Chapter 37 The Real and Fake Heiress (Part 2)
A few days later.
When Yao Baiyu and her husband Cheng Ruinian got off the carriage at the princess's residence, they were still completely bewildered.
Why would Princess Tong'an suddenly invite the couple to her home as guests?
On the way here, Yao Baiyu speculated on many possibilities: Could it be that Princess Tong'an had something to ask her father, Yao Jianzheng, and in order to avoid attracting attention, she took a roundabout approach and asked her to act as an intermediary?
Although the Director of the Imperial Observatory was only a fifth-rank official and not a powerful or influential one, he still held some weight among the imperial family.
As far as she knew, the eldest prince, Prince Heng, was very superstitious about astrology and fortune telling. Every few days, he would invite his father to Prince Heng’s residence to ask him how to arrange the vases in the room, what color curtains to hang on the bed, and to subtly inquire about any recent astrological “omens.”
Although they would bring many precious gifts every time they invited him to their home, the father was still very indignant when he returned home, complaining to the mother, "Does he think I'm some kind of fortune teller on the street?"
Prince Heng's little schemes are as obvious as Sima Zhao's.
Thinking of this, Yao Baiyu couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips, raising her hand to slowly brush over the exquisite embroidery patterns on her sleeve.
This was a life that only began after we returned to the Yao family. Those once unapproachable princes and nobles became topics of conversation for my father over drinks...
Suddenly, she paused in her movement of brushing her sleeve, and a long, thin thread was caught on the fine satin.
Yao Baiyu raised her hand and saw a hangnail at the edge where her fingertip met her nail.
I ate poorly as a child and was always hungry, which led to the bad habit of biting my nails, leaving my nail edges uneven and pitted.
Even though she was later forcibly corrected, and after returning to the Yao family and taking meticulous care of herself every day for the past few years, her hands were not as delicate as those of other young girls. They had a roughness that was not easily noticeable, and would crack and grow hangnails if the weather became slightly dry.
Yao Baiyu frowned, and without thinking, put her finger in her mouth and bit it.
"hiss……"
The barb was torn off, but it also tore off a small piece of skin, making her gasp in pain.
Cheng Ruinian had just thanked the driver when he turned around and saw this scene. He quickly came over and asked, "What happened?"
Yao Baiyu held out her hand to him unhappily, "A little thorn grew out and tore my clothes."
This is a new outfit she specially changed into before going out today; it's the first time she's worn it.
Cheng Ruinian was both amused and exasperated, and comforted her, "It's just a little bit of snagging, it's okay, you can't tell."
He wouldn't have found it if Yao Baiyu hadn't pointed it out to him.
"It's so obvious, you men are just careless and don't understand anything." Yao Baiyu glared at him, then turned and walked towards the princess's residence.
Just then, another carriage came from the opposite direction, running very fast. Before it had even come to a complete stop, a young man jumped down impatiently and ran up the steps, panting heavily.
Yao Baiyu turned around instantly, her expression a mixture of surprise and delight. "Young Master Chen? What brings you here?"
Chen Ang looked up and recognized the two people, "Brother Cheng, Sister Yao, you..."
A wide smile spread across his face. "You all know that Yusha is back?"
Yao Baiyu stood there, stunned. "What did you say? Who's back?"
Chen Ang was so overjoyed that he didn't notice the change in Yao Baiyu's attitude, and his tone remained cheerful: "It's Yusha, my fiancée Yao Yusha!"
Cheng Ruinian exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't forgotten that he and Chen Ang had almost become brothers-in-law, but his teacher's adopted daughter suddenly disappeared without a word before her wedding, and there had been no news of her for five years...
Although the teacher and his wife didn't say anything, and they loved their adopted daughter just as much, he could see the worry hidden in their hearts and the unspoken concern they had.
Cheng Ruinian gave a genuine smile, "That's wonderful! Sister Yusha is back! Teacher and Teacher's wife can finally rest easy now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his wife beside him trembled slightly. She turned to look at him, her face clearly showing displeasure: "What did you call her?"
