Chapter – 08
Envy and Resentment
Jiang Changyi gritted his teeth, his breathing growing heavier. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Xia Jinzhi was threatening him. Until he fulfilled her demand, she would make no concessions whatsoever.
She truly wasn’t afraid of this blowing up.
“Oh my, what’s wrong with Eldest Sister-in-law?” Qin Yuzhu perked up immediately, ever eager to watch the drama unfold. It seemed her guess was rightāthings were definitely not simple!
The Old Madam glared at her sternly, her eyes filled with warning.
But Qin Yuzhu was not afraid; in fact, she smiled even brighter.
She was dying to know what had happened in the east courtyard last night!
“Mother, I have matters to attend to. I need to go to the palace.”
Jiang Changyi shot up and strode out.
He had been pushed to the brink.
Seeing this, Jiang Changyu and Jiang Changqi quickly followed him.
The court session had just ended. What was he going to the palace for again at this hour?
The Old Madam wanted to ask, but Jiang Changyi was already far away.
She rubbed her temples in frustration and waved her hand impatiently. “Alright, all of you may leave as well!”
Then, supported by Nanny Chun, she returned to her chambers.
The others filed out of Shoukang Hall one by one.
Qin Yuzhu said to Shen Zhisu, “It certainly seems something major happened in the east courtyard last night. And how did that woman die? Why are the Old Madam and the Eldest Master being so secretive about it? My guess is Eldest Sister-in-law didn’t know about the mother and those two children! She can’t accept it now, so they had no choice but to keep the children and get rid of the mother!”
Shen Zhisu said softly, “This is a matter for the first branch. We shouldn’t gossip about it, lest we cause discord among the brothers and sisters-in-law.”
With that, she quickly walked away, putting distance between herself and Qin Yuzhu.
Qin Yuzhu widened her almond-shaped eyes and scolded, “Useless creature! You’ll just be devoured whole and spat out, not even bones left!”
“Third Madam, please calm down. The Second Madam has always been like this; you know that!” said Taohong, her eyes lowered, but a calculating and sly gleam in her gaze.
“Mother!”
Jiang Rou, the Third Miss of the Jiang family, approached and stopped beside Qin Yuzhu. She wore a pink belted long dress, her eyes bright but her expression arrogant.
Qin Yuzhu’s expression softened.
“I heard you talking with Second Aunt about the first branch.”
Jiang Rou curled her lips, her eyes shifting, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
“I’m going to the east courtyard to see these new siblings!”
Before Qin Yuzhu could respond, she was already rushing off.
Taohong smiled. “Let the Third Miss go. It’ll be a good chance to find out what’s really going on in the east courtyard.”
Wutong Courtyard.
Jiang Li accompanied Xia Jinzhi in reviewing the entire dowry list.
She didn’t care how much dowry there was or how lavish it might be.
She only wanted her mother to be happy.
Every item on the dowry listāfrom the thousand-work carved canopy bed that took years to craft, down to the smallest needle and thread, to the gold and silver trinkets, antique calligraphy and paintings, estates, and shopsāhad all been meticulously prepared by her mother.
As the saying goes: a parent’s love for a child means planning for their future.
Xia Jinzhi said, “A red bed leads the way, a coffin brings up the rear, and ten miles of red dowry follow. The reason I can stand firm and refuse to compromise today is this sense of security. I only hope that you will find a husband who treats you with true sincerity, and that you will have a life of happiness and contentment…”
Nanny Zhao and Tingqin carried in a locked chest.
Xia Jinzhi took a pearl hairpin from her hair. The tip of the hairpin was shaped like a key. She inserted it into the lock on the wooden box and opened it. Inside were packed full of various property deeds, land deeds, and contracts of servitude.
“Keep these safe. Every one of the people under me can be trusted.”
Jiang Li looked at her mother. Her brows and eyes were soft with a gentle smile, as if nothing had ever happened.
But seeing her like this, Jiang Li felt a heavy, suffocating weight in her chest.
