My Lord is A Stone Chapter 34

T/N: A treat for you all a long chapter! (At least it seemed like it when I was translating...) I will say one word about this chapter `adorable` haha

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Su Qing Chen slept very well that night, in his dream Zhao Jin Yu cute and helpless looking laid in his arms, like a docile cat, he looked at the stone pendant hanging from her neck, he couldn’t help capriciously think he got the person, and had protected the strange stone, it really could be said he had killed two birds with one stone, then thinking about the emperor’s commendation to him when he returned to the capital city, he couldn’t help laugh loudly several times.

Who would have imagined when he woke up in the morning An Wen Yao stood watching at his bedside, gaze ambiguous and unclear, giving him a bad feeling.

“Lord An, you really are early.” Su Qing Chen smiled somewhat weakly.

An Wen Yao looked Su Qing Chen up and down for some time, finally he opened his clam like mouth, saying, “Lord Su, you don’t have to keep an eye on things here.”

“Why?”

“I’ve already sent a message by pigeon telling Lord Qin to head south through the night to replace you.” An Wen Yao recalled the emperor’s deep voice from last night, his body trembled, he could only think that Su Qing Chen being able to be here right now so steadily was due to luck.

Su Qing Chen sat up in a flash of understanding, asking, “What is the meaning of this?” He had accomplished half of his a.s.signment before being replaced by that castrated dog Qin Hong, and how he would be ridiculed by him! He didn’t accept it!

“His Majesty has another a.s.signment for you.”

Hearing this Su Qing Chen released a breath, thinking the situation wasn’t so bad, at least there was another a.s.signment for him, he comforted himself in this way…, however after An Wen Yao finished speaking, the smile couldn’t remain.

An Wen Yao watch Su Qing Chen’s face ashen, he didn’t feel a bit of pity, he brought this on himself!

“Immediately set out? I still have some things…” Su Qing Chen thought of Zhao Jin Yu’s gaze of adoration for him last night, his heart burst into a ripple, he wished he could take her with him on his journey.

An Wen Yao was expressionless, he said, “Lord Su, you want to defy the imperial decree? His Majesty said you must set out immediately!”

Su Qing Chen calmly kneeled, receiving the order, soon after he depressively packed his luggage setting off just like that…, on his way out he walked past Zhao Jin Yu’s room but was not in the mood to say goodbye, no point in making himself more miserable!

Two months later, Su Qing Chen was wearing a thick fur coat, his eyelashes and lips were white with ice shards, he drank a mouthful of strong alcohol, that strong drink slid down his throat, making his stomach scorch, his face finally held some colour, his hand stroked the xiuchun sword at his waist, almost tearfully he asked the person beside him, “You say there is no snow lotus herb here?”

Beside him was a slight-built old man, he had so many wrinkles on his face that they could catch houseflies, but a radiance shone in his eyes, seeing Su Qing Chen nearly collapsing, his heart was rather sympathetic, this lord supposedly came to Daxing’anling mountain range to find snow lotus herb, a millennium old snow lotus herb, simply keeping him here to wander around for a month, seeing this lord come from thousands of miles away in the dead of winter, he felt sorry to say to him, they did not produce snow lotus herb…

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier!” Su Qing Chen angrily picked up the slight-built old man, raising him up into the air, bellowing, “Are you messing with me?”

The old man seeing Su Qing Chen bare his teeth like an irritable lion, shrunk his neck in fear, saying, “I wanted to say at first, but your lords.h.i.+p said you had received a decree, I then thought maybe there really is some kind of millennium old snow lotus herb…, I am ignorant and inexperienced that’s why I didn’t know.”

“Then why did you say it now?”

“We’ve already searched for a month, if we were to find it we would have already…, I think there might be a mistake.”

“My two feet and ten toes have all gotten frostbites! And there isn’t a part of my body…, you’re telling me this just now? I’m going to kill you!” Su Qing Chen roar resounded in the vast forest, like a pitiful lament.

