Chapter 717: Then Who Gave Birth to Her?

Chapter 717: Then Who Was Her Mother?

Xingxing kept a straight face but had been quietly watching Zou Wan Shi’s reactions.

The more she thought about it, the more something didn’t add up.

Unless…

Unless Zou Wan Shi knew, deep down, they weren’t actually related by blood!

That’s why, on some level, she couldn’t care less about those so-called family ties!

Seeing how fiercely Zou Wan Shi protected Zou Minglei now, it was plain as day who wasn’t the real child.

—For a moment, Xingxing was adrift.

She’d only just pieced together scraps of childhood memories—only for reality to say these weren’t her real family?

Sure, it explained why they’d treated her like garbage growing up, never even allowed to call them parents, but Xingxing was still reeling.

She’d written off the Zous—but she’d believed she’d finally found where she came from.

If Zou Wan Shi wasn’t her mother, then who the hell *were* her parents?

Xingxing drew a sharp breath—then just like that, her urge to dig into the Zous vanished.

But she also knew: if anyone held the truth about her past, it was the Zous.

Xingxing’s eyes fell.

There was one thing that had always seemed rather odd to her.

That was... why did Zou Minglei look somewhat like Yu Mingzhu?

Could it be just a coincidence?

"..." Xingxing didn't want to think about it anymore.

She had already heard that she looked a bit like Jiao Shi, the Duke of Xinguo's heir's wife.

She also knew that Yu Mingzhu was not Jiao Shi's biological child.

So, she resembled Jiao Shi in her youth, while the supposed blood relatives she thought were hers looked like Yu Mingzhu.

The truth was almost glaringly obvious—

Xingxing kept a straight face, her feelings all mixed up.

She didn't want to speak, her anger barely concealed in her eyes as she turned and walked away without saying another word.

Zou Minglei got frantic, struggling to get up and reach for Xingxing: "Your Highness!"

The violent movement caused fresh blood to seep through his wounds.

This terrified Zou Wan Shi: "Oh, for heaven's sake, please stop moving around!"

Xingxing ignored all the fuss behind her and strode straight out.

Unable to calm her son, Zou Wan Shi saw Xingxing, the one causing all this trouble, walking off so fast. Enraged, she shouted, "Don't you dare walk away!"

Zhao Ying was angrier than Zou Wan Shi. She stamped her foot, turned around, and snapped, "How dare you! Do you realize who you're speaking to?!"

At Zhao Ying's voice, the guards accompanying Xingxing all drew their swords in unison, glaring threateningly at Zou Wan Shi.

Zou Wan Shi immediately shrank back.

Xingxing felt as if her blood boiled with rage toward the Zou family.

She turned and left, afraid she might do something rash in her anger that could tip them off.

Suppressing her fury, Xingxing said shortly to Zhao Ying, "We're going home."

"Yes!"

Zou Wan Shi didn't dare come closer, only clenching her hands and calling from a distance, "My lady—no, Your Grace, won't you stay a little longer?"

Xingxing ignored Zou Wan Shi completely, striding away quickly.

Behind her, Zhao Ying gave Zou Wan Shi an icy stare before sheathing her sword and leading the guards to escort Xingxing away.

Xingxing now felt as if her chest was burning.

Closing her eyes in the carriage, memories flooded her mind.

Upon returning to the General of the Western Garrison's manor, Xingxing got out of the carriage and went straight to Wei Pozi's quarters.

It was nearly dinnertime, and Wei Pozi was supervising the maids and servants setting the table.

Xingxing burst in, flinging herself into Wei Pozi's arms, burying her face against the old woman's chest while tightly clutching her waist, silent.

Wei Pozi was completely startled.

She fussed worriedly, "My dear, what's wrong? Did someone upset you outside? Tell your granny, my precious."

The more Wei Pozi comforted her, the harder Xingxing found it to stop crying in the old woman's embrace.

Growing increasingly frantic, Wei Pozi patted Xingxing's back gently while giving questioning looks at Zhao Ying, who had followed Xingxing in, wondering what had happened.

Truth be told, Zhao Ying was also a bit confused.

Had their lady been angered by the Zou family? Zhao Ying didn't think it likely—given the Zous' awful behavior, they were more annoying than anything. How could they possibly provoke their most patient mistress?

Were those people even worthy?

Yet it was true that Xingxing's expression had darkened, her eyes flashing with anger after that lecherous man from the Zou family made those improper remarks.

Zhao Ying hesitated, uncertain how to explain to Wei Pozi, when Xingxing spoke up, her voice trembling, "Granny, I've just been recalling some things from the past lately. It's made me emotional, that's all."

Wei Pozi didn't realize Xingxing meant events before she was found, assuming she referred to their time in Nantuo Village.

"My dear, did you remember when Ju Geer bullied you as a child?... He's coming home tomorrow for his academy break—how about I give him a beating to vent your anger, hmm?" Wei Pozi coaxed.

Xingxing had always been sensible, growing even more so with age. She had never lost composure like this before, which broke Wei Pozi's heart.

At this point, Wei Pozi wouldn't hesitate to thrash not just Ju Geer but all her grandsons in a row if it would make Xingxing feel better!

Xingxing mumbled into Wei Pozi's chest, "It's not about Ju Geer."

"Then what is it?"

Xingxing didn't know how to tell Wei Pozi about the possibility of the Zou family swapping her with Yu Mingzhu.

She felt a heavy oppression in her chest, and only here, among the Yu family who truly cared for her, could some of that anger subside.

"Grandma, I'm fine. Just let me hug you for a while," Xingxing murmured, her head resting on Wei Pozi's shoulder.

Wei Pozi's heart ached with each word: "Alright, alright, we'll do whatever our Xingxing wants."

...

The spies from the Zou residence quickly reported back.

The old madam of the Marquis of Trust was so enraged that she nearly fainted: "How dare they have designs on Xingxing... How dare she!"

Those villains had already harmed this child for over a decade; how could they possibly want to harm her again?!

The old madam of the Marquis of Trust clutched the arm of the old Marquis, her eyes filled with intense hatred: "My lord, I really want to kill them!"

And the old Marquis of Trust felt no differently!

But they couldn't.

The old Marquis of Trust took a deep breath: "We're still missing one last piece. The woman who took their money and helped with the swap has not yet been caught. We must wait a little longer... I've already instructed everyone at the Zou residence that if anything happens, Xingxing's safety comes first."

Tears streamed down the old madam's face: "My Xingxing..."

...

"How is it you again?" Qing Shuang pointed the bloodied tip of her long sword downward, a gesture of goodwill.

She looked at him in confusion.

This was the third time they had met this month.

Yu Yonggui sighed, "I don't want to either. The woman you have, Chaoyang Tower needs her."

Qingshu glanced at the half-dead middle-aged woman in her hand, "You want her?"

Qingshu shook her head, "I was entrusted to bring this woman back."

Yu Yonggui looked helpless as he drew the soft sword from his waist.

Qingshu stared at Yu Yonggui for a moment, "But you can't beat me."

Yu Yonggui exclaimed, "What do you mean? Last time we almost ended up killing each other!"

Qingshu replied, "Back then, I had hidden injuries and didn't use my full strength. During the New Year, Daxisipo healed me."

Mentioning Daxisipo, Qingshu paused, a rare hesitation flashing in her eyes. Finally, she pursed her lips, "Forget it, you can have her."

She raised her hand, about to throw the half-dead middle-aged woman to Yu Yonggui, when the woman suddenly opened her cloudy eyes. A flash of malice appeared in them, and she swiftly raised her hand, revealing a dagger from her sleeve, aiming straight for Qingshu!

Yu Yonggui's expression turned serious, reacting even faster than the middle-aged woman. He kicked her away with a swift kick!

Qingshu's sleeve was merely slashed.

Yu Yonggui didn't hold back; the middle-aged woman spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed on the ground, unable to move.

Qingshu paused, "I can handle it."

Yu Yonggui let out an "oh" and said, "So you think I'm meddling? I just want to ask you, is your so-called handling the situation to trade injuries, to let her stab you without any hesitation?"

Qingshu cast a puzzled glance at Yu Yonggui, "Isn't that quite normal?"

Yu Yonggui was somewhat displeased.

He glanced at Qingshu and exhaled heavily, "Alright, you've said this woman should be handed over to Chaoyang Tower, we'll owe you one. Once we get what we need from her, we'll return her to you."

Qingshu nodded indifferently.

As Yu Yonggui was about to take the middle-aged woman away, Qingshu, though still somewhat hesitant, followed along.

Yu Yonggui looked at Qingshu, "What's wrong?"

Qingshu's eyes were cold, "Didn't you say you owed me a favor? Can't I come over for a meal at your place?"

Yu Yonggui: "..."

Yu Yonggui handed the middle-aged woman over to the contact person in the tower and then took Qingshu back to the Yu family.

