“This is almond chicken, silver belly, fresh bamboo shoots, and wine-roasted shrimp… Try them, how do they taste?”
Xiao Du sat in front of the table filled with delicacies, momentarily unsure of where to start. He looked at Yuan Xi, who was introducing each dish with joy, like a child waiting for praise, and smiled, “You’ve been busy today. How did you manage to make so many dishes? You could have easily done them in the kitchen. Why did you insist on doing them yourself?”
Yuan Xi smiled in response, picking up a shrimp and placing it in his bowl, “This time, I made sure to ask about your preferences before starting. They said you like freshwater delicacies. This dish involves pouring wine into a hot pot and then grilling live shrimp. It has the fragrance of wine without losing the freshness of the shrimp. Try it and see if you like it.”
Xiao Du tasted the shrimp she offered. Although the cooking time wasn’t perfect, it still had a unique flavor. Seeing his appreciative expression, Yuan Xi felt delighted and promptly urged him to try every dish on the table. Xiao Du cooperated, finishing every dish, and even asking for an extra bowl of rice. It was only after they were both satisfied and full that he asked, “Can you tell me now what today’s occasion is? It seems like you put a lot of effort into it.”
Yuan Xi’s smile faded as she put down her chopsticks, looking at Xiao Du seriously. “Ah Du, I want you to know that I can be a good wife, and I will be a good mother in the future. We are a family, and no matter what happens, I will be there to support you.”
Xiao Du’s expression also darkened slowly as he held her hand and said softly, “Tell me, what has happened?”
Under his attentive gaze, Yuan Xi gathered her courage. Yes, it was time to tell him. When she discovered the secret hidden in that mansion, she realized she couldn’t keep it hidden anymore. It was about his origins, and he needed to know the truth. So she took a deep breath and told him everything she had found out.
The more Xiao Du listened, the worse his expression became. It wasn’t until she mentioned the infant buried in Qingxin Garden that his body swayed, and he spoke with difficulty, “So what does this all mean?”
Yuan Xi knew he wasn’t ignorant; he was just afraid to think about it. So she held his hand tightly, hoping to give him some strength, but her voice remained firm, “Ah Du, the princess’s due date should be in May, but you were born in March or April when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Yet they say your birthday is in May. Why does the princess hate cherry blossoms and refuse to be close to you? I think the infant buried in Qingxin Garden is likely the child the princess was carrying!”
Xiao Du stared at her with empty eyes, then suddenly laughed mockingly, his voice trembling, “Are you saying I’m not the princess’s biological son? How is that possible… How is that possible…” His tone gradually faded, realizing the impossibility. Wasn’t this something he had suspected countless times since childhood? And now, when he finally understood the hidden confusion and doubt in his heart, he found that all those seemingly absurd suspicions were true. How ridiculous, and how sad.
He stood up abruptly, his hand trembling as he gripped the edge of the table. “I’ll go ask Father. He must give me an answer!”
Yuan Xi also stood up, watching him disappear into the night, clutching the handkerchief tightly and sighing. But she knew she could only do so much; the rest he had to face on his own.
Compared to her worries and anxieties, another person seemed much calmer. Marquis listened to Xiao Du’s series of questions and slowly set down his teacup, saying, “You came to me in the middle of the night for this.”
His calm demeanor surprised Xiao Du, but he persisted, “Father, can you honestly tell me, is the princess, my biological mother? If not, who is my real mother?”
Marquis’s face darkened, and he stared into Xiao Du’s eyes, his gaze full of sternness. “Alright, listen to me carefully. The princess and I are your biological parents! If I hear any more of this disrespectful nonsense from you, don’t blame me for disregarding the reputation of the Marquis Mansion and personally punishing you!”
Xiao Du took a step back, trembling as he said, “Fine, then please tell me, who is the woman in Fei Han Courtyard? And who is the infant buried in Qingxin Garden? And when was I truly born?”
Marquis waved his hand impatiently, saying, “You don’t need to know these things. They are just irrelevant old stories. Just remember what I told you!”
Xiao Du clenched his fists, his face showing determination. “Fine! If Father refuses to tell me, I’ll find out for myself. I will uncover the truth of this matter!” With that, he turned and walked out without even a bow.
“Du’er!” A trembling voice called out from behind him, but Xiao Du didn’t look back. He only said softly, “But I have grown up, and I have my own family now. I can’t live in lies any more. Whatever happens, I can bear it.” With that, he pushed the door open and left. Behind him, Marquis’s long-maintained facade finally collapsed completely. He reached out shakily to grasp the already cold teacup, sighing bitterly to himself, “You’re right, this day has finally come.”
At that moment, the wind outside howled, thick clouds gathered, and it seemed that heavy rain was about to fall. Yuan Xi heard the door being pushed open and immediately stood up, eagerly asking, “What happened?”
Xiao Du sat down heavily, his gaze vacant as he lowered his head. “Father refused to tell me. He just said I shouldn’t investigate any further.”
Yuan Xi had never seen him so defeated before. She hurried over and hugged him, saying, “What are you going to do? Maybe we shouldn’t investigate further. Perhaps what Father said is true.”
But Xiao Du shook his head. “When I was young, I always wondered why my mother was different from others, why she never wanted to hold me or be close to me.” He sighed softly. “Xiao Er, I must know who my biological mother is. Whether she’s alive or dead, whether she ever cared about how I was doing.”
Feeling the dampness on the sleeve she held, Yuan Xi felt a sourness in her heart, almost shedding tears herself. She said, “Alright! I’ll be with you. Whatever decision you make, I’ll be there with you.”
