Chapter 209
The name and location sounded familiar, causing Madam Mu to stop abruptly in her tracks.
Her brow knitted and she began to ponder where she had heard the word “zijin” before.
But Mu Cheng had already gone into the courtyard, and in a matter of seconds, she could not even see her back.
Without a summons, Madam Mu did not dare to stay here any longer.
She could not think clearly before she left at a fast pace.
After returning to her room, Madam Mu thought for a long time more before she finally remembered.
Wasn’t the name of the adopted daughter of the Ying family in Shanghai the same two words?
But an adopted daughter’s name that could come out of Mu Cheng’s mouth?
It still sounded as if Mu Heqing was going to find it himself.
Madam Mu didn’t think it was at all likely.
But she had always been cautious and would not let the slightest hint of wind slip through her fingers.
After thinking about it for a long time, Madam Mu called Shanghai City.
She didn’t ask about the Ying family, she asked Mu Shenzhou directly.
After all, what she wanted was accurate information.
If the Ying family exaggerated, she would not be able to judge.
When she heard the name “Ying Zidian”, Mu Shenzhou froze for a moment.
“She?” Then his tone lightened, “She’s nothing personal, her strength comes from the Zhong and Fu families.”
The Zhong family, Madam Mu did know what was going on.
Ying Ziji was the adopted daughter of the Ying family, but Master Zhong had treated her quite well.
She had never had the heart to bother with the affairs of other families.
But the Fu family?
Madam Mu remembered that when Mu Heqing was young, she had spent some time in Shanghai and had some friendship with the Fu family.
As she thought about it, Mu Shenzhou spoke again, “There are several young masters in the Fu family, and the one who is seventh in line is a playboy, but he is most favoured by Master Fu, so he is also arrogant.”
It was no secret that he had come to Shanghai from the imperial capital, and word had long spread in the celebrity circles of Shanghai.
Mu Shenzhou was not socially inclined, but he did not resist either, so he had befriended quite a few of the thousand-year-old gentry.
Naturally, he also heard about the incident that happened at Century Mall.
Even his elder brother and sister-in-law were able to order him around casually, so he was indeed spoiled by Master Zhong.
He was not interested in getting to know such a person.
Mu Shenzhou had the same senses about Ying Zigui.
Only, he was more disappointed.
“Ying Zidian is following him, but she gets quite good grades at school and is quite popular.”
Hearing this, Madam Mu didn’t ask any more questions, knowing what the situation was.
Self-important people with little strength of their own, relying on others, would not last long after all.
This kind of person, and how do they deserve to have a relationship with the Mu family.
**
The sun dipped in the west and gradually set over the sea level.
There were more people coming to this island, especially in the bounty area, and there were many people coming in and out.
Ying Ziji looked around, and there were no herbs she needed, so she didn’t stay there much longer.
After separating from Yunshan, she took off the human skin mask Fu Yunshen had given her and changed into a different make-up.
Although her disguise was simply make-up, she was able to conceal it from the detection equipment.
When she went to Norton University, she had also made several new identity documents specifically for the occasion and pa*sed through customs without any problems.
However, two hours had pa*sed and Fifth Moon and Fifth Wind, the siblings, were still following her and not leaving.
However, she didn’t chase them away either.
“By the way, young lady, what’s your name?” Fifth Moon finally remembered something quite important, “I haven’t seen you on this island hey, you just arrived?”
Ying didn’t respond, but looked up, “How long have you been here?”
There were permanent residents on the island, quite a few.
But in order to get the resident resident’s qualification, one had to have a growth value in the nok forum, which was above 100,000.
Growth value, being expendable, is slow to save up, but can be consumed quickly.
“Not too long, not too long, it’s only two months.” Fifth Moon waved her hand and sighed sadly again, “But it’s been so long and I still haven’t earned enough money for the journey home.”
She was bereft, “Brother, the people here are really not good at all at scamming, unlike when we were in the imperial capital, those douchebags, they really are a good scam, easily 100,000 to the bank.”
Fifth Wind patted his clothes that were no different from a beggar’s, with a profound look, not saying anything.
“Young lady, you don’t mind.” Fifth Moon held her forehead, “My brother he has a problem with his brain and is slow to react.”
Ying Ziyi nodded, “You have two other siblings?”
Although Fifth Moon was a jumpy person, she was definitely not really stupid.
If not, she wouldn’t have closed her fortune telling stall so neatly.
“There are.” Fifth Moon broke her fingers, “I also have a brother called Fifth Flower and a sister called Fifth Snow.”
Ying Zigui gave her a look.
This way of naming, there was no doubt about the waste.
