The son was switched?

Concubine Mei’s face changed drastically. Hearing her daughter’s words, which sounded like she had lost her mind, she was thoroughly shocked. How could the child possibly be switched?!

Under the watchful eyes of so many people, under the gaze of all the masters of the Prefectural Magistrate’s household, who would have the ability, who would have the skill to switch them?

This wasn’t some remote countryside location. Moreover, Concubine Yun was the one who gave birth later—how could they be switched?

She rushed over and hugged her daughter tightly. “Ruixue, don’t frighten your mother! You’re still young, don’t be anxious. First comes the flower, then the fruit. Look at your mother—didn’t I have you first, and only then your younger brother?”

Concubine Mei wouldn’t listen. She struggled, trying to get up. “Mother, you’ve been deceived! You’ve also been deceived by Yun Shi! That’s my son, your grandson! I gave birth to a son. Quickly come with me to bring my son back!”

Gao Shi’s tears couldn’t help but flow down. She held her tightly, preventing her from actually getting up and making a scene. “Ruixue, listen to your mother. When has your mother ever harmed you? Your body hasn’t recovered yet—don’t get agitated. Do you want to cause some irreversible harm and then regret it later?”

Gao Shi somewhat regretted pushing her own daughter forward. Her temperament wasn’t stable enough, but she only had this one daughter. If not her, could she bear to push someone else forward?

She could only regret not having intervened more in her daughter’s temperament back then.

Concubine Mei wouldn’t listen. In her view, everyone had been deceived. She wanted to reveal the truth. She struggled forcefully. “Mother, don’t stop me! Why are you stopping me? You should go with me and bring back my son…” The rest of her words abruptly stopped.

Because Gao Shi had reached out her hand and swung forcefully: “Slap—”

Then she shouted at her: “Stop talking nonsense! You know that’s impossible!”

Just then, whether because their voices were too loud or not, the sleeping infant was awakened. She cried out with a “Waa—,” her eyes closed, both hands reaching out from the swaddling clothes and waving in the air, as if wanting comfort.

The stinging pain on her face, along with the child’s crying, finally made Concubine Mei recover some of her senses.

She stared blankly at the crying infant. Gao Shi quickly straightened her face, letting her see more clearly. “Ruixue, look at the child’s face. This child resembles you! Look at her mouth, look at her ears—don’t they all look like you?”

Concubine Mei’s eyes widened. Indeed, she saw her own reflection in the child’s face…

Concubine Mei had no choice but to accept reality. This was her child, the one she gave birth to… a daughter.

She looked at the child with disappointment. All her great expectations had ultimately come to nothing. Why was Yun Shi so fortunate? Why wasn’t she the fortunate one?

Heaven was unfair!

With that thought, her whole body went limp, and she collapsed into her mother’s embrace.

Gao Shi carefully helped her daughter lie back down. She didn’t know where her daughter had found the strength just now. After carefully checking, fortunately she had held on tightly—her daughter’s lower body had never left the bed.

Gao Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

Concubine Mei lay on the bed, tears flowing continuously. She reached out her hand, and Gao Shi leaned down to embrace her back, pulling her into her own arms.

Concubine Mei’s nostrils were filled with her mother’s scent. She burst into loud sobs.

Just like when she was still young and would cry in her mother’s arms after being wronged.

Seeing her vent her emotions, Gao Shi revealed a relieved expression from an angle her daughter couldn’t see. She wasn’t afraid of her crying—she was afraid of her bottling everything up inside.

Crying was good! After crying, things would be better. She consoled her softly, her gaze deep. “There, there. Your mother knows you’ve been wronged. It’s alright. Stop crying. Your mother is here, and your mother will help you. Trust your mother—don’t be anxious, alright? Does your face still hurt? Let’s apply some medicine first. Later I’ll have someone invite Doctor Zhou over. Be good and don’t be willful.”

She didn’t know if this outburst would affect her recovery going forward.

This was truly too reckless.

Concubine Mei’s crying gradually subsided. As she listened, her daughter’s crying also gradually diminished. She blinked, tears sliding down. She looked over, her voice hoarse. “Mother, please comfort her.”

