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 didn’t expect it to turn out this way."

Mrs. Yao wiped her tears without turning back, her voice unusually calm, "Our family’s servant said that Run’er 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, don’t you think the whole situation is too coincidental?"

Wen Wan hadn’t expected her to say something like that. "Madam’s 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 wasn’t even at Lotus Lake yesterday, and didn’t 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 can’t 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, "We’re all mothers here; why not think from a different perspective. I am her true family; if I didn’t want her, I’d 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. I’ve always felt Ruru is a daughter heaven gifted to me. Since she can’t remember anything, why not just let her stay with us as a young lady from now on? Though I’m not her biological mother, I’ve 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, it’s 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 you’re her real family, but we’ve 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 wasn’t Sanyang’s biological parent and couldn’t make such a decision.

And it’s 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, "Let’s gamble on this. If she wakes up and regains her memory, it’ll be her choice whether to stay or go with you, and you can’t interfere. As for your years of nurturing her, I’ll make sure she visits your home with filial piety during festivals. If she remembers nothing, then I’ll 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."

——

Matter settled on Mrs. Yao’s side, someone couldn’t keep quiet and spread the talk to the West Courtyard. They said a little girl resembling their elder aunt had arrived at the Madam’s courtyard.

The Second Lang’s wife originally didn’t connect it to Sanyang, just wanted to join the bustling scene. Walking in and seeing Li Huairu’s 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. Yao’s face immediately turned ugly.

Wen Wan hadn’t anticipated the Second Lang’s wife’s 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 Lang’s wife had gone in, and now it was chaotic inside.

Wen Wan realized this wasn’t good, hastened to the East Wing, entering to see Mrs. Yao sitting with a sullen face, while the Second Lang’s wife sobbing miserably.

Wen Wan frowned slightly, "Second Sister-in-law, how come you’re here?"

The Second Lang’s 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 couldn’t speak.

She wanted to say this wasn’t 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; don’t shout, it’ll disturb her."

The Second Lang’s wife quickly stopped crying, but couldn’t hold back her tears, "Then tell me, is this Sanyang?"

Wen Wan answered with a question instead. "Your own biological child, can’t you recognize her?"

The Second Lang’s wife choked.

She could recognize her.

Sanyang had a mole hidden among her eyebrows, which was there since birth and couldn’t 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. Yao’s face sour, Wen Wan pulled the Second Lang’s wife out to the West Wing door, "Anything you want to say, let’s talk outside."

The Second Lang’s wife, confused, only then noticed there was another person.

Once outside, she asked Wen Wan, "That person seemed familiar; hasn’t she been to our place?"

Wen Wan replied she’s been here. "On the Old Master’s birthday banquet, I sent an invitation, and she came; she’s Lady Kang Ding."

The Second Lang’s wife grew bewildered again, "So, who exactly is the one lying inside..."

"For now, let’s not worry about who she is; the urgent matter is waiting for this child to wake up."

"Isn’t she my Sanyang?" the Second Lang’s 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 Lang’s wife’s heart, even causing many nightmares.

After arriving in Beijing, she seized every opportunity to inquire about her daughter’s whereabouts, fearing she might miss her news, aiming to find and make amends.

Now seeing her, the Second Lang’s wife suddenly didn’t know what to do.

——

Indeed, the shouting earlier had disturbed Li Huairu. She frowned, her stiff fingers twitching, and slowly opened her eyes.

Linglong, who was wiping Li Huairu’s face, was overjoyed, and ran outside, "Madam, Second Lady, the girl is awake."

Upon hearing this, the Second Lang’s wife froze.

"Second Sister-in-law, let’s go have a look!" Wen Wan was eager to know if Sanyang remembered anything.

But the Second Lang’s wife seemed scared, retreating a bit, her lips trembling, "I... I’ll wait here a while longer, Sister-in-law, you go in first."

Wen Wan saw the Second Lang’s 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 Huairu’s hand in hers, her eyes red, trembling lips taking a long time to speak, "Ruru, you’re finally awake. How do you feel? Do you feel dizzy, hungry? If you’re uncomfortable, just tell mother, and I’ll 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 mother’s voice.

Seeing Li Huairu’s reaction, Mrs. Yao’s heart sank, "Ruru..."

Li Huairu didn’t react, just stared dazed at Wen Wan.

Wen Wan stepped out and pulled the Second Lang’s wife in.

Looking at the Second Lang’s wife, memories involuntarily rushed back to Li Huairu’s 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 ’mother’ warmed Mrs. Yao’s heart, which had been cold for some time. Her eyes grew hot, "You were injured, best not to move; I’ve brought you to Mrs. Song’s for a couple of days to recuperate. Once you’re better we’ll go home."

Saying that, she gently held her small hand again, "Ruru, is there anything else making you uncomfortable?"

Li Huairu’s voice was as weak as a whisper, "My head is dizzy, and it hurts a bit."

Mrs. Yao felt another burst of heartache.