Chapter 5: Putting on a Show

The young girl who stepped in from behind was about the same age as her but remarkably tall. Her back was straight as an arrow, dressed in a floor-length lake-colored gown embroidered with golden begonia patterns. She wore a golden hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers, and her pair of jade-green autumn eyes shimmered with a mixture of pride and charm, making her strikingly beautiful.

Just one glance was enough for Xie Yuming to lower her head, nervously tugging at the hem of her dress.

This was the person who had stolen her destiny, yet her appearance and demeanor were so extraordinary. If she had always been the one raised in the residence, she imagined she might look like this now.

Hearing the woman’s question, Xie Yuming raised her head, curious to see how Xu Yirong would respond.

Clearing her throat, Xu Yirong accepted a cup of tea from her attendant and took a slow sip before speaking deliberately, “Xie Yun, you’ve come at the right time. I suppose you’ve also heard the rumors that spread through the residence yesterday. The Prime Minister has already confirmed that Yuming is indeed his child.”

Xie Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting quietly for her to continue.

Xu Yirong frowned at her expression. “The old woman who caused the confusion back then has been dealt with. From now on, Yuming is the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. As for you… you have also been raised here for over ten years. Though your grandmother hasn’t been around recently, she has always cared deeply for you. After discussing with the Prime Minister, we’ve decided to keep you in the residence.”

“Officially, both you and Yuming are daughters of the Prime Minister’s family, but since Yuming has suffered so much over the years, you must be more considerate of her and treat her kindly, understand?”

Having said this, Xu Yirong felt she had handled the matter appropriately and took another sip of tea, satisfied.

Xie Yuming’s feelings were complex and hard to describe. She glanced at Xie Yun, feeling life’s great injustice keenly.

She had endured hardship outside for so many years, while Xie Yun had always been the Prime Minister’s cherished daughter. Although she did not yet understand the feeling was jealousy, she quietly clenched her fists.

Hong Xiu had told her to remain patient. Now that she had entered the residence, she could not afford to offend Madam Xu.

With this thought, she lifted a gentle, innocent smile and approached Xie Yun, speaking warmly, “I have no sisters at home, and being new here, I’m unfamiliar with everything. From now on, I’ll have to rely on you, sister.”

Xie Yun brushed aside the hand she tried to link and said coldly, “Miss Xie, there’s no need for such words. Madam Prime Minister was right — you are the true daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. Naturally, I must return to my real home.”

Embarrassed, Xie Yuming withdrew her hand but suddenly looked up in disbelief at those words.

Not only her but everyone in the hall was stunned.

Why would she refuse the position of lady and choose to live as a commoner?

Xu Yirong slammed down her teacup, anger flashing on her face. “What attitude is this? No one’s trying to kick you out. Do you even know what you’re saying?”

Xie Yun sighed inwardly.

Her relationship with Xu Yirong had never been warm in this Prime Minister’s residence.

Though they were nominally mother and daughter, that bond no longer existed. She had since addressed her as Madam Prime Minister instead.

She had heard that Xu Yirong had once loved another but was forced by her family to marry Xie Huaishu and bear his children.

Yet her temperament was stubborn; she was neither as gentle nor as humble as the other concubines in the residence, so she never truly earned Xie Huaishu’s favor. Their relationship was merely one of formal respect.

The same went for Xu Yirong and Xie Yun.

Xie Yun had been puzzled and hurt as a child, trying many ways to win her favor, but Xu Yirong always treated her indifferently. As Xie Yun’s pride grew, she stopped seeking even this faint motherly affection.

One would not speak, the other refused to please; thus, they had maintained this cold distance for many years.

“Madam, I am serious,” Xie Yun raised her brows and stepped forward with a smile. “Since you have found your true daughter, I should naturally return where I came from. Perhaps a different life might suit me better. Staying here any longer would only be an embarrassment.”

She had noticed the tenderness in Xu Yirong’s eyes toward Xie Yuming when she entered the hall.

Perhaps out of guilt or the enthusiasm of reclaiming a lost daughter, Xu Yirong treated Yuming with more warmth than she ever showed her.

“Fine,” Xu Yirong said with a cold face, seeing her resolve and deciding not to speak further.

“The old madam will return in a few days. Until then, stay in your room. It’s not too late to leave after that.”

Xie Yun shook her head. “I will leave the Prime Minister’s residence this afternoon. I will leave a letter for my grandmother. I thank Madam Prime Minister for her guidance all these years and wish you health and success in all things.”

“Miss?” Yi Xiang and Bao Zhu came forward to persuade her again, but Xie Yun gently shook her head, stopping them.

Sunlight poured into the hall, casting a glow on Xie Yun’s bright face like scattered gold leaf in motion.

She bowed slightly and turned to step out of the hall.

Seeing Xu Yirong’s face dark as iron in the grand chair, Xie Yuming bit her lip and said, “Mother, it’s all my fault. I will go call sister back right away!”