When Su Qing Chen arrived here did he then understand…, he might have provoked the emperor’s wrath again, this was the emperor’s punishment for him, there was simply no snow lotus herb! But what did he actually do wrong?

That night, he suddenly woke up from his sleep, firmly patting his thighs, like a madman he muttered, “How could I be so stupid!”

***

Going back to two months before, after Zhao Jin Yu found out Su Qing Chen had left without a word he didn’t care much, she only thought he had gone to handle something, even though some time Su Qing Chen’s response made her feel this person could like her, but in a blink he again disappeared like a gust, making people unable to make sense of it, it really was an unfathomable mystery, however since she originally didn’t have much feeling for Su Qing Chen…, that’s why she simply didn’t think much of this.

Early in the morning Chen Rong had sent the news, that Zhao Jin Yu was willing to return to the Zhao family…, by the afternoon someone from the Zhao family could be seen arriving in a hurry to meet her.

At that time Zhao Jin Yu was just having zhajiangmian with Chen Rong, this tavern’s food really wasn’t bad, especially zhajiangmian, it could be considered an amazing tavern, smooth silky noodles, the sauce was made completely authentically, even though she tried hard to maintain her manners, she however couldn’t help become somewhat carefree, black thick paste also lingered on her lips.

Zhao Xing Kun was a middle aged man in his fifties, pale and thin with clear eyes, wearing a sky blue velvet gown, a black mink fur cloak draped over his shoulders, he gave off a distinct out of ordinary n.o.bility air, he took the lead getting out of the carriage, then pus.h.i.+ng aside the curtain he helped a poised woman of a similar age down, although this married woman was handsome, but because of her long shapely eyebrows her features appear somewhat sharp.

The owner of the tavern and it’s waiters were rather dumbstruck, a good while later did they suddenly realise to step forward in greeting, saying in reverence, “Lord Zhao, what wind has blown you to our tavern? Your presence truly brings light to our humble tavern, quickly come in.” Then he personally used a cleaning rag to tidy up chairs and table for Zhao Xing Kun. He patted the still stunned waiter, yelling, “Why are you still staring blankly? Steep tea for Lord Zhao! The best Longjing tea picked before Qingming!”

“Ai, ai.” That waiter promptly nodded about to enter the kitchen but was stopped by Zhao Xing Kun, he said, “I came here to find someone, no need for the trouble.”

“This…” The waiter looked at the owner.

The owner hurriedly squeezed out a pandering smile, politely asking, “Lord Zhao, who are you looking for? I’ll take you to them.”

Xiu Ba Yan also followed closely, at this moment he finally caught up with Zhao Xing Kun and his wife Mao s.h.i.+, wiping his sweat he came over, saying, “Owner, I can take them over.” He however thought in his mind…, these two people are really anxious, he had just finished speaking to them at their residence, when the two people ordered a carriage to be prepared, forgetting him, he almost couldn’t catch up.

However thinking about it again he somewhat understood, if his only son died prematurely, a granddaughter was missing, without news for tens of years, he also would be this impatient right?

When Xiu Ba Yan took the two people into Zhao Jin Yu’s room, they just caught Zhao Jin Yu putting the last bite of noodle into her mouth, her lips were covered in sauce, staring at them with wide eyes, like her face was covered in grease, eyes like paint…, a seventh of her appearance resembled their deceased son, even if Zhao Xing Kun and Mao s.h.i.+ had some doubts previously at this moment they disappeared, what remained was the joy of meeting her again.

“Child, you’ve suffered.” Mao s.h.i.+ took the lead rus.h.i.+ng over to hold her shoulders, tears unconsciously flowing.

Zhao Jin Yu blinked, she was just about to speak but Mao s.h.i.+ pulled her into her arms even tighter, her sauce tainted lips stained Mao s.h.i.+’s multi-coloured red brocade clothes…, her heart felt rather uneasy, she wanted to call out, lifting her head however seeing the pale and thin Zhao Xing Kun facing her with a complex smile, in that smile was sadness, satisfaction, and some unease, nevertheless it was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with forgiveness.

