Does She Have a Grudge Against Her Daughter?

Madam Xie had no idea that, in the space of those few steps, the three members of the Zhao Family had experienced so many complicated feelings.

She stood at the entrance to the main room to welcome them, immediately turning her attention to Zhao Ruyu.

Zhao Ruyu was not as tall as Xu Xi, but she had a slender, graceful figure to make up for it. Her features bore traces of Madam Xie's late eldest brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Zhao Ruyu's looks were above average, especially her eyes, which were limpid and bright. She was like a fawn that had lost its mother's protection, and anyone who saw her would feel an inexplicable urge to cherish and protect her.

No wonder the people of the marquis's household were unwilling to let her leave, even though they knew she wasn't their child. She truly was a sight to stir pity.

Thinking of Xu Xi's radiant features and capable bearing, Madam Xie felt a surge of worry.

If Xu Xi returned to the marquis's household and found herself at odds with Zhao Ruyu, the old marchioness, the marchioness, and the second madam would probably favor Zhao Ruyu, even knowing that Xu Xi was the household's child. People always sympathized with the weak, and besides, they had raised Zhao Ruyu themselves. Unlike her, Xu Xi had no such bond with them.

Seeing that Zhao Ruyu had not even raised her head to look at her, but kept her eyes on the ground as though afraid of stepping in something dirty, Madam Xie shook her head.

How could a girl like that acknowledge poor relations like them? When she thought of Xu Xi's promise to regard them as family forever and her attachment to the Xu Family, Madam Xie was immediately reassured and felt no sense of loss at all.

She took her eyes off Zhao Ruyu and looked at Lady Wei and Zhao Yuanliang.

Lady Wei was quite good-looking, and though petite, she had an imposing presence, the complete opposite of Zhao Ruyu's pure, delicate air. Zhao Yuanliang had handsome, clear-cut features, but his eyes were long and narrow, his face was somewhat square, and he was not tall.

Looking at the couple's height and appearance, it was hard to imagine that Xu Xi, with her lively peach-blossom eyes, radiant, striking features, and tall figure, could be their daughter.

Matron Ruan supported Lady Wei as she walked up to Madam Xie. Seeing Madam Xie standing there in a daze, without even knowing to pay her respects, she frowned, her face full of displeasure.

"Second Master, Second Madam, this is Madam Xu, née Xie," she said by way of introduction.

Only then did Madam Xie come to her senses and curtsy to the couple. "Second Master, Second Madam."

Lady Wei glanced at Madam Xie and saw a farm woman of ordinary appearance, dressed in shabby clothes. Her lovely brows drew together as well.

"You're Madam Xie?" she asked, lifting her chin slightly.

Madam Xie was not surprised by her attitude, nor did she feel offended.

As she saw it, since her sister-in-law had committed the sin of switching the children, Lady Wei had every right to hate the Xu Family deeply. It would have been strange if Lady Wei had treated her kindly. The fact that she had not slapped her across the face the moment they met showed that the lady had considerable self-restraint.

"Yes, Madam." Madam Xie lowered her head halfway and curtsied to Lady Wei.

"How did you raise that child? You taught her not even to acknowledge her own parents. You really are a shrew from a farming family, without a shred of upbringing. Did Miss Xi learn that trick of first crying, then making a scene, and finally threatening to hang herself from you? Today she even avoided us and ran off to the county town. Does she really think we're going to beg her to come back? Hurry up and go tell her that if she doesn't come back at once and obediently return home with us, she can forget about ever returning to the marquis's household. She might as well stay here as a daughter of the Xu Family. Does she really think we're so eager to have her?"

Seeing the fierce expression on Lady Wei's face and hearing those heartless words, Madam Xie was stunned.

Was this really her birth mother?

What mother, upon hearing that her daughter had been switched and seeing the conditions her family lived in, wouldn't be heartbroken and long to gather her daughter into her arms and shower her with love? How was it that Lady Wei not only lacked the slightest trace of maternal affection, but could even say such things?

Wasn't she afraid that Xu Xi would be hurt if she heard those words and really refuse to go back with her?

Madam Xie was not alone in her astonishment. Zhao Yuanliang also stared blankly at Lady Wei for a long while, unable to recover himself.

Although the couple's relationship was poor now, and Zhao Yuanliang knew that Lady Wei showed one face toward Zhao Ruyu in public and another in private, she truly loved her son to the bone. Zhao Yuanliang had not understood it before, but after learning that Zhao Ruyu was not their biological child and had been switched, he felt he had found the answer: a mother who had given birth to a child ought to have a sixth sense, and would naturally be unable to feel close to a child who was not her own.

So he thought that, though there had been much wrong with Lady Wei's behavior just now, she would surely love the daughter she was about to reclaim.

He had not expected to hear such words from Lady Wei's mouth.

Sensing her husband's gaze, Lady Wei turned and gave Zhao Yuanliang a meaningful look.

Zhao Yuanliang came to his senses, then frowned again.

Could Lady Wei be using a provocation to spur Xu Xi into action? Or was this a way of dealing with a village woman like Madam Xie, who had Xu Xi in her grasp and wanted to use her to extort money? But if those words reached Xu Xi's ears, wouldn't that be bad?

Only Zhao Ruyu felt nothing about Lady Wei's behavior.

In her experience, Lady Wei had always behaved like this in private: ill-tempered and sharp-tongued, unable to speak tactfully or conduct herself properly. In her previous life, she had also treated the daughter she had just reclaimed very badly.

Standing before Lady Wei, Madam Xie was at a loss for words.

Matron Ruan was deeply displeased with Lady Wei. She knew Lady Wei was tactless, but this was the first time she had heard her speak so harshly.

No matter how displeased she was, however, Lady Wei was not someone a servant like her could rebuke, nor could she undermine her in front of Madam Xie.

She scolded Madam Xie, "Did you hear what Second Madam said? Hurry along, don't waste time."

As she spoke, she grew uneasy again. Turning to Lady Wei with a smile, she said, "Second Madam, how about... this old servant goes with her?"

This was exactly what Zhao Yuanliang wanted.

If Matron Ruan did not go along, who knew whether Madam Xie would repeat Lady Wei's words to Xu Xi word for word and add fuel to the fire? If that happened, his daughter would be even less likely to go home with them. By then, the matter would leave them unable to save face.

So, before Lady Wei could speak, Zhao Yuanliang said, "Excellent. Matron Ruan, you're experienced in handling matters. No one could be better suited to go along. Set out now, and hurry there and back."

Matron Ruan tugged at Madam Xie's arm. "Second Madam Xu, let's go." As she spoke, she also waved a hand at a young maid.

As the senior matron in charge of the marquis's inner household, she ordinarily had a young maid at her beck and call. The maid had accompanied her yesterday, and today, worried that she would have too much to manage on her own, she had brought the girl along again.

Lady Wei and Zhao Ruyu each had their own maids, and Zhao Yuanliang had not only Steward Liu but also his own manservant. The two coachmen were here as well. Matron Ruan therefore intended to take the young maid with her to the county town.

Madam Xie stumbled when Matron Ruan pulled her and had no choice but to follow her out absentmindedly. As she walked, she turned back and glanced at Lady Wei.

Now she finally understood why Xu Xi was unwilling to return to the marquis's household.

That child Xu Xi was truly clever. Her analysis had been accurate down to the smallest detail.

Lady Wei was no longer merely indifferent to her daughter. It was almost as though she had a grudge against her and could only wish that she would never return to the marquis's household. Otherwise, how could she say such things?