Chapter 177 The Return of the True Daughter
"Prime Minister, I dare not! I have been hiding and living in disgrace just to be able to enter the Prime Minister's residence, report the truth to you, and beg you to save my life!"
Gao Ze, the son of housekeeper Zhou, was so frightened that he kowtowed quickly.
"Just tell me the truth and don't hide anything." Prime Minister Xue's voice was intimidating without even being angry.
"Yes, I dare not lie..."
Gao Ze thought for a moment, figured out the clue, and talked about the trouble caused by his mother.
"In fact, I also heard it accidentally. It was that day that my mother broke her leg and was anxious for my father to move away from Xijing. My father didn't know the reason and refused to move, so my mother told him the truth."
Gao Ze licked his lips, glanced at Xue Wanning secretly, lowered his head and continued, "My young aunt was weak and vomited every day when she was pregnant. My mother was worried that she would not be able to raise this baby.
Later, a noble in the palace sent a message, ordering my mother to work with the midwife to swap the baby when Madam Xiao gave birth. My mother remembered that my aunt was also about to give birth at that time, so she brought her aunt to Xijing. ”
Mrs. Xiao's face was as pale as snow at this time, and her fingers were tightly clenched around the handkerchief. Although Xue Wanning's expression was still calm, it was very different from her usual indifferent look.
"My mother didn't tell me what method she used, but she only said that she exchanged my aunt's child for Madam Xiao's, and then sent my aunt away. From then on, the two families had no contact.
Although the eldest daughter was weak later, she was carefully taken care of by the lady, and my mother was also very concerned about her. I didn’t expect to see Miss Lu that day…”
Gao Ze looked at Lu Zhiqing, who looked cold and calm. He swallowed and said:
"My mother recognized that it was the real eldest daughter who had returned. She was worried that the truth would be revealed, so she deliberately broke her leg and went home to recuperate, taking the opportunity to leave Xijing and hide.
But not long after we arrived at my father's hometown, at dinner time that day, an orphan from the village came to my house to help and took the opportunity to exchange for some food. I had abdominal pain and stayed in the toilet in the backyard for a long time before returning. I saw that all the family members had fallen to the ground with blue and purple faces. ”
Gao Ze's face showed fear again when he said this, and his body trembled:
"I quickly covered my mouth and nose and saw a hole in the window frame, which clearly showed traces of burning incense. I was afraid of being discovered and hunted down, so I sprinkled green vitriol oil on the face of the orphan who died in vain, disguised myself as myself, and fled at night."
"You have some tricks up your sleeve. You were able to escape so much investigation."
Prime Minister Xue's face was as gloomy as water. He glanced at Madam Xiao, who was trembling slightly and pursing her lips, and said coldly.
"I didn't dare to seek refuge with my relatives, so I covered the mole on my face and begged along the way. A few days ago, I was taken in by a kind-hearted person, and I was able to survive. But it's not a long-term solution, so I am risking my life to report the truth to the Prime Minister."
Gao Ze is considered a smart man. He was able to deceive the eyes and ears of the murderer who wanted to silence him, and escape from Prime Minister Xue's search, but he was still in the calculations of the people behind the scenes.
"Do you know what will happen if there is even the slightest falsehood in what you said? I will make you regret not dying with your family."
Prime Minister Xue's voice was cold and dull, completely different from the humble and gentle Prime Minister.
"Of course I know. If I tell you anything false, I will let you deal with me."
Gao Ze was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly. His life now depended on Prime Minister Xue.
"Then who is the noble lady in the palace?" Prime Minister Xue suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, my mother didn't mention it, so I really don't know!" Gao Ze replied hurriedly.
Prime Minister Xue ordered his men to take Gao Ze away.
"Mother, could this... be true?" Xue Wanning asked softly, trying to remain calm.
"Wan Ning, your father will verify this matter. Whether it is true or not, our relationship as mother and daughter will not change. Even if it is true... it is not your fault."
Mrs. Xiao took Xue Wanning's hand and felt very distressed when she saw how she tried her best to appear strong.
Lu Zhiqing remained silent and stood behind Madam Xiao in silence.
"Zhiqing..." Madam Xiao turned around and held Lu Zhiqing with her other hand:
"You have suffered so much over the years. If this is really the case... our mother-daughter relationship is not over yet, I will make it up to you in the future. Even if this is not true, I will still love you like my own mother."
"Thank you, mother." Lu Zhiqing thanked lightly.
Lu Zhiqing's calm and distant attitude made Mrs. Xiao feel sad. No one could accept such a sudden change quickly.
Once the truth is revealed, all clues will be exposed.
Of the two midwives at that time, one had died of illness a few years ago, and the other had stopped delivering babies in the past two years and was enjoying her twilight years at home. When she was dragged out of her home by Prime Minister Xue's men, she fainted out of fright.
The midwife said she knew nothing.
The midwife who has passed away was very experienced. She was recommended by the Imperial Concubine herself to deliver Madam Xiao's baby. She was the master of this midwife.
Thinking back carefully, there was nothing unusual about the delivery that day, except that the medical box with the delivery tools had been changed. It looked bigger than the one usually used, and it was the first time her master carried it personally.
She cooperated with the master during the delivery. After the baby was born, the master asked her to do this and that. She did not see the baby with her own eyes.
As for the searches in and out of the mansion, Steward Zhou was in charge of them personally.
The reason why the midwife remembered this incident was because her master was obviously very nervous that day. She thought that Madam Xiao was not in good health and was afraid that the child could not be saved, so she was trembling with fear. However, when the child was born safely and everyone in the mansion was overjoyed, her master was still very nervous.
And after that, she stopped delivering babies and bought a big house to enjoy her life.
The midwife spoke in great detail, and Mrs. Xiao's lips turned pale as she listened behind the screen.
Her precious child, whom she had carried for ten months, was replaced so easily by a few women.
That noble in the palace must have hated her so much that he did something that broke her heart, but why did he block the civet cat for her back then?
Could it be that the raccoon cat...
Mrs. Xiao didn't dare to think about it anymore.
Su Qianqian heard the news two days later. Prime Minister Xue opened the ancestral hall to burn incense and report to his ancestors that his biological daughter had been replaced by an evil servant. Lu Zhiqing changed her surname back to Xue, but still used her previous name. She is now the legitimate daughter of the Xue family, Xue Zhiqing.
Both of Xue Wanning's biological parents have passed away. Madam Xiao personally said that there is no need to change back to her original surname. What happened has nothing to do with her. She is still Xue Wanning, the eldest daughter of the Xue family.
"A man like Xue Jing would have his own daughter replaced. It's hard to predict how many secret affairs are going on in the backyards of each family." Mrs. Du sighed.
"What is the purpose of replacing someone else's child? Even Deputy General Lu's aunt is not capable of doing this."
Qin Yuzhuo had the same gauze wrapped around her hands as Su Qianqian, but she was holding the bowl of cheese and melon without a care in the world, and the milk stained the corners of her lips.
"Prime Minister Xue did not mention anything else. First, he may not have found the person behind the scenes. Second, even if he did, he could not reveal it. This matter can only end here."
Su Qianqian sat gracefully, but her eyes fell on Qin Yuzhuo's hand: Is it so delicious?
Qin Hanzhang walked in from outside at this time. Seeing Su Qianqian's appearance, he paused and then spoke to Qin Yuzhuo:
"Why are you coming to Grandma's place to eat snacks? Is your monthly allowance not enough?"
Mrs. Du burst out laughing when she heard this.
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