“Grandmother, how can you be so biased!”
Su Ye put down his chopsticks, stiffened his neck, and directly spoke out in defiance.
“Outrageous! When elders are speaking, there is no place for you to interject!”
Marquis Su slammed the table heavily, his gaze cold and stern, reprimanding in a deep voice.
“With such disrespect for your elders, how are you fit to be the heir of the Marquis Manor!”
These words left everyone stunned.
Sun Jiarou looked incredulously at the husband she had relied on all her life, unable to understand why he suddenly spoke so harshly.
The Marquis Manor had only Su Ye as its sole son. If he wasn’t fit, then who was?
“Marquis, your words are too severe. Ye’er is just concerned about his sister and spoke inappropriately in the moment.”
The Dowager also looked at her son with confusion, then seemed to remember something and tried to smooth things over: “Ye’er didn’t mean it.”
Su Leyun watched Marquis Su calmly, sneering inwardly. His words weren’t spoken in anger but were his true feelings.
Indeed, Marquis Su had done the same in her previous life. He looked down on her brother because he had another good son outside, who was currently studying at the Royal Academy alongside Li Rui, who was deeply infatuated with Su Wan’er.
“Whether it was intentional or not, if there is a next time, watch your skin!”
After uttering such a harsh statement, Marquis Su stood up and left without looking back. The Dowager, supported by Su Wan’er, also returned to her own courtyard, leaving only the mother and her two children behind.
Su Ye looked indignantly in the direction they had left, while Sun Jiarou wore a worried expression, still having to muster the energy to comfort Su Leyun.
“Yun’er, your father and grandmother don’t dislike you, it’s just…”
Before Sun Jiarou could finish, Su Leyun smiled and clasped her hand in return, offering comfort.
“Mother, there’s no need to explain. I know you love me, and that’s enough.”
“And your brother, your brother loves you too.”
Su Ye stood up, sat beside Su Leyun, and took her other hand.
“Mhm.”
Su Leyun nodded, looking at the two most important people on her left and right. She smiled sweetly and leaned against Sun Jiarou’s shoulder like a spoiled child. Having experienced the ups and downs of her previous life, she no longer cared about the opinions of irrelevant people.
“Look at my sister’s brows and eyes—they’re exactly like Mother’s! I really don’t know what Grandmother and Father still have to doubt!”
Su Ye still felt aggrieved upon thinking about it. Even the child of the instigator’s family could be raised well, so why couldn’t they treat their own legitimate daughter a little better!
Mentioning this, the smile that had finally gathered on Sun Jiarou’s face faded once more. With Su Wan’er’s words having stirred suspicion in her mother-in-law and husband’s hearts, how would her daughter establish herself in the Su Family from now on?
“Mother, don’t worry. I don’t care.”
Su Leyun wrapped her arms around Sun Jiarou’s arm, shaking it playfully and acting spoiled. In her previous life, she had been cautious and attentive around the Dowager in hopes of being recorded in the family register. Yet, in the end, it was only after her maternal grandfather stepped forward to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony that the Su Family reluctantly added her name to the register.
Having been reborn, she no longer cared about such empty titles…
Sun Jiarou was amused by Su Leyun’s childish demeanor and dotingly tapped her forehead.
She had originally feared that her daughter, having been away for over a decade, would feel distant upon their sudden reunion. Unexpectedly, Su Leyun was not only unafraid of strangers but also exceptionally considerate, proving that blood truly is thicker than water.
“Silly child, if you’re not recorded in the family register, you won’t be considered a legitimate daughter of the Su Family. It will affect your marriage prospects in the future.”
“Then I won’t marry! I’ll stay by Mother’s side forever and take care of you!”
Su Leyun nestled charmingly in Sun Jiarou’s embrace, making her beam with joy.
“You’re speaking like a child again.”
Sun Jiarou held her daughter tightly in her arms. If it weren’t for the fact that the Li family’s worthless son had let slip something while drinking and fighting outside, and the local official handling the manslaughter case happened to have old ties with the Sun family and helped investigate carefully, she wouldn’t have known how long she would have remained deceived…
Seeing that Sun Jiarou was still troubled over her own affairs, Su Leyun felt a warmth in her heart, and her nose tingled with emotion.
Since it was what her mother wished, she would help her achieve it.
“Mother, proving that I am a daughter of the Su Family isn’t actually difficult.”
“Oh? Do you have a way?”
Sun Jiarou’s eyes lit up as she looked at her expectantly.
Sun Jiarou was the only daughter of the Guardian General’s household. After marrying into the Su Family, her life in the inner chambers was peaceful, which cultivated her gentle and soft nature. This was precisely why she had been so thoroughly manipulated by the Su mother and son.
“On my waist, there is a red butterfly birthmark the size of a fingernail. It’s quite unique, so I imagine the midwife from back then should still remember it.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Sun Jiarou lowered her gaze. Her daughter had been switched at birth, so she knew nothing about the birthmark on her daughter’s body. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been deceived by the impostor for fourteen years.
Su Ye excitedly chimed in.
“My sister is so clever! I’ll send someone to find the midwife right away!”
In the capital, there were only a handful of skilled midwives who could attend to noble births. With enough effort, they would surely be able to find her.
“Then I’ll trouble you, brother.”
Su Leyun smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. With a mother and brother who genuinely loved and cared for her, she felt like the happiest person in the world at that moment. How laughable that in her past life, she had been trapped in self-pity, resentment, and an illusory one-sided love, neglecting those who truly cared for her.
“It’s getting late. Come, let’s take your sister to see her courtyard so she can rest early.”
Sun Jiarou stood up and led Su Leyun to see her courtyard.
Passing through a covered walkway, the view gradually opened up. Looking up, they could see a plaque with elegant calligraphy that read “Morning Glory Lodge.”
Upon seeing these words, Su Leyun fought back tears. This plaque had been inscribed by her mother herself. Every plant and tree in the courtyard, every ornament and antique inside, had been carefully arranged by Sun Jiarou, with half of her dowry invested in it.
In her past life, Su Leyun had been unaware of all this. She had only fixated on the fact that her courtyard was not as large as Su Wan’er’s, and had often quarreled with Sun Jiarou over it.
After her mother passed away, the valuable items in the courtyard were almost all taken by Su Wan’er. She had been powerless to protect her mother’s belongings and could only watch helplessly…
Closing her eyes slightly to conceal the hatred within, when she opened them again, Su Leyun had regained her previous calm composure.
“Yun’er, although this courtyard is a bit small, it’s still quite elegant. Do you like it?”
Sun Jiarou looked at Su Leyun with anxiety and guilt. The more spacious courtyards in the residence were already occupied, leaving only this one. She had no choice but to put great effort into the layout and furnishings, hoping Su Leyun would like it.
“Mother, I really like it here.”
Su Leyun pushed open the door and looked at the antiques and jade pieces on the display shelves, her heart melting with tenderness.
Seeing her delightedly handling the various ornaments, Sun Jiarou breathed a sigh of relief and beckoned for the servants to come forward and greet the young lady.
Six neatly dressed maids knelt in two rows on the floor.
“We greet the young lady.”
“All rise.”
Su Leyun glanced down at the maids kneeling on the floor, her gaze settling on the maid in the second row on the right, who wore delicate silver earrings. Unconsciously, a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
“These maids were all personally chosen by Mother to serve you. Nanny Zhang will also stay here. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, thank you, Mother.”
“Then no thanks for your brother?”
Su Ye pointed to the writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, along with the ancient zither and chessboard on the desk, seeking credit.
“All of these were prepared by me for you.”