Just as Jiang Chaohua had anticipated, after Jiang Laofuren returned from the palace, although she was furious, she dared not voice her anger openly due to the Empress Dowager’s authority. She only summoned Shen Shi to Feihe Courtyard and reprimanded her briefly.
As for Jiang He, because Shen Shi detested his feelings for Jiang Wanxin, she refused to let him into her room and instead made him sleep separately.
Under the pretext of fear, Jiang Chaohua went to rest in Shen Shi’s courtyard. She chatted with Shen Shi for a long time, subtly driving a wedge between Jiang He and Shen Shi.
Just as Jiang Chaohua was growing drowsy, Shen Shi hesitantly shared her suspicions with her.
At first, Jiang Chaohua was stunned, but upon realizing what Shen Shi meant, she felt that this idea was nothing short of heaven-sent.
She had been worrying about how to facilitate the Fang family’s marriage proposal the next day and prevent Shen Shi from interfering—and now the opportunity had presented itself.
The candlelight flickered as Jiang Chaohua, dressed in white inner garments, lay on the bed.
She was about to come of age, and by convention, sharing a bed with Shen Shi was improper. However, Shen Shi was still shaken by the incident involving Jiang Wanyi and agreed to it.
Not only was Jiang Chaohua there, but Jiang Wanyi was also in Shen Shi’s courtyard, guarded in shifts by servants.
“Chaochao, do you think Mother is overthinking things?”
The candlelight danced on Shen Shi’s face, revealing a trace of confusion.
Jiang He had always treated her well, but the day’s events felt like a thorn in her heart. The more she pondered, the more convinced she became that her suspicions were correct.
“Mother, so it’s true that Father values Cousin more than me? So he actually harbors such feelings for her?”
Suppressing her delight, Jiang Chaohua spoke angrily, her face darkening.
Fearing she might cause trouble, Shen Shi hurriedly tried to calm her:
“Chaochao, don’t be impulsive. Perhaps Mother is overthinking it.”
“No, I’ve long felt that Father cares too much about Cousin—oh, no, I mean Jiang Wanxin. Mother, since this is so difficult for you, why not find her a marriage match? Once she’s married out of the Jiang family, everything will be fine.”
Jiang Chaohua threw herself into Shen Shi’s arms, subtly guiding her thoughts.
Shen Shi frowned. “But I have no say in Jiang Wanxin’s marriage arrangements.”
“Then why did Grandmother insist so strongly that you adopt Jiang Wanxin as your foster daughter? If you have no say in her matters, why did Grandmother punish you? Mother, if… if Jiang Wanxin and Father really… does Father resent my three brothers for being foolish, disabled, and dissolute, and me for being a wicked girl? Is that why he’s taking it out on you?Jiang Chaohua’s voice trembled with grievance, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Shen Shi stiffened, quickly pulling her into an embrace as she carefully recalled Jiang He’s behavior toward Jiang Wanxin.
Since Jiang Wanxin entered the household, Jiang He had indeed treated her differently. The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
“Perhaps you’re right, but finding her a suitable match in such a short time won’t be easy. Let Mother think about it. It’s late—time to sleep.”
Preoccupied with her thoughts, Shen Shi blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness.
“Mother, even if we can’t find a suitable match right away, you should avoid involving yourself in Jiang Wanxin’s affairs from now on. Otherwise, you’ll be caught between Father and Grandmother, and whatever you do will be wrong. Don’t you agree?”
Jiang Chaohua clung to Shen Shi’s waist. Shen Shi nodded—it made sense. If Jiang He insisted on taking Jiang Wanxin as a concubine, then let him and the Old Madam battle it out between themselves.
But why had Jiang He deceived her, swearing he would remain devoted to her alone in this lifetime? Could it truly be because of the successive misfortunes befalling their three sons, making him unwilling to continue this way?
Shen Shi’s tears streamed down incessantly. Jiang Chaohua knew she was suffering, but even greater anguish lay ahead.
For now, she could only focus on stabilizing Shen Shi, ensuring she remained resolute in not interfering with Jiang Wanxin’s marriage prospects.
Exhausted from the day’s toil, Jiang Chaohua grew drowsy and slept dreamlessly through the night, finding some restorative rest.
The next morning, Jiang Wanxin arrived early at Shen Shi’s courtyard to pay her respects.
Dressed in a white high-waisted pleated skirt, her delicate face—reminiscent of a lotus emerging from clear water—was etched with caution and apprehension.
Yet unlike usual, Shen Shi did not invite her in, instead instructing her maid to excuse Jiang Wanxin from the day’s greetings.
Jiang Wanxin stood outside the courtyard for a long while. The morning chill lingered, and her body grew stiff from prolonged standing. Eventually, she retreated with her maid, having accomplished nothing.
