Chapter 37 A chill gradually emerged in Shen Qinglu's eyes as she fought for and snatched the prize…
Yu Zhiheng narrowed his eyes, seeing her face clearly for the first time.
The child used to be mentally challenged and only thought she looked like her sister, but never looked closely. Now that he sees her like this, they do look alike, but they also seem completely different.
"Ah Li, are you really all better?"
“Father,” she called respectfully, “When I woke up this morning, I felt clear-headed. All the past events seemed like a dream, as if I were looking at flowers through a fog.”
His mature wording and melancholy tone suggested he was a perfectly normal person.
Shen Linlang snapped out of her daze, both surprised and delighted. After looking her up and down, she asked in disbelief, "Ali, you...you're really healed?"
"Mom, I think I had a very long dream. After I woke up, I felt better."
Past lives and present lives, absurd as a dream, and perhaps even waking up now is a dream.
Shen Linlang burst into tears of joy, "It's good that it's all better, it's good that it's all better."
Yu Zhiheng added, "That's good."
There are two kinds of "good". One kind of "good" is being happy for Shen Qinglu, feeling excited and grateful. The other kind of "good" is being happy that you don't have to be the father of a fool, feeling fortunate and agreeing.
“Father,” Shen Qinglu called to him, “I think I heard you and Mother arguing about me outside just now. I’m so unfilial, causing you both to worry.”
He looked somewhat embarrassed, but remained refined. "We all want what's best for this family."
The house is grand, with ingenious design, antique layout, and intricately carved tables, chairs, and pillars. The entire east side has a multi-tiered cabinet displaying various jade and porcelain artifacts, just like a place for appreciation and leisure in later generations.
For Shen Qinglu, this is not home, at least not her home.
“You must be in a difficult position after this happened. Grandmother is at fault, but she is an elder and cannot be sent to the authorities or beaten. Sister Tang’er has grown up by your side since she was little and is loved by you. You cannot just abandon her.”
Yu Zhiheng was surprised and pleased that she would say such a thing.
"My son is really good."
Shen Linlang kept looking at her. Her face was no longer blank, her eyes were no longer empty, and her tone of voice was as steady as ever. She seemed to have no trace of the person she was before.
It was as if that dull-witted and ignorant child had never existed at all.
For some reason, Shen Linlang felt inexplicably sad, as if she had missed something extremely important and had not protected it properly while it existed.
"Ah Li, are you really not blaming them?"
"Mother, whether it's strange or not, we are all family."
Unless you're not family!
Shen Linlang didn't understand the meaning behind her words and thought that she was trying to compromise. She felt even more sad and guilty, and her eyes reddened, with tears welling up inside.
Yu Zhiheng frowned. "The child is better now and more sensible. You should be happy."
Shen Linlang wiped away her tears, forcing a smile. Seeing her tearful expression, only she knew the complex and painful emotions within her. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her back, gently patting her. Turning her head, she met Shen Qinglu's comforting gaze, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Before Yu Zhiheng could say anything more, Shen Qinglu said, "Father has worked hard all night and should have to go to the yamen later. Hurry up and wash up and change your clothes so as not to be late."
"Good, good, good." Yu Zhiheng said "good" three times in a row, clearly appreciating Shen Qinglu's understanding and sensibility.
He was a sixth-rank compiler, serving in the Jixian Hall. The Jixian Hall was located in the palace and was under the direct control of the emperor, so all the duties and responsibilities there were more strictly enforced than those in government offices outside the palace.
It was indeed quite late. He barely stopped, and after washing up and changing his clothes, he left the mansion.
The mother and daughter saw him off at the door until his figure in the blue official robe disappeared from sight.
In the clear sky, wisps of white clouds float, seemingly carefree and free, but in reality, their direction is entirely determined by the wind. They appear to be high above, yet they are no different from duckweed, much like many women of this era.
Heaven is eternal, earth is ancient, and the world seems unchanged, but the human world has changed.
"Mother, after I woke up, I could see everything that happened before clearly, like an outsider." Shen Qinglu's voice was somewhat ethereal, as if it came from a very distant horizon.
With her right beside her, Shen Linlang felt as if she would disappear in the blink of an eye. She instinctively held her hand tightly, feeling both worried and heartbroken.
"Ah Li, what did you see? What do you remember?"
