Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Old Mistress did not want to worry about so many things in her old age. She had learned to shut her eyes to certain things.
This affected the entire family’s interests. The woman who had lived for more than half of a century clearly possessed the demeanor of a respected older relative.
“It’s difficult for me to see all of you. Now that everyone is present today, I have something to tell you.”
Everyone put their bowls and chopsticks down while they waited for the Old Mistress’ instructions.
“The first matter concerns Ruoxin!” The Old Mistress glanced at the obedient girl beside her with tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke. “Ruoxin, is actually my Qinger…”
The dining table descended into chaos!
Aside from Yuan Xuan and Mu Chenyan, Yuan Tian had also discovered this conclusion long ago. Everyone else inhaled a breath of cold air.
Mu Chenyan and Yuan Tian looked at each other. They did not know who revealed this information to the Old Mistress, much less her aim when she mentioned this matter.
Wen Ya’s face was ashen while her entire body trembled. She glanced at Shu Qinger before she looked at the Old Mistress. In a quivering voice, she asked, “Grandmother, what do you mean?”
Yuan Tangzhong was surprised as well. “Mother, are you unwell? Why are you suddenly saying this?”
Yuan Ran was a coward. She unconsciously thought of the murder case when Qinger was mentioned. She quietly exclaimed in shock but she was too afraid to interrupt.
“It’s a long story!” The Old Mistress pulled Qinger’s hand when she spoke. Tear drops rolled down the corners of her eyes but she quickly wiped them away. “I’m not spouting nonsense and I’m not confused! I’ll tell you the details of this story another time.
“When Qinger returned, I felt as though I was resurrected from the dead as well. When I see Hong Yan, I can say that I’ve fulfilled my promise to her!”
Hong Yan was Shu Qinger’s grandmother. She had previously entrusted Qinger in the care of her good friend.
Everyone knew that the Old Mistress treasured old friendships. Qinger’s incident had always been a sore point for her. However, she had yet to fully accept these changes because the situation was rather complicated.
Yuan Zhe and his father looked at each other. They were too afraid to say anything unnecessary during this family banquet. If the Old Mistress knew about such a serious incident, Yuan Xuan had probably discovered it long ago.
Wen Ya’s voice trembled as she asked, “Who did they kill?”
Her frightened gaze shifted towards Shu Qinger.
The Old Mistress’ emotions were slightly agitated. Her voice quivered as well, saying, “It was the real Ruoxin!
“That child pretended to be Qinger. No one saw any inkling of it when she was hospitalized in Luo Hai. Everyone assumed that her memories were scattered and that she behaved abnormally because she was mentally ill.”
The young women at the table muttered quietly. Mu Chenyan could tell that everyone aside from herself knew that Qinger had previously stayed in Zong He Sanatorium for a period of time.
No one suspected anything about the changes in Zhao Ruoxin when she returned to Luo Hai because of this.
They only shared life experiences when they were younger because Qinger had studied abroad since she was a child. She spent very little time interacting with her family at home.
Qinger experienced great emotional changes when she fell sick. They affected her personality and temperament. Her memories were also fractured, making it impossible for her to remember the things that happened when she was younger. Who would have imagined that she had been secretly swapped with another person?
Mu Chenyan saw Shu Qinger shoot a provocative gaze at her. Traces of mockery were also hidden behind her arrogantly pleased smile.
Chenyan seemed to realize that this wildly ambitious woman had slowly revealed herself as Qinger to the Old Mistress because of Yuan Xuan.
In the end, she was not assured although Yuan Xuan had promised to let her remain locally.
She had sought protection from the Old Mistress because she was the only person in this household who could control Yuan Xuan.
Old Mistress would never allow her to return to Italy now that she had switched back to this identity.
Yuan Xuan’s profound gaze fell on Shu Qinger. In a gentle tone, he said, “Grandmother, are you saying that you want to clear up Qinger’s identity with the outside world?”
The Old Mistress nodded but seemed slightly hesitant. She used a tone which suggested that she was seeking advice, saying, “I called everyone here today to discuss this matter!”
She glanced at Qinger before her eyes scanned across all her relatives. “After all, the previous case affected us very badly that year. If we bring it up again now, I’m worried that it’ll leave a bad impression on the outside world!
“However, Qinger has returned in the end. Since the Yuan Family is still influential in Luo Hai, can’t we give her some form of status?”
The Old Mistress was not asking for anyone’s opinion when she said this.
Everyone shifted their gaze toward Yuan Xuan. Qinger looked rather hopeful as well while she waited for Yuan Xuan to speak.
Mu Chenyan felt stressed on Yuan Xuan’s behalf at this moment. She remained calm and lowered her eyelids without looking at Yuan Xuan.
“If she just needs an identity, it’ll be fine for her to continue on as Ruoxin! The matchmaking event is about to begin in a few days. The sons of Luo Hai’s aristocratic families want to get married. As the Yuan Family is supposed to host this year’s matchmaking event, I think that it’ll be a good time to introduce Ruoxin to the rest of the world!”
Yuan Xuan gingerly struck the surface of the table with his ivory chopsticks. “It’s good that you know Qinger’s real identity now. The backstory of her identity will also continue to stay with you, grandmother. Are titles really that important?”
The Old Mistress realized that this was also reasonable when she heard it. It was difficult enough for her own family to accept this sudden matter, but outsiders would probably make thoughtless remarks.
Qinger’s gaze was filled with disappointment.
She did not care about the title. However, Yuan Xuan’s attitude showed there was no place for her in his heart…
“Brother Xuan, I…”
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re Qinger or Ruoxin, we’ll continue to treat you like our little sister!”
Yuan Xuan suddenly interrupted Shu Qinger. A sorrowful look appeared on the ambitious woman’s face when her mood temporarily worsened.
“I’m everyone’s little sister!” Yuan Tian muttered. The youngest child in the household was extremely upset now.
Lu Shan was worried that this naughty girl would say something and cause trouble again. She secretly pinched her underneath the table…
Tears formed in Yuan Tian’s eyes when she was pinched. The corners of her lips drooped downward before she angrily pouted her little mouth. “Mom, doesn’t our hospital have a department that does maternity tests?”
Lu Shan could not connect the dots at that time. She asked, “Yes, we do. Why?”
“We should go and do a maternity test tomorrow. I suspect that I may be someone else’s unwanted child!” There was a desolate look on Yuan Tian’s face.
Lu Shan was amused but annoyed at the same time. She sneaked a glance at Yuan Tangshuo. “This is all your fault!”
Yuan Tangshuo disagreed. He felt that Yuan Tian had an extremely good attitude. It was truly difficult for his daughter to grow up robustly when the members of the Yuan Family treated her with such disdain throughout so many years.
On the other hand, Qinger was a highly ambitious child from the outside. Yuan Tangshuo glanced at Yuan Xuan and Qinger. He gently sighed, “Mother, you stubbornly allowed this girl to stay in our household despite the confusion. This matter has become problematic in the end!”
Lu Shan glared at her husband when he exclaimed like this. He was usually a quiet man. “Don’t make the Old Mistress unhappy now. No one in this family would dare to disobey her because Father spoiled her. Moreover, this is Yuan Xuan’s problem so don’t butt in!”
Yuan Zhe remained silent on the sidelines all this while. When he looked at Qinger, he suddenly understood the extent of Mu Chenwu’s slyness. He thought of every possible way to get her into the Yuan Family so that she could disrupt their household because he had probably figured out her true identity long ago.
This was not an entirely bad thing because this woman could control Yuan Xuan slightly. Yuan Xuan would still be concerned with Mu Chenyan if Qinger remained, but Qinger would not let him live peacefully…
