Chapter 206: Destiny
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“We found you lying in the snow, buried deep by the blizzard,” Xu Yi Ting began, his voice solemn. “Only your tiny face was visible, frostbitten and barely making a sound. Your breaths were shallow, your clothes frozen stiff. If we had been a moment later, not even the gods could have saved you.”
“Beside you lay an old nursemaid, long frozen to death, perhaps your wet nurse. She had nothing of value on her—whether she never had money or it was stolen, we don’t know.”
“Mother took you home and searched your clothes. Inside your swaddling clothes, sewn into a pocket, was a jade pendant. We buried the nursemaid and brought you to the Xu family. We asked around, but no one had lost a child. Half a year later, when it was time to name you, we called you Shi Yun, hoping your harsh beginnings would transform into good fortune.”
Xu Yi Ting smiled warmly. Back then, the happiest moments for the brothers were having a new sister in the family. Knowing their sister had no family to return to made them even more jubilant.
“It’s strange. Father had ambitions but was constantly suppressed in his career. After you came to our family, it was like his luck changed overnight. In just six years, he rose to the rank of a first-grade official and was chosen by the former king as the tutor for the crown prince.”
Back then, King Xuan Ping was still the crown prince.
“Father seemed to be blessed by the gods. Our family prospered in everything we did. It was almost too smooth. Originally, the Xu family was just a respected but powerless clan in the court. But after you came, the Xu family soared to great heights, transforming in just six years as if by divine intervention.”
Madam Xu’s eyes filled with tears as she realized she had been enjoying everything the Xu family provided without knowing she wasn’t their daughter.
Madam Xu stood up and knelt before her eldest brother and sister-in-law.
“Shi Yun, what are you doing? We didn’t tell you because we were afraid you’d feel burdened!” Her sister-in-law hurriedly helped her up, worried.
“Your brother is telling the truth. When we got engaged, the Xu family wasn’t prosperous. It was only after you came that we started to rise step by step. You mustn’t feel burdened by this. Perhaps it’s your blessed fate that has brought fortune to the family.” Her sister-in-law smiled warmly, holding her hand.
She had raised Madam Xu from a child when she first entered the family.
“Your swaddling clothes and the clothes you wore are still kept in the Xu household. If you want them, your brother can have them sent over.”
“Over the years, we’ve looked into it quietly. Your swaddling clothes seem to come from the Southern Kingdom.”
Madam Xu nodded. “Last night, someone came from the Southern Kingdom’s royal family. This jade pendant is a royal heirloom of their family.”
“Keep this jade pendant safe and hidden. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, we can’t tell yet. But don’t be afraid. The family will protect you.” Xu Yi Ting felt grateful that Shi Yun had such a good fate. Despite divorcing Lu Yuan Ze, her children were thriving. Especially Chao Chao, who earned her a royal title, making the king hold her in high regard. Even if the Southern Kingdom came looking for her, the king wouldn’t let it happen.
Xu Yi Ting frowned, sensing something. It felt like the heavens were playing a grand game of chess. It seemed everything revolved around Chao Chao? A flash of insight crossed his mind, but he couldn’t grasp it.
“Don’t burden yourself with this. If you distance yourself from us, it’ll only make us sad. We hid this from you so you could live a carefree life.” Xu Yi Ting said seriously, echoing the family’s thoughts.
Madam Xu bowed deeply to her brother. Reflecting on her past, she felt deep regret for breaking ties with her family to marry Lu Yuan Ze. Madam Xu fought back her tears. “I want to go home and pay respects to my parents.”
It was the second day of the lunar new year, a day when married daughters traditionally visit their parents. Seeing her pale but spirited face, Xu Yi Ting didn’t stop her. Rong Che, who had been standing by, quickly drove the carriage to the Xu household.
Lu Chao Chao sat in her mother’s lap. “Mama, no cry! Chao Chao give kiss…” She clumsily wiped her mother’s tears with her small, warm hands.
Madam Xu forced a smile. Thank goodness for Chao Chao; otherwise…
The Xu family had adopted her, only to risk bringing disaster upon them. As the carriage stopped, the Xu family stood waiting at the door. Even the old lady was there with her cane, refusing to be stopped.
“Ah, those heartless villains, daring to harm my Shi Yun. Don’t worry, dear… Mama is here, and no one will dare to harm you!” The old lady’s cane struck the ground with fierce determination, her teeth clenched in anger.
Madam Xu’s eyes filled with tears as she knelt in the snow.
“Father, Mother, Shi Yun has been unfilial. To be born but not raised, a severed finger can repay. To be raised but not born, a severed head can repay. To be neither born nor raised, eternal gratitude cannot repay. Shi Yun can never repay your kindness.” She bowed deeply to the Xu elders.
“Who wants you to repay?” The old tutor’s eyes bulged. “Get up quickly, before you freeze your legs. Your mother will worry herself sick.” He glared at her, but his eyes were full of undisguised concern.
Madam Xu helped her parents into the house.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“As long as you’re well, I can be at peace. I love you more than my own children, though you were not born of me. We wanted to keep it from you forever, so you could live without worry. But those villains dared to come for you!” The old lady began cursing again.
When Shi Yun was brought home, she was too weak even to suckle, and the old lady had fed her drop by drop. Her three sons had been raised by wet nurses. Only Shi Yun was cared for directly by the old lady, sharing her bed and food. She had poured her heart into raising her.
“You were so small and fragile, anyone would pity you. My only sorrow is that you wouldn’t come back to see me.” The old lady had fallen ill from heartache and had been bedridden for a long time.
“We spoiled you too much because of your hardships, making you too trusting and getting deceived by Lu Yuan Ze.”
Madam Xu began to cry again. The guilt was overwhelming.
“Don’t be fooled by your father’s stern face; he cries the loudest. When you got married, he cried for three days and took three days off work. Later, when you wouldn’t come home, he missed you. After court, he wouldn’t even change his robes and would secretly watch you from outside the Marquis Zhongyong’s residence.”
The old tutor’s ears turned red as he waved his hand, embarrassed. “Stop talking about that. I was just passing by the Marquis’s residence, not spying!”
Madam Xu laughed through her tears.
“Thank you, Father, for giving me a family.” She murmured softly.
The old tutor patted her head. “Heaven sent you to the Xu family. Raising you is our blessing. You will always be a daughter of the Xu family; don’t think otherwise. If you make another foolish mistake, I will break your legs.”
Rong Che interjected, “Then hit me. I’ll take the punishment for her.”
The old tutor’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did the Protectorate Duke end up with such a simple-minded son?”
Rong Che grinned sheepishly.