Chapter 85: Recognizing Relatives

Chapter 85: Acknowledging Kinship

"Ah Man, come here."

Wei Xun sat down beside A Yuan and beckoned to the little girl. Ah Man walked over reluctantly, pouting, "What does the grumpy uncle want from me?"

Though Chun Tao kept correcting her, Ah Man was used to the term and couldn’t change it right away.

Wei Xun took her small hand and placed something in her palm.

"A bunny?"

The warm jade felt comforting in her palm, and the little girl’s eyes instantly lit up.

Ah Man’s zodiac sign was the rabbit, and she fell in love with it immediately.

Holding it tightly, she squirmed shyly before asking Wei Xun, "Grumpy uncle, is this bunny for Ah Man?"

"Yes," the man nodded.

The warm jade came from his personal collection, hastily carved by a master craftsman. Wearing it would keep her cool in summer and warm in winter—ideal for a child's wellbeing.

"Master Wei, this is far too precious. How could a little girl like Ah Man wear something like this..."

A Yuan instinctively refused. Having spent six years in the Marquis's household, she knew well the value of such jade.

"However valuable, it's just a toy. If Ah Man likes it, that’s all that matters."

When Wei Xun treated someone well, he would offer them treasures as if they were the finest in the world. Ah Man’s eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "Ah Man loves it!"

She adored bunnies the most!

Maybe the grumpy uncle wasn’t so bad after all. She might learn to tolerate him.

Her thoughts were written plainly on her face. Wei Xun chuckled and playfully tugged one of her pigtails. "Go play outside for a while. I have something to discuss with your mother."

"Okay."

Still pleased with her new gift, Ah Man didn’t argue. She grabbed Chun Tao’s hand and left the room.

Once the door closed, Wei Xun turned to face her, and A Yuan felt an unexplained nervousness.

"What did Master Wei wish to speak to me about?"

Wei Xun’s kindness toward Ah Man made her uneasy...

"How much do you remember about your parents?"

Wei Xun knew a little of A Yuan’s past—she had been sold into the Chunyan Tower at five, then later, as Yangzhou's most famous "slender horse" (*a term historically referring to young girls trained for sale into wealthy households*), she was sold into the Marquis's household. As for her family before that, Wei Xun had no knowledge.

"My parents?" A Yuan looked up in confusion. She didn’t understand why he suddenly asked this, but she instinctively held back, shaking her head. "I don’t remember."

Wei Xun averted his eyes, his fingers relaxing at his side.

That made things easier.

Wei Xun said no more. After sitting for a short while, he stood and left.

Pressing affairs in the capital awaited. The Jingzhao Prefecture had sent multiple urgent missives summoning him back, but until A Yuan's position was confirmed, he couldn’t leave. Fortunately, things were going better than expected.

After seven days, the Yongyi Marquis’s carriage stopped at the entrance to Osmanthus Lane.

"My lord, visitors have come asking for you."

Chun Tao came in carrying A Man, followed by Xiao Ce and Madam Xiao.

Madam Xiao’s health had barely improved, but the journey left her looking pale and frail.

"Dan Yang... my Dan Yang... I’ve finally found you."

She brushed past Xiao Ce and hurried forward to grasp A Yuan’s hands.

A Yuan froze, afraid to pull back and hurt her. "My lady, you must be mistaken. I’m not the Dan Yang you speak of..."

"No mistake. Dan Yang would be your age."

Though Madam Xiao was lucid, years of confusion left her mind unclear. She only knew Xiao Ce had said their daughter was found, and so she firmly believed A Yuan was Dan Yang.

"Yu'er, you're hurting Dan Yang."

Xiao Ce drew his wife back gently and explained to A Yuan’s bewildered expression.

"I am Xiao Ce, the Marquis of Yongyi. Seventeen years ago, my wife and I lost a daughter. We never stopped searching, and a month ago, we found you, Lady Xie. You are our Dan Yang."

"Impossible!"

A Yuan stood abruptly, her expression stern. She remembered her parents clearly—they were no marquis and marchioness.

They were either imposters or scheming.

"Dan Yang..."

Madam Xiao’s eyes filled with tears, unable to bear her daughter’s coldness.

Xiao Ce patted her back soothingly and continued speaking to A Yuan.

"Acknowledging us would make you the marquisate’s only daughter. Though the Yongyi Marquisate isn’t as powerful as the capital’s noble families, it is still a hereditary title. With this status, your future marriage prospects would greatly benefit."

Xiao Ce persuaded gently, and A Yuan’s thoughts stirred—suddenly, she understood.

"My lord, was it Wei Crown Prince who sent you?"

Wei Xun had inquired about her parents before—was this his doing?

Xiao Ce arched his brows, admiration flashing in his eyes. "You’re clever. No wonder Wei Xun is taken with you."

He didn’t bother hiding it, for acknowledging A Yuan was part of his deal with Wei Xun.

"He wished to elevate your status to help you marry into the marquisate, while my wife and I needed a daughter."

Though Madam Xiao had regained her senses, their lost daughter remained her torment. If they failed to find her, she might withdraw into herself again.

Xiao Ce would never allow such suffering to repeat.

"But I refuse." A Yuan lifted her gaze to them.

"I have my own parents. To abandon them for status and wealth would betray their love and care. And it would be unfair to Lady Xiao."

Madam Xiao wept bitterly, and A Yuan’s face softened in pity.

"Your Lordship and Madam must have loved Lady Xiao dearly, searching for her day after day for over a decade. If she were to return one day and find her identity taken by another, how utterly devastated she'd be. Your Lordship, I too have a daughter, and I would never allow anyone to usurp her place or steal the love meant for her. I believe you and your esteemed wife feel the same."

A Yuan's words brought Madam Xiao back to her senses. She clutched Xiao Ce's hand tightly and shook her head firmly.

"Husband, she's right. If Dan Yang returns and finds we've replaced her, she'll be devastated. I only want Dan Yang, no one else..."

"I understand," Xiao Ce said.

"I will discuss this with Wei Crown Prince. Our apologies for the trouble, Lady Xie."

With that, he helped Madam Xiao turn to leave. Just as they reached the door, A Yuan suddenly called out to them.

"Your Lordship, have you sent inquiries to brothels across the land? Their networks are vast, and they know all the noble ladies and their daughters. Perhaps if you describe Lady Xiao's identifying marks, they might offer some leads."

Having grown up in Chunyan Tower, A Yuan knew it was not just a brothel for training courtesans but also an information hub for the elite. Moved by the couple's plight, she hoped to help.

Madam Xiao spoke up, "Dan Yang has a red mole between her brows. When she was born, Master Hongguang of the Great Buddha Temple said she was blessed with longevity and destined for good fortune, overcoming adversity. Husband, listen to Lady Xie—send someone to ask."

When all hope seems lost, one clings to any glimmer of hope.

Xiao Ce squeezed her hand. "Very well, I'll go at once."

Turning back to A Yuan, he bowed slightly. "Lady Xie, should you ever need assistance in the future, you may seek out the Yongyi Marquisate in Shu. We won't forget this kindness."