Shortly after Jiang Yunqing left, Jiang Changyang entered. He dismissed the sulking and aggrieved Lin Mama, then poured tea for himself. “Yunqing just visited and told me two things,” Mudan said.
“I already know,” Jiang Changyang replied. Madam Du simply didn’t want them to continue staying here, so she kept causing trouble for Mudan. If they feared hassle, moving away would solve it; otherwise, more problems would arise.
Mudan smiled, “Fortunately we’re leaving tomorrow. This stress isn’t good for the baby.”
Jiang Changyang’s expression softened as he gently placed his hand on her belly. “Though we’re leaving to avoid trouble, we can’t let her get too arrogant. She needs to remember her place.” His decision to move out was his own, not out of fear. Trying to smear Mudan’s reputation wouldn’t be so easy; Old Du needed to understand that.
Mudan laughed, “On the contrary, she hasn’t forgotten her surname. It’s precisely because she remembers it so well that she’s become so arrogant. What do you plan to do?”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly, “My brother just came to see me. He’s truly innocent.”
Mudan raised an eyebrow, “You want to help him? Yunqing also says he’s not that kind of person.”
A strange smile appeared on Jiang Changyang’s face. “Daniang, tell me, what kind of person do you think he is?”
Mudan rubbed her temples, “It’s unclear. He seems honest and cautious, and fairly respectful to us.”
Jiang Changyang took her hand away, “Don’t worry about it. Just eat when you’re hungry and sleep when you’re tired. If you see something interesting, watch; if not, ignore it. Come, let’s have dinner.”
The dinner was tense. Everyone knew about Bai Xiang’s family causing trouble and the rumors among the servants, but no one mentioned it—such an incident was embarrassing for the Duke’s household, regardless of how disliked the new bride might be.
Xiao Xuexi quickly sensed the atmosphere and boldly showed her displeasure to everyone. She boldly ordered two of her favorite dishes and was less attentive to the old madam. As Jiang Changyi had said, his subservience was enough; Xiao Xuexi didn’t need to follow suit. In a family, someone needed to stand firm. Since others felt guilty, she might as well enjoy her freedom.
The old madam held her tongue several times. The next day, Xiao Xuexi would pay respects at the family temple before returning home. They couldn’t let her go back with complaints. The face had to be maintained on both sides. How would the Xiao family react to such an incident so soon after the wedding?
Jiang Zhong glared at Jiang Changyi several times before sighing silently. Just as Jiang Changyi was becoming a man, he stumbled again in matters of women. This son, who seemed so cautious, why couldn’t he change his ways? He shouldn’t have been so lenient after the last incident.
Madam Du was the calmest, revealing nothing as she ate and drank gracefully. The subject of discussion, Jiang Changyi, appeared deeply troubled, barely finishing half a bowl of rice before setting down his chopsticks.
After the meal, as Jiang Changyi and his wife were about to leave, Jiang Zhong sternly said, “Changyi, you stay.” Jiang Changyi meekly agreed while Xiao Xuexi left with a mocking smile. Jiang Yunqing worried for Jiang Changyi, wishing she could mediate, but Jiang Zhong ordered her to leave as well.
Madam Du then brought up Bai Xiang’s matter: “I plan to give Bai Xiang’s family ten thousand coins and two bolts of silk. She served me for so many years; her sudden death saddens me, not to mention her elderly mother.”
“Reward her?!” the old madam erupted. “Your maid behaved so shamelessly! She might corrupt the children! We have guests staying here! If the Xiao family hears of this, how embarrassing! You’ve spoiled her!”
“It’s my fault for failing to properly manage her,” Madam Du replied calmly. How could they be certain it was her maid who was shameless? The old woman was still biased—when issues arose, it was always other women at fault, never the Jiang family men. She glanced at Jiang Changyi. The truly shameless one was this ungrateful man. How could he have come into this world without her? If not for her, he wouldn’t even exist, yet he deceived her and dared to interfere in her household. Bai Xiang, once so clever and capable, is now dead. Thinking of this, she looked at Jiang Changyi and said, “Changyi, does Xuexi know about this? Tell her tomorrow when you return home, don’t…”
Madam Du’s words successfully provoked Jiang Zhong’s anger. Seeing Jiang Changyi’s submissive demeanor, he couldn’t contain his rage. He slapped Jiang Changyi hard, sending him stumbling back several steps. Mudan frowned at the sight, while Jiang Changyang calmly squeezed her hand, remaining still.
