids outside, Yao Zhaodi quickly pulled out a paper packet from her clothes, dipped her finger in the powder inside, and roughly shoved it into Jiang Xianian’s mouth.
Jiang Xianian nearly choked to death and couldn’t help crying even louder [Aaaah, so disgusting! Yao Zhaodi doesn’t like washing her hands after using the toilet!]
Qiao Shi, who was hurrying toward the courtyard, stumbled at this voice… Who was speaking? Wasn’t Yao Zhaodi the nurse’s name? Could it be Niannian?
Without time to think it through, Qiao Shi had to quicken her pace toward the courtyard.
After crying a few more times, Jiang Xianian began feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Only then did Jiang Xianian realize that Yao Zhaodi had fed her some kind of sedative. Damn her! She was just a one-month-old baby!
Seeing Jiang Xianian’s cries grow fainter until she could barely whimper, Yao Zhaodi nodded in satisfaction. She rewrapped Jiang Xianian tightly in a tattered swaddling cloth until the infant felt she could hardly breathe.
Once prepared, Yao Zhaodi picked up Jiang Xianian and sneaked out stealthily.
With most maids attending to guests in the front halls, few remained in the rear quarters, allowing Yao Zhaodi to proceed smoothly.
Jiang Xianian wanted to attract attention through crying, but her voice had nearly given out.
She strained to keep her eyes open, watching as Yao Zhaodi skillfully avoided everyone while carrying her, finally reaching a small gate in the inner courtyard.
Jiang Xianian knew once they passed through this gate, her fate would be irreversibly altered.
Unable to bear it, Jiang Xianian began struggling, screaming inwardly: [Father! Mother! Save me! Nanny is taking me away to be abused—aaaaah!]
In the front hall, the Old Marquis suddenly trembled, nearly dropping his teacup. What was that sound?
Feeling uneasy, he ordered someone to fetch his son, wanting him to check on their little granddaughter.
Qiao Shi also heard the voice. She confirmed it must be her precious daughter speaking, though she didn’t understand how she could hear it. With her daughter in danger, she had no time to ponder this and simply lifted her skirts to dash forward.
Jiang Yucheng recognized the despair and fear in the scream. His heart pounded wildly, and without another thought, he sprinted toward the rear courtyard.
Due to Jiang Xianian’s struggles, Yao Zhaodi paused mid-step at the threshold and snarled viciously, “You’d better behave! Or you’ll have a miserable life ahead!”
As she spoke, she reached out to pinch Jiang Xianian.
Suddenly, an icy voice sounded behind her: “Who are you planning to make miserable?”
Hearing this, Yao Zhaodi felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, while Jiang Xianian clung to the voice like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline: [Mother! It’s Mother! Mother really came to save me!]
Qiao Shi froze momentarily—was that truly her daughter’s voice?
Caught red-handed, Yao Zhaodi stiffened before forcing a smile: “G-Greetings, Madam… N-No one… This servant was scolding her own daughter! Hehe…”
As Qiao Shi drew closer, Jiang Xianian could see her clearly. The usually dignified and elegant Qiao Shi now had disheveled hairpins and a crooked bun from running.
[See? Only one’s own mother is this good, sob… She rushed to save me—it must be because our hearts are connected!]
Jiang Xianian’s thought softened Qiao Shi’s heart, while Yao Zhaodi’s flustered excuses fueled her anger: “Give me my daughter!”
Yao Zhaodi continued pretending: “Wh-What young miss? This is this servant’s daughter! The young miss is still sleeping in her room!”
She even showed Qiao Shi the shabby swaddling clothes in her arms.
[Aaaaah! Mother, don’t be fooled! I really am your daughter!] Jiang Xianian clenched her tiny fists, wishing she could punch Yao Zhaodi for lying even when caught.
Qiao Shi said sternly, “Give her to me!”
Yao Zhaodi hadn’t expected Qiao Shi to completely ignore her lies and insist on the child. Panic set in.
She knew kidnapping a noble’s child meant certain death—but she didn’t want to die!
In desperation, she realized Qiao Shi was alone. She couldn’t let herself be captured!
So Yao Zhaodi steeled her heart, hugged Jiang Xianian, and turned to run outside.
Jiang Xianian was dumbfounded, and Qiao Shi hadn’t expected Yao Zhaodi to attempt an escape either. She hastily lifted her skirts and gave chase, shouting as she ran, “Help! Someone, help! The wet nurse has stolen the young miss!”
