Capital City
On the last day of every month, it was the day when the palace's noblewomen received the imperial concubines. As the Countess, Lady Shi, naturally had to attend.
During these times, it was the best opportunity for the imperial concubines and palace nobles to exchange feelings.
There were many noblewomen, and how they could impress the palace nobles depended on their abilities and their family's status.
The Wu Chang Marquis's residence, one of the few remaining prestigious families from the founding of the nation, should have received respect from the palace nobles and all the noblewomen. However, the reality was completely different.
Due to the Regent Prince's case, the Shi family got involved, and even though the late emperor didn't strip them of their title, he blatantly ignored their existence.
Following this lead, everyone could see the late emperor's disdain for the Shi family, and as a result, people chose to distance themselves from them.
Without imperial favor and lacking support from friends and relatives, decades had passed, and the Shi family had long drifted away from the circle of prestige, and now they were in a worsening situation.
Yet, even though they faced cold treatment every time they paid respects to the palace nobles, Lady Shi never missed an opportunity.
She couldn't afford to let the people of the capital forget about the existence of the Wu Chang Marquis's residence. It was one of the rare chances for the Shi family to make their presence known among the noble elite.
As usual, Lady Shi, alongside other noblewomen, paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort in the palace. After the ritual of kowtowing, she waited in a side hall.
Next, the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Noble Consort would summon some noblewomen for conversations.
At times like these, the level of favor each family received could be seen.
Those who were favored by the emperor and caught the attention of the noblewomen would be called to speak. Depending on their level of favor, they might be granted rewards, kept for conversation, or invited to join the palace's midday meal.
Lady Shi was among those who received cold treatment. As usual, she didn't get summoned and could only leave the palace with a somber expression.
Wu Chang Marquis's Residence
Seeing Lady Shi return so early, the people of the Shi family immediately guessed what had happened at the palace.
Madam Shi's mood was heavy. She had thought that with the passing of the late emperor and the new emperor's ascension, the family's suppression would end, but the situation hadn't changed at all.
The Shi family's title had ended with her husband, and now the family relied solely on the Marquis's name. But a hundred years from now, the family would likely face complete decline.
"Mother, you've worked hard," Madam Shi said, trying not to reveal her emotions, as she went forward to support Lady Shi.
Madam Shi truly admired her mother-in-law. Going into the palace to greet the palace nobles might seem like a great honor, but the Shi family was being disregarded, and the people in the capital were known to hold their noses high. She could imagine how difficult it must be for her mother-in-law after entering the palace.
Yet, each time, her mother-in-law persevered, and after returning, she never vented her frustration on them due to the cold treatment she received in the palace. The breadth of her heart and her endurance were qualities Madam Shi felt she could never attain.
With her emotions already in check, Lady Shi smiled and shook her head. "You prepared enough ice and refreshments in the carriage. I wasn't hungry or too hot. It wasn't a hardship."
Madam Shi escorted Lady Shi back to the Yixiang Courtyard and personally served her hot tea. Then she said with a smile, "This morning, a letter arrived from the gatekeeper's side. It's from Second Uncle. It's quite thick."
Hearing this, Lady Shi put her tea aside and urged, "Quickly bring me the letter. Usually, it's your older brother who writes our family letters. Second Brother hasn't sent me a letter in many years. I hope nothing has happened."
Madam Shi quickly took the bulging envelope from the servant's hand and handed it to Lady Shi, saying, "Mother, don't worry. If anything happened, it would be Uncle or Aunt who would write. Second Uncle probably just misses you."
When it came to Jiang Anbang, Lady Shi's smile brightened. While opening the letter, she chuckled, "Your Second Uncle has always been stern. When I was young and got into trouble, he would scold me severely. But Second Uncle is different. Every time, he unconditionally protects me. He's like a mother hen guarding her chicks."
Madam Shi laughed and said, "That's because Second Uncle loves you."
Lady Shi quickly read the letter. At the beginning, there was still a smile on her lips, but slowly, her smile froze.
Madam Shi watched as Lady Shi's eyes widened, and her expression of shock grew. Eventually, her hands holding the letter began to shake, and a sense of unease crept into Madam Shi's heart.
Could something have truly happened to the Jiang family?
"Mother, what did Second Uncle say?"
Ignoring Madam Shi, Lady Shi continued to rapidly flip through the letter. She read it once, but it wasn't enough. She started over again, reading it repeatedly, her face a mixture of disbelief and difficulty in acceptance.
"Mother."
Seeing Lady Shi so agitated, Madam Shi was taken aback, thinking, could it be that First Uncle is gone?!
Suppressing her own shock, Madam Shi hurriedly stepped forward to comfort Lady Shi. "Mother, don't worry for now. Whatever the matter is, you must stay strong."
Madam Shi's voice snapped Lady Shi out of her daze of helplessness. She stared at Madam Shi for a moment, then weakly leaned back in her chair.
Pale face, trembling lips, unfocused eyes—she looked as though she had been dealt a tremendous blow.
Madam Shi's face also turned pale. "Mother, but could it be that First Uncle—"
Lady Shi seemed lost, and after a while, she finally understood what Madam Shi was implying. Shaking her head, she reached out to support her throbbing and dizzy head, accidentally knocking over the hot tea on the table.
The scalding tea spilled onto Lady Shi's hand, instantly reddening her skin.
"Mother!"
Madam Shi was startled, but Lady Shi appeared oblivious to the pain.
Madam Shi quickly moved forward, using a handkerchief to dab Lady Shi's hand and promptly ordering a servant to fetch cold water.
Once the cold water was brought, Lady Shi placed her scalded hand into it and spoke, "Zhihan, you can go about your tasks. I'll be fine."
Madam Shi was still worried. "Mother, I'd rather stay and keep you company."
Lady Shi shook her head. "I'm really fine. Your First Uncle and the others are fine too. It's just that your Second Uncle mentioned something, and I need to take a moment."
With a last glance at the tightly clutched letter, Madam Shi hesitated, then instructed the maids in the room to take care of Lady Shi before nodding and leaving.
As soon as Madam Shi left, Lady Shi's trembling hands picked up the letter again, her eyes teary as she read it once more.
How could this be?
Zheng Kun was not her son after all!
Lady Shi's mind involuntarily went back to the time she returned to Rong City for the funeral, the attack by Bei Yan that caught them off guard, her experiencing a miscarriage due to the fright, and her having to give birth prematurely in a rundown temple by the roadside.
At that time, she had just started experiencing labor pains. Outside the temple, a couple in distress sought help. The pregnant woman, like her, was scared and about to give birth.
With compassion, the husband allowed the woman into the temple, where she gave birth alongside Lady Shi.
How could a child be switched under those circumstances?
Even if she had fallen unconscious after giving birth, there were so many maids and midwives around her!
Lady Shi found it truly difficult to accept, but she also understood her elder brother well. They wouldn't send her a letter unless they had thoroughly investigated the matter.
Zheng Kun.
Thinking that the child she had raised wasn't truly her own son, Lady Shi's heart ached intensely.
Seeing the mention of Li Changsen in Jiang Anbang's letter and the mistreatment he had suffered in the Li family, tears streamed down Lady Shi's face.
Military households, battlefields.
Thinking of her child growing up under such dangerous conditions, nearly losing his life several times, Lady Shi found it hard to catch her breath.
How could this be?!