Chen Jia realized that Jiang Yan’s eagerness to repay even this partial amount likely stemmed from her deep unease. Not wanting to trouble her further, he told the servant who brought the silver, “Tell your young mistress that I’ve received the silver. As for the remaining 52 taels, there’s no need to rush. I don’t have any urgent use for the money at the moment.”

The servant nodded and returned to report to Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan sighed in relief but began to worry about how to repay Chen Jia’s silver as quickly as possible.

She absolutely couldn’t pawn her gold and silver jewelry – outsiders would think her brother and sister-in-law were mistreating her.

Her monthly allowance was only 20 taels of silver. It would take at least three months to save up, by which time it would nearly be the New Year.

Who repays debts after the New Year? It seemed so inauspicious!

But if there were any social obligations in those three months, she wouldn’t be able to repay before the New Year…

The mere thought made her anxious. She silently prayed that none of the family’s relatives would have any events before the New Year.

However, things often happen precisely when you fear them most.

A few days later, news came that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family had miscarried.

The Lu family already had few descendants. Even Dou Zhao felt anxious for Old Madam Lu and Princess Ningde.

Remembering that Song Yichun’s silence on Jiang Yan’s matter was due to the pressure from the two old madams, and considering that Jiang Yan was previously married, Dou Zhao decided to bring Jiang Yan along to visit the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law.

Jiang Yan was somewhat concerned, asking, “Is it appropriate for me to go?”

Her status was still unclear, after all.

“Of course it’s appropriate! Why wouldn’t it be?” Dou Zhao explained diplomatically, “The two old madams are especially fond of you. They didn’t attend Song Han’s wedding out of indignation on your behalf. They’ll be delighted to see you; there’s no reason for them to look down on you. Relationships between people grow closer with more interaction.”

Jiang Yan felt it wouldn’t be right to go empty-handed.

Dou Zhao smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared some medicinal herbs and tonics in your name. The nannies will present them to the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law. You just need to come along with me.”

When Jiang Yan first entered the household, she had only the clothes on her back – clothes that Chen Jia had bought for her. Dou Zhao knew better than anyone how little Jiang Yan possessed. How could she let Jiang Yan bear such expenses?

Thinking of this, she recalled Jiang Yan sending someone to meet Chen Jia a few days ago.

To make Jiang Yan feel at home in Yizhi Hall and free to do as she pleases, Dou Zhao didn’t instruct people to report Jiang Yan’s every move. However, since Jiang Yan lived in Yizhi Hall, some things couldn’t escape Dou Zhao’s notice.

She casually asked Jiang Yan, “What did you need from Chen Jia? Are you facing any difficulties?”

Jiang Yan couldn’t bring herself to tell Dou Zhao about borrowing money from Chen Jia. Wouldn’t that just lead to Dou Zhao helping her repay the silver?

She said, “I asked him to inquire about Li Liang’s situation.”

Dou Zhao wasn’t as vehemently opposed to this as Song Mo. She could understand Jiang Yan’s feelings and thus smiled, “Don’t worry. Your brother isn’t the type to be unreasonable. He might be angry at Li Liang for now, but considering Li Liang did protect you, once his anger subsides, he’ll naturally come to understand.”

Jiang Yan nodded repeatedly.

Her brother indeed hadn’t harmed Li Liang.

She couldn’t help but reproach herself silently.

She had truly misjudged her brother’s character.

Even her sister-in-law trusted her brother so much, yet she had gone to ask Chen Jia how her brother had dealt with Li Liang.

Fortunately, her brother didn’t know what she had done. If he knew what she had discussed with Chen Jia, he would surely be heartbroken.

Realizing this, she became even more convinced that she couldn’t let her brother and sister-in-law know about her sending silver to Li Liang.

If they found out, they would surely think she didn’t trust them and suspect them of mistreating Li Liang.

At the Lu mansion, Old Madam Lu and Princess Ningde were present.

The two elderly ladies seemed to have aged several years overnight.

The Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law blamed herself, saying, “Since I knew she was feeling unwell, I should have made her rest in bed. Who would have thought she was with child!”

The eldest daughter-in-law hurried to comfort her mother-in-law, “How could this be your fault? It was my carelessness. You saying this only makes me feel more ashamed!”

Old Madam Lu said, “Alright, alright, stop blaming yourselves. Relationships between people are predestined. We can only say this child wasn’t fated to be with our family.” Then she instructed the eldest daughter-in-law, “You should take over the household management for now. Don’t let Zhan’s wife overexert herself. Let her rest and recover properly.” To the miscarried daughter-in-law, she added, “Don’t think too much. Focus on getting better. There will be more children in the future.”

Both women nodded, but guilt remained evident in their expressions.

Old Madam Lu kept Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan in the room to comfort the eldest daughter-in-law while she and Princess Ningde returned to the reception room.

Meanwhile, learning that Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan had left the manor, Miao Ansu immediately sprang into action.

She instructed Liuhong to coax Fuye into her room to play, while she hid in the adjacent room to eavesdrop on their conversation.

After chatting about various topics, the conversation turned to Song Han’s wedding.

Liuhong said, “The Dou family is so wealthy and is a proper in-law to the Song family. How could they be so stingy as to not even send a gift for the Second Master’s wedding? Aren’t they afraid of offending the Young Master?”

Fuye chewed on the nest-shaped candy in her mouth.

This candy was truly sweet!

It was indeed made according to the recipe from the palace.

