Jade Scale Street is located within the Imperial City, where looking up, one can see the towering palace buildings. On one side of the street are numerous scattered houses and small vendors, and on the other side is just an endless brick wall - this entire street belongs to the House of Duke Wen.
The snow on the long street has been swept clean. The vermilion gate of the Duke’s mansion stands wide open. Below the plaque of the House of Duke Wen, which was bestowed by the Emperor, dozens of servants are arrayed on both sides, dressed neatly with their heads lowered and hands folded over their waists. They dare not move even when the chilly snowflakes blow into their collars; they are as disciplined as rows of clay figurines.
Inside Rong'en Hall, the Old Lady Xie, Madam Xu, is half-leaning on the chair back, her aged face sinking into her collar, "Has the time come?"
Old Nanny Zhou hurriedly says, "We have entered the city, and we'll be there soon."
The old lady gave a cold laugh after glancing at a graceful woman below, "Foolish! She didn't realize that her daughter had been switched for over a decade. Even if she is brought back, she is useless now!”
The woman stiffened and bowed her head without saying anything.
Behind Old Lady Xie, a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old is massaging her back. Dressed in a moon-white dress, with slightly sketched-alluring eyebrows, she is indeed a rare beauty.
She smiled slightly, and coaxed softly, "Grandmother, don’t worry. As the old saying goes, each generation has its own blessings. Sister has suffered so much outside, she is finally back. With grandfather and grandmother’s protection, she's bound to turn her luck around."
Her gentle words and soft kneading relaxed the corners of Old Lady Xie's eyes, who smiled and patted her hand in appreciation.
This is Xie Qiongyun, the eldest daughter of Duke Wen and well-known lady in the capital, also the most beloved granddaughter of Madam Xu.
Xie Qiongyun is the eldest daughter from the second branch of the family, fifteen years old. The Duke's house also has a second daughter who is the only legitimate daughter of Duke Wen, Xie Yunbo, who is one year younger than her. She is a talented girl who was raised like a delicate gem by the Duke and Madam.
However, it was revealed that the beloved second daughter of the family is not the true flesh and blood of Duke Wen after a secret of the family saw light. She turned out to be the swapped granddaughter of a matron in the mansion.
The Duchess, Lady Wang, was hit like a bolt from the blue, and immediately fell ill in bed. Duke Wen and his son conducted extensive investigations and with various evidences confirmed that the second daughter was not a family member by blood. The real heiress had fallen into the hands of a village woman who had raised her.
After the truth was revealed, of course, a rectification was needed. Duke Wen was swift and strict. He immediately sent people to Chang'an to bring the true daughter back home.
As for the second daughter in the mansion, although she wasn't the true daughter, they have raised her for fourteen years. The old Duke loves her for her literary talent, Lady Wang appreciates her obedience, and the Duke has a soft spot for her cleverness. Therefore, the second daughter would remain as the second daughter. It will be said that they are twins, and that the frail one had been raised at the country estate. There was naturally a set of explanations for the change in the order of birth.
The news of the true heiress entering the mansion spread, and every household rushed to the Rong'en hall, ready to welcome the Third Miss.
"The Crown Prince and Third Miss have arrived!"
A maid lifted the curtain, and a tall young man strolled in. There was the familiar handsome face of the Crown Prince, Xie Rongyu.
Everyone's gaze naturally fell on the girl who followed him.
She was somewhat dark, hair done up in a bun with broken strands sticking out, her bangs clung greasy and glossy, her body shape was not as good as the girls raised in the mansion, her neck wide, waist round. Clearly, the countryside was not a place conducive to grooming.
Fortunately, the girl's pair of big eyes were well shaped, with a rounded nose and red lips, she looked blessed.
Chen's Mother, who was sent to pick up the Miss, was a capable woman. With a sharp eye, she was aware of the physical defects of the little lady who had grown up in the countryside. She selected appropriately a water green blouse paired with a ginger yellow skirt, it did not make her look dark and brought out the liveliness and cuteness typical of a teenage girl.