Outwardly, Jiang Wanxin appeared unperturbed, but inwardly, resentment simmered.
After all, she could never compare to a biological daughter. Now that Jiang Chaohua had grown closer to Shen Shi, Shen Shi distanced herself from Jiang Wanxin. If this continued, her hope of becoming Shen Shi’s adopted daughter would vanish.
No—she had to devise a plan to quickly provoke another incident from Jiang Chaohua.
“Cousin, the Old Madam… the Old Madam requests your presence at Feihe Courtyard. Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Appointments Fang Ankang has arrived with his illegitimate son.”
As she approached a rockery, a round-faced young maid hurried toward her. This maid, named Zhaolu, served in the Old Madam’s courtyard.
Zhaolu’s eyes brimmed with worry, her breath ragged from running. She had observed the Old Madam’s displeased expression upon Fang Ankang’s arrival.
“What?”
Jiang Wanxin’s expression shifted dramatically, her hands clenching tightly within her sleeves.
She recalled how Fang Cheng had recently asked her if she minded his status as an illegitimate son, his gaze filled with deep affection. A sense of foreboding washed over her.
Though Fang Cheng was Fang Ankang’s illegitimate son, Fang Ankang doted on him excessively. Moreover, Fang Cheng was young and promising; with the Fang family’s support, he would soon enter the Hanlin Academy.
Jiang Wanxin had intentionally drawn close to Fang Cheng, fostering his goodwill to exploit his influence for Lin Feng’s benefit. Yet in her heart, how could someone like Fang Cheng ever be worthy of her?
From beginning to end, her heart belonged only to Lu Ming Chuan.
“What else did Minister Fang bring?”
Jiang Wanxin hesitated, uncertain whether to proceed to Feihe Courtyard or return to Shen Shi’s Youran Courtyard.
“Minister Fang brought many luxurious gifts. He returned with the Master right after the morning court session.”
Zhaolu’s truthful account confirmed Jiang Wanxin’s suspicion: Fang Ankang had likely come to propose marriage on Fang Cheng’s behalf.
No—she could not marry Fang Cheng. How could she, of all people, settle for a mere illegitimate son?
“Let’s go to Feihe Courtyard first.”
After careful deliberation, Jiang Wanxin decided to proceed to Feihe Courtyard.
She had always cultivated a reputation for virtue in Chang’an City. How could she avoid greeting guests who had arrived?
In the main hall of Feihe Courtyard, the Old Madam sat upright in the host’s seat. Below her, Jiang He was seated on one side, while across from him sat a middle-aged man in lavish robes, his face beaming with smiles.
This middle-aged man was Fang Ankang. Beside him sat the handsome youth, Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng’s mother had been Fang Ankang’s childhood sweetheart. However, due to the vast disparity in their family backgrounds, she could only become a concubine.
Not long after entering the Fang household, she passed away, driven to her demise by the persecution of Fang Ankang’s principal wife.
Fang Ankang was deeply saddened by this matter for a long time. He personally took Fang Cheng under his care and doted on him excessively. If not for the fact that Madam Fang came from a prominent family, it would have been uncertain who the Jiang family’s heir would be.
“Greetings, Old Madam, Lord Jiang, Lord Fang.”
Jiang Wanxin walked in gracefully and paid her respects politely.
Seeing her delicate beauty, graceful figure, and her well-educated demeanor, Fang Ankang stroked his beard with great satisfaction. Turning his head, he noticed Fang Cheng’s gentle gaze and went straight to the point:
“Lord Jiang and I have been close friends for many years, and our families have maintained frequent contact over these years. I shall not beat around the bush today—I have come to propose a marriage for my son. I hope Old Madam will grant permission for your granddaughter to marry my son. Please rest assured, our Fang family will treat her with the utmost care.”
Fang Ankang smiled faintly, but Old Madam’s expression immediately changed. She instinctively responded:
“What? Impossible.”
How could a mere illegitimate son like Fang Cheng be worthy of her granddaughter?
Once her granddaughter was recognized and returned to her rightful lineage, she would become the legitimate daughter of the household. How could an illegitimate son dare to aspire to such a match?
“What?”
Fang Ankang was taken aback, displeased by the response. Jiang He quickly stepped in to mediate, while his eyes kept glancing outside:
“Brother Fang must have misunderstood. My mother meant that marriage is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly, and naturally requires careful consideration. Although Wanxin is currently being raised in Feihe Courtyard, the marriages of the women in our household must ultimately be decided by my wife.”
Having anticipated Fang Ankang’s visit with Fang Cheng, Jiang He had already sent his personal attendant to fetch Shen Shi. Only Shen Shi’s refusal would be most appropriate to decline this marriage proposal.
Little did Jiang He know that his plan was destined to fail.