Chapter 206: Heaven’s Will
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“When we found you, you were lying in a bundle of swaddling clothes, already buried deep under the heavy snowstorm.”
“Only your tiny face peeked out, frozen blue and purple, struggling to make a sound. Your breaths were growing shallower, your garments frozen stiff with ice. A moment later, and even a transcendent immortal could not have saved you.”
“Beside you lay a woman who had long since perished from the cold. Perhaps she was your wet nurse.”
“She had no money on her, whether she had none to begin with or had been robbed, we never knew.”
“Mother took you in and searched every inch of your clothing. Inside your swaddling clothes, she found a hidden pouch where this jade pendant was concealed. We had our servants bury the wet nurse properly and brought you back to the Xu family. We asked around but found no news of a missing child. Half a year later, when it came time to name you, we called you Shi Yun, thinking of the hardships you endured at birth, hoping that fortune would one day favor you.”
Xu Yi Ting’s smile deepened, his gaze turning nostalgic. Back then, he and his brothers were overjoyed to have a little sister in the family.
Learning that their sister had no family to return to only made them cherish her more.
“And what’s even stranger… Father once had great ambitions but struggled in court, always facing oppression.”
“Yet, after you arrived, it was as if fate itself had shifted. Father’s career suddenly flourished, his path in the imperial court cleared as if guided by unseen hands. Within just six years, he rose to the highest rank and was even chosen by the late emperor to become the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Back then, Emperor Xuan Ping was still the heir to the throne.”
“During those years, it was as if Father was blessed by the heavens, and our family prospered in ways beyond reason.”
Originally, the Xu family was merely part of the upright scholars of the court, known for their virtue but holding little power.
Yet, after Shi Yun arrived, the Xu family’s fortunes soared. In just six short years, they transformed into an unparalleled noble house, as though touched by divine favor.
Madam Xu’s eyes glistened with tears. She had accepted everything the Xu family had given her without a second thought.
But she had never imagined—she was not truly their daughter.
She stood up and knelt before her elder brother and sister-in-law.
“Shi Yun, what are you doing?! It was for this very reason that we never wanted to tell you! We feared it would burden your heart!” Her sister-in-law’s face paled, hastily pulling her up.
“And your brother is not exaggerating. When I first married into this family, the Xu family had not yet risen in status. But from the moment you arrived, our fortunes climbed step by step.”
“You must not let this trouble you. Perhaps it is precisely because you are so blessed that our family rose to prosperity alongside you.” Her sister-in-law smiled warmly as she held her hand.
When she entered the household, Shi Yun had still been a child. She had raised her as her own.
“Your swaddling clothes and the garments you wore back then are still stored within the Xu household. If you wish, your brother will have them sent to you.”
“Over the years, we have investigated quietly. Your swaddling clothes appear to be from the Southern Kingdom.”
Madam Xu nodded. “Last night, the man who came was from the Southern Kingdom’s royal family. This jade pendant is a treasured heirloom of their lineage.”
“Keep this jade pendant safe. Show it to no one. Whether it brings fortune or calamity, we cannot yet say. But you need not be afraid. Our family will protect you with all we have.” Xu Yi Ting sighed in relief, grateful that Shi Yun’s fate had turned for the better.
Even though she had separated from Lu Yuan Ze, her children were outstanding.
Especially Chao Chao, who had earned her an imperial title and won the emperor’s favor. Even if the Southern Kingdom truly came to claim her, the emperor would not easily let go.
Xu Yi Ting furrowed his brows. For some reason, he felt as though the heavens were playing an intricate game of chess.
As if everything—all the roots of fate—were tied to Chao Chao.
A flash of insight flickered in his mind, yet it eluded his grasp, slipping away before he could dwell on it.
“You must not carry this burden in your heart.”
“If you distance yourself from us because of this, it would only bring us sorrow. We hid the truth from you only so you could live a carefree life, unburdened by such thoughts.” Xu Yi Ting’s words were firm. Not just him, but the entire family shared this sentiment.
Madam Xu bowed deeply to her brother.
