Chapter – 02
Face
“Father just said that you risked your life at the border to ensure Mother and I could live in peace in the capital, that you secured Mother her title and brought glory to this household.
But today, the Jiang family is still nothing compared to the Xia family. It is precisely because Mother married beneath her station that the Jiang family has come this far.
Have you forgotten how your father-in-law once lifted you up, and how your brother-in-law lost his arm to save you?
As for the glory you speak ofâthat is the Jiang family’s glory. Petitioning for Mother’s title was nothing more than you saving face for yourself.
Do you even know that Mother comes from noble stock? She has been accustomed to such honors since childhood. What you have given her doesn’t even count as icing on the cake.”
“Outrageous!”
Jiang Changyi, flushed with rage, swept the teacups from the table to the floor. His cold glare at Jiang Li was like that of a frenzied beast.
The cups shattered upon impact. Xia Jinzhi and Jiang Li remained as steady as mountains, their expressions untouched by the scene.
Watching the enraged Jiang Changyi, Xia Jinzhi understood in that momentâhe would not only disregard their marital bond, but he would show their daughter no mercy either.
“A Li, how can you speak of your father that way? Do not forgetâyou bear the surname Jiang!”
The Old Madam Jiang had always doted on her granddaughter, but now she could not hide her disappointment, feeling that the girl was far too unruly.
Having vented her frustration, Jiang Li fell silent. She only wanted her mother to know that she would always stand by her side!
Just as the tension reached its peak, Su Jingwan lost control and cried out, “Enough!”
Her face pale, she glared at Jiang Changyi with a look of resentment and disappointment, her tone cold and resolute.
“If I had known you were already married, I would never have married you. It is you who has betrayed your wife’s devotion. How can you face her after all she has done for you?”
Xia Jinzhi cast a contemptuous glance at Su Jingwan.
Her frail, delicate demeanor was exactly like that of most mistressesâand feigning weakness and hypocrisy was their usual tactic.
Jiang Changyi had fallen for Su Jingwan at first sight. Having spent years together as husband and wife, his feelings for her ran deep. His tone softened toward her, a stark contrast to how he had spoken to Xia Jinzhi.
“Jingwan, I have wronged you!”
His words pierced Xia Jinzhi’s heart like a blade.
Xia Jinzhi trembled all over, her chest feeling as if a heavy stone were pressing down on itâshe was furious to the extreme.
Su Jingwan said disappointedly, “That is not what you should say to me. Saying so only humiliates me further.”
She averted her gaze, walked over to Xia Jinzhi, lowered her head, and said apologetically, “I am sorry. In the end, I am the one who has come between you.”
“Spare me your false pretense. Xia Jinzhi does not fall for such tricks.”
Xia Jinzhi did not believe her.
Su Jingwan’s posture was so humble that Jiang Yue stood there utterly at a loss.
Jiang Xuan, on the other hand, frowned deeply and looked at his father with disappointment.
Su Jingwan felt nothing but despair and humiliation.
If Jiang Changyi already had a wife, then their marriage was invalid. She now had no legitimate status, and her children were bastards.
If Xia Jinzhi refused to accept her and her children, they would have no way out.
She opened her eyes, now bloodshot, carrying a hint of fierceness and resolve, as if she had made a decision.
“I am a daughter of a decent family. I have observed propriety, remained faithful, and understood the rules. When I married Jiang Changyi, he came to my home to propose, with all the proper rites and ceremonies.
I understand your grievance and humiliation, madam. I do not ask you to accept meâI only ask that you give my children a way to live!”
Xia Jinzhi’s heart trembled. At this point in the ordeal, aside from her daughter, the only person who acknowledged her grievance and humiliation was this mistress.
Yet her husband and the mother-in-law she had served with all her heart had never shown her a shred of sympathy.
But one could never know another’s true heart. How could she be certain that Su Jingwan was being sincere?
Still, if what she said was trueâthat she too had been deceived by Jiang Changyiâthen she was merely another poor soul like herself.
“Xia Jinzhi!”
“Jingwan is so understanding, yet you are so aggressive! Comparing the two, it is no wonder I fell in love with her.”
Xia Jinzhi, who had begun to soften, was once again consumed by anger.
Su Jingwan’s vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.
“You are my father, and I am deeply ashamed!”
The disgust in Jiang Li’s eyes was utterly unguarded. She glared at this so-called father and said coldly, “You deceived both sides. It is you who has betrayed Mother and her. Yet you shift all the blame onto othersâyou have no sense of responsibility at all!”
Jiang Changyi shot to his feet, looking as if he might strike her.
Jiang Li clenched her fists, refusing to back down even a step.
At the height of the standoffâ
“I only ask that you treat my children well!”
Su Jingwan spoke again, drawing everyone’s attention. She cast one last look at her son and daughter, then a fierce glint flashed in her eyes as she charged toward the pillar and slammed into it with all her might.