“Mother, you should plan for yourself too!”
Xia Jinzhi reached out and flicked Jiang Li’s nose playfully, smiling. “As long as you’re alright, your mother has nothing to worry about!”
Jiang Li took her hand and asked, “Mother, if I marry safely, will you then be at ease enough to plan for yourself?”
It wasn’t that she wished for her parents to divorce. She simply couldn’t bear to see her mother, such a wonderful person, not be treated with genuine affection.
If she married, there would be no one in this household who truly cared for her mother.
She couldn’t imagine how her mother would endure the long years ahead.
She even entertained the thought of not marrying at allāmarriage brought so many constraints.
She wanted her mother to divorce, at least to gain freedom and not be bound.
But she dared not say it, knowing her mother would be angry.
Xia Jinzhi didn’t want her daughter caught up in this mess. She had already decided to act drastically and so consistently avoided the topic.
Both mother and daughter were wholeheartedly thinking of the other’s welfare.
Xia Jinzhi gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Mother is tired. You go back to Wangshu Pavilion. Don’t worry about other matters.”
Jiang Li didn’t want to upset her. Seeing that her mother seemed tired, she had no choice but to leave.
In truth, given the Empress Dowager’s affection for her mother and the Emperor’s regard, it would be very easy for her to leave the Jiang family.
After leaving Wutong Courtyard, Jiang Li was heading back to Wangshu Pavilion with her things. When she reached the back garden of the east courtyard, she ran into Jiang Rou, who was bustling over.
Jiang Rou looked her up and down, her gaze unrestrained, tinged with a hint of aggression.
But she was somewhat disappointed. Jiang Li didn’t look haggard or sad at all.
Her eyes then naturally fell on the group behind Jiang Li, especially the large chest they were carrying. She wondered what was insideāit looked rather valuable.
Jiang Li followed her gaze for a moment, then a faint, unreadable smile tugged at her lips.
Jiang Rou withdrew her gaze, smiled sweetly, and curtsied. “This younger sister greets elder sister!”
Jiang Li said coolly, “Why has sister come to the east courtyard?”
Jiang Rou stared at her, smiling brightly. “I haven’t yet congratulated you, elder sister! Eldest Uncle has returned and brought you a younger brother and sister! I’m truly envious!”
Jiang Li smiled in return. “Sister is too kind. However, your brother used to be the legitimate eldest grandson of the Jiang family. Now, he’ll have to take a back seat.”
Jiang Rou’s smile froze, her lips twitching. Not giving up, she said, “I heard that woman died yesterday. And now First Aunt is ill again? Eldest Uncle is backāFirst Aunt must be very happy, right? Your family of four is finally reunited.”
Jiang Li didn’t retort. Instead, she suddenly smiled weakly, as if struck a blow.
Seeing this, Jiang Rou couldn’t hide her smugness.
Since childhood, the person she had admired and envied most was Jiang Li. Jiang Li had everything from birthāa noble mother, a powerful maternal family, and an engagement to the heir of the Huaiyang Marquisate.
Jiang Li’s gaze darted away. “I’m going back to Wangshu Pavilion now. Sister, please do as you like!”
“Sister, what’s in that chest?” Jiang Rou had been eyeing it for a while.
Jiang Li pretended to be distracted and said, “It’s my dowry that my mother prepared for me. Some property deeds and land deeds, I suppose.”
Jiang Rou’s eyes widened.
A chest this big, and it was all full of properties? How much silver was that worth?
While she was stunned, Jiang Li had already walked away with her people.
Jiang Rou snorted in envy and hatred, grinding her teeth. “Let’s see how long you can stay smug!”
Thinking about the mysterious death of that woman, her eyes darted slyly. She then turned and headed toward Tongxin Residence.
If word got out that Xia Jinzhi was jealous and had driven a concubine to her death, it would damage Jiang Li’s reputation too. It seemed First Aunt and Eldest Uncle had fallen out, so Eldest Uncle must be harboring resentment over the concubine’s death.
