When the baby was brought back, Magpie learned that the wet - nurse had been sent out of the room during the imperial physician's examination. Her face changed instantly.
After the baby was examined alone, she hurriedly carried the baby girl to Song Zhaoyang, her voice sounding a bit flustered.
"Madam, this baby..."
Song Zhaoyang had been keeping her eyes closed. Hearing Magpie's voice, she suddenly sat up straight and looked at the baby in her arms.
"Everyone, get out!"
At Song Zhaoyang's order, all the servants in the room withdrew.
"This is not my baby."
Song Zhaoyang reached out to touch the baby's right ear.
In her previous life, she had regarded Xue Yunning as the apple of her eye and knew every detail of her body.
There was a mole behind Xue Yunning's right ear, which she had had since birth.
Magpie nodded with red - rimmed eyes and then said angrily, "Madam, the young lady has been switched. This servant will go and question Nanny Yu right away."
"Stop! Don't tip them off!" Song Zhaoyang shouted. Looking at the baby in the swaddle, murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
A complete ingrate!
Thinking about the tragic fate of their branch of the family in her previous life, she wanted to strangle them to death. But this was not the time.
"This is Lady Wen's baby. You'll swap the babies back tonight! Keep it a secret!"
Magpie saw the cold look on Song Zhaoyang's face and nodded.
Late at night, all was silent.
Magpie carried the swaddle and tiptoed carefully towards the warm pavilion where the Second Branch's baby was placed.
She was afraid of alerting others, so she didn't make a single sound while walking.
Everything went smoothly. When she reached the warm pavilion, the wet - nurse prepared by the Second Branch was dozing off.
Magpie carefully lit the sleeping incense. The unsuspecting wet - nurse went limp and slumped on the edge of the bed, sound asleep.
Magpie quickly swapped the two babies, then extinguished the sleeping incense and returned to Song Zhaoyang's room.
Although Song Zhaoyang was physically exhausted, her mind was always clear.
She nervously awaited Magpie's return. When she heard the noise at the door, she saw the swaddle in Magpie's arms, sat up, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Give her to me."
Magpie handed the baby to Song Zhaoyang and comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam. Everything went smoothly. Just now I confirmed that they did swap the two babies. This is really our young lady."
After giving birth to the baby girl, Song Zhaoyang had Magpie check if there were any birthmarks on the baby.
Magpie found a red birthmark on the baby's right wrist, but it was so faint that it was hardly noticeable without a close look.
Song Zhaoyang sniffled and held the baby in her arms as if she were a precious treasure.
She pressed her face against the baby's warm little face, relieved that the baby was safely back in her arms.
"Don't cry, Madam. You're still in confinement. You mustn't hurt your eyes."
Song Zhaoyang replied with a heavy nasal tone, "Yes. We'll settle all the scores later! Take good care of the young lady. Now that we're under the Second Branch's roof, we mustn't let them succeed again!"
"Be extra careful tonight!"
Magpie nodded seriously at Song Zhaoyang's instructions.
Song Zhaoyang placed the baby beside her and finally fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke up, the sun was shining brightly outside, and the baby was no longer by her side.
"Magpie!"
Hearing Song Zhaoyang's voice, Magpie rushed in from outside.
"Madam, you're awake. The young lady is hungry. She's in the next room drinking milk."
Hearing Magpie's words, Song Zhaoyang let out a sigh of relief.
"Is everything ready? We're going back."
"The sedan chair is waiting outside. Madam, please have your meal first."
Song Zhaoyang nodded. She was fully covered, wrapping herself and the baby tightly.
Just as she was about to leave, Lady Wen Jr. came out to see them off.
"Sister - in - law."
Although her words were addressed to Song Zhaoyang, her gentle gaze fell on the baby girl.
Song Zhaoyang noticed Lady Wen Jr.'s actions and said indifferently, "Sister - in - law, you're still in confinement. Why did you come out instead of staying in your room?"
Feeling the coldness from Song Zhaoyang, Lady Wen Jr. said awkwardly, "Sister - in - law, you had a premature birth because of me. I feel so bad. When I heard you were leaving, I came here specially to see you off."
But no one knew that she had actually come to see her own daughter. Just thinking that she wouldn't be able to see her daughter for a month made her heart ache.
But for her daughter's future glory and wealth, she had to endure the pain of separation.
Hearing Lady Wen Jr.'s false concern, Song Zhaoyang sneered inwardly and said expressionlessly, "Alright, go back and take good care of yourself during confinement. Don't put on this act. If Mother finds out, she'll feel bad again."
Hearing this, Lady Wen Jr. forced a smile and nodded.
"One more thing!" Song Zhaoyang suddenly changed the topic. Looking sharply at Lady Wen Jr., she said, "Sister - in - law, you can't even manage your own courtyard well. How can you take on the responsibility of managing the household and gain the respect of others?"
"Mother once said that she would give you some power to manage the household after you gave birth, but I think we should just drop this idea!"
Hearing this, Lady Wen Jr.'s face changed. She raised her voice and complained angrily, "Sister - in - law, how could you do this? It's too much!"
"Too much?" Song Zhaoyang curled her lips. Supported by Magpie, she walked closer to Lady Wen Jr.
Scared by Song Zhaoyang's imposing manner, Lady Wen Jr. took a step back. "Sister - in - law, don't come near me!"
"Sister - in - law, what are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat you." A cold look flashed in Song Zhaoyang's eyes, and then she said calmly, "I hope you can give me an explanation for my premature birth!"
"Don't try to fob me off with some random servant girl..."
After saying this, she didn't bother to look at the pale - faced Lady Wen Jr. and turned around to get into the sedan chair.
Lady Wen Jr. glared with hatred in her eyes. Her body trembled with anger as she watched Song Zhaoyang's sedan chair leave.
How dare Song Zhaoyang threaten her!
She thought she had done that thing flawlessly. Even if Elder Brother Xue Chucheng questioned her, she could just blame it on the careless maid who was sweeping the floor.
But she never expected that before she could even come up with this excuse, Song Zhaoyang had already guessed that she would let an insignificant maid take the blame.
"Madam, the Elder Madam is so arrogant. This old servant will go to the Old Madam and seek justice for you!"
Hearing this, Lady Wen Jr. slapped the nanny across the face and shouted angrily, "Useless thing! You can't even handle this! Go and fix it right away!"
The nanny, who had been slapped by Lady Wen Jr., replied tremblingly, "Yes."
Fuming, Lady Wen Jr. returned to her room and heard a baby crying from the next room.
Her face darkened to the point that it seemed like water could drip from it.
"What's going on?"
The maid beside Lady Wen Jr. went to find out and quickly returned. "Madam, the young lady is crying very hard. The wet - nurse can't calm her down no matter what."
Hearing this, Lady Wen Jr. sneered and mocked, "They really are mother and daughter. Bring that girl here!"
The wet - nurse carried the crying baby in front of Lady Wen Jr.
As soon as the baby saw Lady Wen Jr., she stopped crying immediately.
The wet - nurse flattered, "Madam, the young lady loves you so much. As soon as she sees you, she stops crying."
Lady Wen Jr. stared at the baby, and a cold, snake - like glint flashed in her eyes.