Chapter 44: Grace of Birth (I)
Chapter 44: Grace of Birth (I)
Ruan-shi looked eagerly at Cheng Yujin. The expectation in her eyes was undisguised. For a while, Cheng Yujin was momentarily dazed. She remembered the lunar New Years’s celebration when she was three years old. She wore new red clothes, and she looked so cute like a little baby in New Year’s picture. All family members gathered in Old Madam Cheng’s courtyard to celebrate the New Year. Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yumo were put on the luohan couch to play. Cheng Yujin couldn’t remember what she played at the time. She only remembered Ruan-shi came over, bringing a piece of cake and asked her: do you know who your real mother is?
Cheng Yujin couldn’t remember what happened next, but it surely not a good thing. Qingfu Junzhu had always disliked her. Qingfu didn’t want to raise a child for others, which was understandable, but Cheng Yujin never figured out what Ruan-shi actually wanted from her.
Probably, in the deepest part of her heart, Ruan-shi was unwilling to see Cheng Yujin had a good life with her adoptive family. Perhaps, what Ruan-shi really wanted was a ‘filial daughter’ who cared about her biological parents despite being raised by other people, who was also selfless and had no complaints towards her biological family, and continuously poured out money from her adoptive mother to support her biological parents.
When Cheng Yujin was a child, Ruan-shi often came to see her secretly. But when Cheng Yujin began to understand things, Ruan-shi no longer came. Probably she was afraid of ugliness.
Memories flashed through Cheng Yujin’s mind. She smiled at Ruan-shi. This time, however, her gaze was much sharper than before.
Cheng Yujin’s gaze flustered Ruan-shi. She nervously gripped a handkerchief. Pretending to be calm, she asked: “Eldest girl, do you have something to say? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Cheng Yujin’s smile became gentler. The corner of her eyes curled slightly, but her voice was as gentle as before: “I’m wondering why second aunt said this kind of thing.”
“What?”
“Second aunt probably didn’t sleep well last night. That’s why you are a bit muddle-headed this morning. My mother is Cheng family’s eldest Madam. How can second aunt suddenly become my real mother? Everyone knows that I am the daughter of the eldest Madam Qingfu Junzhu and her husband the eldest Master. Why should I call you ‘mother’?” With a smile, Cheng Yujin patted Ruan-shi’s hand. “Second aunt, although it’s already summer, you shouldn’t indulge in the cool breeze and sleep with your windows open at night. Look, I think the cold has gotten into you. Because you are unwell, your mind is muddled, and you said some silly things. Second aunt can be assured, I won’t tell others about today’s matter. But second aunt shouldn’t say the same nonsense to others. I can conceal what you said to me today, but if second aunt comes to Bao’er to tell him that he is your son and he should call you ‘mother,’ I’m afraid my mother will get angry.”
Ruan-shi was startled. She stared at Cheng Yujin incredulously. What nonsense? She said only the truth. It was Cheng Yujin who sprouted nonsense!! She was Cheng Yujin’s birth mother. Everyone in Yichun Marquis manor knew about this. Why Cheng Yujin could smile like that and tell her not to be muddle-headed?
Ruan-shi’s mouth gawked open, and she asked incredulously: “You don’t believe it? No, there are so many gossips in the manor. There is no way you never know about it. Then, do you refuse to admit your biological parents?”
“What biological parents.” Although Cheng Yujin was still smiling, her gaze was very cold. An icy warning suddenly flashed through her eyes: “My parents are the eldest Master and Madam. They raised me, and my name in the clan’s genealogy is also recorded under theirs. I only have one pair of parents. Where do these biological and non-biological nonsenses come from? Second aunt, please be careful of your words. Don’t say those inexplicable remarks anymore. If your words reached my mother’s ears, she might misunderstand that second aunt wants to provoke the relationship between us mother and daughter.”
After she spoke, Cheng Yujin pulled her hand away from Ruan-shi then gave a perfect bow towards an elder: “I still have to visit my mother. Aunt, this niece will go back first.”
Afterward, Cheng Yujin turned around and left without hesitation. Ruan-shi froze on the place, muttering to herself: “She didn’t even want to admit me? I gave birth to her. I was powerless to prevent her from being taken away by the first branch. How could she hurt my heart like this?”