Jiang Yingyue stared at the large house... no... mansion in front of her. Though the architecture appeared slightly worn down with chipped paint and stains on the gate, the house had a sense of grandeur that just could not be described.
She wondered just how splendid the mansion would have appeared if she had seen the building just a few years back.
Turning to her mother with a soft smile, she squeezed her mother's hand gently. During their nighttime routine, her mother would always regale her with stories of her father jumping across the walls to meet her mother during the middle of the night. Now that she saw just how tall those walls were, she was a little amused.
Pulling on her mother's skirt, Jiang Yingyue whispered, "Where those the walls father jumped over!?!" she was a little excited. Her father truly was so strong! Especially since the walls were so big. So for him to do it so effortlessly, Jiang Yingyue felt as though she had yet another reason to idolize her father.
"One day I'm going to jump over those walls!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Her mother frowned, "To meet a boy?" she shook her head as a small smile made it's ways onto her lips. "Once I show you my room, I'll show you the secret door that I used to meet up with your father. That way you wouldn't have to jump over walls," she gently pinched Jiang Yingyue's cheek as her daughter rolled her eyes.
Swatting Xu Suyin's hand away, Jiang Yingyue pursed her lips, "Not to meet a boy, mother! I'll do it to make more money!!"
Jiang Yingyue never considered or even fancied the idea of falling in love. She'd always wanted to clear her father's name, and in her little mind, the best way for her to do that was to earn money. The more money she could earn, the more she would be able to pay that money to the King so he could pardon her father and absolve all the crimes that were associated to the Jiang family.
As for what she would do after she finished her goals...
Well, she never thought about what she would do after that.
Probably settle down in a nice little cottage at the outskirts of the town and become a little like her angry Granny Fang.
"That's all you want to do?" her mother teased. "What will you do with all that money?"
A few years ago, while she was accompanying her Granny Fang to gather herbs, she learned about the power of money. No matter how many people whispered about her origins, they seemingly became quiet the second Granny Fang waved some money in front of their faces.
Knowing she could never be as kind and beautiful as her mother, Jiang Yingyue decided her life goal was just to make money in whatever way she could.
"Buy father's innocence!" she announced with a smile. "I want to make so much money the king will just forgive father of everything!"
Xu Suyin's smile wavered for a slight second as she glanced down at the ground. Granny Fang had told her of Jiang Yingyue's ambitions a few days back. At the time, she laughed it off, thinking it was just a fleeting child's dream. But now, looking at the sincerity in her daughter's eyes, she couldn't help but become saddened.
Even if Jiang Yingyue wasn't aware of it, Xu Suyin knew better.
Her husband, Jiang Donghai, would always be known as the war criminal, and nothing would change that.
Blinking away the sorrow, Xu Suyin's index finger brushed her daughter's cheek, "And what do you plan on doing after that?" she whispered.
Though the rumors suggested otherwise, Xu Suyin wanted to be as upfront and truthful as she could so Jiang Yingyue would have a positive opinion of her father. In their house, there was no such thing as fairy tales or speaking of gossip. If Jiang Yingyue wasn't learning about the arts and music, she would hear stories of Jiang Donghai.
Xu Suyin believed that would be for the best for Jiang Yingyue. So she would never grow to be ashamed of her father for any reason.
But now... Xu Suyin wished she could've allowed Jiang Yingyue to have a freer childhood. Jiang Yingyue should never have taken on the responsibility of clearing her father's name. That was never Xu Suyin's intentions.
"I never thought about that," Jiang Yingyue shrugged her shoulders.
Biting the bottom of her lip, she thought back to all the other children playing house in their village. Whenever she played the game, the others always forced her to be the servant. But if she were to think about it, one day, she would marry a man for herself and have a baby to take care of.
Nodding her head, "I guess one day I'll get married to some boy."
Her nose wrinkled as she thought of all smelly boys in her village. They always made fun of her for wearing flowers in her hair, and for having eyes that were too big.
Glancing up at her mother, innocently, she asked, "Do you think someday a boy would like me as much as father loved you?"
It wasn't too often Jiang Yingyue thought of love herself. She was content just to be at her mother's side. She was happy helping out her Granny Fang whenever she could. And she knew her purpose in life was to clear her father's name... but beyond that? She was a little scared.
Before her mother could say her words of wisdom, her uncle sneered as he came into view behind them, "Already thinking about love at such a young age?" just as Jiang Yingyue resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
This strange man really doesn't know how to enjoy the small things in life!
