After the replacement marriage, I was forced to fight at home

"At that time, she wasn't pregnant yet, so I couldn't tell she was pregnant, but since she said so, I had to come back and report it to my wife. No matter what, keeping a woman and that woman having the prince's child are two different things. In fact, for me, it really didn't matter. At that time, my relationship with the prince was not very good.

"The prince didn't like me in the first place and thought I was boring. After Su Wanniang came to him, he even stopped going to other concubines. So, I don't care about these things, as long as I and my children are not offended. Not to mention that as the wife of the prince, I already have two sons and a daughter, and my position cannot be moved by anyone.

"I thought that when I told Madam about Su Wanniang's pregnancy, she would let her marry me for the sake of the child. But I didn't expect Madam to be so adamantly opposed, and she didn't give me any room for negotiation. Later, I learned that the Marquis was also obsessed with a divorced woman, and it had serious consequences.

"That Su Wanniang was not allowed to enter the house, and the prince did not dare to blame the lady, but only vented his anger on me. I believe that he must have pushed all the responsibility on Su Wanniang. Because once when I was shopping in a perfume shop with Sister Min and other female relatives, Su Wanniang knelt in front of me with her belly bulging, asking me to pity her, and said that I was cruel and how could I let the prince's flesh and blood wander outside. In her words, it was because of my opposition that she was not allowed to enter the door of the Marquis' Mansion. Many noble relatives in the capital knew about that incident, and I was really embarrassed.

"After I came back, I had a quarrel with the prince because of this matter. I told him that I never said that Su Wanniang would not be allowed to enter the house. If he could persuade the lady, I would not object. It's up to him whether he wants to raise her as a concubine or keep her in the courtyard."

Wang picked up the pendant and gently put it on Su Qing. Su Qing wanted to take it herself, but Wang waved her hand and went behind Su Qing to fasten the buckle at the back. Her warm breath brushed the back of Su Qing's neck, making it itchy.

"After that, I never discussed Su Wanniang's matter with the prince again. Just when I was calculating that she would give birth, Qiuxia found out that Su Wanniang had not given birth to the child. Since she had no child, the prince naturally never tried to bring the child back to the palace."

After tying the pendant, Wang walked to the shelf of the treasure cabinet beside her bed and rummaged through it, not knowing what she was looking for.

"After that, I never heard about Su Wanniang again. I only knew that the prince often visited her after she lost her child. When Qiuxia went to inquire again, she said that Su Wanniang had moved out of the house that the prince rented for her and her whereabouts were unknown."

Wang turned around, holding a pair of small gold bracelets in her hands. The bracelets were inlaid with colorful gems and were hollow in the middle. There were a few small gold beans inside. As Wang moved up and down, they rolled around, making a crisp sound like gold colliding.

Wang held up the bracelet and wanted to put it on Su Qing's hand, but it was for children and not for adults.

Su Qing guessed that this should have been worn by the Second Miss when she was a child. She let Wang slowly pull it up, "This is what Sister Min gave you when you were one year old. Master Zhou Er also has a pair of the same style. She smiled and said at the time that you should pass it down after you have children. Although it is not valuable, it is very meaningful."

Su Qing felt the warmth on the back of her hand. Alas, this Mrs. Wang was crying again.

Su Qing was also infected by her emotions. This incident came too suddenly. Even though she was in her thirties, her brain still needed time to digest it. But there was no doubt that her life was about to undergo earth-shaking changes.

"So, if Qiuxia and I are right, you must be my daughter, my sister Wan. Although I don't know how it happened, and who the little girl in my arms was, these two things are enough to explain everything."

Wang held Su Qing's hand with one hand and stroked Su Qing's arm up and down with the other hand, "It would be best if we could find Su Wanniang now, so that what happened back then would be revealed to the world. Whether she did it or there is another hidden story would be revealed."

"But what if I can't find my mother? Or what if I can't get anything out of her?"

"I haven't thought about it yet, but no matter what, you must be my daughter, there is no doubt about that."

Su Qing thought for a moment, "But this is just your own idea. What about the other people in the mansion, the Marquis? Madam? The Crown Prince? Will they recognize me? For you, if I am really your daughter, it would comfort you for all the years of lovesickness and regret. But for them, this is dispensable. Not to mention that they are not sure whether I am your daughter or not. Even if they are sure, I am afraid they still have to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision, right?"

Wang paused while stroking Su Qing's hand. That's right, the Meng family always puts "profit" first. Otherwise, when her father and brother were implicated by Sister Min's father and were demoted, if it weren't for Sister Qi and the relationship between the Prince Shen and his family, it would be hard to say whether she could keep her position as the Crown Prince's wife.

Wang sat back on the chaise longue, gazing at the wisteria flowers on the flower stand in the courtyard outside the window. She really needed to think about this matter carefully and not be impatient. She had already determined in her heart that Su Qing was her daughter, and of course Su Wanniang's testimony was especially important. But as Su Qing said, what if she couldn't find this person, or she was unwilling to explain the situation back then?

Wang turned her head and saw Su Qing looking at her. Her oval face was rosy, her eyebrows were curved like willow leaves, her lips were rosy, and her big eyes reflected her own image.

How could she not have realized earlier that this child resembled her? Looking at Su Qing's two hands wrapped around the handkerchief, one in front and one behind, even such small movements were exactly the same as her younger self.

So what if there is no testimony, and the Meng family does not recognize her? At most, I will recognize her as my goddaughter and let her live in my yard from now on. She is already sixteen years old this year, and I will find her a good marriage, marrying her into a well-off family. She does not want a penny from the Meng family, and she will pay for all the dowry. She can come back to see me every now and then. What's wrong with that?

"You go back first. When Qiuxia comes back, I'll ask her to go to Qin Garden and pack up all your things. From now on, you will live in the west room of Shanzhi Hall."

Su Qing stepped forward quickly, "No, Madam, this matter has not been confirmed yet. Even if it is confirmed, it must be approved by the Marquis, Madam, and the Young Master. If I move in like this, not to mention the gossip, even if it is confirmed that I am Madam's, Madam's... the Marquis will definitely not be too happy. After all, they don't have much affection for me, and I am enjoying the treatment of a young lady before it is confirmed. They will think that I have no self-knowledge, and they will also blame you, Madam, for making your own decisions."

Wang frowned, "But, I can't let you live in Qinyuan anymore. I have to let you serve Sister Qi and let your elder sister serve your younger sister. Sister Qi even beat and scolded you before. Whenever I think of this, I feel..."

"It's not Madam and the Fourth Miss's fault. They didn't know so much at that time. Besides, I think it's best to wait until the truth comes out. From what Madam just said, the incident back then should be related to my mother. How did she, a weak woman, do it? You also said that the prince took the Second Miss to his good friend's manor. What's the situation of that good friend now? What's the situation of the wife of the good friend who took the Second Miss to play at that time? We have to get to the bottom of all this, right?"

Wang listened to Su Qing's clear analysis and suddenly felt very relieved. The eldest daughter-in-law was not close to her, the second daughter-in-law was of low social status and was always respectful but not intimate enough in front of her, not to mention Qi'er, who would act coquettishly or make all kinds of requests when they met. When had she ever discussed and analyzed something with her children like this?

Wang looked at Su Qing with increasingly gentle eyes. Her sister Wan was different. Even though she was raised outside and was a servant now, she was calm and composed like a lady from an aristocratic family in her conversation, knowledge, and the way she treated others.

"You're right. We're not in a hurry right now, but you can't let Mama Liu and Sister Qi arrange your work anymore. Go back and have a good rest and wait for my news."