Chapter 49

Chapter 49

## The True and False Heiresses 19

Lady Bai sent someone to the government offices to ask the Deposed Heir to return for a discussion. When a servant reported that he had entered the residence, she gave Li Hui’er several instructions, then went with Lady Wang to the eldest branch’s courtyard to meet the Deposed Heir and Lady Tan.

At that moment, Lady Tan and Ma Baozhu were studying the household accounts together. Account books covered the entire table, one lying half open and another with several pages turned. Mother and daughter sat opposite each other with an abacus before each of them, brows tightly furrowed as they laboriously moved the beads according to the method taught by the matrons.

The Deposed Heir entered, took one look, and could not help laughing. He lowered his head to examine the account books, then shook it. “That is wrong.”

He casually flicked several beads on the abacus. “This is correct.”

Lady Tan’s head already felt ready to split in half. Rubbing her aching eyes, she asked, “How did you move them just now? It looked no different from what I was doing.”

The Deposed Heir patiently explained several times. Lady Tan remained completely bewildered. Ma Baozhu genuinely wished to learn, but this was not like eating, where opening one’s mouth was enough. Skill could not be developed in a few short days.

The Deposed Heir taught them repeatedly, but neither grasped the method. At last, even he grew afraid and said with a wry smile, “Why are you learning this? The residence has so many accounts that calculating each one would consume untold effort. You need only learn how to manage your subordinates. Leave these tasks to them.”

Ma Baozhu replied with perfect confidence, “What if someone deceives those above, conceals matters below, and lines their own pockets? If Mother and I understand nothing at all and let them fool us, the residence will suffer a loss and Father’s dignity will be harmed. If Grandfather learns of it one day, he will surely be angry too.”

She curled her mouth downward. “Besides, who knows whether the previous accounts contain problems? What if someone secretly dug a pit for us? If we do not investigate clearly now, we will be the ones who suffer later.”

The “someone” she spoke of plainly meant no one other than Lady Bai, who had previously managed the household.

The Deposed Heir knew the remark was improper and frowned slightly. But given his own relationship with the Prince of Changshan, he could not bring himself to reprimand his daughter. He merely flicked her forehead and warned, “Do not speak nonsense.”

Ma Baozhu snorted dismissively. Lady Tan, meanwhile, asked in surprise, “It is not yet time for the government offices to close. Why has my husband returned so early?”

The old man was a miser as well as a workaholic, and he fixed the end of the workday with iron precision. No one could change it without good reason. Lady Tan also knew her husband was now doing everything possible to regain the old man’s favor. Why would he give anyone cause to criticize him at such a time?

Earlier, one of Lady Bai’s attendants had brought word that she wished to discuss an important matter and asked him to return early. The Deposed Heir had also found it strange. But he understood Lady Bai’s nature and knew she would never raise an alarm without cause. He therefore did not hesitate. After informing Wang Cheng and Mr. Cai, he hurried back to the residence on horseback.

Now that Lady Tan asked, he had no intention of hiding the reason. Before he could speak, however, a servant announced from outside that the Princess Consort of Changshan and the Princess Consort of Wu’an had arrived together and were waiting beyond the door.

The Deposed Heir asked in surprise, “Why did Third Sister-in-law come as well?”

“How would I know?”

Mockery entered Lady Tan’s eyes. “Those two sisters-in-law have always been close. They gather whenever they have time. When have they ever consulted me before doing anything? It only makes me, their elder sister-in-law, look incapable of getting along with anyone.”

He and Second Brother were destined to remain rivals for life, but Third Brother’s support was still worth pursuing.

The Deposed Heir’s head began to ache at his wife’s manner. He patted her shoulder soothingly and quickly ordered, “Invite them in at once.”

The servants lifted the hanging curtain, and Lady Bai entered arm in arm with Lady Wang. The Deposed Heir and Lady Tan rose to greet them. Ma Baozhu also pasted on a smile and pretended to welcome the visitors, following closely behind Lady Tan.

