FBC – Chapter 114 Realization

The more Madam Wang recalled, the more terrified she became. She grabbed onto Granny Zhou’s hand tightly.

“It was Mother herself who selected Midwife Wu from among the Wang clan of Langya to help deliver my child. That woman has always been honest and reliable—so how could it be that on the most crucial day she happened to be drunk? And it just so happened that the maid Lu, who came with Concubine Pei’s dowry, brought over another lady who had just given birth to assist me in my labor? I didn’t even get a clear look at my child’s face before she was taken away…”

That day, Granny Zhou had been overwhelmed, as Madam Wang went into labor suddenly and without warning.

Granny Zhou had been outside directing the maids and servants to boil water, going in and out of the room repeatedly. Then she discovered that Midwife Wu was drunk. At that moment, Lu, Concubine Pei’s maid, arrived and reported that Concubine Pei was also going into labor.

In the chaos, Lu explained that the woman beside her had just given birth and was experienced in delivering babies, and so she stepped in to assist Madam Wang with her labor.

Thinking back on it now, cold sweat broke out on Granny Zhou’s back.

They had truly been flustered and didn’t think things through carefully.

If Concubine Pei was giving birth, why would her maid bring a wet nurse to help deliver the legitimate wife’s baby?

Gu Wanru and Gu Hua were born back-to-back…

Seeing Granny Zhou’s expression change, Madam Wang’s voice trembled.

“You also think… it’s not impossible, right?”

“Madam…” Granny Zhou didn’t know how to respond.

Even though Concubine Pei managed the household, would she really dare to do something as outrageous as switching the main wife’s child?

But… thinking back on all the signs, it was impossible to explain Concubine Pei’s drastically different attitude toward the two girls.

The more Madam Wang thought about it, the more frightened she became. “That’s right, the one who helped deliver my child was Ru’er’s wet nurse! Mother had selected two wet nurses to come to the estate, but Ru’er was allergic to the milk of both of them.”

“Ru’er was so hungry she cried nonstop, and it was Concubine Pei who recommended this wet nurse, saying she had just given birth to Yinzhi three months prior and still had abundant milk. So we let Ru’er nurse with her for two days. To my surprise, Ru’er stopped crying whenever she was held by her. Because she helped deliver my child, I trusted her a bit, and that’s why I let her become Ru’er’s wet nurse.”

“Thinking back, that wet nurse was born and raised in Pei’s household. Her daughter Yinzhi also continued to serve Ru’er afterward.”

“Oh heavens!” Madam Wang trembled.

“How foolish I was! Everyone around Ru’er is from Pei’s household!”

Granny Zhou supported her. “Back then, you had a difficult labor. After giving birth to the young lady, you were bedridden for a long time and couldn’t manage everything.”

“No, it was me. I was an irresponsible mother. I wasn’t careful. I saw that those few were serving with diligence and devotion… but now I wonder, why were they so diligent? Why?”

Images of Gu Hua standing proud and confident kept flashing through her mind.

That feeling of familiarity surged again.

“Is it possible… that Hua’er is actually my daughter?”

Granny Zhou’s lips trembled with tension.

If the young lady Madam had doted on for over a decade wasn’t her real daughter, and the second young miss—who had been bullied for more than ten years—was… then the second miss was far too pitiful.

Thinking of the first miss’s cold and indifferent attitude toward Madam, and comparing it with the second miss’s three visits from the Duke’s Estate—each time looking at Madam with affectionate, longing eyes—Granny Zhou dared not think further.

Madam Wang’s eyes reddened, and she suddenly stood up.

“Madam, what are you doing?”

“Hua’er is getting married tomorrow. I have to prepare something for her,” Madam Wang said, and then she broke down crying.

If it were true, then she had already failed her daughter for decades. She couldn’t let her suffer on her wedding day too.

Granny Zhou held her back tightly. “Madam, please calm down. We don’t have any proof—this is just our speculation.”

“But… there’s no time to gather evidence! Hua’er is getting married tomorrow. She’s suffered so much…”

Madam Wang choked up and couldn’t speak.

“I understand. I’m not stopping you from preparing things for the second miss. I just want you to handle this calmly. What if—just what if—”

She looked around to ensure no one was nearby, then lowered her voice.

“Madam, think about it. If it’s really true, then with Concubine Pei having controlled the household for so many years, would the Wang clan not have known about her shady dealings? Also, the Duke Yong taking the second miss as his concubine despite her status… that must mean they have already…”

Her voice dropped even lower.

“Pre-marital relations and becoming a concubine—such a disgraceful affair. Add to that the matter with the Gu household—do you think the Wang clan of Langya would forgive you? What would the world say about you? They’d say you’re useless. Don’t you remember what Madam Wang, the grand madam, told you when you got married? You must consider your natal family.”

Madam Wang froze, staring at her blankly in panic.

