Chapter 456: Confrontation
Editor: Atlas Studios
Shu Shuniang froze and looked at Mu Yangling suspiciously. Did she know the truth?
However, seeing that Mu Yangling was only looking at them in confusion, it appeared as if she wasn’t questioning them, but just asking a simple question. Shu Shuniang could only force a smile and explain, “It was too chaotic at that time, and the servants couldn’t take care of her in time, so we got separated. It was a chaotic time, and after your mother got separated, we had no choice but to give up after searching for a few days.”
Mu Yangling didn’t continue pursuing the matter. If she continued to question them, not only would the Shu family be embarrassed, but her mother would also be embarrassed. Hence, Mu Yangling asked instead, “How did you recognize me?”
Shu Shuniang immediately replied, “Our Zisu accidentally met you a few months ago. When she came back, she muttered to me that she saw someone who resembles me greatly. When I heard that you were from Xingzhou Prefecture, I was interested since that was where we got separated from your mother back then. I discussed it with your uncle1 and was afraid that I would make a mistake and make your grandfather and maternal grandmother happy for nothing, so I secretly sent someone to Xingzhou Prefecture to find out. That person only returned yesterday. Only then did we know that you are really Wanniang’s daughter.”
Shu Shuniang said excitedly, “Good child, you have no idea how much your grandmother has missed you all these years. Can you come back with me to see her? She’ll be overjoyed to see you.”
Looking at Shu Shuniang’s gentle eyes, Mu Yangling instantly lost the desire to inquire further. She thought of her mother. Every year, on her birthday, her mother would happily hug the gift they gave her and sigh at her luck.
Several times, Mu Yangling heard Shu Wanniang say, “I used to resent them for abandoning me, but now I’m constantly grateful that they abandoned me back then.”
Mu Yangling abruptly got over it, so she felt a little disgusted with the pretentious Shu Shu Shuniang all of a sudden. She interrupted her and said, “Just tell me why you’re looking for me.”
Shu Shuniang and Madam Shu-Fang, who were wiping their tears, were stunned. They looked at Mu Yangling in shock, not knowing why she was suddenly angry.
Mu Yangling stopped fishing for their words and sneered. “Second Madam Zhang, it’s not that easy to find out about me. Xingzhou Prefecture is my brother-in-law’s territory. If you want to find out about me, let’s not talk about whether you can find out or not. Do you think I won’t hear anything about it?”
“So far, I haven’t received any news that someone came to Xingzhou Prefecture to ask about me. I think the Shu family must have known about our family’s existence long ago, right? At least, they must have known about it five years ago.” Mu Yangling said, “Speaking of which, it’s all thanks to the Shu family that our Mu family is where we are today.” Mu Yangling stared intently at Shu Shuniang’s eyes and said, “Isn’t that right, Aunt?”
Shu Shuniang’s expression changed slightly. Only then did she realize that Mu Yangling knew everything.
Madam Shu-Fang looked at the two of them in confusion, not understanding what they were talking about.
Mu Yangling knocked on the table and ignored Shu Shuniang’s ugly expression. “The second daughter of the Shu family is already dead, and our Mu family has always lived in Xingzhou Prefecture. We’re just an ordinary hunter family. I don’t want this situation to change.” Mu Yangling revealed her white teeth and asked with a grin, “Or has the Shu family decided to tell the truth and acknowledge my mother? In that case, wouldn’t those who died because of this back then have died in vain?”
Madam Shu-Fang’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her eyes and sat down as if she hadn’t heard Mu Yangling’s question.
Shu Shuniang took a deep breath, knowing that it was impossible to fool Mu Yangling anymore. She was embarrassed and angry at the same time. Mu Yangling clearly knew everything, but she had led her to say those words as if she was watching a joke.
She looked up at Mu Yangling and said seriously, “Yangling, I know you have a grudge against the Shu family, but what happened back then was too complicated. The Shu family is a noble family, and there are some rules that can’t be messed with. After what happened to your mother…”
In a fit of anger, Mu Yangling picked up the teacup on the table and threw it at Shu Shuniang. The teacup brushed past her forehead and flew past, hitting the wall and cracking. Shu Shuniang was shocked that Mu Yangling would be so bold.
