Jiang Changyi anxiously watched Lady Du. Her reaction was unusual. After Jiang Changzhong’s coffin arrived, she, who had been crying inconsolably earlier, now shed not a single tear. Instead, she stood firmly before Jiang Changzhong’s coffin, leaning on it and speaking softly. He desperately wanted to know what she was saying to Jiang Changzhong but lacked the courage to approach and listen.
He had spent two days on the road to receive Jiang Changzhong’s coffin, then accompanied it for three days and two nights, not a moment of which was comfortable. He constantly felt as if a pair of eyes from within the dark, heavy coffin were staring at him. The thought made him uneasy. He nodded at Xiao Xueixi: “Go, comfort Mother.”
Xiao Xueixi was very reluctant. Why should she go comfort her? But with several relatives watching, she had no choice. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief soaked in garlic juice, causing tears to flow immediately. Only then did she approach Lady Du, supporting her while saying in a voice loud enough for most to hear, “Mother, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Please accept fate and control your grief. If Second Brother knows in the underworld, he surely wouldn’t want you to be so heartbroken.” Dead woman, let’s see how you can harm me now, how you can make me take the blame. Karma has come for you!
Lady Du ignored her and continued muttering. Xiao Xueixi heard clearly; Lady Du was saying, “Zhong’er, don’t worry. I know you died unjustly, and I won’t let you die in vain, fulfilling others’ wishes. Even if it costs me my life, I will avenge you.”
Xiao Xueixi secretly scoffed. How could she avenge him? It was clearly that incompetent fool’s fault for provoking enemies and losing his life. The killer had been mostly eaten by hungry wolves and was just a bachelor; how could she kill his entire family? Lady Du had truly gone mad. But… on second thought, was Lady Du implying something? Was she suggesting that someone had secretly orchestrated Jiang Changzhong’s death? She hadn’t heard anyone in the family mention plans against Jiang Changzhong, so the most likely culprit would be Jiang Changyang! She was startled by her deduction.
“If the eldest branch inherits the title, I’ll surely have no good days ahead,” Xiao Xueixi took the opportunity to relay what she’d heard to Jiang Changyi. She had expected him to say a few comforting words, assuring her not to worry, but Jiang Changyi remained silent instead. After a long pause, he asked if anyone from the Xiao family had visited during his absence.
Xiao Xueixi replied, “No, they sent word earlier that they’d come in the afternoon.”
Jiang Changyi then stared at her and said, “When they arrive, find a way for me to meet your eldest brother alone. Don’t let anyone interrupt.”
Xiao Xueixi frowned, “They haven’t said who’s coming. How do you know he’ll come?”
Jiang Changyi impatiently retorted, “Just prepare as I said!”
Xiao Xueixi was full of concerns but had no choice but to make arrangements.
In the afternoon, as expected, Xiao Yuexi and Madame Wu came to pay their respects. Seeing her family arrive, Xiao Xueixi’s mood improved, and she took the initiative to accompany Madame Wu in comforting Lady Du. However, no matter what they said, Lady Du remained silent, only lowering her head to burn paper money. The two weren’t offended, treating it as if watching a spectacle. The more Lady Du ignored them, the more enthusiastic they became. The daughter of a dead princess and a woman despised by her husband who had lost her only son – what was left for her to be arrogant about?
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuexi and Jiang Changyi were having a private conversation.
Xiao Yuexi looked at Jiang Changyi with some contempt: “What are you needlessly worrying about? I told you no one can know, so no one will know. Just stay calm and don’t give yourself away first.” Seeing Jiang Changyi still frowning, he asked, “Has he said anything to you? Or done anything to make you worry?”
Jiang Changyi replied, “No, he hasn’t.”
If he hasn’t said or done anything, what are you worried about? Coward. A gray rabbit is still a gray rabbit, even at this stage, still so hesitant and fearful. Xiao Yuexi restrained himself and then said, “Do you remember why your second brother went to the military?”
Jiang Changyi said, “Of course I remember.” Back then, Jiang Changzhong had greatly embarrassed himself at the hunting party, which was why Jiang Zhong forcibly sent him to the military. He also remembered that in that incident, Lady Du and the old madame had suspected Jiang Changyang of sabotaging them, deliberately framing Jiang Changzhong.
“Good that you remember. I was afraid you’d forgotten,” Xiao Yuexi said with a cold smile.
Jiang Changyi suddenly understood. Lady Du already hated Jiang Zhong for sending Jiang Changzhong to the military, so how much more must she hate Jiang Changyang, the instigator? Xiao Yuexi wanted him to add fuel to the fire between Lady Du and Jiang Changyang, letting them fight to the death while he reaped the benefits. But would Jiang Changyang be so easily tricked and defeated?
Xiao Yuexi glanced at him coldly: “Your father values him the most, doesn’t he? If he says he won’t accept the title, can he not accept it? The heir is chosen by seniority, not by merit; by nobility, not by age. You have nothing going for you. With him standing in front, you’ll never have a legitimate claim! We’ve done everything we can for you; you need to put in some effort yourself now. Remember…” His voice dragged on, carrying a lecturing tone: “Be measured, consider the big picture.