She wasn’t from the direct line of the Langya Wang clan. Her parents were nobodies in the clan.

Because the Wang clan was in decline, they attempted to revive their fortunes through strategic marriages.

The grand madam, Madam Wang of the main branch, had personally chosen eligible young women from both the main and collateral branches and matched them to suitable households.

Madam Wang had a gentle temperament and proper manners, so she was chosen to marry Gu Yuan and become the Marchioness of Wenchang.

When she got married, Madam Wang gave her strict instructions: she must secure her position in the marquis household and become a valuable chess piece for the Wang clan. In return, she promised to look after her parents.

Madam Wang tried her best to become a worthy wife and hostess of the household.

But she hadn’t expected that the Wenchang Marquisate would appear strong on the outside but be weak within. In desperation, she agreed to Gu Yuan marrying the legitimate daughter of the Pei family—because of her generous dowry.

Concubine Pei relied on her control over the family finances to gradually force Madam Wang to hand over her authority.

To maintain her status as the primary wife, she had to endure and remain silent—but she never imagined Concubine Pei could be so vicious as to try to poison her.

In recent times, she had attempted to reclaim her position, but after years of Concubine Pei’s control, she found herself powerless.

Meanwhile, she frequently received letters from Madam Wang, urging her to make a name for herself among the noblewomen of the capital.

Seeing her like this, Granny Zhou sighed in relief and gently advised, “Madam, we must plan long-term.”

Madam Wang looked at her with tear-filled eyes. “But what if Hua’er really is…”

“Madam, regardless of whether it’s true, as the mistress of the household, you can still treat the second miss well. Besides, this might all be nothing more than our own wild imagination.”

Madam Wang felt as though her heart had been stabbed repeatedly, but she had no choice but to suppress it.

“Let’s go. Let’s check the wedding preparations. I can’t let Hua’er suffer again.”

Granny Zhou knew she couldn’t stop her, so she accompanied her.

Gu Hua returned to the guest courtyard with Zhou Zhilian and Dong Hua.

There, they found eight large chests placed in the yard.

“What’s this?” Gu Hua asked in surprise.

Dong Qing and Dong Mo were both drenched in sweat. When they saw them enter, they quickly came forward.

“Young miss, this is your dowry.”

“Dowry? From the Gu household?”

“No, it was sent from the Duke’s Estate,” Dong Mo said with a goofy grin.

Zhou Zhilian smiled, holding Gu Hua’s arm. “You don’t need to worry about a thing. We’ll take care of everything. Tomorrow, all you need to do is be a beautiful bride.”

Gu Hua blushed.

There truly wasn’t anything she could do.

She didn’t care what the Gu family gave her as a dowry—if they had no shame, they could do as they pleased.

As long as they didn’t stir up any more trouble, she just wanted to return to the Duke’s Estate tomorrow.

“Hua’er.”

A voice came from outside the window.

Just as Gu Hua sat down, she immediately sprang to her feet and rushed outside. When she saw Madam Wang coming with a group of people, her eyes reddened.

Sniffling, she walked forward quickly. “Mother, why are you here?”

“I came to bring you some additional dowry.”

Madam Wang looked at the gentle and beautiful girl in front of her, and her heart ached. Holding her hand, she apologized, “I’m sorry for earlier. I was just anxious and lost my temper.”

Gu Hua nearly couldn’t hold back her tears, but she forced a smile to suppress the sadness and excitement.

“Daughter understands. You were worried about Sister.”

Madam Wang, thinking of her and Granny Zhou’s earlier suspicion, felt another pang in her chest. She quickly looked away and motioned toward the four maids behind her.

“This is my dowry gift for you.”

Gu Hua was stunned to see two large chests being carried in.

“Mother, this is…”

In her past life, she had never received anything from her mother.

Madam Wang held her hand tightly, eyes filled with sorrow. “I didn’t have much as part of my dowry, so I could only gather these two chests for you.”

Gu Hua knew most of Madam Wang’s dowry had gone to Gu Wanru. She herself received nothing from the Wang family.

Feeling her heart ache, Gu Hua fought back tears, smiling as she bowed respectfully.

“Mother, I don’t need much for a dowry. Your heartfelt gesture is all I need.”

“You must take them,” Madam Wang insisted.

“I’ve neglected you in the past, and now I won’t have any more chances to make up for it. If you don’t accept this, it means you’re looking down on me.”

Gu Hua’s heart was warmed.

“Mother, I am your real daughter. Please tell me if anything ever happens.”

“Hua’er, you might just be…” Madam Wang choked on her words. Granny Zhou hurriedly tugged her sleeve.

“Madam, we should go back now.”

Madam Wang looked at Gu Hua with tear-filled eyes but swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

“Mother.”

A soft and delicate voice rang out.

Both Madam Wang and Gu Hua turned toward the sound.

Gu Wanru stood there, teary-eyed, looking at them.