During this visit, the Jiang family directly stated their purpose as soon as they entered the Li residence. However, when they finished speaking, Li Changsen remained silent, and Jin Yue'e kept her head lowered. Their reactions were far from the anticipated enthusiasm that the Jiang family had expected.
After expressing the Jiang family's intention to bring the Li family back to the capital, the strange reactions from the two of them—coldness from Li Changsen and rejection from Jin Yue'e—raised eyebrows. Their responses were unexpected, considering that Li Changsen had transitioned from being a son of a low-ranking military family to being potentially connected to a prominent household.
Li Changsen and Jin Yue'e were not particularly talkative people, and throughout the conversation, the Jiang family members did most of the talking. Even though Jiang Dafuren was skilled at conversation, dealing with uncooperative individuals left her somewhat at a loss.
Just when the Jiang family wasn't sure how to delve deeper into the conversation, Li Sanlang returned home.
Facing the Jiang family, Li Sanlang's responses were more comfortable compared to Li Changsen and Jin Yue'e. Yet, his attitude was still far from enthusiastic.
The assumption was that bringing the Li family to the capital would be a straightforward matter. However, at this moment, the mood of the Jiang family members and Shi Nian and Xu Mami had become quite solemn.
The Li family's lack of enthusiasm for recognizing their newfound relatives was not what anyone had anticipated.
Approaching noon, Jiang Dafuren instructed the servants to buy a large table of dishes from a nearby restaurant. She intended to use the meal as an opportunity to become more familiar with the Li family.
The food had just been laid out on the table when Li Erya and Li Wuya returned home for lunch.
Even before entering the house, they noticed the Jiang family's servants standing on either side of the entrance. After exchanging glances, they hastened into the courtyard.
"Mom, Dad, we're back for lunch."
Every time they returned from outside, Li Wuya would inform Jin Yue'e loudly. Today was no exception, even though there were outsiders present.
"Oh, what rare guests! We have so many visitors today!"
Upon entering the main hall and seeing the people seated there, Li Erya and Li Wuya smiled as they walked over.
Upon seeing Li Wuya, Jiang Dafuren's eyes lit up. She waved to her and said, "So, you're Wuya. Come closer to your Grand Aunt, let me take a good look at you."
Li Wuya remained still, looking at her family.
At that moment, Li Sanlang stood up and said, "Erya, Wuya, come forward and pay your respects. This is Madam Jiang, and beside her are Second Master Jiang and Second Madam Jiang."
With these formal titles, any sense of intimacy that Madam Jiang had tried to create vanished.
Li Erya and Li Wuya walked forward with smiles, performing the proper bows and salutations.
"Greetings to Madam Jiang, Second Master Jiang, and Second Madam Jiang!"
Their manners were proper and polite, demonstrating the behavior expected when meeting strangers for the first time. However, there was no trace of the joy one might expect to see when meeting relatives.
Madam Jiang's smile froze on her face. The reactions from Li Changsen's family had caught her off guard. It was one thing for the adults to react this way, but even the children were distant.
Observing the expressions on her parents' faces, Li Wuya glanced at Jiang Anbang. Then she looked back at him, the Second Master, and said, "Mr. Jiang, we meet again."
"As the commander of Rong City, to visit a humble family like ours, we truly feel honored. But, what business do you have with us? Our family tends to be rather timid, and your previous words were difficult to understand. We've been worried and frightened for quite a while."
Jiang Anbang had to suppress a twitch in his mouth after hearing Li Wuya's explanation that they were timid.
Their family was timid?
Just look at the people in this room. If they were truly timid, they should be bowing and fawning, saying whatever was needed. Instead, they were like statues, not speaking or moving, showing silent indifference.
They couldn't understand his words, huh? Fine, he would make things clear.
"Miss, do you know who I am?"
Li Wuya cooperatively shook her head, "We probably have no relation. After all, you're the commander, and we're just a humble family struggling in Rong City."
