Chapter 728: Xingxing is Our Daughter

Chapter 728 Xingxing Is Our True Daughter

The revelation that Xingxing was the true daughter of the Duke of Xinguo's household naturally caused an immense uproar within the estate.

Although the elderly Duke and Duchess of Xinguo had long known the truth, they were still overwhelmed with emotion during the recognition process. Given their advanced age, they went to rest together upon returning home.

As for everyone else, they were too stunned to speak—especially those in the first household.

The heir, Yu Shanglian, was dazed for a long while after receiving the news, even now struggling to process it.

Jiao Shi had been carried back unconscious, and if he wanted more details, he would have to wait for her to wake.

As for Yu Mingzhu… she had been kneeling by Jiao Shi’s bedside for an hour.

In the past, Yu Shanglian would have been heartbroken to see her like this. But now, after hearing the truth… he felt only overwhelming confusion.

He urged Yu Mingzhu to get up, but she covered her face and wept, "Mother fainting is partly my fault. Father, please let me do my filial duty here. Otherwise, I don’t know how to face myself."

Though Yu Shanglian didn’t see the connection between kneeling and filial piety, his mind was too scattered to dwell on it. Since she refused, he let her be.

Sitting by the window on a small couch, Yu Shanglian remained lost in his thoughts.

He still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

…Princess Fusui was his daughter?

He had noticed that Princess Fusui looked strikingly like A Tong in her youth, but he hadn’t thought much of it—after all, many people in the world shared similar features.

These past two years, he had been busy with court duties and rarely at home. He had heard some of the household disputes but trusted that his wife, A Tong, could handle them.

But now, Yu Shanglian was filled with confusion.

Yu Chongjie, the eldest son of the first household, was equally bewildered.

Upon returning from duty and hearing the news, Yu Chongjie stood frozen for a long moment.

He even wondered if the entire household was playing a cruel joke on him.

Princess Fusui?

Xingxing?

His real younger sister?

Absurd—utterly absurd!

Yu Chongjie wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t muster even a hint of amusement.

He recalled his past harshness toward Xingxing, the contempt and dislike he had felt toward her because of Yu Mingzhu…

He could only laugh bitterly at the absurdity of it all.

Ha… So, in the past, for the sake of a false sister, he had genuinely openly belittled, scorned, and resented his own flesh and blood?

Yu Chongjie pressed his fingers to his temples, feeling like the world had turned into a cruel joke.

"My lord?" His head servant looked at Yu Chongjie with concern, stepping forward to support him.

Yu Chongjie brushed aside the head servant's hand and strode toward Jiao Shi's courtyard: "I'm going to see Mother!"

At that moment, in Jiao Shi's room, apart from Yu Mingzhu kneeling by the bedside, there were also the silent Yu Shanglian and Yu Chongting, who was quietly drinking tea.

Yu Chongjie stormed in.

Yu Shanglian only glanced at his eldest son—once his pride and joy, now fallen so low.

Yu Shanglian let out a long sigh.

Was this his family’s punishment?

Yu Mingzhu, her eyes blurred with tears, looked toward Yu Chongjie.

But Yu Chongjie did not look at her.

Yu Chongjie asked hoarsely, "...Mother fainted. Did Xingxing not come to see her?"

At these words, Yu Shanglian frowned, and Yu Chongting immediately spoke disapprovingly: "Big Brother, with how things are in our family now, why should Xingxing come? ...Apart from Grandfather and Grandmother, who have always treated Xingxing well, what has anyone else ever done for her?"

Yu Chongjie wanted to say that wasn't what he meant.

He just... hoped Xingxing’s visit could be an opportunity to apologize to her and explain properly.

After all, they were real siblings!

But the words had already left his mouth. He couldn’t explain right then, he could only say weakly, "That's not what I meant."

Yu Mingzhu, weeping, scrambled forward on her knees: "Father, Eldest Brother, Third Brother, it's all my fault... it's all because of me that the Duchess and Mother fell out. I’ll go now—I’ll go kneel and beg the Duchess to come see Mother!"

In the past, Yu Chongjie would have been heartbroken to hear such words.

But now, he only felt this felt eerily familiar.

He struggled to recall—hadn't Yu Mingzhu done the same thing before, when Xingxing was treating their grandmother?

As Yu Chongjie was still thinking, Yu Chongting frowned and said, "Zhu Zhu, don’t talk like that. You make it sound like Xingxing is putting her grievances with you above Mother's health. Xingxing was gone for years, and I’ve heard stories about how Mother and our elder brothers treated her before. To suddenly expect her to let go of all resentment and become the dutiful daughter of the Xinguo household—isn’t that too much to ask?"

Yu Mingzhu's face grew even paler.

She sobbed, "Third Brother, are you blaming me? Saying I spoke wrongly? I'm just so worried about Mother—I'd rather kneel and beg the Duchess, yet you think I'm asking too much? ...Third Brother, you only ever think of the Duchess. Have you thought of me? I was the one you all loved for so many years, and suddenly, I'm nothing. I’m scared too... What else can I do? What else can I do!"

Yu Mingzhu sobbed herself raw.

Yu Shanglian’s heart twisted.

Even Yu Chongjie and Yu Chongting fell silent.

At that moment, Jiao Shi's unconscious hand twitched.

Her eyes still closed, she murmured hoarsely, "Xingxing..."

Yu Mingzhu, weeping, threw herself at Jiao Shi's bedside again:

"Mother! Mother!"

At the word "Mother," Jiao Shi shuddered slightly and struggled to open her eyes.

But what greeted her was the sight of Yu Mingzhu, her face a mess of tears.

Jiao Shi, who had doted on Yu Mingzhu for many years, murmured, "Hush now, Zhu Zhu, don't cry..."

Yu Mingzhu’s heart eased for a moment and she was about to speak, but Jiao Shi struggled to sit up instead: "Where is Xingxing?... Xingxing..."

Yu Mingzhu stiffened, as if hit by a sledgehammer!

Yu Shanglian stepped forward at this moment and supported Jiao Shi.

Jiao Shi immediately clutched Yu Shanglian's hand tightly: "Am I... am I home?... Where is Xingxing? Where is she?... Do you know? Xingxing, Xingxing is our own flesh and blood..."

Jiao Shi broke down in tears.

Yu Shanglian’s chest tightened with grief: "I know, I know. Don’t worry. Xingxing has gone back with the Yu family. When you’re better, we’ll visit her."

But Jiao Shi refused to wait. She struggled to get out of bed: "No, I... I must see her, see our daughter..."

Clutching Yu Shanglian's sleeve, she sobbed, "Lian-ge! Do you know... our daughter, in the past... she lived such a life!... She nearly drowned in the river!"