Chapter 722: Chapter 684: Regaining Memories (13th Update)
A few people arrived at the East Wing room. Mrs. Yao saw her adoptive daughter lying on the couch unconscious and immediately tears of concern fell, "My child, how did you end up like this?"
Wen Wan apologized, "This was an accident; we really didnât expect it to turn out this way."
Mrs. Yao wiped her tears without turning back, her voice unusually calm, "Our familyâs servant said that Runâer took her sister out to the lake to fly kites that day. Later, seeing a fight break out, he kindly went to intervene and was pushed down, hitting his head on a stone, ending up like this. Mrs. Song, donât you think the whole situation is too coincidental?"
Wen Wan hadnât expected her to say something like that. "Madamâs suggestion is that I intentionally set this up to bring Sanyang home?"
Mrs. Yao neither confirmed nor denied, evidently acquiescing.
Wen Wan also knew the whole matter was too coincidental, but this was practically impossible. "Setting aside the fact that I wasnât even at Lotus Lake yesterday, and didnât know your son and Sanyang would be there, even if I had known in advance. If I wanted her back, it showed I still cared about this child. I love her; I canât bear to see her out there wandering. How could I set a trap to harm her?"
Mrs. Yao just listened, without speaking.
Wen Wan continued, "Weâre all mothers here; why not think from a different perspective. I am her true family; if I didnât want her, Iâd just leave her with you. Why go through the trouble and effort to set a trap to hurt her?"
Mrs. Yao also knew her worry made her irrational. After Wen Wan finished speaking, she fell silent for a while and suddenly began to sob quietly.
This reaction stunned Wen Wan.
Mrs. Yao took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, saying, "I had someone investigate beforehand. Your second sister-in-law originally had three daughters; the missing one is the youngest, lost during the earthquake in Ningzhou years ago. Iâve always felt Ruru is a daughter heaven gifted to me. Since she canât remember anything, why not just let her stay with us as a young lady from now on? Though Iâm not her biological mother, Iâve always treated her like my own. Your second brother and sister-in-law lost one but still have two daughters to comfort them, but if I lose Ruru, itâs equivalent to losing half my life."
When she finished, she turned around, got up, and knelt before Wen Wan. "I beg the Commandery Princess, can you not let Ruru go back? I know youâre her real family, but weâve been mother and daughter for so many years. How can I bear to let her leave suddenly?" She banged her head on the ground three times.
Seeing Mrs. Yao like this, Wen Wan was touched at heart.
But if she agreed, it would be like sending her niece away with her own hands.
She wasnât Sanyangâs biological parent and couldnât make such a decision.
And itâs absolutely impossible to let Erlang and his wife make the decision. If the couple saw the daughter missing for years, abandoning her would be unlikely. Even if it meant making a fuss, they would insist on keeping her.
After much deliberation, Wen Wan said, "Letâs gamble on this. If she wakes up and regains her memory, itâll be her choice whether to stay or go with you, and you canât interfere. As for your years of nurturing her, Iâll make sure she visits your home with filial piety during festivals. If she remembers nothing, then Iâll let her follow you. What do you think?"
Mrs. Yao, her eyes full of tears, looked at her gratefully. "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for making this happen."
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Matter settled on Mrs. Yaoâs side, someone couldnât keep quiet and spread the talk to the West Courtyard. They said a little girl resembling their elder aunt had arrived at the Madamâs courtyard.
The Second Langâs wife originally didnât connect it to Sanyang, just wanted to join the bustling scene. Walking in and seeing Li Huairuâs face, she froze, completely ignoring Mrs. Yao beside her, suddenly rushing over, "Sanyang, Sanyang, my sweet girl, how did you become like this?"
Upon hearing the biological mother had arrived, Mrs. Yaoâs face immediately turned ugly.
Wen Wan hadnât anticipated the Second Langâs wifeâs arrival. She was in the West Wing playing with Qi Bao. Hearing commotion coming from the East Wing, she hurriedly went out to see. Unknowingly the Second Langâs wife had gone in, and now it was chaotic inside.
Wen Wan realized this wasnât good, hastened to the East Wing, entering to see Mrs. Yao sitting with a sullen face, while the Second Langâs wife sobbing miserably.
Wen Wan frowned slightly, "Second Sister-in-law, how come youâre here?"
The Second Langâs wife, wiping her nose with tears, hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe them away before looking at Wen Wan. "Sister-in-law, how did you find Sanyang?"
