Luo Xin burst into tears and said, “Don’t try to fool me. I heard it all on the way here. I’m afraid the child blames us. Such a big mistake happened in the mansion that year, which caused our separation and abandonment. Now that she has been found, she hasn’t explicitly said she will return to the mansion. Naturally, she feels bad.”

Shen Ci, feeling impatient, spoke up for his sister Shen Ruojin: “Sister Ruojin has lived in our home for many years, and her parents have no news. Even if we recognize Luo Taosheng, we can’t leave Sister Ruojin homeless. Please think carefully before acting, grandmother, father, and mother.”

Shen Ruojin also cried, saying, “It’s all because of me that my mother is sad and my father and grandmother are embarrassed. If the elders agree, I will go to Tongguang Lane tomorrow to persuade Tao Sheng to come back.”

Old Madam Shen comforted her granddaughter, saying, “My dear, don’t say that. It was all a mistake. It’s not your fault.”

The three Shen Yue brothers spoke together to comfort Ruojin.

Feeling isolated, Luo Xin decided to take a step back. “I’m not feeling well today, and I feel dizzy. I won’t be dining with mother. As for Tao Sheng’s matter… I’ll discuss it with the Marquis tomorrow when I feel better.”

Just as Luo Xin was about to leave, she heard Old Madam Shen pulling Ruojin closer and advising her, “Don’t be too sad. If the child is upset that you don’t come back, she is just being unreasonable. We have raised you for so many years, so our feelings matter more. Just rest assured…”

Luo Xin’s eyes dimmed as she quickly walked out of the room.

After Luo Xin left, Old Madam Shen continued her conversation with Shen Ruojin: “The Queen’s poetry gathering is in five days. The invitation was sent to our house this afternoon, specifically asking you to go. What an honor! You should prepare first and not worry about other things. Winning the Queen’s favor would truly honor your mother.”

Everyone knew that the Queen Mother held this poetry meeting to select a reading partner for Princess Hui’an, the Crown Prince’s daughter, and also to choose a concubine for the Crown Prince.

Since the eldest prince lost power, the position of the crown prince has become more stable, making his succession to the throne likely.

Even if Ruojin cannot become the Crown Prince’s consort, being a companion to the future Emperor’s sister, Princess Hui’an, would still be a remarkable opportunity and prestigious for her future.

Shen Ruojin listened to all of Old Madam Shen’s instructions, understanding the gap between herself and Tao Sheng.

Tao Sheng is the legitimate Second Miss Shen, born into a high status, while Ruojin has only gained her position through her grandmother’s friendship and her own abilities.

If her grandmother chose to support Luo Taosheng and abandon her, Ruojin would be reduced to being an adopted daughter of the Marquis’ Mansion.

One is an adopted daughter from a farming family with unknown parents, while the other is the legitimate eldest daughter of a marquisate, highlighting their vast differences in status.

Although her father and grandmother have not yet decided to recognize Tao Sheng, her mother has already begun to feel sympathy for her, creating uncertainty in the situation.

With the poetry competition approaching, she must seize this opportunity to perform well and be chosen by the queen to be the princess’s companion.

This way, no one could challenge her position as the legitimate daughter of the family.

_

Luo Xin returned to the main courtyard and found Mother Zheng had prepared a soft pillow and a hand warmer. She helped Luo Xin sit down and handed her a cup of hot tea.

“Madam hasn’t been feeling well these past few days and has traveled a long way. Please have some tea to warm yourself.”

“It’s not that cold today,” Luo Xin replied. “I just feel a little tired, and my heart feels cold too.”

As Luo Xin’s confidant, Mother Zheng understood her thoughts. She feared that Luo Xin would feel sad during her illness, so she quickly advised, “The Master and Madam are considering the family, so they may not be able to change their minds right away. I heard that our second daughter is very beautiful, especially her eyes, which look just like yours when you were young. After spending time together, everyone will grow fond of her, and they will find a way to recognize her.”

Luo Xin disagreed: “The family has been very unfair to her, letting a young girl suffer. She is my daughter, and I can’t let her continue to suffer like this.”

Mother Zheng continued to persuade her: “This is ultimately the decision of the Marquis and Old Madam. You should think more positively.”

Luo Xin softly replied, “Go ask the master’s entourage where the second young lady lives now. I want to see her.”

_

Shen Yu was aware of Luo Xin’s poor condition in recent days and worried she might cause trouble again. He came to the main room early the next morning for breakfast with his wife.

Today, Luo Xin seemed more stable and calmer when she spoke to Shen Yu: “What exactly are you and mother planning regarding Tao Sheng and Jin Er’s affairs?”

Shen Yu explained, “Ruojin was raised by her mother. She was very cherished among all the younger generations, and her mother is most reluctant to part with Jin Er. Ever since Jin Er learned we found Tao Sheng, she has been seriously ill and almost lost her life. I think we should wait a few more days until Ruojin feels better before bringing Tao Sheng back.”