A deafening *thud* rang out, and blood splattered.
Su Jingwan’s body went rigid, then crumpled, slowly sliding to the floor!
Xia Jinzhi shot to her feet in shock.
Jiang Li was equally horrified, but instinctively shielded her mother behind her.
“Mother!”
“Mother!”
Jiang Xuan and Jiang Yue rushed forward.
Jiang Changyi and the Old Madam Jiang stared in horror.
In an instant, the room descended into chaos. Everyone was terrified.
No one had expected that Su Jingwan would prove so unyielding, so fierce in her resolve.
Jiang Yue collapsed limply to the ground, weeping heart-wrenchingly. Through her tear-filled eyes, she looked at Xia Jinzhi and her daughter with fear.
Jiang Xuan rushed back and dropped to his knees with a *thump*, his eyes bloodshot as he shouted, “Mother!”
Xia Jinzhi clutched the arm of the matron beside her to steady herself. Her whole body was weak, and a chill crept up her back.
Seeing Su Jingwan’s fate brought her not a shred of satisfaction; instead, a creeping sense of guilt and sorrow spread through her heart.
Su Jingwan looked at Xia Jinzhi, blood and tears streaming down her cheeks, as she struggled to speak her final words.
“The children… madam… give my children… a way… a way to live.”
She knew well that if she did not die, Xia Jinzhi would never believe her, and her children would forever be branded as bastards.
She would use her own life to carve out a future for them.
“Mother.”
Jiang Li stepped forward to support Xia Jinzhi, her eyes filled with concern.
“What a tragedy… what a tragedy!”
The Old Madam Jiang was the quickest to recover. Though she appeared regretful, in truth, she breathed a secret sigh of relief.
Her original intention had been to keep the children and get rid of the mother.
“Poisonous woman! You venomous creature! Why can you not tolerate Jingwan and her children?”
Jiang Changyi’s eyes were bloodshot, his expression twisted as if he wanted to tear Xia Jinzhi apart.
Xia Jinzhi felt cold all over, still reeling from the shock.
She had not intended to pressure Su Jingwan. All she had wanted was an explanation from Jiang Changyi!
Jiang Li stepped protectively in front of her mother and calmly retorted, “This is all your fault. You are the one who killed her! Do not dare to blame my mother!”
Jiang Changyi raised his hand to strike Jiang Li.
“You unfilial daughter!”
Jiang Li raised her arm to blockâand her strength was not in the least inferior to Jiang Changyi’s, a seasoned military man.
Jiang Changyi stared in shock. “You know martial arts?”
Jiang Li said nothing. Taking advantage of his surprise, she struck his chest with her palm, forcing him back several steps.
The Old Madam Jiang rose in shock and scolded Jiang Changyi, “How could you raise your hand against A Li? Have you lost your mind?!”
She had not clearly seen how the two had exchanged blows, but in her heart, Jiang Li was still just a childâand a girl at that.
“How dare you strike A Li?”
Xia Jinzhi hurriedly pulled her daughter behind her and snarled, “Let me tell you, Jiang Changyi, if you so much as harm a single hair on my daughter’s head today, I will fight you to the death!”
“A Li, are you all right?” The Old Madam Jiang looked anxiously at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li was held in her mother’s embrace, and unable to see her, the Old Madam grew truly anxious.
Jiang Changyi’s fists clenched and unclenched. In the end, he still feared the power behind Xia Jinzhi.
“Father! Father, please save Mother!” Jiang Yue sobbed and shouted at Jiang Changyi.
Before Jiang Changyi could respondâ
Xia Jinzhi, seeing Su Jingwan’s dire state, gave the order: “Someone, summon the household physician.”
The Old Madam Jiang had been about to say there was no need for the physicianâlet her dieâbut seeing her son’s frantic expression, she swallowed her words.
Jiang Changyi rushed over to check on Su Jingwan. Her breath was already faint; it was clear she would not last long.
“Jingwan!”
Grief welled up in Jiang Changyi’s heart as he choked back sobs, holding her limp body, his eyes bloodshot.
Xia Jinzhi watched coldly, feeling only desolation in her heart.
If Jiang Changyi loved her so deeply, then what was she?
Jiang Xuan and Jiang Yue were close in age to her A Li.
So he had been lovey-dovey with her one moment, then fallen for someone else at the border the next?
Then all those letters sent home over the years, professing love and longingâwere they all a joke?
“Mother, you do not have to endure for my sake. I cannot bear to see you suffer the slightest injustice.”
Jiang Li held her mother tightly, her heart aching and heavy.
A cold glint flickered in Xia Jinzhi’s eyes. She whispered softly in her daughter’s ear, “Mother will not let you be wronged, nor will she wrong herself. I will fight for your honor!”
