Chapter 2: Mother Does Not Like It

In the seventh year of Yongping in the Li Kingdom, at dusk, a very ordinary carriage pulled up to the gates of the Mo residence, home of the Nine Gates Commandant, Mo Yunluo. A fourteen-year-old youth jumped down from the carriage; he was tall and slender with delicate features, still retaining a hint of boyishness.

The youth smiled and lifted the curtain, leading out a girl of about eleven. The girl appeared somewhat cold and aloof, as if difficult to approach. Her features were not exquisite, yet she was pretty and refined. Though her appearance was plain, those lively, beautiful eyes were like stars, enough to make anyone take notice.

"Young Master, Young Miss, the Master is waiting for you in the flower hall!" the steward greeted them.

"Uncle Wang, take the Miss's attendants to the Yan Garden." The youth gestured toward the two attendants his sister had brought from Yun Mountain, then, holding the girl's hand, he stepped toward the flower hall.

"Xunyan, let Father have a look at you!" In the flower hall, Mo Yunluo, who was in his early thirties, raised his head at the sound of footsteps, smiling as he looked at the pair of children walking in hand-in-hand.

His gaze fell upon his daughter, filled with doting, heartache, and a complex emotion that could not be named. This daughter, who had been sent to Yun Mountain at the age of three, had finally truly returned home.

Mo Xunyan curtsied to Mo Yunluo, and with a respectful yet distant air, she produced a sealed letter and presented it with both hands. "Father, this is a letter from my master for you."

"Junming is back?" Just then, a woman's voice drifted in, and a woman not yet thirty years old approached slowly, supported by a maid.

"Mother!" Mo Junming stepped forward to support her. "Sister has come home, too!"

Hearing this, the woman looked up at Mo Xunyan. A trace of warmth appeared on her otherwise dull face, and she reached out her hands toward her.

"Mother!" Mo Xunyan called out and took a step forward.

The woman took Mo Xunyan’s hand and stared at her, examining her closely. When she saw those beautiful eyes, her expression suddenly changed. She lost control and shoved the girl away violently, screaming, "You are not my Xunyan! Who are you?!"

"Mother, I am your daughter, Xunyan!" Mo Xunyan stepped forward again.

"You are not my daughter! Where have you hidden my daughter? Give my daughter back to me!" The woman acted as if she had gone mad, clawing and striking at Mo Xunyan.

Mo Xunyan stood there silently, neither dodging nor fighting back.

"You bad woman! Give me back my daughter! You demon! I hate you!" the woman shrieked hoarsely.

"Mother!"

"Youning!"

Mo Junming and Mo Yunluo rushed forward simultaneously; one shielded Mo Xunyan in his arms, while the other pulled the woman to his chest.

"Yunluo, she is not my daughter! She isn't! Give me back my daughter!" The woman sobbed in Mo Yunluo’s arms.

"Youning, you are confused again. She is our daughter, Xunyan!" Mo Yunluo sighed, helplessly comforting the weeping woman.

Mo Junming looked down to check on his sister, and seeing she hadn't been scratched, he breathed a sigh of relief.

There was no sign of hurt on Mo Xunyan’s face; she was long accustomed to such things. For the past eight years, whenever she approached her mother, her mother would "have an episode"—either driving her away, hurling insults at her, or attacking her directly.

Several servants stood to the side with their heads bowed, none daring to speak. The Madam would have an episode every time she saw the Young Miss, but how could this girl, who looked nine parts like her, not be her daughter?

"Mother, I am your daughter, Mo Xunyan. I was before, I am now, and I will be in the future." After a long silence, Mo Xunyan looked up at Chen Youning, said this calmly, and walked quickly away.