“What rare guests the two of you are,” Lady Tan said with a smile that was not quite a smile. “You never visit me on ordinary days. What wind could possibly have blown two such honored guests to my door today?”

The moment the Deposed Heir heard his wife speak that way, his head began to swell. He coughed and was about to smooth things over when Lady Bai said with a pleasant smile, “Third Sister-in-law and I have indeed come to discuss an important matter with Eldest Brother-in-law and Eldest Sister-in-law.”

Her smile faded, and her expression turned solemn. “The matter is extremely serious. I must ask Eldest Brother-in-law and Eldest Sister-in-law to dismiss everyone else so that the four of us can speak in private.”

Lady Bai had said four people. The Deposed Heir, Lady Tan, Lady Bai, and Lady Wang already made four. Ma Baozhu was plainly excluded.

A terrible premonition suddenly rose within Lady Tan. Her delicate brows drew together, and displeasure entered her voice. “Dismissing the servants is one thing, but Baozhu is family and a proper mistress of the household…”

Ma Baozhu looped her arm through her mother’s. Her eyes darted from Lady Bai to Lady Wang, full of curiosity about the important matter they wished to discuss.

Unexpectedly, Lady Bai showed her elder sister-in-law no consideration at all. She answered without hesitation, “No. Baozhu cannot hear this.”

Lady Wang had heard Lady Tang’s confession and seen the woman herself. Now, when she examined Ma Baozhu’s face again, the resemblance between mother and daughter became plain. Both had almond-shaped eyes, curved brows, and high, pert noses.

Lady Wang frowned. Disgust colored her eyes as she pressed her lips together. “Eldest Sister-in-law, send her out. Trust me. This is for your own good.”

The words made Lady Tan uncomfortable, but the Deposed Heir sensed something suspicious and abruptly grew uneasy. “Baozhu, leave us for now. Your mother and I have matters to discuss with your two aunts.”

Ma Baozhu said unhappily, “Father…”

Lady Bai had no patience left for her. She shot the girl a cold sidelong glance, her words edged like a blade. “Why are you still clinging and delaying? Do the words of your elders pass through your ears without leaving a trace? Withdraw at once!”

Her expression had turned cold and severe, and Ma Baozhu genuinely feared her. Anger instantly appeared on Lady Tan’s face when she heard Lady Bai reprimand her daughter. She was about to argue when her husband’s hand closed firmly around her shoulder.
Lady Tan’s anger flared. She looked over, half furious and half aggrieved, but the Deposed Heir did not look at her. His stern gaze remained on their daughter. “Baozhu, did you not hear your second aunt? Why are you still dragging your feet? Leave!”

Lady Tan swallowed her anger, turned away, and pressed her lips together without speaking.

Ma Baozhu walked out resentfully. When she glanced back and saw the doors close, she meant to creep nearer and listen. But the servants Lady Bai and Lady Wang had brought stood guard outside. Though they bowed with apparent respect, their bodies blocked every path to the room.

“What a pack of obedient dogs!” Ma Baozhu muttered hatefully, then swept her sleeves and left.

…

Only the four senior members of the family remained in the inner room. Lady Bai no longer hesitated. She explained the entire sequence of events, then took the two written confessions from her sleeve and handed them to the Deposed Heir.

“This matter concerns our family’s bloodline. I dared not spread word before it was completely confirmed. Only now that I possess the truth have I come to inform Eldest Brother-in-law and Eldest Sister-in-law.”

Lady Bai continued steadily, “Lady Tang has confessed, and Li Dalang has admitted the truth. They were interrogated separately, yet their statements fit together perfectly without a single gap. Baozhu also bears Lady Tang’s likeness. If either of you still has doubts, one look at the woman will answer them.”

Lady Wang added, “Second Sister-in-law has not spoken a single false word. I can bear witness for her.”

When the Deposed Heir heard everything, he truly felt as though lightning had struck him. Shock filled his face, and for a long time, he could not speak.

So Baozhu was not his and Lianfang’s child at all?!

Their real daughter had been switched away at birth, leaving behind the midwife’s child, an illegitimate girl of tainted blood?!