Jiang Anbang choked back his words. He wouldn't waste any more time. He pointed at Li Changsen and said, "Your father, he is the son of my sister, the Dowager of Wuchang. I am your Second Uncle. Do you understand now?"
Li Wuya stood with her mouth half-open, a look of surprise on her face. "Is it true?"
Jiang Anbang was speechless, "Of course, it's true."
Li Wuya sought further confirmation, "Have you thoroughly investigated and confirmed it? Could it be a mistake?"
"There's no mistake, absolutely no mistake."
Just as Jiang Dafuren was standing behind, Xu Mami suddenly interjected.
Li Wuya glanced at her and asked, "Who is this?"
Jiang Anbang explained, "This is your grandmother's personal maid, who came with the Chief Steward of the Shi family to bring your family to the capital."
Xu Mami added, "Yes, miss. You and Madam are so alike. Anyone can tell that you're true blood relatives. There's no mistaking it."
Li Wuya still appeared skeptical, "How can my father possibly be a son of the Count's household? Could a noble family's son be switched?"
Jiang Anbang responded without hesitation, "It's not a switch, it's a mix-up."
Li Wuya widened her eyes, "A mix-up? But that's even less likely. Even though I'm not knowledgeable, I do know that noble households have many servants and maids. How could there be a mix-up with a child?"
Jiang Anbang was about to say that Li's mother intentionally swapped the children, but Jiang Dafuren interrupted before he could speak.
Jiang Dafuren glanced at Li Wuya and smiled, "Servants and maids can also make mistakes. When your grandmother was giving birth, Rong City was suddenly attacked by Northern Yan. In the midst of the chaos, mistakes were inevitable."
Li Wuya nonchalantly responded with a, "Oh," and glanced at Li Changsen, whose lips were pressed even tighter. She then directly walked to the seat next to Li Sanlang.
Seeing this, Jiang Dafuren's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Sitting without permission before receiving the elders' approval, this girl really didn't understand proper etiquette.
Li Wuya then asked, "Since my father was mixed up, whose child was he mixed up with?"
Jiang Dafuren was now certain that Li Wuya deliberately steered the conversation towards the Li family. She didn't believe that this family didn't know who was switched with Li Changsen.
Jiang Anbang mumbled, "Naturally, the son of the Li family."
Li Wuya responded again with an "Oh," paused for a moment, and then looked at Shi Nian and Xu Mami. "Are you both from the Shi family?"
Shi Nian and Xu Mami hadn't anticipated this question from Li Wuya. They both nodded in response.
"Yes, miss."
Li Wuya asked once more, "Is the Shi family planning to recognize my father?"
Shi Nian stepped into the middle of the room and respectfully addressed Li Changsen, "Master, the master and Madam have both said that the Shi family's bloodline must not remain outside. They request that Master return to the capital with us."
Xu Mami also stepped forward, joining the plea to Li Changsen.
Li Wuya directly cut in, "Hold on. We haven't clarified everything yet. It's too early to talk about this."
This interruption surprised both Shi Nian, Xu Mami, Jiang Anbang, and Jiang Dafuren.
Jiang Anbang hurriedly said, "Young lady, everything has been investigated. Your father is indeed my sister's son. There's no mistake."
Li Wuya smiled and looked at Shi Nian and Xu Mami, "Bringing my father back to the Shi family—what about the other child?"
Shi Nian and Xu Mami were momentarily taken aback, and then exchanged a glance, unsure how to respond.
Seeing this, Li Wuya continued, "What's the matter? Has the Shi family not figured out how to arrange for the other child? If you haven't figured it out and are already bringing my father back to your family, wouldn't that be too hasty?"
Jiang Anbang hurriedly explained, "How could it be hasty? Your father is of the Shi family's bloodline. Returning to the Shi family is only natural."
Li Wuya didn't respond, and the rest of the Li family appeared indifferent.