Volume One, Chapter 12: Fraught with Doubts

Upon hearing this, Yao suddenly glared at Rui but said nothing.

Rui remained unfazed and continued, “If it’s inconvenient at home, Miss Yao, please provide the address. The Hou residence can send someone to fetch her.”

“She can’t come,” Yao replied coldly.

Rui found Yao’s attitude strange. From her past life to this one, Yao had always remained silent about the family that raised her.

“Why not?” Rui asked. “If your foster mother is unable, perhaps someone else at home can clarify.”

Yao nestled quietly against Madam Shen’s embrace.

Madam Shen cast a displeased glance at Rui. “Yao just returned home. Don’t keep pressing her; you’ll only upset her.”

“Madam Jiang, since your biological daughter has been found, then I, the intruder, should return to my own home.” Rui smiled lightly, shifting her address as she looked kindly at Madam Shen. “Each to their rightful place, so we can both find peace, isn’t that so?”

To Rui, the Anle Marquisate was undoubtedly a den of wolves. This was the perfect moment to leave!

She stepped closer to Yao. “Miss Yao, the identity swap is not my doing. I will return the title of Marquisate heiress to you. From now on, we each stay in our place and do not interfere with each other. How does that sound?”

Rui harbored many questions about Yao, but as a lone woman with little strength, she could not oppose Yao or the Anle Marquisate behind her.

Though fallen, the Marquisate was still a noble household that commoners dared not challenge.

For now, Rui had no choice but to make peace with Yao.

Hearing Rui’s words, Yao’s expression soured instead of brightening.

She straightened up from Madam Shen’s embrace, faced Rui, and curled the corners of her mouth into the first smile of the day.

“Sister Rui, it’s not that I won’t speak, but the situation back home is truly dire—remote and barren, impoverished beyond measure. There are only a few thatched huts and a few acres of poor farmland. We barely have enough to eat. The people there are crude and uncivilized... sigh.”

Yao sighed, troubled, and her gaze toward Rui softened.

“You grew up in the Marquisate, surrounded by silks and fine clothes. You couldn’t endure such hardship. It’s better to stay at the Marquisate. We can keep each other company. Father and Mother wouldn’t want you to leave either.”

Rui stared at Yao expressionlessly, confirming her suspicion.

Yao intended to trap her within the walls of the Anle Marquisate!

Madam Shen, hearing of her biological daughter’s harsh upbringing, could no longer hold back her tears.

“How could anyone live in such a place? Yao, you have suffered so much! Boohoo…”

At that moment, the Marquis himself spoke up: “Rui is the daughter we raised. She cannot endure such hardship. There’s no need to send her back. Let her stay here at the Marquisate. We’ll find a good marriage for her in time, ensuring her future is secure.”

Rui was a noble lady carefully cultivated by the Marquisate. Sending her back as a farmer’s daughter would be too much of a waste, he thought. Then he added, “As for the marriage alliance with the Duke of Jin’s household, it should be returned to Yao.”

“Yes! The marriage with the Qi family rightfully belongs to our Yao. We must inform the Duke of Jin’s household properly,” Madam Shen added, wiping her tears nervously as she glanced at Rui.

“Rui, don’t worry. Your mother will find a good match for you and arrange a grand wedding in the Marquisate’s name.”

Rui looked at the three of them with thinly veiled sarcasm. In just a few words, they had arranged her entire future.

Had she agreed to this?

Yao, scheming and cunning, had no intention of giving up.

The Marquis and Madam Shen, too, were plotting her future.

Rui’s eyes darkened. If Yao was merciless, she would not hesitate to sabotage her.

“Marquis Jiang, Madam Jiang, do you believe everything Miss Yao says so easily?”

Rui smiled lightly and appraised Yao from head to toe.

“Miss Yao, the fabric of your clothes is exquisite cloud brocade, worth a fortune. Could a poor farmer’s daughter afford such expensive attire?”

She then pointed to Yao’s hairpin.

“That seemingly modest white jade pin atop your head is translucent and smooth, made from the finest white jade. It must have cost at least a hundred taels of silver. Even Madam Jiang would think twice before buying one like it.”

All the fabric and jewelry purchases for the Marquisate passed through Rui’s hands.

She was certain that Yao’s entire ensemble did not come from the Marquisate. It must have been her own.

Yao frowned and unconsciously touched the jade pin on her head.

The Marquis and Madam Shen also looked over Yao, now noticing that her attire was indeed beyond what a farmer’s daughter could wear.

“I earned this silver myself. Is that not allowed?” Yao retorted stubbornly.

“Your skin is fair and delicate; I doubt you’ve ever done farm work,” Rui mocked, half-smiling.

“The poise and grace you displayed today rival that of any noble lady. You do not resemble an unrefined country girl lacking proper upbringing.”

Madam Shen found Rui’s words reasonable. Upon first meeting Yao, she was drawn to Yao’s elegant demeanor. Had Yao truly been a coarse farmer’s daughter, Madam Shen would not have been so certain that Yao was her biological daughter.

Yao pressed her lips together, glaring at Rui with hatred. “Am I not naturally beautiful?”

“Miss Yao, your experiences and upbringing are evident in you. Why lie about living in such hardship?”

Rui continued bluntly.

“Are you trying to make your biological parents feel intense guilt so you can manipulate them?”

“I’m not!” Yao finally showed a hint of panic. “How dare you say that?”

Rui ignored her and turned to the Marquis.

“Marquis Jiang, if you want to know Miss Yao’s past, she doesn’t have to tell you herself. Anyone coming to the capital from elsewhere must have a travel pass issued by the local authorities. Just one look at it reveals their origin.”

Yao’s place of origin should be where Rui’s biological parents lived.

The Marquis glanced at Yao, pondering that having a biological daughter from a farming family was not flattering. If she had been raised in a noble household, it would reflect better on the Marquisate’s reputation.

“Yao, do you have your travel pass? It would be good for both families to sit down and clarify matters.”

Yao stiffened her neck. “Of course I have it, but I lost it after entering the city. It might have been stolen by some petty thief.”

“What a coincidence. But it doesn’t matter.”

Rui’s tone was laced with sarcasm as she gave Yao a cold smile.

“When you entered the city, the soldiers at the gate would have checked your travel pass. And when you registered at the inn, the owner would have recorded the information from your pass. If someone investigates, they will find out where you came from.”

Yao tightened her lips; the gentle light in her eyes faded, replaced by a sharp gaze directed at Rui.

“Are you interrogating me?”

Madam Shen embraced Yao protectively, glaring at Rui with fury.

“Mothers and daughters share a bond. Yao is the daughter I recognize. Stop asking unnecessary questions and upsetting her.”

Rui’s lips curled in a half-smile. “I just want to know where my home is. Is that a crime?”

Since Yao appeared, whether in this life or the last, Madam Shen no longer saw the daughter who had accompanied her for sixteen years.

“Father, Mother, I have something important to discuss with you alone.”

Yao cast a disdainful glance at Rui and solemnly addressed the Marquis couple.

“It is a matter of great importance.”