Chapter 148: Xiang Xinyu’s Origins

At dinner, Xiang Tianyang discussed with Xiang Tianlei and Xinyao’s two uncles their plans to leave Bianjing.

To Xinyao’s surprise, her third uncle and both uncles were willing to leave Bianjing and join them.

Uncle Bai Mu remarked, “Our parents have passed on; there’s really nothing left in Bianjing worth staying for. But it’ll take some time to handle our family assets; we can’t leave immediately.”

Xiang Xinyao advised, “Uncle, I hope you can depart as soon as possible, ideally within half a month. Traveling with us would be far riskier, and it’s better you don’t face those risks with us.”

Bai Mu shook his head. “Xinyao, we’re family. Family shares both blessings and hardships. If there’s danger, we should face it together.”

Xiang Xinyao smiled, “Uncle, do you know martial arts?”

Bai Mu shook his head, “No, but your cousin does.”

Xiang Xinyao’s tone grew serious. “Uncle, we may encounter assassins along the way—we’ve already faced many. If you’re with us, we won’t know whether to protect you or fight back. If you leave first, you’ll be much safer, but coming with us is an entirely different story. There’s a good chance we’ll face exile.”

Her uncles and third uncle paled.

Exile—how could there be a good life after that?

Xiang Tianlei frowned and asked, “Second Brother, isn’t there another way for us to leave?”

Xiang Tianyang smiled bitterly. “Third Brother, the Emperor has his eyes on Xinyao. Do you think we have a way out? Resign from my post? The Emperor wouldn’t allow it. If he suspects that we’re planning to keep Xinyao out of the palace, he’ll likely use both me and Zhuo’er as leverage against her. Even if we prevent her from entering the palace, Xinyao is already engaged to Prince Xian. Once they marry, do you think the Emperor will just let them go? Over the years, you’ve seen how wary the Emperor is of Prince Xian. Even with limited military power, Prince Xian’s personal influence is what concerns the Emperor the most.”

The three men nodded frequently, fully aware of the Emperor’s nature. His devotion to power was absolute; the throne meant everything to him. To him, women were merely objects. What he couldn’t have, he’d go to any lengths to obtain, but once he had it, his interest would quickly fade. He’d disregard them, even if they died before him.

Thus, Xiang Tianyang would rather give up his role as Grand Tutor, sacrifice his estate, and leave Bianjing than send his long-lost daughter into the deadly trap of the palace.

Bai Mu said, “In that case, we’ll arrange to sell our assets as discreetly as possible and set off for Yun City within half a month to wait for you there.”

Xiang Xinyao added, “Uncle, head directly to Fulin County in Yun City. There’s a place called Fumanlou there, owned by my sworn brother, Han Dongsheng. He can arrange accommodations for you in the county, and we’ll meet you there. Yun City may not be safe either.”

“Alright, we’ll wait in Fulin County, then. My child, you’ve endured so much, only to find no peace even after returning.”

Xiang Xinyao shrugged. “Maybe I’m just not cut out to be a pampered young lady. It doesn’t matter, really—as long as the family is together and safe, that’s worth more than anything.”

Xiang Tianyang nodded. “Exactly, our family’s safety is what matters most. When you sell off the assets, be sure to do it discreetly. We can’t risk letting any rumors leak out.”

“Third Brother, we absolutely must ensure that Big Brother’s family doesn’t catch on, or the consequences could be unimaginable,” Xiang Tianyang said gravely.

Xiang Tianlei nodded. “I understand, Second Brother. Don’t worry; I won’t let Big Brother’s family find out about this.”

Xiang Xinyao chimed in, “Uncle, if there’s anything you can’t take with you, leave it with me, and I’ll find a way to bring it over for you. As for the property in Bianjing, don’t rush to sell it just yet. Who knows, we might have a chance to return. I’m worried that if news of the sale leaks and reaches the Emperor, none of us might be able to leave.”

All three men nodded. To them, the property was expendable—what truly mattered was their family’s safety.

After sending off her two uncles and third uncle, Xiang Xinyao took Xiang Xinyu along with her to the Prince’s mansion.

On the way, Xiang Xinyao turned to Xiang Xinyu and asked, “Sister, do you ever want to find your biological parents?”

Xiang Xinyu froze, a pained expression crossing her face as she shook her head. “I don’t want to. They abandoned me on purpose.”

It turned out that when Xiang Tianyang and his wife adopted Xiang Xinyu, she was already seven years old. She vividly remembered how her parents had abandoned her.

Her original family wasn’t particularly poor; at least, they had enough to eat and wear. She had a younger brother and a younger sister. Her mother was an embroiderer, and her parents ran a small embroidery shop. Though business wasn’t especially prosperous, it was enough to support the family.

But when she turned seven, her mother gave birth to another brother. During childbirth, her mother had a difficult labor and barely survived, thanks to her father’s frantic trip to fetch a doctor in the dead of night. Though she pulled through, her health was permanently weakened, and she was constantly frail.

The day her mother finished her month-long confinement, a wandering Taoist passed by, asking for water. After drinking, he stared at Xiang Xinyu for a long time before asking for the birth dates of both her and her newborn brother. Her parents provided them without hesitation.

The Taoist calculated for a long time before finally saying, “This girl’s birthdate clashes with the newborn’s. One of them must go for the other to survive.”

Her parents chose to abandon her for the sake of her brother.

Since she was already seven, they feared she might find her way back if taken too close. Her father knocked her out and left her by the roadside thirty miles away from home. When she woke, her father tossed her two steamed buns.

“Go! If you stay, your brother won’t survive. From now on, you have no family here. Don’t come back looking for us.”

With those cold words, he turned and walked away without even leaving her a single coin. She chased after his departing carriage, crying, “Father, don’t leave me! I’m scared! Please don’t go, don’t abandon me…”

But her father didn’t look back and instead drove the carriage faster. She fell again and again, scraping her knees and hands, but each time she got up and ran after him. How could a seven-year-old girl possibly catch up to a carriage?

After countless falls, she could no longer muster the strength to chase him. Her clothes were torn, and the buns had disappeared somewhere along the way. She knelt on the ground, crying for what felt like forever, but her father never came back.

In despair, she rose and walked in the opposite direction from where he’d left, fully aware that her family no longer wanted her. That house was no longer her home, and she could never return.