The sky was barely light, yet the room was already crowded. Sitting beside Jiang Changyang and lowering her eyes, Mudan listened as the head steward reported to the Old Madam from behind the curtain: “We’ve found her in the pond. She’s been retrieved. Um, not many people know yet.”
The Old Madam glanced at Madam Du, whose face looked terrible as if deeply saddened, and said flatly, “What made you think to search the pond?”
The head steward explained, “She entered the garden but never left. We found the lantern on the rockery, and after searching everywhere else, only the pond remained… We used a small dredging boat with hooks and nets…”
“Enough!” The Old Madam frowned. “Bury her first and comfort her mother well. I don’t want to hear any rumors.”
Madam Du murmured beside her, “She was fine. Why would she go to such a place in the middle of the night?”
The Old Madam glanced at Mudan and said coolly, “Who knows why she suddenly became distraught? She shouldn’t have polluted my garden!”
The head steward cautiously added, “We found some items on her body. There’s one thing she likely couldn’t afford. It might have been a gift from the masters, so we’re unsure whether to give it to her mother.”
The Old Madam frowned, “Bring it here.”
No one wanted to touch a dead person’s belongings. Hong’er stood motionless, looking toward Lüjiao. Lüjiao hesitated before stepping forward to take the small lacquer tray from the head steward.
Mudan glanced at it. On the tray was a high-quality white jade peace clasp with a red plum blossom knot. The silk cord had faded from being soaked, and the pale red against the beautiful white jade created a chilling effect.
The Old Madam recoiled in disgust and turned to Madam Du, “Did you give her this?”
Madam Du shook her head without hesitation, “No.”
The Old Madam looked at everyone else in the room. All shook their heads until her gaze settled on Mudan. Jiang Changyang said calmly, “If we want to trace the origin of this jade, it’s quite simple. We can quietly take it to some shops outside and ask around. We’re bound to learn something.”
The Old Madam withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, “Let’s first question the people close to her. See what they know.”
As Madam Du was about to speak, the Old Madam irritably asked, “Why aren’t Changyi and his new wife here yet?!”
This indicated she didn’t want to discuss the matter further. The head steward bowed, took the tray from Lüjiao, and retreated. At the courtyard gate, he encountered Jiang Changyi and Xiao Xuewei. He quickly bowed and greeted them: “Young Master, Young Mistress.”
Jiang Changyi nodded, his gaze falling on the lacquer tray. He looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled, “What’s this?”
The head steward glanced cautiously at Xiao Xuewei and said softly, “It’s Baixiang’s.”
Jiang Changyi’s pupils constricted. He waved the head steward away.
Xiao Xuewei asked Jiang Changyi, “Who’s Baixiang?”
Jiang Changyi replied indifferently, “She’s Madam’s head maid.” He absently adjusted Xiao Xuewei’s hairpin and smiled, “My grandmother is getting old and can be a bit temperamental. You’ll need to be tolerant.”
Xiao Xuewei pressed her lips together without responding.
As they approached the curtain, they heard the Old Madam fuming, “How inauspicious!”
Jiang Zhong said quietly, “Let it be. It might have been an accident.”
Xiao Xuewei perked up at this. What could be so inauspicious early in the morning? What accident? Just then, a silver bell-like voice cheerfully announced, “The Young Master and Young Mistress have arrived… This servant greets the Young Master and Young Mistress. Congratulations!” The curtain was lifted, revealing a round-faced, round-eyed maid smiling at them.
Jiang Changyi kindly introduced her, “This is Grandmother’s maid, Lüjiao.”
Xiao Xuewei nodded, signaling her nanny to prepare a reward later. She then entered the room with her head held high, scanning the faces before her. As usual, her eyes first landed on Jiang Changyang, seated below Jiang Zhong. Jiang Changyang wore a casual brown-red round-collared robe, sitting calmly. His gaze swept over her face before settling on Jiang Changyi beside her, revealing a slight smile. Mudan, dressed in a lilac overcoat with a navy blue bodice and skirt, a silver belt at her waist, and a pair of purple jade hairpins, sat smiling beside Jiang Changyang, looking like a bird nestling against its mate.
Xiao Xuewei automatically ignored Mudan, focusing on Jiang Changyang. She couldn’t describe her feelings; she hated him the most, yet his smile was so handsome. Jiang Changyi gently pulled her, bringing her back to reality. She straightened her back and, with a sweet smile, gracefully and elegantly followed Jiang Changyi to bow to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam, still resentful about yesterday’s events, spoke tepidly and instructed Hong’er to give her a pair of jade hairpins as a welcoming gift. ‘Old hag, putting on airs,’ Xiao Xuewei thought, restraining herself.
Jiang Zhong was more cordial but focused on instructing her to strictly adhere to wifely virtues and maintain proper decorum. Perhaps due to a guilty conscience, Xiao Xuewei heard many pointed criticisms in his words, leaving her feeling deeply embarrassed and resentful.
Madam Du didn’t say much, smiling as she gifted Xiao Xuewei a pair of gold-tied jade dragonfly hairpins, mentioning they were palace style. She wished for Xiao Xuewei to soon bear children for the Jiang family. But remembering what her sister-in-law had told her about recent events, and realizing this woman would always be above her and could harm Jiang Changyi and herself, Xiao Xuewei mentally placed Madam Du in the enemy camp. She smiled coolly and thanked her perfunctorily.
