Chapter 91

“Are you here to find me?”

Jian Yujue’s voice came through as Su Mi raised her head from Granny Jian’s shoulder and turned around. He stood not far away, dressed in a green robe.

Naturally, she came to find him. She thought she wanted to confirm it herself, but in reality, with the information Qin Yan found for her and the obvious connection between them, Su Mi felt there was no need to ask any further.

Regardless of what happened back then, Aunt Zhao did not immediately kill her brother. He was truly alive.

As Su Mi looked at Jian Yujue, she suddenly understood why she had rushed over so urgently if it wasn’t for verification. What she wanted most was to tell Jian Yujue that he was never the one abandoned, and she wanted him to come home.

Su Mi removed her veil, revealing a face similar to Jian Yujue’s. There were a few glistening teardrops on her face, but she finally stopped sobbing and choking. “Yes.”

Jian Yujue took a step closer, his expression still calm as water, but the stiffness in his back was too obvious, revealing the nervousness befitting his age.

When they were about five or six feet apart, Jian Yujue stopped in his tracks. He looked at Su Mi for a long time, his deep gaze concealing his emotions. Su Mi stared back at him, wanting to say so much but not knowing where to begin.

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“Ebu eke usw nsxl vs qkde xl? Pked’v usw dsv oydv xl yduxsal?”

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“Ls! Mbyv’p dsv vawl!”

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“…Ysvbla byp clld ulyadkdt qsa usw lhlau eyu.”

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Tsolhla, kv vwadle swv bl oyp dsv ycydesdle lkvbla.

“Can you come back to the capital with me and meet her?” Su Mi asked cautiously.

A glimmer of light flashed in Jian Yujue’s eyes, but it was only momentary. Afterwards, he remained as warm and calm as water. He bent down and picked up the bamboo basket on the ground, which contained wild vegetables grown by Granny Jian. In the corner of his eye, he noticed the slightly hunched old woman leaning against the door, looking in their direction. The knuckles gripping the basket handle formed sharp angles.

“You should go back. I’m doing well now.”

After speaking, Jian Yujue moved forward, brushing past Su Mi, and walked to Granny Jian’s side. He spoke gently: “Granny, I’ve finished gathering the wild vegetables. I’ll take them to the kitchen.”

Granny Jian watched Jian Yujue’s figure and then looked at Su Mi. At her age, she had seen through many things, and finding Jian Yujue’s relatives had always been her wish.

So when Su Mi removed her veil just now, Granny Jian was slightly surprised but quickly understood the reason for Su Mi’s visit. Although she was reluctant, she knew that she would eventually pass away. She didn’t want to leave Jian Yujue alone in this world.

She had witnessed Jian Yujue’s filial piety toward her. After all, reclaiming one’s ancestral roots was a significant matter. Just by looking at the attire and decorations of this madam, it was evident that their family was not an ordinary household. If Yujue were to return to his original family, he might no longer be able to be her grandson. Even their surname would have to be changed back. Who would allow their son to bear another family’s name?

So this is Yujue’s concern. He’s afraid of hurting her feelings. Granny Jian shook her head, thinking he was truly a silly child.

Su Mi was still standing at the doorway, her feet seemingly glued to the ground, unwilling to leave. She stared through the crack in the door, watching the occasional glimpse of Jian Yujue inside. Chun Mei and Feng Bao exchanged sighs, unsure of how to comfort her.

Granny Jian approached and held Su Mi’s wrist, following her line of sight to the interior of the house. “My girl, you came to take Yujue back, didn’t you? When I found him, I couldn’t understand how anyone could bear to abandon such a beautiful child.”

“He was always obedient and quiet, like a girl. He grew up to be handsome, but he’s inherently stubborn.”

Granny Jian looked at Su Mi. “So, my girl, you should go back for now. I’ll persuade him later. Once he realizes it, he will come to see you.”

Su Mi felt the warmth transmitted through her hand and was momentarily speechless. “Thank you…”

“Thank me for what? I’ve enjoyed the blessings of having him for almost twenty years.” Granny Jian sighed, knowing that the most pitiful one was Yujue’s own mother.

“Yes, Miss. It’s my first time coming here today.” Chun Mei also chimed in.

Su Mi nodded. It was her impatience that got the better of her. But she couldn’t help it. “Granny, let’s go back for now and come find him next time.”

“Alright.”

Granny Jian watched the carriage slowly drive away, then turned and walked into the kitchen. She looked at Jian Yujue, leaning against the wall, and patted his back.

Jian Yujue sensed the movement and turned his head.

Granny Jian had a smile on her face. “Yujue, actually, I’ve grown accustomed to being here. Going to the capital is suffocating, and the weather there is unpleasant.”

“Just let Granny stay in Qingzhou.”

***

After returning from Qingzhou, Su Mi went straight to the residence of the Yu family and recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

Yu Qingniang had tried several times to rush to Qingzhou by carriage, but Su Mi managed to stop her.

Lan Yi listened from the side, going from being surprised to happy. However, with this turn of events, it was undeniable that Auntie Zhao had used some underhanded means.

“Qingniang, should I go and inform the master about this? He still thinks that Auntie Zhao is a good person!”

Yu Qingniang grabbed Lan Yi’s hand and shook her head. “I’ve been with Su Mingde for so many years. I know him too well. If he finds out about Xiong’s status as a top scholar, who knows how he might try to take advantage of it?”

“Lan Yi, promise me not to tell him. Xiong has suffered for so long. I just want him to be happy in the future. Even if he doesn’t want to come back, it’s only fair.”

Lan Yi saw tears welling up in Yu Qingniang’s eyes again and knew that she was upset because Su Xiong didn’t want to see her. She spoke comforting words: “Mother and son share the same heart. He’s just feeling overwhelmed right now. Give him some time to come to terms with it. Eventually, he will return to his roots. Do you want him to carry someone else’s surname forever?”

…

Inside the room, Lan Yi and Yu Qingniang whispered to each other, while outside the window stood the old servant who had come from the Su family with Lan Yi. Su Mingde had sent him along because he didn’t fully trust Lan Yi.

The old servant listened in astonishment to the whole conversation. With such a significant matter at hand, he needed to hurry back and inform the master!