Qingshu had recuperated at the Yu family during the New Year, so it wasn't entirely strange for her to come now, though it was a bit odd. Yu Yonggui said he missed the taste of home-cooked meals and came to freeload, and everyone laughed.

Bai Xiaofeng kindly added a pair of chopsticks for Qingshu.

It was just dinnertime, and Xingxing had just composed herself, sitting up from Wei Pozi's embrace. A maid was bringing a warm, damp cloth to help her freshen up.

Qingshu was somewhat surprised, "Who bullied you? Why are your eyes red and swollen like a rabbit's?"

Xingxing felt a bit embarrassed.

The news of her crying somehow spread to the entire family, who all came to comfort her, making her too embarrassed to continue.

Now that Qing Shuang brought it up again, Xingxing felt even more embarrassed: "It's nothing..."

Seeing the atmosphere, Yu Yonggui coughed and said, "Alright, it's normal for young girls to cry occasionally. Don't ask anymore."

Is that so? A hint of doubt flashed in Qing Shuang's eyes, but seeing Yu Yonggui's serious expression, she really stopped asking and sat there waiting for the meal to start.

Qing Shuang seemed to be there just for the food. She was slender and delicate, with a cold and distant gaze, yet this frail beauty, with her icy, snow-like face, ate three bowls of rice in a row.

Yu Yonggui kept glancing at Qing Shuang, silently wondering how such a thin girl could eat so much, as if she were so slender that he could pierce her through with one sword strike...

After finishing her meal, Qing Shuang left.

It seemed she really came just for the food.

Bai Xiaofeng held Yu Yonggui back, examining her son from head to toe, unable to hide her smile: "That Miss Qing Shuang..."

Yu Yonggui didn't immediately understand his mother's meaning and let out an "Ah?" "What?"

Bai Xiaofeng playfully pushed her son, "Still pretending to be clueless!... Do you have feelings for that girl?"

Yu Yonggui was speechless: "Ah?!"

But Bai Xiaofeng was delighted and began to ponder, "My son may not excel in literature or martial arts, and he doesn't seem to be good at business either. He can't compare to his brothers in looks, but at least he's smart!... From what I saw, Miss Qing Shuang dresses very simply; she probably isn't from a wealthy family. I wonder how many people are in her family..."

Yu Yonggui quickly interrupted Bai Xiaofeng, speechless both at the lack of praise in his mother's words and at her sudden matchmaking: "Mother! What are you talking about!"

Without waiting for Bai Xiaofeng to finish, Yu Yonggui hurriedly left, running faster than a rabbit.

Bai Xiaofeng watched Yu Yonggui's retreating figure: "This brat! He must be shy!"

Xingxing returned to her room, dismissed the servants, and wanted to be alone for a while.

Zhaoying glanced at Xingxing with some concern: "Mistress, we'll be right outside if you need anything."

Xingxing nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just want to be alone for a bit."

Zhaoying studied Xingxing's expression carefully, seeing no trace of distress in her eyes, she felt somewhat relieved and led the maids out.

Xingxing sat by the lamp, resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

Now that her emotions had settled, she felt a bit embarrassed about her earlier outburst.

She was cherished by the best family in the world, and those things were not so hard to accept for her.

But...

Xingxing hesitated, unsure whether she should tell the old lady of Xinguo and the others.

But what could she say?

Tell the old lady, "I am actually your long-lost granddaughter"?

Just thinking about it, Xingxing shook her head repeatedly.

That was absurd.

And...

Mrs. Jiao has always had only Yu Mingzhu in her heart and has never been particularly fond of her.

Without any evidence, why should she trouble herself?

Xingxing gazed at the somewhat gloomy night outside the window and sighed from afar.

Forget it.

Xingxing sat down at her desk, laid out the paper, and ground the ink.

She might as well write to Brother Yan!

There’s no need to write about these worries; just telling Brother Yan about daily life would be fine.

...

In the dead of night, under a moonless sky, the darkness was impenetrable, with not a single star visible.

A sudden scream tore through the quiet of the small alley where the Zou family resided, shattering the calm of the night.

Fierce flames erupted, illuminating half the sky.

The Yu family, living far away in Wuyi Alley, knew nothing of what was happening.

It wasn't until the next morning, when the Shun天府 officials knocked on the door of the Western Town General's residence, that the Yu family became aware of the incident at the Zou residence the previous night.

The culprit was extremely vicious, committing murder and arson. If not for the help of their neighbors, the Sun family, the entire Zou household might have been wiped out.

Even so, the old lady of the Zou family, the eldest son who was injured, and the frail young master were all strangled, their bodies burned beyond recognition.