Chapter 685: Chapter 685
Marquis Pingnan had returned and even made contributions; the past accusations, even if not entirely exonerated, could now be counterbalanced by his merits.
Thus, at the very least, the guilt of everyone in Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion could be pardoned.
Rumors were already circulating in the streets, saying that Emperor Chengtai intended to pardon Second Young Master Wei and Third Young Master Wei, who were exiled, as well as the young nephews and nieces of the Marquis Mansion.
Even Grand Madam had, just a few days ago, been summoned by the Empress Dowager for a chat in the palace.
Although it was not a private audience, it was a signal that indicated the Royal Family’s attitude towards Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion.
Every day, one could hear good news concerning the Marquis Mansion, and Mrs. Zhang could hardly sit still.
She yearned desperately for her husband’s early return and was even more fervent in her heart—the crisis of the Marquis Mansion had passed, and now it was time for her son to recognize his ancestors and return to the clan!
She understood Mrs. Zhang’s urgency; with the Marquis coming back, the Marquis Mansion seemed to be on the way to normalcy, but after all, they had been separated for seven or eight years.
Who knew what Marquis Pingnan had been through during this period?
He had been injured, lost his memory, and now his memory had returned, but to what extent?
Did he remember the harmony and affection he shared with his wife?
Or had he found another woman while he was away? And had that woman happened to be his life-saving benefactor.
Nanny Zhao couldn’t be blamed for having wild thoughts; people’s hearts are fickle, after all.
In earlier years, Mrs. Zhang, having no children of her own, found it difficult to establish a foothold in the Marquis Mansion.
The Grand Madam would occasionally send women to the Marquis, and for the sake of her reputation, Mrs. Zhang had to disgrace her most trusted maid.
To make matters worse, people still mocked Mrs. Zhang behind her back, calling her a "hen that couldn’t lay eggs"!
In fact, had the Marquis Mansion not encountered trouble, the lady might have already been considering revealing Feng Yanting’s true heritage.
After all, the child was already five years old and was being well-raised by the Feng Family; he did not look like one who would die young.
As for whether the court, once they found out, would send Feng Yanting back to the Capital City as a hostage,
there would be a way when the car reached the mountain pass; moreover, the son was not hers alone—Marquis Pingnan would always find a solution.
The main point was Mrs. Zhang herself; with a legitimate eldest son, she would not be so easily squeezed out in the Marquis Mansion.
Now, seven or eight years later, Mrs. Zhang’s separation from Marquis Pingnan had been prolonged, and her heart was very unsettled.
Having a son who was good-looking and intelligently well-behaved, Mrs. Zhang could also stand firm and cope with all the changes in the Marquis Mansion!
But Nanny Zhao, while she understood, also found herself in a real predicament.
The truth would come out, and everyone would return to their rightful places!
This phrase was easy to say but very difficult to put into operation.
First of all, why was there a child switch?
It was definitely not Mrs. Zhang’s initiative; otherwise, Emperor Chengtai would feel that the Marquis Mansion had ulterior motives.
The court had not yet given a clear order to recall the legitimate son of Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion to the Capital City, and Mrs. Zhang was already in a rush to switch the child?
What did this mean? Was she doubting the court’s intentions, or did she have her own guilty conscience?! For more chapters visit NoveI~Fire.net
One wrong move and even Marquis Pingnan could be implicated.
A husband and wife are one body.
In the eyes of others, Mrs. Zhang could represent the attitude of Marquis Pingnan.
Even worse, some who looked down on women would suspect: Could this actually have been the intention of Marquis Pingnan all along? Would a woman from the inner court dare to confuse the bloodline of the Marquis Mansion?!
Marquis Pingnan:... I’ve been more wronged than Dou E!
The Marquis Mansion had already once fallen into disfavor, and it was only with great difficulty and the contributions of Marquis Pingnan that there was hope for restoration.
If trouble arose again over this issue of "child switching," tsk tsk, not to mention Marquis Pingnan, even the Grand Madam, Second Madam, and the other ladies would hate Mrs. Zhang to the bone.
Therefore, the matter of "child switching" had nothing to do with Mrs. Zhang.
Not only was she not the mastermind behind the scenes, but she was also a pitiful victim.
So the question arises, if Mrs. Zhang was not the culprit, then who was the true villain?!
In the original story, Nanny Zhao easily pinned the blame on the daughter-in-law, Gu Xiuniang.
For one thing, after Madame Gu arrived at the Capital City, even though she also supported her family by doing Embroidery and raised her son well, she was not high-profile in her actions.
Regarding Mrs. Zhang and Wei Yuanniang, she was neither too close nor overly caring.
The greatest loyal servant of the Feng Family was still Nanny Zhao.
Having an excellent reputation, Nanny Zhao’s words seemed naturally credible.
And she was not accusing an outsider, but her own daughter-in-law.
A senior exposing a junior also had the advantage of status.
In ancient times, where filial piety was considered paramount, few would doubt a well-reputed elder.
Secondly, and most importantly, Gu Xiuniang was indeed not innocent.