At the Zhang residence, Madam Zhang was already up and keeping watch over her sister-in-law. She summoned Fu Yan and Fu Jingshu to join them.
Fu Yan appeared composed, while Fu Jingshu, with red-rimmed eyes, stood by her brother’s side.
Deqing Marquis Madam appeared anxious, twisting a handkerchief into knots. Seeing her children, she instinctively straightened her posture.
Madam Zhang cast a glance at her sister-in-law and let out a faint sigh of relief. At least she still cared for her children.
“Yan Er, Jingshu, sit down,” Madam Zhang said warmly. “We have important matters to discuss.”
Fu Yan took a seat with his sister. “Aunt, please instruct us.”
Madam Zhang sighed. “What instructions? We’re family. At a critical juncture like this, we must work together to overcome this hurdle. Nothing else matters as much as the heir’s title right now.”
The Marchioness flinched at the mention of the title, looking to her son. “Your father promised the title was yours.”
“If that’s true, why hasn’t he sought the formal decree all these years?” Fu Yan asked, his tone calm but cold.
The Marchioness faltered under her son’s steady gaze. She clenched her teeth and said, “He promised me.”
“But he hasn’t delivered,” Fu Yan said, his voice tinged with disappointment. “Fu Hongxiao has the Crown Prince’s favor, and her brother Fu Qian has her support. Do you still think the title will fall to me?”
The Marchioness paled under her son’s unrelenting questions, her expression a mix of shame, anger, and sorrow.
Fu Jingshu tugged at her brother’s sleeve. She knew he had suffered far more than she had over the years. Rising, she sat beside her mother.
The Marchioness turned to her daughter, her voice trembling. “Jingshu, your father wouldn’t lie to me. You must trust me.”
Fu Jingshu gave a faint smile. “Mother, my brother and I trust you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have refrained from contending with them all these years.”
The Marchioness’s face turned even paler. She knew all too well how much her children had endured.
“I know Father has always cared for you. It’s just that the concubine has driven a wedge between you, making it difficult for him.”
The Marchioness’s eyes lit up, and she gripped her daughter’s hand tightly. “You’re right. Your father cares for me; otherwise, why would he have married me back then?”
Fu Jingshu felt her heart ache. She knew her mother still clung to hopes and expectations for her father, who had long manipulated her mother’s weaknesses to string her along.
“Mother, we need to win Father back. Once he sees the concubine for what she is, he’ll realize how he’s been deceived all these years.”
“How can we win him back?” The Marchioness’s voice lacked strength, as if she had already resigned herself to defeat.
“Mother, Fu Qian is an illegitimate child. Before you even married into the family, Madam Xu was already pregnant with him. Later, to cover it up, she falsely accused you of causing her to give birth prematurely, but in truth, she delivered at full term. Have you forgotten?”
Deqing Marquis Madam hesitated. “But what use is that? So many years have passed, and there’s no evidence or witnesses left.”
“We may not have them, but Lawyer Wang can find them. He’s extremely capable. Mother, think about it: once the truth comes to light, Fu Qian’s disreputable birth will ruin any chance he has of inheriting the title of heir. Back then, Madam Xu framed you and deceived Father. When Father learns the truth, he will undoubtedly be deeply disappointed in her. Naturally, he’ll turn back to you, won’t he?”
Deqing Marquis Madam nodded instinctively.
“We must first suppress Madam Xu and her son so they have no chance to rise again. Therefore, in court today, you must stick firmly to the truth that Madam Xu deliberately framed you all those years ago. Do not waver for a moment.”
“Just think—once Madam Xu is defeated, Father will return to your side. Don’t you want that?”
Of course, she wanted that. But she hesitated and said, “What if your father blames me for this?”
As a woman confined to the inner chambers, she revered her husband as her sky and naturally didn’t want to provoke his displeasure.
“Why would he? Father will only be grateful to you for exposing Madam Xu’s true nature.”
“But what if Fu Hongxiao enters the Eastern Palace? Won’t that make things difficult for you and your brother in the future?” Deqing Marquis Madam became anxious again. Fu Hongxiao was backed by the Crown Prince, a power they couldn’t contend with.
Fu Jingzhu sighed softly. “Mother, you’ve been so preoccupied with Father these past few days that you’ve overlooked something important. Fu Hongxiao recently tried to frame Second Miss Bai with Yuteng Pills.”
“What?” Deqing Marquis Madam nearly jumped from her seat in shock.
Framing the future Crown Princess? If this were exposed, wouldn’t it implicate the entire household?
“This matter has nothing to do with us. It was Madam Xu and her daughter acting on their own. Once the truth is revealed, how could Fu Hongxiao possibly enter the Eastern Palace? So, Mother, you needn’t worry about her seeking revenge on me and my brother.”
Deqing Marquis Madam’s mind was spinning, overwhelmed by the flood of new information. “Really?”
Madam Zhang cast an astonished glance at her niece. She hadn’t expected herto persuade her mother from this angle, but it seemed to be working.
Her sister-in-law was utterly consumed by thoughts of her husband, to the point of sidelining her own children. What a fool.
Not every man could be relied upon. When they weren’t, a woman had to strategize for herself and her children. But her sister-in-law? A muddle-headed fool.
All it took was convincing her that bringing down Madam Xu would win her husband back. That was more effective than any miracle pill.
While Fu Jingshu was busy persuading her mother, Madam Zhang signaled to her nephew, and the two stepped outside.
“Aunt?”
Madam Zhang patted his shoulder. “Yan Er, today is the best chance we have. We must utterly crush Madam Xu and her son, leaving them no room to recover.”
“I understand.”
“Our goal isn’t just the heir’s title—it’s the title of Deqing Marquis itself!”
Fu Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I understand.”
“Even if you are named heir, as long as your father remains Marquis, he can always petition to disinherit you. Only by inheriting the marquisate yourself can you secure peace.”
Fu Yan took a deep breath. “I understand. Don’t worry—I won’t hesitate or show mercy.”
Madam Zhang nodded in satisfaction. “Good. People may criticize us for this, but a true man doesn’t fear others’ opinions. Even saints have been scorned, let alone ordinary people like us. You have your mother and sister to protect. This rare opportunity, with Miss Duan and Duan Wang willing to challenge the Eastern Palace, is a gift from heaven. We must not let it slip away.”
Fu Yan gazed into the distance, determination etched into his features. “Success or failure hinges on this moment. I will give it my all.”
They had deceived his mother, but ultimately, it was for her benefit—for the sake of their family’s survival.
Madam Zhang exhaled deeply, finally feeling reassured.