She partially hid behind her mother's skirts, gently grabbing onto the fabric as she poked her head out. "Don't worry mister," she announced. "I would never like someone as stinky faced as you!" she stuck her tongue out in a childish manner.
Xu Zihao's eyes narrowed, "You!" he seethed as he rushed forward, attempting to grab onto the little girl's hand. "Come back here!" he raced after her as she squealed and ran past the gates, entering the Xu family household for the first time.
Despite being a small girl, she was quite nimble, making twists and turns when Xu Zihao least expected it. Eventually, his fingers were able to grasp onto Jiang Yingyue's bicep. He pulled her towards him as she giggled. Picking her up, he couldn't help but curl his lips upward.
There was something special about the little girl. Even though she didn't dress up or fashionably braid her hair like the other girls in the capital, her gleaming eyes and infectious happiness made heads turn.
"Now tell me," he murmured with a stern tone, "do I still have a stinky face?" his eyes softened as he gently pushed the light brown hair that was matted to Jiang Yingyue's forehead.
When Jiang Yingyue was silent, Xu Zihao poked her belly, prodding her for an answer. She immediately squirmed from his grip as she started laughing. Nodding her head, she announced, "Mmm... you do have a stinky face!"
Xu Zihao's eyes widened as he gently let go of her. But, before she could fall out of his hands, he caught her, "Are you sure?"
Her hands grabbed onto his robes. Her soft giggles just became louder as he continued to play with her, "Mister has a stinky tofu face!" she announced.
Xu Suyin was just a few steps behind them, smiling at the uncle-niece pair. It was the first time they were acting sweet with each other, and for the first time, she had hope her family would eventually grow to love her daughter the best they could.
"Xu Zihao!" a shrill cry was heard across the yard as Xu Zihao stiffened.
His fingers stopped ticking Jiang Yingyue as he took a deep breath. Turning, he glanced straight ahead at the Xu family's matriarch, his mother—Song Liqin.
Though her husband, Xu Bolin, passed away nearly a decade ago, she still maintained a sense of timeless beauty. Her jade black hair, a quality all the Xu children inherited, was pristinely braided back, held by a single strong green jade pin. Her svelte figure enhanced her purple robes, giving her a sense of ethereal beauty and making her seem as though she was almost ten to fifteen years younger than she actually was.
Swallowing, Xu Zihao gently set Jiang Yingyue onto the ground. Her fingers continued to hold her uncle's robes as she curiously glanced up.
"Mother," he bowed down as Jiang Yingyue continued to blink, glancing at her uncle, then to the new woman, and then to her mother who had also bowed down.
When Jiang Yingyue turned back to the woman, her dark eyes were trained upon Jiang Yingyue. Though her expression was grim, Jiang Yingyue's eyes couldn't help but brighten.
She had always believed her mother was beautiful. But, this woman, if it was even possible, appeared even more beautiful.
"Zi-er," the woman's eyes wordlessly passed Jiang Yingyue. "Bring Suyin in. As for that girl," silence enshrouded the yard as the woman's lips curled upwards in a disgusted sneer, "Leave her outside—,"
Jiang Yingyue's nose scrunched up. Her mother always spoke endlessly about Jiang Donghai, but, once the topic of her family came up, she became strangely silent. When she asked Granny Fang, the old woman had just silently mumbled the Xu family had not been as supportive as they should have been.
She never understood how that could be possible, especially since she could never hate someone she called family.
But, so far, it seemed as though everyone was judging her, family or strangers.
"Mother!" Xu Suyin stood up with anger. "She is my daughter!"
When Jiang Yingyue turned to face her mother, she noticed how red Xu Suyin's entire face had gotten. Her hands were even clenched at her side. Every time, without fail, she is surprised her sweet, innocent mother could manage to have such an expression on her face.
Xu Suyin's brows came together as she stood her ground, surprising herself a little. The last time she had been so defiant was when she was just a young girl hoping she could marry the man of her dreams.
"She is your daughter," Song Liqin's eyes narrowed. "Not mine."
Just a few years back, her defiant daughter did everything she could to make her case about marrying the poor merchant boy, Jiang Donghai. She had screamed how she was no longer a child... that it was her life, and she should have the power to make whatever decision it was that pleased her.
Song Liqin hoped her daughter was just having a rebellious phase. After that boy went to war, she hoped Xu Suyin would just fall in love with another boy in the capital.
