Forty

Back in the Meng Residence at that time, Meng Qingyue remained completely unaware that her destiny had once again quietly shifted through just a few brief words.

She only recalled the sudden, frenzied state Qiao Xian had slipped into moments earlier at the Lantern Festival. While lingering fear still gripped her, a sense of confusion also arose.

What on earth had Qiao Xian seen? Why had she reacted with such intensity?

Feeling somewhat uncertain, Meng Qingyue gently pulled back her sleeve. There, on her fair, frost-like wrist and arm, lay a scar so ugly it bordered on grotesque.

Was it this?

With slightly chilled fingertips, Meng Qingyue touched the scar. It still carried the scorching, agonizing pain of that year. She had been only five years old then, pampered in the Meng Residence for two years, and had long since regarded the Marquis of Huainan and his wife as her own biological parents.

Therefore, when they told her that a traveling Daoist priest had declared this sheep-head birthmark inauspicious, she agreed to her parents' request without a moment's hesitation—

The memory of raging fire devouring her skin still throbbed faintly even after more than a decade. Meng Qingyue’s thoughts grew inch by inch more bewildered. Try as she might, she could not fathom what possible connection this birthmark had with Qiao Xian.

She had never believed in coincidences, nor in the whims of fate; she only believed that everything in this world had a reason.

Meng Qingyue let out a long breath.

Immediately afterward, she called Cui'er over and whispered a few instructions into her ear.

A flash of shock crossed Cui'er’s expression before she nodded and hurried swiftly out of the room.

Meanwhile, in Meng Changle’s chamber.

Madam Meng sat dazedly on the couch, her mouth opening wider and wider until, in the end, her astonishment reached an utterly unbearable extreme.

Her entire body began to tremble. Looking at the guilt-ridden Meng Changle sitting across from her, she asked in sheer disbelief, "You said you usurped the identity of the true daughter of the family?!"

Meng Changle hastily made a hushing sound.

Glancing around in panic to ensure no one else was present, she lowered her voice and spoke, "Why is Mother so shocked? If I become a daughter of the Qiao family, I will be the Princess Consort of Prince Zhao in the future. Daughter will forever remember Mother's grace of birth and upbringing, and the day I fly up to the branches to become a phoenix, I will certainly not forget the Marquis of Huainan's Residence."

"Mother, this is a wonderful stroke of fortune that benefits us in two ways!"

However, Madam Meng was not worried about whether she would become a phoenix at all. She asked with such anxious incoherence, "Changle, even if I indulge your wild behavior, what about Madam Qiao, Lord Qiao, and that sharp, monkey-witted Qiao Xian? How can you be certain they will be fooled by you?"

As Madam Meng spoke, she grew increasingly convinced that this plan was completely unfeasible.

What if the truth were uncovered? The Qiao family would inevitably fly into a rage. By then, wouldn't her Changle—and their entire Meng family—end up with nothing, like drawing water with a bamboo basket?

Even worse than ending up with nothing, they might very well invite disaster upon themselves!

Therefore, Madam Meng earnestly and repeatedly tried to talk her out of it, practically stating outright that everyone had their own destiny and that wealth and honor which did not belong to one should not be forcibly pursued.

Yet, how could Meng Changle possibly listen to her?

Ever since she had entered the palace last time and witnessed that boundless wealth, glory, and imperial majesty—the Imperial Noble Consort surrounded by thousands, and the orchid-like, peerless Prince Zhao whom one could only gaze at from afar—

All of these temptations were so alluring, possessing an almost fatal attraction.

And now, such a golden opportunity truly lay before her, one that could allow Meng Changle to leap onto the highest branch in a single bound, marry the most dashing man in her heart, and become the elite person above others she had always yearned to be.

How could her heart not flutter?

Consequently, during that quiet afternoon in the side chamber, when Qiao Yu had probed her with some hesitation, asking, "How are your relations with your father and mother?", she had answered without the slightest hesitation:

"My relationship with my parents is exceedingly good, but the grace of upbringing cannot surpass the grace of birth. I have been separated from my biological parents since childhood. If I ever have the chance to set my eyes on the two elders again, I would die without any regrets."