All these years, Baozhu had lived beside them in wealth and luxury, happy and carefree, while his and Lianfang’s biological daughter wandered outside and endured every hardship. Lady Tang had treated her like a servant and even meant to exchange her for a wife for her son?!

How could anything in this world be so absurd and so vicious?

The Deposed Heir was horrified. Storms surged within him, and his lips trembled, yet no words emerged. He reached for the teacup on the table, but his hand shook so badly that he lost his grip and overturned it.

“Where is Lady Tang?” His voice was taut as he spoke his first words after learning the truth. “This is far too shocking. I must see her…”

Lady Bai understood his shock and said gently, “I ordered Lady Tang and the rest of the Li Family imprisoned. If Eldest Brother-in-law wishes to see them, I will have them brought over shortly. I have also arranged for someone to acquire the old relay station. As for the secret passage Lady Tang described, an inspection will show whether it exists.”

A muscle twitched in the Deposed Heir’s cheek. He barely managed a nod. Lady Tan, however, stared in shock and disbelief. “Baozhu is not my daughter, but a bastard the midwife conceived through adultery? How can that be possible?!”

She trembled with rage. Crumpling the two confessions into a ball, she hurled them as far away from herself as she could. “I do not believe it!”

Lady Tan whirled to face her husband, her eyes full of disbelief at the absurdity. “My husband, you cannot truly believe something so ridiculous. Switched daughters? Lady Tang? An illegitimate child? This is merely a scheme someone invented to slander Baozhu and kill our daughter! Have you forgotten? Baozhu was so tiny when she was born, but once she was a month old, her features gradually emerged. Everyone said she resembled me. How has she suddenly come to resemble this Lady Tang instead?”

The Deposed Heir’s brows twitched. Remembering the relationship between his family and Second Brother’s, he began to hesitate.

Lady Tan turned to Lady Bai with a cold and mocking smile. “Sister-in-law, even if you resent me for taking back the authority to manage the household, you need not stoop to such a despicable scheme for revenge. Claiming Baozhu is not my daughter, but an illegitimate child switched by the midwife? What an astonishing invention! And Third Sister-in-law, though you come from a collateral branch of the Wang Family, you still belong to a great aristocratic clan. How could you join another person in reversing black and white and use such a vicious scheme against your own niece? I truly wonder what your honored parents ever taught you!”

The Deposed Heir knew disaster was coming the moment he heard his wife. Lady Bai’s brows had already twisted into a knot. Before he could speak to calm them or tug at the visibly outraged Lady Tan, a bang exploded through the room. Lady Wang had flown into a rage and struck the table with her palm, making the teacup before her leap high into the air.

“The witnesses are here, the confessions are here, and the relay station from that year still exists. The two girls’ appearances are evidence as well. Yet you claim that Second Sister-in-law and I designed all this to frame your daughter?! Tan Lianfang, I respected you as the eldest sister-in-law and tolerated your airs and posturing on ordinary days. But if you dare criticize my parents to my face today, do not expect another word of courtesy from me!”

Lady Wang’s eyes nearly spat fire as she glared coldly at Lady Tan and shot back, “My upbringing requires neither your judgment nor your permission! My great-great-grandfather was enshrined in the imperial ancestral temple, and my grandfather possessed an unsullied reputation. My father resigned his post and returned home rather than collaborate with treacherous officials. Our family has never bullied men, seized women, or stolen anyone’s fields! If you have time to criticize our upbringing, you would be better served going home to discipline that useless brother of yours. Then send someone to see whether anyone has dug up the grave of the brother who died!”

The Wang clan had long combined farming with scholarship. When it came to verbal sparring, ten Lady Tans tied together might not match a single Lady Wang. Now that Lady Tan had crossed her deepest boundary and ignited her fury, every word stabbed at the most painful place in Lady Tan’s heart. Lady Wang spared her no dignity whatsoever.

“You!” Lady Tan’s face flushed crimson. Shock and rage drove her to argue, but something seemed lodged in her throat, and she could not speak for a long time.

