Even though more than a decade has passed, he still refuses to give up, firmly believing that his daughter is still alive.
"Have you heard any news from Tinghan lately?"
"No, the Crown Prince's whereabouts are uncertain, and we do not know where he is now."
Granny Su hesitated, unable to utter the words she wanted to say.
Seeing her like this, Princess Jingyi knew what she was going to say.
She sighed helplessly.
"Do you think I'm too heartless? I've already found my daughter, but I haven't told them, father and son?"
Granny Shu bowed, "This servant wouldn't dare. This servant knows that the princess must have her own reasons."
Princess Jingyi sighed, "Back then, when Su Zhen took a concubine, I was ridiculed by many powerful families. Although they didn't say it outright because of my status, nothing stays secret forever, and these words have already reached my ears."
"Over the years, I have carefully guided Qingyu, making her a role model for young ladies in the capital. They praise me as a good mother and sincerely trust me, which is why I have been able to regain my reputation among the ladies."
"If they knew that I had a peasant girl who was ugly, vulgar, and who mingled with other men and was of bad character, how would they laugh at me?"
"I have already been ridiculed once, and I never want to experience that feeling again."
"Besides, it's time to arrange marriages for the children, and I can't let her interfere with their weddings."
Thinking of the tiny, pink baby she had held in her arms years ago, Granny Shu felt a pang of pity and said, "That young lady who was left behind..."
"Don't worry about her. Didn't I send someone to throw some silver into her house before? That's enough for her to live comfortably for a while. From now on, whether she lives or dies is entirely up to her own fate, and it has nothing to do with me anymore."
Granny Shu pursed her lips. "This servant understands."
The two remained silent for a long time. Incense, burning in a blue-and-white porcelain censer, released wisps of smoke. Princess Jingyi closed her eyes slightly, seemingly resting.
It wasn't until a maidservant reported that the Fourth Miss had personally cooked bird's nest and brought it over that the situation changed.
Princess Jingyi opened her eyes, her face softening slightly and revealing a rare gentleness.
"Qingyu greets Mother. How are you feeling today?"
A young girl dressed in a lotus-colored dress embroidered with silver butterflies and floating flowers arrived gracefully, with dark eyebrows and a face as beautiful as peach blossoms.
Her voice was like a nightingale singing in an empty valley, as melodious as flowing water.
Princess Jingyi smiled and beckoned her to sit beside her, placing one hand on the soft, doughy hand.
"Mother is alright. I heard from the servants that you went boating on the lake with your girlfriends today. Did you have a good time?"
Qingyu nodded obediently, "Yes, I had a lot of fun, but I was so engrossed in the scenery that I came back a little late. I'll definitely come back earlier next time. I'm sorry to have worried you, Mother."
"Mother knows you are sad. Huo Yan's refusal of His Majesty's bestowed marriage angered His Majesty, and he was exiled on some pretext."
“That barbarian soldier is not good enough for you. Your mother will take a good look at the family and find you a good husband.”
"You don't need to worry. His Majesty was just testing Huo Yan's attitude in private. No one in the capital knows about your relationship with him, so no one will gossip."
"As for the title of Princess Lai'en, your mother will definitely ask His Majesty to bestow it upon you on the day you come of age."
Su Qingyu suppressed the flames of anger flickering in her eyes beneath her eyelashes and knelt on the ground in response.
"What virtue or ability does Qingyu possess to receive her mother's love and protection?"
Qingyu had no way to repay her mother's kindness, so she prayed for her mother day and night, hoping that her mother would recover soon.
Princess Jingyi's clear eyes shone with a soft, subtle light as she quickly asked the nanny to help her up.
“There’s no need for us to be so distant. It’s fate that we met. Besides, I liked you the moment I saw you.”
"Back then, you were so small, and in the blink of an eye, you've grown into a graceful young lady."
"Knowing you and receiving your careful guidance is Qingyu's blessing."
As she spoke, she instructed the maid to place a bowl of bird's nest from the tray on the table. "Mother, please try it while it's hot and see how it tastes."
Princess Jingyi stroked the top of her head, "Qingyu is so thoughtful."
"It's what a daughter should do."
Qingyu smiled sweetly.
"Your coming-of-age ceremony will be in a few days, and I will definitely make it a grand and lively affair for you."
"I'm sorry to have troubled my mother."
"Silly child, what are you saying? I would do anything for you willingly. You must be tired from playing today, go home and rest early!"
"Yes, then Qingyu will take her leave."
Seeing Qingyu's increasingly graceful figure, Princess Jingyi's joy was almost overflowing.
Su Qingyu had just returned to the courtyard when she was summoned over by Aunt Liu's maid.
Suppressing a hint of displeasure, she dismissed the maids and went alone along a secluded path.
Aunt Liu sat at the table, sizing up Su Qingyu, who walked in with graceful steps.
"Tsk, what a beauty."
"I wonder what business Aunt Liu has with me?"
"You really have no manners. I am your cousin, after all. If I hadn't sent someone to put you in the temple back then, would you have the good life you have today? You would probably have been sold by your gambling father the moment you were born."
I can elevate you to the heavens, or I can ruin your reputation. Now, only I know the whereabouts of your parents. Shall I arrange a grand reunion for you? Let those young ladies see what kind of people your real parents are?
Su Qingyu's expression was slightly cold, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She hated it most when others mentioned her biological parents.
It was as if the skin was being scraped away at her body, telling her that she was not the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Su's mansion, nor the beloved daughter of the most noble Princess Jingyi. All of this was only because she had become someone else's substitute, and all her wealth and glory belonged to another woman.
Whenever she meets with her close friends, they are respectful and courteous to her, showing her even more respect. But behind her back, they often speak ill of her, saying that she is just an adopted daughter and what is she so proud of?
If the real daughter returns, she'll probably have nothing left to do.
She hated those people to the core, and she hated that woman she had never met before; she wished she had already died outside.
She immediately composed herself and forced a smile, "I wonder what brings you here, Aunt?"
Aunt Liu took out an exquisite box and pushed it in front of her. "Today is your coming-of-age ceremony. What? Have you forgotten? Didn't I tell you before that it's your own birthday?"
Su Qingyu was slightly taken aback. She had really forgotten that all these years, the birth date of the lost baby had been used as the standard, and she had long forgotten when she was born.
That's why she couldn't help but feel resentment. She hated that she was always just a substitute.
"Thank you for the gift, Aunt. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
She lifted her foot to leave, but was stopped by Aunt Liu once again.
"What's the rush? A drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude. Today, my aunt just wants to collect a little interest. Is that too much to ask?"
What do you want me to do?
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