Reincarnation and Rebirth

“Xuanyu, you’re not the kind of person who makes baseless accusations.” Old Madam Xiao frowned. “I know that because of your mother’s situation, you’ve always hated men taking concubines and those women who wanted to become concubines. But Xuanyu, men have always been able to have three wives and four concubines. We can’t change that. If you’re going to complain, you should complain about those heartless men who favor their concubines over their wives.”

Madam Ji lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Madam. I... I don't know why, but when I see Miss Su next door, I'm so worried that she'll go astray. I'm so confused. I don't know why I care about her so much."

Old Madam Xiao and Madam Xiao exchanged a smile and said, "Then do you think Miss Su is that kind of person?"

Madam Ji looked up blankly, pondered for a moment, and shook her head. "She doesn't seem like that kind of woman to me, but... but..."

"But you've seen her showing her face in public and having contact with other men, so you're worried?"

Worried? Yes, worried. She was so worried about this beautiful young woman, following in her mother's footsteps.

“Xuanyu, I know that your mother’s death was a huge blow to you, which is why you were so focused on revenge. But now that the Song family is gone, you should let go of your hatred.”

Old Madam Xiao gradually fell into her memories. "Back then, if I hadn't been pregnant with Yun Shen and resting at home, I would have stopped your maternal grandfather from marrying your mother into the Song family no matter what. The Song family is hardly a good family. They made their fortune by running a few brothels. They have no clean hands. It's a pity that your mother was deceived by your father's appearance and entered the Song family. Alas."

"Since my aunt died, although the Jiang family was not implicated, it has never regained its former glory. My maternal grandfather set his sights on my mother in order to revive the Jiang family. However, even so, he could not help the Jiang family. On the contrary, my mother was trapped in that cage all her life. She only realized it before she died and hastily arranged a marriage for me with the Ji family. It's just a pity that good people don't live long. My husband..." Thinking of this, Madam Ji shed tears again.

“Xuanyu, so much time has passed, you should let it go. People should always look forward. Now that you have enough to eat and wear, it’s time to plan for yourself.”

"Madam, let's wait until we find my cousin before we talk about it. This is Mother's last wish."

"You little rascal, you're just like your mother," Old Madam Xiao said with a smile, shaking her head.

"By the way, Madam, you just said you had news about my cousin?"

"Xuanyu, you've been in the shop the whole time, have you seen Miss Su's mother next door?"

Madam Ji frowned in thought, then shook her head. "I've seen her back a few times, but her mother rarely appears. She says she's at home making perfume."

Suddenly, Madam Ji raised her head, her eyes red and her lips trembling slightly. "Their surname is Su, Madam. What do you mean? Is it what I think?"

Madam Xiao gently patted the back of her hand. "It was just a guess. But when you mentioned Black Tiger Stronghold, I was half certain. The former head of the Su family, Miss Su's grandfather, was indeed from Black Tiger Stronghold. Fortunately, they've severed ties. Miss Su's mother is the same age as your aunt's lost daughter. Most importantly, don't you think Miss Su bears a striking resemblance to your mother and aunt's portraits?"

Overwhelmed with joy, Madam Ji exclaimed, "No wonder, no wonder! No wonder I had a different feeling when I first met this Miss Su! No wonder I was so harsh on her! No wonder, it turns out she is my cousin's daughter!"

“Xuanyu, the matter hasn’t been investigated clearly yet, so it’s best not to jump to conclusions. Also, your cousin’s identity cannot be known to outsiders, so you need to control your emotions.”

"Don't worry, Madam, Xuanyu understands. So, what should we do next?"

Madam Xiao smiled, "Next month will be my fiftieth birthday. I have some acquaintance with Miss Su, so I will invite her whole family to the banquet. You can take a look and see what her mother looks like. As for Sunset City, I have already sent people to investigate."

"Thank you, Madam," Madam Ji said, her voice choked with emotion.

“Sisi is my best friend, and her husband is a close friend of my master. He repeatedly told me to find the orphan of the Wang family. Now we finally have some leads. This way, I won’t feel guilty when I go down to see them.”

"Mother, what are you saying? Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, that's bad luck."