Looking back, she realized how foolish she had been to sever ties with her family over her infatuation with Lu Yuan Ze, abandoning them for marriage.
Holding back tears, she whispered, “I want to return home and pay my respects to Father and Mother.”
Today was the second day of the new year, the day when married daughters returned home to visit their parents.
Xu Yi Ting saw her pale complexion, but her spirit remained strong, so he did not stop her.
Rong Che dared not take a step away and personally drove the carriage to escort them to the Xu family estate.
Lu Chao Chao nestled in her mother’s arms. “Mama, dun cwy… Chao Chao gib you kiss kiss…” Her tiny hands, warm and clumsy, hurriedly wiped away her mother’s tears.
Madam Xu forced a smile. Thank the heavens for Chao Chao, otherwise…
The Xu family had taken her in, only for their entire household to be sentenced to execution.
As soon as the carriage halted, the Xu family members were already waiting at the entrance. Even the Old Madam stood in the bitter wind, leaning on her cane—no one could persuade her otherwise.
“Ah! Those wretched scoundrels dared to harm my Shi Yun! But don’t be afraid… Mama is here! Let’s see who dares to bully you!” The Old Madam struck her cane against the ground, gritting her teeth in fury.
Madam Xu’s eyes burned with emotion as she knelt onto the snowy ground.
“Father, Mother, Shi Yun has been unfilial.”
“If a birth parent does not raise their child, a severed finger is enough to repay them. But if one is raised without being born from the same blood, even severing the head cannot repay such kindness. The debt of nurturing is eternal. In this life and the next, Shi Yun will never be able to fully return your kindness.” She solemnly kowtowed to the elderly couple.
“Who needs you to repay anything!” Old Master Xu huffed.
“Get up now! If your legs freeze, your mother will be heartbroken and cry herself sick.” Though he scolded her, his eyes overflowed with undisguised concern.
Madam Xu helped her parents inside.
“As long as you live well, I will be at peace. You may not be my birth daughter, but I have cherished you more than my own children.”
“I had hoped to keep the truth from you forever, so you could live without worries. But those wretched scoundrels still managed to find you!” The Old Madam cursed once more.
When they had taken Shi Yun in, she had been so frail she could barely suckle. It was the Old Madam herself who spoon-fed her bit by bit.
Her three sons had all slept with wet nurses.
Only Shi Yun—she had personally raised, eating and sleeping by her side.
The love and effort she poured into her were unparalleled.
“You were once so tiny, so weak, always on the verge of slipping away. Who could bear to see you suffer?”
“The only regret of my life is that you refused to return home to see me.” The Old Madam’s illness had taken root from that sorrow, binding her to the sickbed.
“It is partly our fault. We spoiled you because you had suffered too much as a child, raising you too simply, and you ended up being deceived by Lu Yuan Ze.”
Madam Xu’s tears fell again, drowning her in remorse.
“Don’t be fooled by your father’s strict demeanor—when he cries, he is louder than anyone.”
“When you married, he wept for three days, even took leave from court for three days.”
“Later, when you wouldn’t return home, he missed you dearly. After court, he wouldn’t even change out of his official robes—he would secretly crouch outside the Zhongyong Marquis Manor just to catch a glimpse of you.”
Old Master Xu’s ears turned red, and he waved his hand in irritation. “Enough nonsense! I was just out for a stroll and happened to pass by the Marquis’s Manor! Who was spying!”
Madam Xu finally smiled through her tears.
“Thank you, Father, for giving Shi Yun a home.” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Old Master Xu gently patted her head. “The heavens sent you to the Xu family. Raising you has been our greatest blessing. You will always be our daughter—don’t let your mind wander.”
“If you make another foolish mistake, this time, I’ll break your legs.”
Rong Che interjected with a deep voice, “Then hit me instead. I will take the punishment for her.”
Old Master Xu’s mustache bristled as he glared. This fool in love—had they switched roles now?
“How did the Stabilizing Duke sire such a blockhead?!”
Rong Che merely grinned sheepishly.