Eldest Madam Yun had previously thought Jiang Yuanniang’s temperament too shy and timid, not matching Miss Guo’s lively and straightforward nature. But now she felt that Jiang Yuanniang’s disposition was quite good, at least when encountering problems, she wouldn’t create a fuss with hysterical outbursts.
While thinking this, Eldest Madam Yun stepped forward and grasped Jiang Yuanniang’s hands, her eyes reddening: “Good child, I’m truly sorry about today. That wicked beast… that wicked beast he…”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanniang could no longer hold back the tears she had managed to stop. She simply covered her face with both hands and wept.
Watching her, Eldest Madam Yun realized that Jiang Yuanniang had been deliberately maintaining her composure earlier, but inside, she must have been both frightened and ashamed. The pity on her face became more genuine. She stepped forward to embrace Jiang Yuanniang’s shoulders, gently patting her while offering words of comfort and expressing the Yun family’s apologies.
After quite a while, Jiang Yuanniang finally calmed down. She took the handkerchief Qiuxiang handed her, wiping her tears while sniffling. Seeing that she had finally settled somewhat, Eldest Madam Yun said: “Good child, don’t be afraid. Today’s incident was all caused by that wicked beast in my family acting foolishly. Once we find him, we’ll naturally give you justice. You’ve always been well-behaved and sensible. You know that Old Madam and I both like you very much—we wish you had been born into our family. The Yun family will give you a proper resolution for today’s matter, so rest assured! Old Madam and I will make all the decisions for you!”
Qiuxiang, who had been standing to the side with a worried expression while wiping away tears, paused at these words. Joy flashed in her eyes as she quickly said: “Eldest Madam, will you truly make decisions for our miss?”
The phrase “make decisions” carried great significance, but everyone in the room understood that Eldest Madam Yun meant having Second Master Yun marry Jiang Yuanniang. Qiuxiang had been anxious about her young miss’s prospects, fearing that today’s incident would affect Jiang Yuanniang’s marriage prospects. Now that the Yun family was willing to let Jiang Yuanniang marry into the Yun family, nothing could be better.
Before Miss Jiang came to Yunyang City, the various branches of the Jiang family all knew that the Yun family had intentions of forming a marriage alliance with the Jiang family.
The Jiang family was a famous scholarly household in Shunzhou. Their ancestors had produced two top scholars, four second-place scholars, three third-place scholars, and dozens of second-rank graduates.
The Jiang family was also a large clan with many branches. The legitimate branch where Jiang Yuanniang belonged had five households counting from her grandmother’s generation. Since Jiang Yuanniang’s great-grandfather, Jiang Zhenwen, was still alive, these five households had not divided the family property. To outsiders, it appeared to be five generations living together in prosperity. But only those within understood the difficulties of survival in a large family.
The Jiang family had a tradition of farming and studying. After moving back to Yanbei from Jiangnan, they had never served in the imperial court. While their ancestors left the Jiang descendants infinite glory, they also limited the paths they could take. The first rule of the Jiang family ancestral instructions was that no Jiang family descendant could engage in commerce or pursue base occupations.
Thus, the entire Jiang clan relied only on the farmland and ancestral property passed down from their forebears. The legitimate main branch was better off, holding clan fields, sacrificial fields, and the Jiang Family Academy established by the clan. The collateral branches could only depend on clan allocations to get by. Even so, the Jiang family men all maintained their dignity despite poverty—there wasn’t a single male in the Jiang family who didn’t study.
Because of this, the position of the Jiang family clan leader was extremely important.
Jiang Yuanniang’s great-grandfather, Jiang Zhenwen, was already over seventy. Among his five sons, the eldest, Jiang Shi, and the second, Jiang Huai, were the most accomplished. In families like the Jiangs, accomplishment was measured by scholarly achievement. Both Jiang Shi and Jiang Huai had passed the provincial examinations before turning twenty, and both were the top candidates of their respective years. Unfortunately, Jiang Shi died of a serious illness before he could achieve imperial success, while Second Master Jiang Huai passed the metropolitan examination to become a jinshi.
The clan leadership should have fallen to the eldest son of the main branch. Unfortunately, Jiang Shi died young, and his only son was still an infant. As Jiang Zhenwen gradually withdrew from management, he slowly handed over clan affairs to his legitimate second son, Jiang Huai.
Over the years, Jiang Huai had taken charge of the Jiang family academy and all major and minor clan affairs. Though he lacked the title of clan leader, he held the actual power.
According to Jiang Zhenwen’s intentions, he wanted to pass the family business to his legitimate eldest grandson, Jiang Yan, the son of the deceased Jiang Shi. But being advanced in age and having long since withdrawn from clan affairs, even if he favored his grandson, he was willing but unable to help much.
So the Jiang family now faced the question of whether the leadership should pass to a son or a grandson.
The Yun family’s desire for a marriage alliance with the Jiang family came at precisely this critical juncture, adding other complex factors to this marriage for the Jiang family.
In the end, only two eligible young ladies from the Jiang family came to Yunyang City for the Thousand Gold Banquet: one was Jiang Qianniang from the first branch, and the other was Jiang Yuanniang, granddaughter of Jiang Huai from the second branch. Unfortunately, Jiang Qianniang fell ill due to acclimatization on the very day of arrival in Yunyang City, developing red rashes all over her body and being unable to face the wind. She had to remain at the Jiang family’s villa in Yunyang City to recuperate.
