The carriage soon reached the entrance of the Prime Minister's Estate. Xuanling helped Wen Jiu step down and went ahead to announce their arrival. They stood under the sun for a long time, drawing a curious crowd that began whispering and gossiping.
The gate swung open, and a dozen people emerged in small groups—old and young, men and women.
"Jiu'er?"
"Greetings, Prime Minister. I am Wen Jiu, and this is Xuanling. I have returned."
"Silly child, this is your father, I am your mother, and this is your brother, Wen Xi. This is your eldest sister, Wen Ziqi, that is your younger brother, Wen Moliang, and this is your..."
"Master Prime Minister, my young lady is struggling to stand. She is still nursing injuries."
"Xuanling..."
"Please forgive my father, but I have been delicate since childhood. My master never allowed me to stand for long. Could we perhaps attend to the formalities another day?"
"My young lady hasn't eaten anything for days..."
"Xuanling, say no more."
"My, it seems this legitimate daughter hasn't had an easy life."
"What legitimate daughter? Isn't the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Estate the legitimate one?"
"What do you know? This Second Miss is the true, legitimately born daughter of the Prime Minister's Estate, born a day earlier than the one inside the house. Her mother was the legitimate daughter of the Protectorate General's Estate, Su Zhuohua—a noble lady famous throughout the Capital."
"Oh? It's her? I've only just arrived in the Capital and don't know much. But this Second Miss doesn't seem to have spent any time in the Prime Minister's Estate. What about her mother? I recall the current mistress is surnamed Xue."
"Rumor has it she passed away shortly after giving birth to twins. Such a tragedy."
Upon hearing this, Lady Xie felt as if she were being constantly reminded that she was merely a concubine who had been elevated to the position of wife. Masking her feelings, she stepped forward to take Wen Jiu’s hand. "Good child, you've suffered. Dinner is already prepared. Let us go inside—you are home now. You don't need to be afraid anymore."
"Are you my brother?" Wen Jiu studied Wen Xi, staring directly at him.
"Greetings, sister." He chuckled, but he remained standing beside Wen Ziqi without moving an inch, his demeanor cold and detached.
Wen Jiu felt a wave of disappointment. It seemed he had been raised to be useless; even his back was hunched. Upon entering the gates of the Prime Minister's Estate, she was met not with gaudy opulence, but with a sense of vastness. The house was grand, low-key yet luxurious, with a layout and decor that could only be described as magnificent.
"Jiu'er, let’s go see Grandmother first. The old lady must be getting anxious waiting."
Wen Jiu thought to herself, *Isn't this the typical trope from those dramas? When a stepmother wants to make things difficult, she trots out the old lady.* She, however, remained indifferent.
After several twists and turns, they reached Songmo Courtyard. The head maidservant was already waiting at the entrance. "Is the eldest daughter back?"
*Eldest daughter?* Was this a deliberate slight to assert dominance?
"Mistress is confused. This is the Second Miss. She has arrived."
The head maidservant hurried forward, reaching out to touch Wen Jiu. "You are too thin. Eldest daughter, I held you when you were just born. The Old Madam has finally had her wish fulfilled after all these years."
"Mistress, this is the Second..." Lady Xie began, but was cut off.
"Eldest daughter, follow me inside quickly. The Old Madam is about to wear her eyes out waiting for you."
*What is this game?* Wen Jiu looked at Xuanling, who shook her head.
If the Old Madam truly cared so much, why had there never been any aid or support sent to them? Anyone can put on a show.
"Old Madam, the eldest daughter has returned." The maidservant’s eyes were brimming with tears.
"My Jiu'er, my dear child!" The Old Madam ignored everything and pulled Wen Jiu into a tight embrace. Wen Jiu felt the warmth on her face—it was the warmth of an elderly woman.
*Why? How could it be like this?*
Wen Jiu felt uncomfortable and pulled away to offer a formal bow. "Grandmother, I hope you are well. Your unfilial granddaughter has returned."
