This Life, I'm Raising the Right Man

Chapter 295: Chapter 258: Taking Back_3

Xiao Yanci had just started his duty when a new appointment document was immediately delivered. He was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, a position of the fourth rank, a slight promotion compared to his previous Standard Fifth Rank.

Although it was only a slight promotion, he was already very satisfied. After all, he had just gotten married, and if he were promoted too much at once, it would undoubtedly attract envy.

“Zhou Wangshu, you have a backer, and so do I. Let’s see who can climb higher now.”

Xiao Yanci muttered to himself as he looked at the appointment document in his hand.

Su Yaoguang continued to be busy with her career. Her Taoyao Square business was thriving, and she had opened several branches, hiring more employees.

Every day, she was either researching new products or new beauty techniques. The women across the Capital City praised her deft hands, capable of transforming an overweight woman into a slender one, or turning an acne-scarred woman into a beauty with skin like creamy jade.

At the Cheng’an Hou Mansion, the Marquis Cheng’an gazed heatedly at the jade pendant in his hand.

“You say this belongs to the son-in-law of the National Guardian General, the new Champion Scholar Zhou Wangshu?”

“Yes, Marquis,” said the trusted aide beside him. “It’s said to be something Mr. Zhou carries personally. The servants attending him said that Mr. Zhou fell into the water, lost his memory, and was later abducted by the human trafficker, which is how he ended up in the hands of the Su Family.”

“He also lost his memory?” The Marquis Cheng’an was even more convinced.

Only with the loss of memory, unaware of his own identity, would he not find his way back.

“The first time I saw him, I found it strange. His face bore a slight resemblance to my late legitimate eldest son, but I dared not ask since the child had long been dead, his bones turned to ashes. Now it seems that at the time, he fell into the water and was swept elsewhere, while the other child merely bore a resemblance to him and happened to wear similar clothing.”

The steward entered from outside and said to the Marquis Cheng’an, “The Young Master has been making a fuss, refusing to eat or take medicine. Marquis, what should we do now?”

The Marquis Cheng’an said coldly, “That disgraceful thing dares to act up with me? If it weren’t for his disgrace, would I be the laughing stock? However, I now have a chance to turn the tables.”

The trusted aide said, “Should we investigate further? Maybe it’s just a coincidence they look similar.”

“This jade pendant was given to him by his mother. Since it’s something he carries, it must be him. Arrange for me to meet him at once.”

“But Marquis, this jade pendant was taken from his home secretly. How will we explain having his jade pendant when claiming kinship?”

“I’m his father; does this need an explanation?” the Marquis Cheng’an said with a smile. “If he returns to the Marquis Mansion, he will inherit the title. How could he not recognize me? Though he now has the National Guardian General as a backer, a General’s title can’t be inherited, so even being a son-in-law is of no use.”

In the backyard, the Marchioness Cheng’an listened to the report with a face as pale as paper.

She grasped the table beside her and, with a trembling voice, asked, “You said that illegitimate child didn’t die?”

“My old servant’s nephew serves beside the Marquis. Today was his duty, standing outside and listening clearly. The Marquis doesn’t know the relationship between my nephew and me; otherwise, he surely wouldn’t have kept my nephew there.”

“That illegitimate child isn’t dead and has returned. He must be back for revenge.”

“It’s said he has amnesia,” the old maid said. “Since he lost his memory, he naturally doesn’t know his identity or what happened before. I think the Marchioness should not be flustered. The Marquis has received the news first, and we don’t have the opportunity to act before him, losing the initiative, so we’ll have to take things step by step now.”

“Zhen’er has ended up like this; how can he compete?” The Marchioness Cheng’an said angrily, “He used to be the only legitimate son, with no one to compete with him, so it didn’t matter how he misbehaved. Now that illegitimate child has returned, and Zhen’er has such a disgraceful situation, the Marquis will surely abandon him.”

“Anyone can give up the Young Master, but you must not, Marchioness—you have only this one son,” the old maid said. “Although the Young Master has encountered such a situation, it’s not such a big deal! That illegitimate child, after wandering for many years, has no foundation, unlike us who have our people everywhere. To deal with him silently isn’t hard; just find an opportunity.”

“He has the National Guardian General as a backer, making it difficult for us to move against him.”

“Can the National Guardian General prevent every accident? Surely he can’t guard him every day?”