I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 290: Blind to the Value of Gold-Inlaid Jade

Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Blind to the Value of Gold-Inlaid Jade

"Perhaps this is just the nature of father and daughter," no excessive introductions needed, no requirements of this or that proof. "I know you are my father; I know you are my daughter," that was enough.

Wu Xiucai struggled to calm his emotions, and at that moment, the morning breeze that had been blowing from the north suddenly stopped, and the sunlight became warm and comforting, giving the sensation that spring had arrived.

Wu Xiucai opened the family genealogy and flipped to a page towards the back, pointing at the characters there and said softly, "Look, this is your name, Wu Qianyun..."

Han Xianglan repeated in a whisper, "Wu Qianyun?"

"Yes, your name is Wu Qianyun, not Han Xianglan." Wu Xiucai’s voice was choked with emotion, "Change your name back, return to Yun City, and kowtow to your mother. She’s been going mad missing you..."

Han Xianglan could no longer hold back.

She threw herself in front of Wu Xiucai, kneeling before him, crying her heart out, "Father, I always thought you didn’t want me, that’s why you sold me..."

...

The news of Han Xianglan’s biological father coming to acknowledge her spread like a bird with wings throughout the Qiao Family Team and the entire Harvest Commune in no time.

It was an event that sent shockwaves through the whole commune, the like of which had never been heard of before.

Old Lady He sat in the courtyard of Hejia Village, her eyes narrowing slightly.

This winter, they could not stay here to endure the cold; they were too old, they had to go to Beijing.

They started packing some belongings now, as their son would come personally to fetch them. The old house would be left unsold, as He Shan said he would occasionally come to stay there after his retirement.

At that moment, sitting in front of Granny He and speaking with unrestrained enthusiasm was Mrs. Xu of the village, who did not get along with her.

"Aiyo, I must say, Old Lady He, you really can’t recognize a gem even when it’s in front of you. Just think, if you had known that Han Xianglan was actually the daughter of a rich magnate from the M country, and moreover an only daughter, do you think you could have sold her? For just a bag of coarse rice, how could you be so short-sighted?"

The words struck her to the core, and Granny He pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Over the years, she had heard such remarks aplenty. She had fallen out with Meng Siqi and, even if she kept it a secret, the fact was that Meng Siqi had never once come to visit her, and many people ridiculed her.

They said she couldn’t recognize a jewel even if she had it, and couldn’t keep a treasure even if she tried.

She had only one son, He Shan, who was taken by the passing Guo Party as a conscript one year, leaving without a word for several years, and with no news from him, the family was without a single grain of rice, her husband fell ill, and the three of them faced starvation. What could she do but steel her heart and sell Xianglan?

At that time, she also thought her son would never return.

Who could have foreseen that a few years later, having succeeded in the revolution, her son would come back to Hejia Village riding a tall horse, accompanied by two guards?

Her son had made a name for himself. As he entered the yard, he knelt before her, and when he stood up, his bright, shining eyes searched everywhere for the shadow of Han Xianglan.

At that moment, she regretted her decision; her heart ached and her liver throbbed.

Had she only endured a bit longer, persisted a bit more, could they have reunited as a family?

Her son had grown taller, stronger, and even more handsome, his eyes bright with spirit, searching inside and outside the yard for his sister Xianglan.

She didn’t dare to speak, and neither did her husband.

It was Mrs. Xu from the Xu family who heartlessly pushed open the door and cruelly said, "Shanzi, are you looking for your little wife? A couple of years ago, your mother sold her to Qiao Zhi of Qiao Village in exchange for a bag of coarse rice. Right across the river, your sister Xianglan even bore Old Qiao a big, fat baby boy..."

She watched with wide eyes as her son’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, as the light in her son’s eyes extinguished, as she watched him run madly out of the yard.

He had forgotten that he still owned tall horses, and he had forgotten he had two guards with guns on their backs.

The weather in August was so cool, so cool indeed, and her heart had also turned ice-cold.

Her son hadn’t taken the official’s path but had instead jumped directly into the river and swum across. He stood, dripping wet, at the Old Qiao Family’s doorstep, while Han Xianglan led her eldest son, quietly watching him.

It was the first time the two children had seen each other after many years of separation, but it would also be their last.

After returning, her son fell ill, an illness that nearly took his life.

Later, he married and had children. She visited a few times, only to find Meng Siqi looking down on her from the bottom of her heart, acting differently in public than in private, and truly, she couldn’t face He Shan.

Just like that, almost forty years had flashed by in an instant.

Time flies indeed. She had aged, could barely walk anymore, and had to live with her son for her elder care. Her daughter-in-law might still despise her, but there was nothing she could do. No matter what she endured, as long as she wasn’t dead, she had no choice but to keep living.

Mrs. Xu was still talking nonstop.

"...I heard that Han Xianglan’s real name was Wu Qianyun, a rich young lady from the prominent Yun City family. It’s just a shame she got separated from her parents and was bought by you."

"The old Wu Family has become very wealthy, and all of their family property now belongs to Han Xianglan. It’s said that Han Xianglan is now the richest woman in the world. My heavens, just how rich must she be? Does she eat meat every day or what..."

"Older sister, I know you’ve stayed here for so many years as a form of penance. You’ve wronged Shanzi as well as Han Xianglan, and I know you often sneak treats to little Qiao Qingyu. I also know you’re full of regret, but we have to accept our fate. You were not fortunate enough to be Han Xianglan’s mother-in-law, so I won’t provoke you further. Go to Beijing; Han Xianglan has her real father now, and with so much wealth, there’s nothing to worry about..."

Old Lady He suddenly burst into tears.

Back then, there was really no other choice. She couldn’t bear it either, but it was better than the two elders dying and leaving Han Xianglan behind. That child was so beautiful, and in that cruel age, in that era when girls suffered so much, she couldn’t just abandon her.

The Qiao Family was flourishing with good people known for their integrity, and Qiao Zhicai was also a handsome young man, famous in the eight villages around. Most importantly, the Old Qiao Family had agreed; with a marriage proposal, six matchmakers, and a red flower bridal sedan, they would absolutely not mistreat Han Xianglan.

She had agreed, but Han Xianglan hadn’t.

That night, Han Xianglan knelt and begged her. She said she would go to the city to work and earn money, saying she could read and find plenty of jobs.

She cried so hard she was disfigured, saying she wanted to wait for Brother Shanzi to return.

She coldly said harsh and heartless words.

Could she let her go to the city? With Xianglan’s looks, going to the city would mean walking into a wolf’s den.

She remained adamant and unforgiving, and so, the child gave up hope.

Finally, Han Xianglan agreed to marry.

She received a bag of coarse rice, and she and her husband survived.

But no matter what, it couldn’t change the fact that she had sold Han Xianglan for grain.

She had wronged her son, wronged Xianglan.

But who knew the bitterness in her heart?

Granny He pounded on her chest, crying so hard she was gasping for air, as if her heart was being torn apart...

Mrs. Xu hugged her and also began to wipe away tears.

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