However, Mu Yangling glared at her with bloodshot eyes and demanded to know, “What’s wrong with my mother? Your aristocratic family is dirty, but you pinned the blame on my mother alone. If you have the ability, execute the culprit! Shu Shuniang, let me tell you, don’t let me hear such words a second time. My mother has a good temper. But I, Mu Yangling, am not a soft-hearted person. If you don’t believe me, your Shu family can try me.”
Shu Shuniang glared at Mu Yangling with a livid expression and asked, “Do you have to make it known to the world? What good will that do you? Will the Qi family not mind? Will General Qi not mind?”
Mu Yangling mocked, “Do you think everyone is like your Shu family? I’m really not afraid that Qi Haoran will find out, because he and his older brother already knew a few years ago. If they despised our Mu family, they wouldn’t have let us get married. On the other hand, can the aristocratic family, who has always valued face as much as their lives, be as open-minded as me?”
Too furious to speak, Shu Shuniang could only glare at Mu Yangling. Madam Shu-Fang had already vaguely guessed something, so she hurriedly tried to ease the atmosphere. “Yangling, your Aunt doesn’t mean to blame your mother. They’re biological sisters of the same father and mother who’ve been separated for more than ten years. How can they not miss each other? Back then, your mother also suffered. Your maternal grandparents still remember…”
“I know they remember it, so they had our family enlisted as a military household when we were at our wits’ end?” Mu Yangling interrupted Madam Shu-Fang. She tilted her head and smiled at the stunned Madam Shu-Fang. “Fourth Madam Shu doesn’t seem to know.”
Madam Shu-Fang smiled awkwardly. At this moment, she didn’t know what to say. Although the military status wasn’t considered a low status, it was definitely not a good identity. This was because the military status was considered slightly more lowly than that of a craftsman, and the craftsman status was lower than ordinary civilians.
If the Shu family had really forced the Mu family to enlist when they had no way out, this would truly be a gigantic feud.
Shu Shuniang also knew that they wouldn’t be able to accomplish what they came here for today, so she could only stand up. Before she left, she turned around and said, “Whether you believe it or not, my sisterly ties with your mother have remained all this while. This time, your cousins did do something wrong, but they didn’t do it on purpose. If you still have a trace of sentiment for them, speak up for them.”
As she spoke, she pulled Madam Shu-Fang and was about to leave. Seeing that they were about to leave, Mu Yangling suddenly asked, “If I acknowledge you today, will you officially acknowledge my mother and record her name in the genealogical tree again? Will you hold a banquet to inform your relatives and friends?”
Shu Shuniang’s body stiffened, making her intention clear. Mu Yangling let out an “Ah” and chuckled. “So you only plan to interact with us in private. Perhaps you’ll invite me to the Shu residence when you’re in the mood and let your mother and I put on an act of deep affection. Or perhaps in the future you’ll make me an adopted daughter so that I can call her Grandmother openly?”
Mu Yangling sighed. “As expected of the wisdom of an aristocratic family. Commoners like us can’t catch up.”
Shu Shuniang left the Qi family in a sorry state. Mu Yangling turned around and smiled at Spring. “I predict that she won’t appear in front of me again for a year. How peaceful.”
Spring looked at Mu Yangling with heartache. “Fourth Madam, don’t be sad.”
Mu Yangling put away the smile on her face and said, “I’m not sad at all. I just feel sorry for my mother.”
Mu Yangling was really not sad at all. Modern people didn’t feel strong feelings to begin with. Although she had reincarnated, she only had feelings for her family.
There was very little she could contain in her heart, but Shu Wanniang was different. Although she resented the Shu family, she had always had fantasies about them. After all, they were her parents and relatives. How could she not have any feelings for them? She wondered if her mother would be sad if she knew about this situation.
Mu Yangling was glad that their home was in Xingzhou Prefecture, thousands of miles away from Lin’an Prefecture.