Everyone Thought The Fake Heiress Had Her Reasons Ch. 9
Aunt suspected that her previous proposal might have been too radical, frightening Ming Jiao into wanting to withdraw. This time, Ming Jiao didn’t seem as close to her as before.
She brushed the matter aside lightly and persuaded, “Jiaojiao, I know you’re upset, but even if you don’t care about anything else, you must care about your mother. Do you want to see her in the future with eyes only for Tang Xiaoyu, doting only on her, and never paying attention to you again?”
The original host had once shared a very close bond with her adoptive mother. A significant reason for her initial outbursts was her possessiveness toward her mother. In her perception, Tang Xiaoyu’s appearance had stolen her mother’s affection and taken everything from her.
Ever since the memories resurfaced earlier, Ming Jiao’s disgust for the person before her had reached its peak.
The original host was indeed malicious and jealous of Tang Xiaoyu, but even so, she adhered to the basic moral bottom line as a woman. She never considered, nor would she ever use, such despicable means to deal with Tang Xiaoyu.
Yet here was Tang Xiaoyu’s aunt, her own blood relative, scheming to ruin a young girl’s reputation and life, all to exact revenge on her own sister.
Ming Jiao’s eyes darkened. Was this woman truly so vicious toward her sister’s child merely out of jealousy?
She pretended to be swayed but hesitant. “I’m very unwilling, but can we really convince Sister to let me return home tonight?”
She sighed and added, “By the way, Aunt, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
Aunt asked, “What is it?”
Ming Jiao said, “In the past, Mom doted on me, and you were always very good to me too. But your relationship with Mom… Did Mom do something to wrong you? Is that why you dislike her so much, just like how I dislike Sister?”
Aunt uncomfortably fiddled with the diamond bracelet on her wrist, remaining silent for a moment before replying, “Your mother and I simply have incompatible personalities. Adult matters have nothing to do with you children. Don’t worry, no matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side.”
She patted Ming Jiao’s hand again. “Alright, don’t worry about the banquet either. Dress up nicely and don’t let others laugh at you.”
Ming Jiao nodded and shifted her gaze away from Aunt. “I’m going to try on some clothes. Aunt, you must be tired from your journey—why not rest in your room for a while?”
She didn’t want to continue this charade any longer, at least not without some time to buffer.
Aunt, suspecting nothing, smiled and patted her shoulder. “Jiaojiao has grown up and learned to be considerate. Very well, then.”
Her smile was so beautiful, like a goddess descending from on high, now more approachable and casual.
Yet Ming Jiao’s heart was icy cold. Only when she watched Aunt’s retreating figure disappear did her gaze gradually chill.
The System couldn’t help but sigh, 【She’s truly terrifying. To think she’d use such underhanded methods against her own niece.】
Using such tactics against a stranger would be vicious enough, let alone against one’s own flesh and blood. Humans, after all, place great importance on familial bonds. The fact that she would target her own niece was truly horrifying.
However, the System also noticed that Aunt had been evasive about Ming Jiao’s question. It said, 【Host, it seems her feelings toward your adoptive mother go beyond mere jealousy and dislike—it’s outright resentment. Could there be some hidden reason we’re unaware of?】
【Most likely.】 Ming Jiao stood expressionlessly by the window. Outside, a vibrant sea of flowers bloomed brilliantly in the sunlight, yet not a shred of warmth could melt the coldness enveloping her.
She appeared more like an impassive goddess statue than Aunt, looking down upon and judging the sins of all living beings.
The System knew she was furious, and it was angry too. Just as it was about to speak a few words of comfort, Ming Jiao had already composed herself and said, [System, her plan actually succeeded in the original book.]
The System was first startled, then quickly recalled that part of the plot. However, some details didn’t match up, and it hesitated before saying, [Wasn’t that done by the original host in the book?]
Ming Jiao laughed, a sound devoid of any emotion. [Do you still think that now?]
In the middle of the plot, a rumor suddenly spread that Tang Xiaoyu had been raped as a child, dealing her a heavy blow and causing immense harm. Yet, she didn’t collapse. Instead, she personally pursued the source of the rumor and eventually traced it back to the original host.