Her eyes were firm, and her tone was heavy. "I heard what they were saying. Back then, she begged her grandmother to help her exchange me for Tang'er."
Just one sentence was enough to send a thunderbolt through the air.
Shen Linlang swayed and almost lost her balance.
"I'm going to... to kill her!"
“Mother!” Shen Qinglu grabbed her. “Grandmother has taken the blame for everything. We have no proof, and she won’t admit it. If you want to deal with her, you’ll have to break off all ties and become irreconcilable enemies with them. In that case, you and Father will have no choice but to divorce.”
Her face turned even paler, and she stood there stunned.
After a long pause, he murmured, "Divorce? I..."
Yu Zhiheng was the man she fell in love with at first sight. They had been a loving and respectful couple for many years, and they had never even argued before yesterday.
Her shock and disbelief were clearly written on her face. Shen Qinglu saw it at a glance and said, "If you can't get a divorce, then you can only endure it for now, secretly find evidence, prove their mistakes to Father, and leave them speechless."
Shen Qinglu's words eased her tension, and she nodded hurriedly, "That's right, that's right, I can't act impulsively. The best course of action now is to find evidence."
What she didn't see was the fleeting look of disappointment in Shen Qinglu's eyes.
*
The servants who participated in the firefighting were all warned and no one dared to discuss the master's affairs. Even if someone asked about the fire at Ruian Residence last night, those who knew the truth kept silent. However, they did not shy away from the matter of the real and fake eldest daughter.
Those who once admired Yu Liuzhu so much now looked at her with deep unease. They kept their distance, whispering and pointing amongst themselves.
Like her previous life.
She straightened her back, striving to maintain her dignity and pride, but when she saw Yu Zhiheng, her eyes reddened, "Father..."
When Yu Zhiheng saw her, his expression was somewhat complicated.
What are you doing here?
That night, she was forced to pack her things and move to the Jingxin Courtyard. She was put in the same room that Shen Qinglu had lived in before. The simple furnishings and the drastically different treatment made her want to escape.
She never expected that what she thought would be a completely different life after her rebirth, freeing her from the grievances of her previous life, would turn out to be even worse than before.
"I don't dare go to Mother. I'm afraid she'll be angry with me, I'm afraid she won't want to see me. Father, our family was doing just fine, how could this happen?"
"Your mother... can't figure it out right now. She's always doted on you. She'll be fine once she calms down."
"Father, I've never been separated from you and Mother since I was little. I don't want to be separated from you. Could you please plead with Mother and me to say that I won't compete with Ali for anything, I just beg her not to ignore me?"
Yu Zhiheng wasn't particularly attached to his children, but because Shen Linlang doted on his youngest daughter the most among the three children, he showed some favoritism towards Yu Liuzhu.
This child has always been pampered and has never suffered any hardship. This is the first time he has ever seen him cry and talk like this. Although he feels embarrassed, he can't help but feel a little sorry for him.
“I will talk to your mother, you…”
“Father!” Shen Qinglu’s call interrupted him. Soon she arrived and handed him a food box, saying, “You left in a hurry and didn’t have time for breakfast. Your mother is worried about you, so she asked me to bring you some snacks so you can have something to eat on the way.”
"Your mother is very kind."
He was very pleased, and his attendant immediately took the snacks from him.
He's not quite used to having two daughters, one real and one fake, all of whom are watching him.
"You can all go back now."
After saying that, he continued walking forward.
After taking a few steps, Shen Qinglu caught up and said, "Father, there are no secrets in this world. This matter will inevitably come to light sooner or later, and it may have already spread. But a son should not speak ill of his mother. You don't need to pay attention to what others say about Grandmother. As time goes by, if new things happen in the capital, no one will talk about them anymore."
"It's rare to see someone so sensible; I'm very happy to have you as my father."
Ultimately, he not only refused to accept that his children were mentally challenged, but also hoped that they would all be exceptionally intelligent.
For no apparent reason, he subconsciously glanced at Yu Liuzhu. One was only concerned with himself, putting him in a difficult position, while the other was considerate of him and even comforted him. Comparing the two, a thought inexplicably flashed through his mind: it's always better to have a biological child.
As his figure disappeared from sight, a coldness gradually emerged in Shen Qinglu's eyes, and her slightly upturned lips were full of sarcasm.