“Call her Yusha ‘Little Sister’.” Cheng Ruinian thought his wife was jealous, so he quickly explained in a low voice, “She was just a tiny little thing when I became my teacher’s apprentice. We, her fellow apprentices, watched her grow up, just like our own little sister…”
Later, Yu Sha went to the Chen family to attend classes. She and Chen Ang were childhood sweethearts, and they were naturally happy to see it happen.
The more Cheng Ruinian explained, the uglier Yao Baiyu's expression became.
She glared at him with a complicated expression, then shook off the two of them and strode inside.
Cheng Ruinian was increasingly confused; he hadn't said anything wrong.
"It's probably because her son didn't sleep well last night and kept crying, which made her irritable. Please don't take offense, Brother Chen."
Cheng Ruinian and Chen Ang walked together into the princess's residence. Cheng Ruinian patted Chen Ang on the shoulder and said, "I wonder how Yu Sha has been doing these past few years... You've waited for her for five years, and now you've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel."
After saying that, Cheng Ruinian's heart skipped a beat.
What if Yusha has already married someone else?
After all, in the letter she left behind, she wrote that the marriage with the Chen family was null and void, and that they would part ways forever.
Cheng Ruinian looked at Chen Ang with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
Chen Ang had obviously considered this possibility as well, and the smile on his lips became more bitter. But he quickly shook his head and comforted himself: "Whether Yu Sha is married or not, I only hope that she will have a peaceful and smooth life these next few years. As long as she is happy, even if... even if she has married someone else, I will only wish her well."
They grew up together. He didn't blame her for backing out at the last minute and breaking off the engagement. He only blamed himself for not trying harder and marrying Yusha sooner.
Even though her escape caused the Chen family to hastily cancel the marriage, embarrassed his parents, and made him the subject of gossip among those around him for a period of time, he never resented her.
He only resented that she hadn't contacted him at all for the past five years, and why she hadn't even let him know she was safe.
Even if he did something wrong that made her unhappy, dissatisfied, or unwilling to marry him, she could simply tell him, and he would definitely change.
Even if... she really was determined to break up with him, she shouldn't have impulsively run away from home like this, causing all her family members who care about her to worry.
When Chen Ang received the message from the Princess's residence, he was overjoyed. Without thinking, he jumped into the carriage and urged the driver to go faster, wishing he could grow wings and fly to Yao Yusha in an instant.
Countless thoughts raced through Chen Ang's mind, but his pace quickened, and finally he simply pulled Cheng Ruinian along and started jogging.
They quickly caught up with Yao Baiyu, who was walking hurriedly ahead, and the three of them arrived at the reception hall of the princess's mansion almost at the same time.
Princess Tong'an sat at the head of the table, while Dr. Chu, an old acquaintance of the Yao family, sat on the other side.
Two unfamiliar young ladies stood beside the princess.
Chen Ang bowed and greeted her: "Greetings, Your Highness, and greetings, Third Aunt."
Yao Baiyu and Cheng Ruinian also bowed.
As soon as Chen Ang stood up, he asked impatiently, "Your Highness, where is Sister Yu Sha? Why hasn't she come out to see us?"
Princess Tong'an did not answer him immediately, but looked at Yao Baiyu standing behind him.
Although she concealed it well, a strange glint inevitably flashed in her eyes when she heard the title "Sister Yusha".
It seems that A-Yue and Yan-Yi were right.
Yao Yusha's sudden departure must be inextricably linked to Yao Baiyu.
Princess Tong'an turned her head and said to Dr. Chu in a casual manner, "It is said that I and Miss Yao are destined to meet. While hunting in the mountains, I actually ran into the adopted daughter that Lord Yao has been thinking about for five years."
Dr. Chu forced a smile and played along, "Yes, thanks to the princess, Lord Yao and his family of three were reunited."
Confused, Chen Ang boldly spoke up, relying on their kinship: "Third Aunt, I don't understand what you and the princess are saying. Why did the princess encounter Sister Yusha in the mountains? Was she injured? How is she now? Can I see her?"
The more urgent his question, the uglier Yao Baiyu's expression became.
What family reunion... They are a family of three, so what is she?
Yao Yusha... You left voluntarily back then. If you wanted to leave, you should have left cleanly. Why did you come back?
She was so flustered that she was completely unaware that her every move was being watched by Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi.
"They're too suspicious."
Shen Lingyue muttered softly, "She definitely has feelings for Chen Ang."
