Chapter Two: Every Word Piercing

For the past three years, Chu Xi had been confined within the Marquis of Zhen Guo’s residence, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

It was surprising, yet not impossible, that Mo Zixiao had risen from a mere servant to a general, given his lifelong training in martial arts and skill in archery on horseback.

The Marquis chuckled, “General Mo, you’ve worked hard. I won’t keep you any longer.”

Mo Zixiao glanced sideways at Chu Xi, as if suppressing some emotion, then turned and left.

Madam Liu quickly ordered, “Prepare hot water for the young lady’s bath and to change her clothes.”

The Marquis waved his hand, “Go wash up and change your clothes quickly.”

Chu Xi bowed respectfully before stepping back with the colored screen servant Wang Mu, yet the words “father” and “mother” never escaped her lips.

The Marquis shook his head, “She truly lacks upbringing—like a mute.”

Madam Liu was less concerned. “It’s already remarkable she’s survived this long. We can teach her the rest gradually.”

Half an hour later, Chu Xi seemed transformed. Her features were delicate and charming, though she still appeared too thin and weary.

Madam Liu gazed at the daughter she had only seen twice in eighteen years, marveling, “She’s carved from the same mold as the Marquis—exactly alike.”

“Father, mother,” the voice calling out was mistaken by Madam Liu as coming from Chu Xi, but then Qian Mengyun entered with her maid.

Chu Xi looked up. Qian Mengyun wore a light purple gauzy dress, her skin fair, her round face playful and adorable.

It was Qian Mengyun who had taken her place in the Marquis’s household, cherished for eighteen years, enduring hardships and suffering as a widow for three.

“Oh, this must be Xi’er,” she said, using her name since they were born in the same month and year.

Chu Xi remained silent, her eyes lowered.

The Marquis shook his head again, “Come, sit down and prepare to eat.”

At the round table, Qian Mengyun sat closely beside Madam Liu, their mother-daughter bond evident.

Chu Xi watched their tender affection and felt a pang of sorrow.

Since entering the Marquis’s household, Madam Liu had never cast her a single look of pity or love.

“Xi’er, eat more,” Madam Liu smiled, pushing the pork knuckle toward her as if offering alms.

Chu Xi glanced at her, her heart aching, silently questioning if she was truly their daughter.

Qian Mengyun said, “Xi’er has suffered much these three years. Thankfully, Father went to plead with the Empress Dowager, and only then did the Emperor agree to have you brought back.”

Chewing her food, Chu Xi remained silent, wondering why, after three years, they suddenly remembered to intercede for her.

Qian Mengyun continued, “General Mo insisted on escorting you back, to honor your past connection and to ensure your safety on the road.” She stole a glance at Chu Xi’s reaction.

But Chu Xi calmly chewed a piece of meat, showing no emotion, as if Mo Zixiao were a complete stranger.

Qian Mengyun was annoyed by Chu Xi’s indifference but dared not lose her temper. She cast a pair of pleading eyes toward the Marquis and Madam Liu.

The Marquis, long displeased with Chu Xi’s muteness, was about to scold her.

“Are your father and mother well?” Chu Xi suddenly asked Qian Mengyun, effectively silencing the Marquis’s reprimand.

Clearly, she deliberately added “your” before “father and mother.”

Qian Mengyun was momentarily stunned.

“Oh, yes, they’re all well,” she replied evasively once she recovered, cursing silently in her heart, “That damn girl is setting a trap for me.”

Chu Xi’s words unsettled the Marquis couple and Qian Mengyun, as if reminding them sharply: Qian Mengyun was only an adopted daughter, while she was the Marquis family’s true blood.

Chu Xi pressed on, “Do you now live with your biological parents, or are you still residing here in the Marquis’s household?”

She spoke not just quietly but incisively, leaving Qian Mengyun breathless and uneasy.

“I—I live between both places, so I can take care of both sides,” Qian Mengyun stammered, clearly unprepared for such pointed questioning.

Madam Liu quickly sided with her, “Mengyun is very filial. She can’t bear to leave your father and me, so she works hard to split her time between both households, not wanting to cause us sorrow.”

A cold smile curved on Chu Xi’s lips. “If I were you, I wouldn’t want to leave such a splendid and luxurious Marquis’s residence either.”

The implication was clear: Qian Mengyun wasn’t reluctant to leave her parents but rather the wealth and honor of the Marquis household.

Qian Mengyun’s face darkened. Seizing the moment, she glared angrily at Chu Xi, “Xi’er, what do you mean by that? Speak clearly before Father and Mother today.”

“Qian Mengyun, what nonsense are you making up? She hasn’t said anything wrong,” a clear voice cut in before Chu Xi could respond.