Her health was already poor, and the physician had warned her repeatedly to avoid anger. Now, after being savaged by Lady Wang’s retort, fury burned through her. A sharp pain struck her chest. Her breathing failed, her back went numb, and her legs could no longer support her. Her body tilted, and she nearly fell from the chair.

The Deposed Heir had been angry at his wife’s reckless tongue, but panic seized him at the sight. He rushed forward to support her, smoothing her breath and giving her water. When the angry flush rapidly drained from Lady Tan’s face and left her deathly pale, while the breath caught in her throat refused to emerge, he cried in alarm, “Third Sister-in-law, say no more!”
“Why should I say less? Oh, Eldest Brother-in-law, so you are neither mute nor dead after all?!”

Lady Wang’s fury had not abated. She sneered. “When Tan Lianfang insulted Second Sister-in-law and me, you said nothing. Now that I have answered her, you suddenly come back to life? Tan Lianfang may curse us, but we may not curse her? One rule for officials and another for commoners? If you truly understood right and wrong, you would have told her to shut her mouth long ago instead of letting her chatter on for ages. I found justice for myself, and now you leap up to defend her. Do you play dead whenever it suits you?!”

The Deposed Heir felt both embarrassed and stifled with anger. After a long silence, he suppressed his temper and said, “Sisters-in-law, Lianfang is still your eldest sister-in-law. The ancients said an eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Can you not show her a little more tolerance?”

“That saying applies when an eldest sister-in-law actually raised her husband’s younger brothers. In what sense has Tan Lianfang ever been a mother to anyone here?! Stop gilding her face!”

Lady Wang scoffed. “Yes, Second Sister-in-law is full of schemes. She wanted revenge on Eldest Sister-in-law for taking the household authority, so she devised this poisonous plot. And my family failed to discipline me, turning me into her accomplice. But do not forget, Eldest Brother-in-law, that Second Sister-in-law and I were both personally chosen by the old man and old lady as daughters-in-law. Our maiden families uphold honorable traditions, our brothers are loyal and upright, and we entered this household with clean reputations. Neither of us ever made private promises to a man or involved herself in any shameful entanglement.”

The Deposed Heir’s expression changed sharply. Lady Tan had only just caught her breath. At those words, she cried out and burst into tears on the spot.

“You cannot bear even that? I am not finished!”

After hearing the entire tirade, the Deposed Heir had no words left. Every sentence stabbed Lady Tan through the heart. Tears streamed down her face. She pushed away her husband’s supporting arm, stepped forward, and suddenly sank weakly to her knees before her two sisters-in-law.

Sobbing, she said, “It is my fault. Everything is my fault. You come from fine families, possess strong maiden clans and many children, and enjoy the favor of the old man and old lady. You may look down on me all you please. I ask only that you stop harming my children! My Huayao is already gone. Does Baozhu now offend your eyes as well? She is only a girl. She may be somewhat delicate and spoiled, but she does not deserve this. I will kowtow to you. I beg both sisters-in-law to show mercy and leave my daughter a path to survival…”

The Deposed Heir’s heart ached at the sight. He hurried to help her up, but Lady Tan stubbornly refused and made as if to kowtow to Lady Bai and Lady Wang.

The Deposed Heir had been shamed and angered by Lady Wang’s words. Now, seeing the stunned faces of both women and his own wife streaming tears, he seized the opportunity and dropped heavily to the floor as well. Half embracing Lady Tan, he said in anguish, “I have already lost my position as heir, and I lost one son. Even if Hualiang and Baozhu made mistakes, they went to the convent to atone. We are all one family. What can we not discuss calmly? Why must matters become like this?”

Lady Bai had never imagined her eldest brother-in-law would say such a thing. Lady Wang also froze. When she came to herself, fury nearly knocked her backward.

“So you mean to put on a performance for us? Fine. Fine, very fine!”

