Whether it could be investigated was another matter.
Now, everything seemed off. Madam Jiang felt as if a thorn had been lodged in her heart. Without getting to the bottom of it, she could neither eat nor sleep in peace.
If there had been no swapping, that would naturally be for the best. But if there really had been a swap, what should she do?
Thinking of the outcome she least wanted to see, Madam Jiang felt utterly lost.
After all, Xue Mingfei was the daughter she had meticulously nurtured for over a decade. She had never once considered that she might not be her own flesh and blood.
As for Xue Wanyi, a wave of anxiety washed over her heart.
Along with hatred for Concubine Qiu.
**
“Miss, do you think Nanny Lin understood the hidden meaning in your words?”
Feicui asked with a hint of worry.
Xue Wanyi sat in the bathtub, letting the warm water soak her body.
Her gaze fixed on the flower-and-bird screen in front of her, she said, “She will. Her mind is far more astute than ours.”
“Now, all we need to do is wait.”
Feicui sighed softly. “Wait again? If we wait any longer, Miss will be married off to the Zhenguo Gong Mansion.”
Xue Wanyi couldn’t help but chuckle. “Even if everything returns to its rightful place, I will still marry into the Duke’s Manor. Do you think the imperial decree is a joke?”
Feicui pouted. “It’s true that the marriage was decreed by the emperor, but if Miss returns to her status as the di-daughter, then she would be the one marrying over.”
“You don’t want me to marry over?” Xue Wanyi asked.
Feicui nodded. “Miss, this servant isn’t foolish. That’s the Zhenguo Gong Mansion. If it were truly a good match, how could it ever fall to our Vice Minister’s household?”
See, even a young maid could see it clearly.
Why hadn’t Xue Mingfei in her previous life understood?
“Before the incident, Young General Ye was the ideal husband choice for many noble young ladies.”
She had accompanied her miss to many gatherings. Whenever this Young General Ye appeared, he would always stir the hearts of countless noble maidens, their eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed.
Xue Wanyi leaned against the edge of the bathtub and closed her eyes.
“Tomorrow, we’ll leave the manor.”
Feicui stopped her chatter. “Where to?”
Xue Wanyi said, “Lingyun Temple.”
**
“Miss, the auntie from the Imperial Clothing Bureau in the palace has arrived.”
Just as she returned to her room, Zhenzhu brought the news.
Putting on her inner garments, she said, “Please invite her in.”
Soon, several people entered.
Seeing her attire, Auntie Xu was not surprised.
Xue Wanyi stepped forward and curtsied gracefully.
“I had just gotten muddied earlier and needed to bathe. I apologize for disturbing you, Auntie.”
Auntie Xu smiled. “It’s no trouble. I came to the manor today to take your measurements for the wedding attire. The wedding date is not far off, and His Majesty and Her Majesty are concerned. This way, the measurements will be more precise.”
Beside them, Nanny Lin accompanied.
Seeing Xue Wanyi’s current appearance, she felt increasingly that something was amiss.
After the measurements were completed, Auntie Xu bid farewell, preparing to return to the palace to report.
Xue Wanyi escorted her to the front hall, watching as the group departed.
On the way out of the manor.
Auntie Xu remarked casually, “This Second Miss seems quite fortunate. Her appearance bears a striking resemblance to Madam’s.”
When Auntie Xu visited the manor, she would naturally first meet the lady of the house.
Moreover, Madam Jiang was also qualified to attend palace banquets.
Nanny Lin felt a bitterness in her mouth, truly finding it difficult to speak.
Yet she had no choice but to agree, “Perhaps this is fate.”
**
After hearing Nanny Lin’s account, Madam Jiang was eager to uncover the truth.
If it was a misunderstanding, that would naturally be best.
If not, things would certainly have to be set right.
“Has Xue Liang still not returned with any news?”
Nanny Lin said, “Madam, don’t be anxious. Steward Xue only left an hour ago. This amount of time is surely not enough…”
Not to mention Madam, even she was anxious.
