In fact, although Gu Xiuniang was top-grade, she truly gave her all for Feng Yanting.
In the original script, after Feng Zhongliang had ransomed Mrs. Zhang and the others, he was left with little Silver Coin, just like now.
Gu Xiuniang both personally initiated Feng Yanting’s education and earned money with her embroidery.
However, she never let Yanting know about the difficulty of the family’s circumstances or her own hardships. She feared the child would be distracted and unable to study properly.
She still maintained the facade that the Feng Family was affluent, and that her earning money to support the household (especially to take care of Mrs. Zhang and the others) was not laborious.
Yanting’s quality of life had not declined, and he had never witnessed his own mother’s toil, so he had grown accustomed to everything.
However, during his studies, a child will inevitably experience aversion and weariness.
Gu Xiuniang pinned all her hopes on Yanting and, despite her heartache and reluctance, she would strictly educate him.
Having been scolded and punished by his own mother, Yanting was bound to feel uncomfortable.
Of course, if no outsider had provoked him or shown him a different perspective, Yanting might have merely complained a bit, as he was still able to appreciate his mother’s hard work.
But Mrs. Zhang was just next door.
Mrs. Zhang was still being supported by the Feng Family; she didn’t have to work or worry about providing for life or her son’s future.
Her hands untouched by spring water, she still maintained a polished and beautiful appearance.
She would occasionally prepare some desserts and meat dishes, secretly inviting Yanting to indulge.
Usually, that may be fine, but if Yanting had just received harsh treatment from his own mother and then came to Mrs. Zhang for comforting words, delicious food, and relaxation.
Which side do you think his heart would lean towards?
This is like many modern families, where the mother exerts herself to push her children to succeed and becomes increasingly authoritative, while the father, disengaged from everything, occasionally plays games with the children.
In the child’s eyes, the mother tries to control everything, a hysterical female T-Rex.
The father is the best dad in the world; the one true concern and tenderness in his (her) heart!
These are real blood relatives.
Yet in this script, Gu Xiuniang is not his biological mother. Instead, she’s just a shameless villain who covets the power of the Marquis Mansion and doesn’t hesitate to confuse noble lineages!
Feng Yanting’s ability to "exterminate kin for justice" regarding his foster mother, aside from Gu Xiuniang’s undeniable guilt, the indulgence and discipline she had shown when he was younger, along with the secret backstabbing and scheming of Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao, played a very important role!
Although the novel forcefully portrays Yanting as a calm and self-possessed male lead who favors justice over kin, who can be rational, clear-headed, and decisively ruthless.
But in between the lines, He Tiantian still noticed something off.
Gu Xiuniang had devoted herself to Yanting, yet his feelings towards this "mother" were not as pure and profound.
"Exchange of children" was nothing more than a reason for Yanting to sever ties with his foster mother.
However, that was the original storyline. Now, with He Tiantian assuming the role of Gu Xiuniang, things might develop differently.
At least one thing was certain, He Tiantian would never "whitewash the peace."
Nor would she refrain from letting him know too much because he was a child.
"Gu Xiuniang’s" commitment to the Feng Family, to Yanting, Mrs. Zhang’s selfishness, and Nanny Zhao’s blind loyalty—He Tiantian would show everything to Yanting truthfully.
Yanting’s mindset indeed changed.
That day, when Nanny Zhao took him next door to greet Mrs. Zhang, he overheard Mrs. Zhang and Nanny Zhao gossiping somewhat disparagingly about "Gu Xiuniang."
Yanting could not stand it any longer. Clutching a cherry cake in his hand, he murmured resentfully, "Mom works so hard; she teaches me during the day and has to do embroidery at night!"
"My Daddy is indeed very hardworking too, but even if he goes out to work, the most he can bring back is twenty or thirty Copper Coins!"
"...My Mom stayed up several nights in a row and embroidered a screen, earning one hundred taels of Silver!"
So, this household (including Mrs. Zhang and the rest) was all being supported by "Gu Xiuniang."
But what did Mrs. Zhang and the others do?
They ate, drank, and spent the Silver that "Gu Xiuniang" had worked hard to earn, yet they still gossiped about her!
"Yanting, don’t talk nonsense!"
Mrs. Zhang’s expression changed, but Nanny Zhao was even angrier than her and scolded him directly.
"How am I talking nonsense? My Mom is indeed working very hard. Nanny, you don’t feel sorry for her; instead, you blame her for not keeping to the rules? How can she be more proper? Should she cut off her own flesh to feed to unrelated people?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel✶fire.net
Yanting, unable to endure any longer, finally blurted out his true feelings.
When mentioning "unrelated people," he deliberately glanced at Mrs. Zhang.
Mrs. Zhang: ...Her heart ached! Her own flesh and blood was looking at her with contempt and disdain.
Yanting, having voiced his innermost thoughts, did not stay any longer and ran out.
But upon reaching the courtyard, Yanting paused.
As if compelled by some unseen force, he tiptoed back.
Hiding outside the room and eavesdropping, he indeed heard conversations that further outraged him—
"Mrs. Gu is taking advantage because she can earn money, even daring to instigate Yanting."
"That’s right, Madam, we cannot let this go on any longer. This servant must show her who is the true head of the Feng Family!"
"But, Mrs. Gu is indeed capable of earning money; the household still cannot do without her right now."
"...Madam, why not give Zhongliang Shuang Jiang and draw him to our side. As long as Zhongliang obeys this servant like before, no matter how capable Mrs. Gu is, she can’t cause any trouble as just a woman!"