"You...you look a little different today?" Yu Liuzhu's voice rang out from behind, tinged with surprise.
She slowly turned around, gently raised her eyelids, and stared intently at the scene.
She used to pretend to be indifferent and detached from life and death, always showing kindness in return for evil, gratitude for life, and an attitude of having no desire for material things. She wanted things but didn't say so, yet secretly hoped that others would offer her everything.
She spent her entire life deceiving the people who were kind to her, exchanging her insincerity for their genuine affection. How hypocritical she was, living like a fake person.
The face before her bore a resemblance to her own, even down to the look of weakness. Logically, she should have felt a sense of familiarity, and perhaps even developed a different kind of emotion.
Unfortunately, she didn't feel any sense of familiarity; instead, she felt as if she had taken off her own mask and was putting it on someone else's face—an inexplicable sense of unease.
"Aren't you surprised? I survived a terrible ordeal and was even resurrected."
The words "resurrected" sent a jolt through Yu Liuzhu's heart. "You...you're better?"
"Not only am I healed, but I also remember what you said." She approached slowly, as if slithering like a venomous snake, exuding a sense of leisure. The black mist re-entered her eyes, instantly revealing a strange darkness. She smiled faintly, like a beautiful ghost. "You said that the daughter of a disgraced official could only be a concubine. Do you still remember?"
In that instant, Yu Liuzhu felt a chill run down her spine. The fear she felt when she first saw him as a child, as if she had encountered a ghost, returned, and she couldn't help but scream.
The scream startled the person who was about to approach, who quickly shielded her and glared fiercely at Shen Qinglu.
"What are you doing?"
Shen Qinglu glanced at the young face that resembled Yu Zhiheng's, and sighed softly, "I just remembered what Sister Tang'er said to me before, and reminded her not to forget."
"What did you say?"
"The daughter of a disgraced official can only be a concubine."
"Foolish child!" Yu Jingxian roared. "How could you say such a thing about Tang'er? She is not the daughter of a disgraced official; she is a member of the Yu family."
“If she’s not the daughter of a disgraced official, then am I?” Shen Qinglu found it amusing, pointing playfully at herself and then at him, “If I am the daughter of a disgraced official, then what about you?”
He was speechless, feeling that his former cousin, now his adopted sister, was not quite right, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong, until Yu Liuzhu reminded him.
"Brother, Sister Ali is all better now. Please don't call her 'idiot' anymore."
Are you alright?
"Who's done?" Yu Jingliang's voice came, and he took a few steps forward. After Shen Qinglu smiled slightly at him, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, "Ali, you're done?!"
"Second Brother, I'm all better." Shen Qinglu's exquisite face was full of gentleness, especially her smile, which was like a peony in full bloom, enough to outshine all other beauties.
For a moment, the servants who wanted to watch but dared not approach were amazed, and some of them whispered among themselves.
"They're so lucky. It's good that they were just recognized. It must be God's blessing."
"The old lady is really confused. How could she have such thoughts? Doesn't she realize that without our lady, the Yu family would not be where they are today?"
“Who says otherwise? I used to look at Cousin... no, now I should call her Eldest Miss, and I felt sorry for her. Heaven have mercy on her. If she had been recognized earlier, things might have been better by now.”
Not long after Shen Linlang came out upon hearing the news, she heard such discussions.
Her face darkened as she walked toward Shen Qinglu and the others.
Before they even got close, Yu Jingliang's angry voice rang out, "Big brother, you used to protect her because she was our sister. Now that Ali is our sister, how can you help her bully Ali?"
"Erlang, can you please stop targeting Tang'er whenever you get the chance?" Yu Jingliang said irritably. "Don't you realize that if it weren't for her, our family would still be fine, and none of this would have happened!"
Xia Chan, who was standing nearby, had already spotted Shen Linlang approaching and gave Shen Qinglu a wink.
Shen Qinglu understood immediately. "Second brother, the worst thing for brothers is discord. You shouldn't always argue about Sister Tang'er. It won't sound good if word gets out. And you, eldest brother, should try to avoid any suspicion when you're with Sister Tang'er in the future, otherwise misunderstandings are likely to arise."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingxian felt as if a string in his mind had snapped, and he was immediately furious. "Tang'er and I are siblings. How could you have such filthy thoughts?"