“My brother and I were thrown here by my grandfather.” Fifth Moon didn’t hide anything, “His old man let us exercise here, young lady, if you hadn’t generously transferred me five hundred yuan, my brother and I would have starved to death today.”
Ying Ziji was slightly silent for a moment.
She remembered something quite long ago.
The last time she was on Earth, she had only stayed in China for less than three years.
Or before she left, she had gone for an impromptu stroll.
At that time, it was still the period of the imperial dynasty, but it was nearing its end.
She had taken on a few disciples and pa*sed on some of the abilities she knew.
One of them, was the fifth youngest string.
Trigonometry is not something that can be understood by learning a little and reading books like Zhou Yi or Mei Hua Yi Numerology.
Like ancient martial arts and ancient medicine, it requires talent.
Fifth Shaoxing was extremely gifted in trigonometry, and was even able to deduce such great events as the national fortune.
But equally, because they have peeked into the future or altered karma, the life span of a trigonometrist is also very short.
The first time she saw the fifth youngest string, she already saw his life expectancy.
36 years.
It is too difficult to change longevity, especially for the diviner himself.
If a fortune teller were to change their longevity, the life span of their loved ones would be reduced accordingly, and they would suffer undeserved disasters.
This is why, generally speaking, fortune-tellers do not do so.
But when she left Earth, Fifth Shao-string was still only in her early twenties, and what happened after that, she didn’t know anymore.
And right now, she was not able to calculate things that far back.
Ying Ziyi turned her head: “Have you heard of it, the name Fifth Shao-string.”
“Fifth Shao-string? So familiar.” Fifth Moon scratched her head and bumped Fifth Wind’s arm, “Brother, who is it, do you remember?”
It took a full thirty seconds for Fifth Wind to respond.
His speech was also very slow, so anxious that Fifth Moon wanted to smack him, “The old ancestor.”
“Ah yes, yes, yes, old ancestor!” With such a reminder, Fifth Moon also remembered, “He is my grandfather’s grandfather’s I don’t know how many grandfathers, but he died young, sigh, forget it, our family traditionally doesn’t live very long anyway, my grandfather can’t even get out of bed anymore.”
She blinked, “Young lady, how do you know the names of our family’s old ancestors?”
Although in the imperial capital, the Fifth Family was on par with the Nie and Mu families.
But in truth, in the past ten years or so, fewer and fewer people knew about the Fifth Family, and there were still many people who thought they were frauds.
She and the Fifth Wind, were from the Fifth Family’s direct line, the Fifth Shao-string line, which had been pa*sed down.
“Counted out.”
“……”
The corners of Fifth Moon’s mouth twitched, “Young lady, you really do look like a godly man.”
“Okay.” After confirming this, Ying Ziji’s eyebrows loosened for a few moments, and also returned the generosity, “If you guys want to go back to China, I can give you a free ride.”
**
China, Shanghai City.
Ever since she was locked up for fifteen days in the detention centre and received a warning from Ying Tianru, Zhong Manhua had been quiet for a long time.
But even though Zhong Manhua had the intention to conceal this matter, the news of her detention had spread to many people.
These days, all those noblewomen who used to flatter her have taken a detour when they see her.
Zhong Manhua had never received such aggravation before.
However, Ying Tianru simply ignored her.
In the past few days, she had been dragging Ying Yuexuan to talk to her every day.
Even if Ying Yuexuan listened to Zhong Manhua again, she was tired of it, but she couldn’t refuse.
“Mom, my sister is not at school, I have looked for her, you did that kind of thing, don’t bother her either.” Ying Yuexuan held back, still respectful, “Can you not be so prejudiced? You know so many things, and I guess you’ve heard one thing from others.”
“Yes, I know, it’s my fault for being biased, but can I be blamed for that?” When I mentioned it, Zhong Manhua was still sad, “She’s obviously my own child, but she’s not as good as you, I can’t even teach her, I want my daughter to become a phoenix, how is that wrong?”
Outside the door, Ying Tianru’s hand pressed on the door.
Chapter 210
Inside the bedroom, the conversation continued.
“How come everything is not as good as me?” Ying Yuexuan said, “My attainments in calligraphy and painting are not as high as my sister’s, and I can’t even get a foot in the door of the Chinese Calligraphy Artists’ a*sociation.”
Zhong Manhua did not feel comforted.
Her voice was almost resentful: “What about besides that? What else? Yes, there was the piano, and that recital was very good indeed, playing a Vera Hall piece.”
“But that’s all the stuff a famous woman should know, and she knows it and doesn’t even talk to me about it, and you tell her to study, to do research like you do, will she? Does she ever listen to me?”