Body language doesn't lie. From the moment she entered the flower hall, even though she was standing next to her husband Cheng Ruinian, her body always unconsciously leaned towards Chen Ang.
Especially when Chen Ang kept asking about Yao Yusha's situation, her pursed lips, furrowed brows, and heartfelt resistance and hostility were all revealed in her subtle expressions.
Yan Yi nodded slightly in the direction of Princess Tong'an.
Upon receiving the signal, the latter's smile vanished instantly, replaced by an air of authority befitting a superior.
"Why is Yao Yusha in the mountains...? This is a question I should be asking you, Yao Baiyu."
Princess Tong'an narrowed her phoenix eyes and suddenly slammed her hand on the table. "Why don't you confess the truth right now!"
"What?"
Chen Ang and Cheng Ruinian both looked at her.
"Princess, do you mean that she was the one who drove Yusha away?"
Chen Ang stared at Yao Baiyu in shock. "Why did you do this? What did Yu Sha do to offend you?"
Even Cheng Ruinian was startled. He grabbed Yao Baiyu's arm and urged her in a low voice, "Madam, please say something. Is there some misunderstanding?"
Yao Baiyu closed her eyes, shook off Cheng Ruinian's hand, and nodded decisively.
"Yes, I did it."
Since Yao Yusha has already returned, there's no point in her hiding or making excuses anymore.
Suddenly a noise came from behind the screen, and then a familiar figure rushed out and slapped Yao Baiyu across the face.
"You wretched child!"
Lord Yao's eyes were bloodshot. "Why did you do this? Huh? What did Yu Sha do to wrong you?"
"Father, Mother?"
Yao Baiyu turned her head to the side after being hit, and when she saw who it was, she was stunned for a moment, "What are you doing here?"
"Don't call me Dad, I don't have a daughter like you!"
Lord Yao was so angry that he lost his temper and spoke recklessly.
He has taken leave these past few days to stay at the princess's residence, just so he can be closer to Yusha.
Every night, when he heard Madam Yao crying and describing the marks on Yu Sha's body from the beatings, he wished he could dig Wang Erlaizi out of the mass grave outside the city and kill him again.
Now he learns that the culprit behind all of Yusha's misfortunes is none other than his own daughter, whom he has been separated from for twenty years!
"You heartless, ungrateful wretch... I'm going to clean house today!"
Lord Yao still wanted to hit her, but Cheng Ruinian quickly protected Yao Baiyu and took a flurry of punches from his father-in-law. He repeatedly tried to calm things down: "Father, teacher, please calm down. Baiyu definitely didn't mean it. There must be some misunderstanding..."
There is no misunderstanding.
Yao Baiyu suddenly pushed Cheng Ruinian aside and fearlessly confronted Lord Yao, saying, "You call me heartless, ungrateful, and treacherous, but don't forget that I'm your biological son! If I'm a born bad seed, then what good are you?"
Lord Yao was as if struck by lightning. His hand, which had been raised high, stopped in mid-air. Suddenly, he turned around and slapped himself hard.
"Ha, I, Yao Qiguang, have spent my whole life observing the stars, and in the end, I gave birth to such a ruthless and immoral creature... Yes, it's all my fault, it's all my fault..."
Lord Yao lay on the ground, slapping his own face and pulling at his beard and hair, crying and laughing, looking like a madman.
"Teacher, please don't do this, please get up."
Cheng Ruinian was struggling to cope, so he quickly went over to help Lord Yao.
Chen Ang couldn't bear to see the old man, who was almost his father-in-law, treat him so badly, so he went to help.
Madam Yao walked up from behind, tears streaming down her face. She looked haggard and aged in just a few days. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke: "Bai Yu, tell your mother, why is this happening? Although you and Yu Sha were switched at birth, it was all fate's cruel joke. Yu Sha is innocent!"
"She's innocent? Am I guilty?"
Lord Yao slapped her hard, and half of Yao Baiyu's face was swollen, but she seemed not to feel the pain and coldly looked at the old couple.
“You keep saying that I am the Yao family’s biological daughter, but everything you’ve done shows that you’re biased towards Yao Yusha!”
Because she was switched at birth, Yao Yusha was able to grow up in a wealthy and privileged family, where she could learn whatever she was interested in without having to worry about making a living.