"Yes, yes, yes. You've returned. As long as you're back, it's enough. Have you met your brother?"
"I have met my brother, sister, and younger brother. I have not met the others, and I do not know their names. Please forgive my weak constitution, Grandmother."
"What is wrong with your health? I have been sending you precious medicinal herbs every month—did you not consume them?"
"Mother, Jiu'er is hungry. Let’s have dinner!"
Wen Jiu understood now. If the old lady had been sending precious herbs, there must have been money involved as well. Since she had never received them, they must have been intercepted or embezzled by a middleman. It seemed the Old Madam wasn't the stereotypical grandmother from the dramas; at the very least, she seemed to have some genuine affection for her. The depth of that bond, however, remained to be seen.
The only clear targets were the stepmother and her three children.
*Very well.* There would always be loose ends. The assassination attempts likely originated from them as well, though she wasn't certain if they were entirely responsible. *Patience.* That wretched organization had already been wiped out by them, leaving behind only the cryptic mention of "the powerful in the Capital." *Hmph. Just wait. My master did not die in vain.*
"What herbs?" Xuanling asked suddenly.
"Xuanling."
"Let her speak." The Old Madam commanded with an air of natural authority.
"Old Madam, we never saw any herbs. Every time my young lady fell ill, our Master had to travel to the mountains to gather medicine—it took a full day to go and return."
"What did you say?"
"Grandmother, that is all in the past." Of course, later on, except for extremely rare herbs, her master had been able to supply everything they needed without ever leaving the mountains.
"Investigate this! I want to know where the herbs and silver I sent over these past ten years went! I kept wondering why I hadn't received a single letter from Jiu'er in all these years—it turns out they were never delivered! I will see who is responsible for this!" She turned to look at Lady Xie. "Mother, let Jiu'er eat something first. Look at her—she is thin as a reed and hasn't eaten in days."
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam hurried her toward the dining hall, ignoring all notions of etiquette. She didn't even allow her time to wash or change. The Prime Minister and his wife dared not object, and the younger generation dared not complain. As for the concubines' children, they were of no concern.
Everyone now realized that this Second Miss, raised in isolation, was the apple of the Old Madam's eye.
"First wife, now that Jiu'er is back, it is time to make her status official."
"What do you mean, Mother? Jiu'er has always been an official daughter of the Prime Minister's Estate."
"Is that so? Lady Xie, are you aware that she is the legitimate daughter?"
"Mother..." The Prime Minister began, but hesitated.
"Speak! Say it today! When I was away and Jiu'er was sent away, I was powerless to stop it. Now that she has returned, I demand an explanation."
"Mother, Jiu'er has just returned. This is a joyous occasion. Can we avoid this topic for now?" Lady Xie tried to intervene.
"Grandmother, my sister has only just arrived. Please let her settle in first, right, brother?" Wen Ziqi asked, pulling on Wen Xi.
"Yes, Grandmother."
Seeing the Old Madam outnumbered, Xuanling spoke up. "The Old Madam’s point is this: if the young lady is the eldest and legitimate daughter, why was she sent away for over a decade? Why was she ignored? Does this imply she was only brought back because she was finally useful? That would be a great injustice to her. Though our master did not have many servants, he loved our young lady with all his heart."
Wen Jiu said nothing, keeping her head down as she ate.
"Is this any place for you to speak? Get out!" Wen Ziqi snapped angrily.
"Back home, I always shared meals with the young lady. The rules here are strict, but my young lady deserves fairness. If it is like this, why keep bringing her back?"
"Xuanling, how insolent."
Xuanling stepped back.
"Please don't take offense, everyone. Xuanling grew up with me and I have indulged her too much. Grandmother, please forgive us."
"Silly child, your maidservant surely feels you have been wronged, which is why she spoke up. However, it is against the rules for a servant to interrupt when the masters are talking."
"How would you like to punish her, Grandmother?"
"Ten lashes, perhaps?"
"Grandmother, could a blade count for more than ten lashes?"
"Surely it coul..."
*Pfft.*