4 Chapter 4: Just Want to Live a Lazy and Carefree Life

Mother Zhou felt even more heartbroken when she heard that she refused to go back to the mansion with her.

Seventh Miss was only three years old when she was abducted, and she couldn't remember her real parents and home.

Her inability to accept this at the moment was understandable.

Mother Zhou tearfully returned to the Jiang family and told Second Master Jiang Ruobai everything.

Jiang Ruobai was thrilled to learn that Jiang Ning was indeed his daughter and wanted to see her immediately.

Mother Zhou said, "Shouldn't we inform Madam first?"

"Madam has been suffering from a cough lately, and she's a bit confused. She has been in poor health these years due to this child's situation. To avoid shocking her further, I'll go see the child first and take it slowly."

"Old Master is right; we should keep it from Madam for now. Ah, not to mention Madam, even I can hardly bear to see Seventh Miss's current circumstances..." Mother Zhou wiped her tears.

Seventh Miss's disappearance had dealt a fatal blow to Madam, leaving her memory muddled and her mind often in a haze.

What kind of devastation would Madam suffer if she knew that Seventh Miss had been living in a slum all these years and had even developed a limp?

Jiang Ruobai furrowed his brow, but he didn't ask any more questions and hurriedly left.

Mother Zhou sighed and turned around, only to see Fifth Daughter and Sixth Miss approaching, so she quickly greeted them.

"Mother Zhou, we heard you've found our Seventh Sister?"

"Yes, Miss, she has been found."

"Really? What does Seventh Sister look like now? Isn't her life particularly miserable?" The Fifth Daughter compared the market women they saw, feeling fortunate.

Mother Zhou calmly replied, "Seventh Miss is a legitimate daughter and even her presence and demeanor are incomparable to commoners, despite her current plight."

Her words were clearly a jab at the two young ladies in front of her.

In Jiang family, all children from different branches shared equal siblings rank. Fifth Daughter and Sixth Miss were both illegitimate daughters of the secondary branch. Besides the firstborn son, Seventh Miss was the only legitimate daughter of Madam, who was the primary wife.

These years, since Seventh Miss was kidnapped, Madam's health had been poor, and she had been constantly taking medicine and seemed dazed. She didn't bother with anything, and the secondary branch was almost controlled by the two concubines.

Consequently, the servants who followed Madam also suffered bullying from the concubines.

But now, all is well.

Heaven had mercy on them, and they finally found Seventh Miss, the only legitimate daughter of the secondary branch!

If Madam knew, who knew how happy she would be!

Let's see how arrogant these concubines and illegitimate children would be!

But—

Thinking of Seventh Miss's miserable situation, Mother Zhou couldn't help but cry.

Once Seventh Miss returned to the mansion with her limp legs, she would surely be ridiculed.

She really couldn't bear it.

Fifth Daughter's eyes showed disdain, and she sneered, "Mother Zhou is right, Seventh Sister is indeed our family's legitimate daughter, and her demeanor is naturally different. However, I wonder if she has learned any talents like playing instruments, chess, or painting? Commoners outside can't even afford a full meal, let alone learn such things. Ah, it's such a pity for Seventh Sister. I really hope to see her soon. But, what if it's another imposter?"

Mother Zhou sneered silently.

Just wait until you see Seventh Miss's appearance, and you won't be able to laugh anymore.

...

Jiang Ning lay in the lounge chair, feeling drowsy under the warm sunlight of the spring day.

She was hungry but didn't really want to eat.

She had no money but didn't want to think of a way to make any.

Maybe staying like this in a daze wasn't so bad.

Until the gate was pushed open.

"We're out of rice, we're not opening," Jiang Ning said lazily with her eyes closed.

Jiang Ruobai stood at the door, looking at the sleeping girl from a distance, completely dumbfounded.

Her clear and gentle face and the fair skin, just like Madam when she was young.