Unfortunately, the route was one Yao Zhaodi had planned many days in advance, deliberately choosing a secluded area with few people. No matter how loudly Qiao Shi shouted, no one came.
Jiang Xianian, jostled until she felt dizzy, couldn’t help but think, Maybe Mother should stop chasing. Yao Zhaodi’s man is waiting outside. What if they harm Mother together?
Hearing Jiang Xianian’s thoughts, Qiao Shi’s tears welled up. Her daughter was so young, yet she already cared for her mother. Such a good child—she would never allow Yao Zhaodi to steal her away!
Fired up, Qiao Shi took off one of her embroidered shoes and hurled it at Yao Zhaodi.
Yao Zhaodi was struck on the back of her head by the pearl on the shoe, stumbled, and fell forward.
Seeing Jiang Xianian flung from Yao Zhaodi’s arms, Qiao Shi’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest: “Niannian—”
Jiang Xianian felt herself soaring through the air and couldn’t resist whistling inwardly, Woo-hoo~ I’m free!
Just as Jiang Xianian thought she would crash to the ground, likely ending up half-crippled if not dead, a strong hand suddenly scooped her up and cradled her in an embrace.
Dizzy from the shaking, it took Jiang Xianian a moment to clearly see that her rescuer was her own father.
Wow! Dad’s entrance was so cool! Just like a big shot in a drama turning the tide!
Jiang Yucheng was also stunned; he hadn’t expected that voice to belong to his own daughter!
Seeing that his daughter was safe, Jiang Yucheng finally relaxed, and when he looked at Yao Zhaodi again, it was as if he were looking at a dead woman.
Qiao Shi had already run over, carefully taking Jiang Xianian and holding her close, pressing their cheeks together. She couldn’t hold back her tears: “Niannian, Mother was too late. I’ve let you suffer.”
Smelling her mother’s familiar scent, Jiang Xianian truly relaxed. Wah… Mother is still the best, coming just in time! I almost had to endure hardships with someone else!
These words warmed Qiao Shi’s heart. Her little daughter was so understanding and didn’t blame her parents at all.
Jiang Yucheng had already apprehended Yao Zhaodi and asked Qiao Shi, “Madam, how do you wish to deal with this wet nurse?”
Qiao Shi looked at Yao Zhaodi, her eyes filled with such hatred that Yao Zhaodi trembled all over, her legs going weak.
Yao Zhaodi couldn’t understand why Hou Manor cared so much about a worthless girl. Weren’t daughters just dispensable, worthless things?
Remembering Jiang Xianian’s thought about “enduring hardships with someone else,” although Qiao Shi wished she could slice Yao Zhaodi into a thousand pieces, she still wanted to get to the bottom of it. She replied, “Lock her up first, interrogate her thoroughly, then hand her over to the authorities!”
Jiang Yucheng thought the same; they needed to find out why Yao Zhaodi had done this.
After locking up Yao Zhaodi, Qiao Shi and Jiang Yucheng personally bathed Jiang Xianian and changed her clothes. Seeing the red marks on Jiang Xianian’s body left by Yao Zhaodi, Qiao Shi’s eyes reddened again: “My poor daughter, it’s all my fault for misjudging someone and placing such a wolf beside Niannian.”
Jiang Yucheng put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her: “It’s not your fault. People’s hearts are hidden behind their ribs. Besides, Niannian said she doesn’t blame you and that you’re a wonderful mother.”
Qiao Shi exclaimed in shock, “Could it be that you too…”
Jiang Yucheng widened his eyes, “What? You also heard Niannian speaking?”
Qiao Shi nodded, “Actually, it wasn’t exactly speaking. Niannian didn’t open her mouth—it must have been her inner thoughts.”
The couple took quite some time to process this before accepting the reality and deciding not to tell anyone.
Jiang Xianian was utterly exhausted. After returning to Qiao Shi’s embrace, she fell into a deep sleep and didn’t wake even when the doctor came to examine her or when family members visited, sleeping straight through until evening.
After the guests had all departed, Qiao Shi and Jiang Yucheng finally had time to deal with Yao Zhaodi.
Hearing that the couple were going to interrogate Yao Zhaodi, Jiang Xianian immediately started kicking her legs and waving her arms vigorously. 【I want to go! I want to go! Let me see how Yao Zhaodi tries to talk her way out of this!】