The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 693: Chapter 280 My Mother-in-law is a Loyal Servant (Part 24)

”You swapped my daughter and made me mistakenly believe I had a son. For the sake of that son, I slaved away like a fool in the Feng Family!”

”Fine, secretly swapping children isn’t a big deal, just like your mother said, my Yuanniang did enjoy a few years of fortune in Marquis Mansion.”

”But those good days didn’t last long, did they? Marquis Pingnan was falsely accused, and Yuanniang was only five years old when she was escorted into Capital City with the Marquis Mansion’s family...”

He Tiantian spoke with tears streaming down her face, and her accusations were heartbreaking to hear.

Marquis Pingnan was startled awake again.

He hadn’t forgotten that when ”Gu Xiuniang” went to confront Nanny Zhao just now, her words hinted at Mrs. Zhang.

”Gu Xiuniang” was able to find a way to send Wei Yuanniang to the Qingyun Temple which showed that this woman was very smart and had a high chance of success.

Such a woman, after hearing Nanny Zhao’s words and considering the actions of Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao over the years, should be able to deduce the truth.

Marquis Pingnan seriously suspected that ”Gu Xiuniang” already knew the inside story of the child swap—

Mrs. Zhang didn’t want her biological son to be a hostage in Capital City, so the loyal servant Nanny Zhao proactively suggested swapping her own grandchild (whether a boy or a girl) into Marquis Mansion.

If ”Gu Xiuniang” gave birth to a boy, he would be a perfect replacement for the legitimate son of Marquis Mansion to be sent to Capital City.

If it was a girl, it would be no matter; she would just be raised in Marquis Mansion without costing much, nor would there be concern about being held accountable by the court later on.

And while Mrs. Zhang’s legitimate eldest son was raised in the Feng Family, he wouldn’t be wronged, and Mrs. Zhang could even invite him over to the mansion from time to time.

Marquis Pingnan thought carefully and recalled that Mrs. Zhang indeed was very fond of Nanny Zhao’s grandson and often boasted about him in his presence.

At the time, Marquis Pingnan didn’t think much of it, assuming Mrs. Zhang was just elevating Nanny Zhao.

But now that he thought about it, Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao were actually quite brazen, not hiding anything at all.

If ”Gu Xiuniang” were foolish, she may not have noticed.

But the woman was truly not stupid; thinking back on everything that had happened, what wasn’t clear to comprehend?

Especially after Marquis Mansion fell into hard times, Feng Yanting followed the Feng Family and remained untroubled, while Wei Yuanniang truly suffered.

And Mrs. Zhang too, watching her own son enjoy a good life next door but continuing to ignore and even mistreat Wei Yuanniang.

With all this, ”Gu Xiuniang” would be strange not to be suspicious!

”Gu Xiuniang” might even realize that in Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao’s plan, when the children grew up and it was time to recognize their ancestors and return to their rightful places, they would push her ”Gu Xiuniang” out as the scapegoat.

After all, mixing the bloodline of Marquis Mansion, on a grander scale, is deceiving the sovereign.

Such a crime must be shouldered by someone.

And ”Gu Xiuniang,” the mother of the child, seemed to certainly have the motive to commit the act.

”...” Marquis Pingnan didn’t know how to judge Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao, the master and servant duo.

They, they really were as ”Gu Xiuniang” said, excessively deceiving!

Marquis Pingnan was a straightforward man who didn’t tolerate deceit and couldn’t bear devious plots.

But Mrs. Zhang was his wife, the lady of Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion.

If she were to be tainted, it would affect him and the entire mansion.

Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion had just gone through a great disaster, and although it seemed like the skies had cleared and the sea was calm, turbulent waves were surging underneath.

One false step and their mansion would be in danger of collapsing again.

Marquis Pingnan couldn’t risk the Wei family clan.

He quickly interrupted He Tiantian, purposely speaking in a sympathetic tone, ”Lady Feng of the Feng Family, no matter what the truth is, you are an innocent victim in this matter.”