But, she was mindlessly stubborn. Refusing to eat, refusing to step out of her room, even threatening to kill herself.
"I strongly remember how you claimed you would never inconvenience the Xu family after marrying that... street rat," Song Liqin's lips curled in disgust. "But, it seems like you did everything you could to trouble the Xu family." Her eyes darkened as she stared at Xu Suyin, "I lost my husband because of your actions. If you had never run away...," her voice cracked for a single moment as Xu Suyin stared at the ground, melancholically.
"How could you expect me to raise that street rat's daughter after all of this?"
Xu Suyin didn't have the words to retort back to her mother. There were many regrets she had in her life. But never once did she think her actions would have led to devastating consequences for her family.
"I...I'm—," Xu Suyin was about to apologize to her mother, but her daughter interrupted.
"My father is not a street rat," Jiang Yingyue bit the bottom of her lip as her hands formed into fists.
Song Liqin's gaze on her daughter was broken for a split second as she turned to the little girl. Though she detested every little bit of that girl's existence, she couldn't help but notice just how similar that girl was to that... rat. From her light colored hair to her big, wide eyes.
"What did you say?" Song Liqin's tone dropped a few octaves as a brief chill passed through the yard.
"I said my father is not a street rat," Jiang Yingyue took a step forward, ignoring how her uncle was attempting to pull her back. "Take those words and apologize!"
"Apologize?" Song Liqin scoffed as she crossed her arms. "Why should I apologize when I'm speaking nothing more than the truth?"
Jiang Yingyue's jaw clenched tightly. A few years ago, when she first went to school, the other kids would make fun of her father in a similar manner. In the beginning, she would just ignore those words. But the children became even more relentless. Doing whatever they could to illicit a reaction.
Once she started pushing them in response, they finally shut up. Sure, she was kicked out of school, but those kids stopped, and that was all she needed.
Her brown eyes seemed hollow, "So you don't need to apologize if you're saying the truth?" her voice was level-headed despite all the anger that was simmering deep within her.
Xu Zihao glanced down at the young girl, his thumb brushed across her small palm, silently questioning her what she was doing.
As far as his memory could serve, the Xu children never questioned their parents for any reason. The only exception was Xu Suyin fighting to marry Jiang Donghai. It was an absolute spectacle in the house, and now, with Jiang Yingyue's stance, Xu Zihao couldn't help but wonder which calamity would strike the Xu household now.
Song Liqin, not knowing what Jiang Yingyue would say next, nodded her head in affirmation, "Of course, if you speak the truth, there is no need for apologies."
"Good," Jiang Yingyue gritted her teeth. "Because if we are speaking the truth, then you are just a big snake!! You care about nothing but yourself!!"
Despite hearing all those stories about her father, Jiang Yingyue knew very little about her mother's family. Every time the topic about the Xu family was brought up, her mother would go strangely quiet. In the beginning, she thought something bad happened to them, but Granny Fang quietly explained that the Xu family was dismissive of her father.
She hoped over the years, they would learn to forgive and forget... especially since all parents taught such principles to their children. But, instead of forgiving and forgetting, the old woman sustained her vendetta and hatred against Jiang Donghai.
"Even after my mother ran away for years, you only wanted her to come back now. Why?" Jiang Yingyue taunted, not paying attention to the crisp silence that passed through the yard. Even the servants in the back had their mouths dropped open with her words. But, the little girl continued with rage, "It must be because you needed my mother for something! What do you want her to do?"
Song Liqin's knuckles turned white as her glare deepened. Even when Xu Suyin ran away, no one had criticized her this badly to her face. Whatever opinions the townsfolk had, they whispered it when she was out of their vicinity. But this little girl? She was squabbling about with no filter or understanding of where she was.
"Do you want her to become your slave?" Jiang Yingyue's voice turned sharp and high-pitched. "Because I know you have bad intentions because you are nothing more than a snake!!" she screamed.
Out of all the people to break the silence, she never expected it would be her mother... her demure, calm, and sweet mother to respond first.
"Jiang Yingyue!" Xu Suyin's voice carried through the yard as she grabbed onto her daughter's shoulder. Her dark eyes were wide with anger, "Apologize now!"
Jiang Yingyue's anger was broken for a moment as fear swelled at the bottom of her stomach. She had never seen her mother's anger directed at her... ever. But, even though she was scared, she couldn't help but remember all of the lessons her mother imparted to her over the years. She couldn't let this old woman just insult her father like this... it would be an insult to the Jiang family!
