As winter ends and spring arrives, the weather warms up, garden flowers are in full bloom, and new green leaves are emerging, filling the Xuanping Marquis's residence with a joyous atmosphere.
In the warm pavilion, Song Danru sat on the chaise longue, holding the letter written to her by the Crown Prince, looking at it over and over again, her lips occasionally curving upwards.
The letter contained two lines of small regular script: "May we have years to look back on, and grow old together with deep affection."
She has come of age, and the Imperial Observatory is choosing an auspicious date. Soon, she will marry the Crown Prince and become the most honored woman in the world.
"Miss, something terrible has happened! A young woman has come and claims to be the real daughter of the Marquis's family, and that you...you are an imposter..."
The maid Qingtan rushed in, breathless with anxiety:
"Miss, quick... that girl has already seen Madam, we must... hurry and send her away..."
Song Danru rebuked:
"What's the panic? Do you think this young lady from the Marquis's mansion is so easy to impersonate? Don't worry, Mother will send her away."
It's a pity that this delicate young lady dared to impersonate the future Crown Princess; she's bound to get a beating and end up in jail.
Despite saying that, for some reason, Song Danru felt a sense of panic, as if things were not so simple.
In the main courtyard, Madam Song of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence was furious: "How dare they come to the Marquis's residence to extort money!"
She ordered her servant to chase him away with a big stick.
Suddenly remembering something, he changed his mind and had his maid bring the person in. Upon seeing the person, his expression changed drastically.
This woman looks seven or eight parts like me. What else is there to not understand?
Madam Song stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the other woman, and she parted her lips slightly:
"How can you prove that you are the daughter of the Marquis's family?"
Chen Yuqing's eyes welled up with tears, gleaming with an unusual light: "Mother, I've finally seen you. I'm your son! Look at our faces, how..."
"shut up!"
Madam Song gently covered her chest.
Seeing Madam Song's ashen face, Shen Yuqing was so frightened that she knelt on the ground with a thud, muttering softly, and dared not call out "Mother" anymore:
"Madam, do you remember when you were giving birth, you and a country woman were sheltering from the rain in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city? I am the daughter that woman raised."
Madam Song glanced at her suspiciously, then slowly walked to the rosewood chair with openwork backrest, sat down, picked up a teacup, took a sip, and closed her eyes in deep thought.
Seeing that the Lady Hou remained silent for a long time, Shen Yuqing wanted to look up.
At this moment, Madam Song had her head down, so her expression was not visible. She frowned from time to time, as if she was recalling something.
Despite being nearly forty years old, she still had eyes as clear as autumn water and hair as white as clouds. She wore a finely embroidered robe with gold and silver threads, and could be described as elegant and noble.
This should be her mother; how could she possibly be the daughter of that woman from the countryside?
Half an hour later, Madam Song suddenly opened her eyes:
"Young lady, may I see your left arm?"
"Madam, are you referring to the red crescent-shaped birthmark on your arm? I was born with it. It's from when I was in the womb."
As Chen Yuqing spoke, he stood up and rolled up his sleeves to show the Lady of the Marquis.
Madam Song was greatly alarmed, and her voice trembled as she said:
"This...this..."
This really is her daughter.
Fifteen years ago, she followed her husband, who is now the Marquis of Xuanping, to serve as the prefect of Ningzhou.
The weather was fine that day, so she took her servants and boys to Yongning Temple on the outskirts of the city to pray for blessings, wishing that the Bodhisattva would bless her to have a son.
Unexpectedly, on the way back, the clear weather suddenly turned into thunderstorms, and the raindrops grew bigger and bigger.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder startled Madam Song, causing her to go into labor.
Just then, they came across a dilapidated temple by the roadside, and with no other choice, the servants had to carry Madam Song inside.
At that moment, a country woman happened to be in the dilapidated temple. She also seemed to be experiencing a miscarriage, lying on the ground panting and sweating profusely.
The servant braved the rain to find a midwife nearby, while the two old women stayed behind to take care of Madam Song.
Before the midwife could arrive, the two women gave birth. Madam Song used her last bit of strength to glance at the baby, and vaguely saw the birthmark on the baby's arm. She was too exhausted and fainted.
When he woke up, he was already lying in the government office, and the child was being soothed by a wet nurse who had been arranged in advance.
Upon hearing that it was a baby girl, she lost heart and never paid any attention to the child again.
Five years later, when her husband was transferred to Shengjing, their family's fortunes changed. Her husband inherited his title, and their eldest daughter, Song Danru, was betrothed to the crown prince.
From that day on, Madam Song belatedly realized that she had neglected her daughter all these years.
Later, when she saw that the child's arm was clean and there was no birthmark, she assumed that the birthmark had disappeared as the child grew up.
Madam Song regained her composure:
"Granny Jin, please arrange for her to stay in a guest room first."
This is no small matter; we must investigate thoroughly before making any decisions.
A few days later, after a secret investigation, it was indeed as Shen Yuqing had said: she was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion, and Song Danru, who enjoyed wealth and honor, was a fake heiress.
Fifteen years ago, it was simply a case of babies being switched at birth; there was no question of the babies being exchanged.
"My lord, what's happening with the royal family..."
"Report it. Do you think you can keep it a secret?" Marquis Xuanping said in a low voice.
“There might be royal eyes and ears in this mansion. Ru’er’s identity is extraordinary. If she deceives the royal family, it would be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family.”
"And what about Ru'er..."
"The child's fate is in the hands of the royal family. We'll see what they decide; we have no say in it."
Madam Song nodded in agreement.
Three days later, the crown prince came to annul the engagement.
Song Danru suddenly became the biggest joke in Shengjing.
Her treatment in the Marquis's mansion plummeted, and she was moved from the best courtyard, Laifeng Pavilion, to the most remote and dilapidated courtyard, Xixiang Pavilion.
Even the servants in the Marquis's mansion mocked and slandered her behind her back.
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