Chapter 691: Chapter 691

Facing the gentle and virtuous "Gu Xiuniang," the Capital Governor had heard some of her deeds from the messengers and felt some sympathy for her.

This Lady Feng was also pitiable, looking at her frightened appearance, she presumably was unaware of the true nature of affairs.

Alas, it was pitiful that over the years she had loved and raised Feng Yanting as her own flesh and blood; in recent years, she had nearly ruined her eyesight just so he could pursue his studies.

Her husband had found new love, and above her there was not only the mother-in-law but also Mrs. Zhang and a whole group of ancestors needing support.

The Capital Governor was not a woman, yet he could imagine that if it were not for her son, Lady Feng would definitely not have endured so much.

Not to mention any rules or filial piety.

The Dazhou Dynasty did not have so many stringent doctrines.

If a couple did not get along, they could divorce, part ways amicably, and remarry someone else.

If the in-laws were too harsh, a woman could choose to leave.

Even if there were no family members to rely on, she could establish her own household.

Lady Feng was capable of raising a large group of people and supporting herself and a daughter; that should be well within her abilities!

Thus ah, the reason she could endure this far was not due to any marital affection or rules and rites but purely because she could not bear to part with her own son.

But now, even her son had, had—

The Capital Governor could not bear to speak the truth, instead turning to Nanny Zhao and said, "Lady Zhao, all relevant parties have arrived, what exactly transpired that year, please explain in detail!"

Nanny Zhao had been closely observing He Tiantian’s reactions since she entered the hall.

Seeing her look puzzled, even asking aloud "What happened?", Nanny Zhao knew: This ***** surely refused to admit that she herself had wanted to swap the children back then!

Yet, Nanny Zhao could not expose it.

After she discovered Gu Xiuniang’s scheme that year, she had gone along with the plan, successfully swapped Feng Yanting with Gu Xiuniang, and dealt with all of Gu Xiuniang’s arrangements.

Nanny Zhao personally helped clean up afterward and also destroyed some of the evidence.

So if Nanny Zhao merely stated that Gu Xiuniang had the intention to swap children, she could not produce any proof. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fire·net

And if Nanny Zhao accused Gu Xiuniang of being an accomplice in "stealing one dragon to exchange with a phoenix," then the previous concerns that Nanny Zhao dreaded would occur.

"Gu Xiuniang" would not admit to the crime, she might even cry injustice.

If things went poorly, it would drag Mrs. Zhang down with her!

"... What a *****; you’re getting off easy!"

Nanny Zhao felt such hatred inside, her fingers digging into the gaps between the floor tiles.

Originally, she had thought that even if she couldn’t pin all the crimes on Gu Xiuniang, she would implicate her as an accomplice.

But to no avail, Gu Xiuniang did not show the slightest guilt, as if she had really not swapped the children.

Nanny Zhao, who had spent years in the inner quarters, enjoyed observing and guessing what was on people’s minds.

She understood the principle of "winning people over is paramount"; without evidence or with ambiguous evidence, whoever could act righteous would win.

Now, "Gu Xiuniang" with her masterful acting, had deceived everyone.

Such a tough opponent, Nanny Zhao dared not connect her anymore.

"This is how it happened..."

Nanny Zhao sighed quietly in her heart, raised her head, and displayed an old but resolute face.

She slowly repeated the well-crafted story she had invented.

"...Ma’am, why? Why is this happening?"

Mrs. Zhang, seeing the expressions of everyone present, had already vaguely guessed the reason why Nanny Zhao had rushed to the Capital Governor’s office to surrender without consulting her.

Alas, Nanny Zhao cherished her the most and understood her best, aware that she was not one to feign emotions.

Without Nanny Zhao’s intervention, if Mrs. Zhang had known all the inside information and come to the court, she would not have had such a natural reaction.

Both the Capital Governor and Marquis Pingnan were astute, able to detect the slightest anomaly in Mrs. Zhang’s expressions.

By then, Mrs. Zhang’s reputation would truly be beyond salvation.

In any case, someone had to take responsibility for the past, and the ever-loyal Nanny Zhao was willing to bear the notoriety and suffer severe punishment herself to completely exonerate Mrs. Zhang.

"Madam! I have failed you, acting on my own without informing you, and secretly switched the child!"

"I am dull-witted, with limited knowledge, thinking this was for your benefit, only to result in you and the young master being separated for over a decade."

"I deserve to die, I have made a grave mistake—"

Nanny Zhao cried miserably, her voice hoarse as she confessed, continuing to absolve Mrs. Zhang.

"You indeed deserve to die!"

Marquis Pingnan grew angrier as he listened and fiercely kicked Nanny Zhao.

Being a martial artist with Innate Divine Strength, his kick, driven by fury, was incredibly forceful.

The corpulent Nanny Zhao was sent flying several meters, ultimately crashing heavily against the wall.

A chilling thump sounded, and Nanny Zhao slumped into the corner like a lump of rotten meat.

Nanny Zhao coughed painfully, spitting out some blood.

She curled up, her fleshly body continuously trembling.

She must have had her internal organs damaged by Marquis Pingnan’s kick, and hitting the wall had nearly cost her half her life.

"Nanny!" Mrs. Zhang cried out in distress, making a move to rush to Nanny Zhao.

He Tiantian, however, got there before Mrs. Zhang, rushing to Nanny Zhao’s side. She grabbed Nanny Zhao’s arm and desperately shook her, "Why? Mother-in-law, why did you do this?"

"You wanted to show loyalty? Fine, our Feng Family truly owed a great debt to the Marquis Mansion, and even if it cost the lives of my entire family, I would bear no grudge!"

"But why did you keep it from us?"

"When Yuanniang was being escorted to the capital, the Eldest Miss, oh no, Yuanniang, she got whipped across the face by a guard in an attempt to save Mrs. Zhang. She was only five years old, a little girl, her entire face was ruined, and she even developed a high fever!"

"At that time, even if you didn’t tell us the truth, at least let us take extra care of Yuanniang."

"But what happened? You said nothing, and when I, out of gratitude, showed a bit more care for Yuanniang, both you and the madam were displeased!"

"Even if we had a debt to repay, Yuanniang is your own granddaughter. Why were you so heartless towards her?"

"And these years, with the madam’s poor health, unwilling to look after Yuanniang, I took Yuanniang into my care. Yet just a few days ago, madam scolded me—"

He Tiantian, as if possessed by a roaring deity, shook Nanny Zhao’s arm while furiously making accusations and interrogating her.

And she implicated Mrs. Zhang throughout her tirade.

Nanny Zhao, frightened, worried her master would genuinely be implicated, though in severe pain, clenched her teeth and forcefully pushed He Tiantian’s hands away.

"It’s my fault! All my fault! I was the one who switched the children, and I disdained Yuanniang because she was a girl. Besides, hasn’t the Marquis Mansion treated her well these years as the Eldest Miss, enjoying much wealth and honor?"

Nanny Zhao was about to speak more on her loyalty.

But He Tiantian, as if struck by a thought, suddenly said, "Mom, I understand now, you were enticed by the glory and riches of the Marquis Mansion, and that’s why—"

"It’s all my fault, all because of me, if only I had given birth to a son, perhaps by now he would be the Heir of the Marquis Mansion!"

Nanny Zhao’s eyes widened in shock, a raspy noise came from her throat, and then she collapsed straight back.