She could grow up with a handsome young man from a prestigious family, fall in love, and their relationship would naturally blossom into a beautiful romance.
Yao Baiyu stretched out his hands to Madam Yao, pointing to the several unusually large joints.
"Mother, did Yao Yusha ever wash clothes by the frozen river during the coldest days of winter? Does she know what it's like for a family of five to only have two thin quilts and have to huddle together for warmth every winter? Does she know what it's like to get up before dawn every day to knead dough, wash vegetables, prepare food, and push a cart full of things for more than ten miles to the town to set up a stall?"
Under her persistent questioning, Madam Yao retreated step by step, a hint of confusion and heartache appearing in her eyes.
"No, Baiyu, why didn't you tell me before..."
She only remembered her daughter casually mentioning that she had suffered for a few years when she was young, but things got better afterward.
Yao Baiyu revealed a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Because I don't want you to feel guilty."
Of course she knew that being switched at birth was not her or Yao Yusha's fault, nor could her adoptive parents be blamed.
But that's exactly what happened; she took Yao Yusha's place and endured twenty years of hardship.
Until she returned to the Yao family and saw Yao Yusha able to act spoiled with her parents without restraint, her biggest trouble every day was encountering difficult problems while reading, which she couldn't solve even after studying for several days.
Listening to her and Lord Yao discuss those profound and obscure astrological terms, and to Madam Yao casually talk about the situation of various families in the capital, Yao Baiyu felt more and more out of place in this family.
“I want to be as good as her. I want to have endless conversations with my father every day. I went to my father and told him that I also wanted to learn stargazing and arithmetic…”
Yao Baiyu gave a self-deprecating laugh, "But my father taught me for two days and then said I had no talent and there was no need to force it."
What is talent?
If she hadn't been switched at birth, if she had grown up in the Yao family and been influenced by them from a young age, how could she not have talent!
Lord Yao, who had been restrained by Cheng Ruinian and Chen Ang, suddenly raised his head. "So what if you don't have talent? Not all of your brothers are talented either. Who says that children of the Yao family have to know these things? You're jealous of Yu Sha over such a trivial matter..."
"This is no small matter!" Yao Baiyu shouted at him. "If Yao Yusha had been born in Baihe Village, what good would her talent have done? She would have been nothing more than a peasant woman who married and had children! She stole my life, she stole what should have been mine..."
Childhood sweethearts.
Yao Baiyu could no longer hide her feelings and looked directly at Chen Ang.
"You clearly praised my pastries as delicious and even recommended them to your friends. When my mother and I encountered thugs collecting protection money, you were the one who stood up for us... If I had been the one who studied and grew up with you, you would have married me too, right?"
Chen Ang's pupils dilated in shock, and it took him a long time to find his voice.
"No, no, I helped you out of kindness, seeing how hard it was for you to run a stall with your mother and two younger sisters... My heart only belongs to Yusha, there's no room for anyone else!"
He remembered that he and Yusha had just gotten engaged not long ago, and he was so excited that he wanted to feed even the stray dogs on the roadside two steamed buns.
The thought of marrying his beloved girl soon made Chen Ang want to give the whole world a good look.
I passed by Yao Baiyu's snack stall several times because I felt that she looked somewhat friendly and the food at the stall was clean and hygienic.
Later, when Yao Baiyu came to his door to acknowledge her as a relative, he suddenly realized that it was because she looked like Madam Yao.
But at that time, he and Yusha were about to get married, and whether or not she was a biological daughter of the Yao family would not affect his feelings for her.
The thought of being forced to separate from his fiancée made Chen Ang's lips tremble with anger, and he said firmly, "I never speculate on meaningless things. Anyway, I only like Yu Sha, and I will not marry anyone else!"
At this point, Chen Ang actually had a bad feeling.
He strode forward and knelt before Princess Tong'an. "Your Highness, how is Yu Sha now? Please let me see her. No matter what she looks like, as long as she doesn't despise me, I'm willing to be with her!"
"Really? I don't believe it." Princess Tong'an scrutinized him, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Men's words are the least reliable."
Chen Ang raised his hand without hesitation, "May I be struck by lightning if I break my promise!"
