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Last night, Cheng Mo Su had just arrived at Shangguan Residence. Shangguan Yiting was originally very welcoming, but after hearing how Cheng Mo Su came from Feng Province this morning, her smiling face froze.
Isn't this what they call eloping? She thought to herself, a wave of worry surged in her heart, but she did not show it and still arranged for Cheng Mo Su to stay in the room she had previously occupied.
After lunch, Cheng Mo Su intended to take a nap, but as she lay in bed, she tossed and turned, feeling restless and anxious. Eventually, she managed to fall asleep, only to be startled awake by the sound of birds chirping.
However... looking at the note written by Shaoyi on the table, her heart finally settled. It contained four strong characters: "Safe and well, do not worry."
Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Miss Cheng, did you sleep well? You should freshen up; we are going for afternoon tea soon."
Cheng Mo Su nodded and began to groom herself in front of the mirror. The corners of her lips lifted into a delicate smile, a small pearly dimple barely visible. Although her smile was subtle, it tugged at the heartstrings. Xiao Jing thought to herself that she finally understood why the young master was so infatuated with Cheng Mo Su.
As they moved to the dining hall, they found it empty.
"Miss Cheng, please start your meal. Our young lady said she needed to go out today to buy some clothes and won't be accompanying you."
"Oh, okay." Cheng Mo Su paid no further attention, smiling lightly as she quietly enjoyed her pastries. Just as she was finishing her meal, she heard a soft knock at the door. A faint joy blossomed in her heart as her gaze turned toward the entrance, but she froze when Xiao Jing opened the door.
Xiao Jing smiled and quickly invited the visitor in. "Madam Rong, it's you! Please come in."
Madam Rong... the mother of Rong Yuqiao? She stared blankly at the beautiful woman before her. Madam Rong looked haggard and thin; her oval face framed by large eyes that were now vacant and desolate. The warmth and elegance in her gaze had been replaced by an indescribable sorrow and emptiness. Madam Rong also noticed Cheng Mo Su and instantly revealed a venomous hatred in her eyes.
"I came to find your young lady." Ignoring Cheng Mo Su entirely, she asked Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing's gaze flickered awkwardly as she hesitated. "Well... my young lady went..."
"Madam Rong." A bright voice came from upstairs as Shangguan Yiting descended the stairs. She grasped Madam Rong's hand warmly. "What brings you here? I've missed you! I was just about to visit you these past few days but hesitated..."
"What's there to be afraid of? If you want to come, then come." Madam Rong finally smiled a little. Shangguan Yiting had grown up under her watch, and after Yu Qiao was gone, she only wanted to treat Shangguan Yiting as her own daughter.
Cheng Mo stared blankly at the two of them and couldn't help but say, "Sister, didn't Xiao Jing just say you were going to take care of..."
Shangguan Yiting ignored him, linking her arm with Madam Rong's in a particularly affectionate manner. "Madam Rong, let's go upstairs and chat for a bit. There are outsiders down here, it's not appropriate."
Outsiders... does that mean me...
Cheng Mo lowered her eyes, her delicate hand holding the knife and fork paused in mid-air for a long time.
Shangguan Yiting led Madam Rong upstairs. The beige shawl wrapped around her graceful figure, and the fiery red qipao accentuated her slender shape and elegant posture. She took out an embroidered handkerchief from her waist to lightly wipe her forehead, finally cooling down her body temperature. She smiled and said, "It's hot now; I'm sweating a lot."
"Isn't that so?" Madam Rong replied with a smile. Xiao Jing served them a fruit platter and tea. Madam Rong took a light sip, but her expression darkened again. "Yu Qiao used to hate summer the most..."
"Madam, my condolences." Shangguan Yiting quickly held her hand. Madam Rong managed a weak smile as she met Shangguan Yiting's watery eyes filled with concern.
Madam Rong's delicate fingers moved slightly, and her gaze regained a hint of spirit.
Shangguan Yiting smiled gently, casually picking up a hairpin nearby and styling her hair into a bun. Her forehead was as pale as jade. "My brother came back yesterday and told me they have caught the culprit who caused Yu Qiao's death. I believe Yu Qiao can finally rest in peace." She didn't know how to comfort Madam Rong and could only say this much. However, she understood that people do not like to place blame on the dead; those who are alive must bear the accusations regardless of their involvement in the matter. At this moment, Madam Rong must be harboring extreme resentment towards Shangguan Shaoyi and Cheng Mo.
"My husband told me about this yesterday; I already knew. But I still can't accept it in my heart." Madam Rong's cracked lips moved slightly, revealing a faint smile that was somewhat forced but much better than an expressionless face. "Please thank Xiao Lin for me."
Shangguan Yiting nodded, and they fell silent again. Shangguan Yiting wore a polite faint smile on her face, maintaining an elegant demeanor with a hint of grace.
Madam Rong stared at her blankly; looking at her reminded her of her own daughter. "This incident arose because of Yu Qiao; fundamentally, it was because she loved him, and he rejected her. I read many books when I was young about male and female protagonists entangled in love and hardships. When they were absorbed in their feelings, they forgot about the others quietly watching them from the sidelines. Just like this world, sunlight cannot reach every corner; there will always be shadows."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "If he had found a better way to reject Yu Qiao earlier, would these things have happened?"
Her gaze focused on a certain point, as if it carried everything. "I hope that on the road to the underworld, Yu Qiao can let go of her burdens. I don't want her to remember the suffering of this life."
Shangguan Yiting didn't know how to comfort her. Holding her hand for a long time, she couldn't find the words. After a moment of silence, she finally revealed a perfectly timed smile, her gaze becoming a bit more intense. "Madam Rong, if you don't mind, could you treat me as your daughter?"
"You?"
"Isn't that so? My mother passed away early, and it was always Madam Rong who took care of us. I have always envied Yu Qiao for having a mother like you. If you don't mind, you can treat me as your daughter, and I will treat you as my mother." She calculated this carefully, fearing that Madam Rong would harbor resentment towards Shangguan Shaoyi because of this incident and become estranged from the Rong Family, which would not be a good choice.
Madam Rong smiled and tightened her grip on her hand. "Of course, Yiting. To be honest, I have always treated you like my own daughter. In my heart, there is no difference between you and Yu Qiao."
Shangguan Yiting raised the corners of her mouth, her smile radiant yet her eyes calm like ice. Madam Rong was puzzled for a moment and then became somewhat restless. Shangguan Yiting naturally knew what she was thinking and spoke up: "Is Godmother thinking about my brother and Miss Cheng?"
"Isn't that right?" Madam Rong became animated. "I just don't understand what my brother sees in that Miss Cheng with her bland appearance. I think she can't compare to my Yu Qiao at all."
"Yes, I don't understand either. I've advised him many times, but he wouldn't listen and insisted on being with Miss Cheng." Shangguan Yiting took a sip of tea, savoring its fragrance.
"Looking back now, I really feel sorry for Yu Qiao."
Shangguan Yiting chuckled softly and leaned closer to Madam Rong's ear. "Don't worry, Godmother. I absolutely won't let Miss Cheng into our Shangguan Family. First of all, her father supported that scoundrel Lin Hongyao; second..." Her voice lowered even further, "Her marriage wasn't approved by her father; she eloped. A girl without any shame like that is not someone we can accept in the Shangguan Family."
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