Gu Xin raised an eyebrow, then asked, "I see. It seems the rumors aren't enough. I have twin brothers at home, and my mother can tell them apart. So, I was a little surprised when I heard someone say that the princess couldn't tell her two sons apart."
The second wife shook her head: "Although the princess's question is somewhat inappropriate, to be honest, as husband and wife, how could they not recognize each other? Even if they look exactly alike and imitate each other, there will always be some subtle differences. These are habits formed over many years and can easily be picked up unintentionally. As for the mother-in-law..."
After a pause, the second wife continued, "Back when Father was away fighting, Mother-in-law had to take care of four sons. In her eyes, they were all the same. Moreover, because of the need to make a living, she simply didn't have that much time to pay attention to her children. It was quite normal for them not to be able to tell them apart in the village at that time. After we came to Taizhou, there weren't so many things to do, and she had time to take care of the children, so Mother-in-law naturally recognized them. In any case, since I married into the royal family, I have never seen Mother-in-law fail to distinguish between my husband and my children's third uncle."
Gu Xin then asked, "Besides the Princess Consort, the Second Madam, and the Third Madam, what about the others? For example, the late Prince Bai, and all the young masters and ladies in the manor?"
Madam He smiled and said, "Of course they can tell them apart. My husband and his brothers aren't children anymore. Although they look exactly alike, they're old enough to be grandfathers. Why would they pretend to be each other for no reason? I heard from my third sister-in-law that the reason my husband and his brothers pretended to be each other when they were little was because my third brother was naughty and liked to push things onto my husband. My husband is a good-natured man and didn't expose him, so over time, my third brother got used to it. Of course, now that they're so old, my husband also has to manage these affairs of the Prince's Mansion, and my third brother is impatient, so he won't pretend to be him anymore."
Gu Xin nodded: "I see. Then I'll trouble you to make this trip, Second Madam. You're in charge of the inner quarters, and I'll have someone accompany you to each courtyard later to reassure everyone. We won't keep everyone locked up for long. Also, I'll have people keep the lamps and incense burning day and night at the mourning hall. Please rest assured."
Madam He nodded: "On behalf of my family, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Highness."
Gu Xin waved her hand.
After Madam He left, there were the third wife, Madam Jiang, and the fourth wife, Madam Liang.
These two women weren't as talkative as the second wife, but they were still able to answer any questions Gu Xin asked. Their eyes were clear, and they didn't try to hide anything.
After the Fourth Madam left, it was already dark. Gu Xin was a little hungry, so she asked someone to prepare dinner.
She planned to ask about her grandchildren one by one after dinner.
Dinner was already prepared, and Gu Xin had just ordered it when it was brought over from the kitchen shortly afterward.
Gu Xin and Zheng Qiu were having dinner together when Zheng Qiu started talking about her suspicions about Master Bai and Master Bai San. Just then, He Gang rushed over.
"Princess, someone has died!" He Gang exclaimed, his face serious and frightened.
"Who died?" Gu Xin put down her chopsticks, somewhat surprised.
With so many soldiers and yamen runners present, how could anyone still die?
“The eldest son is Bai Shijie,” He Gang said.
"What?" Gu Xin stood up abruptly. She had just planned to ask the grandchildren about it after dinner. There was an order of seniority, and Bai Shijie was supposed to be next, but he was dead.
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