Mudan had been gone for a while, but the three people in the room were still sitting and staring at each other. Faced with a cold-hearted grandmother and a hypocritical, malicious stepmother, Jiang Yunqing had nothing to say and simply stood up to leave. However, the Old Madam wouldn’t let her go, insisting that she recount every detail of what happened at the Prince of Fen’s mansion.
The Old Madam was concerned about the attitudes of the Princess Consort and Madam Chen towards Jiang Yunqing, hoping to grasp any possibility of a marriage alliance. Madam Du took the opportunity to ask Jiang Yunqing, “What did your sister-in-law and the Princess Consort talk about?”
Jiang Yunqing suppressed her impatience and replied softly, “I wasn’t present, so I don’t know. When the Princess Consort kept my sister-in-law behind, she said she wanted to ask about Madam Wang’s situation.”
Madam Du lowered her eyes and smirked inwardly. It was still related to Wang Ayou. How could Wang Ayou’s influence linger even from so far away? No matter, the Duke’s mansion would soon have double happiness. Her gaze drifted past Jiang Yunqing, through the window, and settled on the sunlit white wall of the courtyard. The sunlight was a bit glaring, and she squinted slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Soon, she would have her moment of triumph.
When Mudan returned home and was preparing dinner, Jiang Changyang came back. Mudan told him about the day’s events, including the Old Madam’s scolding. Jiang Changyang calmly said, “Since she told you not to go out everywhere, you shouldn’t go in a few days.”
Mudan smiled, “Really not going?”
Jiang Changyang replied firmly, “Really not going.” He hadn’t expected the people at the Duke’s mansion to be happy about Mudan’s pregnancy, but hearing their reaction still made him uncomfortable. Moreover, with so many people and things happening then, if someone accidentally pushed Mudan, it would be a huge loss.
Mudan pointed at him and smiled, “You’re responsible for what you said. Remember it well.”
Jiang Changyang laughed, “Isn’t this what you wanted to hear? I’m telling you, I’m responsible. When have you ever seen me afraid of any of them?”
Mudan smiled and returned to the main topic, “Any progress on the matter?”
Jiang Changyang said, “I found Jin Buyan at noon today. The case should be concluded in a few days.”
Mudan smiled, “So fast? Is he the survivor from the Epiphyllum Pavilion?”
Seeing her gossipy expression, Jiang Changyang couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s still uncertain.” He pointed to the sky, “Everything depends on how that person plans it.” The truth of the matter was never the final truth; the final truth was often just a word from those in power, swaying with their will.
A couple of days later, Lin Mama went to the Duke’s mansion to deliver some items. When she returned, she said with a smile, “The Princess Consort of Fen prepared gifts the next day and personally went to the Duke’s mansion to apologize. She also brought the Duke of Pingyang and the Fifteenth Young Master along, making the latter bow twice to Miss Qing in public. The Princess Consort highly praised Miss Qing and stayed for nearly an hour. That evening, Concubine Xue was released. The people at the Duke’s mansion are still happy about this.”
Mudan raised an eyebrow, “Did they make their intentions clear?”
Lin Mama replied, “Not exactly. But they’ve already hinted that they want to invite Miss Qing to enjoy the plum blossoms at their mansion in winter.”
Mudan pondered silently. This meant that the Princess Consort’s visit was to give the Duke’s mansion a hint, while also letting Jiang Yunqing gradually see the benefits of marrying into the prince’s family. For example, Concubine Xue, who had been confined for a long time, was suddenly released, and making the Fifteenth Young Master apologize to Jiang Yunqing in public was to show that the Prince of Fen’s mansion valued her and wouldn’t let anyone bully her. The reason they didn’t explicitly state their intentions was probably because they wanted to proceed slowly, hoping that Jiang Yunqing would come around and be willing one day.
Would Jiang Yunqing ever be willing? It was hard to say. But it was foreseeable that the Old Madam would be overjoyed, and Jiang Zhong would be full of hope. From any perspective, the benefits a good marriage alliance could bring to the family were predictable and extremely rare. So, at least for this period, Jiang Yunqing’s days wouldn’t be too difficult.
Time flew, and soon it was the 20th day of the 10th month. The next day, the Xiao family was to send people to prepare the bridal chamber. As expected, the Duke’s mansion sent someone to ask Mudan to come and help receive guests. Mudan didn’t show her face at all. Lin Mama entertained the messenger with good food and wine but was firm in her words: “Our young mistress has been suffering from severe morning sickness these past few days and can’t go. This heir is a big deal. If something were to go wrong due to carelessness, not only would the Old Madam blame us, but the eldest young master wouldn’t forgive us either. Who would dare take such a risk?”
The messenger didn’t care about these details and simply returned to report.
When the Old Madam heard this, she was furious. An heir is a big deal? Hmph, what’s so great about it? Any woman can give birth. Just because Mudan luckily got pregnant, she’s starting to get cocky. A few days ago, she was still jumping around, even after being hit by an ox cart, and now she’s suddenly having morning sickness when there’s work to be done. What an act! The Old Madam was indignant but, for various reasons, didn’t want to confront Mudan directly. Instead, she had someone complain to Madam Du, implying that as Mudan’s mother-in-law, she wasn’t managing things properly or educating her daughter-in-law, allowing her to become unruly. It was bad enough that Mudan didn’t come to pay respects, but now she wouldn’t even come when called for important matters. Which family’s daughter-in-law would dare to behave like this?
