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“Right, Father, Mother, there’s something I want to ask you.”
The two were puzzled. As they were about to ask what it was, they heard Su Qingyue ask, “Did I have a twin sister or brother?”
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyue’s father and mother’s pupils contracted sharply, a flicker of panic flashing in their eyes. The events of twenty years ago suddenly resurfaced in their minds, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.
Su Qingyue stared intently at them. Seeing their strange expressions, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious. It was either yes or no; why did they look like this, as if she had mentioned something unspeakable? Why were they so nervous?
Seeing them remain silent, Su Qingyue asked again, “Father, Mother, why do you look so uneasy?”
Su Qingyue’s father sat back down on his chair, lowering his head to conceal his emotions.
Su Qingyue’s mother asked, “Why are you asking this?”
Su Qingyue, observing their expressions, calmly said, “I heard some rumors outside, saying that Mother gave birth to twins, but our family only has me and my younger brother, who is three years younger than me. It’s impossible that he was born with me. So, what about the child who was born with me? Was it a sister or a brother?”
Seeing their lack of denial, Su Qingyue was even more certain that she had a sister or brother.
Su Qingyue’s mother swallowed and said, “You did have a younger sister, but she died shortly after birth. That was over twenty years ago. Why are you bringing this up now? Aren’t you tired? Go rest now.”
If Su Qingyue hadn’t brought it up, Su Qingyue’s father and mother hadn’t thought about that child in over ten years. It felt so long ago, like something from a past life, that they had almost forgotten.
But Su Qingyue asked again, “My sister died? How did she die?”
Before Su Qingyue’s mother could respond, Su Qingyue’s father slammed his hand on the table again. “Enough! Mind your own business. Don’t bring up these old matters again.”
Su Qingyue didn’t understand why her father was so angry. She looked at him and said, “Father, maybe this isn’t an old matter.”
Su Qingyue’s father frowned, a flash of cold light in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Su Qingyue thought for a moment and said, “On my recent travels, I went to Furong City. In Furong City, I saw a young lady who looked exactly like me.”
As soon as Su Qingyue finished speaking, Su Qingyue’s father suddenly leaned back, his eyes filled with disbelief, his pupils widening in shock.
This reaction made Su Qingyue frown slightly.
Su Qingyue’s mother hurriedly asked, “Yue’er, are you serious?”
Su Qingyue nodded. “Yes, that’s why I came back to ask you.”
Su Qingyue’s mother was also confused. She looked at her husband, seeing his complex expression. Fearing her daughter might notice something, Su Qingyue’s mother turned to Su Qingyue and said, “We heard that, Yue’er. Go rest now.”
Su Qingyue wanted to ask further, but Su Qingyue’s mother sternly said, “Don’t ask anymore. There are things you don’t need to know. Just mind your own business and go now.”
Seeing this, Su Qingyue could only leave.
Although she had many questions, she could tell that her parents wouldn’t answer her.
After watching her disappear, Su Qingyue’s mother immediately asked her husband, “Didn’t we throw her into the abyss? How could she still be alive?”
Su Qingyue’s mother was anxious. They had been so uneasy and guilty about what they had done back then. But after that “burden” disappeared, their family truly became peaceful, and everything went smoothly. Eventually, their uneasiness and guilt faded, and they rarely thought about that child again.
Su Qingyue’s father clenched his fists and said coldly, “It’s impossible for her to be alive. That high of a fall, even adults wouldn’t survive. Let alone a child who couldn’t even crawl. Even if she hadn’t been killed by the fall, she would have starved to death.”
As Su Qingyue’s father spoke, his expression was cold, as if he were talking about an enemy rather than his own child. There was no remorse or guilt in his eyes.
Su Qingyue’s mother nodded, but thinking of Su Qingyue’s words, she worriedly said, “But Yue’er said she saw her. Besides twins, there’s no way people can look exactly alike.”