"Madam, you will surely live to be a hundred years old."

Madam Xiao chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not that easy to die. I'm still waiting to see Shan'er and An'er grow up, and to see my brat get married and have children."

Madam Ji was amused. "Madam, Yun Ting's marriage hasn't been settled yet?"

"Hey, that brat, he acts like he doesn't even have that idea."

Madam Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "He has always been the Emperor's study companion. Doesn't that person intend to bestow a marriage upon him?"

Madam Xiao narrowed her eyes. "A marriage decree? Heh, I'm afraid they haven't found a suitable woman." Finding a woman who has neither power nor influence, yet is worthy of the Xiao family's status, is probably not easy.

Upon hearing this, all three fell silent. Everyone knew that this new emperor was even more suspicious than the previous emperor, something they had all noticed since he was the crown prince.

Madam Xiao's eyes suddenly lit up. "Mother, I saw Yun Ting and Miss Su getting along quite well last time."

Madam Xiao was taken aback, then overjoyed. "Yes, yes, this is the first time I've ever seen Yun Ting take the initiative to talk to a young lady."

As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got into their conversation, Madam Ji frowned and said, "Madam, according to seniority, Wan'er should call Yun Ting 'Uncle'?"

The room fell silent instantly.

Madam Ji was also a little embarrassed. "Haha, well, that's not necessarily true. There's no blood relation to them, and besides, Miss Su's identity is still undetermined."

“Yes, yes, there is no blood relation, no, no…” Madam Xiao quickly echoed.

Madam Xiao waved her hand, "We are not stubborn people. The most important thing right now is to confirm the child's identity. If it is true... this news must not be spread."

Madam Ji quickly replied, "Don't worry, Madam, I understand."

Su Wan'er, whom they were discussing, was currently with Xiao Yun at the slave trader, choosing servants for her family to help with household chores.

"Su Wan'er? What bad luck, I keep running into you everywhere." Chen's shrill voice rang out, and Su Wan'er frowned. She really was a persistent ghost.

"Oh, Madam Su, why have you come in person? If you need anything, I can send someone to your residence."

Chen's lips curled up, her face brimming with undisguised smugness. Send it to her residence? How could she then enjoy the fawning from others? Didn't she see how everyone had treated her with utmost respect along the way?

Su Wan'er shook her head. This truly exemplifies the saying "even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven," and "a petty person gains power, but one whose virtue does not match their position."

Su Wan'er ignored Chen Shi and turned to continue selecting servants. Chen Shi, however, persisted and reached out to push Su Wan'er.

Just then, Xiaoyun suddenly stepped in front of Su Wan'er, and Chen Shi missed her target. "You little slut, how dare you block my way!" Chen Shi was furious and embarrassed.

Su Wan'er said coldly, "Madam Su, please watch your words and actions. This is not a place for you to run wild. After all, you are the birth mother of the Imperial Noble Consort. Aren't you afraid of losing face for the royal family by doing this?"

Chen was angry, anxious, and panicked. She gritted her teeth and glared angrily, looking just like a toad.

The old nanny next to Chen was given to her by Zi Xingchen at Su Qing'er's request. She was a palace nanny who knew the rules very well. She stood next to Chen and whispered, "Madam, please don't get angry or lose your composure."

Chen was a bully who preyed on the weak and feared the strong; she obeyed the words of the old woman from the palace without question.

"Hmph, I, this lady, would never stoop to the level of a country bumpkin like her."

Su Wan'er had chosen her servants and was about to leave when Madam Chen glared at her fiercely from behind and said to the slave trader, "Those few, our General's Mansion will take them."

The man with the tooth was a little flustered. "Madam, these people have already been bought."

"Do you know who I am? I've said it, I want those few."

Su Wan'er raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you sure? If you want them, it's not impossible to sell them to you. However, these people's indentures are currently in my hands. If you want them, you'll have to buy them from me. I won't ask for much. The maids are fifty taels each, the servants are sixty taels each, and this steward, whom I carefully selected, will cost you 100 taels. All these people together don't amount to much, only 710 taels. I'll give your elder brother a discount and give me 700 taels."