Testing the Reaction
"I'll go right now, I'll kneel in the ancestral hall right now, Mother, please don't cry." Seeing his mother crying like this, and looking at his younger brother who kept rubbing his bottom, Zhao Jingli felt even more guilty.
If he hadn't been reading those kinds of stories, he wouldn't have gotten into this mess. If his brother had really been hurt, it wouldn't be something he could fix by kneeling in the ancestral hall. Thinking about what had just happened, he felt a wave of fear.
Seeing Zhao Jingli obediently kneel in the ancestral hall with his head hanging low, the First Madam hugged Xu Xi and cried even more bitterly.
Xu Xi patted the First Madam on the back, sighing inwardly.
She could understand the First Madam's breakdown just now.
Zhao Jingli was someone she had carefully raised as the heir apparent. As her first son, her feelings and expectations for Zhao Jingli certainly far exceeded those for the completely disobedient Zhao Jingtai. Now, thinking that this child might not be her own, but rather Lady Wei had secretly switched, the pain, reluctance, and hatred in her heart are truly unimaginable to outsiders.
If Zhao Jingli wasn't her biological son, then Zhao Jingtai might be her only son. This only son was chased up a tree by Zhao Jingli and almost fell to his death. It's likely that the First Madam's fear, hatred, and other complex emotions reached their peak at that moment, which is why she couldn't help but cry like that.
"Aunt, don't cry. Maybe things aren't as we think. Maybe my guess is wrong," Xu Xi patted the First Madam's back and comforted her softly.
"No," the First Madam shook her head, crying, "The more I think about it... the more something seems wrong. Your guess is most likely true."
She straightened up, gazed at Xu Xi, reached out and touched her cheek, and started crying again, "Try again, and you'll know."
Seeing the First Madam's pained expression, Xu Xi regretted revealing her guess.
In this era, there was no DNA testing. If the midwife couldn't be found, and it couldn't be confirmed with 100% certainty that Zhao Jingli Zhao Jingli wasn't her son, the First Madam worried on one hand that Zhao Jingli wasn't her son and that Lady Wei's son had taken advantage of her; on the other hand, she worried that Zhao Jingli really was her son and that she had wronged him and made a wrong decision. This torment of being wrong no matter what could happen could have killed the First Madam.
Xu Xi couldn't help but ask the system in her mind, "System, how's the investigation going? Do you have any news about that midwife?"
After a long while, Xu Xi and Caidie had helped the First Madam into her room when the system's voice came from afar, gradually approaching. "I only found out that she was still alive five years ago. But she moved five years ago, and I haven't found out exactly where she moved to now."
As long as she's alive, that's all that matters. Besides, the system only took a day or two to find her whereabouts from five years ago; it should only take half a day or a day to find her current address.
For the first time Xu Xi felt the system was incredibly reliable, and quickly showered it with praise, "Wow, system, you're so capable! You found her whereabouts in just one day. It seems like my background will be cleared up in less than half a day. Keep it up, baby! I'm rooting for you! Once my background is revealed, I'll definitely earn lots of points to help you fix the obstacles as soon as possible."
The system, which had always been called "idiot," was suddenly embarrassed by being called "baby" for the first time. It awkwardly replied, "I'm just so-so. Just remember to keep racking up points, host."
It paused, then said, "I'm going to continue investigating. I should have news soon. Host, wait for me." Then it fell silent, clearly having gone back to investigate the midwife's matter.
Xu Xi smiled slightly. Seeing that the First Madam had washed her face and her emotions had calmed down, she said to her with a confident expression, "Aunt, don't worry, we will find out the truth."
"Yes, I know, don't worry, I'm fine." The First Madam smiled and patted her hand. "I'll take you to the storeroom."
"How about another day? I can only use the zither I just got. Even if I take this one back today, I can't use it," Xu Xi said.
The First Madam was also in a hurry to deal with her business, so she didn't insist. "Alright, then let's do it another day. I'll have someone find it when I'm free, and then you can come and choose."
"Okay. Auntie, I'll head back now."
"Go," the First Madam called to the old woman again, "It's getting dark, take a lantern and be prepared to escort Fifth Miss back safely."
As soon as Xu Xi left, the First Madam summoned her trusted confidante. "Matron Zhou, send someone to spread the word about what just happened, especially among the Second Branch of the household. Also, have someone keep an eye on the Second Branch, and make sure to record the Second Madam's every move, her joys and sorrows, and report back to me."
Like Matron Zhou Matron Jin who served the Old Madam, Granny Zhou was one of the First Madam's most trusted people. When the First Madam gave birth, Granny Zhou was busy with household affairs and wasn't by her side. Later, Xu Xi raised her suspicions, and when the First Madam returned, she didn't dare tell the Marquis, so she told Matron Zhou about it, asking her to help recall the events. The more they thought about it, the more likely it was that the child had been switched.
Therefore, upon learning of what had happened today and hearing the First Madam's instructions, Matron Zhou understood her intentions. Without saying anything more, she simply replied "Yes" and went to contact the spies planted in the Second Branch of the household.
The First Madam, who had managed the Marquis's residence for over a decade, was quite shrewd. While the Second and Third Madams appeared to have no connection to the First Madam's household, and their household affairs and servants were managed by them, aside from their own personal attendants, everyone else was purchased and distributed by the First Madam, and their indentures were all in her hands. The First Madam was responsible for distributing monthly stipends and punishing servants for serious offenses. It was effortless for the First Madam to place or bribe people within the two households.
After giving instructions to Matron Zhou, the First Madam returned to the outer room and sat down to await news.
"Madam, aren't you going to see the Third Young Master?" Caidie noticed that the First Madam's expression was strange today.
Just now, the First Madam was in a bad mood, and Fifth Miss was here, so it was understandable that the First Madam stayed in the room. Now that Fifth Miss has left, and the First Madam seems to be alright, why isn't she going out to check on the Third Young Master's injuries, instead of sitting still in the room?
This is completely unlike the First Madam's style. The First Madam is usually very attentive to her children. Even if Zhao Ruxin, who was born out of wedlock, were injured, the First Madam would personally go to inquire about her condition.
The First Madam waved her hand and glanced into the room, noticing that besides Caidie, another Daya, Caixia, was also inside.
She instructed Caixia, "Go to the doorway, find a secluded spot, and see if anyone is peeking around nearby."
Caixia was confused, but she still agreed and obediently went out the door.