The guests of the Marquis Mansion of Anyuan had almost no interaction with the Governor Mansion, so ng Qianqian’s face was extrely unfamiliar to them.
Bai Yuwei, even more so, needed no introduction.
She was the noble daughter of Miaojiang and had hardly ever appeared in major public events.
Steward Ji zealously signaled to the Third Madam, but unfortunately, Third Madam Xie was too infuriated to pay him any attention.
"What are you all standing around for? Get rid of them! Today’s guests are all distinguished people; can you afford to offend them?"
Admittedly, this remark successfully entertained the onlooking guests.
Everyone was waiting to see ng Qianqian get chased out by the mansion’s servants.
Just then, Nanny Lu scurried to the entrance with hurried little steps.
She had rushed over as quickly as she could, yet had not anticipated the situation would escalate like this.
Ignoring her breathlessness, she stopped the servants from driving ng Qianqian away and said to Third Madam Xie, "Third Madam, this is the old lady’s honored guest."
"What? Mother’s honored guest?"
Third Madam Xie suspected she had misheard, pointing at ng Qianqian in disbelief, "But she’s clearly a..."
Nanny Lu greeted ng Qianqian with a bow, skipping formal titles due to the number of guests present, and directly said, "The old lady requests your presence."
ng Qianqian raised her chin and followed Nanny Lu into the mansion.
"Hey—"
Third Madam Xie watched their retreating figures and stomped her foot angrily, "Steward Ji! Co here!"
She called Steward Ji aside, "Who is she in relation to Mother? I’ve never seen her before."
Steward Ji wore a troubled expression, "Third Madam, you should ask the old lady yourself. I dare not speak out of turn."
Third Madam Xie glared at him, frowned, and left.
Unexpectedly, she was stopped by servants at the entrance to Old Madam Xie’s courtyard.
The gatekeeper nanny said, "Third Madam, the old lady is busy right now. If you have business, you might want to visit the First Madam."
Third Madam Xie’s curiosity piqued further.
Just what is the background of that crazy girl, that they have to be so secretive!
Soon, Nanny Li and Ban Xia ca out with the freshly awakened Bao Shu.
Third Madam Xie wanted to go over and inquire, but feeling it beneath her status, she turned away coldly.
In the main room, Old Madam Xie sat on the antique Luohan bed, while ng Qianqian sat on an embroidered stool in front of her.
The room’s decor was quite exquisite—not ostentatious or flashy, yet each item had a notable origin, including gifts from the forr emperor, presents from the imperial concubines, and nurous court tributes and famous artworks.
It was evident that the Marquis Mansion prided itself on its family heritage.
Old Madam Xie’s face was kind and gentle, but as the forr matron of the Marquis Mansion, her brow often involuntarily revealed a touch of sharpness.
She said with a smile, "Madam Lu, I am exceedingly grateful for you coming to celebrate my birthday."
ng Qianqian smiled, "Old Madam Xie, you flatter . Considering the generations, I should call you Grandmother. How could I not attend your birthday celebration?"
Old Madam Xie’s expression showed slight surprise, quickly followed by a smile, "You certainly speak clearly and candidly."
ng Qianqian candidly said, "Qianqian is unaccustod to subtleties and hopes Old Madam Xie won’t mind."
Old Madam Xie did not respond directly but instead caressed the bracelet on her wrist.
ng Qianqian softly stated, "Last ti... I was rude. Please forgive , Old Madam Xie."
Old Madam Xie gazed deeply at ng Qianqian, who t her gaze openly.
Not seeing any hesitation in her eyes, Old Madam Xie kindly held her hand, "Your mother has been away from you for many years, and it’s natural for you to hold resentnt."
"Honestly, I only learned about you recently. My son, your father, kept everything from , his mother. Otherwise, I would have brought you to the Marquis Mansion long ago so that you wouldn’t have suffered for so many years."
Old Madam Xie was shrewd, shifting so bla to her son instead of Yu to make herself appear to be a kind mother-in-law.
If ng Qianqian truly holds deep affection for Yu, she might already be feeling grateful to Old Madam Xie.
Old Madam Xie held ng Qianqian’s hand with sincere words, "Child, I know you bla your mother and she indeed has her faults, but she regrets them. The Marquis says she often secretly weeps at night, deeply missing her children. The deepest regret in life is when the trees wish for calm but the wind won’t stop, children want to care for their parents but they aren’t there."
ng Qianqian lowered her gaze.
Old Madam Xie seized the mont, "Forgive your mother. From now on, you are the eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion."
ng Qianqian paused, then calmly asked, "I am not of the Marquis Mansion’s blood; I fear I am unworthy of the title of eldest daughter."
