Zhou Shiyuan's pupils dilated violently, and his lips moved as if he wanted to swear an oath.

The current situation is very unfavorable for him and the Marquis's mansion, and he knows he has to do something.

There were only a few of them present at the time, so he could easily deny it.

It's just a vow!

Despite thinking this, Zhou Shiyuan hesitated to speak.

People naturally have reverence for gods, and he was no exception.

Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Yuan Zhao smiled:

"What? Does the young master dare not?"

Without giving Zhou Shiyuan a chance to speak, Yuan Zhao continued:

"Of course, Your Highness wouldn't dare! After all, what I said is true."

"……you?!"

Zhou Shiyuan hadn't expected Yuan Zhao to be so aggressive. He had been at a disadvantage all day, and he even wondered if Yuan Zhao had set a trap for him this morning, deliberately digging a pit for him to fall into.

The thought flashed through his mind, but he found it utterly absurd.

The onlookers weren't fools. Seeing Yuan Zhao's fearless oath and Zhou Shiyuan's hesitation to speak, they understood everything.

The surrounding chatter suddenly grew louder:

"This heir of the Marquis of Yongning actually dares to say such treasonous things, he really doesn't want to live."

"Yes, the General just got the Marquis's mansion back, and now it's probably going to be in trouble again."

"You can't make a living off someone who brought this upon themselves; what can you do about it?"

"..."

Countless voices of pessimism echoed in the air. Zhou Shiyuan's jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists tightly to prevent himself from revealing any more of his emotions.

Yuan Zhao watched all of this with a cold eye, his eyes filled with mockery and smugness.

Zhou Shiyuan, you've finally met your match.

Just as Zhou Shiyuan was being driven to the brink of despair by Yuan Zhao, a small figure suddenly ran out of the mansion and knelt down in front of Yuan Zhao.

"mother!"

That cry of "Mother" stunned everyone, including Yuan Zhao.

She coldly looked at the child kneeling in front of her. He was only two years old, still walking unsteadily, and rather thin, which made people feel sorry for him at first glance.

Unfortunately, Yuan Zhao saw no pity in his eyes, only deep disgust and overwhelming hatred.

This child is Zhou Zhijie, the son of Zhou Shiyuan and Bai Mianmian.

In her past life, Zhou Shiyuan brought the child back, and she truly loved him. Because she herself had no children, she treated the child even better than Bai Mianmian, the biological mother.

Zhou Zhijie always liked to stick close to her, and in her eyes, Zhou Zhijie was no different from her own son.

However, after her family's misfortune, this once obedient "son" instantly turned into a wolf cub, and his involvement in her drowning was undoubtedly part of the plot.

She remembered asking him why he wanted to hurt her, and his reason was simple.

As long as she exists, he will always be just the son of a concubine. He doesn't want that identity, so this obstacle must be removed.

It is truly frightening that a child of only a few years old would have such thoughts.

Thinking of his past life, Yuan Zhao looked down at the pitiful yet unusually obedient child kneeling in front of him and revealed a strange smile.

"You call me mother? Who's your mother?"

Zhou Zhijie seemed a little scared. He shrank back slightly but tried his best to appear fearless, saying timidly:

"Father says you are my mother, and Mother also says you are my mother."

"They all told me to call you that, saying that from now on they have to call you Mother, and I can't call you Mother anymore, I have to call you Auntie."

Zhou Zhijie's speech was incoherent, but it was already quite impressive for a two-year-old.

What he said was clear enough for everyone to hear; no one would think a two-year-old child could speak.

Therefore, after hearing Zhou Zhijie's words, the winds of change shifted once again.

This time, almost everyone sided with Zhou Shiyuan.

It's normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Besides, the prince didn't do it on purpose; wasn't he just 'amnesiac'?

He returned as soon as he regained his memory. As for the peasant girl and child, he did not abandon them and gave them a proper status. Isn't this a manifestation of loyalty and righteousness?

Moreover, they didn't favor their concubine over their wife; they even taught their son to recognize Yuan Zhao as his mother. Doesn't that prove everything?

Yuan Zhao had not expected such a turn of events.

She glanced down at Zhou Zhijie, who was still kneeling before her, her eyes filled with icy coldness. At the same time, a tidal wave of emotions surged within her.

Having lived through her past life, she naturally no longer believed that Zhou Zhijie was an innocent child. However, it was simply too terrifying for a two-year-old child to have such a mind!

Zhou Zhijie met Yuan Zhao's gaze, his timid yet earnest attempt to win her favor made many people feel uneasy, and they all offered their advice.

"Lady, this matter cannot be blamed on the young master."

"Yes, the child is so cute."

"..."

Words of comforting continued to ring out. Yuan Zhao pursed her red lips. Yuan's father was the first to lose his temper and shook off his eldest son's hand, ready to hit him. At this moment, a clear, cold voice rang out:

"It's so lively!"

Upon hearing this voice, everyone's expression changed!

It's that jinx Rong Ruo!

What is he here for?