Chapter 68: The Return of the True Heiress

Proofread By:- Mim

“So, we’re moving to the capital?”

 

“Yes,” the Old Madam Chu replied, her face full of joy. “Once your father’s transfer orders come through, we’ll move to the capital. The house in the capital has been empty for many years; now it will finally be put to use.”

 

The Chu family’s relocation back to Taiyuan was originally ordered by the first Marquis of Changxing, Chu Jing’s grandfather and the Old Madam’s father-in-law. When the Old Madam first married into the Chu family, she had briefly lived in the capital. Now, so many years later, from a young bride to an old woman, they finally had the opportunity to return to the capital.

 

With the Marquis of Changxing being transferred to the Five Armies Camp, the family would return to the capital along with him. For the Chu family, this was a cause for celebration. In the eyes of many, serving as an official in the capital was the true mark of success. No matter the rank, a capital official was always seen as more prestigious than those stationed elsewhere. The atmosphere in Rong Ning Hall was lively, filled with laughter, and the Old Madam’s gaze toward Chu Jinyao was particularly bright.

It was clear to everyone that the Marquis’s sudden transfer to the capital was thanks to the Crown Prince. Though the Crown Prince may have had his own reasons for promoting his in-laws, the root of it all lay in Chu Jinyao.

 

While everyone else was in high spirits, Chu Jinyao remained unusually calm. In fact, she seemed almost indifferent, her composure bordering on coldness.

 

Madam Yan, eager to discuss matters regarding Chu Erlao, the second master of the Chu family, began hinting to the Old Madam, signaling for the others to leave. After all, with the Changxing Marquis Mansion soon to become part of the capital’s elite, how could the future Crown Princess’s second uncle not have a suitable position? The Old Madam understood Madam Yan’s intentions but couldn’t help feeling some disdain for her behavior. Nonetheless, she prepared to ask the others to leave.

 

“Grandmother,” Chu Jinyao suddenly spoke, interrupting the Old Madam just as she was about to speak. “I have something to discuss with you.”

 

Madam Yan paused, taken aback, and the Old Madam gave her a look before nodding.

 

“It’s getting late. You all should go and rest.”

 

After the Crown Prince left, it had already been quite late, and by the time Chu Jinxian and Zhao Jiazhi had left, the Changxing Marquis Mansion had been bustling for a long time. Everyone was physically exhausted, but their spirits remained high.

 

With the Old Madam’s dismissal, the others reluctantly stood up to leave. Before they left, many couldn’t help casting glances at Chu Jinyao, curious about what she wanted to discuss. Did the Crown Prince say something important to her?

 

Once everyone had left, and the servants had brought fresh tea and snacks, the Old Madam gestured to Chu Jinyao. “Sit. What do you want to talk about?”

 

Under normal circumstances, Chu Jinyao would never have sat down so casually in front of the Old Madam. She would have stood respectfully while listening. But today, she glanced at the chair and then actually sat down.

 

The Old Madam was a little surprised, but before she could fully react, Chu Jinyao began to speak. “Grandmother, you must know that the Crown Prince deliberately stayed behind today to discuss some matters with me.”

 

The Old Madam nodded knowingly, giving Chu Jinyao a meaningful smile. “And what did His Highness say?”

 

Chu Jinyao was very familiar with that look from the Old Madam. Ever since she had been betrothed to the Crown Prince, everyone had looked at her that way. In their eyes, she was simply a beautiful woman who had caught the eye of a powerful man and was now being elevated to a high position. To be fair, Chu Jinyao was indeed now a dependent of the Crown Prince, much like many other women who rely on beauty to secure their futures.

 

However, Chu Jinyao could tolerate outsiders thinking of her this way, but her own family, who had benefited from her engagement to the Crown Prince, had no right to look at her in such a condescending manner.

 

Ever since the selection of companions for the imperial family in January, the disruption of her betrothal in May, and then the sudden appointment as Crown Princess in June, Chu Jinyao had become accustomed to being pushed along by forces beyond her control. She knew she had no foundation, no one to rely on, and no voice in the household. That was why she had chosen to submit, accepting the family’s arrangements as long as they weren’t too outrageous.

 

But even a drifting leaf has its limits. If it weren’t for her firm opposition, the Old Madam would have really sent her off as a concubine to the Lin family. In retrospect, the intervention of the Jin Yi Wei at that exact moment wasn’t a coincidence. It must have been orchestrated by the Crown Prince.

 

When Chu Jinyao first returned home, she had been full of excitement and hope, thinking she had finally found her true family. Although she had faced many setbacks, she had always been eager to reach out and connect with her relatives. But over time, she became quieter, more reserved, behaving more and more like a proper young lady of the nobility. People praised her for her transformation, saying she had become a true lady of the Marquis Mansion. But in reality, Chu Jinyao had simply grown disillusioned.