Gao Shi smiled with relief, picked up the child, and let her see more clearly while softly coaxing: “Eldest Miss, don’t cry. Did you hear what your mother and I were saying? You’re a good child, so well-behaved…”

Her movements in comforting the child were very practiced. The child completely stopped crying and fell asleep again.

Concubine Mei, listening to the lack of activity outside, asked: “Isn’t today the third-day washing ceremony?” Although it was still early, why was there no sound outside?

Shouldn’t the Prefectural Magistrate’s household’s third-day washing ceremony be quite lively?

Could it be that because it was a daughter, they weren’t even willing to hold a third-day ceremony? With that thought, Concubine Mei’s eyebrows rose.

Gao Shi shook her head. “The Old Madam gave orders that the third-day ceremony wouldn’t be held grandly—just the family going through the motions. They’ll invite guests for the full-month celebration instead. You need to recover well. When the child reaches the full month, you’ll also complete your confinement.”

Gao Shi knew how to say things that would stir up her daughter’s fighting spirit. “Your father and the others will come then, and probably Fang Liu and Yang San will come as well.”

Back when her daughter’s engagement was broken off, she had endured so much mockery from Fang Liu. At such a joyous occasion as the child’s full-month celebration, her daughter would be able to hold her head high in front of her.

Gao Shi knew her daughter wouldn’t miss such an opportunity. For this reason, she would cooperate well, take her medicine properly, and recover her health so she could appear radiant at the full-month celebration.

As for Yang San… Thinking of this person who had almost become her son-in-law, Gao Shi lowered her eyelids.

He was also from a concubine line, but because of his silver tongue and handsome appearance, he had caught the eye of the County Magistrate’s daughter. Then he had rushed impatiently to the Mei family to break off the engagement.

She wondered if he would have the face to accompany the County Magistrate through the gates of the Lin residence now?

Upon hearing these two names, flames ignited in Concubine Mei’s eyes. She gritted her teeth. “Mother, I will recover properly!”

Also on this third day, Lin Ruhai finally decided on the infant names. He decided to think more carefully about the formal names.

The eldest daughter’s infant name was Ying Yu, the second daughter’s was Luo Yu, and the eldest son’s was Chen Yu.

After the Old Madam learned the names, she immediately had all the maids in the household with “Yu” in their names change it to “Cui.”

Concubine Mei couldn’t see the Eldest Miss’s third-day ceremony, and when it came to the twins’ third-day ceremony, Yun Shuyao also couldn’t see it.

For her, she only watched as the children were carried out while sleeping, and when they returned, they had already changed clothes and had traces of crying on their faces.

This signified that the third-day ceremony had ended.

After the third-day ceremony ended, there were other matters. Lin Ruhai and Jia Min needed to write invitations to various friends and relatives, inviting them to attend the children’s full-month celebration.

For some people, servants could handle writing the invitations, but for others, they had to write them personally.

They didn’t have many relatives.

The closest were Rongguo Manor and Lin Ruhai’s maternal family.

His maternal family’s bloodline was also thin. He only had one maternal uncle who, a few years ago while taking his family to assume office, encountered a flash flood and perished. Fortunately, two bloodlines remained—one was Lin Ruhai’s male cousin, and one was his female cousin.

The male cousin was currently serving as an official in the south, and the female cousin had married and followed her husband to assume office in the northwest.

Given their situations, attending the full-month celebration was unrealistic—the journey alone would take more than a month.

However, they had corresponded before the birth. They would have servants depart early to deliver congratulatory gifts before the date.

They personally couldn’t spare the time to come.

Although they couldn’t invite the people themselves, now that the date was confirmed, invitations still had to be sent.

The Old Madam inquired and confirmed that her son had already sent people to deliver invitations. She concealed the unusual expression in her eyes.

What she needed to change was not just the Lin family’s fate, but also the Xie family’s.

Her nephew’s fate was also bad. Currently he was serving as an official in the south properly, but in two more years, flooding would occur in the area where he held office. He would lead from the front and die in the line of duty.

Although the bloodline wouldn’t be severed, the children left behind would be young, and the orphans and widow would not have an easy time.

