During the war in December two years ago, many people in Hexi City died defending the city. Everyone went outside the city to visit graves and burn paper money. Xu Rao led the county government officials to be on standby at all times, fearing that something unexpected might happen. Fortunately, the day passed peacefully.

On the fifth day of the tenth month, Zhang's eldest uncle sent a cartload of things, along with a messenger. After settling the messenger in, while everyone in the family was asleep, Xu Rao, Zhang Zhaoci, and Xu Di sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) in the main room, looking at an opened letter that was placed on the kang table.

Xu Di picked it up again, looked at it, and said, "What are your thoughts?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "According to the normal storyline, I think Aunt Zhu's past must be very interesting. And Aunt Zhu, despite her calm and collected demeanor, will definitely unleash a powerful move when she does."

Xu Di nodded and said, "I think so too. I've only met her once, and she seemed really strange. Logically speaking, I should be her own grandson, but she looked at me with disdain. I don't know why she looked at me with such disdain."

Xu Rao sighed and said, "This person's life is quite complicated. I heard that she was one of the most famous socialites in the capital back then. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She could also write poetry and songs with ease. She was even engaged to the late Crown Prince. However, after the late Crown Prince committed a crime and was executed, her family was also executed."

Xu Di said, "Isn't Consort Zhu someone the Marquis bought from the brothel? She was kept outside the mansion until she got pregnant, at which point she was brought back to give birth. By the way, Father, don't you share the same birthday as Xu Shao? Could it be a case of a switcheroo?"

Xu Rao said, "That's impossible. How could just anyone enter the delivery room when the Marquis's wife is giving birth? I think that's highly unlikely."

Xu Di said, "What if someone helps her?"