 

Whether it was the Su family or the Chu family, it was all the same.

 

The Crown Prince’s favor had been a blessing, pulling her out of the mire. Chu Jinyao was deeply grateful to the Crown Prince and was determined to repay him by managing the household well, even taking care of his other women. She was willing to endure the torment from the Empress’s maids because she believed it was her duty.

 

In the capital, many people believed that Chu Jinyao had merely been lucky, that she had caught the attention of the Crown Prince by chance and was now reaping the rewards. She didn’t mind what outsiders thought; after all, she had never imagined herself worthy of being Crown Princess. But her family, the ones who had lost her at birth and only found her after thirteen years—how dare they think of her this way!

 

“Grandmother,” Chu Jinyao began, her voice trembling slightly from nervousness, though she soon steadied herself. “The Crown Prince spoke to me today about Third Sister.”

 

The Old Madam’s expression grew momentarily awkward, but she quickly composed herself and took a sip of tea before saying, “Oh? What about her?”

 

“You must know, Grandmother, the relationship between the Crown Prince and the current Empress. His Highness’s birth mother, Empress Wenxiao, died of illness, and many believe that it was due to the actions of the current Empress, his aunt. Because of this, the Crown Prince particularly despises situations where sisters share a husband.”

 

The Old Madam’s discomfort was more apparent this time. She coughed awkwardly. In truth, both she and the Marquis of Changxing disapproved of the Emperor marrying his sister-in-law, but when it came to their own family, they found it much more tolerable. However, now that Chu Jinyao had brought up the matter, it was hard to deny it. The Old Madam scrutinized Chu Jinyao and asked, “Did the Crown Prince really say that?”

 

“What kind of answer do you want, Grandmother?” Chu Jinyao smiled, but it was a cold, distant smile. “What if I said it was me who felt this way?”

 

The Old Madam’s face stiffened. “You…”

 

“Grandmother,” Chu Jinyao interrupted, her expression becoming more serious, her tone dignified. “The Crown Prince doesn’t like such things, and I, too, don’t want to see my sisters stoop to such schemes. With the current prestige of our family, there are many good matches available. Why should a young lady settle for being someone’s concubine when she can have a proper marriage?”

 

Her words were blunt, and the Old Madam, who had enjoyed authority for many years, was not used to being spoken to in such a manner. Her eyes narrowed, and her tone became icy. “So, just because you met the Crown Prince today, you feel you can speak to your elders like this?”

 

There it was again—that condescending attitude, that suggestion that she was nothing more than a pretty face. Chu Jinyao steeled herself, thinking: Fine, if that’s what they think, let them. If they believe she is a seductress, then she would lean into that role and turn the tables.

 

“You’re right, Grandmother,” Chu Jinyao said, her voice calm. “Today, I met the Crown Prince. In fact, from now on, I will meet him regularly, day after day, year after year.”

 

The Old Madam’s breath caught in her throat. She had always prided herself on Chu Jinyao’s beauty as a weapon, but she had never expected the girl to turn that weapon against her!

 

For a moment, the Old Madam was filled with contempt for Chu Jinyao’s brazenness. But then she remembered how ruthless the imperial family could be when it came to dealing with rivals. The Crown Prince seemed rational now, but who could say how he would behave once he ascended the throne?

 

In the end, the Old Madam didn’t dare to burn bridges with Chu Jinyao. As the Crown Prince’s wife, her position would only grow stronger, and it wasn’t certain who would depend on whom in the future.

 

“I see now,” the Old Madam finally said with a strained smile. “So this is what’s been troubling you. We were only trying to look out for your best interests. Since you feel this way, we’ll let it be. No one in the family should be wronged, least of all you. Your father’s transfer orders will take some time to process, so we can use this period to arrange the marriages for your sisters.”

 

The Old Madam’s words were a clear concession, but Chu Jinyao remained impassive. “Which sisters?” she asked.

 

The Old Madam hesitated, surprised by the question. “What do you mean?”

 

“I’ve heard of a story called ‘The Cuckoo in the Nest.’ Though the mother bird may raise the wrong chick, once they grow up, they return to their real mothers.”

 

The Old Madam’s expression turned to one of surprise. “Are you suggesting…”

 

“We’re moving to the capital soon, Grandmother. It’s not right for families to remain separated. Don’t you agree?”

 

“Indeed,” the Old Madam replied, her eyes narrowing in thought, as though she were seeing Chu Jinyao for the first time. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

 

When Chu Jinyao left the room, her maid, Linglong, rushed to her side, anxiously asking, “Miss, did you have conflict with the Old Madam?”

