Chapter 261: Exposing the Truth
Chapter 261: Exposing the Truth
Xia Laofu, holding Meng Qianqian's hand, walked out of the courtyard and encountered her third daughter-in-law.
Meng Qianqian hadn't expected that she would wait until now.
"Mother, who is she? I asked my eldest sister-in-law, but she wouldn't tell me anything."
Xia Sanfu pointed at Meng Qianqian and asked bluntly.
From these words, it was not difficult to hear that she didn't hold much respect for Yu Shi in her heart.
Although Yu Shi came from a scholarly family, it was only somewhat famous in Youzhou and not well-known in the capital.
And from this, Xia Laofu probably didn't particularly favor this daughter-in-law.
First, Yu Shi had no help in An Yuan Hou's official career, and second, Yu Shi's family in the capital opposed her marriage, so naturally, they didn't provide her with a rich dowry.
However, for An Yuan Marquis Manor, they couldn't find a more suitable mistress than Yu Shi.
After all, which woman would give up childbirth and wholeheartedly raise the two children left by the original wife?
As a wife, stepmother, and daughter-in-law, Yu Shi was impeccable, and that was how she established her position in the Marquis Manor.
Xia Laofu said to her third daughter-in-law, "Qianqian is Ling'er's long-lost twin sister. From now on, she will be the eldest daughter of the manor."
Xia Sanfu said in disbelief, "Ling'er is a twin? And one of them was lost? How come I've never heard of such a big event?"
Lu Tumomu smiled and said, "Third Duchess, you weren't married back then. Since it was a sad matter, to spare the Marquis's feelings, the manor didn't mention it again."
"But..."
Xia Sanfu felt that it was too sudden, as if something was amiss.
Xia Laofu said solemnly, "We have guests today. Let's discuss this after the banquet ends."
After dismissing the third duchess, Xia Laofu continued to lead Meng Qianqian towards the banquet hall.
Today, the Xie family was filled with guests, and the atmosphere was lively.
An Yuan Marquis and Yu Shi were greeting the guests.
Xia Erge and his wife, as well as Xia Sangye, were also present.
It was evident that the Xie family attached great importance to this birthday banquet, proudly showcasing the honor and wealth of the Marquis Manor to the guests.
"There are so many guests," Meng Qianqian said softly.
People are always strange; they can easily fall into the trap of prejudice. For example, Xia Laofu, knowing that Meng Qianqian's current status was beyond words, still subconsciously labeled Meng Qianqian with her background as a merchant's daughter.
The conclusion drawn was that Meng Qianqian couldn't handle this situation.
Xia Laofu patted Meng Qianqian's hand reassuringly and said, "Don't be nervous. Grandmother will take care of everything."
"Look, it's her!"
Someone recognized Meng Qianqian.
"Who?"
"The person who just claimed to be the eldest daughter of the Marquis Manor at the entrance and was almost driven away by Duchess Xie."
"How is she with Xia Laofu? Could she really be the eldest daughter of the Marquis Manor?"
"Isn't the eldest daughter Xie Ling'er?"
"It's hard to say. Maybe she's An Yuan Marquis's illegitimate daughter."
"An Yuan Marquis is upright and open-minded. How could he have an illegitimate daughter?"
Xia Laofu also heard the guests' whispers.
She gave Meng Qianqian a reassuring look and said to the guests, "Today, the Marquis Manor is hosting a banquet. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. Here, I have some good news to announce to everyone. My long-lost eldest granddaughter has been found."
A female guest exclaimed, "Long-lost eldest granddaughter? She... she's really the eldest daughter of the Marquis Manor? Who is her mother?"
Since she was the Marquis's daughter, her father must be An Yuan Marquis, but it was unclear which concubine gave birth to her.
Yu Shi lowered her eyes, concealing a fleeting moment of discomfort.
Meng Qianqian replied, "My mother is the Lady First of the Marquis Manor."
The birth mother of Xie Ling'er was the original primary wife of the An Yuan Marquis Manor, and the first Lady First was her. Yu Shi was the second Lady First.
"That's right, Grandmother."
Meng Qianqian smiled at Xia Laofu.
Xia Laofu nodded kindly, "That's right, your mother is the Lady First of the Manor."
Everyone's gaze turned to Yu Shi simultaneously.
Meng Qianqian also looked at her.
In that brief moment of eye contact, Yu Shi's body tensed up.
An Yuan Hou gently patted her shoulder, "It's alright, Mother has arranged everything."
Yu Shi took a deep breath. Indeed, her mother-in-law's methods were exceptional, more formidable than any other woman she had seen in the inner quarters. The fact that she could bring Meng Qianqian to the banquet meant she had already convinced her.
Moreover, Meng Qianqian only wanted her to acknowledge her as her daughter, and she had already promised to give her the same love as Xie Ling'er. There was no reason for Meng Qianqian to be dissatisfied.
However, for some unknown reason, an ominous premonition began to rise within her heart...
Xia Laofu sighed, "It was my late daughter-in-law. Qianqian and Ling'er were born as twins, and Qianqian is the older sister. Due to an unforeseen event, Qianqian was secretly taken away by a servant. Over the years, we have been searching for Qianqian, and fortunately, the heavens have finally rewarded our efforts."
As Xia Laofu spoke, she looked at Meng Qianqian with maternal affection.
Unexpectedly, Meng Qianqian had a stunned expression, "Grandmother Xie, what are you talking about? I am clearly the daughter of the Meng family. How did I become born in your Marquis Manor?"
Xia Laofu was taken aback.
Meng Qianqian stood up and walked over to Yu Shi, boldly taking Yu Shi's cold hand, "This is my mother."
Yu Shi trembled!
An Yuan Hou's expression changed as well.
The guests were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.
What was going on?
Why were the words of this maid and Xia Laofu so contradictory? Was she the daughter of the former Lady First or Yu Shi?
"Don't you think she looks a little like Yu Shi?" one of the female guests remarked.
The others couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Indeed, their facial features were very similar, but Meng Qianqian's eyebrows and eyes were exceptionally spirited, while Yu Shi's temperament was overly gentle, creating a stark contrast in their auras.
At this moment, Meng Qianqian's gaze softened, and she did resemble Yu Shi, just like a mother and daughter.
Xia Sanfu sneered, "You're older than Ling'er. Are you trying to say that my sister-in-law and my eldest brother had an affair without a matchmaker, and you were conceived before she even entered the Marquis Manor?"
"Enough!"
Xia Laofu slammed the table and shouted, "Meng Qianqian! That's not what you said earlier!"
Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "I only called you 'Grandmother' out of respect for my mother. But I never said I would abandon the Meng family, who gave birth to me and raised me, to become your daughter in the Xie family."
Xia Laofu slumped back into her chair. She had been clever her entire life, but she never expected to be outmaneuvered by a young maid!
Upon further reflection, she realized that she had been talking to herself earlier, and this maid had not agreed to anything!
Xia Sanfu questioned Yu Shi, "Sister-in-law! What is going on here?"
Yu Shi forcefully pulled her hand away from Meng Qianqian, "Meng Qianqian! That's enough! Come with me!"
Meng Qianqian didn't move, "If you have something to say, say it here clearly. You are my mother, do you acknowledge it or not? If you do, explain my background clearly. If not, I will clarify my own background."
"You—"
Yu Shi's face turned pale.
An Yuan Hou stepped forward, "Qianqian! Let's talk this through!"
(End of Chapter)
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