Xiao Man ate while laughing, "How are things over there?"
"The Crown Prince's manor requested more medicine, but the dosage is larger than before," Ying Xue said softly, standing by Xiao Man's side. "The Crown Prince and Princess have a strained relationship. Because of Madam Xu, they've had a very unpleasant time. Now, the Princess has used illness as an excuse to stop managing affairs in the manor, and the Crown Prince has become even more unrestrained. Even the Empress is unaware of the matters within the Crown Prince's manor."
"Men, they are easily swayed and love to hear flattery. The Princess's honest advice is like bitter medicine, not as appealing as the gentle whispers of a favored concubine," Xiao Man said slowly. "Yet, it is honest advice that is actually useful."
"Miss, the principal wife is truly pitiful."
"Is that so?" Xiao Man smiled meaningfully. "A principal wife who is not treated kindly, once she hardens her heart, can be deadly."
Ying Xue instantly thought of the recent events in the Jin family and quickly said, "Miss, the Jin family has been in turmoil lately."
"Did Jin Rong tell you?" Xiao Man asked unhurriedly.
Ying Xue blushed. "I was only gathering information from him to complete Miss's task; I had no other intentions."
"Oh, really?" Xiao Man teased.
"Miss!"
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Tell me about the Jin family's situation."
"Madam Jin, due to the rumors, suspects everyone. She even secretly performed a blood-mixing test with Jin Yu. The result of the blood-mixing test was truly unexpected; their blood did not mix."
Xiao Man's eyes lit up. "This is heaven-sent! Madam Jin must be furious with the Jin family patriarch."
"Indeed!" Ying Xue gave a thumbs-up. "I've discovered that rumors are like invisible swords and sabers, harming people without a trace, even more potent than real weapons!"
"Rumors are fiercer than tigers. Sometimes, when used well, they are more effective than thousands of troops," a smile flickered in Xiao Man's eyes. "Next, it's up to Madam Jin's capabilities. Tell Jin Rong that when necessary, he should lend Madam Jin a hand. I also want to see how far Madam Jin can go."
"Miss, will Madam Jin eventually reconcile with Minister Jin for her own glory and wealth?"
"That depends on Jin Rong's abilities," Xiao Man said faintly. "Moreover, I understand Madam Jin quite well. She grew up surrounded by wealth and status; such things are not that important to her. If she had to choose between wealth and her son, she would definitely choose her son!"
"So, as long as Madam Jin completely distances herself from the Jin family, the Jin family will collapse from within?"
"Silly girl." Xiao Man flicked Ying Xue's forehead. "The Jin family must not collapse; it must completely become Jin Rong's Jin family!"
The Jin Residence.
Madam Jin was somewhat dazed. She still couldn't believe the result of the blood-mixing test. When she first heard about her husband's close relationship with the Empress Dowager, she honestly didn't believe it. After all, the Empress Dowager was almost sixty, and her husband was a man who appreciated beauty. She couldn't imagine these two being together!
"Madam, have some tea." The wet nurse saw that her mistress hadn't eaten or drunk much for the past two days and looked worried, feeling uneasy. "Madam, did something happen?"
Madam Jin looked at her wet nurse. "Nanny, you are the person I trust most. Do you remember what happened when I gave birth to Yu'er?"
"Of course, I remember. Your husband was anxiously waiting outside the door. As soon as the child was born, he happily took him, overjoyed. He even personally took the child to the wet nurse for feeding."
"He took the child away. How long was he gone?" Madam Jin asked excitedly.
"It wasn't long before your husband returned, saying he was worried about you."
"Where is the child?"
"With the wet nurse. Your husband was more concerned about you, so he stayed by your side," the nanny said with a smile. "Although your husband has many concubines, his affection for Madam has never wavered."
"Nanny, I remember I only saw the child after I woke up the next day. Was the wet nurse with the child during that time?"
The nanny thought carefully. "No, I only saw the child the next day. During that time, your husband asked me to take good care of Madam, and he personally looked after the child."
Madam Jin's expression grew increasingly grim. The child had been taken away from her side from birth and only returned after a night. During that time, the Empress Dowager was outside, and no one knew what was happening. Her husband, being busy, often didn't leave his residence and was frequently away from home for days. Thinking about it now, it was extremely suspicious.
Seeing Madam Jin fall silent, the nanny became confused. "Madam, what is it?"
"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered this matter," Madam Jin said faintly. "Nanny, when Yu'er was born, only you saw him with your own eyes. Did you see any birthmarks on him?"
The nanny finally sensed something was amiss and thought carefully about the events during Madam Jin's labor. At that time, Madam had given birth to a son, and she was overjoyed. Having a son filled her with happiness, and she only paid attention to the gender, not noticing any birthmarks. Birthmarks... right, she remembered a reddish mark at the base of the child's thigh, but later it was gone. It probably wasn't a birthmark; it was likely bloodstains on the child that hadn't been washed off. Sudan Novel Network.
"I didn't see any birthmarks."
"Were there any unusual occurrences?"
"Madam, what exactly is wrong? Why are you suddenly asking about these things?"
Madam Jin closed her eyes and spoke slowly after a long pause. "Nanny, I suspect Yu'er is not my son."
The nanny was startled by these words and quickly looked around. Seeing no one nearby, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to close the door. "My dear Madam, you must not speak such things carelessly. We watched the young master grow up."
"Nanny, I don't want to suspect my own son, but I secretly performed a blood-mixing test, and our blood did not mix!" Madam Jin grabbed the nanny's hand. "Nanny, if he is not my son, then where is my son?"
"Madam, don't worry, don't worry, perhaps you misunderstood."
"Think carefully, think about my son. When my son was born, were there any distinguishing marks on his body?" Once this woman harbored suspicion, she would no longer believe anything else. They would try their best to unearth the truth until they obtained the evidence they desired.
The nanny thought for a long time but couldn't recall anything. "There shouldn't be. Moreover, the eldest young master looks so much like your husband; there shouldn't be a problem."
"Of course, he looks like him! Although he is not my child, he is his!" Madam Jin lowered her voice and roared. "The key is, my son, where did my son go?"
"Could it be... could it be that I wasn't mistaken? The eldest young master does have a red birthmark the size of a fingernail on his leg?"