Thinking of this, she looked at her son. “Your cousin has been there almost three years now, right? Do you know what his plans are when his term ends? Your uncle only has this one heir. You two brothers should be closer… “

—

Yun Shuyao looked at the inventory Hong Xiu had compiled. Upon seeing it, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.

Aside from those jewelry pieces and ornaments, this time the Old Madam had given her two thousand taels in banknotes. Additionally, there was a residence. According to the address on the property deed, this residence was near the private school where her younger brother was located, and also near the government school. That area had a flourishing scholarly atmosphere, and residences were hard to come by. Looking at the size—a two-courtyard compound—it was obviously prepared for the Yun family.

And Lin Ruhai’s gift was similar to the Old Madam’s. He hadn’t given a residence, but he had given Yun Shuyao the estate at Wang Family Village. The transfer had already been completed. Looking at the land deed, this was clearly the fields that had belonged to Landlord Li’s family. His family wasn’t short of money, so logically they wouldn’t sell, but somehow Lin Ruhai had managed to obtain it.

The Yun family’s ancestral home was in Wang Family Village. It wasn’t that Yun Shuyao didn’t want to buy the good farmland there—it was just that no one was selling.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

Hiss, this round of bonuses was a bit beyond expectations. She was almost overwhelmed by this favor.

Though she said she was overwhelmed, she hadn’t broken any laws or made any mistakes, and she had “merit for bearing children,” so she wouldn’t run over to tell them she couldn’t accept it—these things might seem like a lot to her, but to them, they weren’t.

So how should she handle this bonus?

The estate was easy—she’d have her uncle help find tenant farmers. As for the residence, she did indeed hope to make things more convenient for the Yun family, but her father’s temperament wouldn’t agree. So she’d find an opportunity to have her two younger brothers help her watch over the house. When it was inconvenient to return home, they could stay there.

As for these two thousand taels in banknotes, leaving money in a bank account without using it was very wasteful. Even depositing it as a fixed term was better than keeping it as an active account.

In ancient times, there were similar investments, and that was purchasing real estate. Among these, land was most popular with investors—so much so that by the late period of each dynasty, land annexation became severe, greatly intensifying social conflicts, and then the cycle would restart…

Yun Shuyao didn’t want to purchase land. With the estate at Wang Family Village, it was enough.

After thinking it over, she decided to proceed with her original plan.

Her ability was wood-type. Not making good use of it would be too wasteful.

—

Lin Ruhai went to the yamen.

Those who saw him didn’t need to ask—thinking of the invitations they had received, they knew.

Everyone congratulated him: “Congratulations, Your Excellency, on the birth of your noble son! This subordinate will definitely arrive on time!”

The Prefectural Magistrate had saved them from giving gifts for the third-day ceremony, so for the full-month celebration, they’d just add several portions to the original base.

Even those at odds with the Prefectural Magistrate wouldn’t show displeasure at such a joyous occasion.

Who didn’t know that the Prefectural Magistrate’s household had been without heirs, and now finally had a precious child—one careless move and they’d truly make an enemy.

As invitations were sent out one by one, the business of all the curio shops in Xingtai Prefecture doubled as people prepared congratulatory gifts for the Prefectural Magistrate’s household.

Although there were rumors that the Prefectural Magistrate wouldn’t accept particularly expensive gifts, they couldn’t just show up with random items…

Yun Shuyao was in confinement, her activity space limited to her room, but her information wasn’t blocked.

So she learned about the widespread distribution of invitations, and also about the Old Madam gilding Buddha statues, distributing porridge, giving old clothes to poor families, and hiring doctors for free clinics for ten days to accumulate blessings for the children.

These matters couldn’t be kept low-key. When people inquired about which family was doing good deeds and why—

They learned it was because the Prefectural Magistrate’s household had been blessed with a noble son!

So congratulations and blessings were endless.

Only then was the Old Madam satisfied.

The Lin family’s threshold was high, and many people couldn’t enter, but the Yun family was different—a scholar’s family, not some great household, just lucky enough to have reached their current position.

No matter how many people were envious and jealous behind their backs, what they expressed outwardly were congratulations.

