Chapter 106 Farewell
Clang—
Xiao Yuxuan accidentally touched the cup lid, making a crisp sound.
Behind her, Qin Yuan's eyes slowly widened.
Xiao Yuxuan's gaze fell on Bihui, her tone strained:
"Are you sure she saw clearly that the person really was...her father?"
She knew that Xiao Yuyao's birth mother lived in Lane 22 of Elm Tree Lane in her previous life and loved peach blossoms the most. She never expected that after only a few days of keeping an eye on them, Mu Jin would actually see them by accident.
However, she never mentioned that she was pregnant.
Was the child not born, or was the father afraid to let this illegitimate child be recognized by the family?
Bi Sui nodded repeatedly:
"It's absolutely true. This is a very important matter. I only dared to tell you this after confirming it several times."
"But that woman only moved into Elm Lane today. It seems that she was ill and wanted to stay there so that it would be convenient to find a doctor to take a look."
Bi Sui told Xiao Yuxuan everything she knew and then asked for her instructions.
"I understand. As a daughter, how could I possibly bring this up? Let Mulan talk to Mother Li about it when we have a chance."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on.
My father was so brazen that he could do this. Elm Lane wasn't too far from here, which made it convenient for him to visit my mother from time to time under the pretext of official business. He also managed to keep my mother completely under his thumb.
Bi Sui went out first. Qin Yuan withdrew her complicated gaze and, seeing Xiao Yuxuan's appearance, took the initiative to step forward and massage her acupoints.
She herself was still young and inexperienced, but she understood many things. At this moment, she could only try to comfort Xiao Yuxuan and tell her not to take it too seriously.
“Miss, this is to be expected. What powerful and influential man in the world can truly be faithful to one person for life? Minister Xiao is already the best in the capital to have achieved this.”
"I know that people's hearts have always been like this; being able to endure loneliness has become a virtue."
Xiao Yuxuan had a cold smile on her lips.
In fact, the reason why she and Xiao Yuyao's lives were swapped was also because of her father, that hypocritical Minister Xiao.
If it weren't for his inability to control his lust, Xiao Yuyao wouldn't have existed. Their family of six should have been the most stable and happy family among all the powerful and wealthy people in the capital.
He wanted the support of the Lin family and the reputation of being a monogamous couple for life; yet he couldn't control himself and couldn't bear to see his mistress and illegitimate daughter suffer outside; his greed was insatiable.
"This matter will be handled by Minister Xiao and his wife themselves. Please don't overthink it and worry too much."
"The young lady will be looking for a husband after the New Year. With Her Highness the Princess overseeing things, I'm sure her future husband will cherish her and never let her suffer any hardship."
Qin Yuan steered the conversation toward Xiao Yuxuan, looking mischievous and wanting to tease her.
One would expect to see the shyness of a young girl in love, or the melancholy of worrying about her future, but Xiao Yuxuan stared calmly at the thick Western Region carpet beneath her feet, her expression utterly serene.
"I don't ask my future husband to be a respectful and loving husband and wife, I just want him to be safe and healthy."
Being able to start over is already a stroke of incredible luck, how could she dare to hope for mutual affection and heartfelt confessions with someone?
Seeing her like this, Qin Yuan felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
Even a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl like her, let alone others, would look forward to what her future husband would be like and whether her future in-laws would treat her well.
Miss Xiao was clearly born into a wealthy and powerful family and should have been pampered and spoiled, but now she seems to have gained a profound understanding.
Having spent the previous fourteen years living with ordinary people and experiencing the full spectrum of human nature, he returns to be with the same family he has been with...
"Girl, let's not talk about this anymore."
She blinked, suppressing her pang of heartache, and said:
"Chunwen went to the main courtyard today and only ran into the Third Young Master Xiao. He reported to Minister Xiao and Madam Xiao that the Fourth Miss Xiao was unwell and the physician advised her to rest. He also ordered Baozhen Courtyard to put her in confinement, which will likely continue until she goes to Jiangnan."
Where is Chunwen?
"Chunwen... is gone."
Qin Yuan swallowed hard: "Young Master Xiao brought her a bowl of medicine this afternoon. She drank it and left. Don't worry, Miss, she passed away peacefully."
It seems that Xiao Jin realized what had happened afterward. Although he was angry about what Xiao Yuyao had done, he also knew that keeping Chunwen around was a potential problem.
The brother and sister have exactly the same way of dealing with this kind of thing.
It's true that spending a lot of time together can forge a bond between siblings who aren't even the closest of blood relatives.
Chunwen deserved to die, but her family was innocent. Xiao Yuxuan's magnanimity was merely giving her the most potent medicine to stimulate her remaining life force and a chance to take revenge.
Even if the rest of the Xiao family doesn't want her life afterward, she will still have to pay the price for what she did.
"When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; I hope she'll be reincarnated into a good family."
"The girl has a kind heart."
Qin Yuan also sighed.
Kind-hearted? Xiao Yuxuan remained noncommittal.
"Miss, this is an invitation from the palace. It's for the Fourth Prince's birthday celebration the day before the Dragon Boat Festival. He invites you to a banquet. Almost all the young men and women of similar age in the capital will be attending. What do you think..."
Qin Yuan thought of something and took out a thin invitation card from her sleeve.
"By then I might have already set off for Jiangnan, so I decided to decline."
"Why are you so discouraged, young lady? With the Princess here, the Xiao family can't do anything to you if you don't want to go."
"Although I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, I am, after all, a daughter of the Xiao family, and I cannot trouble Your Highness with everything. Let's just leave it at that."
"Does the young lady intend to speak to the Princess herself at breakfast tomorrow, or should we, the servants, relay the message?"
The two young ladies from the Xiao family are returning to Jiangnan, and their luggage is already being packed.
"A poor family needs a rich road." Although the journey to Jiangnan by waterway will only take half a month, the young ladies are, after all, pampered young ladies from noble families, and everything they need for the journey must be prepared, which is quite a big undertaking.
The next morning, Xiao Yuxuan did not bring her book box, but only Qin Yuan and Cheng Yan, and went to the gate of the Princess's residence.
"You've arrived earlier than usual today. Why didn't you sleep a little longer before coming over?"
The princess was still doing her hair when she saw the girl approaching in the bronze mirror, and her eyes crinkled with laughter.
But the next moment, she turned around and saw Qin Yuan and Cheng Yan, who were not carrying book boxes but each carrying a bundle on their backs, and the smile on her face froze.
"What's wrong? Are the two maids not doing things to your liking?"
Xiao Yuxuan took the comb from Lanxin's hand and personally combed the princess's hair, stroke after stroke, so gently it seemed to lull her to sleep.
"Your Highness, Yuxuan has come to say goodbye today."
"What?!"
As the princess moved, her hair slipped from Xiao Yuxuan's hand.
The girl's face was reflected in the bronze mirror, and a hint of sadness and reluctance could be seen between her brows.
"Father and Mother just made the decision that Yu Xuan and Fourth Sister will soon set off for the old house in Jiangnan... Therefore, Yu Xuan will no longer be able to come to the girls' school or His Highness's place. I feel guilty and uneasy for failing His Highness's good intentions."
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