Dr. Chu opened his eyes wide in surprise, wanting to say something, but after glancing at Princess Tong'an, he lowered his head again.
"You two go and bring Yao Yusha over," Princess Tong'an instructed Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi. "Be careful not to frighten her."
Yao Yusha has been recovering well these past few days. She wasn't the kind of person who would go crazy like a madwoman. Now that she realizes the bad people who used to bully her every day are no longer around, and that she's in a very safe place, she's been able to leave her room with Madam Yao and go out to the courtyard and garden for some fresh air.
Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi came to see her every day and bought her many toys for children.
But Yao Yusha's favorite thing to do was to use small wooden sticks as counting rods. Yan Yi gave her many problems, and she could solve them quickly and accurately.
Princess Tong'an ordered them to bring the people away, and then winked at the captain of the guard, signaling her to take Yao Baiyu into custody.
After revealing her deepest secret, Yao Baiyu was like a soulless puppet, letting the captain of the guard press her down into a chair.
Princess Tong'an then said to Chen Ang and Cheng Ruinian, "You two stand back. No matter how excited you are when you see her, you are not allowed to make a sound."
Nowadays, the only men who can get close to Yao Yusha, besides Lord Yao, are the eunuchs in the princess's residence.
However, thanks to Shen Lingyue's proposed "desensitization therapy," Yao Yusha can now barely accept the presence of other men in the room, as long as they don't show excessive attention to her.
Soon, Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi helped a young woman in, one on each side.
As the figure drew closer, it became clear that one of her legs was not very flexible and her body was still frail.
The moment Yao Yusha walked into the room, Yao Baiyu stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
how so?
Is this still the same pampered, confident, and cheerful Yao Yusha from before?
She tried to stand up immediately, but the captain of the guard forcefully pressed her down again.
The captain of the guard gripped her shoulders tightly, leaned down and whispered viciously in her ear: "You say you've suffered a lot in the past twenty years, but how does that compare to her situation now? Do you know what kind of hellish life she's been living for the past five years!"
Yao Baiyu was unable to move, her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"No, no, I just wanted her to leave the Yao family, to leave Chen Ang, I didn't mean to..."
As Yao Yusha and Chen Ang's wedding date drew closer, she watched Yao Yusha and Madam Yao discuss the dowry every day, and saw her sweetly and shyly trying on her wedding dress. The jealousy in her heart could no longer be suppressed.
She also subtly inquired with Madam Yao why the marriage between the two families was arranged with an adopted daughter.
But Madam Yao looked at her in surprise and said that this was a marriage arranged by Yu Sha and Chen Ang, who were childhood sweethearts, and it was not a family alliance at all.
From that moment on, Yao Baiyu began to hate Yao Yusha.
As a result, she made the most irrational decision of her life.
She went to Yao Yusha and bluntly pointed out that their swapping was a mistake. Yao Yusha had enjoyed twenty years of her wonderful life, and if she had any self-respect, she should return everything that had been stolen from her, including this marriage.
Although Yao Yusha was naive, she was also kind. After learning of Yao Baiyu's resentment towards her, she said nothing and took the initiative to leave the Yao family, giving up everything.
"If you hate her so much, why not just let her go back to Baihe Village? Why did you have to move the Bai family to another place beforehand, causing Yao Yusha to get lost in the mountains while searching for her relatives and be kidnapped by thieves?"
Yao Baiyu cried even harder, "I just... I just don't want her to stay near the capital anymore, so that even if she leaves, Chen Ang will still have a chance to find her..."
She just didn't expect that Yao Yusha was different from her. She was a girl who had never traveled far alone before, and the outside world was too dangerous. She simply couldn't find the Bai family safely by herself.
After deceiving Yao Yusha, Yao Baiyu thought she had finally gotten what she wanted. However, Chen Ang's devotion and stubbornness exceeded her expectations. He would rather disobey his parents and remain unmarried than let Yao Yusha return.
Yao Baiyu waited in the Yao family for four years, but finally couldn't hold on any longer and resigned herself to her fate, obeying her parents' wishes to marry Cheng Ruinian.
She thought she and Yao Yusha would never see each other again in this life, but she never expected that this day would come.
"Aunt Chu, Princess, Sister!"