That was the Prefectural Magistrate’s only son, and the pillow talk from his birth mother would undoubtedly be powerful. For this reason, Yun Qingliang bought supplies for the household in advance and prepared himself, closing the doors to visitors.

The Mei family also had guests calling, but compared to the Yun family, they only had a daughter. What they felt in their hearts, only they knew.

Regret was inevitable, but each person also held great hope.

If she could give birth to the first, she could give birth to a second.

The Mei family wished Concubine Mei could recover her health immediately. They knew full well that countless people harbored thoughts of sending women to the Prefectural Magistrate.

Compared to the legitimate daughters and nieces of those great men, their status held no advantage.

But fortunately, the daughter she bore held the position of being the eldest, regardless of gender. Presumably, the Prefectural Magistrate would have special feelings for his first child. Even if someone really did send women in, they would have to defer to her.

…

Yun Shuyao’s body recovered very quickly. Though she stayed here every day, she didn’t feel bored. With two little angels accompanying her, time passed without her noticing.

Clearly the two children spent most of their time sleeping and showed no particular differences, yet she could watch them for a long time.

For this reason, Yun Shuyao felt regret. She didn’t know how to paint. If she could paint, it would be wonderful—she could capture how they looked now.

However, she couldn’t, but their father could.

Upon hearing Yun Shi’s words, Lin Ruhai was also quite interested. Without a second word, he took on this task and intuitively expanded on it—he used the finest paper and ink, dipped their little hands and feet in ink, and pressed them onto blank paper, leaving impressions.

Recording this at regular intervals would allow clear observation of their growth in the future.

Days passed one by one. Yun Shuyao watched as the two children’s skin became fair and tender, their features unfolded, gradually transforming into the fair, tender babies commonly seen in New Year pictures, their whole bodies soft and filled with a milky fragrance.

Once you held them, you didn’t want to let go.

Every time the Old Madam came to see the children, it took the nannies three or four urgings before she was willing to leave.

Lin Ruhai said it was holding grandchildren, not children, but when Yun Shuyao tentatively asked once if he wanted to hold the baby, he immediately dismissed the servants and picked up the child.

At first, his movements were somewhat awkward, and the child’s brow furrowed from being held uncomfortably, but soon he adjusted his posture and the child’s brow smoothed out.

With this, who would believe he hadn’t observed and studied beforehand?

Yun Shuyao thought he was probably just waiting for her words to give him a way out.

Between the two children, Luo Yu wasn’t picky about who held her. Anyone could hold her, and even if the position wasn’t comfortable, she wouldn’t cry immediately. In comparison, Chen Yu slept most soundly beside Yun Shuyao. Next came Nanny Xie and the two wet nurses who spent the most time with him. He was more particular about familiar presences.

For this reason, to maintain his standing, Lin Ruhai had to hold him each time. Otherwise, the next time he held him, he would furrow his brow.

Regarding this, Yun Shuyao: delighted to see it happen.

She didn’t determine the children’s gender. Without a doubt, in this situation, Chen Yu was the eye-catching one.

But even if he was eye-catching, she couldn’t just change his gender to female.

Yun Shuyao was also somewhat puzzled. The Old Madam came every day to see the two little ones, displaying extreme reluctance and affection. If she proposed taking the children to Songbai Courtyard to raise them, Yun Shuyao wouldn’t be surprised at all.

But she would rather come to Lanxin Courtyard herself than propose taking the children over.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

Was this out of consideration that doing so would hurt Jia Min’s face?

Or was there another reason?

Yun Shuyao wasn’t clear.

But indeed, she was the one who benefited, so she said nothing.

With the Old Madam’s and Lin Ruhai’s people there, plus herself, she should be able to protect the two children.

Less than half a month after giving birth to the two children, her ability advanced to level two.

Compared to level one, level two didn’t change much—she was just a bit stronger. But Yun Shuyao believed level three wasn’t far off either.

Once she reached level four, her wood-type ability wouldn’t just be useless anymore.

According to Yun Shuyao’s estimate, within a year at the latest, she would reach level four.

The first three levels were inherently easy to cross—the difficulty lay in what came after.