In the early morning, a carriage left the Marquis Mansion and raced to Qingcheng Mountain on the outskirts. It was early spring, with lush greenery and winding streams. Amidst the verdant scenery stood a small temple with green bricks and gray tiles. Perhaps due to the lack of worshippers, the temple appeared desolate. Several young nuns lazily swept the courtyard with brooms, while inside the main hall, a nun knelt upright, devoutly chanting scriptures with closed eyes.
She wore a coarse robe like the other nuns, but what stood out was a deep scar on her face, giving her otherwise serene and devout countenance a strange and discordant appearance.
At that moment, a senior nun entered and said, “Wu Gu, a visitor is looking for you.”
Wu Gu, now known as Wugu, opened her eyes in confusion but didn’t ask further questions. She simply followed the senior nun until they reached a small room. The senior nun stopped and said, “Here it is. Go in by yourself.”
Wugu pushed open the door, and when she saw the person in front of her, her body couldn’t help but tremble, tears blurring her vision as she exclaimed, “Young Master Xiao!”
Xiao Du turned to look at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Wugu, now called Wugu, managed to control her excitement and approached him, pouring a cup of tea for him. “Young Master Xiao suddenly came to find me. What can I do for you?”
Xiao Du slowly withdrew his gaze, tightly gripping the teacup in his hands. “Yes, there is indeed something. I just don’t know if Wugu is willing to tell the truth.”
Wugu clasped her hands together and bowed to him, saying, “This humble nun has retreated into the monastery to purify her sins and seek peace. I have long stopped caring about worldly matters. Young Master Xiao, feel free to ask whatever you want.”
A mocking smile played at the corner of Xiao Du’s mouth as he coldly ran his finger over the porcelain cup. “Seeking peace, huh? Can the senior nun enlighten me and tell me who my biological mother is?”
Wugu’s eyes widened suddenly, and her whole body trembled violently. Her terrified gaze filled with tears, her lips trembling for a long time but unable to utter a word.
Xiao Du stared at her coldly, but he didn’t urge her to speak. The atmosphere in the room froze, and after a long while, Wugu managed to control her emotions, closing her eyes and saying, “The Marquis’s mother is the princess. Why do you come to ask me?”
Xiao Du couldn’t help but sneer. He stood up and walked to Wugu’s side, the overwhelming pressure forcing her not to raise her head. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face, but Xiao Du couldn’t maintain his composure anymore. He held Wugu’s shoulders, his voice trembling as he said, “Wugu, you raised me since I was young. I know you hate to see me sad. Can you tell me now, is my biological mother… you?”
The words hit Wugu like a thunderbolt, making her lift her head abruptly, denying vehemently, “No! I am not your mother!”
“Then who is my biological mother? What is your relationship with her?” Xiao Du saw the sincerity in her expression and continued to press on.
“No! Your mother is the princess! It’s the princess!” Wugu seemed unable to bear the burden any longer. She forcefully pushed Xiao Du’s hands away, covering her face and shaking her head repeatedly while still firmly repeating the same words.
Disappointed, Xiao Du let his hands drop and walked past her to the door. “Alright, I understand. Maybe my mother despised me so much that she didn’t even want anyone around her to acknowledge me all these years.”
Wugu, now sobbing uncontrollably, collapsed to the ground. She looked up and saw the disappointment and mockery on Xiao Du’s face. Suddenly, something inside her snapped, and she almost involuntarily blurted out, “No! Your mother loves you deeply. To protect you, she would rather… she would rather…”
Realizing her mistake, she quickly covered her mouth, her eyes suddenly filled with determination. Xiao Du, sensing trouble, rushed to her side and grabbed her jaw to prevent her from biting her tongue. “Why are you doing this to yourself?” he exclaimed in shock and confusion.
But Wugu seemed to be deaf to his words. She was trembling uncontrollably, like a leaf in the wind. Xiao Du sighed deeply, releasing his grip on her, and said, “Forget it. I won’t force you anymore, and I won’t come to see you again. Just stay here and be at peace as Wugu.”
The mountain wind howled, rustling the leaves along the path. Xiao Du walked on the moss-covered stone steps, his mind still in a daze. Why? Why wouldn’t they tell him the truth? Why would Wugu rather die than reveal the secret?
Lost in his thoughts, he reached the end of the path, where he saw Yuan Xi waiting anxiously for him, not in the carriage but running towards him. Xiao Du immediately pulled her into his arms, seeking comfort in her presence to calm the turmoil in his heart.
Yuan Xi could tell from his actions that he must have come back empty-handed again. She extricated herself from his embrace, staring at him intently. “Ah Du, I suddenly remembered something.”
Xiao Du looked up at her inquiringly. Yuan Xi continued, “Do you remember when Aunt Cai died, how Wugu refused to reveal who the real culprit was? Wugu has been taking care of you since childhood and has been dedicated to managing the estate. She must have a deep connection with the women at the Hidden Cold Courtyard. But why would she help conceal the truth for the princess and Yuma?”
Frowning, Xiao Du hadn’t had a chance to contemplate everything when Yuan Xi continued eagerly, “Wugu told me that she sinned, a sin that has tormented her day and night, and she must do everything to atone for it. What do you think her sin is? Why has she been pretending to be insane all these years?”
Xiao Du’s body shook violently. The black hole in his heart seemed to grow deeper, threatening to swallow him whole. He couldn’t believe what Yuan Xi was implying. He lowered his head incredulously and looked at Yuan Xi. “Are you saying… Wugu killed the child the princess was carrying?”