As soon as Yao Yusha entered the room, she ran to the familiar person, affectionately took Princess Tong'an's hand, and pouted as if aggrieved, "Sister, won't you play with me?"
Princess Tong'an was very patient with her, coaxing her like a child, "Your older sister has been busy these past few days, but don't you have other older sisters to keep you company?"
Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi quickly caught up and carefully protected Yao Yusha.
"Jade Sand..."
Chen Ang was stunned for a while before he reacted, his eyes filled with shock and heartache. He couldn't help but want to step forward, "Yu Sha, don't you recognize me? I'm Brother Chen Ang."
Shen Lingyue quickly stopped her and warned in a low voice, "If you don't want to trigger her illness, then control yourself."
Upon hearing Chen Ang's voice, Yao Yusha turned her head in confusion, looked at him with innocent and bewildered eyes for a moment, and asked uncertainly, "Brother Chen Ang?"
Chen Ang nodded vigorously, suppressing his excitement, "Yes, do you remember? Your brother Chen Ang bought you your favorite red bean paste cakes. There were four in a box, and you always ate three and left one for me..."
"Red bean paste cake...delicious!" Yao Yusha's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands happily, saying, "Shasha loves red bean paste cake, and when I grow up, I want to be Brother Chen Ang's bride!"
She suddenly pushed Yan Yi aside, limped over to Chen Ang, grabbed his sleeve, and said with her head down, "I want to marry Brother Chen Ang. I'll only have children for Brother Chen Ang. Bad people, bad people, don't touch me..."
With trembling hands, Chen Ang slowly pulled her into his arms, as if she were a lost treasure that had been found again, and he was unwilling to let go.
Dr. Chu could no longer control herself and covered her face, crying softly.
What a perfect couple they should have been!
Yao Baiyu watched this scene from afar, her heart filled with despair.
It turns out that what Chen Ang said was true. No matter what Yao Yusha became, she was the only one in his heart.
She suddenly chuckled softly, the laughter growing louder and louder, like the mournful cry of a night owl.
The captain of the guard frowned, fearing she might suddenly go berserk, and tightened his grip. "What are you trying to do?"
But unexpectedly, Yao Baiyu suddenly reached out and touched her waist.
The captain of the guard looked down and saw that the short sword that was clipped to his belt had disappeared, leaving only the scabbard.
"Yao Baiyu, you—"
In a moment of distraction, Yao Baiyu had already broken free of her restraints and was holding the stolen dagger in her hand.
"Protect the princess!"
The guard captain instinctively tried to rush forward.
However, Yao Baiyu did not move. She stood on the ground and gave a desolate smile to the crowd with their various expressions.
"I admit to what I did. But I, Yao Baiyu, am not so despicable as to ruin her life!"
She then looked at the Yao couple, whose eyes and minds had been following Yao Yusha ever since she entered, and felt only silence in her heart.
"If there is an afterlife, I would rather be Bai Yu, just Bai Yu..."
"daughter!"
"lady!"
"don't want--"
Yao Baiyu deftly turned the blade around and plunged it into her heart without hesitation, collapsing softly to the ground.
The scene was chaotic, with screams, footsteps, and shouts all mixed together.
In the last moments before Yao Baiyu lost consciousness, she saw Cheng Ruinian stumble and lunge toward her, his face deathly pale.
I'm sorry, my husband, but you're never in my heart...
Yao Baiyu closed her eyes in his arms, and the short knife fell to the ground with a soft sound.
*
Yao Yusha was greatly frightened, so they had to give her another bowl of calming soup, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Cheng Ruinian held Yao Baiyu's gradually cooling body, his face a mixture of crying and laughing.
"Father-in-law and mother-in-law, I... I have to take Baiyu home. Chen-ge'er hasn't seen his mother for half a day, he's sure to cry."
"Ruinian, it's me. I've failed to raise my daughter properly. I'm so sorry..."
Lord Yao's hair was disheveled, his beard was broken, and he was overcome with grief.
He found one daughter, then lost another. Was this retribution for his voyeuristic plot?
Cheng Ruinian shook his head, "Bai Yu is a good person... I've always known she doesn't really like me that much, but I genuinely like her. I was so happy when she agreed to marry me... She's a good girl, strong-willed, and manages everything at home and outside very well..."