If it were normal, she would have been overjoyed that Ying could do this, and her face would have shone.
But she hadn’t even had time to enjoy the glory, and then she said she was going to break off her relationship with them.
At first, both Zhong Manhua and Ying Zhending thought that Ying Zidian was just playing a little temper and would come back in tears sooner or later.
But two months had pa*sed, and they had not even seen Ying Zidian’s face.
Zhong Manhua tried to ask Master Zhong for help, but he turned her away.
The way the other siblings in the Zhong family looked at her embarra*sed her to no end.
Ying Yuexuan was stunned to hear this, “A recital?”
The name Vera Hall was not unknown to anyone who had been exposed to music.
If Ying Yuexuan had played a piano piece by Vera Hall, the music world would have exploded and the video would have been circulating on the internet.
But she was abroad and she hadn’t heard any news about it at all.
Strange.
“Mom, everyone’s strengths are different.” Ying Yuexuan didn’t bother to look deeper, she pressed on with her last patience, “My sister is good at art, you should be satisfied, I have an a*signment I forgot at school, I’ll go and pick it up.”
Zhong Manhua was more concerned about her studies and was about to stand up too, “I’ll see you off then.”
“No need.” Ying Yuexuan couldn’t avoid it, “Mum, if you have a headache, you’d better rest more.”
She got up and went out, closing the door behind her before she let out a sigh of relief.
But when she looked up, she saw Ying Tianru standing against the wall.
Seeing her come out, he turned his head
Ying Yuexuan’s heartbeat came to a standstill in an instant.
“Brother?”
Even though she knew that such a thought was wrong.
But the first thing that came to her mind was whether Ying Tianru had heard the conversation she had just had with Zhong Manhua.
If so ……
There was no change in Ying Tianru’s expression.
As usual, his eyebrows were indifferent.
He raised his jaw; “Is Ma mentally unstable again?”
More than sixteen years ago, after the baby was lost, Zhong Manhua’s spirit had suffered a severe blow.
Over the years, she had also seen many psychiatrists and taken a lot of medication, but she had never been completely cured.
It was said to be too traumatic and had not been treated in time.
“A bit.” Ying Yuexuan bowed her head, “Mom is really a bit unbelievable.”
At the same time, she let out a slight sigh of relief.
It seemed that Ying Tianru hadn’t heard, if she had, she wouldn’t have been so calm.
“Hmm.” Ying Tianru glanced at the watch on his wrist, “I’m not going to be home for the next few days, so if you can’t stand Mum, you can stay at school first.”
Ying Yuexuan hesitated for a moment, “Brother, can’t I stay at your place?”
Ying Tianru also had a flat in the city centre.
In the past, she would live there too.
“You are a big girl now, even though we are brother and sister, we have to avoid suspicion.” Ying Tianru smiled, his tone light, “I have friends coming over there too, it’s not convenient.”
Ying Yuexuan was a bit lost, but didn’t say anything, “Then brother, you go and get busy.”
Ying Tianru nodded and didn’t go in to greet Zhong Manhua.
He went downstairs, picked up the car keys and went out.
However, he didn’t drive the car.
He sat on the driver’s seat and lit a cigarette.
Looking closely, his fingers were trembling.
More than sixteen years ago, he was also only five years old and did not remember things very well.
All he remembered was that his sister had been lost and the family was in a mess.
After ten days, his sister was found again.
But now it seems clear that she was not found.
His own sister, who had been stranded for sixteen years.
It was hard to come home only to find that she had been replaced.
First name, nickname, birthday, identity, nothing left.
And, to be the living blood bank of his own aunt.
Ying Tianru could not even imagine how Ying Zigui had managed to survive that year.
At first he really thought that Zhong Manhua and Ying Zhending had adopted Ying Zidian because they looked alike and they saw eye to eye.
But this was his own sister, and in the end, not only did she not get any affection, but she was also given the title of adopted daughter.
As he listened to the conversation between Ying Yuexuan and Zhong Manhua today, he suddenly realised that Ying Yuexuan knew about it.
At least knew before she did.
But she didn’t say anything.
Even if Ying Tianru knew that there was nothing wrong with Ying Yuexuan and that she was small at first, he could not blame her.
But when he thought that what belonged to Ying Yuexuan had been taken over by her, he could not accept it at all.
At the same age, Ying Yuexuan was suffering in the countryside and could not even afford to wear a good dress.
Ying Yuexuan, on the other hand, grew up with everyone’s love and affection, was well clothed and fed, and was able to develop her own interests.