By combing her hair higher and leaving a thin layer of bangs, it made up for the shortcoming of a short, flat forehead. Adding some sparkling small accessories, the girl who originally had a plain appearance now looked more attractive.
"…The family's surname is Xu, and the girl's name is Xu Xiuchun. She has always been raised as the second daughter. Her foster father is no longer with us. She has an older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. The older boy is studying in the county town, the rest are all at home… Since she was little, Third Miss has been sensible and has done all sorts of work at home, she has suffered a lot at a young age…”
"The woman said that when the Miss was eight years old, there was an instance where the eldest son almost fell off the mountain, but was saved by the Miss. However, the Miss fell and bruised her face. The village had nowhere for her to seek medical treatment. Without proper care, her head and face shape changed from when she was little…"
Chen Mama chattered, as everyone’s eyes examined the girl who was lowering her head.
Sure enough, she doesn't resemble the Duke of Wen’s couple, nor their other two biological sons. It seems she was really not raised properly.
Wang was tearful, holding onto Xu Xiuchun, her tears never ceasing, "My child, you've suffered these years, mom is sorry…"
Xu Xiuchun stared blankly at the red gold hairpin swaying dazzlingly at Wang's temple, and called out, "Mom!"
Her voice was greasy and carried a heavy rural accent, which could not be considered pleasant to the ears. A few younger lords and ladies all lowered their heads to suppress their chuckles, but were silenced by a stern glance from Xie Rongyu.
Mrs. Wang wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "It's a relief to be back home, just in time for the new year. Let's go meet your grandmother and your siblings."
On the journey back, Chen's mother had already taught Xu Xiuchun the rules of etiquette, but it was clear that she was still struggling with her lessons. Her actions were clumsy and she struggled to articulate properly.
Feeling contempt, Old Madame Xie said with a smirk, "Get up. Go back and learn your manners properly. Reel in your attitude to avoid disgracing us further in the future."
Xu Xiuchun's face turned crimson red. She flipped her eyelids as if she wanted to glare back, but seeing the elderly, she instantly retracted and discreetly pouted.
To avoid further embarrassment, Mrs. Wang quickly moved on and brought Xu Xiuchun to greet the second and third ladies, who both expressed their pity. Each of them presented her with a jade bracelet and a hairpin made of red gold.
Xu Xiuchun quickly clutched the gifts tightly in her hands, rubbing them incessantly. “Your father and your second and third uncles are busy. You will meet them at dinner," Mrs. Wang added.
Along the way, Mrs. Wang introduced Xu Xiuchun to every sibling. Xie Rongyu, the heir to the family, was already known to Xu Xiuchun from the city's outskirts. His handsome features were as impressive as she had ever seen, though his cold demeanor caused Xu to shrink back.
On the other hand, the second son, Xie Rongfei's gentle and charming demeanor caused Xu Xiuchun to blush.
Xie Qiongwan, known for her elegance and kindness, tenderly inquired about Xu Xiuchun's life over the past years, taking off a delightfully green jade bracelet from her own wrist and slipping it onto Xu Xiuchun's.
Holding the newly acquired jade bracelet, Xu Xiuchun beamed brightly, oblivious to the mocking smile that appeared on Xie Rongfei’s face behind her.
After they were introduced, Xie Qiongwan asked suddenly, "Why hasn't the second sister come? Has anyone informed her about the arrival of our third sister at Qinghe Courtyard?"
Before any reply could be made, a servant outside exclaimed, "The Old Duke and Second Miss have arrived!"
As the curtain was lifted, an elderly man with grey hair, dressed in a wide robe with large sleeves appeared, seated on a wheelchair. A young maiden of exquisite beauty was propping up the wheelchair. She was dressed in a delicate pink skirt, looking refined and delicate.
She smiled and bowed to her elders.
This was the famed second sister, who usurped the nest, Xie Qiongxu.