Su Qingyue’s father felt inexplicably uneasy. He patted his chest and coldly said, “Have someone investigate.”
Su Qingyue’s mother hesitated. “What if they find her, and she is alive?”
A flash of killing intent crossed Su Qingyue’s father’s eyes. “Kill her! She shouldn’t be alive. She’s a curse on the whole family. It’s better if she just dies.”
They had little affection for that child, only worrying that her unlucky destiny would affect their entire family.
“Alright.”
Su Qingyue’s mother nodded calmly, agreeing.
Immediately, they summoned the family’s assassins and ordered them to search for the person with Su Qingyue’s portrait in Furong City. If they found her, kill her immediately.
After giving these instructions, they retired to rest, but neither of them slept well that night.
Early the next morning, Su Qingyue asked Ziluo to go out and investigate how many people in Nanyang City knew that her mother had given birth to twins. She also asked her to check on Qingli.
Ziluo’s martial arts skills were exceptional, making it easy for her to enter and leave the residence. However, her movements were still noticed by the guards stationed in the mansion, who reported it to Su Qingyue’s father and mother.
They recalled that Su Qingyue had brought someone back last night. They hadn’t expected her to be a skilled warrior. Su Qingyue’s mother immediately went to ask Su Qingyue about her.
Once back in the Su residence, Su Qingyue was no longer free. After Ziluo went out, she stayed in the study, practicing calligraphy and calming her mind.
Of her four personal maids, only Yuzhu was left, and there were far fewer servants in her courtyard.
Seeing the desolate courtyard, Su Qingyue’s mother furrowed her brows slightly. As she entered the study and saw Su Qingyue, she said, “Yue’er, let me choose some more maids to serve you. Your courtyard seems quite deserted.”
Su Qingyue didn’t look up but replied calmly, “No need, Mother. I find it too noisy with too many people. It’s fine like this.”
“Is there anything you need, Mother?”
Su Qingyue looked at the word “quiet” she was writing, though her heart could not find peace.
Su Qingyue’s mother asked about Ziluo, and Su Qingyue replied that she had bought her on the road, and seeing that she possessed some martial arts skills, she decided to keep her by her side.
Su Qingyue’s mother didn’t object, only saying, “You’re grown up now, and you have your own thoughts. Mother won’t interfere. I just hope you understand our family’s goals and the honor we must protect together.”
Su Qingyue didn’t respond. Su Qingyue’s mother continued, “Oh, right. The old dowager of the Prince of Xian’s residence is turning seventy in three days. Prepare yourself well, and accompany me to the celebration.”
Su Qingyue nodded slightly. “Alright, Mother.”
After Su Qingyue’s mother left, Ziluo returned.
“Miss, I couldn’t find Miss Qingli at the inn, and I don’t know where she went.”
Having not found Qingli, Ziluo returned to report to Su Qingyue.
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyue felt a bit worried. Her parents’ attitude made her hesitant to tell them that Qingli was in Nanyang City.
But if she didn’t tell them, she couldn’t bring Qingli back. It was unsettling to leave Qingli wandering outside, but bringing her home also felt unsafe.
Su Qingyue felt conflicted and didn’t know what to do.
“Ziluo, someone in the residence was watching you go out. With your skills, can you evade their notice?”
Thinking of her mother’s words, Su Qingyue asked Ziluo.
Ziluo nodded. “Of course, I can. I went out today thinking it was just people from the residence, so I didn’t try to hide. Next time, I’ll make sure no one notices me.”
Su Qingyue nodded, thinking of Qingli. She sat down at her desk and wrote a letter, instructing Ziluo to leave later and give it to her.
She needed to find an excuse to leave the residence tomorrow and meet Qingli.
Meanwhile, Qingli, the subject of their thoughts, had brought Xue Nan to the entrance of Jiuli Temple. The temple was located on Taoxi Mountain, outside Nanyang City. It took Qingli and Xue Nan a long time to climb to the top.