Look, we knew your second brother’s merits were all fake. With just a light push, he would have been exposed, and the Du family and their mother would have been in big trouble. Why didn’t I do that? Because it would have implicated many people, your family couldn’t have escaped involvement, and neither of you would have benefited. That’s why I chose this clean and swift method, understand? Pay attention!”
What is this thing, nothing but someone who was forced, yet acting like a noble family in front of me? Acting like some great person? Jiang Changyi secretly hated it but showed no sign of it on his face, still respectfully saying, “Thank you for your guidance, brother-in-law. I’ve learned my lesson.”
Xiao Yuexi frowned slightly: “I heard you laid hands on Xueixi recently?”
Jiang Changyi hurriedly wiped away cold sweat: “That was because circumstances forced me to. She had fallen for Du’s trick at the time and was making a scene in front of my grandmother and father. I was afraid it would cause an even bigger issue, so I had no choice but to…”
Xiao Yuexi stared at him for a while, then said flatly: “Remember what you’ve said. Otherwise… I haven’t told our parents about these things. The elders dote on Xueixi the most. If there’s a next time and they find out, I won’t be able to persuade them.”
Isn’t he just warning that if there’s a next time, he’ll have Minister Xiao come to teach him a lesson? Jiang Changyi secretly hated this but nodded obediently: “It won’t happen again, it won’t.”
Only then did Xiao Yuexi raise his head high and say: “Alright, that’s all. I’ll go greet your father.” Someone must hint to Jiang Zhong that Jiang Changzhong’s previous merits were all fake. Let Jiang Zhong despise the Du family deeply; the more he hates them, the better.
Jiang Changyi, with a face full of smiles, offered to escort him: “Let me see you over.”
As the two passed through the courtyard, they encountered a group of noble sons. Xiao Yuexi instinctively wanted to avoid them, but Jiang Changyi enthusiastically greeted the group. Their eyes all turned to Xiao Yuexi at once, looking him up and down before crowding around to greet both of them. Someone went to pat Xiao Yuexi’s shoulder; he recoiled in disgust, flew into a rage, and left in a huff. Even when he was far away, Jiang Changyi was still apologizing to the others.
The sky, which had been overcast for days, finally showed some sunlight in the afternoon. But as evening approached, it suddenly darkened again and heavy snow began to fall. The mourning hall was cold and quiet. Lady Du, exhausted, sat on the ground leaning against the coffin, staring blankly at Jiang Changzhong’s spirit tablet, her lips tightly pressed together in silence.
Jiang Zhong had just seen off an important guest. Thinking about what the guest had said, his heart burned like a raging fire. He stormed into the mourning hall and immediately saw Lady Du quietly wiping away tears, her figure looking weak and lonely. Facing Jiang Changzhong’s spirit tablet, his anger immediately subsided. He stood silently for a moment, then waved away the servants who dared not speak. He walked up to Lady Du and stiffly said, “The dead cannot be brought back to life. You… take care of yourself.”
Lady Du ignored him, her tears flowing even more heavily.
Jiang Zhong’s lips moved, but he realized he had nothing else to say to her. He sighed silently, preparing to turn and leave.
“Do you grieve for Zhong’er?” Lady Du suddenly asked in a low voice.
Jiang Zhong was silent for a moment, then said impatiently, “He’s my flesh and blood. How could I not grieve?”
Lady Du seemed not to notice his impatience and just raised her head, saying word by word: “He was murdered.”
Jiang Zhong felt a headache coming on. Of course, he was murdered, did that even need to be asked?
Lady Du continued as if possessed: “Someone plotted behind the scenes, set him up, and he died unjustly…”
Jiang Zhong could no longer bear it and said, “Of course, someone plotted behind the scenes! Fortunately, it was just a drunken brawl! If it had been exposed that he falsely claimed credit and rewards, inciting the soldiers’ anger, it wouldn’t have been just him who died. The whole family would have been ruined along with him!”
Lady Du looked at Jiang Zhong as if struck by lightning, her mouth agape: “Are you saying it’s good that he died?”
“Stop twisting my words!” Jiang Zhong was so frustrated he wanted to burn down the room. He pointed at Lady Du and said, “Listen, I know everything you and the Du family have done. How dare you do such things! Even if Zhong’er hadn’t died this time, you would have eventually gotten him killed with your own hands! If you behave yourself, for the sake of our twenty years of marriage, you can still be the Duke’s wife and live out your days in peace. But if you keep causing trouble, don’t blame me for being heartless!”
Lady Du stared at him directly, suddenly bursting into laughter: “Heartless? What are you going to do to me? Why did I do all this? It was all because you forced me!”
Crazy woman! Jiang Zhong glanced at her with disgust and quickly turned to leave. Lady Du, having laughed enough, sat down leaning against Jiang Changzhong’s coffin, and said softly, “Zhong’er, did you hear that? Your father says it’s good that you died, good indeed! He thinks we’re dragging him down… Do you want the Duke’s mansion? I’ll give it to you.”