 

“No,” Chu Jinyao replied briskly, walking quickly. “In fact, I had a very pleasant conversation with her, and we settled several matters.”

 

Linglong was taken aback. Miss had been tense and irritable for days, worrying her servants. But today, she had acted decisively. What had changed?

 

Chu Jinyao strode quickly toward her courtyard. By the time she reached the entrance, she had broken a light sweat. She paused, looking up at the vast, dark sky above.

 

She knew full well that the Old Madam Chu had only backed down because of the Crown Prince’s visit and his not-so-subtle reminders of her position. If the Crown Prince hadn’t come, or if he hadn’t made it clear that she had his support, nothing would have changed.

 

Without the Crown Prince’s favor, she would have no leverage. Her family wouldn’t care about her feelings.

 

The sky stretched infinitely above her, and she felt like an insignificant speck beneath it.

 

She was merely borrowing power, a paper tiger for now. How long would the Crown Prince’s interest in her last?

 

The next day, the family gathered in the Old Madam Chu’s room as usual, chatting and passing the time. Nothing seemed different at first. The Old Madam Chu drank a cup of tea, then set it down and suddenly spoke.

 

“While we have time before the move, we should take care of some important matters.”

 

Everyone stopped what they were doing, waiting for the Old Madam Chu to continue.

 

“You’re all grown up now. Second Young Lady is already engaged, and it’s time to start preparing for Third Young Lady’s marriage as well.”

 

Third Young Lady was shocked. Hadn’t her mother already arranged for her to vie for a position in the imperial household? Why was the Old Madam Chu suddenly changing plans?

 

“I’ve received many proposals from good families recently, including some very promising young men. Madam Zhao, you’ll have to work harder and help Third Young Lady with the selection.”

 

Madam Zhao, taken aback by the sudden change of heart, hurriedly agreed. Before concubine Huang could protest, the Old Madam turned to her and said, “Although a concubine usually doesn’t interfere with a young lady’s marriage, you are her birth mother. You may assist Madam Zhao in choosing an appropriate match.”

 

Concubine Huang, who had been shocked by the Old Madam’s sudden decision, was overjoyed. Even though she would only have a supporting role in the decision, she was grateful to be included at all.

 

Madam Zhao, puzzled by the Old Madam’s leniency, was suddenly struck by a realization. The Old Madam had mentioned Second Young Lady and Third Young Lady, but what about Chu Jinmiao?

 

“Mother,” Madam Zhao asked cautiously, “since we’re discussing the young ladies’ marriages, shouldn’t we also consider a match for Jinmiao?”

 

The entire room fell silent, everyone waiting for the Old Madam’s response.

 

The Old Madam, slowly twirling her prayer beads, eventually replied, “First marriages are arranged by parents, and second marriages should be decided by the individuals involved. We are not Chu Jinmiao’s true family. Such matters should be left to her real parents.”

 

Madam Zhao’s teacup slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor. Her face turned deathly pale.

 

Almost simultaneously, she turned to look at Chu Jinyao, who closed her eyes briefly. It was over. She would never have a mother.

 

The news that Third Young Lady was to be married, and that Chu Jinmiao would soon return to the Su family, quickly spread throughout the household.

 

For days, Madam Zhao wept uncontrollably. When Chu Jinyao went to pay her respects, she was turned away by the servants. From inside, she could hear Madam Zhao shouting, “You’re the Crown Princess, one of the most powerful women in the land. How could a mere commoner like me deserve your respect? Go and bow to the Empress or the Crown Prince!”

 

Momo Zhang, the old servant, looked at Chu Jinyao with pity. “Miss…”

 

“It’s alright,” Chu Jinyao replied with a forced smile. “Since Mother doesn’t want to see me, I won’t bother her anymore. Please take care of her, and make sure she doesn’t cry too much and hurt her health.”

 

“Miss, the Madam is just upset right now. She’ll come around eventually…”

 

“You should return to your duties,” Chu Jinyao interrupted gently, her smile unwavering. “I have things to do.”

 

With that, Chu Jinyao left, followed by her servants. As they walked away from Madam Zhao’s courtyard, the sound of objects being thrown and broken could be heard from within.

 

Chu Jinyao smirked, and Linglong leaned in to ask, “Miss, what should we do with the things we’ve prepared?”

 

“Is the carriage ready?” Chu Jinyao asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Send Eunuch Qian. Have him accompany Fourth Young Lady back to her real family. And make sure he hands over all the gifts we’ve prepared for her, in front of the Su family.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Family bonds are truly strange. Even when raised by strangers, parents are still willing to sacrifice for their biological children. I wonder, when Chu Jinmiao returns home with all her ‘dowry,’ will Su’s father and mother love her even more?

