Madam Zhou couldn't help but feel suspicious. Had she misjudged?
Zhou Wanyue glared at the stone-faced guards at the gate. She vowed that if she ever got the chance, she would skin them alive and tear their tendons out.
Hong Lingxiang approached the entrance, knocked, and then inquired, "Master, Madam and your two younger sisters wish to see you. Will you see them?"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm not seeing anyone," came an impatient voice from within.
Zhou Wanqiu, known for her temper, pushed the door open. She saw her brother, dressed in inner wear, sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Just as she tried to step further, two people suddenly appeared, blocking her path.
"Master said he is not seeing anyone," the two said sternly.
The fake Zhou Tianpeng on the bed also waved his hand dismissively.
"My son, it's your mother," Madam Zhou called out urgently.
"I know. I've seen you. Don't disturb me again," the cold, heartless voice replied.
Hearing the cruel words from the other side, Madam Zhou, despite her disbelief, could only leave in despair.
Once they were sure everyone had left, Hong Lingxiang closed the door. The man on the bed smoothly leaped down and embraced her waist. "Wife, did I do a good job?"
Hong Lingxiang playfully pushed him away. "You did well. Keep it up next time."
"Then shouldn't you reward me?" he said, moving his lips towards her face.
"Not today. I have other things to do. We'll talk about it another day." Hong Lingxiang quickly backed away, creating distance between them.
He reached out to grab Hong Lingxiang's hand, but she was too quick. The fake Zhou Tianpeng could only retract his hand resentfully, vowing that one day he would possess her.
As Hong Lingxiang walked away, she scoffed inwardly. A toad thinking it could eat swan meat. Before meeting her father, he was just a simple farmer, his life spent toiling under the sun.
This fake Zhou Tianpeng was discovered by Hong's father during his rounds collecting rent in the village. He had paid close attention to the man then, and now he had found his use.
In fact, if one looked closely, there were differences between them. However, he hadn't shown his face fully to them, and they were standing at a distance, so they hadn't noticed.
Since discovering that Zhou Tianpeng had poisoned his daughter, Hong's father had deliberately made him practice his voice, which was how he managed to fool them.
After the commotion, Madam Zhou was exhausted. As soon as she returned to her courtyard, she lay down on the bed to rest.
But Zhou Wanqiu and Zhou Wanyue grew increasingly resentful. Why should the Zhou family's assets not be theirs? They felt it was wrong for the Hong family to inherit. Yet, everyone in the manor obeyed Hong Lingxiang. Being married daughters, they were powerless.
They heard that their former sister-in-law had returned. Although they had been unwilling to admit it for so many years, they knew that the Zhou manor had developed to its current standing largely due to her contributions.
They believed that the person most qualified to inherit the Zhou manor was, of course, her son. She would surely be displeased to hear this news.
Wu Caiwei listened as the two women indignantly recounted all the wrongdoings in the Zhou manor. She had her suspicions but remained impassive. After all, for years, they had caused plenty of trouble for the original owner. Now that they had encountered a difficult problem, they remembered her. She couldn't help but feel they had ulterior motives.
After they had spoken for a long time, their mouths dry, and she remained indifferent, they became disheartened. "Aren't you angry? The Zhou manor has half your credit!"
"I suggest you go to the prefectural city and inquire about my assets. See if I care about his little bit of money," Wu Caiwei said, acting as if money was beneath her, successfully igniting their jealousy.
However, after their jealousy subsided, no matter how much they pleaded, Wu Caiwei ignored them, and they eventually left dejected.
Her apparent indifference was just a facade. Wu Caiwei was more concerned about Zhou Tianpeng's attitude, as mentioned by them. Others might not know, but she understood them perfectly. These two wished they could tear each other to pieces. How could they have seen Hong Lingxiang and no one else?
When she heard their story, she suspected that Zhou Tianpeng had been replaced. Although she had sent people to track and protect him, no one could follow him twenty-four hours a day. There were bound to be slip-ups.
That night, she changed into her night-traveling clothes and quietly slipped into his room. Under the moonlight, she observed him carefully. She confirmed that the person in the bed was not Zhou Tianpeng. They bore an eight-tenths resemblance, but as the original owner had lived with him for so many years, she could discern the difference.
The fake Zhou Tianpeng was sleeping soundly. In his hazy state, he felt someone watching him and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the dark figure by the bed, he broke out in a cold sweat, all sleepiness vanishing.
As he looked more closely, he noticed no one was in the room. He thought he had imagined it and relaxed. His gaze swept past the door. It was ajar. He clearly remembered closing it tightly the night before. How could it be open now? Had a servant come in and forgotten to close it? Or had his memory failed him, and it had never been closed?
Having learned what she needed to know, Wu Caiwei began beating the drum the next day, accusing Hong Lingxiang of replacing Zhou Tianpeng.
The magistrate, who had been an official for decades, had never encountered such a situation and took it very seriously. He immediately dispatched bailiffs to the manor.
The moment the officials arrived, Hong Lingxiang had a bad premonition. Having lived in the prefect's backyard for a while, she knew that officials didn't just show up without reason.
"May I ask what business you have?" the butler hurried forward, discreetly stuffing a money bag into each bailiff's hand.
The bailiffs quickly pocketed the bags but didn't stop. As they walked, one of them said, "Someone has filed a complaint, and we are here to see your master. Where does your master live?"
"Our master is currently ill. Anything you need to say can be told to our mistress," the butler said obsequiously, trying to curry favor.
"She will be dealt with. Guards, bring her forth!" As soon as he finished speaking, two men stepped forward and approached Hong Lingxiang. "Madam Zhou, please come. Someone has accused you."
Hong Lingxiang's heart sank. The butler didn't dare delay any further and quickly led the way.
The fake Zhou Tianpeng was lying in bed, dreaming of spring. Looking at his current life and recalling the past, he felt his previous life hadn't been a life at all. Struggling to make ends meet, he now lived comfortably, with meat at every meal, servants attending to him, and a nominal beauty of a wife. If he could appease her, he would become the true master of the Zhou manor, with countless servants and inexhaustible wealth.
When the officials barged in, he was utterly bewildered, not understanding what was happening.
He was still confused in the public hall. When the magistrate announced that someone had accused Hong Lingxiang of replacing Zhou Tianpeng, she finally understood what was happening. At that moment, her body began to tremble.