The contrast between the two was even more shocking.
Ying Tianru took a deep breath, barely suppressing the waves of emotions that rolled over him.
Then he turned the steering wheel and stepped on the accelerator.
**
Forty minutes later.
The Zhong family residence.
Ying Tianru got out of the car and just happened to see someone coming out of the mansion.
He took a look and was a little surprised: “Uncle Haiyan?”
“Tianliu.” Zhong Haiyan was also surprised, “You’ve come back too?”
“Yes, I’ve just returned.” Ying Tianru nodded, “You are?”
Zhong Haiyan had been working abroad and would only return to the Zhong family during the New Year.
“It’s nothing.” Zhong Haiyan shook the marriage certificate in his hand, “Going to do the divorce formalities.”
“Divorce?” Ying Tianru was stunned, “You’re divorcing your aunt?”
“Not your aunt anymore.” Mentioning Mrs. Zhong, Zhong Haiyan’s expression cooled considerably, “The matter is a bit complicated, uncle will talk to you when the time comes.”
Ying Tianru also had urgent matters, so he didn’t ask any more questions.
He went into the old mansion and immediately went to the study to look for Old Master Zhong.
“Grandpa.” Ying Tianru got straight to the point, “Did you know a long time ago that Ziji was my sister?”
Master Zhong was reading the information, when he heard this, he looked up, very calmly; “You knew?”
Ying Tianru pressed his head and laughed under his breath, “I heard it by accident, Grandpa, why didn’t you tell me?”
“What’s the use of talking to you?” Elder Zhong was not salty, “D**key has already left the Ying family, it doesn’t matter if she’s your sister or not.”
“Very important.” Ying Tianru’s hands were pressed on the table, “She’s my sister, how can she be treated as an adopted daughter? Her identity must be announced to the outside world.”
Such things as identity were crucial in the circles of the gentry.
Not to mention adopted daughters, illegitimate daughters don’t even make it onto the family tree.
He really didn’t know why Zhong Manhua and Ying Zhending didn’t mention her as if they hadn’t seen her, when it was clear that she was the real Miss Ying.
“D**key says she doesn’t need it.” Master Zhong sighed and shook his head, “I didn’t think to tell you because I wasn’t sure what your attitude was, in case you were like the two of them, it would have been better not to say anything.”
Ying Tianru was silent for a while: “Grandpa, what is your attitude towards little …… Xuan?”
Whether it was Ying Yuexuan’s first name, or her nickname, or even her birthday on her ID card, they all belonged to Ying Zidian.
This is a real turtledove.
“It won’t be close, nor will it be far away.” Master Zhong was in a complicated mood, “I’ve watched her grow up, and she hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary.”
Ying Tianru exhaled slowly, “But why didn’t she tell me when she knew she wasn’t her own?”
“She knew?” Elder Zhong smiled and his expression changed, “She actually knew?”
“Yes, she knows.” Ying Tianru was faint, “I thought about it for a while, it should be that she knew when Ziggy came back, so she would go over to O Chau.”
Elder Zhong also fell silent.
Ying Yuexuan knew a year in advance, but didn’t tell him, nor did she tell Ying Tianru.
What’s more, she didn’t really leave the Ying family.
She had enjoyed 17 years of other people’s lives, with good clothes and good food.
If Ying Yuexuan insisted on leaving, Zhong Manhua and Ying Zhending would not be able to stop her.
Leaving didn’t mean that there was no kinship left.
Elder Zhong’s feelings were even more complicated.
“It’s just human nature to be afraid of gaining what you lose.” Ying Tianru thought for a long time and sighed softly, “I have the same attitude as you, Grandpa, as long as she does nothing, I will treat her with the same attitude as I would treat an ordinary friend.”
“But what is Ziggy’s, is hers, and cannot be taken by anyone.”
“Grandfather, some time, we’ll have a party and announce her to the outside world.”
**
On the Pacific Ocean.
Ying had not yet left the island, and halfway through, she also called Fu Yunshen to report her safety.
As she was walking, her mobile phone rang again at that moment.
Ying Zidian glanced at the number.
It was still Master Zhong’s number, but she knew that the caller should be Ying Tianru.
She pressed the reject button.
Although the island could not be found on the map, she was also abroad.
Wasting money on international roaming to take calls from unimportant people was not a hobby she had.
For Ying Tianru, she had no contact, nor did she want to.
Apart from the two big areas on the island, the central area and the bounty area, there was one left, the hunter area.
Behind her, the smile in Fifth Moon’s eyes closed, and her voice was a little more solemn as she pointed upwards, “Miss, look.”