 

Despite her protests, Chu Jinmiao was soon forced onto the carriage. It was clear to everyone that this was all happening because of the Old Madam Chu’s orders. In truth, Chu Jinyao admired the Old Madam Chu’s decisiveness. She herself had little attachment to Chu Jinmiao, but the Old Madam Chu had raised her with genuine affection for so many years. To cast her out so easily was no small feat.

 

Madam Zhao, with red-rimmed eyes, chased after the carriage for a long distance. Despite the Old Madam Chu’s objections, she had stuffed the carriage full of gold, silver, and other valuables, as well as a capable maid, in the hopes that her daughter wouldn’t suffer. The Old Madam Chu watched Madam Zhao’s actions but ultimately said nothing, merely sighing deeply.

 

Chu Jinmiao, her eyes swollen from crying, stared helplessly out of the carriage as the familiar sights of Taiyuan faded into the distance. The further they traveled, the more rustic the surroundings became. Eventually, the carriage arrived at Su’s village, and the locals, bewildered, gathered to watch. They were already reeling from the arrival of the Jin Yi Wei just days earlier, and now more rich relatives had come to visit the Su family.

 

The villagers followed the carriage as it wound through the village, stopping in front of Su’s home. The crowd gasped in astonishment, whispering amongst themselves.

 

Inside the carriage, Chu Jinmiao peeked out through a small gap in the curtains. When she saw the shabby, dilapidated yard of the Su family, she quickly pulled the curtains shut, her eyes welling with tears once again. How had she ended up like this?

 

The maid sent along with her felt a chill in her heart. The Su family’s home was practically a hovel, with thatched roofs and crumbling walls that looked ready to collapse at any moment. Even the lowliest servants in the marquis’s household lived in better conditions than this! The maid, thinking of the grand Mansion she had left behind, felt increasingly stifled.

 

Who would willingly come to a place like this? She had once been a second-class maid, with a lifestyle better than most noblewomen. Now, she was expected to serve the daughter of a village family? It was unbearable!

 

Chu Jinmiao sat in the carriage, refusing to face the reality outside. But the people outside had no intention of letting her avoid the inevitable. Eunuch Qian’s voice sounded lazily from outside the carriage. “Fourth Young Lady, it’s time to get off.”

 

Fourth Young Lady. How ironic.

 

Chu Jinmiao laughed bitterly through her tears. Why had fate been so cruel to her? Why give her wealth and luxury only to take it all away?

 

With no choice, Chu Jinmiao was half-dragged, half-carried from the carriage. The villagers, curious and eager for gossip, gathered around, whispering amongst themselves.

 

Su’s father and mother had already heard the commotion and were peeking from behind the door. Eunuch Qian, unconcerned with the lack of welcome, announced loudly, “Back in the seventh year of Jianxing, the Su family swapped the true daughter of the marquis with their own daughter, passing her off as a noblewoman. The marquis graciously overlooked this deception, choosing not to return the false daughter. However, after recent events, the marquis family has found it too dangerous to continue keeping her, and so we have brought her back to you.”

 

Turning to Chu Jinmiao, Eunuch Qian added, “Fourth Young Lady, this is your home now.”

 

Chu Jinmiao glared at him with hatred. She knew he was one of Chu Jinyao’s people, sent here to humiliate her. And she also knew that this man ultimately answered to the Crown Prince.

 

Refusing to look at the dilapidated yard, Chu Jinmiao’s eyes filled with tears. Eunuch Qian, meanwhile, remained unfazed. With a clap of his hands, he ordered the servants to bring down a large chest from the carriage. However, one of the servants tripped, causing the chest to fall and its contents to spill across the ground.

 

Eunuch Qian feigned concern. “Oh dear, how careless of us to drop the chest. Inside are the gold and silver jewelry, along with several fine bolts of silk, that our lady has gifted to Fourth Young Lady as a parting gift. From now on, all of this belongs to Fourth Young Lady, ensuring she will never need to worry for anything in life.”

 

Chu Jinmiao frowned in confusion. Why would Chu Jinyao give her such a lavish parting gift? She scanned the spilled contents of the chest and realized that there was indeed a substantial amount of wealth. What was Chu Jinyao up to?

 

What Chu Jinmiao didn’t notice was the way the eyes of the Su family and the villagers had changed. For people who had lived their entire lives in poverty, seeing such wealth before them awakened a primal greed.

 

Chu Jinyao, of course, didn’t lack for money. The Su family had always loved wealth, so she decided to send their most cherished daughter back to them—along with a fortune.

 

A son whose future had been ruined, and a daughter who returned home with a dowry of gold. Would that not change things in the Su household?

 

It’s often said that wealth can corrupt, but sometimes poverty can drive people to extremes as well. When people are forced to struggle for survival, what do concepts like law and morality really matter?