Eldest Madam Yun said: “Since these words have been spoken, they are naturally true. Our Old Madam feels the same way.”
Jiang Yuanniang looked toward Eldest Madam Yun. Her face didn’t show the same joy as Qiuxiang’s, but rather some unease and hesitation.
Seeing this, Eldest Madam Yun knew she was thinking about Yun Wenfang’s methods. She patted her hand comfortingly: “Rest assured, I’m not just making decisions for you this once—I’ll make decisions for you in the future too, and will never let you be wronged.”
Jiang Yuanniang lowered her eyes and head, her face gradually reddening.
Seeing her like this, Eldest Madam Yun knew she was an obedient one who could be reasoned with. She felt relieved, and her smile became increasingly kind: “I heard you came to Yunyang City with your great-aunt this time?”
Jiang Yuanniang nodded gently: “My sixth sister fell ill, so great-aunt stayed at the villa to care for her.”
Eldest Madam Yun pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively: “Does this matter need to be discussed with your great-aunt? She’s the only elder from your family who can make decisions who comes this time, isn’t she?”
Jiang Yuanniang shook her head, then nodded, pausing before saying: “Originally, grandmother was going to come, but great-grandfather had some matters that required grandfather and grandmother to handle, so grandmother stayed home and sent great-aunt instead. Great-aunt is already working very hard, caring for my sixth sister. I had someone check on them yesterday—great-aunt also seems somewhat unwell and can’t eat much. This matter… perhaps it’s better not to let her know.”
By saying this, Jiang Yuanniang indicated she didn’t want her family elders to know about today’s incident. This was understandable—when girls encountered such matters, they could only hide and conceal them. Who would want to make it known to everyone? Moreover, according to Eldest Madam Yun’s knowledge, this great-aunt of Jiang Yuanniang’s was only her cousin’s wife.
This perfectly suited Eldest Madam Yun’s intentions. She was even more satisfied, grasping Jiang Yuanniang’s hand: “Good child, you’re truly considerate and sensible. However, I still think it would be better to discuss some matters with your grandmother and mother. By the way, are your great-aunt and sister seriously ill? Yanbei Prince’s mansion has several skilled physicians. If needed, I can ask the Princess Consort to send a physician to examine them. If any medicinal materials are lacking, just tell me.”
Jiang Yuanniang said, “Thank you, Eldest Madam. Great-aunt has already consulted several physicians, and they all say my sixth sister’s condition is due to acclimatization—she’ll recover after some rest. As for great-aunt, it’s because she’s been caring for my sixth sister day and night for two nights, catching a cold while tired. It’s nothing serious.”
Only then did Eldest Madam Yun nod with relief: “If there’s anything you need, just tell me. Oh, right, it’s getting late now. Let’s go back—there’s no hot tea or water here.”
Jiang Yuanniang nodded obediently.
Eldest Madam Yun became increasingly satisfied with Jiang Yuanniang—naturally, obedient and well-behaved daughters-in-law were the most appealing.
On the surface, this matter seemed temporarily resolved, with both parties involved indicating they wouldn’t deliberately cause trouble for the Yun family.
After escorting Jiang Yuanniang back, Eldest Madam Yun returned to report to Old Madam Yun.
Old Madam Yun first listened to the account of Jiang Yuanniang’s situation and nodded with satisfaction: “I knew this girl understood priorities. You were previously dissatisfied with her plain appearance.”
Eldest Madam Yun sighed: “Your daughter-in-law had thought that the Jiang family had more than just Jiang Yuanniang of marriageable age, so I wanted to wait until Miss Jiang Six recovered to take a look. I heard that the Jiang family’s sixth miss is also talented and more beautiful than Jiang Yuanniang.”
Old Madam Yun was dismissive: “What use is good looks? For a wife, the most important qualities are gentleness, compliance, and knowing when to advance or retreat.” Beautiful girls inevitably had higher expectations. Since Yun Wenfang was a second son who wouldn’t inherit the family business, the criteria for selecting his wife differed from those for choosing the eldest daughter-in-law. Given Yun Wenfang’s temperament, someone more compliant was naturally better.
Eldest Madam Yun nodded: “Mother is right. Your daughter-in-law now thinks this Miss Jiang Eight is quite good. Moreover, if Miss Jiang Six falls ill so easily, her health probably isn’t very good, which would affect childbearing.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yun pondered for a moment: “What illness does Miss Jiang Six have? How did she suddenly fall ill at this time?”
Eldest Madam Yun replied: “They say it’s due to acclimatization—she developed rashes all over her body.”
Old Madam Yun frowned: “Find a physician to examine her, understand the situation clearly, then report back.”
Eldest Madam Yun was startled: “Mother, are you worried that Miss Jiang Six’s illness is suspicious?”
Old Madam Yun said calmly, “It’s better to investigate thoroughly for peace of mind. You’ve managed the inner quarters for so many years—haven’t you seen enough of those twists and turns?”
Eldest Madam Yun felt a chill and immediately said: “Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law understands.”
“Regarding Wu Yiyu, she said she wants Fang’er’s life in compensation?” Old Madam Yun asked with a calm expression.
“That’s what she said. Miss Wu’s temperament… your daughter-in-law is truly worried.” Eldest Madam Yun frowned.
Old Madam Yun glanced at her: “Didn’t you already send word to Fang’er?”
Eldest Madam Yun was speechless.
But Old Madam Yun snorted lightly: “However, our Fang’er’s life isn’t something she can take just because she wants it.”