Are they siblings?
That's not the case anymore.
Shen Qinglu was not annoyed. "This principle was taught to me by Sister Tang'er. Yesterday she said that my second brother and I should not be too close, otherwise people would spread rumors that we were having an affair. So that's what she meant by dirty thoughts. It seems that I still have a lot to learn. I'm really sorry, eldest brother."
Yu Jingxian's anger dissipated with her last apology, replaced by a strange and uncomfortable feeling. As she frowned and stared blankly, she caught a glimpse of Shen Linlang, who had appeared out of nowhere, and her cheeks immediately burned with embarrassment.
Shen Qinglu seemed to only notice Shen Linlang now, and quickly went over to her, saying, "Mother, look how well you've raised my elder brother. As an elder brother, he is truly impeccable, and he loves his younger sister dearly. But times have changed. If they get closer again, it will inevitably cause people to overthink things."
Shen Linlang felt uneasy despite being praised by her.
If siblings quarrel or fight, no one will say anything. But if two brothers quarrel over a cousin, it is considered a feud between brothers, a sign of discord in the family.
If any gossip spreads between the eldest son and the adopted daughter...
Shen Linlang dared not think about it any further, and for once, she put on a stern face for her eldest son, whom she valued most. "Eldest son, Ali is right. You and Tang'er should avoid each other from now on."
Yu Liuzhu was both ashamed and angry. "Mother, you always taught us to love our siblings and not to grow apart even when we grow up. My older brother and I listened to you. Why did things turn out like this?"
"Still calling me 'Mother'? What? Do you still want to occupy my sister's place?" Yu Jingxian was blunt, because the so-called brotherly and sisterly love never included him.
“I didn’t mean to hold on to her, but I had no choice. I can’t change what she calls me. She’s been my mother since I was a child. How can she just disown me like that?”
"Of course you want to acknowledge her. You'd love for my mother to acknowledge you back so you can continue living your good life under the name of the Yu family girl."
"Second brother, how could you say that to me? What did I do wrong?"
What did the original owner do?
Shen Qinglu lowered her eyes, concealing the fierceness within them.
She had died once, and she knew better than anyone the ruthlessness of death; when a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. Even after her death, her relatives remembered her, while the original owner of this body was not treated kindly by the world when she came into this world, and no one knew when she left.
Except for her.
She knew that the bond between a mother and daughter who had been together for over a decade, even if the daughter was adopted, was no less than that between biological daughters. Therefore, she understood Shen Linlang's pain and reluctance.
But she still insisted on fighting for it!
She walked towards Yu Liuzhu step by step, taking his hand in hers.
"Sister Tang'er, do you know how much I used to envy you?"
Yu Liuzhu tried to shake her off, but she was incredibly strong. She seemed gentle, but in reality, she held on tightly and wouldn't let go. What's more, she said such things, which made people tremble with fear.
“You are the jewel of the Yu family, surrounded by stars and pampered like the moon. You enjoyed such a life for sixteen years, while I suffered for more than a decade in your place. Shouldn’t I be the one crying?”
As she spoke, she actually took out a handkerchief and used it to wipe away the other person's tears.
Because she had her back turned and her handkerchief covered her face, no one saw her lips move slightly.
"Do you even know how deserving you are to die? How dare you still cry!"
The chilling tone and cold, sarcastic voice sounded like the whispers of a demon to Yu Liuzhu, who was so frightened that she pushed her away.
As she fell to the ground, Shen Linlang and Yu Jingliang rushed over.
"Ah Li, did you hurt yourself?" Shen Linlang asked anxiously as she helped her up.
Yu Jingliang glared at Yu Liuzhu, "You are truly vicious, just like your own mother!"
"It was her, she cursed me to die, she..." Yu Liuzhu explained incoherently, but when Shen Linlang looked at her with heartache, she panicked even more, "Mother..."
Shen Linlang's eyes were full of disappointment. "I'm not your mother, don't call me mother!"
Her eyes were filled with disbelief. Even if her mother hadn't visited her in her past life, she only felt resentment, not hatred.
Now she hates it so much!
In her deepest resentment, she inexplicably looked at the person being supported by Shen Linlang, only to unexpectedly meet a pair of eyes that seemed to be both smiling and mocking.
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