Having lived away from home for over ten years, Shen Yu felt that waiting a month or two wouldn’t matter. He suggested announcing the matter after Ruojin returned from the poetry meeting.

Luo Xin then remembered that when the old marquis was alive, there were two daughters born to the main wife in the mansion, both of whom were the old lady’s biological daughters. However, the eldest sister lived with her grandmother in her hometown, while the second sister was raised by Old Lady Shen, who was closer to her than to the eldest sister.

Even though these two were the old lady’s biological daughters, she still only favored the children she raised and even took away the eldest sister’s arranged marriage to give the second sister a better home.

After all, they had been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for many years. Luo Xin understood the old lady’s thoughts and methods. Because of this, she began to worry more about Tao Sheng.

“But this is too unfair to Tao Sheng. This child has suffered so much injustice and deserves compensation.”

Shen Yu scoffed, “How can there be so much fairness? Yue’er was born to you and is the oldest. He was named the prince of the Marquisate before turning twenty. Even if they are brothers, Huan’er and Ci’er cannot compete with him for anything. This is how the world works. Some people are born higher, some are luckier; it’s all fate. How can there be fairness or unfairness?”

Luo Xin thought Shen Yu’s example was terrible and merely made-up. However, to get her biological daughter back sooner, she controlled her temper and kindly advised him, “I hope the Marquis will reconsider and come up with a safe way so the children can be with us.”

Shen Yu replied, “Ruojin is at a critical moment before entering the palace. It won’t be too late to solve this after things settle down. Tao Sheng has been away from home for years; a few more days won’t make a difference.”

The Queen Mother holding a poetry meeting to select a reading partner for Princess Hui’an was a big deal. No matter how anxious Luo Xin was to take Tao Sheng back, she had to consider Ruojin’s feelings at this time.

She sighed and said, “I understand. Since Tao Sheng can’t come home in the next few days, I’ll go to Tongguang Lane to see her today.”

As soon as Luo Xin said this, Shen Yu frowned. “There are many people in West City, and our mansion has sent people there often, so rumors will spread. Why not wait a couple more days until things are clearer before visiting Tao Sheng?”

Luo Xin didn’t follow his suggestion this time: “You said I could visit Tao Sheng, but you sent her back without keeping her. Now you won’t let me see her. How can I face her in the future as her mother?”

After all, Tao Sheng was Luo Xin’s child after ten months of pregnancy. Shen Yu sighed and said, “Be careful. Sit for a while and come back quickly. Don’t attract attention.”

_

Shen Yu only showed up once at Su’s house and then vanished. There was no news of him bringing Tao Sheng back home.

Su Jia also sensed something was wrong. Considering that Tao Sheng was only a fourteen-year-old girl, she worried she might be too young to think clearly and feel upset. So, she treated her more carefully, bringing back toys and snacks to cheer her up whenever she went out.

Tao Sheng had lived two lives, so her mental age was not young anymore. She was past the age where she needed to be spoiled like a child by her elders. However, she felt warm in her heart when her aunt thought of her like this, making her more determined to treat Su Jia as family and not return to the Marquis’ Mansion.

Su Jia also owned a shop in the capital. Now that she was planning to settle down, she needed to think about what kind of business she could run, so she had been frequently going out to investigate.

One day, just after Su Jia left, Luo Xin arrived at Su’s house.

It was not easy for Luo Xin to give birth to a daughter, and she had originally loved her daughter Ruojin very much.

However, as Ruojin grew up, Luo Xin gradually noticed that she didn’t resemble her at all and lacked similarities with her nieces and nephews from her mother’s side.

Perhaps it was because Luo Xin had not been well in recent years, and Ruojin had been raised under the old lady’s care from a young age. Compared to her mother, Ruojin was always closer to the old lady and her husband.

Later, something ridiculous happened in the family of Sui, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. At that time, Mrs. Sui’s child had an accident right after birth. So, Mr. Sui took the child of his concubine back home under the pretense of seeking medical treatment and raised him as a legitimate child for many years. It was not until later that his wife discovered the truth.

Luo Xin remembered the year she left Beijing to give birth. Shen Yu had a love affair with a girl in the Jiaofang Bureau, but it was unclear if she had ever become pregnant.

After hearing what happened in Sui Shilang’s family, Luo Xin connected it to her own situation back then and couldn’t help but think about Madam Sui. The more she reflected, the more suspicious she became.

Doubts began to grow in Luo Xin’s heart. For years, she lived in self-doubt and denial. Later, the truth emerged: Ruojin was just an ordinary farmer’s daughter. The signs of her biological daughter’s adjustment also slowly surfaced, allowing Luo Xin’s heart to finally settle.

At the moment of Tao Sheng’s return, Luo Xin felt that all her unease vanished, and the missing piece in her heart was filled, bringing her indescribable comfort.

No matter how challenging the past few years had been, her girl was safe and healthy now, and they had finally found her.