Nanny Li checked the time and reminded the Old Madam it was time to return—it was almost time for the Old Madam’s scheduled scripture recitation.

The Old Madam reluctantly withdrew her hand and instructed the wet nurse: “Take good care of the Young Master.”

The wet nurse was already accustomed to the Old Madam being like this and naturally agreed.

The Old Madam returned in a sedan chair.

After returning to Songbai Courtyard, Nanny Li couldn’t help but ask: “Old Madam, should we bring the Young Master over after the full month?”

The Old Madam went to see the Young Master every day. If she didn’t go see him once, she couldn’t sleep well that night.

With the Old Madam’s status, condescending daily to go to a concubine’s courtyard to see a child was indeed somewhat excessive. For now, they could say it was because they feared the child would catch a chill, but after the full month, if this continued?

Bringing the child over directly would be efficient once and for all, and being raised by the Old Madam would benefit a illegitimate son’s future as well.

The Old Madam looked at the statue of the Bodhisattva on the platform, neither pleased nor displeased: “Don’t ask anymore. I have my own considerations.”

Every night before sleeping, she now burned incense for the ancestors, asking them to bless her in raising her grandson and changing the Lin family’s fate of severed descendants.

Of course, she had also thought about bringing the child to her own Songbai Courtyard to care for him properly, but the Old Madam had a hidden worry—in the world of her dream, she had already passed away.

And an infant’s eyes were the most spiritually attuned, supposedly able to see things adults couldn’t see.

What if bringing the child to her side would be harmful to him?

The Old Madam didn’t dare gamble.

She would rather toil a bit more each day.

Once the child grew older and could go out, it wouldn’t be too late to have him come pay respects to her.

Nanny Li said no more.

To continue would be overstepping.

—

Because the three children in the household were born just a day apart, the Old Madam, Lin Ruhai, and Jia Min could clearly perceive the differences among the three.

The Eldest Miss held the position of being first, weighed the least, and had the weakest constitution. Fortunately, with Doctor Zhou’s care, visibly, the Eldest Miss was drinking more milk each day, her cries were becoming more vigorous, and people had increasing confidence that she would grow up.

The Second Miss was the elder of the twins. Her birth weight was similar to her brother’s, but after birth, because she inherited Concubine Yun’s good appetite, she had already pulled ahead of her brother. Her face was round and plump, and when she waved her lotus-root-like little arms and unconsciously revealed a toothless smile, few people could resist her charm—including Jia Min.

The Young Master was born last. Compared to his two sisters’ extreme conditions, he was in the middle, and his temperament seemed relatively quiet—this only applied when he was in a good mood. If there was anything unsatisfactory, his voice could wail even louder than his sisters’.

Sometimes, Lin Ruhai would tell Yun Shuyao about the situation with the twin’s elder sister. Yun Shuyao would also express concern. Knowing there were no problems, she wouldn’t say much more. If she said too much, others might easily think she had some ulterior motives.

She herself knew she didn’t, but she couldn’t control what others thought.

Moreover… Thinking of her colleague’s temperament, Yun Shuyao wondered how frustrated she must be feeling now.

She didn’t know what her colleague said about her when Lin Ruhai went to her courtyard.

She wanted to probe a bit. Looking at Lin Ruhai’s handsome profile with its hint of a smile, this face, this bearing—appearing refined and trustworthy, actually full of schemes. Wanting to dig something out from him? Yun Shuyao admitted she didn’t have that intelligence, so she gave up.

Anyway, once she completed her confinement, she would be able to tell her colleague’s attitude from her behavior. In comparison, that would be like reading an open book.

—

The invitation was sent by express horse to Rongguo Manor in the capital.

Lady Jia looked at the letter and couldn’t help but frown.

In Nanny Qian’s letter, she saw what the Lin family’s Old Madam had done when the concubines gave birth. Lady Jia couldn’t help but furrow her brow. Was this guarding against their Jia family like guarding against thieves?

Or was it that since the old Duke passed away, the Lin family’s wings had also hardened?

Lady Jia’s face darkened. Their Jia family hadn’t completely fallen from favor yet—her eldest son was still a First-Class General!