Even fearful.
"You say…"
Madam Jiang suddenly grasped Nanny Lin's hand, startling her into a tremble.
"Madam." Nanny Lin quickly helped her sit down nearby and brought over a cup of tea.
Madam Jiang held the slightly warm teacup, murmuring, "Does the master know?"
These words struck Nanny Lin's ears like a thunderclap.
If that were the case, then wouldn't the madam…
"Madam…"
Nanny Lin stepped forward, standing beside her, offering silent comfort.
The atmosphere fell into silence.
A long time passed.
Madam Jiang sighed softly, her eyes filled with an unshakeable sorrow.
"Go to the Jiang family yourself and inform my brother of this matter. Have him help investigate as well."
Nanny Lin responded earnestly, "Yes, madam, I will go right away."
**
The next day, a plain carriage left Jingdu.
Xue Wanyi thought about a certain incident that had occurred over the past two days, wondering if she could make it in time.
In her previous life, just a couple of days after the imperial decree of marriage, Prince Mu's youngest legitimate daughter went missing at Lingyun Temple. She was found three days later, dead in a pit on the temple's back mountain.
It was said she had suffered the most brutal abuse before death, with not a single patch of unbroken skin left on her body.
Because of this, Princess Consort Mu wept day and night, and within half a year, she succumbed to depression and passed away.
Prince Mu, however, soon remarried a new princess consort, a woman who became one of Chu Yuan's benefactors.
In this life, she would never allow Chu Yuan to gain any assistance again.
She wanted Chu Yuan to remain forever thwarted.
And she wanted Chu Yuan to die by her own hand.
"Young lady," a man's voice sounded, "everything has been arranged at the temple."
Upon hearing this, Feicui lifted the carriage curtain and exchanged a tender glance with the man outside.
This man was none other than Feicui's beloved, Wang Yuan.
Looking toward the distant green pines and emerald bamboo, with thin mist lingering halfway up the mountain and the lingering echoes of morning bells and evening drums, one's heart felt calm and serene.
After alighting from the carriage, Wang Yuan followed behind, lowering his voice.
He said, "Young lady, someone is investigating Granny Sun. It seems to be someone from your household."
Wang Yuan didn't know the specifics, but since his beloved had asked for his help, he didn't hesitate.
Xue Wanyi was not surprised, though she was somewhat taken aback.
She hadn't expected Madam Jiang to act so quickly.
At the slightest hint, she had already made a move.
"Keep an eye on it. If necessary, hide her little grandson."
Wang Yuan asked curiously, "When would that be?"
Feicui, who had slowed her pace, whispered an explanation, "You'll know when the time comes."
"Alright." Though still unclear, since his beloved had said so, he didn't press further, lest she think him foolish.
Once settled, Xue Wanyi took the two of them for a leisurely stroll around Lingyun Temple.
As one of the top temples in the Jingdu outskirts, Lingyun Temple's vegetarian cuisine was highly praised by the nobility of Jingdu.
"Young lady, the path here is rough. Perhaps we shouldn't go any further."
They arrived at a small stream, where scattered rocks and overgrown weeds made it easy to trip.
Xue Wanyi paid no heed, pretending to casually admire the scenery.
Before long…
"Keep it down."
Faint rustling sounds and voices could be heard in the distance.
Xue Wanyi didn't know if it was Prince Mu's young daughter, but she still gave her two companions a meaningful look.
Wang Yuan understood, nodded, and quietly moved forward to investigate.
He was no weakling; in fact, he possessed some martial skills.
Pushing aside a dense thicket of branches, he saw two men ahead, looking around with shifty eyes. One of them was carrying a woman over his shoulder.
"This is a sacred Buddhist site. What are you trying to do?"
Wang Yuan let out a sharp shout, leaping out with agile grace.
The two men were startled, nearly dropping the woman from their shoulders.
Seeing that he was alone, they drew their knives and pointed them directly at Wang Yuan.
"Kid, I suggest you mind your own business, or don't blame our knives for having no eyes."