On the way, Su Xiaoqi had already explained Huan Niang's situation in detail.
She had also told her that she was very likely Huan Niang's daughter.
Of course, this was still her speculation and lacked corroborating witnesses.
The little magpie listened without joy or sorrow, as if hearing news about a stranger.
It wasn't that she was cold-blooded and heartless.
It was because she had lived so many years without a mother, yet it felt as if she had one.
She saw Su Xiaoqi as both a sister and a mother.
She felt that even though she had fallen into such circumstances, she had not lacked love.
She was happy to have met them and to have received so much love from her many older siblings.
As for mother and father, the two people who should have been the most important in her life, they had been absent for so long.
That they had long since become unimportant.
Whether they were there or not, it didn't matter.
Moreover, the possibility of having such a father made her truly unable to hold her head up.
She also felt some incomprehension towards Huan Niang.
How could she be so foolish to fancy that kind of man!
Xiao Xique's indifference stood in stark contrast to Huan Niang's warmth and excitement.
"Xi'er, Xi'er, I knew it was you, Xi'er, Xi'er!"
They looked so alike that even if someone said they weren't related, they wouldn't be believed.
Su Xiaoqi watched the mother and daughter, one enthusiastic and the other indifferent, feeling a complex mix of emotions.
She wanted to persuade Xiao Xique.
But then she felt it was unnecessary.
After all, if you haven't experienced someone else's hardship, don't preach to them.
She had not experienced a fate like Xiao Xique's, being sold to a brothel by her own father at birth,
And later getting lost and ending up on the streets. How could she persuade her?
Of course, more importantly, although all the evidence now suggested that they might be mother and daughter, it was not certain.
Some things are hard to say.
Xiao Xique's coldness affected Huan Niang.
She was a sensitive person who was somewhat afraid of interacting with others.
Her enthusiasm for Xiao Xique was also because they were related by blood.
And she had always been the person she cherished most.
But all her enthusiasm was extinguished by Xiao Xique's indifference.
She realized that she was not worthy of being a mother.
She lowered her head, weeping silently and sadly.
No matter what, she was the one who had caused everything that had happened, and she couldn't blame anyone else.
Nor did she have any standing to ask for anyone's forgiveness.
As for Xiao Xique's identity, she never doubted it.
They looked too much alike.
The current Xiao Xique was a perfect replica of herself in her youth.
Huan Niang had experienced too many hardships, and in some ways, she had come to terms with things.
Su Xiaoqi then whispered to her, "Even if the county princess doesn't do it for herself, at least do it for Xiao Xique.
Some things rightfully belong to her. If the county princess doesn't want to fight for them, please fight for her.
And I heard that someone from Consort Liu's side already knows about your existence."
If she wanted to be ruthless, she might even send people to deal with her.
Therefore, the best approach now was to bring all matters to light.
Instead of hiding them.
Because what shouldn't be seen were not the mother and daughter, but those who hid in the shadows, plotting schemes.
As they were talking, Zhang Yu rushed in to inform Su Xiaoqi:
"Madam, the Heir of Prince Xiang has come again."
Su Xiaoqi understood. He had come to find Mingzhu.
But for Huan Niang, this was an excellent opportunity.
Someone came to recognize her and bring her back to Prince Xiang's mansion, which was better than her going to the mansion's gate dressed in simple clothes herself.
Given the greedy nature of their gatekeepers, she suspected she wouldn't even be able to enter the mansion's gate.
Zhang Yu deliberately spoke loudly, so Huan Niang naturally heard it.
Her memory had now fully returned.
She knew very well who the Heir of Prince Xiang represented.
Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Is, is, is it my brother Jingting?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded, "That's right, the person standing outside is your full brother, the Heir of Prince Xiang, Liang Jingting."
Seeing her expression soften, Su Xiaoqi whispered again, "And it seems he, like you, was schemed against."
"Ah... what, why..." Huan Niang looked surprised and puzzled.
"Because Prince Xiang's mansion only has one legitimate son, and one illegitimate son."
Su Xiaoqi whispered.
When Zhang Yu went to investigate Huan Niang's affairs this time, it also uncovered a big secret about the Heir of Prince Xiang's marriage.
