Chapter 174: Chapter 4: The Real and Fake Heiress (Part 4)

Zhang Minrong couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional; this child is really obedient, really sensible, yet also makes one feel distressed as the child is so young.

Moreover, Zhang Minrong felt a bit strange; though she is currently at home resting, being a housewife, her family background is not simple, and the education and training she received from a young age were extremely meticulous.

She hadn’t noticed it before, but thinking back now, she realizes Li Yu is quite peculiar. She always likes to stay by Qing Lan’s side. Whenever Qing Lan has any needs, she rushes over immediately. Sometimes when she wants to help, Li Yu always tells her to rest.

Her care for Qing Lan can be said to be impeccable, even the maternity nurse is amazed.

But she doesn’t pay attention to her own child.

Initially, she said she couldn’t let go of this child, didn’t want to abort her, yet now she is so careless about the child.

Zhang Minrong feels that people are inherently selfish. Although their family does treat Li Yu quite well, Li Yu is wholly devoted to taking care of Qing Lan while neglecting Shuning—doesn’t that seem very strange? After all, Shuning is her biological daughter.

And there’s another point: since Shuning was born, Li Yu has rarely brought the child over; she hasn’t even seen Shuning once.

Isn’t there a maternity nurse at home? She doesn’t need to be watching over her day and night like that.

Thinking of this, Zhang Minrong suddenly said, “Xiao Yu, I’ve been thinking that since you’ve been taking care of Qing Lan all the time and don’t have time to care for Shuning, why not bring Shuning to the front courtyard as well? After all, taking care of one or two is the same, and the maternity nurse can also help take care of Shuning, and since you often watch Qing Lan at night, let Shuning stay in the front courtyard too.”

Li Yu immediately refused; how could she let Li Shuning come to the front courtyard? If discovered, wouldn’t it be the end?

“No, no need, Sister Zhang, you have already been good enough to me, there’s no need to bring Shuning here. I will find time to take care of Shuning in the future.”

“If that’s the case, then you don’t need to come to take care of Qing Lan in the future. Let the maternity nurse take over, and you just focus on tidying up the house, then you’ll have time to care for Shuning.”

Li Yu only felt a stabbing pain surge towards her.

Her daughter would show a small smile whenever close to her; how could she trust leaving her child to the maternity nurse? Besides, she wouldn’t see her daughter afterward. No, that’s not acceptable.

What to do? What to do?

Li Shuning was also a bit surprised; she glanced at Zhang Minrong; this Zhang Minrong is indeed not simple.

Sure enough, Li Yu thought over and over but ultimately couldn’t let go of her daughter and agreed to bring Li Shuning to stay in the front courtyard.

If only Li Yu truly cared for her daughter’s well-being and left with Li Shuning to lead a good life, Li Shuning would admire her a bit. But on one side, she wishes Qing Lan well, and on the other, she wants Qing Lan to be close to her, wanting everything. The human heart is truly terrifying.

However, this way, she won’t have to go hungry in the future.

Li Shuning’s spiritual power is quite strong; although she is still just a baby, she has some ability for self-defense. But Li Shuning decided to first make herself noticeable in front of Zhang Minrong and her husband, and when she’s able to walk and run, to take further steps, lest those people become desperate and act against her, which would be a mess, given that this body is still too small, isn’t it?

Besides, some things she doesn’t believe—over time, will Zhang Minrong and the others not become suspicious?

Since moving to the front courtyard, Li Yu’s life has become somewhat difficult.

She can’t bear to let go of Qing Lan, but seeing Zhang Minrong holding Li Shuning, she feels displeased and somewhat fearfully anxious.

However, Li Shuning is increasingly making a good impression in Li Qiong and his wife’s eyes.

The two even have an illusion, as if this child is their child.

Time flies, and both Li Shuning and Qing Lan are three years old. Yet, their upbringing is completely at two extremes.

Qing Lan is domineering and unreasonable, while Li Shuning is sensible, understanding, and polite.

Although Zhang Minrong often educates Qing Lan, Qing Lan always acts the same way. Whenever spoken to sternly, she would burst out crying, and Li Yu would come up to smooth things over, coaxing Qing Lan.

“Our young lady is truly genuine; there’s no need for Shuning to yield. Shuning should accommodate the young lady.”

Li Shuning inwardly despises Li Yu.

A real aristocratic family is not every one of them a wastrel; aristocracies have heritage.

Li Yu indulgingly supports Qing Lan, not realizing her actions are ultimately harming Qing Lan.

The most laughable thing is—it would be understandable if she didn’t know the truth, but knowing fully well that the two children are swapped, yet still speaking such words, it’s a testament to her character.

Zhang Minrong feels somewhat headache-inducing but finds it difficult to say anything to Li Yu; after all, Li Yu truly cares for Qing Lan.

Thankfully, the children are about to attend kindergarten, which might help correct some bad habits.

Originally, Zhang Minrong intended to send Li Shuning and Zhang Minrong together to kindergarten, but once, when other children from the courtyard came to play, an unknown dispute broke out, and Qing Lan screamed directly.

“Why are you all playing with Li Shuning? She is just the daughter of a servant. She is my little sidekick; you are not allowed to play with her.”

Coincidentally, this scene was witnessed by Zhang Minrong, leaving her somewhat shocked that her daughter could have such thoughts.

It was then that Zhang Minrong grounded Qing Lan.

Li Yu kept pleading, but Zhang Minrong remained stern, telling Li Yu not to interfere.

Li Yu felt heartbroken, knowing it was caused by Li Shuning, secretly hitting Li Shuning.

However, Li Shuning used her spiritual power to shield herself; the ruler hitting her in those places had been specially processed, leaving marks but not causing pain. Still, Li Shuning deliberately shifted her body, causing the ruler to hit her on the back of her hand.

A red mark was left on the back of her hand, a mark easily visible at a glance.

And while Li Yu was hitting her, Li Shuning kept crying loudly.

Li Yu feared drawing attention, and so tightly covered Li Shuning’s mouth.

Yet, she didn’t know it was during this time daily that Shuning drank her formula—yes, even at three years old, she still drank 180 ml of formula daily.

When the maternity nurse opened the door, she saw the scene of Li Shuning being “beaten.”

The maternity nurse hurriedly stepped in to stop Li Yu.

“Li Yu, what are you doing? She’s just a three-year-old child, are you trying to beat her to death?”

The commotion attracted Zhang Minrong and the others.

Knowing Li Yu harshly beat Li Shuning over Qing Lan, Zhang Minrong was very angry.

Especially seeing Li Shuning covered in red marks, Zhang Minrong’s breath was momentarily held.

She didn’t expect Li Yu to be someone so indifferent to right and wrong.

Such a person without principles should not stay by Qing Lan’s side as it’s not beneficial.

Seeing the pitiable Li Shuning and the ruler mark on her hand, Zhang Minrong felt stifled.

It was this incident that made Zhang Minrong stop thinking about sending Li Shuning and Qing Lan to the same school.

This incident made Zhang Minrong even more suspicious of Li Yu.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep