When Mudan and Jiang Changyang went to bid farewell to the Old Madam, Madam Du was not by her side, reportedly ill. The Old Madam, cunning as ever, knew full well that Mudan and Jiang Changyang were the last people Madam Du wanted to see at that moment. Yet, feigning ignorance, she maliciously suggested, “Why don’t you go see her?”
Jiang Changyang was not one to enjoy such tedious drama, and Mudan had even less desire to face the snake-like Madam Du. It would be a waste of both expression and time. As they were considering how to refuse, Jiang Zhong, who hadn’t slept all night and had dark circles under his eyes, wearily said, “It’s getting late, and they have matters to attend to. We shouldn’t delay them.”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be confined for a month of reflection? What urgent business could there be?” The Old Madam was displeased. “In my opinion, you should stay here longer. Mudan served me quite comfortably yesterday.”
Even at this point, Jiang Zhong was still protecting that troublemaker. According to the Old Madam’s thinking, even if they couldn’t divorce Madam Du out of consideration for past relationships, they should at least shame her. Whatever would make Madam Du miserable should be done, to teach her an unforgettable lesson. Having committed such a reckless and shameful act that harmed the entire family, not only did she not come to apologize, but she hid away pretending to be ill!
Served her very comfortably? Wasn’t that just to anger Madam Du? Mudan quickly said, “Grandmother, as I mentioned to you yesterday, I need to attend a friend’s child’s naming ceremony. The gifts are still at home, unpacked. I need to write a gift list, find boxes, and change my clothes. I can’t embarrass our family.”
Jiang Zhong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this woman was sensible enough not to get involved. But hadn’t the Emperor ordered Jiang Changyang to reflect in seclusion? Why was he still going out? Jiang Zhong sighed heavily and said in a low voice, “After what just happened, it’s best not to go out if you can avoid it.”
If he knew Mudan was going to the residence of the Prince of Jing’s concubine, he would likely be terrified and certainly try to stop them. Jiang Changyang dismissively agreed and led Mudan away after paying their respects.
The Old Madam looked at Jiang Zhong with concern: “Don’t worry. Once some time has passed and the Emperor’s anger subsides, he’ll surely reinstate you.”
Jiang Zhong didn’t dare tell her the truth and could only force a bitter smile, replying vaguely, “Perhaps.”
The Old Madam then confided in him: “I’ve been thinking all night. This situation can’t continue. I’m getting old, your two concubines aren’t fit to manage the household, and Yunqing is too young and inexperienced. Why don’t we arrange for Yi’er to marry soon?”
After a moment of silence, Jiang Zhong nodded in agreement: “I’ll go speak with her about it right away.”
Suddenly, they heard a commotion of footsteps outside. Baixiang, her face full of terror and tears, ran in and fell to her knees before them. With trembling lips, she said, “It’s terrible! The Madam has attempted to hang herself!”
Jiang Zhong and the Old Madam were both shocked, their hands and feet going weak. They asked simultaneously, “What happened? What happened?”
Baixiang replied, “Fortunately, we discovered it early. We gave her ginger soup, and she regained consciousness. I didn’t dare let others know. I left Songxiang to watch over her and came immediately to report.”
“You did well,” Jiang Zhong couldn’t help but look twice at this maid he had just punished, her face still swollen. If this news got out, no one in Guo Gong’s mansion would be able to show their face in public. This maid handled the situation very appropriately.
Cry, make a scene, then hang oneself – she had already cried and made a scene, so now it was time for the hanging. Upon hearing that she was alright, the Old Madam relaxed and began to sneer. Was this her last resort? She said sternly, “What reason did she have to hang herself?”
Baixiang hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, “She was fine when she woke up this morning. Later, she said she wanted to eat bird’s nest soup. Songxiang went to the kitchen but didn’t bring it back and overheard some gossip. Though the Madam usually appears gentle, she has quite a high sense of pride.”
Did she want to die because of some gossip? Yesterday she was still ruling the roost, and today she’s been trampled on? Who was she trying to fool? Who knew if this gossip was true or false? It could all be self-orchestrated. High sense of pride? So her usual humility and gentleness were all an act? The Old Madam now saw everything about Madam Du as fake. She had no patience to go see Madam Du and coldly said to Jiang Zhong, “Go educate the wife you brought into this house yourself. Teach her about wifely virtues. Does she want to cause chaos in the entire household before she’s satisfied?”
Jiang Zhong had nothing to say and left. Baixiang, who had received instructions earlier, knelt before the Old Madam and pleaded, “Please calm your anger, Old Madam. At least go see the Madam. She says she’s truly wronged, that even you hate her now, and she feels she has nothing to live for. She may have done something inappropriate, but her devotion to you has always been genuine. The sun and moon can attest to this.”
This was an indirect reference to the past incident where Madam Du had cut her flesh. The Old Madam remained silent for a long time before saying, “It’s not that I’ve forgotten her kindness, but she went too far this time. She made a mistake but refuses to admit it, and now she’s resorting to crying, making a scene, and attempting suicide. It’s truly disappointing. I judge based on actions, not people. This behavior cannot be encouraged, or everyone will follow suit, and things will descend into chaos.” She firmly refused to go.
Baixiang had no choice but to return and report. But she heard the Old Madam say from behind, “Tell her, if she truly wants the family to remember our past relationship, she should behave properly. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being unsentimental!”
Meanwhile, when Jiang Zhong arrived at Madam Du’s room, he found her lying on the bed with her face to the ceiling, her hair disheveled, her face as yellow as wax, eyes tightly closed but tears streaming down. There was a shocking red mark on her neck. She clutched a letter tightly in her hand, which he took and read. It was from Jiang Zhongzhong.
Despite being married for many years and knowing she wasn’t truly suicidal, seeing her in such a pitiful state – even if it was partly an act, at least eight-tenths of it seemed genuine – Jiang Zhong couldn’t express any of his anger at that moment. He silently sat by her bed for a long while before finally saying, “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Madam Du remained silent, not opening her eyes, but her tears flowed even more heavily, almost washing her face.
“There’s no need for you to seek death like this. This afternoon, I’ll send someone to invite your brother over, and we can clarify everything face-to-face.” Jiang Zhong suddenly noticed that the gold-inlaid jade bracelet on Madam Du’s wrist was one he had given her long ago. She hadn’t worn it for many years, saying she was too old for such a youthful style. Seeing her suddenly dig it out and wear it now stirred indescribable feelings in him.
Madam Du wondered if Du Qian had successfully shifted the blame to the Xiao family. What did Jiang Zhong want to say to Du Qian? She felt afraid and said in a hoarse, tearful voice, “What is there to say? I’m old and faded now, and my son is incompetent. I’m of no use to you or the Guo Gong’s mansion anymore, just an obstacle. Whatever you all decide, I’ll accept it. It’s all my fault. I only ask that you remember our past good times and show some mercy to Zhong’er, allowing him to have food to eat and clothes to wear.”
Jiang Zhong’s emotions were incredibly complex and difficult to express. He sighed deeply, rubbed his temples painfully, and said wearily, “How could I be so heartless and ungrateful? If you hadn’t gone too far this time, I…”
Suddenly, Madam Du sat up and threw herself at him, hugging him tightly and crying heartbrokenly, “Ah Zhong, Ah Zhong, I’m wronged, truly wronged. You can’t treat me like this. My heart aches so much I’d rather die. I’ll never argue with you again. I’ll do whatever you say. You know I’m willing to die for you…”
Two sides were battling within Jiang Zhong – one urging him to embrace and comfort Madam Du, the other rationally telling him to maintain some reserve. He allowed Madam Du to hold him for a while before finally standing up and forcing himself to say coldly, “You should rest well. I will resolve this matter. If you are truly innocent, you won’t be wronged. Zhong’er will get what he deserves, but nothing more.”
As Jiang Zhong left, Songxiang looked at Madam Du sympathetically. The Madam had lost greatly this time – after such a big scene, she had gained nothing. However, a strange smile flashed across Madam Du’s face for an instant before disappearing. Then, surprisingly, Madam Du fell into a peaceful sleep, completely unlike the night before when she had tossed and turned, nearly pulling out her hair in distress. Baixiang watched coldly, realizing that Madam Du had at least regained half of Jiang Zhong’s forgiveness.
Sure enough, not long after, the kitchen sent the best bird’s nest porridge with profuse apologies. Madam Du didn’t eat it, contentedly lying down to sleep and nourishing her complexion. In the afternoon, she heard that Du Qian had arrived and was closeted with Jiang Zhong in the study for nearly an hour. He then went to apologize to the Old Madam before coming to see her. She covered her neck in shame and refused to see him. Du Qian stood outside the screen and scolded her harshly, reducing her to tears. This time, it was the Old Madam who intervened, telling Du Qian to stop scolding her. Then the Old Madam came in to see Madam Du, saying she had been wronged.
Madam Du humbly accepted the Old Madam’s consolation, inwardly triumphant. Surely this meant things had been settled satisfactorily. Indeed, soon after, news spread that Du Qian had accomplished two things. First, he had successfully shifted the blame to the Xiao family, with evidence and truth, including the gossip about Jiang Changyang’s close association with the Prince of Jing. Second, Du Qian had promised to help Jiang Zhong, striving for his early reinstatement. Though Jiang Zhong’s attitude remained somewhat ambiguous, the Old Madam was truly moved. This explained why the Old Madam had come to see her afterward.
But Jiang Zhong, whose appearance she most anticipated, didn’t show up. She waited until the evening before he finally came. He didn’t say she had been wronged, nor did he express any intention of using the Du family’s connections to hasten his return to office. Instead, he very calmly informed her of two things: first, he would give Jiang Zhongzhong a year, working with Du Qian to cultivate him, and observe Zhongzhong’s performance; second, they would arrange Xiao Xueshi and Jiang Changyi’s marriage this year, bringing Xiao Xueshi into the family to help manage the household.
The first matter was good news – at least Jiang Changyang was no longer the ideal candidate, and Jiang Zhongzhong’s chances were very, very high. Madam Du was almost certain that the position of heir was within reach. However, the second matter was troubling. Why, after proving the Xiao family was responsible, were they in such a hurry to bring Xiao Xueshi into the family? And to share her authority? What did this mean? Did Jiang Changyi also have a chance? She looked at Jiang Zhong speculatively, realizing a terrifying fact – although he had compromised, he no longer trusted her…