Chapter 4 Fake Daughter
"What important matter do you have to say in the end?"
The old woman held Su Yanran's hand and looked at Jiang Xubai, saying, "Master Jiang, she is Su Yanran, your biological daughter."
Upon hearing this, Madam He instinctively assumed that Su Yanran was Jiang Xubai's illegitimate daughter, and her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
"If My Lord wants to marry the concubine, you could have just told me directly. Why all this secretive behavior? Others might think I can't tolerate anyone else and am petty."
Jiang Xubai glared at Madam He and said, "Say a few less words. Where did you get the idea that I have an illegitimate daughter?"
Jiang Youning looked at the elderly woman and Su Yanran. Could it be that what had been a dream had actually come true?
Did Feng Mama take the real daughter to the countryside as a revenge against the Jiang family?
Such a bloody thing really happened to her~
The Old Madam heard their conversation and coughed a few times, saying, "Ask clearly, find out what's really going on."
In response to Jiang Xubai's inquiry, the old woman recounted the events of the past one by one.
It turned out that back then, Feng Mama from the estate, in order to retaliate against the Jiang family, had switched out Madam He's daughter and took the legitimate daughter of the Jiangs to the countryside, where she suffered quite a bit.
At the age of six, she was sold to a scholar for adoption. Although she didn't live in luxury, she had the opportunity to learn to read, write, and study various arts, including playing musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting, under the guidance of the scholar.
Finally, the old woman added, "Yanran has a red birthmark on her right shoulder, which was there from birth."
After listening, Madam He suddenly recalled that her daughter had a red birthmark on her right shoulder when she was a child. She eagerly stood up, went to Su Yanran, and pulled open the collar of her clothes, revealing the red birthmark on her shoulder.
Jiang Youning listened carefully, and what the old woman said matched exactly with what she had dreamed about, down to the smallest details.
She was so shocked that it took her a while to process what had just happened.
Seeing Madam He cry while holding Su Yanran, even Jiang Xubai stood up and walked over, looking at his own biological daughter with a heart full of compassion.
Everyone in the room gathered around Su Yanran, asking about her health and wellbeing, while Jiang Youning was left isolated on the side, with no one caring about her.
The birthday banquet had turned into a gathering for family recognition, and during the feast, they discussed living arrangements.
The elderly lady looked at Su Yanran, whose appearance was elegant and graceful. This was indeed the demeanor befitting the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family.
"Jiang Youning, a wild girl of unknown origin, has occupied Yanran's position for so many years. Everything about her should rightfully belong to Yanran."
Jiang Xubai understood the Old Madam's implication, as he himself had similar thoughts. He called Madam He out of the main hall.
"No wonder that girl Ning'er is so foolish and ignorant.Sshe's nothing like the Jiang family at all. You should have her move to the west wing," he said to Madam He.
Madam He hesitated a bit and said, "Even though Ning'er isn't our biological child, we've raised her for so many years. Suddenly asking her to move out, will it be..."
Jiang Xubai snorted coldly. "All of this rightfully belongs to Yanran. If it weren't for her, how could Yanran have suffered so much outside for all these years? The Jiang family has cared for her for fourteen years, we've done our duty to her. Do you still want her to keep holding onto what belongs to Yanran?"
Jiang Youning was raised by Madam He and had developed some affection for her. Thinking about her own biological daughter enduring such hardships made her feel distressed, and she sighed helplessly.
After Madam He left with her entourage, Jiang Xubai pondered for a moment. "Yanran is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She's gentle and dignified. She would be the perfect match for General Xie. If it is Yanran who is engaged to General Xie..."
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Jiang Youning hadn't fully recovered from the shock of the fake daughter and the dream-like reality merging when she saw Madam He walking in.
In truth, Madam He treated the original host quite well and often provided her with some pocket money as well.
Madam He said, "Ning'er, now that Yanran is back, she will be staying in this courtyard. You will move to the west wing."
Jiang Youning nodded and said, "I'll do as Mother says."
Madam He had prepared a bunch of words to console Jiang Youning, but she was taken aback by how readily she agreed, leaving her momentarily stunned.
