“Mother, you mustn’t speak of Sister that way. She’s been adrift outside for so many years—you should show her more care. Once I recover from my illness, I will leave Yingguo Gongfu,” Jiang Chenyu advised gently.
When she learned she wasn’t the legitimate daughter of Yingguo Gongfu, she felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Having been raised in luxury since childhood, dressed in fine silks and fed with delicacies, she had grown accustomed to the respect and special treatment she received outside, all thanks to her status as the legitimate daughter of Yingguo Gongfu. Many noble ladies would flatter and curry favor with her, and she had become used to this pampered life.
Suddenly, she was no longer the legitimate daughter of Yingguo Gongfu. Fear and unease filled her heart, and she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving.
Without this status, how would she live in the future?
Though she knew she shouldn’t cling to such delusions and desires, she couldn’t bring herself to sever ties with Yingguo Gongfu immediately.
“Leave Yingguo Gongfu? No, I won’t allow it,” Madam Mu responded with great agitation.
Jiang Chenyu abruptly rose and knelt on the ground. “Mother, I am not truly a member of Yingguo Gongfu. All these years, I’ve enjoyed the wealth and honor that rightfully belonged to Sister. Now that she has returned, I should return everything to her.”
Seeing her so sensible, Madam Mu felt even more heartache. She quickly helped Jiang Chenyu up and sat her down by the bed. “You grew up here—you are a part of Yingguo Gongfu. The mix-up back then wasn’t your fault. You don’t need to blame yourself.”
“But in the end, I…”
“You grew up here, bringing me laughter and joy, staying by my side and fulfilling your filial duties. You will always be my daughter,” Madam Mu said solemnly, holding her hand. She knew Jiang Yunxi was her biological daughter.
But they had never spent time together, and she couldn’t bring herself to feel close to her right away.
What did it matter if Chenyu wasn’t related by blood? Yingguo Gongfu could certainly afford to support her. Sending her away would be too heartless.
“Mother, I…” Jiang Chenyu’s tears fell like rain.
“Say no more. Focus on recovering first. Leave everything else to me,” Madam Mu said soothingly, gently patting her hand. As the mistress of Yingguo Gongfu, she still had the authority to decide who stayed or left.
Jiang Chenyu threw herself into Madam Mu’s arms, moved to tears.
…
The next day.
Grandmother rose early to find Jiang Yunxi. Momo and Mianmian were already up, exercising in the courtyard as part of their daily morning routine.
Jiang Yunxi was still asleep.
The two little ones pulled Grandmother into their exercises, making her laugh heartily.
Hearing the cheerful laughter in the courtyard, Jiang Yunxi stepped outside.
“Mother!” Momo and Mianmian called out, their little faces flushed as they ran toward her. Each clung to one of her legs, pressing their small heads affectionately against her.
Looking at her two little attachments, Jiang Yunxi felt a stir in her heart. She hadn’t told them she had only a little over three months left to live. She didn’t want them to live in worry, hoping only that their remaining time together would be joyful.
She reached out and patted their heads, then turned to Grandmother. “Grandmother.”
Grandmother glanced at Nanny Chun, signaling her to bring breakfast from the kitchen to the courtyard. Thinking of the mother and children’s visit to Hanwang Residence that day, she had much to say to Jiang Yunxi and knew they wouldn’t be able to speak freely in the main hall.
Understanding her meaning, Nanny Chun quickly left with the maidservants.
Moments later.
A table laden with a sumptuous breakfast.
“Big Treasure, Little Treasure, eat well so you can grow tall,” Grandmother said, serving Momo and Mianmian plenty of food before offering some to Jiang Yunxi.
“Grandmother, you eat too,” Jiang Yunxi said, serving her in return.
Grandmother looked at her demeanor with great relief. “Don’t take your mother’s attitude to heart.”
Jiang Yunxi took a bite of her steamed bun and said calmly, “Whether she likes me or not, I don’t care at all.”