This led the entire Ming family to lose all hope in the original host, exhausting any remaining affection and ultimately resulting in a complete break, even seeking legal punishment for her.
The original host fiercely resisted, claiming Tang Xiaoyu had framed her and that everyone was biased in Tang Xiaoyu’s favor.
When Ming Jiao had read this part of the plot before, she only felt that the original host was truly unrepentant, and sharing the same name with her was utterly embarrassing. Finishing the entire novel had made her cringe to the point of explosion.
But now, she no longer thought that way. Since the original host had refused to use such tactics against Tang Xiaoyu this time, she would have similarly refused in the book. Moreover, although the original host had many flaws and repeated her mistakes, she was someone who “dared to act and dared to take responsibility.”
No matter what she did, once exposed or caught, she would directly admit it, with such self-righteousness that it made others grit their teeth.
Spreading the rumor was the only thing she had ever argued about and denied doing. So, it was highly likely that she had indeed been wrongfully accused in this matter. The one who had actually done it was Aunt, who then framed her for it.
The original host had no way to defend herself because, prior to this, her relentless self-destructive behavior had already laid the groundwork for everyone to suspect her. Not to mention, she had contacted her former uncle-in-law multiple times to dig up Tang Xiaoyu’s secrets and weaknesses. Once these were investigated, they became clear and direct evidence.
Ming Jiao explained all this to the System, which also felt that the original host had been truly wronged in this matter. Moreover, Aunt was really terrifying—not only cruel to Tang Xiaoyu but also merciless toward the original host.
The original host’s actions became increasingly unscrupulous in the later stages of the plot, and this was closely linked to Aunt’s instigation.
Ming Jiao was thinking about everything the System had considered, and she was pondering even more.
[Even after the hunter matter is resolved, I can’t leave immediately.]
[Yeah, she won’t let you go that easily.] The System’s tone was grave.
[It’s not just that.] Ming Jiao said, [Although she’s always causing trouble and pushing me to go back and stir things up, in the eyes of the Ming family, she’s merely annoying. They don’t believe she would harm them and have no guard up against her. Tang Xiaoyu is probably the same.]
[I need to find a way to make her wary of Ming Lang.] Ming Jiao pondered. [It would be best to have direct evidence proving she wants to harm them.]
[That might be a bit difficult.] The System sounded worried. [We might be able to find evidence, but how do we tell the protagonist?]
Indeed, Ming Jiao had no real reason to tell Nightingale about these matters. If she laid all her cards on the table, she felt that Tang Xiaoyu would most likely not trust her. On the contrary, she would think Ming Jiao was up to no good again, stirring up trouble.
Their already strained relationship would completely shatter.
Ming Jiao pondered seriously for a moment before saying, “We still need to find evidence first. At worst, we can send it anonymously to Ming Wei’s email later.”
The System agreed with its host. “That’s a good idea. I’ll help you when the time comes. Don’t worry—with my skills, no one will be able to trace it back to you.”
Ming Jiao felt a bit more at ease and smiled. “Then I’ll rely entirely on you.”
“Leave it to me, no problem,” the System assured her, then suddenly grew contemplative. Perhaps entering the fray was the destined fate of a transmigrator.
Not long ago, the host had spoken of leaving, but now she was stepping deeper into the situation, conducting investigations and pushing to alter the original fates of everyone involved.
·
Evening soon arrived.
Ming Jiao changed into the lilac-purple dress brought by her aunt, pairing it with a pure white knitted cardigan. She pinned a small brooch adorned with silk flowers and pearls onto the cardigan, styled her long hair, and picked up an equally snow-white handbag. After tucking the beautiful glass bottle Tang Xiaoyu had given her inside, she was ready to set off.
Her aunt wore the same long dress from the morning but had styled her hair and makeup more meticulously.
As they stepped out and walked along the cobblestone path, her aunt couldn’t stop glancing at her. “Jiaojiao, you look lovely dressed like this, though it’s much plainer than before.”
