Zheng Nian'er and her son had been missing for about a year. Under her mother's incessant nagging and Wu Qingzhi's scheming, Yang Zhongqing finally relented and decided to marry his cousin.
In the past two years, Wu Qingzhi had been attentive to Yang Zhongqing, and with his mother's mediation, their marital relationship had improved dramatically. Soon, they had a daughter whose charming innocence captured Yang Zhongqing's heart. No matter how busy he was, he always made time to see his daughter.
They thought they would live happily ever after, expanding their family for the Yang clan. Little did they know that the person who had disappeared for three years would return.
Upon hearing the news, Wu Qingzhi immediately rushed to Yang's mother to elicit sympathy. Yang's mother patted her hand and assured her, "You are my niece, and more importantly, my daughter-in-law. No matter who returns, it won't change anything. Your position is unshakable."
Wu Qingzhi looked at her with gratitude, words failing her.
Alas, for Zheng Nian'er, understanding their stance, she was determined to leave. Yang's mother had no objection to her departure, but she insisted that Rui'er be left behind. The reason given was that he was the only male heir of the Yang family, and she might remarry in the future, so it was imperative not to let the Yang family's bloodline be scattered.
Zheng Nian'er pleaded with them, but no one relented. Finally, seeing her lingering distress, Yang Zhongqing promised her that he would treat their son well, teach him personally, and raise him to be a man of integrity.
Helpless, Zheng Nian'er called her son to her side, gave him numerous instructions, and finally left with a heavy heart.
Initially, the Yang family did uphold their promise. After all, Rui'er was still the sole heir. However, as Wu Qingzhi bore more children, Yang Zhongqing's heart began to unconsciously lean towards them.
Because of this, Zheng Nian'er came to the Yang household several times, attempting to take Rui'er away, but the Yang family refused. Eventually, after Rui'er went out to play with friends, he never returned. The Yang family dispatched many people to search for him to no avail. A few days later, his body was discovered downstream.
His companions, however, claimed to have no idea how he fell into the river. They said that while they were having lunch, his servant accidentally stained his clothes. He went alone to the riverbank to wash the stain, and never returned.
His accompanying servants also had convenient excuses, stating that he had gone to collect firewood. The matter could only be left unresolved. Zheng Nian'er, however, did not believe this. Her son was usually very cautious, and his father had taught him to swim when he was young. She went to the place where he had gone to wash his clothes and found that the water was not deep. Knowing her son, she was certain that someone had intentionally harmed him, and he had been unable to resist.
Zheng Nian'er's intuition told her that Wu Qingzhi was involved, but she lacked evidence. Every time she thought of him, her heart ached. She spent her days clutching his old clothes, cradling them as if he were still a child, reminiscing about their happy times, tears invariably streaming down her face.
She felt she was on the verge of madness. One day, while on the street, she encountered a servant who had previously attended to Rui'er. Without hesitation, she followed him.
The servant hummed a tune as he leisurely walked into his courtyard. Just as he was about to close the gate, it was suddenly pushed open with great force. Seeing the former madam standing before him, his heart skipped a beat, and his face paled.
He feigned composure and asked, "Madam Zheng, what business do you have with me?"
Without a word, Zheng Nian'er slammed the courtyard gate shut and kicked his leg. She moved quickly, and before he could let out a pig-like scream, she covered his mouth and pinned his leg. Seeing his contorted face, her anger slightly subsided. "Don't play dumb with me. Tell me, how did my son really die?"
"I don't know! I was picking firewood at the time and wasn't even there. The master beat me for this and kicked me out. Isn't that enough? Must I die to satisfy your hatred?" The servant immediately put on a sorrowful expression and said dejectedly.
"Don't play the victim. I'm here today because I have some evidence. If you don't tell me the truth, I'll send you to join my son in the underworld." With that, she pulled a knife from her calf.
Seeing her frenzied state, the servant truly became afraid. Especially when Zheng Nian'er pointed the knife directly at his throat, he closed his eyes in fear and shouted, "I'll talk, I'll talk!"
The expected pain did not come. He quickly opened his eyes and saw his former madam looking at him with a mocking gaze, the knife at his throat. "My patience is limited. Think carefully before you speak, or don't speak at all. I don't believe no one in this world knows the truth. I will find out sooner or later."
"Yes, yes, yes, what you say is correct. I truly did not see how the young master fell into the river, but I know that someone among them held a grudge against the young master. That day, the young master had arranged to go out with a few young gentlemen, but who knew that young master Wu would join them halfway, clinging on and refusing to leave. Oh, I forgot to mention, that young master Wu is the cousin of the current madam." The servant spoke, his eyes darting about, his mind churning with how to answer her questions.
"So you're saying this has nothing to do with you?" Zheng Nian'er did not believe him. This man gave her a slippery, untrustworthy feeling. Sudian Novel Network.
"It's not entirely unrelated. After all, as a servant, I should have taken good care of the young master. Now that the young master is gone, and I am still alive, I feel deeply guilty." The servant quickly denied any involvement, fearing she would go mad again.
"Since you know your fault, shouldn't you have gone to accompany my son properly? Those who do not serve their masters well need not live in this world." With that, Zheng Nian'er reached out with her other hand and tightly gripped his neck.
He quickly extended both hands, trying to pry her fingers open, but for some reason, she was exceptionally strong today. No matter how he struggled or exerted himself, he felt the air in his lungs becoming thinner and his breathing more difficult. His face began to turn purple. Seeing himself on the verge of being strangled to death, facing imminent death, a strong survival instinct surged within him, and he quickly mouthed that he wanted to speak.
Zheng Nian'er hesitated for a moment and released her grip. He coughed violently, taking several deep breaths before feeling somewhat better. He then quickly pleaded, "I was just acting on behalf of someone else. The mastermind is someone I cannot afford to offend. The wronged will find their way, and the debtor will pay. Please, madam, do not come after me."
"Tell me, who is the mastermind?" Zheng Nian'er's heart surged, but she feigned calmness and asked.
"Besides Madam Yang, who felt the eldest young master had taken the position of the legitimate eldest son, who else could it be?" Since he had decided to bargain for his life, he no longer concealed the truth and spoke it plainly.