Jiang Changyi looked up, not wiping the blood from his lips, and stared at Jiang Zhong with a hurt expression. “Father, why did you hit me?”
Jiang Zhong was furious. “Why? You dare ask me why?”
Jiang Changyi smiled weakly, “I suppose it’s because of the rumors outside? I’ve heard them too. Even Mother asked me if I had done such a thing. But you punish me without even asking…”
Surprised by Jiang Changyi’s confrontation with Jiang Zhong, Madam Du quickly intervened, “Yes, yes, I did ask him. It wasn’t Changyi’s doing.”
Jiang Zhong coldly laughed at Madam Du, “So if he says it wasn’t him, it wasn’t? He just denies everything, just like his second brother. Is this how you raised him? What a fine mother you are! He dares to do such things to Xiao…” Realizing Mudan was present, Jiang Zhong stopped himself angrily, about to kick Jiang Changyi again. If Jiang Changyi dared to do such things to Xiao Xuexi, how could he not do the same to Bai Xiang?
Madam Du’s face was expressionless. “If the Duke is displeased with me and blames me for not raising the children well, it’s not a new complaint. Please don’t hit the child anymore. The children are as I raised them, and the maid was mine. All faults are mine. How can I make amends? Perhaps you’d like to give me a divorce paper, and we can all be satisfied.”
Jiang Zhong was so angry he turned pale, glaring at Madam Du with bloodshot eyes, speechless.
Observing this, Mudan felt Madam Du’s words were skillful. They seemed to confront Jiang Zhong and protect Jiang Changyi, but upon closer examination, they indirectly confirmed Bai Xiang’s death was related to Jiang Changyi, just not explicitly stated.
Jiang Changyang coughed lightly, “Let’s all calm down. Since my brother says he’s not involved, let’s hear him out. There might be some misunderstanding.”
Jiang Changyi looked gratefully at Jiang Changyang and said, “Father, I’ll admit to what I’ve done, but I won’t accept blame for what I haven’t.” He then recounted Madam Du’s questions to him. “I did give her medicine, but I know nothing of the peace knot. There was nothing improper between us. If I speak falsely, may heaven strike me down.” Seeing Jiang Zhong’s expression soften, he continued, “If I truly had relations with her, wouldn’t I have asked for her when Mother rewarded me with Song Xiang? Mother has always been generous; would she have been so harsh? Isn’t that right, Mother?”
Madam Du nodded, surprised that this could be used as a defense, feeling privately distressed. The old madam, knowing the intricacies of such matters, understood that a concubine’s son had no right to choose among servants given by the main wife. But Jiang Changyi’s words indirectly suggested that Bai Xiang’s death was not unrelated to Madam Du. She glanced coldly at Madam Du, “If it’s not related to Changyi, that’s good. Find out where these rumors started and put an end to them! If I hear anyone gossiping again, I’ll have the whole family thrown out!”
“Grandmother is right. Some have even dragged Madam Du and Daniang into this, saying Madam Du forced Bai Xiang to her death and Daniang refused to help. It shows how chaotic things have become in the household,” Jiang Changyang said calmly. “In my opinion, with the jade pendant’s mysterious origin and the unclear circumstances of the death, we shouldn’t let this matter be buried. We should take this opportunity to investigate thoroughly. It will teach these presumptuous servants a lesson.”
Investigate thoroughly. Madam Du felt as if she had been pricked by a needle. She looked at Jiang Changyang, “Who dares to spread such rumors? Implicating me and Changyi is one thing, but why drag Daniang into this? They truly want to cause chaos.”
Jiang Changyang replied, “Indeed, they’re attacking everyone indiscriminately. It’s outrageous. Such servants are a menace. Give me the jade pendant. We’ll dig three feet deep if necessary to find out how Bai Xiang died and silence these people. Otherwise, if Bai Xiang’s mother causes more trouble, who knows who else might be implicated.”
Madam Du was secretly alarmed and began to regret her actions. After some thought, she said, “You’re right. Let’s have a coroner examine the body first.”
Jiang Zhong exploded with anger, “Have a coroner examine the body? How could you think of such a thing? Do you know how this will be talked about in the capital?”