When Yao Baiyu set up her food stall in the capital, she only remembered Chen Ang, who frequented the stall, but forgot that Cheng Ruinian was also a regular customer.
He secretly liked her back then and always wanted to work harder to save more money so he could propose to Bai Yu's mother.
Later, Yao Baiyu became the teacher's biological daughter. He was happy for her, but also worried that he, a minor official of the seventh rank, was not good enough for the Yao family's daughter.
But as long as Yao Baiyu hasn't gotten married, he still has a chance, right?
Over the next four years, he visited his teacher's home more and more frequently. In addition to his daily studies, he took care of all the heavy chores at home, trying his best to impress his teacher and his wife. Finally, they were moved and agreed to marry their daughter to him.
The day he got married was the happiest day of Cheng Ruinian's life.
He thought they would be a happy couple, that he would try his best to treat her better, that they could have several children, and that they could grow old together...
Madam Yao cried, "Son-in-law, Chen'er is still young and can't be left unattended. I'll go with you to bring Chen'er back. As for Bai Yu's funeral arrangements..."
Cheng Ruinian tightened his grip, his tone firm: "Now that she has entered the Cheng family, her funeral will naturally be held in the Cheng family, and she will be buried with me after her death."
Lord Yao watched his wife and son-in-law board the carriage, then trudged back home.
"Father-in-law."
Chen Ang knelt before him and kowtowed, "I'm five years late in calling you father-in-law. Please, let me take care of Yusha."
Lord Yao looked down at him in a daze: "You've seen Yu Sha's condition. She's like this now, she might never get better. She's my daughter, I can't be a burden to you..."
“Yu Sha is not a burden!” Chen Ang said firmly. “If it weren’t for fate, she would have been my wife long ago. Besides, you and Madam Yao are getting old. If you pass away, who else but me can take care of her wholeheartedly? We can’t rely on her brothers, can we?”
Lord Yao fell into deep thought.
Yu Sha was not Yao's biological daughter after all, and his sons all had their own families. He couldn't force them to take responsibility.
Chen Ang pressed his advantage, saying, "She remembers me, she remembers that she is going to be Chen Ang's bride, and I am willing to take care of her for the rest of my life."
"But what about your parents..." Lord Yao was still conflicted.
Chen Ang had clearly thought this through carefully, and replied without hesitation, "The Chen family has more than one son, so there's no need for me to carry on the family line. Anyway, my remaining unmarried for the past few years has already disappointed them to no end, and they keep saying they want to kick me out of the family..."
He smiled and said earnestly to Lord Yao, "If you don't mind, you can take me as your son-in-law."
He would live with Yusha at the Yao family's house, right under the old couple's noses, so they could keep an eye on his resolve.
...
"If only they hadn't been switched at birth, or if they had just kept the mistake."
Shen Lingyue sat on the steps outside Yao Yusha's room, rubbing her red eyes.
Yao Yusha and Chen Ang would play music in harmony, just like Dr. Chu and her husband, happily researching things that interested them every day.
Yao Baiyu was able to earn a living through her hard work and lead her parents and sister to a prosperous life.
Yan Yi's feelings were also complicated. She held Shen Lingyue's hand.
"Comparison is the thief that steals happiness."
Yao Baiyu was jealous of Yao Yusha's talent, but forgot how resilient and precious her own qualities were.
Shen Lingyue turned around and asked, "Yanyan, do you think Yao Yusha will get better?"
"Yes, she will," Yan Yi answered without hesitation. "The Goddess Xuan Nu will protect her."
Shen Lingyue burst into laughter through her tears, "Why have you started to become superstitious too?"
Yan Yi winked at her, "Because sometimes people just need this."
She looked up at the sky.
If gods truly exist, perhaps... Yao Baiyu also hopes that Yao Yusha can carry on with her share of life.
Yan Yi gently leaned against Shen Lingyue's shoulder.
"I'm so tired today, let me sleep for a while."
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Author's Note: The story of the Yao family has come to a temporary end. I wonder if it made you cry [let me see]. Anyway, I cried for a while and then wrote for a while QAQ
Just so you know, Yan Yan will be dreaming tomorrow, you know what I mean [heart emoji]
Wishing all the students taking exams a smooth week and a speedy return! [heart emoji]
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