Chapter 14 questions, "Aunt, are you really her biological mother?"...
Shen Qinglu lowered her head and stared at her hands. These were her hands, yet they weren't her hands.
The person from three years ago was not her.
And the person in front of her was not the one in her heart.
"I don't remember."
"Never mind if you don't remember."
Mu Lin was not only disappointed, but also felt a secret, inexplicable joy.
The chance encounter three years ago, the coincidence three years later—even if he disliked speculating about people's hearts, he couldn't help but overthink it. Now that Shen Qinglu told him she didn't remember what happened three years ago, he had reason to believe that the encounter three years ago wasn't premeditated.
At the same time, a faint sense of loss welled up in his heart. He had never forgotten how pleasant their conversation had been that night, but he hadn't expected that the other person had already forgotten about it.
At this moment, Yu Jingliang took out a large and heavy crossbow and was eager to compete with Mu Lin, and asked Shen Qinglu to act as a witness and referee.
The three of them made the courtyard lively.
Behind a tree not far from the courtyard, Yu Qingxue was peering out with a gloomy expression.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned around, she saw Yu Liuzhu. She was startled for a moment, and then she was overjoyed.
"Tang'er, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to see my aunt."
Although Yu Liuzhu left first, she did not go to help Shen Linlang with the accounts as she had said. Instead, she waited for Yu Qingxue halfway there and then followed her.
"Thank you for today's matter, Aunt."
Yu Qingxue was thrilled and looked around warily. When she saw that there was no one else there, a strong feeling of affection immediately appeared in her eyes as she looked at Yu Liuzhu.
"Tang'er, it's only right that I treat you well. You are a girl from the Yu family, and I have no other expectations but to hope that you will marry into the Marquis's mansion smoothly and live a life of wealth, health, and peace."
Yu Liuzhu remembered how kind she had been to her later, and hearing these words again, she was deeply moved. She hugged her tightly and said, "Auntie, you have suffered so much in your life. I really hope you can live a more relaxed and happy life."
She was surprised, delighted, and cherished this rare opportunity for intimacy.
Laughter and chatter drifted from the other side, which sounded extremely grating to her.
"Don't worry, this will be the only time. I will absolutely not let Ali have another chance to see Prince Mu!"
“Aunt…” Yu Liuzhu was already in tears, as if she wanted to cry out all the grievances from her past life.
It turns out that the people who are truly good to you protect you without expecting anything in return. My aunt is like that, and there is another person who is the same.
In this life, she must repay her aunt and that person.
*
Before Shen Linlang even got close, she saw them embracing tightly, and she couldn't help but frown.
My daughter has always been obedient to me and has never met with her sister-in-law in private. Now, not only have they met, but they are also so intimate. What happened?
"Tang'er? Qingxue?"
Her voice startled the two people who were embracing.
Yu Qingxue immediately released Yu Liuzhu, took a few quick steps over, and hurriedly explained, "Sister-in-law, Tang'er has been wronged. It's all my fault as her aunt. I didn't teach Ali well. Ali doesn't know the rules and etiquette, and doesn't know how to avoid suspicion and taboos, which is why Tang'er is sad and upset."
Shen Linlang had already heard about what happened at Ruianju, which is why she rushed over in a hurry.
She looked at Yu Liuzhu, whose face still bore traces of tears, and felt a pang of heartache.
Just then, Yu Jingliang's unrestrained laughter came from the courtyard, "Ah Lin, look, my Ah Li has only just started learning, yet she has already lost to you by three arrows. If she practices properly, you may not be her match in the future."
That Erlang!
They really can't distinguish between close and distant relatives.
Her expression was displeased, and she immediately turned and went into the courtyard.
Mu Lin was probably competing with Shen Qinglu, and the two were standing quite close together, while Yu Jingliang was watching the match from the side.
The group of people were all taken aback when they saw her.
Her sharp gaze first fell on Mu Lin, then on Yu Jingliang, and finally landed on Shen Qinglu. Her eyes were filled with an unreadable emotion, whether it was blame or suspicion.
She was involved in everything Yu Liuzhu needed, so she naturally recognized that the clothes Shen Qinglu was wearing were the new clothes she had made for her daughter a few days ago.
"How did your clothes end up on your sister Ali?" she asked Yu Liuzhu, who had followed her.
She asked the question knowing the answer already, not only to Yu Liuzhu, but also to Shen Qinglu, and to let Mu Lin hear it.
Yu Liuzhu recounted what had happened, without embellishing it. Shen Qinglu's simple statement that she liked her clothes and her style was enough to make the listener think.
Shen Qinglu did not argue, nor did she flinch or avoid Shen Linlang's questioning gaze.
Shen Linlang was initially very angry, but for some reason, when she met her eyes, the depth in them, and the unspoken words that seemed to hold a thousand unspoken thoughts, she felt an indescribable sadness.
That's enough.
Children don't understand.
But don't adults understand either?
“Qingxue, Ali has grown up. She is a girl after all, and she also has a desire to look beautiful and pretty. As her mother, you should pay more attention and buy her the things that need to be bought for her.”
