Chapter 304: Treating Her as Family

Chapter 304: Treating Her as Family

Seeing the situation, Su Youyue walked straight up to the little girl and gently touched her hair bun: "Why are you standing there like a fool? I'm about to go greet Grandmother. Since you're up now, let's go together."

Su Rong responded in a flustered voice and lowered her head, obediently following behind Su Youyue, but her heart was a tangled mess.

Could it be that she wasn't really a daughter of the Su family?

Could it be that Grandmother, Father, and Elder Sister aren't her family?

It wasn't that she wanted to overthink things, but there were too many suspicious points. She had never considered them before, but now that she did, she realized that no one had ever mentioned her aunt's name...

Moreover, the two people who came today were clearly the same ones who had stared at her last time. If they didn't find her familiar, why would they look at her with such an expression?

The more she thought about it, the more tears welled up in her eyes, and her steps slowed down.

Su Youyue quickly noticed this. She suddenly stopped, turned around, looked at the little girl, and then took her hand.

Su Rong was startled, but Su Youyue continued walking, pulling her along.

Her mind was hazy, and she could only follow her steps.

Looking at Su Youyue's back, she suddenly remembered that when she was very young, she had once wanted to get close to her elder sister.

Back then, her elder sister had also held her hand, leading her through the paths of the Su residence, picking flowers, and chasing butterflies together.

Later... later, as she grew older and learned more, Su Qian and Aunt Liu began to tell her repeatedly that she was just an unloved wild child, not comparable to her elder sister, who was born legitimate while she was a concubine's daughter. Her elder sister had the love of Grandmother and Father, while she was neglected...

At first, she didn't want to care, but the more she heard, the more it affected her. Gradually, she stopped seeking out her elder sister for play. She started feeling that the entire Su residence owed her something, and slowly forgot the memories of playing with her elder sister and being led home by her hand.

Being tightly held by Su Youyue's hand brought those faded memories back to life.

"Elder Sister, I'm sorry..." she couldn't help saying.

Su Youyue turned back and smiled: "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden? Someone might think you came here to steal pastries."

Su Rong shook her head: "I was so rude to Elder Sister before; it was all my fault. I was foolish to believe Su Qian's lies and deliberately distanced myself from you, even insulting you..."

Su Youyue squeezed her hand: "Which siblings growing up haven't had arguments? Even the closest relationships have their disputes. As we grow up and mature, everything gets better. You've already apologized for those things, so there's no need to mention them again. Let's move forward together."

Seeing Su Youyue's gentle face, Su Rong finally couldn't hold back and also held her hand.

The sisters, who used to walk hand in hand under the sunset, now walked together in the morning sun, passing through the gardens and moon gates of the Su residence, through the spring scenery, and soon arrived at the Fushou Garden.

At this moment, Old Madam Su was sitting quietly, but there was a hint of worry on her face.

"Grandmother."

The sisters greeted her separately.

Old Madam Su acknowledged them and asked the sisters to sit down. Then, she dismissed everyone else from the hall before asking seemingly casually about what happened earlier: "I heard from Mama Zhang that someone outside the residence claimed that Rong'er is their daughter?"

Although Old Madam Su rarely went out, she had plenty of people around her. When there was trouble outside, her attendants would naturally go to investigate.

"That's what happened," Su Youyue replied, not quite understanding her grandmother's intentions. "I should have driven them away earlier. Now that they've made a public scene, others might start believing that Rong'er isn't part of our Su family."

Hearing this, Su Rong couldn't help but tighten her grip on her sleeves.

Old Madam Su shook her head at Su Youyue: "Even if you drive them away today, they can still gather tomorrow and spread these rumors. Their mouths are their own; driving them away won't make a difference."

Upon hearing this, Su Youyue fell silent. Her grandmother was right; unless she silenced the Zhu family, they would continue spreading these rumors.

Old Madam Su then turned to Su Rong: "Rong'er, how do you feel about this?"

Upon hearing this, Su Rong stood up nervously: "Grandmother, I don't know those people at all... I am definitely a member of the Su family..."

Her voice lacked confidence.

Old Madam Su immediately sensed this. Looking at Su Rong, she patiently said: "Tell me what you truly feel."

Hearing her grandmother's question, Su Rong suppressed her sobs and choked out: "Grandmother, am I really not part of the Su family? Am I... an unloved wild child..."

Old Madam Su's expression became stern: "Who said you're a wild child? Your father brought you home from your maternal uncle when you were three months old, and you've been raised here. You've always been part of the Su family, our Miss. You were then, and you are now! Anyone who dares to say otherwise will have to answer to me!"

Su Rong listened, her heart already having an answer. Realizing that she might not be of the Su bloodline, her first emotion wasn't despair but overwhelming sadness.

She wasn't a daughter of the Su family, yet she was a daughter of the Su family because the Su family accepted her, treating her as family.

She had always felt unlucky, but now she realized how fortunate she truly was...

Tears flowed down the little girl's face like summer rain, quickly soaking her clothes.

Su Youyue understood her grandmother's intention almost instantly.

Since the news had already spread, hiding it from Su Rong was pointless. It was time for her to know.

Moreover, she needed to understand that she had another sister who had cared for her deeply.

Old Madam Su, who had previously treated this non-blood granddaughter indifferently, now saw her as family. Seeing the little girl crying, she gestured for her to come closer.

Mama Zhang immediately led Su Rong to Old Madam Su's side.

Old Madam Su patted Su Rong's hand: "Enough, stop crying. Your face is all red like a kitten. Mama Zhang, didn't the kitchen make red bean pastries today? Bring some for Rong'er."

"Yes, Old Madam." Mama Zhang responded and left.

Seeing that her grandmother remembered her favorite pastry, Su Rong felt a warm current in her heart, making her want to cry even more.

Just then, a servant reported from outside: "Old Madam, the head of the Lu family has arrived..."