She thought that the relationship with Consort Liu and Princess Ning could not be repaired.
Therefore, she didn't mind at all publicizing what those mother and daughter had done.
"You, you mean, they, they not only harmed me, but also, also harmed my brother.
Then my imperial concubine mother, my royal father..." Huan Niang became anxious, tears welling up.
"If the county princess is worried, why not go out and see for yourself, and ask.
I believe that having experienced their methods, you should be able to recognize it immediately."
Su Xiaoqi's words were a bit blunt, but the logic was sound.
In the current situation, she had no choice.
She had to return to Prince Xiang's mansion. The wicked deeds committed by Consort Liu and Princess Ning were more than just that.
Su Xiaoqi would not be lenient in punishing evil and promoting good, while also precisely striking at her enemies.
However, Huan Niang had been weak for decades, and her thoughts were not easily changed.
She instinctively looked at Xiao Xique, actually seeking an answer from her.
"I'll listen to my sister Xiaoqi," Xiao Xique added fuel to the fire without hesitation.
"Then, then Mother listens to Xi'er."
"My name is Xiao Xique..." Xiao Xique emphasized earnestly.
"My Xi'er!" Huan Niang instantly turned into a doting mother and pulled Xiao Xique forward.
Xiao Xique looked back and winked at Su Xiaoqi.
She had received so much kindness from Sister Xiaoqi, and it was time to contribute her strength.
Su Xiaoqi shook her head and spread her hands.
Uh, actually, this was a win-win situation, and she was not the sole beneficiary.
After all, Shen Yun had not yet returned to Prince Ning's mansion and had not truly confronted Princess Ning.
But their brother and sister had already been tricked by those mother and daughter so many times.
It was time to collect some interest.
Su Xiaoqi waved her hand.
Zhang Yu, on tiptoe, left the backyard ahead of them.
Inviting Liang Jingting into the backyard.
"Oh, I'm looking for your boss, Miss Shen. No, this is... Eldest Sister..."
Liang Jingting saw Huan Niang standing at the door at a glance and exclaimed in surprise.
Su Xiaoqi saw the situation and knew it was a done deal.
She then led everyone to retreat.
But as she was leaving, Huan Niang called out to Xiao Xique.
She pulled her to Liang Jingting, her small frame standing straight.
She said, "Thank you, Madam Shen. Xiao Xique is my child, and I want to take her to see her maternal uncle."
Su Xiaoqi saw the brilliance and determination in her eyes and suddenly understood.
Huan Niang no longer needed the testimony from that old woman from Bashu; she had already recognized Xiao Xique.
Whether she was or not, she was her daughter!
It just so happened that she had no daughter, and Xiao Xique had no mother.
She nodded with relief and walked away.
Xiao Xique did not struggle.
Su Xiaoqi had already explained the reasons clearly to her when she came.
Regardless of whether she was the granddaughter of Prince Xiang's mansion or not, she was her sister.
She could always return to her side.
With this guarantee, Xiao Xique was not worried about not being able to return after following Huan Niang.
Su Xiaoqi waited outside, expecting to wait a long time.
But in fact, only a quarter of an hour had passed.
Soon, the courtyard gate opened, and Xiao Xique came out to invite her in.
As soon as she walked in, she saw Huan Niang holding Xiao Xique in one hand and Liang Jingting in the other, kneeling before her.
"Oh, oh, no, no." They were all royal family members, how could she accept their bows.
"Thank you, Madam Shen, for saving my eldest sister. You have been a great kindness to my Prince Xiang's mansion.
And for raising my niece Xiao Xique, you have been a great virtue to the mansion.
Such great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten!" Liang Jingting said, bowing his head firmly.
In fact, he also wanted to say that she was also the elder sister-in-law of the person he liked, Mingzhu. As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father, and an elder sister-in-law is like a mother; she deserved this bow!
After expressing their gratitude, Su Xiaoqi saw them off to Prince Xiang's mansion.
Accompanying them inside was Xue Li, the scumbag brought by Zhang Yu from the Imperial Guards.
With his testimony, Consort Liu would not escape!
Su Xiaoqi did not pay further attention to the potential excitement in Prince Xiang's mansion, as Shen Yun had already finished work and was waiting to pick her up in the sunset.