When it came to Jiang Changyang and Mudan, Jiang Changyang only spoke to Jiang Changyi. Mudan simply said, “Congratulations.” Their gift, a pair of exquisitely crafted silver-inlaid pearl bracelets, while not extravagant, was presentable without overshadowing the Old Madam and Madam Du’s gifts.
In the past, Xiao Xuewei would have merely acknowledged someone of Jiang Yunqing’s status as a minor concubine’s daughter. However, she dared not treat this sister-in-law casually, as Jiang Changyi had specifically asked about the welcoming gift for Jiang Yunqing before they left. So, with a stiff smile, Xiao Xuewei exchanged a few warm words with Jiang Yunqing and presented her with a pair of floral hairpins. Jiang Yunqing thanked her steadily, offered congratulations, and then quietly retreated to Mudan’s side. Xiao Xuewei immediately noticed that this concubine’s daughter preferred Mudan over her, which irked her. She suspected Jiang Yunqing found her gift inadequate and wondered what valuable presents Mudan, that merchant’s daughter reeking of money, might have given. She resolved to inquire about this later.
Then Madam Du chuckled, “There are two more people for you to meet.”
A sickly-looking woman with sallow skin, appearing much older than Madam Du, smiled ingratiatingly at her. Another woman with a scar on her forehead, thin but energetic, gave her a perfunctory smile. Both stood properly behind Madam Du, their attire neither that of masters nor servants. Xiao Xuewei instantly understood—these were Jiang Zhong’s two concubines, one of whom was Jiang Changyi’s birth mother. She couldn’t help but despise Jiang Zhong; how could a Duke have such unsightly concubines? Unlike her father, whose gifted concubines were ten times better than these two.
Madam Du pointed to the sickly older woman, “This is Concubine Xian. She’s often ill but came out especially to meet you today.” Concubine Xian’s ingratiating smile intensified as she eagerly handed Xiao Xuewei a pair of gold earrings wrapped in an embroidered handkerchief, nervously saying, “Congratulations, Young Mistress.”
Xiao Xuewei hadn’t known if this woman was Jiang Changyi’s birth mother, but seeing this, she understood. Reluctantly, she bowed slightly and accepted the gift. What were concubines, especially those of servant origin? They were no better than pigs and dogs. Yet she had to bow to this person; it was unbearable. If Jiang Changyi weren’t born of a concubine, she wouldn’t have to… She heard a soft sigh from the depths of her heart.
Madam Du continued enthusiastically, introducing the scarred but spirited woman, “This is Concubine Xue…” Whether intentional or not, she emphasized the “Xue,” making Xiao Xuewei startle and then seethe with anger. A lowly concubine sharing her name!
Concubine Xue, seemingly oblivious, presented her with a pair of silver earrings and offered congratulations, appearing much more gracious than Concubine Xian. Xiao Xuewei barely contained herself, her expression far from pleasant, though better than yesterday, aware that the Old Madam was watching her closely.
At mealtime, she sadly discovered that while Mudan sat motionless, merely picking at her food for appearance’s sake before setting down her chopsticks, she had to serve others. What kind of rule was this? She was indignant. Madam Du smiled slightly, “Xue’niang.”
Xiao Xuewei didn’t realize she was being addressed, thinking Madam Du was calling Concubine Xue. Only when everyone stared at her did she realize it was meant for her. She nearly bristled, forcing a smile through gritted teeth, “I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t realize you were calling me. In my family, they call me Wei’niang.”
Madam Du nodded, “Oh, I’ll remember that.” She smoothly continued, “Wei’niang, your elder sister-in-law is with child, so you…” She went on, essentially telling Xiao Xuewei to take care of Mudan and not to compete with her… Xiao Xuewei felt Madam Du was constantly reminding her that she had married a concubine’s son, which made her feel particularly bitter.
Xiao Xuewei couldn’t eat a bite, not for any other reason but that she was exhausted and upset, almost driven to madness with anger. Back in their new room, she didn’t even bother to look at the furnishings, kicking off her shoes and climbing onto the bed to sulk. When her maid asked how to arrange the gifts from the Jiang family, she angrily threw the bracelet from Mudan on the floor and was about to smash the other gifts when Jiang Changyi entered, his gaze gentle as water, saying softly, “Pick it up.”
She found she couldn’t bring herself to smash anything else. She held back her anger, refusing to pick it up. Cailian, being understanding, picked up the bracelet and put it away for her. After dismissing the maids, Jiang Changyi approached her and said quietly, “It doesn’t feel good, does it? Feeling wronged? Do you want to live like this for the rest of your life?”
Xiao Xuewei looked up at him and after a long moment, shook her head slightly, “I don’t want to live like this for even a day.”
Jiang Changyi smiled, “Cailian, bring in the food.”
The couple ate a meal together harmoniously, drinking a few cups of wine. Before they could set down their chopsticks, they heard Songxiang’s soft voice outside the curtain, “Young Master, Madam is here.”