Without another word, Lady Wang pulled Lady Bai toward the door. She picked up the two confessions Lady Tan had crumpled and thrown into the corner, tucked them into her sleeve, and opened the door. Only then did tears begin to fall from her eyes.

The servants of Lady Wang and Lady Bai were waiting outside. They had heard the sounds of an argument within but dared not enter. Now their mistress emerged with tears falling one after another, and all of them froze.

Lady Wang wiped her tears with a handkerchief. In a voice both furious and helpless, she said miserably, “The old man is away, and no one remains to make decisions for the household. Go invite Mr. Wang and Mr. Cai to uphold justice! Our husbands face blades and arrows outside as they follow the old man into battle, while their wives and children have no path to survival at home. Eldest Brother-in-law and Eldest Sister-in-law bully us to this extent. Why should we go on living?!”

She choked with sobs. “Why are you standing there? Go pack at once. Have the young masters and young ladies prepare as well. There is no place left for us here!”

The servants stared blankly and instinctively looked toward Lady Bai. Lady Bai turned away as tears fell and sobbed, “Why are you not moving? Must we wait until someone explicitly orders us driven out?!”

When the Deposed Heir collapsed onto the floor and began playing the victim, Lady Bai and Lady Wang had been stunned. Now that they had responded in kind, it was the Deposed Heir’s turn to gape.

His father was away at war with his two younger brothers, and their army had only just advanced into the capital. If those brothers’ families now moved out of the residence, publicly declaring that their eldest brother and his wife could not tolerate them and that they had been forced from the King of Wu’s household, the consequences would be terrifying!

Worse still, given Lady Bai’s and Lady Wang’s reputations and influence, public opinion would overwhelmingly favor them. As for the old man, there was no need even to ask.

As the eldest brother, the Deposed Heir had failed to care for the families of his own full brothers and had even oppressed his sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces. What would all under Heaven think of him?

What would the old man think of him?

All affairs in Huaizhou were decided by Wang Cheng and Mr. Cai. The former was Lady Wang’s clan uncle and would inevitably favor her. The latter had disliked Lady Tan from the very beginning and would surely seize this chance to direct all his fire at her!

Once those two arrived and rendered judgment, the Deposed Heir’s reputation among Huaizhou’s civil officials and generals would likely be ruined. And when the old man returned…

The Deposed Heir dared not imagine what would happen!

Lady Wang and Lady Bai turned to leave. The Deposed Heir jolted in horror, sprang up from the floor, and caught them in several hurried strides. “Sisters-in-law, please stay. Please!” He also signaled for someone to stop their servants.

Lady Bai sneered. “Does Eldest Brother-in-law intend to detain us?!”

The Deposed Heir hurriedly protested that he would never dare. Lowering himself, he bowed to both women and pleaded, “My wife and I behaved discourteously today. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against us. I apologize to you both…”

Lady Wang gave no indication whether she accepted. She curled her lip and said coldly, “Have Tan Lianfang come speak to me herself! I am not you, Eldest Brother-in-law. A few affected gestures from her will not soften my heart and make me pretend nothing happened!”
The remark was as sharp as it was unpleasant.

The Deposed Heir felt as though he had been slapped before a crowd. He closed his eyes briefly in forbearance, then invited the two women back inside with exceptional gentleness.

Lady Bai and Lady Wang exchanged a glance, each seeing impatience in the other’s eyes. Yet for Li Hui’er’s sake, neither wished to create a larger scandal. They turned and went back inside.

The Deposed Heir knew neither of these formidable ladies was easy to provoke. Amid his anger, a faint trace of regret unexpectedly appeared.

If he had never met Lianfang or fallen in love with her all those years ago, and instead allowed the old man and old lady to choose a wife for him, might he too have gained a virtuous wife and capable ally?

If so, would he still have fallen into such an embarrassing position today?

The thought rose for only an instant before remorse drowned it.

Ma Changyan, what nonsense are you thinking?

Is Lianfang not a virtuous wife and capable ally?

…Sorry. It seems she truly is not.

But the two of you have love. Your second and third brothers do not!