The original host had always favored flashy, strappy little dresses, with bold makeup and accessories. Ming Jiao’s current style wasn’t exactly the opposite, but it bore no resemblance to the original’s flamboyance.
Ming Jiao replied leisurely, “Dressing a bit more vulnerable might soften my sister’s heart.”
Inwardly, she thought that since ancient times, no banquet was without its schemes. At this gathering, many would likely want to play out the classic “face-slapping” drama with her. Dressing modestly would make it easier to move around unnoticed.
Her aunt was pleased with her compliant attitude. It seemed she had learned to yield after going through some hardships. “When you see your sister later, make sure not to confront her head-on.”
Ming Jiao nodded obediently. Of course, she wouldn’t—how could she, when her sister wasn’t even there? Not long ago, the System had informed her that her sister was away on a business trip, but her aunt was clearly out of the loop.
Naturally, Ming Jiao wouldn’t tell her. Besides, she had never attended these parties for her sister’s sake. Her sister’s absence was even better—it saved her from further humiliation.
·
The banquet was held halfway up the mountainside. By the time Ming Jiao and her aunt arrived, evening was approaching, though the event hadn’t officially begun.
As soon as they entered the hall, her aunt eagerly offered to find Ming Jiao’s sister for her, urging her to keep an eye out. She seemed completely unaware of the numerous peculiar glances directed at Ming Jiao the moment they stepped into the villa’s main hall.
Since uncovering her aunt’s true nature, the System viewed her like a child scrutinizing a stepmother, convinced that every action was deliberate and malicious. It muttered quietly, “Host, she’s definitely doing this on purpose.”
Had the original host been there, feeling awkward and out of place, she would have been unable to bear those mocking stares, surely fueling her resentment toward the protagonist.
But Ming Jiao had adjusted her mindset and remained calm. Life was just like that—no sooner had you subdued a few demons than you faced a few more monsters, with all sorts of sinister forces lurking about.
Especially since that hunter still hadn’t been caught. It was best to take things in stride. “It’s fine. As long as we remember she’s the enemy we need to deal with, that’s what matters.”
Composed and self-assured, Ming Jiao found a sofa to sit on. She picked up a dessert from the table, savoring it slowly while observing the guests who had arrived.
The banquet hadn’t started yet, and not all the guests had arrived. Although many people were looking at her with strange gazes, none of them were her suspected targets.
Ming Jiao had only vague impressions of some people here, and some she didn’t even recognize. The only ones that caught her attention were three girls standing in the distance.
The original host hadn’t even remembered the names of the other two, so she didn’t know them either. However, the leader among them was one of the original host’s rivals—Xu Tingting.
She had large eyes, a spoiled and willful appearance, and still carried some childishness—the kind of exquisite beauty reminiscent of a doll.
The grudge between her and the original host wasn’t really the original host’s fault. This was because the appearance Xu Tingting admired most was the original host’s type—delicate and stunningly beautiful. When others have what you don’t, you either envy or become jealous.
Xu Tingting was jealous. Moreover, her family background was slightly inferior to the original host’s, so she didn’t dare to show her resentment openly and often gossiped behind her back.
The social circle was only so big, and when someone deliberately relayed those words to the original host, her fiery temper—”I have every right if I provoke you, but if I don’t and you still come to provoke me, then I have even more right”—couldn’t tolerate it. The next time they met, she made sarcastic remarks, making Xu Tingting burst into tears on the spot. From then on, the two became sworn enemies.
Ming Jiao felt that a young girl who would cry after losing an argument was unlikely to be capable of hiring someone to “kill” her. Since the suspicion was minimal, she wasn’t interested and completely ignored the other’s venomous glare, calmly searching for her next target.
Just then, the villa’s main door opened once again, and the System reminded her, [Host, the protagonist has arrived.]
Author’s Note:
Note: [“Just subdued a few demons, and captured a few monsters, but the evil spirits are especially numerous.”]
Adapted from the opening theme “The Broad and Vast Road to Heaven” of Journey to the West Sequel.
The original lyrics were: Just subdued a few demons, and captured a few monsters. Why are there so many evil spirits!
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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