Madam Mu was stunned at first, then trembled with rage upon realizing what was said. “What are you talking about? Chenyu is your sister. Even if you don’t care about her, how can you say no one in the family will die?”
“Although she is short-lived, she won’t die now, so there’s no need for you to worry.” Jiang Yunxi spoke calmly, her expression indifferent. So this was the mother who gave birth to her—a woman with a muddled mind.
Everyone present: “…”
Madam Mu noticed she was wearing a Taoist robe and showed undisguised displeasure on her face. “You’d better pray that Chenyu is alright, or I won’t acknowledge you as my daughter.”
With that, she hurried anxiously toward the door.
Jiang Yunxi blocked her path. “What does her attempted suicide have to do with me? I think she’s trying to harm me!”
Her words left the room in complete silence.
All eyes turned to her.
“She learned you were coming back and prepared everything you might need, even offering to give up her own courtyard for you. How can you accuse her of harming you? Have you no heart?” Madam Mu’s chest heaved with anger.
“On my very first day back, she attempts suicide. Anyone unaware would think I drove her to it. This is an attempt to disgrace me.” Jiang Yunxi stated plainly. She hadn’t returned to the capital to be a pushover.
“You’re being petty and suspicious!” Madam Mu retorted, displeased that she would think so poorly of Chenyu.
“I am the daughter you carried for ten months. I understand she has been raised by you since childhood, so naturally, you feel closer to her. But you shouldn’t harbor ill will toward me. This is not how a mother should behave.”
“No matter how close you are to Jiang Chenyu, remember this: from today onward, I, Jiang Yunxi, am the legitimate eldest daughter of Yingguo Gongfu!” Jiang Yunxi declared with cool, commanding authority, her confidence and pride radiating an undeniable presence.
Grandmother watched her demeanor with reddened eyes. This was how the legitimate eldest daughter of Yingguo Gongfu should carry herself.
Madam Mu was momentarily intimidated by Jiang Yunxi’s imposing aura and found herself at a loss for words.
“Nanny Chun, go see what’s happening with Chenyu!” Grandmother ordered sternly, her expression cold.
“Yes.” Nanny Chun quickly headed out.
“Mother, I…” Madam Mu also wanted to go.
Grandmother fixed her with a sharp, authoritative gaze. “Be quiet. Yunxi is your own flesh and blood. Today is the day she is formally recognized into the family. Let’s see who dares cause trouble!”
Jiang Yunxi felt a warmth in her heart. She knew her grandmother genuinely cared for her. As for why Grandmother had gone to Qingxu Temple to find her—she claimed her late grandfather had appeared in a dream, revealing that the children had been switched at birth and that she must bring her true granddaughter home.
In truth, Jiang Yunxi had also dreamed of her grandfather—a kindly old man who asked her to protect Yingguo Gongfu.
For generations, Yingguo Gongfu had been loyal and valiant, serving on the battlefield.
Now, her own father and eldest brother were still away at war.
As the descendant of a family of loyal martyrs, she would naturally protect them. It was just a pity her own lifespan was only a little over three months left. She would offer guidance where she could; the rest would depend on Yingguo Gongfu’s own destiny.
“Oh? And who are these two children?” Suddenly, a young maiden exclaimed in surprise.
Instantly, all eyes in the room focused on Momo and Mianmian.
“This is my son, Momo, and this is my daughter, Mianmian.” Jiang Yunxi introduced them openly and without hesitation.
“You actually had children outside of marriage? Your grandmother said you were unwed. How could you do such a shameless thing? This is a disgrace to the Jiang family!” Madam Mu felt a throbbing pain in her head.
How could she have such a daughter?
Now, the entire Jiang family is likely to become the laughingstock of the entire capital.
“They are Prince Han’s children, their status is more noble than yours,” Jiang Yunxi retorted without hesitation.
“You went to see Prince Han?” Grandmother smiled as she looked at her.
Jiang Yunxi nodded, “Not only did I see Prince Han, but we also went to the palace to meet the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor acknowledged the two children.”
Grandmother beamed with joy, “Good, good, good. Did they say when the wedding will be?”
“I don’t plan to marry Prince Han. I’ll just raise the children with him,” Jiang Yunxi didn’t hide this matter.
Grandmother: “…”
She didn’t quite understand her thinking. The children are five years old. Shouldn’t they get married and raise the children together?
Others: “…”
What are they talking about?
“Prince Han’s children? Don’t try to fool us here. Everyone in the capital knows that Prince Han has a hidden ailment and cannot have children. He’s even marrying a princess consort today. How could a mere Daoist like you ever hope to reach such heights?” Madam Mu sneered, her expression extremely unpleasant.
Jiang Yunxi looked at Grandmother, “Grandmother, take us to the ancestral hall to meet our ancestors.”
Grandmother smiled warmly, “Alright.”
Madam Mu: “…”
Was she just ignored like that?
A moment later.
The entire group arrived at the ancestral hall of Yingguo Gongfu.
As soon as Jiang Yunxi entered the ancestral hall, she felt a pure and righteous aura that refreshed her spirit. It was likely because the Jiang ancestors were all loyal and righteous. Even if only their memorial tablets remained, that righteous aura would not fade.
Filled with reverence and admiration from the bottom of her heart, she led the two children to burn incense and kowtow.
“Yunxi, the matter of entering the family register will be formally handled after your father returns from the battlefield,” Grandmother said with a smile, though she wished it could be done immediately. Still, her father needed to be present.
“Alright,” Jiang Yunxi was in no hurry. The last time Grandmother found her, she had divined for her father and eldest brother, and they would return safely.
Immediately after.
Grandmother introduced all the members of Yingguo Gongfu to Jiang Yunxi. The first, second, and third branches of the family had not separated, and the married daughters had returned today because Yunxi had come back.
Jiang Yunxi felt a bit overwhelmed.
There were too many people, and she couldn’t remember them all at once.
“Grandmother,” Jiang Chenyu quickly walked into the ancestral hall and knelt with a thud in front of Grandmother.
“Chenyu, what are you doing? Get up quickly. The floor is cold, and your cold hasn’t healed yet,” Madam Mu hurried forward to help her up, her face full of concern. When she learned that Chenyu was not her biological daughter, she had been deeply distressed.
But later, she realized that since Chenyu had grown up by her side, even without a blood relationship, she was still her daughter.
Jiang Chenyu looked at her pleadingly, “Mother, please let me finish.”
Madam Mu met her tearful eyes and had no choice but to let go.
Grandmother frowned and reached out to help her up, “Get up and speak.”
After all, she had watched her grow up. How could she not have feelings for her?
Jiang Chenyu shook her head, her eyes blurred with tears, “Grandmother, earlier, I took medicine and slept deeply. Qingzhi couldn’t wake me no matter how hard she tried. She thought I couldn’t accept my sister’s return and had taken my own life, so she panicked and reported it.”
“Grandmother, this servant saw that the third young lady hadn’t woken up for a long time and overthought the situation. This servant was wrong. Please punish me,” Qingzhi knelt on the ground, not daring to get up.
“Since you were wrong, you should indeed be punished. Drag her out and give her twenty lashes,” Jiang Yunxi said decisively.
Hearing about the twenty lashes, Qingzhi turned pale with fear.
Jiang Chenyu looked towards her, her face pale and delicate as she said softly, “Sister Yunxi, I’m sorry. It was my fault for not managing my servants properly, which led to this misunderstanding. I am willing to accept punishment in her place.”