41

Qiao Xian understood his father's and mother's concerns and worries very well.

Therefore, these words struck precisely at what they had in mind.

The two of them looked at each other, feeling that there was some truth to it. If they were to rashly acknowledge their kinship now, and Changles refused to pay any attention to the two old folks, wouldn't it be even more heartbreaking then?

Only...

Madame Qiao cast a suspicious glance at Qiao Xian.

She knew this son of hers quite well; his longing for his sister was by no means a single fraction less than her own.

How could it be that now that they had truly found his sister, he was hesitating and worrying instead?

Filled with doubt, Madame Qiao ultimately concluded that Qiao Xian simply could not accept the truth of his fiancée turning into his biological sister overnight, which was why he was taking so long to come to terms with it.

If that were truly the case, then as a mother who loved her son and daughter equally, she really needed to give Xian'er some time to digest the matter.

With this thought, she half-heartedly went along with it, agreeing to wait until Qiao Yu's father returned to the capital before making a final decision.

On the other side, Meng Changle, full of triumph and confident of success, had calculated everything except for the fact that Qiao Yu was not the one who could make the decisions.

As for the true identity of the Duke's daughter, it would naturally be decided by the person who held the final authority.

Eager to find their daughter, the Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo wasted no time early this morning, bringing their entire household along as they hurried over to the Marquis of Huainan's residence.

"Where is Changle? Why is Changle not here?"

As soon as she stepped into the Meng residence, Madame Qiao looked around anxiously, searching for Meng Changle.

Madame Meng knew full well what was going on, but she merely kept a composed expression and remained silent.

It was the Marquis of Huainan who stepped forward with a smile, welcoming them, "Changle is changing her clothes and will be here shortly. Please take a seat for a moment, in-laws."

Lord Qiao and Madame Qiao sat down, forcing themselves to be patient, but beneath their deliberately calm expressions lay an unconcealable anxiety and anticipation.

It was as if some long-lost, peerless treasure was finally about to return to their side.

Only Qiao Xian showed not a shred of the joyful expression his parents wore; instead, he crossed his arms, looking completely uninterested.

In truth, Madame Qiao's guess was correct: he really did find it somewhat difficult to accept the reality that his fiancée had become his sister.

What made it even more unacceptable to him was that the sister he had thought of for so long, yearned for so deeply, and dreamed of every single night, turned out to be such a person...

Such a calculating and heartless person who stood by and did nothing when her own flesh and blood was bullied by the Imperial Noble Consort.

She was the vicious and ruthless person who had feigned grief and put on a hypocritical act to win sympathy after her sister fell off a cliff!

How could someone like this possibly be Qiao Xian's sister?

If she were just a fiancée, he could simply break off the engagement after seeing through her true colors; but unfortunately, she was his sister.

She was his sister, connected to him by flesh and blood, with bones breaking and tendons linking them together.

Not only was Qiao Xian forbidden from disliking her, but he was even required to love and cherish her?

What kind of logic was that!

Thinking along these lines, Qiao Xian felt increasingly resentful in his heart. Therefore, even when Meng Changle gracefully walked out leaning on the hand of a little maid, he merely glanced at her and failed to react in any way.

The Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo, however, immediately felt their eyes turn red.

"Changle..." Madame Qiao's eyes grew misty with tears as she reached out a hand, yet she did not dare to touch the daughter who was now within arm's reach.

She just gazed at her like that, staring intently, the maternal tenderness in her eyes melting into infinite gentleness, yet no matter how long she looked, she could never get enough of her Changle.

Her Changle!

Her poor Changle, who had been separated from her family by the ends of the earth at the tender age of three, and had never been blessed to enjoy the bond between mother and daughter.

"Child... you have suffered..." Before Madame Qiao could finish her sentence, tears streamed down her face.

The Marquis of Huainan glanced at Madame Meng, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Madame Meng smiled faintly and remained silent, though a layer of darkness deepened within the depths of her eyes.

Meng Changle wore a serene expression, carrying a smile of innocence and naivety as she asked, "About what happened yesterday between A-xian and my younger sister... Although A-xian was abrupt, when all is said and done, my younger sister is also not entirely blameless. Aunt, you need not trouble your heart over this matter."

Madame Qiao was momentarily stunned, and then the conviction in her heart grew even deeper.

This silly child still didn't know the truth even now, foolishly thinking that she was agonizing over the Lantern Festival incident.

She truly was sincere, pure, and filled with deep feeling.

For a moment, the gaze she directed at Meng Changle grew even gentler and warmer.

Pretending not to notice, Meng Changle shifted her gaze slightly toward Qiao Xian, who had remained expressionless from the very beginning, and said in a soft tone, "A-xian, you need not blame yourself for this either. It is only human to lose one's composure occasionally, and I am not angry."

...

Madame Qiao burst into tears of even greater emotion.

Look at this child, how sensible and considerate she was.

Clearly, she was the one who had been wronged, yet she maintained such a magnanimous and forgiving demeanor, taking everyone else's feelings into consideration.

With tear-filled eyes, Madame Qiao tightly grasped Meng Changle's hand, wishing she could instantly take her back to the estate and have her call her mother right then and there.

"Daugh—"

Madame Qiao had barely started speaking when she was coldly interrupted by Qiao Xian. He sneered as he looked at Meng Changle, seemingly unable to hold back his sarcasm any longer. "Meng Changle, what are you putting on an act for? Clearly, you've wanted to break off the engagement with me for a long time, yet you deliberately put on a look as though the whole world owes you something. Meng Changle, do you have any shame left?"

...

Meng Changle's figure swayed slightly, as if she had suffered a devastating blow. She bit her lip, holding her head up stubbornly while tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

This sight softened Madame Qiao's heart completely.

She immediately turned her head and rebuked Qiao Xian angrily, "What kind of crazy talk are you spouting! Qiao Xian, apologize to... to your sister Changle right now!"

"Apologize? What on earth do I have to apologize to her for?"

The look Qiao Xian directed at Meng Changle became increasingly cold. If she were still his fiancée, there were some things he would rather keep to himself.

But now, since she had become his sister, as an elder brother witnessing his sister's improper words and actions, was he not even allowed to lecture her a couple of times?

Therefore, his expression grew even icier: "Did I say something wrong? Meng Changle, at the palace banquet that day, you stood by and said not a single word while watching your sister suffer such humiliation. It wasn't until Prince Zhao arrived that you suddenly seemed to come back to life, starting to plead and speak up for your sister—oh, anyone who didn't know the truth would really praise you for being such a good sister! But did you think I was blind standing right beside you? The way you fawned over Prince Zhao and flirted with him with your eyes, wasn't it simply because you had set your sights on the high status of Prince Zhao's estate? Since you had already climbed up to such a high branch long ago, why bother putting on this act of deep, unyielding devotion to me here now..."

Madame Qiao struck Qiao Xian across the face with a hard slap, her expression one of utter fury. "Qiao Xian, we are in the Meng residence today! I originally wanted to spare you some dignity, but who gave you permission to speak to Changle like that? What do you think you are?"

"Who is climbing high branches? Who is flirting with their eyes? Before you open your mouth to speak, remember Changle's identity! Look across the entire capital of young lords and nobles, even among imperial princes and dukes, is there anyone unworthy of Changle's hand?"