Seeing his daughter again now, Shen Cheng was reminded of the past, and he asked with concern, "Is Qing'er doing well in the Marquis's mansion?"

"Father, don't worry, I'm doing very well in the Marquis's mansion. Father and Mother dote on me."

Only after hearing Song Yuqing's words did Shen Cheng feel relieved.

On one occasion, Zhou brought up the matter of giving birth in the dilapidated temple again with Shen Cheng. Zhou became increasingly suspicious that Shen Yuqing might have been switched at birth, as his temperament was different from the other children, and even his appearance did not resemble the other children at all.

Although her other children each have their own unique features, they all share the same facial features as Shen Cheng and his wife.

Only the somber green bears no resemblance whatsoever.

They didn't expect that their conversation would be overheard by Shen Yuqing, who had just walked to the door. After Shen Yuqing pressed the noblewoman for her identity, she didn't say anything at first, but later she stole half a year's wages that Shen Cheng had just received and ran away.

Because of this incident, Shen Cheng was severely beaten by Chen.

The Shen couple knew in their hearts that the child would never come back.

She went to find that noblewoman to seek answers.

Shen Cheng was still worried about Shen Yuqing's sudden departure, fearing that she would be mistreated in the Marquis's mansion.

When they met again, she was now Song Yuqing, no longer his child.

Seeing that Shen Cheng and Zhou Shi still cared for her as usual, Song Yuqing's confidence immediately increased.

She didn't want to stay at the Shen family's house any longer, so she spoke directly: "Father, I've come here to ask for the method of planting potatoes."

Shen Cheng looked at her in confusion: "Doesn't Qing'er hate farming the most? What do you need the potato planting method for?"

Song Yuqing took out twenty taels of silver notes and placed them on the table, saying, "Father, I know it wasn't easy for you to come to Shengjing, and you must be short of money at home. Please take these twenty taels and use them first."

She paused for a moment and then said, "I came here today for the potato planting method. I hope Father can give this opportunity to the Marquis's family. Only when the Marquis's family is doing well can I do well."

Shen Cheng glanced at the twenty taels of silver notes that Song Yuqing had placed on the table and frowned.

"Keep the money safe; we have plenty at home."

He had not yet reported the potato matter to the imperial court.

Ningzhou has a bumper potato harvest, and they brought a lot of potatoes with them when they came.

As Ru'er said, "A tall tree catches the wind." Father had just been granted a title for his work in reclaiming wasteland, and he had just started working at the Ministry of Revenue. If he reported the development of crops, it might arouse jealousy among his colleagues and bring trouble upon himself.

Grandfather will be back in a few days. When that happens, Dad's identity will be exposed, and the potato incident will be reported. No one will dare to be jealous of Dad anymore, and Grandfather will be happy too.

Ru'er made French fries at this flower viewing party, which was also a way to promote the new store.

I've never told anyone outside of my own circle that French fries are made from potatoes, and I don't know who told anyone else.

It seems he needs to report to the imperial court as soon as possible, lest the court blame him for concealing the truth.

"Qing'er, the potatoes were planted by Ru'er, so your father can't make the decision."

Song Yuqing frowned: "Father, don't lie to me. Shen Danru said it was all your doing. You're just making excuses."

Shen Cheng said helplessly, "It really was planted by Ru'er. I'm not lying to you."

Song Yuqing looked at him in disbelief: "Father, do you really not want to help me? It seems that the feelings your parents have for me over the past fifteen years are all fake, and cannot compare to your own daughter."

Seeing Song Yuqing like this, Zhou felt sorry for her and wanted to take her hand: "Qing'er, your father did not lie to you."

Song Yuqing dodged backward: "Since Mother doesn't love me, then don't touch me anymore."

Zhou was taken aback, and after thinking for a moment, she said to Shen Cheng, "Why don't we ask Ru'er what she thinks? She has already enjoyed the blessings that belonged to Qing'er in the Marquis's mansion, so she should compensate Qing'er."

"No, it wasn't Ru'er's fault back then, so what does it have to do with Ru'er?"

"Brother Cheng, let's ask Ru'er what she thinks. Maybe she agrees too."

Then Zhou instructed her maid to invite Shen Danru over.

In fact, the maid Mei'er had been unable to stand still for a long time. She had wanted to inform Shen Danru for a long time. With Zhou's instructions, she quickly ran to the courtyard where Shen Danru lived and told Shen Danru the whole conversation between the people in the main courtyard.

Shen Danru instructed Qingtan: "Please invite my elder brother, elder sister, and Yuyan to our parents' courtyard as well."

She then went to the main courtyard first.

Stepping into the courtyard, I heard Chen Yuqing recounting the hardships she had been facing these past few days. Because she had missed out on the nurturing she received from the Marquis's family, her marriage was still unsettled, causing her great anxiety and helplessness.

Mrs. Zhou stood by, trying to comfort her, her eyes still red.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Ru'er for you later and ask her to teach you how to plant potatoes."

When Shen Danru was about to enter, she heard Zhou's words, paused, and then stepped inside.

Upon seeing Shen Danru arrive, Zhou felt a pang of guilt, realizing that Ru'er had undoubtedly overheard everything she had just said.

However, she thought that Ru'er was always understanding and would surely understand her.

Shen Cheng awkwardly said, "Ru'er, you heard it just now. I just want to hear your opinion."

I disagree.

Shen Cheng: "Since Ru'er doesn't agree, let's drop this matter."

Song Yuqing did not expect that Shen Cheng would stand on Shen Danru's side after hearing only one sentence from Shen Danru.

A flash of annoyance crossed her eyes, which quickly turned into grievance.

"Fine, fine, you're all family now. I never imagined that my fifteen years in the Shen family wouldn't compare to the six months she spent with you. Was all the kindness Dad showed me when I was little just a lie?"

Her voice was filled with sorrow and confusion.

Shen Cheng was always tongue-tied, and he didn't know how to answer Song Yuqing's question.

Madam Zhou hesitated before speaking, "Ru'er, why not help Qing'er? She's also my child. You've enjoyed her blessings in the Marquis's mansion, so you owe her something..."

“You’re an outsider. Your surname is Song, and ours is Chen. You’re trying to steal my second sister’s credit. How are you any different from a robber? Is this the usual way your Marquis’s mansion operates?”

Before Zhou could finish speaking, Shen Yuyan's voice rang out, followed by Shen Yu'an, Shen Yulan, and Shen Yuyan entering the room.

Shen Yulan stepped forward and said, "Mother, you are really confused. Whose mother are you anyway? Do you know how much grievance my second sister suffered in the Marquis's mansion? Have you asked her? Now you are concerned about outsiders."

Her tone was full of reproach and incomprehension.

Shen Yu'an said, "Anyone who dares to force Second Sister should first ask me if I agree."

Shen Yuyan also said, "If anyone bullies my second sister, don't blame me for fighting her to the death."

Zhou's face flushed red and then turned pale as the children spoke. She looked at Shen Cheng and saw that he didn't say anything, which made her feel flustered.

She knew that this time, she had really made a mistake.

Ru'er has sacrificed so much for her family, and all the children know how to protect her. Yet, her mother has hurt Ru'er's feelings.

But what could she do? Qing'er was also her child, and she couldn't show favoritism.