Chapter 149: Are You Sure You Want to Do This?

As she wandered aimlessly forward, tears continued streaming down her cheeks, never ceasing. She didn’t dare stop and forced herself to keep moving, searching for a safe place to spend the night. When she was thirsty, she’d look for water, and if she couldn’t find any, she’d even drink muddy pond water with her eyes shut tight. When she was hungry, she’d beg food from passersby, and on lucky days, she’d get a little bit of leftover dry food.

At night, with nowhere to go, she’d huddle under someone’s eaves, struggling through the long, dark hours. After three days of wandering, weak and unable to find food, she fainted by the roadside.

When she came to, she was already in Xiang Tianyang and his wife’s carriage. They had rescued her.

She knelt before them, begging to stay with them, saying she could work as a servant and do hard labor, asking only for a little food. Since Xiang Tianyang and his wife hadn’t found Xiang Xinyao, they decided to take her back with them. Learning that her parents had abandoned her, they chose to adopt her and even gave her a new name.

So she knew how to be grateful. If she hadn’t met Xiang Tianyang and his wife, she might have already died.

With tears in her eyes, Xiang Xinyu said, “Sister, my parents abandoned me. I don’t want to find my biological parents. Father and Mother are my real parents now. If you mind that I’m holding the title of ‘eldest daughter,’ I’ll give it back to you. Just please don’t send me away—let me stay by your side to take care of you.”

Xiang Xinyao took her arm gently and said, “Sister, what are you talking about? How could I mind? How could I ever send you away? I just recently reunited with my parents, and I understand the pain of being separated from them. I didn’t know your story, which is why I asked if you wanted to find your birth parents. Don’t overthink it. As long as you want you can always be my sister.”

Xiang Xinyu managed a smile through her tears. “I want that—of course I want that. I’d love nothing more than having a capable and beautiful sister like you. I’d be willing to serve as your maid if it meant staying with you. Wherever you go, I’ll be right there with you.”

Xiang Xinyao gave her a sweet smile. “You said it, so no backing out.”

“Never!”

“Alright, tomorrow I’ll take you treasure hunting.”

“Treasure hunting? What treasures?”

“You’ll see tomorrow.”

“Okay, okay.”

As they chatted, the sisters arrived at the entrance of Prince Xian’s mansion. Xiang Xinyu stepped forward to knock on the door.

The doorman opened the gate and immediately recognized Xiang Xinyao.

“Miss Xiang, please come in. I’ll go inform the prince right away,” he said, bowing. With that, he sprinted off towards the study.

After all, this was the future consort of Prince Xian, and he didn’t dare waste a single second, dashing faster than a rabbit. Especially since he’d seen the prince bring her here earlier that day, he knew how well his master treated her. As a servant, he would have been a fool not to seize the opportunity to curry favor.

Not long after the doorman left, Mo Jinnan hurried over. Upon seeing Xiang Xinyao, he looked worried and asked, “Yao’er, what brings you here so late? Did something happen?”

Since calling her “Yao’er” during lunch to maintain appearances, he’d grown so used to it that he didn’t want to change how he addressed her.

Xiang Xinyao smiled. “I came to ask for your help. Xiang Tianao’s youngest daughter wants to enter the palace—can you lend a hand with that?”

Now that she knew her separation from her parents was Xiang Tianao’s doing, she refused even to call him “Uncle,” referring to him only by name.

Mo Jinnan was well aware of who Xiang Tianao was and the strained relationship between Xiang Tianao’s family and Xiang Tianyang’s. However, since Xiang Yuqing was still technically Yao’er’s cousin, he hesitated to allow her entry into such a treacherous place as the palace.

“Yao’er, Xiang Tianao is your own uncle. Are you sure you want to go through with this?” he asked.

A flash of coldness passed through Xiang Xinyao’s eyes. “From today on, I have no uncle. He was the one who took me away and sold me to a rural village in Yun County through a human trafficker. His goal was to have his younger daughter adopted by my father and secure a marriage alliance with you.”

Hearing this, Mo Jinnan’s gaze filled with murderous intent.

“If that’s the case, then I will make sure he gets what he deserves,” he replied.

“Are you confident?” she asked.

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Leave it to me. Tomorrow, wait for me at home—I’ll come find you at the Xiang residence after court.”

“Alright, then my sister and I will head back now,” Xiang Xinyao replied.

Mo Jinnan gave a small nod. “It’s getting dark; I’ll walk you both back.”

“No need, you’ve got enough on your plate, and it’s not far. My sister and I will just take a stroll home.”

“I insist. I’d feel better seeing you both home,” he said firmly.

Xiang Xinyao nodded, as she, too, felt wary of a sudden summons to the palace. With Xiang Xinyu beside her, she wanted to ensure there were no unnecessary risks.

The three of them left the prince’s residence and walked towards the Xiang residence. Along the way, Mo Jinnan listened as Xiang Xinyao recounted her abduction in full detail.

He sneered. “If Xiang Tianao is so eager to climb the social ladder, how could I deny him that ‘honor’?”

For daring to target Yao’er, Xiang Tianao would face consequences. He thought he could easily achieve fame and fortune if his daughter entered the palace, but little did he know that not only would Mo Jinnan stop him, Xiang Tianyang wouldn’t let him get away with it either.

For years, his business had relied on the quiet support of Xiang Tianyang and Xiang Tianlei. Once they withdrew their backing, Xiang Tianao’s business would soon crumble, leaving him with nothing. By then, his desperate grasp at power would leave him in dire straits, surrounded by enemies.

Mo Jinnan escorted the sisters to the Xiang residence and, without lingering, turned to leave. His responsibilities weighed heavily on him, and if he planned to depart Bianjing, he’d need meticulous preparation.

Once back at the Xiang residence, Xiang Xinyao feigned exhaustion, briefly greeted her family, then went straight to her room. After securing the door, she slipped into her personal space.

She hadn’t properly fed the animals there in quite some time. Inside, she first used her internal energy to crush some corn kernels and then began chopping vegetables, using her tasks to drain her energy bit by bit. By the time she had the animals’ food ready, her internal energy was depleted.

After drinking a cup of spiritual spring water, she meditated by the spring to recover her strength. Two hours later, she opened her eyes.

She hurried to the suite, took a hot bath, dried her hair, and then exited her space, returning to her room. Instead of continuing her training, she collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the sun was already high when she awoke. She opened her door to find two little maids and Xiang Xinyu waiting for her.

After washing up, Xiang Xinyu patiently styled her hair. They enjoyed breakfast and then lingered in the courtyard, waiting for Xiang Yuqing. Neither of them wanted to allow Xiang Yuqing into the main hall of the Xiang residence.

They waited for a long time. Mo Jinnan eventually arrived at the Xiang residence, but Xiang Yuqing was still nowhere to be seen.