Madam Yun did not miss the fleeting trace of unease that crossed Yun Zijun’s face.
In the past, she wouldn’t have thought much of it.
She would have assumed that, having only recently returned to her biological family, Yun Zijun naturally lacked a sense of security.
But three years of wealth and privilege should have erased that insecurity long ago.
For the past three years, while Zi’rao suffered in the Laundry Bureau, Zijun had accompanied Madam Yun everywhere, attending banquets and social gatherings hosted by noble ladies and young aristocratic women.
While Zi’rao went hungry and slept poorly, Zijun feasted on delicacies, wore fine silks and brocades, and adorned herself with exquisite jewelry.
While Zi’rao spent her days washing endless piles of laundry until her hands became rough and cracked, Zijun used the finest skincare creams the Yun family could provide, maintaining skin as flawless as white jade.
Wealth nurtured people.
Not only their appearance and spirit, but also their confidence and sense of self-worth.
Just like the Zi’rao of years past.
Madam Yun remembered her clearly.
Bright.
Lively.
Proud.
Always carrying herself with confidence and vitality.
A little spoiled, perhaps—but that was only natural.
Yet Zijun had remained timid and uneasy for three straight years.
Was it genuine?
Or was it an act?
Suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart, Madam Yun spoke patiently.
“You are the Yun family’s biological daughter. After fourteen years, you were reunited with your parents. Jun’er, that is your good fortune.”
She paused.
“But Zi’rao still hasn’t met her biological parents.”
Yun Zijun’s expression darkened.
“Parents like that aren’t worth acknowledging.”
Madam Yun frowned.
“Whether Zi’rao chooses to recognize them or not, she has the right to know who they are.”
“And I want to understand what really happened all those years ago.”
After a moment, she continued,
“What the midwife did was wrong. She should be punished for it. I was separated from my daughter for fourteen years because of a single selfish decision of hers. Am I not entitled to demand an explanation?”
Yun Zijun glanced at her mother, then at Yun Zi’rao.
She appeared hesitant and sympathetic.
“But I don’t want Sister to suffer through all that…”
“If something must be faced, then it must be faced.”
Yun Zi’rao lowered her head.
A pale, fragile smile touched her lips.
“I survived three years in the Laundry Bureau. Could my biological parents possibly be more frightening than those matrons there?”
A cold glint flashed through Yun Zijun’s eyes.
Her nails dug into her palms.
Using the suffering act again?
Yun Zi’rao seemed not to notice.
“My biological mother’s sins did create this situation.”
Her voice remained soft.
“So perhaps I should bear some of the responsibility.”
“But I wasn’t the one who caused it.”
“Mother is kind enough not to direct all her anger toward me. Naturally, she wishes to question the person truly responsible.”
Yun Zijun smiled outwardly.
Inside, she hated Yun Zi’rao more than ever.
Damn you.
Always digging deeper.
If possible, I’d rather throw you into a brothel and make you entertain customers. Then let’s see how many questions you dare ask.
Yun Zi’rao raised her eyes timidly.
“Jun’er, perhaps you should tell Mother where they are.”
“Mother carries resentment. She deserves answers from the person responsible.”
Yun Zijun bit her lip.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
“I…”
“You’ve been back with the Yun family for three years now.”
Yun Zi’rao smiled weakly.
“You should be able to move past those painful memories.”
“I want to know who they are.”
“What kind of people they are.”
“Now that they’re older, does anyone take care of them?”
“Why did they take you away only to mistreat you afterward?”
“Or is there some hidden reason behind everything?”
She looked at Yun Zijun earnestly.
“Jun’er, it’s not only me who wants to know. Mother wants answers too.”
“Could you tell us?”
“I want to understand my biological mother a little better.”
Standing nearby, Madam Yun listened as Yun Zi’rao repeatedly referred to someone else as her “biological mother.”
Each mention felt like a knife twisting in her heart.
This was her daughter.
The child she had raised for fourteen years.
The treasure of her life.
That daughter had spent three years in the Laundry Bureau, returning covered in wounds, physically and emotionally broken.
The bright, spirited girl she once knew was gone.
In her place stood a cautious young woman who seemed even more timid than the palace maids.
Yun Zijun’s expression stiffened.
Even her smile looked forced.
“She… she once had a son.”
“But he died of illness.”
“Afterward, only I remained.”
“When she switched us at birth, she wanted her biological daughter to grow up in the Yun family and enjoy a wealthy life.”
“She hoped that, when her daughter became successful, she could support her son.”
“But after her son died young, she suffered a mental breakdown.”
“She poured all her anger onto me.”
“She called me a curse.”
“Said I brought misfortune.”
“Said I caused her son’s death.”
Yun Zi’rao lowered her eyes.
“Where are they now?”
“I’d like to meet them.”
“I want to ask why they did such a thing.”
“How they managed to switch us.”
“And whether there are any identifying marks or evidence proving that I’m really their daughter.”
Yun Zijun’s face changed instantly.
She stared at her.
“Sister, what do you mean by that?”
“Do you think I would lie to you?”
“N-No.”
Yun Zi’rao immediately shook her head.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“I just think the whole situation is rather strange…”
Her eyes grew sad.
“I suddenly remembered something.”
“A few years ago, Mother and I visited Grandfather’s family.”
“Grandmother and Uncle both said I looked exactly like Mother when she was young.”
She bit her lip.
Looking hurt and confused, she whispered:
“I simply find it strange.”
“How did I suddenly become someone who isn’t Mother’s daughter?”
Yun Zijun clenched her fists tightly.
A sinister chill flashed through her eyes.
That bitch.
She’s far more cunning than I thought.
Is she deliberately trying to make Mother doubt my identity?
“Sister…”
Yun Zijun looked devastated.
Tears streamed down her face.
“I never imagined that even now, you still doubt who I am.”
“If this family can’t accept me…”
“I’ll leave.”
“I’ll leave right now…”
Yun Zi’rao shakily reached out and took her hand.
“Jun’er, that’s not what I mean.”
“What I mean is…”
“Could it be possible that we’re twins—”
“Impossible!”
Yun Zijun yanked her hand away.
“How could I possibly be—”
“Ah!”
Caught off guard by the sudden movement, Yun Zi’rao lost her balance and tumbled straight off the bed.
Thud!
Pain shot through her body.
Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
Curled up on the floor, her frail frame trembled uncontrollably.
Yun Zijun’s face changed.
She had not expected this move.
“Rao’er!”
Madam Yun’s expression transformed dramatically.
She rushed forward and helped Yun Zi’rao up.
Seeing her daughter’s lips turn white from pain, anger surged through her chest.
Turning sharply toward Yun Zijun, she demanded:
“Your sister merely suggested a possibility.”
“Why did you react so violently?”
Yun Zijun’s eyes reddened.
Panicked, she tried to explain.
“Mother, I… I didn’t mean to…”
“Enough.”
Madam Yun’s tone was impatient.
“You should return and rest.”
“For the next few days, there’s no need for you to come and pay your respects.”
Yun Zijun’s heart sank.
Hatred flashed across her eyes as she looked at Yun Zi’rao.
Yet Yun Zi’rao never even looked at her.
Instead, she remained curled up in Madam Yun’s embrace, appearing like someone who had suffered endless grievances and finally found a safe refuge.
Yun Zijun ground her teeth.
Bitch.
She cursed silently.
Then she forced down her fury, bowed to Madam Yun, and left with a sorrowful expression.
As she walked away, her thoughts burned with rage.
Bitch!
Bitch!
What happened to her?
How did Yun Zi’rao suddenly become so good at acting?
Damn you, Yun Zi’rao.
I will never let you succeed.