Indeed, upon hearing the na "Temple Master Hua Yang," Mrs. Zhang’s expression turned abruptly.
"Temple Master Hua Yang? You, you’re the Old Empress Dowager from the palace?"
As a forr Marchioness, Mrs. Zhang was of course aware of Temple Master Hua Yang’s identity.
Just a few days before, when Mrs. Zhang had been out shopping and encountered Second Madam, her sister-in-law had boasted to her, saying her maternal family was seeking connections to find a way to send Second Madam’s two daughters to Qingyun Temple.
Unexpectedly, while the second branch was still seeking a way, Yuanniang from the first branch had already t with Temple Master Hua Yang—and had even been kept at the Taoist Temple.
This, this... If Yuanniang were Mrs. Zhang’s own daughter, Mrs. Zhang would have only been delighted to receive such news.
Yet the problem was Yuanniang wasn’t her daughter.
Especially since Mrs. Zhang’s own son was still a commoner with no titles, with no foreseeable prospects, whereas Yuanniang, a forr servant girl, had already stepped onto the path to success.
How could Mrs. Zhang be content with that?
Jealousy, anger, resentnt, and vexation surged up all at once, contorting Mrs. Zhang’s age-worn face!
He Tiantian seed oblivious to Mrs. Zhang’s "transformation" and continued in a gentle and soft tone, "By rights, I should have reported Eldest Miss’s matter to you imdiately!"
"But during those few days, you were unwell, and every ti I ntioned Eldest Miss, you said to make the decisions myself!"
"Moreover, to catch the eye of Temple Master Hua Yang, to be able to serve her, is a great opportunity. When the ti cos for Eldest Miss to discuss marriage, it will add to her appeal!"
"I, I took the initiative and left Eldest Miss at Qingyun Temple!"
Mrs. Zhang took a few deep breaths to suppress the envy and hatred in her heart and gritted her teeth, "Naturally, Qingyun Temple is a good place, but Yuanniang is young with a stubborn nature; I’m afraid she might offend the nobles!"
"Let’s do this, since Yuanniang’s cousin is obedient and of suitable age, why not let her stay in the temple in Yuanniang’s place."
The cousin Mrs. Zhang referred to was her own biological niece.
When the Zhang Family was convicted and sent into exile, Mrs. Zhang had just been ransod and was pressuring Feng Zhongliang to find a way to rescue her family mbers.
But at that ti, Feng Zhongliang was truly out of money. Even after selling Feng Yanting’s private savings, there was only enough to rescue Mrs. Zhang and her company.
In the end, it was He Tiantian who sold an embroidery piece to ransom Mrs. Zhang’s niece.
For that, Feng Yanting had deeply resented Mrs. Zhang.
Thereafter, Mrs. Zhang’s "niece" lived with her, being one year older than Yuanniang, just turned thirteen this year.
Had the Marquis Mansion and the Zhang Family not fallen from grace, it would have been the perfect age for the niece to start talking about marriage.
But now that both families had fallen on hard tis, the niece was the daughter of a convicted official.
With her circumstances, let alone marrying into a wealthy or noble family, even slightly better-off families wouldn’t consider her.
Mrs. Zhang did not want her own niece to marry a peddler or commoner, and lately, she had been worrying about it.
When she heard Second Madam ntion Qingyun Temple the other day, Mrs. Zhang also thought it was a good "gold-plating" thod.
Unfortunately, she lacked connections and had nothing to offer to please Temple Master Hua Yang.
While Mrs. Zhang was fretting, she heard the news about Yuanniang entering Qingyun Temple.
This, this—
"Right, call Yuanniang back, let Zhenzhen replace her!"
The more Mrs. Zhang thought about it, the more feasible the plan seed, and she ordered with an air of authority.
He Tiantian pretended to be astonished and widened her eyes in disbelief, looking at Mrs. Zhang.
"Madam, what, what are you saying? Such an incredible opportunity, and you let your own daughter give it up for a niece?"
Mrs. Zhang was montarily speechless, then quickly recovered, masking her true feelings by saying, "I told you, Yuanniang is young and too lively; I fear she can’t properly serve the nobles!"
"Her cousin is older, more gentle, and refined. By letting her go to Qingyun Temple, the nobles will like her even more!"
As if she could no longer hold back, He Tiantian abruptly stood up, "Madam, today I will speak frankly: Is Yuanniang really your own daughter?"
"Over the past few years, you have neglected Yuanniang. It’s only because of my regard for the Marquis Mansion’s grace that I taught Yuanniang to read and write."
"Now it’s utterly absurd, Yuanniang has been gone for half a month, and you, as her mother, haven’t noticed at all."
"Yet you constantly complain that Yuanniang is unruly and disrespectful! I would like to ask you, do you have even a smidgen of a loving heart toward Yuanniang?"
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