The Madam Mao s.h.i.+ sobbed, “My son, at long last I haven’t let you down, I’ve found your child…, after this life I at least have the gall to go see you.”

Zhao Xing Kun turned his head trying hard to suppress the tears in the corner of his eyes, only controlling it a good while later, saying, “This isn’t the place to talk, let’s hurry and take the girl back.”

“Ai, when someone gets old they get useless, seeing you and crying.” The old woman Mao s.h.i.+ laughed apologetically, lowering her head, then did she see the sauce on the lapel of her jacket, she couldn’t help smile, saying, “The same as your dad, no manners at all when eating.” From her bosom she took out a handkerchief carefully cleaning Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu was very embarra.s.sed, after all this was the first time she saw the old lady, seeing her acting so intimately was unseemly…, the madam naturally saw Zhao Jin Yu was unaccustomed to this, she sadly said, “Child, I’m your paternal grandmother, don’t be afraid.”

Zhao Xing Kun urged, “Don’t frighten the child, let us return first.”

The madam nodded, but did not want to let go of Zhao Jin Yu’s hand, a reluctant manner, her gaze constantly lingered on her face, unceasingly saying, “Look so alike, you really look alike to your father.”

Zhao Ying Guan was Zhao Xing Kun’s only son, and had a rare intelligence, he was his greatest pride, he suffered more than anyone when his son suddenly died tragically, now hearing his old wife mention their son, he couldn’t help being extremely moved. However with some rationality he said, 

“This place is too simple and crude, how is this a place for the child to stay? Quickly let’s go back and talk.”

When they arrived at the Zhao residence, Zhao Jin Yu was taken to sit down on the luohanta by the madam, personally handing her a warm cup of apricot kernel tea, saying, “Are you cold? Drink some to warm you up.” Again turning to the maid at the side, “Bring over the gold fragrance cloisonné furnace for the eldest young lady.”

That maid was somewhat astonished, she knew this furnace was an heirloom from the madam’s mother, she always placed it away as a treasure, who would have imagined now meeting this young lady she was willing to part with anything.

Zhao Jin Yu was in fact no thirsty, but she couldn’t bear to hurt the old lady’s kindness, she could only drink half the teacup.

Seeing this the madam was very pleased, personally wiping her mouth for her, saying, “At the time of your birth because there was a red birthmark on you, which looked like a green luan, that’s why you were named Zhao Qing Luan.”

Zhao Jin Yu nodded saying, “Then I’ll let madam look at the birthmark.” She knew the Zhao family wouldn’t so casually admit she was their granddaughter, inevitably there would be something to rely 

on.

The madam and Zhao Xing Kun looked at each other, over these years the elderly couple gradually couldn’t take shock more and more, they wanted to look over that birthmark, but were also afraid of being disappointed, their minds were very confused, but they had to do this…, and there was no other way, taking Zhao Jin Yu to an inner room at the side, getting a maid to take off her outer clothes, just revealing the birthmark on her shoulder, the madam began to be a bit hesitant, hearing the maid cry out in surprise, she hastily looked, certain it was that green luan birthmark, for a moment she was so emotional that she couldn’t help cry, saying, “Child you’ve suffered hards.h.i.+p, it’s paternal grandmother’s incompetency which made you wander about on the outside.”

Zhao Jin Yu did not want to refute the madam’s kindness, but still she firmly said, “My adoptive father is very good to me, if it wasn’t for him I would have already starved to death.” Even if she had a mind of a girl who travelled through time, at that time she was still young, and was a street urchin, if Zhao Chang Chun did not offer shelter back then, she may have been sold to the brothels.

The madam’s expression darkened, her heart rather upset, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to help, rather her granddaughter relied on an outsider, giving her a kind of rejected feeling, resisting the ill feeling, she nodded saying, “Exactly, we ought to send your adoptive father a huge gift.”