She held Jiang Youning's hand and comforted her, saying, "Even though you're not my biological daughter, we've spent so many years together and developed a bond. Just live here in peace."
But, Jiang Xubai didn't think so. For the benefit of the Jiang family, he had arranged for her to remarry an old man over fifty!
Upon entering the courtyard of the west wing, Jiang Youning looked at the empty rooms that showed signs of neglect. Several areas were damaged and hadn't been repaired, and during the winter, there would be drafts in the rooms.
Chuntao couldn't help but feel indignant. "Even though Young Lady isn't their biological daughter, after so many years, there should still be some feelings, right? How can anyone live in a place like this?"
Jiang Youning wasn't the original host, and she didn't have much emotional attachment to the Jiang family. Therefore, the treatment she received from them in favor of their biological daughter didn't bother her much.
Furthermore, if it weren't for Feng Mama's revenge, Su Yanran wouldn't have suffered so much and been forced to wander outside for all these years.
What she needed to consider was how to leave the Jiang family and earn more money to live a peaceful life in the feudal ancient times.
Right now, there's a need to clean up the place. Otherwise, there won't even be a place to sleep tonight.
Originally, Jiang Youning had three maidservants attend to her. However, now that the real daughter had returned, only Chuntao remained by her side.
After the cleaning was done, Jiang Youning looked at the velvet flower hairpin in her trousseau, reflecting on how similar items were available for sale on certain online platforms and in short videos in the modern world.
During this time in ancient times, velvet flower hairpins didn't exist. There were hundreds of different patterns for velvet flower hairpins, and only she knew how to make them. If she made them and sold them, she would surely be able to earn some money.
Without further ado, Jiang Youning spent three hours crafting five pairs of pink velvet flowers in peach blossom designs to test the water¹. Once they were finished, she called Chuntao, who was busy wiping the cabinet.
"Chuntao, take these and sell them."
Chuntao walked over with a look of confusion. "Young Lady, why are you thinking about selling hairpins?"
Jiang Youning explained, "There will be many expenses in the future that require money. Take these and sell them. Sell them individually for thirty copper coins each and as a pair for fifty. Don't sell them for a penny less."
Chuntao realized that with the return of the real daughter, the days ahead for Young Lady might not be easy. It was indeed wise to plan ahead.
"Nubi will go right away."
After Chuntao left, Jiang Youning continued crafting the velvet flower hairpins.
In less than half an hour, Chuntao returned and placed two hundred and fifty copper coins on the table.
"Young Lady, all the hairpins have been sold. Those young ladies couldn't stop praising how beautiful they are and were eager to get them."
Jiang Youning wasn't surprised by this news. Throughout history, women have always cherished beauty and were willing to spend money on clothing and accessories.
Indeed, who wouldn't be captivated by such lovely and unique peach blossom velvet hairpins?
Jiang Youning went on to make six more pairs and instructed Chuntao to take them to sell in the morning.
Those noble-rich young ladies had never seen velvet flower hairpins before. They found the designs beautiful and intricate, and in no time, five pairs were sold.
There was one pair left, and several young ladies were eager to claim it. In the end, it was sold at a higher price to one of the young ladies who had raised the bid.
Selling six pairs of velvet flower hairpins had earned eight hundred and fifty copper coins.
Jiang Youning was delighted with the earnings, but she knew that buying a house and settling down in ancient times was still far from reach, given the considerable distance to her goal.
She could only take it one step at a time.
Chuntao rushed back in excitement shortly after going out, "Young Lady, General Xie is here!"
"Fifty copper coins, fifty-one copper coins..." Jiang Youning was happily counting when she paused upon hearing the news. From their engagement until now, she had never seen Xie Jing even once and had no idea what her fiancé looked like.
The first part of the dream has come true. Does this mean Xie Jing actually has mind-reading abilities?
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1. "试水" is a Chinese phrase that literally translates to "test the water." Figuratively, it refers to trying something new or unfamiliar to gauge its reception or potential success. It's often used to describe the act of experimenting or attempting a new venture cautiously before fully committing to it. (From asking ChatGPT)
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T.N. From this chapter I started using ChatGPT to translate the novel, and edited it a bit. Hope you guys enjoy reading it
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