Identical to the ones in Madam’s room.

This Second Madam had spared no expense!

She was clever, knowing to inquire from Madam’s people. If she had asked those from the Qinxiang Court or the Second Master’s attendants, she might not have learned anything even after a year or more!

With the candy still in her mouth, Fuye put her hands on her hips and loudly defended, “The Dou family isn’t stingy at all! Just look at the gifts they gave the Eldest Young Master, and you’ll see how wealthy they are. How could they care about such a small amount? It’s just that some things happened in the family recently. Everyone’s been saying that the Second Master is an illegitimate son brought back by the Duke, and to give the Second Master legitimate status, the Duke even switched him with the eldest daughter born to Madam Jiang… The Young Master even had a falling out with the Duke over this! If the Dou family were to make a fuss over the Second Master’s wedding, the Young Master would be truly displeased!”

Liuhong was shocked and couldn’t help glancing towards the adjacent room.

Fuye immediately understood.

Either Miao Ansu herself or her most capable maid, Jihong, must be in the next room.

As this thought flashed through her mind, she heard the sound of breaking porcelain from next door.

Liuhong came to her senses and forced a smile, saying, “You must be joking, right? When the Duke’s wife gave birth, there were so many people around, inside and out. Even if they could fool Madam Jiang, how could they possibly deceive the capable old nannies by Madam Jiang’s side? Don’t try to fool me!”

“Why would I try to fool you?” Fuye said, displeased. “If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone and you’ll know. Otherwise, why would the young miss from Bishui Pavilion look exactly like Madam Jiang? Why didn’t the young miss return to the Jiang family after coming of age, but instead sought refuge with the Song family? Why doesn’t Madam favor the Second Madam but instead favors the young miss?”

When the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law miscarried, Madam should have invited her sister-in-law Miao to visit the Lu family together. Why did she leave Miao behind and bring the young miss instead? Wasn’t Madam afraid of offending the Lu family’s uncle and aunt?

Miao Ansu’s mind was in turmoil. She didn’t even notice when Fuye left.

She sat alone until dusk when the maids came to light the lamps. The sudden bright light startled her back to awareness.

She had never felt as lonely as she did today.

“Has the Second Master returned?” Miao Ansu asked Jihong.

Song Han had no official duties, yet from the fourth day after their wedding, he had used the excuse of the Duke’s strict supervision of his studies to return to the academy. He left early and returned late each day, studying even more diligently than the students at the Imperial College.

Jihong replied somewhat uncomfortably, “The Second Master has returned. He’s changing in the small study.”

Before his marriage, Song Han’s usual belongings had been moved to the small study.

Miao Ansu listened, suddenly realizing, “Is Qixia and the others attending to him?”

Jihong nodded.

Miao Ansu flew into a rage.

He had slept with her maid, yet still let his former maids attend to him. What logic was this?

Did he think her quarters were some kind of brothel?

Miao Ansu was about to storm towards the small study, but Jihong held her back firmly, “Second Madam, you’ve only just married into the family. If you cause a scene now, even if you’re not at fault, you’ll be seen as the one in the wrong. Moreover, given the Second Master’s current delicate status, acting like this will only make him resent you!”

Miao Ansu calmed down.

By the time Song Han returned to their room, she was able to ask him with a smile if he had eaten dinner, even personally bringing him water to wash his feet. Once in bed, she gently told him about Dou Zhao taking Jiang Yan to visit the Lu family, and tentatively asked, “Do you think I should also prepare something to visit the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law?”

Song Han’s expression immediately became cryptic.

After a long silence, he finally said, “The eldest sister-in-law is the family matriarch. She’ll arrange these matters. If she invites you, go; if not, don’t go around uninvited. You’ll only lose face and be laughed at. Besides, no one specifically informed you about the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law’s miscarriage. Why insert yourself?” His tone was impatient. After speaking, he turned away and lay down.

Miao Ansu looked at the two separated beddings, feeling wronged as tears welled up in her eyes.

She also turned away, lying down with her back to Song Han.

Song Han’s thoughts were entirely occupied by Dou Zhao taking Jiang Yan to the Lu manor. He couldn’t be bothered with Miao Ansu at all.

Dou Zhao was truly going too far!

No matter what, he was still officially the Second Young Master of Duke Ying’s manor. Yet she didn’t consider him at all, preferring to take Jiang Yan to the Lu family instead of Miao!

What were they trying to do?

Were they trying to force him to give up his status as the Second Young Master of Duke Ying’s manor?

His hand clenched into a fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palm without him even noticing.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yan, who had returned from the Lu manor, was in a dilemma.

After chatting with the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law for a while, it was noon. The Lu family invited them to stay for lunch, with Old Madam Lu personally hosting a banquet. The younger generation of the Lu family all came, and her sister-in-law gave each child a red envelope as a gift.

She had panicked at that moment.

Fortunately, her sister-in-law was well-prepared and had given red envelopes to Yinghong for Jiang Yan to distribute, saving her from embarrassment.

Old Madam Lu had also mentioned that in a few days, after the eldest daughter-in-law completed her month of postpartum rest, she would invite them over again for a meal and to watch a play.

She hadn’t known about it this time and hadn’t prepared her red envelopes. How could she let her sister-in-law help her with the gifts again next time?

Although each child only received two silver pieces worth one tael each, with four children in the Lu family, it still amounted to eight taels of silver. This meant she wouldn’t be able to repay Chen Jia before the New Year.

What should she do?