Zhao Jin Yu looked at the madam, earnestly saying, “Adoptive father is currently in prison, I’m afraid that he won’t be able to receive the madam’s huge gift.”

The madam understood this was Zhao Jin Yu’s subtle way of asking her to help Zhao Chang Chun, muttering to herself irresolutely she said, “Your paternal grandfather will make discreet enquiries.”

Then did Zhao Jin Yu release a breath as if the heavy burden she bore was gone, facing the madam Mao s.h.i.+ she bowed, saying, “Thank you madam, if adoptive father is safe and sound, even in my next life I will repay the madam’s kind act.”

The madam was very helpless in her mind, she hastened to help Zhao Jin Yu up not allowing her to bow, saying, “Can’t you call me grandmother?”

“Grandmother.” Zhao Jin Yu responded seeing the madam’s expecting eyes.

“Ai.” The madam was greatly moved, holding Zhao Jin Yu’s hand she walked outside, facing the waiting Zhao Xing Kun she said, “She’s our Qing Luan.”

Zhao Xing Kun released a breath, the gaze he looked at Zhao Jin Yu held some tenderness, he said, 

“Your grandmother has always prepared a room for you, quickly take a bath and rest, you still need to see a crowd of relatives at night.”

Zhao Jin Yu did not think things would be arranged so quickly, she was somewhat astonished, the older maid at the side Cui Yu smiled saying, “Ever since the eldest young lady has gone missing the madam has always kept this room, afraid that when the eldest young lady returns she would have nowhere to stay.”

Zhao Jin Yu was not made of stone, seeing the way the two of them treated her she was truly moved, and they had just promised to rescue adoptive father, her heart was very relaxed, she sincerely called out, “Grandfather, grandmother, then I’ll return to my room first.”

Zhao Xing Kun and the madam Mao s.h.i.+ seeing Zhao Jin  Yu finally soften, was in a great mood, promptly saying, “Go quickly, go quickly.”

After bathing, Zhao Jin Yu laid on the bed, holding the stone she said, “Did you hear? There’s finally hope for adoptive father, but when I think that I have to stay at such a large residence I feel unbearably stifled.”

Ever since the emperor became aware of his feelings for Zhao Jin Yu he had thought of ways to bring her into the palace, now seeing her returning to her family he was very happy, calculating that next year it was the triennial imperial concubine selection, he could openly bring her into the palace like this.

“It won’t be for long, if you believe in me, we will allow you to live the life you want.”

Zhao Jin Yu felt a slight change in the stone, his words were no longer angry, it seemed to be filled with tolerance and indulgence…, making her suspicious whether the two of them were in love.

Zhao Jin Yu smiled, saying, “If I didn’t know you were a stone, I would think you want to marry me.”

The emperor muttered in his head, isn’t that why I want to trick you into entering the palace, but he didn’t dare to say it directly, afraid she would be frightened, he previously didn’t tell Zhao Jin Yu his ident.i.ty because he was afraid she would have some evil intention, harmful to himself, now he was nevertheless rather nervous…, Zhao Jin Yu cared about her adoptive father in such a way, if she knew he was the emperor who locked her adoptive father up in prison what would she think? Would she still speak to him with no ill-feelings like now?

The emperor had a lot of conflicting views in his mind, on one hand he wanted Zhao Jin Yu to enter the palace as soon as possible, allowing him to be with her morning and night, on the other hand he was worried she would harbour hard feelings against him…, now did he understand the reason Ningguo Princess had fell out with him over her husband, as it turns out so-called love makes people weak like this?

However just looking at her like this, his heart was happy and comfortable…, the emperor turned his face, making it so his gaze wasn’t always on Zhao Jin Yu, he couldn’t help think, he really was hopeless!

Zhao Jin Yu did not receive the stone’s response for a long time, thinking he was angry again, she smiled saying, “I just thought your temper had gotten better recently, in the end it was pointless, you’ve started to like paying no attention to people again.”

