Grandmother found it utterly unbelievable and stammered, “D-Diyu can be like that? Shouldn’t everyone go through Reincarnation after death?”
“Those who committed numerous evil deeds must work in Diyu after death. Depending on their circumstances, some are then sent to the human realm for Reincarnation, while others go to the animal realm, the hungry ghost realm, or the hell realm. In short, they won’t have a good outcome.”
“People who commit suicide before their natural lifespan ends must also work in Diyu after death. They can only undergo Reincarnation when their allotted lifespan is up, or if they perform exceptionally well in Diyu and have accumulated virtue and good deeds in their previous life, they might be allowed to reincarnate earlier.”
“As for others who die, not everyone can reincarnate immediately. The King of Hell judges them based on their actions in life. In short, people should not commit evil deeds; otherwise, they must bear the corresponding karma,” Jiang Yunxi explained slowly.
“How do you know so much?” Grandmother felt she had gained new knowledge today, as she had never known these things before.
“I am a Mystic Gate practitioner. I can communicate with ghosts working in Diyu, but it’s harmful to me, so I rarely do it,” Jiang Yunxi did not hide her abilities. She had lived through several lifetimes.
In each Reincarnation, she retained her memories, so she was also familiar with matters of Diyu.
Grandmother was shocked once again and said earnestly, “Don’t do things that are harmful to you.”
Jiang Yunxi nodded. “I suspect Jiang Chenyu was placed in Yingguo Gongfu by the other party. I’ll investigate further and will definitely uncover what they have done in Yingguo Gongfu.”
“Don’t rush. Take your time. I will find her a good family to marry into as soon as possible, so I can at least treat her fairly,” Grandmother said after some thought. This matter concerned the future of Yingguo Gongfu, and regardless of whether Jiang Chenyu was a pawn or not, she could no longer afford to be soft-hearted.
Yingguo Gongfu was a centuries-old noble family and must not vanish completely under her watch.
“I’m glad Grandmother is willing to believe me,” Jiang Yunxi said. If she had said this to Madam Mu, Madam Mu would have surely scolded her with sharp and bitter words.
Grandmother smiled warmly at her. “Of course, I believe you.”
In truth, she had also been puzzled back then.
On the day Yunxi was born, she had held her and noticed a faint green lotus birthmark below her left wrist. When Jiang Chenyu grew up, Grandmother noticed she didn’t have it and mentioned it to Madam Mu, who said the birthmark might have faded as she grew older.
Convinced by this explanation, Grandmother didn’t dwell on it further.
Later, her late husband appeared in a dream and told her that her biological granddaughter was at Qingxu Temple. She went there immediately and indeed saw a faint green lotus birthmark below Yunxi’s wrist.
“Grandmother, the Duke and the eldest young master have returned,” Nanny Chun’s excited voice sounded at the door.
Grandmother’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly took Jiang Yunxi to the front courtyard.
In the main hall.
“Father, Elder Brother, you’ve finally returned. We were all so worried about you,” Jiang Chenyu said in a coquettish tone, clinging to the Duke’s arm. Since childhood, her father had doted on her, and she was certain he would never send her away.
“Don’t worry, we’re fine,” Jiang Jing’an said with a hearty laugh. Although the campaign had taken longer this time, they had ultimately driven the enemy army into a rout, and he was in particularly high spirits.
“Chenyu cares deeply for you both. How could she not worry? It’s good that you’ve returned safely,” Madam Mu said gently.
Jiang Jinghuai glanced around. “Where is Yunxi? Grandmother said she had already returned.”
Although he and his father had been on the battlefield…
But having long received Grandmother’s letter, they now knew that at some point in the past, the children had been switched. Chenyu was not the daughter of Yingguo Gongfu; Yunxi was.
“Big Brother, she’s with Grandmother and will be here soon,” Jiang Jingyan quickly said.
“Is she well?” Jiang Jinghuai was somewhat curious about this biological sister. In the letter, Grandmother had described her experiences, and both he and their father were furious. They never expected her adoptive parents to treat her so poorly. Fortunately, she had cleverly run away.
“You’ll know once you meet her yourself,” Jiang Jingyan deliberately kept him in suspense.
Jiang Jinghuai: “…”
Listening to their conversation, Jiang Chenyu felt an indescribable ache and sorrow welling up in her heart. Could twenty-two years of companionship ultimately not compare to the bond of blood?
“Chenyu, whether you are a daughter of the Jiang family or not, you are still my sister. Yunxi has just returned, so it’s inevitable that we’ll pay more attention to her. Don’t take it to heart; I will treat both of you equally.”
Seeing her troubled expression, Jiang Jinghuai knew she was likely overthinking and comforted her with a smile.
“Big Brother, I understand. It’s just that this sudden change has left me feeling a bit unsettled. Don’t worry, I’ll adjust soon. After all, I was the one enjoying everything that should have been Sister Yunxi’s,” Jiang Chenyu said, her eyes red and voice choked with emotion.
She didn’t want to mind, but how could she manage it all at once?
Yingguo Gongfu had always been her home, and they were her dearest, most beloved family. Suddenly, someone told her that none of it was truly hers, and now they were beginning to show kindness to someone else. She couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion in her heart.
“I understand how you feel, but whether or not we share blood, we are still your family who loves you,” Jiang Jinghuai said gently. Having watched her grow up, he had always regarded her as a younger sister. How could there be no affection?
“Jinghuai is right. You are still my daughter, and we will treat you both equally,” Jiang Jing’an said, looking at her with a kind smile. After twenty-two years together, even if she wasn’t his biological daughter, he couldn’t simply treat her as a stranger.
He could afford to raise two daughters.
Hearing them speak this way, Madam Mu felt her eyes grow moist. Yet, when she thought of Jiang Yunxi, a surge of anger filled her heart.
This was what family should be like.
Unlike her own pettiness and narrow-mindedness, unable to accept Chenyu.
“She’s back. Come, let me introduce you. This is Yunxi, the young lady of our Yingguo Gongfu,” Grandmother said as she led Jiang Yunxi into the main hall. Seeing her son and grandsons safe and sound, she felt relieved.
Jiang Yunxi observed Jiang Jing’an and Jiang Jinghuai. Both Big Brother and Second Brother had inherited their father’s features; the three of them looked quite alike. Her father and Big Brother had an air of righteousness about them, clearly upright, loyal, and honorable individuals.
She even noticed a faint aura around them that ordinary people couldn’t perceive.
“Yunxi, I am your Big Brother, Jiang Jinghuai. Welcome home,” Jiang Jinghuai walked up to Jiang Yunxi without any sense of unfamiliarity. Perhaps because he already knew of her hardships, his heart ached with nothing but sympathy.
“Yunxi must be my daughter. Look at her eyebrows and eyes—they truly resemble mine, full of vigor. You’ve suffered all these years outside, but from now on, Yingguo Gongfu will stand behind you,” Jiang Jing’an stepped forward and said with a hearty laugh.
“Father, Big Brother, I’m very happy to be reunited with you,” Jiang Yunxi said, genuinely fond of them. She could also tell that they liked her in return.
Jiang Jing’an tried his best to appear like a caring father, afraid of frightening her, and said gently, “Whatever you like, just say it, and I’ll prepare it for you.”
Madam Mu said, “Everything that should be prepared at home has been prepared. There’s no need for you to prepare anything else. Besides, she won’t be staying at Yingguo Gongfu.”
“Not staying at Yingguo Gongfu? Then where will she stay?” Jiang Jing’an looked utterly bewildered. His daughter, of course, should stay at home.