“Ah, Chenyu has been raised by her side since childhood. You’ve never spent time together, so she naturally isn’t close to you. Things will get better once you spend some time together.” Grandmother sighed, naturally hoping for a good relationship between mother and daughter.
“Some mother-daughter bonds are just shallow; there’s no need to force it.” Jiang Yunxi didn’t mind. She hadn’t returned to Yingguo Gongfu for the sake of gaining maternal love.
“This…”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I have Momo and Mianmian, and I have you too.” Jiang Yunxi said with a smile, her eyes curving happily.
Seeing that she was open-minded, Grandmother didn’t say more. As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered. Thinking of how she had been lost and wandering since childhood, Grandmother felt heartache and only wanted to make it up to her. “Do you plan to stay at Hanwang Residence forever?”
“No, I plan to return once Momo and Mianmian are familiar with the residence.” Jiang Yunxi thought for a moment before replying.
The two little ones exchanged glances and continued burying their heads in their meal.
“Without a proper status, staying at Hanwang Residence indefinitely isn’t a solution. How about this: spend some time at Hanwang Residence and some time at Yingguo Gongfu.” Grandmother quickly thought of a good plan.
Having just found her granddaughter, she couldn’t bear to see her go to someone else’s home.
She hadn’t even spent much time with her yet.
“That works too.” Jiang Yunxi thought the suggestion was good.
Grandmother beamed with joy upon hearing her agreement. “By the way, what do you plan to do next?”
“Set up a stall to tell fortunes.” Jiang Yunxi said. She still needed to find the Ziwei Star. Although she couldn’t completely change her fate, living an extra month was better than counting down the days.
“As long as you’re happy.” Grandmother didn’t stop her. After finding her at Qingxu Temple, the temple master had praised her as a genius with remarkable abilities. Good skills shouldn’t be buried but used to help more people.
Jiang Yunxi felt warmth in her heart. Grandmother didn’t think that her fortune-telling stall would disgrace Yingguo Gongfu. There were still people in this family worth returning for.
“Grandmother, Jiang Chenyu is almost twenty-two. Why hasn’t she married yet?”
“She has always been devoted to The Crown Prince. Later, when The Crown Prince married the Crown Princess, she fell seriously ill. Since then, she has said she won’t marry, and we couldn’t force her, so it’s been delayed until now…” Grandmother sighed helplessly.
At the time, she had been ill for a long time, and Grandmother felt heartbroken, so she let her have her way.
Jiang Yunxi smiled faintly. “She is quite devoted.”
Grandmother thought for a moment and said, “Now that you’re back, should we send her to Niulan Village?”
While at Qingxu Temple, she had already learned of her granddaughter’s experiences and had nearly coughed up blood in anger. If Yunxi hadn’t been lucky enough to escape, she couldn’t imagine how her life would have turned out.
“Jiang Chenyu is not from Niulan Village. As for where she goes, Grandmother, you can decide. But I’ll say this again: if she behaves, that’s fine. If she doesn’t, I won’t hold back.” Jiang Yunxi said coldly.
Yingguo Gongfu had raised her for twenty-two years, and with daily interactions, there must be some affection from raising her.
She wouldn’t drive Jiang Chenyu out immediately upon returning, but if she brought trouble upon herself, Jiang Yunxi wouldn’t be polite.
“Grandmother understands.” Grandmother grasped her meaning, hoping that Chenyu wouldn’t disappoint them.
Suddenly.
The steward arrived, beaming as he reported, “Grandmother, Prince Han has arrived. He says he’s here to pick up Third Miss and the young master and young miss.”
Grandmother’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this.
Jiang Yunxi raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting that man to come pick them up so early in the morning.
…
Front courtyard.
“Your Highness Prince Han, please have a seat. The steward has already gone to the rear courtyard to fetch them. They should be here shortly,” Madam Mu said with an ingratiating smile, surprised that he had personally come to pick up Jiang Yunxi and her two children.