Seeing Zhao Jin Yu forgive him in such way, the emperor’s heart fluttered with happiness, but his lips only said, “It’s not easy if you want us to marry you, ordinary people don’t even dare to think about it.” To be able to use the word marry then she would be the main palace’s empress, indeed it is a thing ordinary people do not dare to imagine.

Zhao Jin Yu seeing the stone acting so smug, she touched her head to his saying, “Lying in such a way, you really don’t know how to be ashamed.”

The emperor snorted saying, “We never lie!” His heart and mind felt unwell, he only wished tomorrow was the  imperial concubine selection, then bring her into the palace.

Zhao Jin Yu smiled, she didn’t know why, she always thought the stone’s candid character was very charming, even if it had a malicious tongue and at times she wanted to crush it, but more of the time…, she still felt it was mainly adorable.

“What do you want to eat at night?” Zhao Jin Yu had to see a group of relatives in a while, the Zhao family was huge, flouris.h.i.+ng with offspring, several branches of wives, and the branches from them lived on the same street, they could be called for in a moment.

That’s why while there was still time she hurriedly ate dinner.

Once food was mentioned, the emperor’s eyes shone, saying, “These past few days you ordered zhajiangmien every day for us, we really are sick of it, can you switch to something else?”

“Fine.” When the stone wasn’t angry, it’s voice was sweet and cute, and sounded a bit like a child, it made people sincerely pamper it hearing it, Zhao Jin Yu hearing the stone speak so politely, it seemed abnormally well-behaved, he couldn’t help place the stone into the palm of her hand, kissing it, saying, “We want Longjing sh.e.l.led shrimp, steamed pork wrapped in lotus leaf, eight treasures chicken…” Zhao Jin Yu read out some dishes from the menu the maid Cui Yu had given her before.

The emperor only felt there was a kind of burning feeling where Zhao Jin Yu had kissed him, making his heart slam, his manner of speaking softened even more, he said, “It all sounds very tasty.” His voice was soft, especially pleasant to hear.

Zhao Jin Yu heard the stone’s expecting overtone, thinking the stone was like a child wanting sweets at times like this, especially adorable, she couldn’t help kiss it again, saying, “We’ll eat whatever our Majesty wants to eat.” Her voice filled with forgiveness and adoration.

The emperor nestled against Zhao Jin Yu’s chest rather unwilling to let go of the current atmosphere, he only felt a happiness was emitted in the air all around, taking a breath it tasted sort of sweet.

Cui Yu was the main personal maid of the madam, the madam seeing her and Zhao Jin Yu somewhat hitting it off, had a.s.signed her to serve by Zhao Jin Yu’s side, hearing Zhao Jin Yu calling her to enter, she hurriedly bowed coming in, warmly asking, “Eldest young lady, you want to eat something first to keep you going?” Suggesting Zhao Jin Yu to eat in advance was also the madam’s idea, it wasn’t certain how long the hustle and bustle may last for, afraid her granddaughter would starve.

Zhao Jin Yu told Cui Yu the dishes she wanted, “These dishes will do.”

Cui Yu said smiling, “Eldest young lady, the Xihu beef soup our residence’s chefs makes is really good, does the eldest young lady want to try?”

“Yes.” Zhao Jin Yu said.

Zhao Jin Yu ordered five or six dishes, surprisingly it was delivered within a quarter of an hour, opening the food box, steam still came off the surface, Cui Yu arranged the table for Zhao Jin Yu, while smiling and saying, “The chefs in the kitchen heard it was the eldest young lady who ordered the food, they were very excited, they made these without taking a break, try it, if you’re not satisfied I can make them redo it.”

“It smells and look great, the taste won’t be bad.” Zhao Jin Yu spoke then brought up Chen Rong, saying, “Where has my aunt been placed?”

“Lady aunt has been placed in the east room, Zhen Zhu is serving her.” Zhen Zhu was another maid the madam had a.s.signed to Zhao Jin Yu, with the elderly lady she was also considered a first cla.s.s maid, very clever and quick-witted, “Do you need someone to call for Lady aunt to have dinner with you?”

