Chapter 167 Make amends
Lin Hui turned her eyes to look over and saw a maid she didn't recognize.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Lanxin knew she hadn't quite come to her senses yet, so she kindly explained:
"This servant is Lanxin, who serves Princess Changle. Madam Xiao fainted at the banquet celebrating the recognition of her daughter at the Princess's residence. Is she feeling better now?"
Once Lanxin mentioned it, Lin Hui remembered everything.
But it wasn't just the words spoken at the banquet, but also every little thing that had happened over the past few months. She felt a deep pang of sympathy for Yu Yao, who had lost both her parents, and she had been extremely harsh on Yu Xuan, who had just returned home... She remembered it all.
Lin Hui struggled to sit up in bed, looked at Lan Xin, and said in a sorrowful voice:
"Miss Lanxin, could you tell me if Xiao Yuyao is really... the daughter of Xiao Su and that mistress? Is there some misunderstanding?"
She was indeed unable to accept this possibility for a moment, and her anger overwhelmed her, causing her to faint.
But after waking up, he still had hope, wondering if there was a mistake, or if the truth was not so. After all, Xiao Su had not admitted it himself, so everything was still uncertain.
She simply couldn't believe that the daughter she had cherished for fourteen years was evidence of her husband's affair with his mistress, while her own daughter had been sent away by her husband fifteen years ago.
Lan Xin was taken aback, clearly unaware that Lin Hui was still not giving up. Upon waking from her coma, the first thing she did was doubt the truth of the matter.
The princess was right. The Xiao family is just like that—stubborn, unwilling to give up until they're completely defeated, and unwilling to shed tears until they see the coffin!
It's no wonder the princess was heartbroken by them and refused to see them again.
She let out a slow breath before meeting Lin Hui's expectant gaze, and said in a stiff tone:
“Madam Xiao, you should ask Lord Xiao about this yourself. After all, this is a family matter of your Xiao family, and I dare not interfere.”
"Since you still have the energy to care about this matter, it seems that you are in good health."
"Someone, help Madam Xiao wash and change her clothes, and then escort Madam Xiao away from the Princess's residence!"
After Lanxin finished speaking in a serious and methodical manner, she clapped her hands to signal the maid waiting outside to bring in a set of utensils, and then turned to leave.
"Hey, Miss Lanxin, wait a minute!"
Lin Hui hurriedly called out to her, nearly falling off the bed.
Lan Xin turned around indifferently: "Does Madam Xiao have any other important matters to discuss?"
"Miss Lanxin, could you please pass on my message? I wish to see Yuxuan..."
As soon as Lin Hui spoke, she sensed that the other person's expression was knowing, as if they had expected it all along.
Lan Xin gave a businesslike smile:
“Madam Xiao, the princess said she has been busy these days and has no time to see guests. If Madam Xiao has nothing else to say, then this servant will take her leave.”
After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked out without even looking at Lin Hui's expression behind her.
Lin Hui, left standing there, stared with her beautiful eyes wide open, muttering the words "receiving guests" under her breath, a miserable smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
To Yu Xuan now, she is merely a guest, an outsider who can be easily dismissed and brushed off.
That was her own flesh and blood, born from her womb after ten months of pregnancy, yet now she calls another complete stranger "mother" while turning away her own mother.
Lin Hui was completely stunned, not even knowing how she finally got back to the Xiao family.
Lan Xin walked over to Qi Yuxuan and recounted the conversation that had just taken place in the guest room.
"The person has been sent out?"
Qi Yuxuan turned a page of the account book. She was currently mainly familiarizing herself with and reviewing the Six Arts of a Gentleman, but there was still much for her to learn about managing accounts.
The eldest princess had to go to the academy to report for duty every day, and in her spare time she was given a lot of lessons. She also had access to the account books of the eldest princess's residence from previous years for her to read and study.
"Yes, judging by the time, we should be arriving at the Xiao residence soon."
Lanxin was officially assigned to be Qi Yuxuan's head maid after the eldest princess announced that she had recognized Qi Yuxuan as her goddaughter. She, along with Bi Sui, Qin Yuan, and Cheng Yan, became her personal maids.
This was the first time Qi Yuxuan had assigned her such a serious task.
“But Princess, I don’t understand why you are unwilling to see Madam Xiao? She has nothing to do with you now, and you are in the Princess’s residence. No matter how resentful Madam Xiao is, she won’t do anything to you. On the contrary, after this incident, she may feel guilty and try to make amends to you…”
Lanxin tentatively asked.
She had never followed the princess before, only serving her a few times at the Grand Princess's residence.
Although the Xiao family was biased to the core, she was unsure whether the princess had truly given up on the Xiao family and no longer had any ties or concerns.
"I don't want her to make amends with guilt." Qi Yuxuan's voice was low and cold, and amidst the sweltering heat and cicada chirping of early summer, it inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine. "I want the Xiao family to pay the price."
She had already repaid the Xiao family's kindness in her past life, so in this life, she would personally collect everything they owed her.
"This servant understands..."
Lan Xin was startled by Qi Yuxuan's appearance, but beyond the shock came endless heartache and sorrow.
How old is the princess? At such a young age, she already harbors deep hatred for her former family... It is said that the deeper the love, the deeper the hate. If she had not once been full of hope and expectation, she would not be so disappointed and hateful today.
Perhaps she should find some time to consult Bi Sui and learn about the princess's past...
The Zhao family.
Since the end of the epidemic, the Zhao family has been quiet for a long time.
Zhao Yinchen knelt in the hall with a frown on his face, while Master Zhao held a thick "family law" stick, which he swung in the air with a fluttering sound.
"What did you tell me back then? That we were almost certain to regain our status as imperial merchants? Look at you, Princess Chang Le has used our family and won't even remember us!"
"You're really going to drive me crazy! That's all hard-earned money! Business is already tough enough, and you're acting like a good Samaritan. Do you think you're some kind of money-giving genius?"
Although Master Zhao was cursing and swearing, the "family law" he swung around was just swinging in the air and didn't hit Zhao Yinchen at all.
“The father’s reprimand is correct; it is all the son’s fault, and the son is willing to accept the punishment.”
To achieve great success with limited resources, one must be prepared for failure. Zhao Yinchen did not show it on his face, but a voice inside him was shouting, "This time, it may not be a failure."
Although the Emperor has not yet made a statement, the Princess's residence sent a plaque inscribed with "Utmost Benevolence and Kindness" yesterday, which is now hanging in the largest shop of the Zhao family's business, attracting countless people to come in and admire it.
With the help of the Eldest Princess and Princess Chang Le, how could the people not buy it? Sure enough, in just a few days, the business of the Zhao Family Merchants was much better than it had been half a month ago.
I think I'll get my money back for firewood and medicine in no time.
However, since Master Zhao was in a fit of anger, he, as the son, had to act submissively and coax him.
Upon receiving the news, Zhao Mei rushed in and witnessed this scene of a father disciplining his son. Startled, she hurried in and knelt down, saying:
"Father! I advised my brother to do this. If you must punish someone, punish me too!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com