Chapter 690: Chapter 690

"Mom, what did you say? What do you mean you switched Yuanniang and Yanting?"

Feng Zhongliang was called from his shop by the constables, and he was actually the first person to arrive.

Huffing and puffing, covered in sweat, Feng Zhongliang heard a mouthful from the constable on the way and found it utterly ridiculous.

But as he stepped into the grand hall of the Capital Governor’s Mansion, seeing his own mother kneeling there, his heart instantly became chaotic.

Although Feng Zhongliang had other sons over the years, the intelligent and ambitious Feng Yanting still occupied a very crucial place in his heart.

The legitimate son, and also the only child with his wife.

Zhongliang was honest but not foolish; he was very clear that all these years, "Gu Xiuniang" had been desperately doing embroidery to earn money just for her son, Yanting.

The neighbors had mentioned similar things too, "Alas, if it weren’t for Yanting being so filial and literate, Lady Feng would have given up long ago."

"That’s right. She embroiders late into the night by candlelight to earn money, not only supporting her mother-in-law, husband, and son, but also a concubine, the concubine’s son and daughter, and even a heap of unrelated ancestors... Tsk tsk, Lady Feng, it’s all for the sake of her son that she endures."

"If she didn’t have a son, or had only a daughter, she wouldn’t need to struggle so fiercely. Just saving a dowry for the daughter would suffice."

"Yes, yes, Lady Feng often says that her son needs to study, take the imperial examination, and later marry and have children; she can’t let him be without money."

"...If it were me, if I had no son, I would simply divorce Feng Zhongliang. Such a thing, the whole family relying on her to provide, and he still has the face to sleep with a concubine!"

Anyway, they were just ordinary folks from humble families, not fussy like those from grand homes.

If the in-laws were too overbearing, then just part ways.

In the Dazhou Dynasty, women could head a household and even remarry, given "Gu Xiuniang"’s appearance and her unique talent in embroidery.

Even if she’s older, there are still many families eager to marry her!

"Gu Xiuniang" continued to endure in the Feng Family, being squeezed like a money tree, all for her son, Feng Yanting.

But, if Yanting wasn’t their biological child, then, then—

Feng Zhongliang’s mind was filled with messy thoughts, and, instinctively, he rejected anything about "switching children."

"...Ridiculous! Laughable! This is simply impossible!"

Following close behind were Marquis Pingnan and Mrs. Zhang, who had also heard about the general situation from the constable on their way.

Marquis Pingnan’s first reaction was to refute!

He had never met Yanting, having only heard Mrs. Zhang frequently praising him, saying he was intelligent, and had a talent for studying, also saying he—

Marquis Pingnan: ...Our Wei family are military generals; what bloody use is his ability to study?

The most crucial point was that Marquis Pingnan did not lack sons.

Ah Man had borne him two sons, the elder of whom was just seven this year, sturdy and strong.

At such a young age, he could already bend a bow for archery, and in the forests, he even dared to confront wild wolves.

The courage of a calf not fearing a tiger, he truly seemed like a scion of the Wei family.

His younger son was not bad either, already five this year, lively, smart, could study, and also practice martial arts.

Having spent several years with his two sons, the bond between father and sons was extremely deep.

Such feelings, incomparable to a "legitimate eldest son" with whom there had been no interaction.

Not to mention, just yesterday, Marquis Pingnan was overjoyed for having such an excellent daughter, Wei Yuanniang.

He was planning how to deepen his interactions with Temple Master Hua Yang through Wei Yuanniang, and was also considering securing a fine marital connection for her in the capital. The rightful source is novｅlfire.net

And now, an old troublesome slave has run off to the Capital Governor’s Mansion spouting nonsense about switching children, and claiming Yuanniang wasn’t born to the Marquis’s Mansion?!

"This, this is absurd!"

Setting aside the personal feelings of Marquis Pingnan for a moment, the very act of "substituting a child," if revealed, would itself be a scandal.

Imagine, Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion—deep courtyards with servants all around—yet a single old servant could easily switch the Marquis’s legitimate eldest son.

"This, this is a huge joke, isn’t it?"

Not to mention that court officials who have a quarrel with Marquis Pingnan would take the opportunity to cause trouble, even the common people would murmur, "Isn’t Marquis Pingnan the War God of the Southwest? If he can’t even manage his own house, how is he supposed to lead troops into battle?"

How can one expect to govern the world if one cannot clean one’s own house?

Although the back house is a matter for women, as a commander stationed in the Southwest with two hundred thousand elite soldiers under his command, his mansion being so easily disturbed by any old servant indicates that Marquis Pingnan is not the heroic and mighty figure praised by the world!

If the Marquis’s legitimate eldest son could be so easily replaced, what in the mansion could possibly be safe?

Therefore, whether it be due to emotional reasons or for the sake of saving face, Marquis Pingnan’s first statement upon arriving in the hall was a direct rebuttal!

Mrs. Zhang’s feelings were very complicated.

On one hand, she was delighted that her Yanting could finally acknowledge his ancestors and rightfully stand in the mansion as the legitimate eldest son.

On the other hand, she was somewhat worried, having heard from the bailiff about the general situation and knowing that Nanny Zhao had taken all the blame onto herself.

Mrs. Zhang feared what might happen to Nanny Zhao, and even more that she herself might be implicated.

"...Oh dear, what exactly happened with Nanny?"

"Wasn’t everything planned well initially, all set to blame Mrs. Gu?"

Mrs. Zhang trusted Nanny Zhao’s loyalty, knowing she wouldn’t harm her own mistress for someone else’s sake.

Yet, she was still somewhat annoyed by Nanny Zhao’s "acting on her own accord."

Couldn’t she have discussed it with me in advance, to give me some time to prepare?

Now, look, she ran off to the Capital Governor’s office to file a complaint, and I was completely in the dark.

Mrs. Zhang was willing to cooperate, but didn’t know how to proceed.

Consequently, Mrs. Zhang showed a baffled and annoyed expression.

Her confusion stemmed from why Nanny Zhao would do such a thing.

Her annoyance was directed at Nanny Zhao’s unilateral actions.

However, this expression, when observed by the Capital Governor and Marquis Pingnan, translated into—

Mrs. Zhang was astonished by the bizarre news of the "child substitution," followed by her intense annoyance at Nanny Zhao’s freelancing.

Was Mrs. Zhang unaware of Nanny Zhao’s actions?!

Just then, He Tiantian arrived at the hall and witnessed the expressions on Mrs. Zhang, the Capital Governor, and others.

She couldn’t help but sigh internally: ...Nanny Zhao, truly a loyal servant!

She was wholeheartedly devoted to her master, sparing no effort.

Unfortunately, Nanny Zhao could never be hailed as a loyal servant or a righteous warrior, but would instead be scorned as a troublesome slave and fool by everyone!

The gleam in He Tiantian’s eyes flashed momentarily, and as she raised her head again, her face was filled with anxiety, astonishment, and panic.

"Mom, husband, what exactly has happened? Why were we asked to come to the Capital Governor’s office?"