Zhao Jin Yu shook her head, if Chen Rong was here…, the stone wouldn’t be able to eat as he wished, she said, “Just serve another portion of these to aunt, oh right, aunt doesn’t like scallion”

Even though Cui Yu thought it was rather strange, but she still suppressed the questions in her mind, saying, “This servant understands.”

“You can withdraw, I don’t like people waiting upon me when I eat.” Zhao Jin Yu said to Cui Yu who was just about to serve her food, “From now on it’ll be like this, when I eat allow me to be alone.”

“Yes.” Cui Yu knew that even though Zhao Jin Yu had been missing, her family background wasn’t above average, her mother was only of a low rank, but her adoptive father was formally a successful candidate of the highest imperial civil service examination, reportedly before he was thrown into jail he was a fifth ranked official, growing up in such a family, it could be a.s.sumed she wasn’t an unsophisticated country person who didn’t know anything, perhaps she really doesn’t like people waiting upon her? She didn’t dare to scorn her, saying, “Eldest young lady, enjoy your meal.” After speaking she bowed out of the room.

After Cui Yu had left, the emperor narrowed his eyes, saying, “That maid cannot stay.”

“Why?” Zhao Jin Yu thought Cui Yu was very good…, she took care of everything for her, besides she good-naturedly put forward appropriate suggestions.

The emperor was not willing to say, just now when Zhao Jin Yu said she wanted to eat by herself, even though Cui Yu used all her effort to endure it silently her eyes however could not hide her scorn…, his mind suddenly burst into rage, thinking about it, a mere maid, what was she? She actually looked down at his Jin Yu!

Just wait, he will definitely make these sn.o.bs pay. The emperor’s temper had never been good…, now he itched to immediately order someone to sort out that girl Cui Yu, but currently he was a stone, he really couldn’t do anything, this sort of setback made him feel uneasy.

Zhao Jin Yu waited a while for the stone to respond, thinking again he was inwardly angry with her, she said, “I feel like there’s nothing to be angry about, isn’t she very good? It’s fine, the food is going to go cold, let’s eat quickly.”

That’s because you’re stupid! The emperor secretly sulked, but once Zhao Jin Yu had washed him and placed him in a bowl piled with food, he already couldn’t think of anything else, wuwuwu, so tasty.

Zhao Jin Yu also poured the Xihu beef soup into the bowl of food the stone was lying in, saying, “Don’t just eat, drink some soup.”

“You should also eat more.” The emperor spoke with rare politeness.

Zhao Jin Yu smiled, saying, “En, I’ll also eat more.”

After eating, Zhao Jin Yu changed her clothes then went to find Chen Rong, at that moment Chen Rong had also just finished eating, and was just drinking tea used to aid digestion, seeing Zhao Jin Yu approach her she waved saying, “Jin girl, come quickly.” Soon after she pulled Zhao Jin Yu to her side looking her over carefully, her mouth repeatedly said, “You look like a different person changing into other clothes.”

The clothes the Zhao residence had prepared for Zhao Jin Yu was naturally extremely exquisite, cloth worth ten gold per bolt of brocade, satin, there were even some pieces of clothing made of silk offered as a tribute to the palace, just now while Zhao Jin Yu was eating Cui Yu had gotten people to hastily alter the clothes in accordance to Zhao Jin Yu’s body shape, this was how the wide sleeve, beige inlayed collar, yellow rose shrub pattern with a dark green base lined with satin gown came about.

As they say people relied on clothes like a horse relied on a saddle, Zhao Jin Yu always stood out in appearance, but now specially dressing up she was ever more elegant and beyond compare, and since she had been following around Xu s.h.i.+ who came from an influential family, with her influence, her body possessed an aura of n.o.bility.

Chen Rong clicked her tongue in praise, pride filling her heart, she said, “It seems that our Jin girl, ought to naturally live such a life of luxury.”