Madam Du smirked coldly. Now they remembered she was Mudan’s mother-in-law? Wasn’t the old hag thinking of having Jiang Changyang and Mudan watch her be humiliated before? Why didn’t she think of leaving some face for her then? She casually dismissed the messenger with a light remark: “An heir is indeed important and rest is necessary. I’m afraid of something going wrong too. Go and talk to the Duke about it.”
The clever messenger indeed went to speak with Jiang Zhong. Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhong angrily drove the messenger out: “An heir is important, and if she’s having morning sickness, why force her to come? The eldest son is handling crucial matters, and she already has a lot to worry about. It’s not like there’s no one else in this house, why bother her with these small matters? Why bother me? Is everyone else dead?” He felt extremely irritated by the endless squabbles and petty tricks between the Old Madam and Madam Du, and that these women’s trivial matters were being brought to him.
When the Old Madam heard that Jiang Zhong was angry, she still cared for her son and didn’t mention the matter again. She only cursed Madam Du for not knowing what’s important and not managing things, calling her a freeloader. Madam Du ignored the Old Madam’s reaction and thought to herself that Jiang Zhong seemed to value this eldest grandson quite a bit. Then she also felt that Mudan was making a big deal out of nothing and getting too arrogant. Let’s see how she’ll handle it if she gives birth to a daughter!
On the day of preparing the bridal chamber, a large group of lavishly dressed people from the Xiao family arrived with great pomp and circumstance. They insisted on following ancient customs to the letter for every little detail, allowing no mistakes. Even the preparations made by the Duke’s mansion were meticulously required to be redone according to their demands, fully displaying the uniqueness and adherence to etiquette of a centuries-old family, while also showing their disdain and disrespect for the declining Duke’s mansion.
The bride hadn’t even entered the door, yet they were already throwing their weight around, trying to put the groom’s family in their place. What would happen after she entered the house? The Duke’s mansion was filled with complaints, both openly and secretly. The Old Madam was so angry her face turned blue and her lips black, almost triggering her old illness. Madam Du watched coldly, sneering repeatedly, letting her people allow the Xiao family to do as they pleased, even encouraging some to stir up trouble, fearing that they weren’t being boisterous enough or putting on enough airs.
Finally, after a whole day of fuss, as they were setting up the banquet to entertain the Xiao family, Madam Du had her people plant a big thorn in the Xiao family’s heart. A trusted maid of Xiao Yuexi’s wife, Madam Wu, went to the toilet and overheard people whispering outside: “The Xiao family put on quite a show today, but it’s a pity it’s just for marrying the third young master, a concubine-born son raised under the madam’s name. Making such a fuss for marrying a concubine-born son, if it were for marrying a legitimate son, wouldn’t they turn the world upside down?” “What’s the use of turning the world upside down? No matter how much she jumps, she’s still just matched with a concubine-born son from a maid.” Then came a burst of mocking laughter.
The legitimate eldest daughter of a noble family marrying an obscure concubine-born son, and one born to a maid at that. The maid was so angry she lost all desire to use the toilet. She quickly finished her business and flew to find Madam Wu. Madam Wu, born from the Boling Wu family, was also a legitimate daughter of one of the Five Clans and Seven Families and cared deeply about such matters. Upon hearing this, her face turned green with anger. She immediately sent someone to ask Madam Du to come and talk.
Seeing the indignant expressions on the faces of the Xiao family members, Madam Du was secretly delighted but pretended to know nothing. She enthusiastically asked Madam Wu if there was anything unsatisfactory, urging them to speak up so that the Duke’s mansion could make sure everything was perfect for this marriage.
Madam Wu, with a cold face, had the maid recount what she had heard to Madam Du, implying that she wanted a clear answer from Madam Du. Madam Du smiled gracefully and flatly denied it: “Who’s spreading such rumors? How could such words be circulating? Show me who it is, and I’ll punish them severely!” She said nothing more and made no promises. So what if he was a concubine-born son of a maid? Things had already come this far; could the Xiao family not marry off their daughter now? If they didn’t want to go through with it, fine. Who else would want those damaged goods? It would be even better if they didn’t marry.
Madam Wu understood this logic too. The arrow was already on the string and had to be released. Who told them to lower themselves first? If Jiang San were a legitimate son, it would be easier to handle. With her maiden family’s support, Xiao Xuexi wouldn’t have too hard a time. But they never expected that after all their calculations, they ended up with a concubine-born son from a maid, and the third son at that. However, this was a grievance they couldn’t swallow. The reason for calling Madam Du to talk was actually to get a guarantee from the Duke’s mansion that Jiang Changyi’s status wouldn’t change and that this information wouldn’t spread outside. But Madam Du’s attitude was evasive and unreliable.
Madam Wu was effectively silenced by Madam Du. She wanted to accuse the Jiang family of deception and not telling the truth, but this son-in-law was fished by their people. She wanted to demand some guarantee from the Duke’s mansion, but Madam Du flatly denied everything, leaving no room for negotiation. Yet, this grievance was truly hard to swallow.