Chapter 19: The Birth Mother of the Fake Daughter

Chen Susu waited until Qin Xuan was rested before steering the conversation toward more serious matters.

“To be honest with you, Sister Qin, I’ve been married for years but still have no children. It’s truly disheartening.”

Her gaze swept to the side, glancing briefly at Fang Yuean, who was eating her sorbet with great focus, before settling on Fang Shuer, who was waiting patiently for the maid to feed her small bites.

“I must say, Shuer looks even healthier and more spirited than when I last saw her.”

“The other day, when I visited your residence, I heard you had obtained a remedy from an old immortal, which cured Shuer. I was wondering if this old immortal might also be able to treat my condition. I hope you can introduce me to him.”

Her eyes lowered slightly, betraying the complex emotions churning in her heart.

These words were merely an excuse to persuade Qin Xuan to bring the child along.

In the future, she fully intended to divorce that vile man. Even if there were a cure, she doubted she would have any use for it.

Qin Xuan dabbed her mouth lightly with a handkerchief.

She recalled what Fang Xunli had told her the previous night, finally understanding that the events in the Song family were no coincidence.

Her son had also mentioned that Young Master Cao wanted to meet the “old immortal” she had casually made up, hoping the immortal could save his sister.

Meanwhile, her daughter had given him a wooden carving.

On her way to the Chen residence, she overheard some news about the Cao family—Lady Cao had already regained consciousness.

She suspected this had something to do with her daughter but knew she couldn’t make decisions on her behalf.

Qin Xuan glanced at Fang Yuean, who was licking the edge of her bowl, and replied apologetically, “To be honest, Sister, I have no idea where that old immortal is.”

Chen Susu smiled comfortingly. “No matter, I just thought having one more option might bring a bit more hope.”

As the two chatted, Fang Yuean had already finished her bowl, licked her lips, and walked to Chen Susu’s side.

“Auntie Chen, do you really want a child?” She placed the bowl on the table.

Chen Susu smiled kindly at her. “Of course. If the child were as smart and adorable as you, that would be perfect.”

Yet she knew this wish would likely never come true.

Fang Yuean pointed to the pomegranate tree outside the pavilion. “I heard from an old lady that if you find the sweetest pomegranate on the tree in autumn and eat it, you’ll have a child.”

She then stepped closer and touched Chen Susu’s belly.

Chen Susu was amused by her words, her smile softening. As she watched the girl’s actions, she felt a warm sensation spreading across her abdomen, perhaps from the warmth of the child’s hand.

[Auntie Chen, this is caused by medicine. I’ve helped you. Once you kick that vile man to the curb and find a good one, I guarantee you’ll have two kids within three years—whatever you wish for!]

Qin Xuan was stunned by these words, quickly picking up her handkerchief to cover her surprise.

The aroma on the stone table caught Fang Yuean’s attention. Standing on tiptoes, she barely managed to see what was on the table.

Chen Susu immediately pushed a few plates toward the edge. “Take whatever you like. These are all prepared for you.”

Fang Yuean didn’t hesitate, reaching for the pastries she had been eyeing, grinning as she said, “Thank you, Auntie Chen.”

After taking a piece for Shuer, she ran off to share some with Fang Miaoyi.

From her distant seat near Prince Wu’s position, Fang Miaoyi glared at her and turned away.

Unfazed, Fang Yuean took a bite of the pastry and exclaimed loudly, “This is so delicious! Auntie Chen, your pastries are amazing, and so is the sorbet.”

She turned to Shuer and asked, “Isn’t that right?”

Shuer, nibbling on her pastry, nodded enthusiastically. “Yes!”

Fang Yuean held her pastry up to the sunlight. “It’s even flower-shaped—so pretty.” She turned back to Shuer. “Don’t you think so?”

Shuer also raised her half-eaten pastry and smiled softly. “It’s pretty.”

Fang Miaoyi, who had been leaning back lazily, now straightened up, craning her neck to see the pastry in Fang Yuean’s hand.

Chen Susu’s gaze briefly swept over Fang Miaoyi. Smiling kindly, she turned to Fang Yuean. “If you like them, I’ll send some to you next time. But these pastries and the sorbet are both cold foods—children shouldn’t eat too much.”

“Okay!” Fang Yuean readily agreed without hesitation.

At that moment, a woman’s voice called out from a distance: “I heard we have guests. Which sister might it be?”

Everyone turned to look, but only Chen Susu’s expression faltered slightly. Her hands, resting beneath the stone table, slowly clenched.

During past summers, when she entertained guests in this pavilion, Meng Xiang had never come by to greet them.

Chen Susu had only told her husband about inviting Qin Xuan and the children to visit.

Meng Xiang walked into the pavilion, gently waving a round fan as she swayed her slim waist. She spoke casually:

“Yesterday, while walking in the garden, I lost a hairpin. I’ve just found it.” She held out her hand, revealing a peony-shaped gold hairpin resting in her palm.

“I thought since we have visitors, I should at least come by to say hello. I hope I’m not intruding.”

Chen Susu stood and introduced the two women.

Qin Xuan rose as well, nodding slightly to Meng Xiang.

The moment Meng Xiang entered, Qin Xuan had already guessed who she was.

Seeing Meng Xiang sit down on a stone bench, Qin Xuan turned her head and instructed, “We’ll have a chat. Take the children to play elsewhere, but don’t wander or touch anything.”

Meng Xiang’s gaze instinctively sought out her daughter. The surge of emotions—excitement and longing—completely consumed her thoughts as her eyes followed the girl’s every move.

Qin Xuan and Chen Susu both noticed her reaction.

Most people, upon seeing the three children, would naturally look at the more striking twins. But Meng’s eyes never wavered, fixating on Fang Miaoyi.

Once the children had left, Meng Xiang sighed softly, her eyes full of envy. “What wonderful children.” Her fan slowed to a stop, and she murmured forlornly, “It’s such a pity I’ve never been able to bear a son or daughter for my husband. I’m simply not blessed with that fortune.”

She turned to Chen Susu and placed a hand over hers. “Sister, don’t feel disheartened. There’s always a way. Having children is not something to rush.”

Chen Susu withdrew her hand, replying playfully, “Children are a matter of fate. My fate hasn’t arrived yet. I’m not in a hurry, but I think Sister-in-law here is more anxious than I am—she brings it up now and then, as though she wishes she could do it herself.”

Chen Susu laughed lightly after she spoke.

Meng Xiang’s grip on her fan tightened, though she was accustomed to Chen Susu’s occasional bluntness.

Feigning exasperation, she gave her a mock glare. “You! Always saying such nonsense, teasing your sister-in-law without a care for decorum. You’re lucky I don’t hold it against you.”

Turning to Qin Xuan with a smile, she said, “Sister Qin, you’re truly blessed with so many children. I can’t help but envy you.”

Qin Xuan responded with a polite smile.

After a few more exchanges, Fang Miaoyi’s nursemaid returned.

“What’s the matter?” Qin Xuan asked.

The nursemaid replied respectfully, “Miss Miaoyi was chasing after Miss An’an, asking for the green bean pastry she was holding. I came to see if there are any more.”

Chen Susu immediately looked at the table. Among the various pastries, the green bean ones were nowhere to be seen.

She called over her maid and asked, “What’s going on? Why were there so few green bean pastries?”