Zhao Jin Yu stuck out her tongue, recalling the stone’s dumbstruck appearance when he saw her just now, she couldn’t help narcissistically think…, a person who is beautiful is capable of causing the downfall of a state by dressing up a little, 囧.

The two people spoke for a little while, Chen Rong said, “Those maids you have are indeed clever, but they have just been just a.s.signed to you by the madam today, I’m afraid they won’t do many things with their utmost effort, in a while I’ll go back with you…, you don’t know, inside such big families, how many small-minded people are hidden, perhaps they might not even allow you into the family.”

“They are inclined to not accept it, so long as nothing happens to adoptive father, I would even go back to take care of adoptive father.” Zhao Jin Yu said.

“As expected nurture over nature…” Chen Rong saw Zhao Jin Yu was not in the least fond of this family, she was very moved, saying, “To be able to become the Zhao family’s eldest young lady, it’s a thing that who knows how many people would long for, you however don’t care for it.”

“Aunt, if you had to give up as an armed escort, to come here to be a young lady, would you be willing?”

“No…” Chen Rong spoke and came to herself, she couldn’t help laugh heartily, very gratefully she said, “You’re reluctance to restrict yourself is like the members of our Chen family.”

“Aunt…, what was my mother like?” The closer Zhao Jin Yu got to Chen Rong, the more she liked her, her heart unconsciously began to think of that mother she had never met before.

“Your maternal grandfather only had one daughter, he brought her up like a boy since she was a child, she had a fiery temperament, rebellious.” Chen Rong unknowingly recalled Chen Cui Jing who she had grown up with, “When she was pregnant, I was already at Xingtian bodyguards establishment, at that time she had actually come to see me, I still can’t forget how she looked.” Chen Cui Jing was filled with tender feelings as she stroked her slightly swelled out belly, her former fire had resided, only the happiness and tenderness of becoming a mother was left behind.

The atmosphere inside the room was somewhat depressing, the two people did not speak, a good while later Chen Rong appeared to return from her memories, patting her head she said, “I almost forgot to tell you something important.”

“What?”

“Do you still remember a few days ago I had said to you in the tavern I had once escorted a little girl to the Zhao family?” Chen Rong said looking at Zhao Jin Yu’s expression of sudden revelation, she continued to hurriedly say, “That girl and you look a seventh or eighth alike, the Zhao family had originally thought she was the missing you…, later having arrived at the family they discovered she wasn’t, but the madam took pity, taking her in as an adopted daughter.”

“Then haven’t I got another sibling?”

“Just so, but…” Chen Rong considered her words, “That child…, has complicated thoughts, I’m afraid she might not be easy to get along with.” Chen Rong could still remember when the Zhao family had looked at that child…, how old was that child back then? She knew how to discern what they thought by their body language, and cried to gain sympathy, at that time she had held onto the madam crying pathetically, talking about how much she had suffered, how much guilt, how happy she was to finally see her grandmother today, that self-composed excellent performance left her a deep impression, that’s why when she was later treated as an adopted daughter by Mao s.h.i.+ it obviously came as no surprise.

Zhao Jin Yu remained unmoved, she said, “If she doesn’t treat me well, I will go, if worst comes to worst, I will travel the world with aunt, I’m just afraid aunt won’t want such an inconvenience to follow.” Zhao Jin Yu truly held no feelings for the Zhao family, to her rather than living in such a grand residence she might as well make her way in the world with Chen Rong seeing aspects of the world.

Chen Rong helplessly smiled, but was also filled with joy, she really liked how Zhao Jin Yu treated her closely…, thinking now, she really needed to thank Zhao Chang Chun for giving her such an opportunity, she didn’t want to get married, and had given birth out of wedlock, and had lost her child, not knowing where, now looking at Zhao Jin Yu she saw her like a daughter, her heart was completely satisfied. “Good, it’s settled then.” Chen Rong said brightly.

In northwest of Heilongjiang province in northeast China.

Ground pork simmered with salty fermented soybean paste (or other sauce) over thick wheat noodle.

Mythical bird related to phoenix.