"Uh..." Wen Wan couldnât speak.
She wanted to say this wasnât Sanyang but was afraid the girl would remember everything upon waking. Saying this was Sanyang would be awkward with Mrs. Yao sitting beside; whatever she said felt difficult.
"Second Sister-in-law." Wen Wan stepped forward to pull her, "This child is severely injured, unconscious and needs quiet rest now; donât shout, itâll disturb her."
The Second Langâs wife quickly stopped crying, but couldnât hold back her tears, "Then tell me, is this Sanyang?"
Wen Wan answered with a question instead. "Your own biological child, canât you recognize her?"
The Second Langâs wife choked.
She could recognize her.
Sanyang had a mole hidden among her eyebrows, which was there since birth and couldnât be wrong. Yet, the girl lying on the bed had fair skin, although unconscious, it was tender, a complete contrast to her dark-skinned little daughter. How was it possible this delicate girl was Sanyang?
Seeing Mrs. Yaoâs face sour, Wen Wan pulled the Second Langâs wife out to the West Wing door, "Anything you want to say, letâs talk outside."
The Second Langâs wife, confused, only then noticed there was another person.
Once outside, she asked Wen Wan, "That person seemed familiar; hasnât she been to our place?"
Wen Wan replied sheâs been here. "On the Old Masterâs birthday banquet, I sent an invitation, and she came; sheâs Lady Kang Ding."
The Second Langâs wife grew bewildered again, "So, who exactly is the one lying inside..."
"For now, letâs not worry about who she is; the urgent matter is waiting for this child to wake up."
"Isnât she my Sanyang?" the Second Langâs wife murmured.
Back during the Ningzhou earthquake, she and Song Erlang, desperate to preserve their only heir, could only clutch their young son tightly, fleeing forward with no way to return for Sanyang. This had always been a knot in the Second Langâs wifeâs heart, even causing many nightmares.
After arriving in Beijing, she seized every opportunity to inquire about her daughterâs whereabouts, fearing she might miss her news, aiming to find and make amends.
Now seeing her, the Second Langâs wife suddenly didnât know what to do.
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Indeed, the shouting earlier had disturbed Li Huairu. She frowned, her stiff fingers twitching, and slowly opened her eyes.
Linglong, who was wiping Li Huairuâs face, was overjoyed, and ran outside, "Madam, Second Lady, the girl is awake."
Upon hearing this, the Second Langâs wife froze.
"Second Sister-in-law, letâs go have a look!" Wen Wan was eager to know if Sanyang remembered anything.
But the Second Langâs wife seemed scared, retreating a bit, her lips trembling, "I... Iâll wait here a while longer, Sister-in-law, you go in first."
Wen Wan saw the Second Langâs wife was afraid Sanyang would blame her when she woke up, she stopped forcing and went into the East Wing herself.
Mrs. Yao was sitting in front of the bed, holding Li Huairuâs hand in hers, her eyes red, trembling lips taking a long time to speak, "Ruru, youâre finally awake. How do you feel? Do you feel dizzy, hungry? If youâre uncomfortable, just tell mother, and Iâll immediately get someone to call the doctor."
Li Huairu looked blankly at Mrs. Yao for a long time, before her gaze drifted to the side towards Wen Wan, asking, "What about her?"
Previously in the coma, she had heard her biological motherâs voice.
Seeing Li Huairuâs reaction, Mrs. Yaoâs heart sank, "Ruru..."
Li Huairu didnât react, just stared dazed at Wen Wan.
Wen Wan stepped out and pulled the Second Langâs wife in.
Looking at the Second Langâs wife, memories involuntarily rushed back to Li Huairuâs mind of that night when she was trapped under the fallen beam, calling for help desperately, and her parents holding her brother and leading her sister, turning away and abandoning her.
Tears blurred her eyes uncontrollably.
Li Huairu choked for a long time before asking Mrs. Yao, "Mother, where am I?"
The word âmotherâ warmed Mrs. Yaoâs heart, which had been cold for some time. Her eyes grew hot, "You were injured, best not to move; Iâve brought you to Mrs. Songâs for a couple of days to recuperate. Once youâre better weâll go home."
Saying that, she gently held her small hand again, "Ruru, is there anything else making you uncomfortable?"
Li Huairuâs voice was as weak as a whisper, "My head is dizzy, and it hurts a bit."
Mrs. Yao felt another burst of heartache.