Yu Qingxue protested, "Sister-in-law, you don't know, this child is really a pain. No matter how I teach him, he won't listen to me."
"If you talk to her and teach her more, she will eventually listen."
"It was my fault, sister-in-law. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on her every day from now on, and I will not let her run around or embarrass herself again."
Shen Qinglu remained silent, looking blank and bewildered, as if she couldn't understand what they were saying at all, and didn't know how to defend herself.
She was wronged, but no matter what others said, they would only feel sorry for her.
Not to mention Yu Jingliang, even Mu Lin found it hard to listen.
“Miss Ali did not run around or make a fool of herself. Madam is exaggerating.”
Since Yu Qingxue and Su Qihe have already divorced, it is inappropriate for her to be referred to as Madam Su. Calling her Madam Yu would obviously clash with Shen Linlang's title, which is also unsuitable. Therefore, Mu Lin simply uses the title "Madam" instead.
"Young Master Mu, you are engaged to Tang'er..."
Before Yu Qingxue could speak, he interrupted her, "A woman's reputation is of utmost importance, Madam, please be careful with your words."
His words undoubtedly denied the marriage agreement between the two families, which was like a bolt from the blue to Yu Qingxue.
"Young Master Mu, you..."
“Qingxue, what Prince Mu said is right. A woman’s reputation is important. Some things should not be publicized if they are not clearly stated.” Shen Linlang interrupted her with a displeased expression.
Realizing she had lost her composure, she felt somewhat embarrassed. Her gaze towards Yu Liuzhu was filled with heartache, but when she turned to look at Shen Qinglu, it held a hidden resentment.
Shen Linlang then said to Mu Lin, "Lin, I'm sorry to have bothered you. The house is a bit messy, so I won't keep you any longer."
Mu Lin felt it was inappropriate to stay any longer, so he had no choice but to take his leave.
Even after he had walked a little further, he still looked back, gazing at Shen Qinglu with concern.
Yu Liuzhu could not ignore him, so she took his every move into her eyes.
Even if there is resentment and hatred between husband and wife, it is impossible to truly let go. When he is completely blind to himself, when his eyes are full of others, Yu Liuzhu will still care, will still be angry, and may even take his anger out on others.
For example, Shen Qinglu, and Yu Jingliang.
Yu Jingliang spoke without restraint, saying bluntly, "Aunt, I brought Ali here, and Grandmother knows that too. How could she have run off?"
"Second brother, how could you talk to Aunt like that?" Yu Liuzhu was very unhappy and immediately had a place to vent her anger.
She was neglected by Mu Lin and suffered all kinds of grievances in the Mu family, but she didn't tell her family at first because of her pride. However, her second brother was on good terms with Mu Lin and was a frequent visitor to the Marquis's mansion. He clearly knew everything about her situation, but not only did he not help her, he even advised her to be content.
"How hard Aunt has worked all these years, others may not know, but do we not know? Sister Ali is different from others, the most difficult to teach and take care of. Who can understand her suffering? Second brother, what is the meaning of your heart? How can you be so cold-blooded and heartless?"
"As a mother, isn't it her duty to raise and care for her own child? Ask yourself, how has your mother treated you since you were a child? Has she ever uttered a single complaint?"
Shen Linlang was surprised that Yu Jingliang would say such a thing, and her brows furrowed even more. Firstly, she was biased towards Shen Qinglu because of her son; secondly, she was trying to empathize with him as a mother; and thirdly, she was moved by the grievance in her son's tone.
“Erlang, Ali is your aunt’s own daughter. How could she mistreat her own flesh and blood? You…”
"Does your own flesh and blood always mean you'll love them?" Yu Jingliang growled.
Shen Linlang's face turned pale, and she opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Yu Jingliang gave a self-deprecating laugh, but his expression darkened immediately. "Ali is very sensible and well-behaved. I want to ask Aunt, where has she embarrassed herself? What mother would say such things about her daughter without even knowing the facts? Aunt, are you really her biological mother?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingxue's expression changed drastically.
"Erlang, I never thought you thought of me like this... It's my bad luck, it's my fault. Ali, look at the trouble you've caused everyone, making them argue over you. Can you please be more obedient, don't make things difficult for me, and don't make things difficult for others. I'm begging you, please come back with me."
Her voice was filled with sobs and grievances.
Shen Qinglu remained unmoved, instead looking at Yu Jingliang without saying a word, while tears streamed down her face.
Upon seeing this, Yu Jingliang felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He pulled her behind him and said firmly, "I promised Grandmother that I would send Ali back to her in perfect condition."
She stared at the boy who was standing in front of her, feeling somewhat dazed.
In the past, there was always someone who would stand by her side no matter what happened, relieving her of suffering, worry, and loneliness.
Being reborn is not a matter of time passing or a temporary separation, but a final farewell.
"Ah Li, don't be sad." Yu Jingliang saw the tears in her eyes and gently comforted her.
She raised her head, letting the tears fall, first looking intently at Yu Jingliang, then glancing forward at Yu Qingxue, Shen Linlang, and Yu Liuzhu.
Are you sad?
These people don't deserve it!
A note from the author:
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