Chapter 345: The Impostor
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The grand convoy made its way into the city in a mighty procession.
Lu Chao Chao winked at her elder brother. “Big Brother… Grandmother has been resting for two days now, and her condition has stabilized. Shouldn’t we inform Mother?”
Lu Yan Shu pondered for a moment before replying, “Let’s first visit the Ning Manor to assess the situation.”
“Too many people already know about this. We need to be cautious to avoid exposure. Let’s see how the Ning Manor reacts first.”
“Loose tongues bring trouble. We must ensure Grandmother’s safety above all else.”
Lu Chao Chao sat astride her dog, while Lu Yan Shu rode his horse. The little one nodded solemnly.
“Zhao Yang, can’t I ride your dog just once?” Xie Yu Zhou leaned out of the carriage window, eyes full of longing.
“Windchaser is wary of strangers. Do you want to give it a try?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
“Yes, yes, yes! Let me try! Riding a dog must be so grand!” Xie Yu Zhou excitedly jumped off the carriage.
“Its name is Windchaser, right?”
Lu Chao Chao nodded.
“Windchaser, Windchaser, can I ride you for a bit? Please, please…” Xie Yu Zhou clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture before carefully climbing onto the dog’s back.
The moment he sat down, Windchaser shook its body violently, tossing him off with ease.
“Oof…” Xie Yu Zhou landed face-first on the ground, eating dirt.
“I-It doesn’t hurt at all… I want to try again!” Xie Yu Zhou clutched his sore backside. It hurt—it hurt a lot. Luckily, he had enough meat on him; a skinnier person would have suffered even more.
“Brother Dog, let me ride you, I’m begging you…”
“Brother Dog, Brother Dog…”
“I’ll even call you Father if I must! Dog Father, Dog Father, let me ride just once… Dog Father, please!”
Before he could finish his plea, someone grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him up.
Xie Jing Xi glared at him, his face dark. “What did you just call me?!”
Xie Yu Zhou flailed his hands. “Father, I wasn’t calling you! I was talking to Dog Father. Why are you answering?!”
Xie Jing Xi gritted his teeth. “You wretched son!”
“Get inside the carriage and don’t say another word! Not a single word today!”
“Don’t make me beat you to death right here in the Southern Kingdom!” Xie Jing Xi was seething.
The greatest disgrace of his life was having a son like Xie Yu Zhou!
Xie Yu Zhou sulked, resting his chin on the carriage window, watching in dismay as Lu Chao Chao effortlessly climbed onto Windchaser’s back, looking every bit the elegant rider.
The convoy came to a halt outside the Ning Manor.
A group of elderly servants was already waiting outside, their faces brimming with joy.
As soon as the carriages stopped, the leading servants knelt respectfully at the entrance. “We humbly welcome the Princess home.”
Tears welled up in their eyes as they gazed toward the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Shi Yun spoke softly, “The Old Madam is still injured and has finally fallen asleep. Let’s not wake her. Someone should stay behind to keep watch.” Ever since entering the Southern Capital, the Old Madam’s mood had been grim.
“Understood,” Deng Zhi responded.
Rong Che lifted the curtain and helped Shi Yun down.
“This servant is Nanny Wang, who serves Madam Ning. Greetings, Princess.”
“This servant is Nanny Lin. Greetings, Princess.”
Behind them stood a group of maids, their eyes full of anticipation.
“Madam has longed for your return, asking about you countless times each day. At last, you have come home…” the nannies said as they led them inside.
Shi Yun’s eyes turned slightly red.
“Where… where is she?” Shi Yun asked, her voice quivering.
“Please follow me, Princess. Madam Ning has just awoken and risen from bed.”
The group proceeded toward the inner courtyard.
Lu Yan Shu and Lu Chao Chao exchanged glances but said nothing.
The little one’s thoughts were wildly imaginative, leaving Madam Xu baffled.
[What impostor?]
There was no time to dwell on it further, as they had reached the doorway.
Upon pushing open the doors, the faint scent of medicinal herbs drifted through the air.
In the center of the hall sat an elderly woman, her hair white as snow, her wrinkled face marred by a burn scar on one side, the other side lined with age.
Her hair was meticulously combed, and she gazed at the entrance with eyes full of hope.
The moment she saw Shi Yun, she abruptly stood up.
Leaning heavily on her cane, she hurried toward Shi Yun.
Even before she reached her, her eyes had turned red. “Child, is it really my child?”
Her voice was hoarse as she clutched Shi Yun’s hands tightly.
Shi Yun hesitated, her lips pressing together, but the word “Mother” refused to come out.
“My daughter… The daughter I risked my life for… I have longed for you day and night, and now, at last, you have returned!” The Old Madam choked on her words, barely able to stand.
The nannies rushed forward in alarm. “Old Madam, you mustn’t be overly emotional! Your health is still fragile.”
The Old Madam refused to let go of Shi Yun’s hands, her love and longing palpable.
Anyone would have been moved by the sight.
But Madam Xu felt uneasy.
Something wasn’t right. Something was missing.
The Old Madam pulled Shi Yun down to sit beside her. Shi Yun introduced, “This is Rong Che, my husband. This is Yan Shu, my eldest son. And this is Chao Chao, my youngest daughter, the Princess of Northern Zhao.”
The family stepped forward to offer their greetings. Seeing that Shi Yun did not address her as “Mother,” they followed suit, merely calling her “Old Madam.”
Rong Che: [If my wife doesn’t acknowledge her, neither will I.]
The Old Madam did not seem to mind. She gave Rong Che a brief glance before turning her full attention back to Shi Yun.
“You have suffered so much outside… My poor daughter… They call you Shi Yun?”
“Xu Shi Yun?” The Old Madam murmured the name, shaking her head slightly.
“That is not a Southern surname. The Southern Kingdom’s royal family is of the noble ‘Nan’ lineage. You, my dear, were born into royalty. You have been lost in Northern Zhao for too long and endured so much hardship.”
She held Shi Yun’s hand with deep affection, unwilling to let go.
Shi Yun disliked hearing her belittle Northern Zhao. She replied, “I will not change my name. Northern Zhao is a fine place. I was not mistreated there—my parents loved me, my husband cherishes me, and my children bring me joy.”
The Old Madam merely assumed she was putting on a brave face.
To the people of the Southern Kingdom, their status was naturally superior.
They never saw Northern Zhao as their equal.
“You do not yet understand the honor of bearing the ‘Nan’ surname. Why have you not visited your father first?”
“He has grieved for you for so many years, it has even made him ill,” the Old Madam said, her tone earnest.
Shi Yun’s smile faltered slightly. “Did he not destroy your entire village? Do you not hate him?”
The Old Madam’s smile stiffened.
She sighed deeply, her expression full of helplessness.
“Shi Yun, I have no power or influence to offer you anything. The only one you can rely on is your father.”
[That impostor is really getting into character!]