”Although Nanny Zhao is your mother-in-law, she is also a servant of the Wei Family. My lady also bears the fault of lax oversight.”

”Additionally, over these years, you have shown Feng Yanting great kindness through nurturing and teaching him, and you have also extended rescue and aid to the lady and other female members of the Marquis Mansion. I have always been clear about gratitude and grievances, and not only will I not let my anger about Nanny Zhao’s matters affect you, but I will also provide you with additional rewards and compensation!”

As Marquis Pingnan spoke, he gazed deeply at He Tiantian.

His words were laden with profound meaning, as he slowly said, ”Once this case is resolved, no matter the outcome, our Marquis Mansion will not ignore you!”

”If you have any wishes or requests, you can also speak to me, the Marquis. Within my ability, I will certainly fulfill them!”

For instance, divorce!

Or demanding silver from the Feng Family!

Or vying for custody of Wei Yuanniang!

Especially the third point was most crucial.

Although the Dazhou Dynasty was open-minded and not overly strict or abnormal with its constraints on women.

Still, the Dazhou Dynasty was a male-dominated society. Couples could divorce, but children must be given to the male side.

If ”Gu Xiuniang” were to divorce Feng Zhongliang, she could only take her dowry and personal savings and leave.

What about her daughter, Wei Yuanniang, whose identity was already complicated?

If Marquis Pingnan wanted to keep Wei Yuanniang at the Marquis Mansion on the grounds of ”foster gratitude,” it would also be fair and reasonable.

Even if Marquis Pingnan didn’t argue and let the two children go back to their own families.

As long as ”Gu Xiuniang” divorced, Wei Yuanniang wouldn’t be able to follow her, but would have to stay with the Feng Family.

Of course, if the Marquis of Pingnan were willing to help, Wei Yuanniang could get the best arrangement.

Perhaps she could continue to have the identity of the Marquis Mansion’s noble daughter, then engage in marriage talks and leave the household.

Being a ”foster daughter” was always better than being an ordinary commoner.

Marquis Pingnan knew that ”Gu Xiuniang” was clever and should be able to make the wisest choice.

And now he was using this as the bargaining chip, hoping that ”Gu Xiuniang” would stop here and not involve Mrs. Zhang any further.

He Tiantian raised her eyebrows; she certainly understood the implication of Marquis Pingnan’s hint.

However, she didn’t want to be threatened, nor did she want to let Mrs. Zhang off the hook.

Putting aside the switch of the child, for which Mrs. Zhang was the main culprit, just the years of neglect and harsh treatment Mrs. Zhang showed toward Wei Yuanniang, she should pay a price.

Then there was the scar on Wei Yuanniang’s face. Thanks to He Tiantian’s timely treatment and the beautifying cream provided by the system, the wound had become very faint and was nearly invisible to the naked eye.

But the hurt it caused Wei Yuanniang had remained deep within her heart.

Once when He Tiantian was coaxing Wei Yuanniang to sleep, the child, in her dream, still cried and pleaded, ”Mother, don’t use me to block the whip, it hurts! It really hurts so much!”

It was only then that He Tiantian realized that in the script, Wei Yuanniang’s disfigurement was not an accident, but Mrs. Zhang’s fault.

Perhaps Mrs. Zhang didn’t do it deliberately, but after Wei Yuanniang got injured, Mrs. Zhang showed no pity or guilt at all.

Later, when Nanny Zhao revealed the truth about the original mistress, Wei Yuanniang went from being the daughter of the Marquis Mansion to the daughter of a convicted woman, and Mrs. Zhang ignored her completely.

Even upon hearing of Wei Yuanniang’s death, Mrs. Zhang merely said the word ”inauspicious.”

From the beginning to the end, Mrs. Zhang never had an iota of emotion for Wei Yuanniang, other than to use her.

He Tiantian’s redemption for Wei Yuanniang was not only to give her plenty of love but also to help her seek justice...