Chapter 731: You Don’t Have to Treat Me Like This

Chapter 731: You Don’t Have to Treat Me This Way

The more Wei Pozi insisted, the more grateful Dowager Duchess of Xin became.

With tearful eyes, Dowager Duchess of Xin took Wei Pozi’s hand: "I am older than you, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you Sister Wei. Regardless, it was you who saved Xingxing’s life. Sister Wei, please accept my bow."

Wei Pozi hurriedly tried to stop her, but Dowager Duchess of Xin held her hand tightly.

The two elderly women gazed at each other with tears in their eyes.

Xingxing, standing nearby, took over the maid’s task and brought each of them a cup of tea.

Wei Pozi kept her composure, but Dowager Duchess of Xin was moved to tears once again.

Xingxing couldn’t help laughing in exasperation: "You..."

Dowager Duchess of Xin’s voice choked with emotion: "...Xingxing, after all that has happened, you... you’re still willing to pour me this cup of tea. I..."

She struggled to compose herself, but her age-clouded eyes were still filled with tremulous hope.

"Xingxing, never mind everything else—would you... call me Grandmother?"

Xingxing looked at Dowager Duchess of Xin.

Her eyes shone with hopeful anticipation.

Wei Pozi also nodded at Xingxing, showing the same hopeful expression without hesitation—in Wei Pozi’s eyes, Dowager Duchess of Xin was Xingxing’s actual grandmother, her flesh and blood. Naturally, she wished for them to be close.

Moreover, wasn’t it a wonderful thing for Xingxing to have another blood relative who loved her dearly?

Xingxing laid her hand on Dowager Duchess of Xin’s wrinkled one and earnestly called out: "Grandmother."

Dowager Duchess of Xin was overcome with emotion, answering again and again: "Yes, yes, yes!"

As soon as she finished, she immediately began sliding the bracelet off her wrist to put it on Xingxing: "This, this—Grandmother gives it to you!"

Xingxing’s wrist was too slender for the bracelet, so she could only hold it in both hands.

But Dowager Duchess of Xin didn’t stop there—she pulled off another bracelet from her other wrist: "This, this is for you too!"

Xingxing was overwhelmed: "No, Dowager Duchess..."

Tearful yet beaming, Dowager Duchess of Xin said with energy: "Didn’t you just call me Grandmother?"

Without even waiting for Xingxing’s response, she began removing the hairpins from her hair.

Xingxing was torn between exasperation and embarrassment: "Please don’t—"

Before she could finish, Dowager Duchess of Xin had already taken off nearly all her jewelry and placed it in Xingxing’s hands.

Wei Pozi quickly hurried to stop her: "No, Elder Sister, what are you..."

Having stripped herself of almost all her jewelry for Xingxing, Dowager Duchess of Xin radiated happiness: "All these things are for Xingxing. Whether I give them now or later doesn't matter."

Wei Pozi wanted to say something, but Dowager Duchess of Xin seized her hand once more: "Sister Wei, hearing Xingxing call me Grandmother—you can't imagine how happy I am... From now on, you are Xingxing’s grandmother, and I am her grandmother too. Let’s both cherish our Xingxing together!"

Wei Pozi didn’t know what else to say and could only answer happily, "Yes."

Just as the room was filled with warmth and joy, a maid hurried in to report: "Dowager Duchess, the heir's wife is here... We couldn’t stop her outside. I told her you had esteemed guests, but she insisted on coming in..."

The Dowager Duchess's gaze instinctively went to Xingxing.

Seeing Xingxing’s faint smile dim and her expression turn cool, the Dowager Duchess knew Xingxing was still reluctant to see Jiao Shi.

Yet, the Dowager Duchess simply said, “Xingxing, if you don’t wish to see her, I’ll have her turned away immediately.”

Xingxing thought for a moment. “She hasn’t wronged me in any way. It’s just… Grandmother, it’s fine. If the heir's wife wishes to enter, please let her in.”

The Dowager Duchess sighed but still instructed the maid to invite Jiao Shi in.

Jiao Shi was so excited that she instinctively touched up her hair before hurrying into the room.

As the mistress of the household, Jiao Shi had quickly learned of Xingxing and Wei Pozi’s visit.

Originally, Jiao Shi had been resting in bed, but upon hearing Xingxing had arrived, she sat up as if revived by magic, her energy instantly returned, and rushed toward the Dowager Duchess’s courtyard.

It was only thanks to Aunt Jingchun, who swiftly dissuaded her, saying, “Madam, you’ve been so worn out these past few days. Wouldn’t it be improper to meet Miss Cen like this?”

The moment Aunt Jingchun mentioned Xingxing, Jiao Shi immediately took heed and had her maids help her freshen up, change her clothes, and do her hair, making herself presentable.

Just before leaving, Jiao Shi suddenly remembered. “Ah, I nearly forgot! Since Xingxing is visiting the estate, does that mean she’s ready to accept me as her mother? I must prepare gifts for her.”

Aunt Jingchun said, “As it happens, last month, you had me sort out a chest of precious jewels. They’re still in the trunk. Shall I fetch them for you now?”

But Jiao Shi shook her head. “Those were meant for Zhu Zhu. Though Zhu Zhu has disappointed me deeply, and I don’t intend to give them to her for now, how could I then offer them to Xingxing instead?”

With that, Jiao Shi urgently ordered the storeroom opened and carefully picked out several exquisite pieces of jewelry before heading to the Dowager Duchess’s quarters.

Yet, to her surprise, before she could even enter the courtyard, the Dowager Duchess’s maids stopped her.

Under normal circumstances, Jiao Shi would never defy the Dowager Duchess over such a trivial matter.

But now, inside that courtyard was her long-lost daughter—her own Xingxing!

She had to see her!

Determined, Jiao Shi insisted loudly outside. Fortunately, the Dowager Duchess soon had her summoned inside.

With a heart pounding with anticipation, Jiao Shi entered the room.

Inside, the Dowager Duchess sat on the raised seating platform, and Xingxing sat beside her.

The moment Jiao Shi saw Xingxing, she was overcome with emotion, her eyes welling up. In a quivering voice, she called out, “Xingxing.”

Xingxing rose and curtsied, but her greeting was formal: “The heir's wife.”

The distant address of “the heir's wife” sent another tremor through Jiao Shi.

She managed a shaky smile. “Xingxing, I—I’m your mother…”

Jiao Shi then hastily urged her attendants to present the jewelry she had brought. “Look, Xingxing, these—these are gifts from your mother…”

But Xingxing shrank back slightly.

That small retreat wounded Jiao Shi deeply. Pressing a hand to her heart, she cried, “Xingxing, do you resent me? I—I’m your mother… Xingxing…”

Xingxing’s expression remained calm and earnest. “The heir's wife, how could I resent you? You are indeed my mother, and I don’t deny that… I only mean to say, you don't have to go to such lengths.”