The Deposed Heir comforted himself with that thought, then hurried back to Lady Tan. Crouching halfway down, he helped her rise and whispered in her ear, “Apologize to them quickly!”

His voice was low and gentle, but the hand squeezing Lady Tan’s arm revealed his true state of mind.

Lady Tan stared at him in disbelief. “My husband, you…”

Seeing her delay, the Deposed Heir burned with anxiety. His grip tightened as he urged, “Why are you standing there? Apologize!” Impatience leaked into his voice.

Lady Tan stared at him blankly as tears rolled down her cheeks. Before he could urge her again, she lowered her head, approached Lady Bai and Lady Wang, and bent her knees in a formal bow. Her voice was distant and weak. “Earlier… Earlier, I misspoke and offended both sisters-in-law. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

Lady Bai and Lady Wang felt conflicted and had no desire for further entanglement. They nodded without speaking.

Lady Wang took the two crumpled confessions from her sleeve once more. She handed one to Lady Bai, and both began smoothing them open. A light slap suddenly sounded. They raised their heads in surprise just in time to see Lady Tan withdrawing her hand.

The Deposed Heir cried, “Lianfang!”

Lady Tan seemed unconcerned. She turned, returned to her seat, and said indifferently, “I said the wrong thing, so wasn’t that deserved? Slapping myself now will remind me to be more careful before I open my mouth next time.”

Only then did Lady Bai and Lady Wang belatedly realize that the sound had been Lady Tan slapping herself across the face.

The Deposed Heir stood frozen, visibly shaken, and stared at Lady Tan without speaking.

After a long moment, regret and pain appeared on his face. He stepped closer as if to say something to her, but she turned away and gazed blankly at some drifting point in the air.

Lady Bai: “…”

Lady Wang: “…”

With her eyes, Lady Bai asked her sister-in-law in bewilderment: Are we the strange ones, or are they?

Lady Wang answered firmly with her own gaze: They are!

Lady Tan said nothing more. Lady Bai and Lady Wang unfolded the two crumpled confessions, then told the Deposed Heir, “We can both swear that this is no scheme to frame anyone. Third Sister-in-law and I are mothers too. How could we use such a despicable method to frame our own niece?”

The Deposed Heir replied, “But Lianfang has a point. How could such an extraordinary coincidence occur?”

“It is a coincidence, but it is also the truth.”

After considering her words for a moment, Lady Bai said solemnly, “Baozhu was born with a grave illness. The family spent enormous manpower and resources to cure her. The disease came from her parents. Eldest Brother-in-law never had it, and no such condition has ever been heard of in Eldest Sister-in-law’s family. Where, then, did Baozhu’s illness come from?”

The Deposed Heir remained hesitant. “But…”

“How many objections can one man have?”

Lady Wang gave him an impatient look. Remembering Lady Tang’s story, she suddenly asked, “Eldest Brother-in-law, do you suspect Eldest Sister-in-law slept with another man behind your back?”

“How could I?!” the Deposed Heir declared. “I will never doubt the love between Lianfang and me!”

Lady Wang: “…”

Lady Bai: “…”

The two sisters-in-law exchanged a glance, their brows twitching in unison. After a brief pause, Lady Bai related the details absent from the written confessions, such as Lady Tang’s affair with the man surnamed Meng.

“The two knew each other from childhood and were much like childhood sweethearts, though no marriage agreement was ever settled. Later, the Tang Family coveted the Li Family’s wealth and married Lady Tang to Li Dalang in exchange for a hundred and twenty taels. The man surnamed Meng fell ill from heartbreak, while Lady Tang was filled with resentment. Several years later, they met again, committed adultery, and conceived a child…”

The Deposed Heir’s brows gradually drew together, while gloom entered Lady Tan’s expression.

Only Lady Wang interrupted her second sister-in-law. Her gaze swept across the couple opposite them. Shaking her head, she said with deep feeling, “No. That was love.”

The Deposed Heir: “…”

Lady Tan: “…”

Woman of the Wang clan, do not think we cannot tell that you are mocking us!