The Lin family was merely a fourth-rank official!

She only regretted that her daughter hadn’t conceived all this time, so she couldn’t demand an explanation from the Lin family.

Now there was not only the illegitimate eldest daughter, but also an illegitimate eldest son. Unlike a daughter, a boy couldn’t be married off with a dowry when he grew up. Unless raised from childhood to be loyal, he would be a white-eyed wolf dividing the family property… Thinking of this, Lady Jia’s gaze became somewhat gloomy, then slowly eased.

Young children often suffered many disasters—who knew if they could survive? There was no need to make conclusions so early.

She would give her daughter another two years. If it still didn’t work, she would have to send someone over for surrogate childbirth. No matter what, the Lin family’s next generation must have their Jia family’s bloodline.

The current priority was for her daughter to become pregnant quickly. If her daughter had a biological son, the relationship between the Jia and Lin families could continue.

Thinking of the suspicious coincidence of two concubines becoming pregnant together this time, Lady Jia couldn’t help but ponder.

She had also taken these two women’s birth dates and times to inquire. There was nothing particularly outstanding about them. Perhaps the problem lay with that mysterious Master Zhiliao?

It was just a pity that despite searching through all her connections for help, they still couldn’t find the person.

Forget it, forget it. Thinking about these things was useless.

She made up her mind. Soon she wrote a note and had someone deliver it quickly, and they must return with the other party’s reply.

After much deliberation, Lady Jia decided to use this favor, hoping for a good result.

Afterward, she had someone summon Jia She.

They had already completed the mourning period with no taboos. Her eldest son spent all day in a muddled state wasting time—this was a good opportunity to have him make a trip.

Jia She didn’t know why his mother was summoning him. Everything had been fine—he hadn’t done anything out of line recently.

Lady Jia didn’t waste words: “Your sister has been without children for so many years. Now, although she finally has offspring, people’s hearts are hidden. You go make a trip to support your sister and tell the Lin family that the Jia family is not without people.”

Upon hearing this, Jia She’s first reaction was to shake his head. The journey was long and arduous, and the round trip would take a long time. With that effort, what couldn’t he do instead?

He changed the subject: “Old Madam, my sister finally has offspring and won’t be criticized anymore. This is a great joyous occasion! We must prepare a generous gift.”

Lady Jia was nearly angered to death by him. This fool actually sincerely thought it was a great joyous occasion?

“Do you know this is an illegitimate son! That concubine is about to climb over your sister’s head!”

Jia She snorted: “She dares! Just a concubine. Old Madam, you’re underestimating my sister too much.”

Seeing the Old Madam’s angry expression, he hesitated, then suggested: “Why not have Second Brother go? Second Brother is younger.”

Lady Jia snorted coldly, losing patience: “Are you going or not? You’re not going, is that it? Fine, then I’ll go!” With that, she directly directed the maids and servants to pack.

Have the second son go? Unlike the eldest who only held an empty title, he had just taken office at the Ministry of Works. How could he take extended leave? Wouldn’t that delay the second son’s prospects?

Since she had said this much, Jia She could only agree reluctantly. He couldn’t really let the Old Madam travel far at her age, could he? Then Jia She would have his spine cursed.

He lowered his head gloomily: “I understand. I’ll go, I’ll go. But Old Madam, I won’t make it in time for this full-month celebration.”

Seeing him agree, Lady Jia’s mood improved somewhat: “I’m not having you go directly to your sister’s place. You’ll first return to Jinling to pay respects to the ancestors, check on the ancestral fields and the other branch clan members. On your way back, you can visit your sister—that won’t be too late. I’ll tell you the specifics of what to do tomorrow. Alright, go back and have people pack quickly. Leave the day after tomorrow.”

Seeing his reluctant agreement, Lady Jia didn’t dare delay, fearing he would change his mind.

As for the full-month celebration, he definitely wouldn’t make it in time. Lady Jia had never intended to send her son for that anyway. Have her son attend an illegitimate son’s full-month celebration?

Were they worthy?

Once her daughter gave birth to a son, the illegitimate son would no longer be necessary. Why waste the effort?