Everyone Thought The Fake Heiress Had Her Reasons Ch. 24 (Part 2)
The System wholeheartedly agreed and couldn’t help but marvel at Ming Jiao’s clever arrangement. [Having Shi Yan investigate Aunt, while Aunt investigates Xie Chu—they’ll keep each other in check and divert attention, which not only increases Shi Yan’s safety but also subtly reduces many risks for the protagonist who might investigate both of them simultaneously. You’re more intricate than a nine-linked ring, Host.]
Ming Jiao sat up from the sofa. [If I had power and people, I could muddy the waters even further. But there’s no use in idle speculation—strengthening my abilities is what matters most. Since Tang Xiaoyu isn’t here, let’s start our rehabilitation plan today.]
This “rehabilitation” wasn’t in the conventional sense but aimed to restore her original strength. Though her past martial arts experience and memories remained, she now inhabited a different body. Even if she attempted familiar moves, her physical reactions couldn’t keep up. Moreover, without matching power, any execution would be mere empty form—a flashy but ineffective display.
[Host, I can’t instantly replicate your former strength, but I can provide the strongest support to greatly accelerate your training progress. Let’s start with the basics.]
[Good!]
·
After her conversation with Ming Yue the previous night, Tang Xiaoyu had assumed she wouldn’t have time to meet her again anytime soon. Yet, barely a day later, they were reunited at home. When Ming Yue called in the morning offering to help protect Ming Jiao’s safety, Tang Xiaoyu decided a face-to-face discussion was necessary.
“Why the change of heart?” Tang Xiaoyu asked softly. “Don’t worry about my feelings.”
Ming Yue probably thought coexisting with Ming Jiao would be unbearable for her. In reality, these days with Ming Jiao had been relatively relaxed—if not for the multitude of mysteries surrounding them.
Ming Yue shook her head. “Everyone is taking action. I don’t want to be idle.”
Due to the wiretapping incident, they avoided indoor conversations and returned to the garden. Bathed in daylight, the garden shed its nocturnal shadows, brimming with vibrant life that lifted the spirits.
Tang Xiaoyu observed Ming Yue, noting her good complexion and lack of hesitation before agreeing. It also seemed appropriate to bring up what she’d discussed with Ming Jiao last night.
“Ming Yue, how much do you know about the issues between Mom and Aunt?”
Ming Yue was momentarily bewildered by the question, her round eyes clouded with confusion. After a pause, she replied slowly, “Their relationship isn’t very good.”
“Do you know why?” Tang Xiaoyu pressed.
“Probably clashing personalities,” Ming Yue recalled. “Grandma said Aunt is strong-willed, while Mom is gentle yet firm—like needle meeting awl.” Always butting heads.
Back then, Grandma had sighed over her sister and Ming Jiao, saying her sister took after Mom, while Ming Jiao resembled Aunt in her youth by seventy or eighty percent. She remarked how generation after generation gathered under her roof, all like debt-collecting ghosts.
Ming Yue looked at Tang Xiaoyu, aware she wasn’t one for casual chatter, especially when occupied with important matters. “Sis, what’s wrong?”
Tang Xiaoyu pondered. Ming Yue had returned to the Ming family six or seven years earlier than her, yet she also didn’t know the root of the discord between their mother and aunt. Either Ming Jiao’s speculation was incorrect, and Aunt’s actions against them were unrelated to their mother, or the grudge involved was known only to the two parties involved. She leaned toward the latter.
It’s unlikely that my sister would know either, but unfortunately, she’s still away on a business trip, and it’s not convenient to disturb her and distract her.
As for asking Mom directly, she’s even more perceptive than Ming Yue. If I were to inquire about anything, I’d have to lay out everything in front of her openly.
However, compared to giving Ming Yue experience and respecting her as an adult in major matters, Tang Xiaoyu would rather let Mom, who is in extremely poor health, rest and recuperate properly.
Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to disturb Mom.
Hearing Ming Yue’s question, she pondered for a long time before finally revealing everything that happened last night, along with her suspicions about Aunt’s actions.
No matter how great the emotional hurt and shock, it’s still better than regretting self-righteous concealment after something actually happens. Besides, Ming Yue isn’t the type with a fragile personality.
Ming Yue didn’t feel hurt, but she was quite shocked.
She wasn’t close to Aunt, and she knew that among them, Aunt favored Ming Jiao the most and disliked Tang Xiaoyu the most. But how could she do something so heinous? And, and…
“Why? Aunt and her have the best relationship, don’t they? How could she treat her like this? What right did she have to encourage her to do this to you?”
Tang Xiaoyu placed her slender, jade-like fingers on Ming Yue’s shoulder. Her voice, though cold like a mountain spring, carried a calming tranquility. “This is just speculation. Even though Ming Jiao had no reason to lie to Nightingale, we still need to consider this possibility and the chance that she might have drawn the wrong conclusion.”
But Ming Yue didn’t see it that way. The listening device and the people surveilling outside the Rose Garden hadn’t been investigated or confirmed yet, but the fact that Aunt encouraged Ming Jiao to spread rumors was definitely true.
Because even if Ming Jiao knew she was Tang Xiaoyu, she wouldn’t use tactics like smearing Aunt’s reputation to drive a wedge between them. Aunt had always doted on her the most, and she, in turn, had always been the most protective of Aunt.
Since she wouldn’t do it to Tang Xiaoyu, it was even less likely she’d do it to someone she had just met.
In this world, Ming Jiao might hurt everyone, even Mom, but she would absolutely never hurt Aunt.
If anyone else had told her those things just now, she wouldn’t have believed a single word.
Wait—Ming Yue suddenly lifted her head. “If it really is Aunt, do you think she would still protect her?”
Tang Xiaoyu fell silent for a moment before replying, “At the very least, she wouldn’t condone it.”
“I hope so.” Ming Yue forced a difficult, unconvinced smile.
This wasn’t her fault. After all, in her long-held impression, Ming Jiao had always stood by Aunt’s side.
“Go pack your things,” Tang Xiaoyu said.
Since they had decided to ensure Ming Jiao’s safety, they would have to move to the bookstore. They needed to pack some essentials.
“Okay.”
Watching Ming Yue’s retreating figure, Tang Xiaoyu’s gaze grew deep and obscure.
Ming Jiao considered spreading rumors beneath her and wouldn’t do it. So, was the rumor circulating some time ago about her being an illegitimate child also orchestrated by Aunt?
She could be sure that Ming Jiao didn’t agree with Aunt’s actions and would try to stop them, but… when she moved out of the Ming family, was it a coincidence brought about by a pile of circumstances, or was it the result of careful, step-by-step planning?
Moreover, Ming Jiao didn’t tell the Ming family about these things. Was it out of protection for Aunt, or was she worried that the Ming family would side with Aunt due to blood ties? Or was it simply, as she herself had said, that no one would believe her?
Tang Xiaoyu couldn’t clearly discern all of this at the moment, but she knew Ming Jiao didn’t trust the Ming family—no matter the reason, she held no trust for them.
“I only believe in you.”
That night when the scent of blood intertwined with floral fragrance, every seemingly absurd casual remark now seemed to have manifested as genuine truths when looking back.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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