Old Madam Xie smiled, "Is that your concern? I’ve thought it through for you. We will say you are Ling’er’s long-lost twin sister. At your birth, you were taken away, growing up with the ng Family in You State."
ng Qianqian smirked secretly; even her background had been ’arranged.’
Such affairs are rarely seen even in fiction, yet here they are happening to her.
They want ties with the Governor Mansion but don’t want the Marquis Mansion’s na tarnished; they want all the benefits.
ng Qianqian said, "I would like to see my mother first."
Old Madam Xie signaled to Nanny Lu, who imdiately went to invite Yu, who was entertaining guests in the front hall, to Old Madam Xie’s courtyard.
"You two can talk, I’ll go change my clothes."
With Nanny Lu’s support, Old Madam Xie left the room.
"I heard you wanted to see ."
Yu’s attitude was very cold.
ng Qianqian, changing her usual deanor, didn’t confront Yu, but looked at her with anticipation, "Today, I’m not ng Xiaojiu. I’d like to speak to you as ng Qianqian."
Yu knew her army nickna was ng Xiaojiu, and although these words held no fault at first glance, Yu felt sothing was amiss.
ng Qianqian pointed to the stool beside her, "Mother, could you sit with for a while?"
Yu looked at her confusedly, then sat down beside her.
"I’ve missed you all these years,"
ng Qianqian let her thoughts roam, "When I was young, I believed you truly were no longer in this world. I secretly paid respects to you and often dread of you. When I first learned you were alive, and that marrying into the Capital City would let see you, I was overjoyed, not fearing leaving ho at all."
"Yet after arriving in Capital City, I didn’t see you for a long ti. I thought maybe you hadn’t received the Yu Family’s letter. Then a month later, I heard you weren’t in the Capital City. But I figured as long as I stayed in the Capital City, you would eventually return."
"But I never saw you... In the water, it was really cold..."
"That’s enough!"
Yu interrupted ng Qianqian.
ng Qianqian’s words were making her uncomfortable, and she didn’t want to hear more!
The tears in ng Qianqian’s eyes sparkled, "Mother, have you thought of and my brother over the years?"
Yu turned away, "Didn’t the old lady agree? From now on, you are the Marquis Mansion’s daughter."
ng Qianqian gazed at her intently, "I don’t want to be soone else’s daughter; I just want to be yours. If you agree, I’ll talk to Old Madam Xie. I can be the eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion, but my mother must be you."
Yu suddenly beca agitated, "ng Qianqian! Do you want to ruin that much?"
ng Qianqian asked uncertainly, "Ruin you?"
Yu turned to her, clenching a handkerchief, "I don’t want the people of the Capital City to know my past! Why don’t you understand? Why do you insist on disgracing ? The old lady has already agreed to let you into the mansion and even gave you Ling’er’s title as the eldest daughter. You can call mother, and I’ll treat you like Ling’er. Why are you not satisfied?"
Saying this, she left without looking back.
Under the windowsill, the eavesdropping group had grown from Qing Shuang to include Tan’er and finally Bai Yuwei.
Bai Yuwei used her eyes to convey: So she has it really hard.
Tan’er: We must defy N!
ng Qianqian’s tears fell.
Yet, her face showed no hint of sorrow.
She focused on the teardrops at her fingertips and coldly said, "ng Qianqian, do you see? It’s not because of my bad temper that she doesn’t acknowledge you. You’ve humbled yourself to this extent, yet she still doesn’t want you."
A sharp pain emanated from her chest.
ng Qianqian’s gaze grew colder, "Does it still hurt? This is the only ti I will indulge you, and the last ti. Next ti it dares to hurt, I’ll stab a knife in. I, Shang Xiaojiu, will not be swayed by your obsessions forever."
Bai Yuwei looked at Tan’er and Qing Shuang with terror-filled eyes: You all saw, right? She’s really gone mad! Such a fine person, driven to madness by her own mother!
Qing Shuang looked confused: Isn’t Madam ng Xiaojiu?
Tan’er gazed into the sky lost in thought: Shang Xiaojiu... that na sounds familiar.
Yu stord out of the room in a huff.
Old Madam Xie furrowed her brows, "What’s wrong with the eldest’s wife? Stirred up trouble again?"
Soon, Old Madam Xie watched as ng Qianqian gracefully erged.
Old Madam Xie, anxiously, said, "Qianqian! Did your mother give you a hard ti again? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have let you see her alone. She’s quite stubborn."
ng Qianqian smiled slightly, "Grandmother, rest assured. My conversation with my mother went very well. Thank you for letting understand her good intentions."
Old Madam Xie let out a long sigh of relief and took ng Qianqian’s hand, "Glad you understand, glad you understand! All the guests are here now, I’ll introduce you to everyone."
ng Qianqian curved her lips, "Sure."
Little girl, watch closely. I’m going to avenge you now.
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