This was precisely why she had chosen to inform Madam Meng of this matter today.

Otherwise, if the two families compared notes later on, wouldn't the deception be exposed?

Seeing Madam Meng’s anxious expression, Meng Changle soothed her in a gentle tone, "Mother need not worry. If the Qiao family asks about it later, just say that Qingyue is indeed your biological daughter, but because she was separated from you since childhood, you took me into the residence to raise instead."

"Neither Qingyue nor I have ever stepped out of the boudoir since coming of age. Even if the Qiao family harbors suspicions, there is no way for them to verify the truth."

Meng Changle had arranged every single detail thoroughly. At this moment, her mind and eyes were completely filled with the glory of becoming a prince's consort; she was already impervious to any persuasion.

Madam Meng fell into a prolonged daze.

Along with the anxiety over her daughter taking such a perilous risk, there was also a faint, indescribably awkward sensation—although their Marquis residence was not among the very top tier of noble households, they were still a proper family of marquises.

For their own daughter to stoop so eagerly to acknowledge others as her parents...

To say her heart didn't ache would be a lie.

Yet, when she came to her senses and met Meng Changle’s eager gaze, Madam Meng found herself unable to utter a refusal. After a long while, she could only let out a low sigh and voice her final doubt: "Then who on earth is the Qiao family's true biological daughter?"

A flash of guilt crossed Meng Changle’s face.

Yet it vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving not a trace behind.

Her expression then returned to normal as she smiled and said, "As for that, I wouldn't know. But since she hasn't been found after all these years, I suppose she must have died long ago."

That night, nobody in either the Qiao or Meng residences slept well.

The night was desolate and silent, the wind biting and merciless. It obscured the bright daylight and scattered the serene moonlight. Each had their own schemes; each held their own hidden motives.

Moonlight spilled over sparse yet dense leaves, casting mottled shadows of dark and black that resembled ferocious ghosts fleeing under the cover of night—silent, yet full of sound.

There are no ghosts in the human world, but there is an abundance of beasts wearing human skin. They strive for wealth, plot for power, contend for fame, and seize status. Calculating meticulously and paving every step carefully, they end up hurting others and losing themselves. In the end, it is all a transient dream, leaving only empty regret upon waking.

Early the next morning, the entire family of the Qiao residence arrived at the Meng Residence.

The Grand Duke, Madam Qiao, Qiao Xian, and Qiao Yu appeared neat and complete at the threshold of the Marquis of Huainan's Residence.

The moment she saw them, Madam Meng knew that Changle’s identity was likely already known to everyone.

Unable to describe her state of mind, she stepped forward with a complex heart, wearing her usual smile, "In-law, mother-in-law..."

The Grand Duke and his wife exchanged glances, both seeing hesitation and words left unsaid in each other's eyes.

In-law? Mother-in-law?

How could they still bear such titles now?

Last night, upon discovering that Meng Changle was their daughter, the Grand Duke and his wife had wanted to rush over in the dead of night to recognize her. It was Qiao Yu who had single-handedly stopped them.

"Uncle, Aunt, I know you miss your cousin, but my father gave strict instructions that we must wait until he returns to the capital before making any final decisions."

Before the words could fade, the Grand Duke interrupted in a stern voice. The usually gentle and composed Duke now displayed a hint of anger, "Absurd! Changle is my own flesh and blood daughter. Who needs to make any decisions?"

As for Madam Qiao, it went without saying. Separated from their daughter for over a decade, and now finally receiving news of her whereabouts, how could they not be anxious?

Qiao Yu was so worried he was nearly moved to tears. Looking at the two elders' desperate expressions, Qiao Xian finally stepped forward.

"Father, Mother, even if you miss younger sister, she is right there and cannot run away. What are you panicking about?"

"Why not use this time to first cultivate a bond with sister? When Uncle returns to the capital, we can naturally welcome sister back to the residence. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"