Jiang Yingyue bit her lip, "No! She wanted the truth," her eyes turned to Song Liqin, the anger completely visible to all. "And I gave it to her!"
"Jiang Yingyue," Xu Suyin took a deep breath, "A-apologize, now," her fingernails dug into Jiang Yingyue's shoulder.
For a second, Jiang Yingyue's resolve wavered, an apology was just at the tip of her tongue. But, from the corner of her vision, she noticed Song Liqin's smug expression as her anger swelled ten-fold. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yingyue's jaw clenched, "Why should I apologize to that snak—?"
A sharp slap echoed across the yard.
Xu Suyin's eyes widened with horror when she realized just what she had done. She immediately retracted her hand as she swallowed, "Y-Yue—,"
"You hit me," Jiang Yingyue's voice was soft as tears swelled in her eyes. Regardless of all the naughty things she had done in the past, her mother never raised her hand against her. Even when she was suspended from school... Xu Suyin actually appreciated her for standing up for her father.
Xu Suyin bent down on her knees, coming to eye level with Jiang Yingyue, "Yue-er," her fingers reached towards Jiang Yingyue's swollen cheek. "I'm so sorry," her vision became slightly blurry, "I didn't mean to hit you... I... I just couldn't let you disrespect my mother like that." Xu Suyin held onto her daughter's hands and softly asked, "Can you please apologize to your grandmother?"
Jiang Yingyue stared at her mother with absolute shock.
She glanced down at her hands and noticed how tightly her mother was squeezing her fingers.
A few years ago, her mother had told her respect was something that needed to be earned.
"Disrespect?" Jiang Yingyue echoed. She slowly slid her hands out of her mother's tight grip, "Didn't you say I should pay someone back with the amount of respect they give me?"
This grandmother—no, this old, bigoted, ancient woman was the one who started the entire fight. Instead of ignoring Jiang Yingyue, or pretending to hate her at moments and tolerate her in other moments, this old woman decided to insult Jiang Donghai as soon as Jiang Yingyue stepped into the Xu pavilion. To worsen the wound, the old woman refused to apologize and had the audacity to appear smug when she knew Jiang Yingyue was being forced to apologize.
With such an attitude, Jiang Yingyue refused to give this woman any attention. She wanted to rub as much salt—or even more—just so the old woman could learn her manners.
"Other people are different and my mother is different," Xu Suyin's voice was soft yet stern. "Yue-er, she is your grandmother. She would never intentionally hurt us—,"
"Well she did hurt me!" Jiang Yingyue screamed. "She called my father a street rat again and again! Why do you think she isn't doing this on purpose?!?" when she turned to entrance, Song Liqin's lips curled upwards in a sneer. Anger simmered deep within her, threatening to burst yet again, "I—,"
Xu Suyin held onto her daughter's hand, taking a deep, steady breath, "Jiang Yingyue," as much as she didn't like her mother for equating Jiang Donghai to a street rat, Xu Suyin knew that she didn't have the grounds to argue with her mother. As such, she didn't want her daughter to become hurt for any reason.
"I want you to sit in the carriage and wait for me," her words were steady as Jiang Yingyue's eyes slowly widened. When her daughter opened her mouth to say a few words, Xu Suyin shook her head, "Don't argue with me, Yue-er. We'll talk about this afterwards."
Xu Suyin intended on telling Jiang Yingyue everything, just so her daughter wouldn't repeat the same mistake in the future. Unfortunately, in her daughter's eyes, she felt as though she was betrayed by her own mother.
"I hate you," Jiang Yingyue whispered as tears welled into her eyes.
All these years, Jiang Yingyue believed Xu Suyin would always be her pillar of hope. Even if the entire world hated her, her mother would never be able to hate her. But, in just a few days, since meeting Xu Zihao, Xu Suyin changed in more ways than one.
Her fiery spirit was hollowed out, leaving only a melancholy and pathetic version of her mother.
She no longer dared to fight for her husband and that absolutely terrified Jiang Yingyue. If she let Song Liqin's words pass today, would there be a day when her mother would readily give her up to marry another influential man?
Xu Suyin's heart clenched as she heard the acerbic words from her daughter. She turned around, hoping her ears were playing tricks on her, "W-what did you say?"
Jiang Yingyue's red eyes burned through her, "I. Hate. You!" she huffed before she turned around, stomping out of the Xu family house.