Chapter 563: 563: A wet nurse is like a mother, but the real mother gets neglected_1

Just then, Xiumei, who had heard the commotion, rushed out from the house. She hurriedly stopped Xu Zhengyong, “Stop hitting him, he’s not an outsider, he is… he is…”

Xiumei looked at Wei Jinyi, at a loss for words on how to introduce his identity.

Under Xu Zhengyong’s staring eyes, Wei Jinyi took off the human skin mask covering his face.

“You… you… aren’t you…” Xu Zhengyong exclaimed in surprise.

“I didn’t die.” said Wei Jinyi.

“You didn’t die?” Xu Zhengyong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes.”

“But…how could that be…I remember that time… you obviously…”

“That was arranged by me on purpose,” Wei Jinyi answered.

“Why on earth would you fake your death? Don’t you realise that it would break Ruoruo’s heart?” Xu Zhengyong admonished.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you here in King Rui’s residence now?” Xu Zhengyong asked again.

Xiumei quickly explained, “The second young master is King Rui himself.”

“What did you say? He is King Rui?”

Xu Zhengyong felt as if his head was about to explode.

“The second young master of the Wei family is King Rui, and Ruoruo has become Queen Rui by marrying her second brother?” Xu Zhengyong muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the relationships, then he suddenly exclaimed in shock, “What, Ruoruo has married her second brother?! That’s inappropriately messed up, right? How can a brother marry his own sister?”

“Brother Xiaoyong!” Xiumei despaired at his lack of understanding, “Are you being silly? He’s King Rui now, how could he be Missy’s blood brother?”

“Oh, right,” Xu Zhengyong nodded, “But wait, how did he become the second young master of the Wei family?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xiumei, seeing his confusion, elaborated on Wei Jinyi’s background.

Only then did Xu Zhengyong fully understand. After some pondering, he came to terms with it.

“Who would have thought that Lord Wei would be so audacious?” Xu Zhengyong exclaimed, “However, it’s indeed something he would do. He values loyalty and is willing to brave all dangers for the sake of his benefactors.”

Straight away, Xu Zhengyong approached Wei Jinyi.

The two were now roughly the same height. Xu Zhengyong was a bit more broad and muscular though.

After carefully looking at Wei Jinyi for a while, Xu Zhengyong asked: “You have great martial arts skills. When can you give me some pointers?”

“Sure, I’ll teach you when there’s an opportunity,” Wei Jinyi replied.

“Really?” Excitement shone in Xu Zhengyong’s eyes.

“Yes.”

“That’s fantastic! Do you have any free time today?” Xu Zhengyong asked.

“Brother Xiaoyong! How could there be any spare time today? His Highness is dressed up like this to facilitate his movements later! Besides, you also have things to attend to!”

“Oh, right!” A bit embarrassed, Xu Zhengyong conceded. In his excitement, he had nearly forgotten about his duties.

Xiumei quickly added, “That’s enough. It’s almost time. I need to take Madam Xu to the side hall.”

###

All the guests had arrived in the main hall.

Wei Ruo stood and addressed the crowd, “Before we start, I have a personal matter I would like to announce on this occasion.”

Everyone turned to Wei Ruo, their minds filled with curiosity as to what her announcement could be.

Wei Ruo did not immediately declare it, but whispered something to a maid standing nearby.

The maid then went into the rear hall.

After a short while, Xiumei appeared, guiding a wet nurse into the hall, and everyone’s eyes were drawn to them.

Wei Ruo personally walked over and led the wet nurse into the center of the hall.

Being in the presence of so many noble ladies, the wet nurse was quite nervous. Wei Ruo held her hand tightly to reassure her.

Upon seeing the woman accompanying Wei Ruo, Yun felt a pang of unease, a sense of foreboding filled her heart.

What does Ruoruo intend to do by bringing this woman before everyone? Could it be…?

Yun watched as Wei Ruo held Madam Xu’s hand. The mother who had not given her a proper glance since she had entered was now being treated with such respect and protection!

Under Yun’s anxiety and the curious gazes from everyone else, Wei Ruo announced, “I intend to recognize the lady standing in front of everyone, Madam Xu, the mother of Martial General Xu Zhengyong, as my adoptive mother.”

The group of people who heard this news for the first time revealed a look of surprise. For those who had already heard rumors of this, their reactions were relatively muted. However, they were somewhat baffled why the esteemed Queen was choosing to acknowledge such a woman as her adoptive mother, given the disparity in their social status.

Yun’s face sank. Her dread had been realized!

Originally, she thought there might be room for discussion on this matter. Yet, Wei Ruo announced it publicly, leaving no opportunity for negotiation!

What a ruthless move by her!

Wei Qingwan hadn’t heard beforehand that Wei Ruo would adopt Madam Xu as her adoptive mother. Hearing the news, she was surprised.

She subtly lifted her bowed head and gazed at Wei Ruo in confusion.

She couldn’t understand why Wei Ruo would stage such a spectacle. If Wei Ruo had selected a woman of high status to be her adoptive mother, it could be seen as a strategy to amass power.

Xu Zhengyong was but a sixth-rank martial officer, a brute. With the current ongoing war, this military ranking held some importance. Otherwise, the status of a sixth-rank martial officer was nothing compared to a seventh-rank magistrate.

What could be the motive for the regal Queen to recognize such a person as her adoptive mother?

Wei Ruo explained her reasons to everyone, “When I was in Jiangzhe, I encountered a dangerous situation. Fortunately, Madam Xu stepped in and saved me. Her great kindness I will never forget, and I swore to repay her act of kindness if I ever had an opportunity.”

“Now I am the queen but have not forgotten the kindness shown to me. After discussing it with His Highness, we agreed that I will soon officially acknowledge Madam Xu as my adoptive mother. In the future, I wish to serve her as an adoptive daughter until her old age, to repay the grace of her life-saving kindness.”

Besides omitting the fact that Madam Xu was her wet nurse, all other aspects of Wei Ruo’s speech were genuine.

The wet nurse indeed saved her life.

Although she had been transported into this body with memories from a different life, when she initially arrived, she was helpless, incapable of movement or speech, and utterly dependent as a newborn.

If it wasn’t for the wet nurse’s careful care during her infancy, her wisdom and knowledge would have made no difference.

In the severe winter, if not for the wet nurse protecting her in her bosom, she would have been frozen to death.

If this was not a life-saving grace, then what was?

The wet nurse looked at Wei Ruo, her eyes welling up with emotion.

At the same time, Yun felt a heaviness in her chest, as if a large stone was pressing on her, making it hard to breathe.

Qi Shijing was among the first to react and offered her congratulations, “Congratulations, Ninth Sister!”

Zuo Lingyue followed suit, “This is truly a joyous occasion. Congratulations, Ninth Sister. From now on, you have an extra mother.”

The rest also offered their congratulations:

“Congratulations, Queen Rui.”

“Congratulations, Madam Xu.”

“…”

Amid the sounds of everyone’s congratulations, Wei Ruo lightly lifted her skirt, and knelt before the wet nurse in front of everyone…