“Cheng’er, don’t you understand yet? You’ve been played for a fool! Come home with your father!”
Fang Ankang deeply regretted bringing Fang Cheng along, though he never expected Jiang Wanxin to be such a person.
“No, I won’t leave. I ask you – have you only ever considered me a friend?”
Fang Cheng gazed at Jiang Wanxin’s delicate, beautiful face, still unwilling to accept the truth.
Or rather, still unable to accept the humiliation.
He had always considered himself clever – aside from being the Fang family’s illegitimate son, he took pride in everything else about himself.
How could someone like him be deceived and manipulated by a woman?
“Young Master Fang, Wanxin has truly always regarded you as a friend. I’m very grateful for your past care and protection. Perhaps… you misunderstood.”
Jiang Wanxin hung her head, biting her lip slightly. Hearing this, how could Fang Cheng not understand now?
He let out a cold laugh as he rose from the ground. After laughing, his expression turned utterly grim, frightening even Fang Ankang, who feared he might collapse from the shock.
“Is that so? Then what about when you said your life in the Jiang family was difficult? That Jiang Furen mistreated you? That Jiang Chaohua bullied you? Was that also my misunderstanding?”
How had Jiang Wanxin described it to him before? She claimed to be an orphan girl, constantly constrained in her actions.
She said she lived under someone else’s roof, forced into many situations against her will. That she had to rise before dawn every day to make pastries and serve Shen Shi.
Hadn’t she been the one to tell him all this?
Fang Cheng’s face showed complete confusion as he stared at Jiang Wanxin. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand how such a beautiful girl could harbor such deep scheming thoughts.
“I would also like to ask – when have I ever mistreated you? You alone have four maidservants attending you, a privilege reserved only for legitimate daughters.”
“Furthermore, I order clothes for you from the Shangyi Bureau every month – the measurements are all recorded there. If you don’t believe me, we can summon someone from the Shangyi Bureau to verify. I’ve also instructed the kitchen that your meals should match Chaochao’s standard. How then have I become someone who mistreats you? All these years… is this how you’ve regarded me?”
Shen Shi was heartbroken, clutching her chest as she collapsed into a chair.
“Mother!”
Jiang Chaohua’s expression changed sharply, worried Shen Shi might stop breathing. Her eyes turning fierce, she secretly took a Dan pill from her sleeve and slipped it between Shen Shi’s lips.
She had prepared the medicine precisely fearing something like this might happen to Shen Shi.
Sure enough, Shen Shi was truly furious – and no wonder. Not just Shen Shi, but any noble lady from Chang’an City’s great households would be even more enraged if similarly slandered.
“Madam, I didn’t… I never…”
Jiang Wanxin’s tears streamed down instantly.
She shook her head desperately, kneeling on the ground to clutch at Shen Shi’s dress.
“Cousin, not just Mother – I also want to ask you, when did I ever bully you? I was merely resentful that you received the same treatment as me, and mocked you a couple of times. What, cousin can accept the Jiang family’s generosity, but can’t endure a few words of mockery from me?”
“I am the Jiang family’s only daughter, yet since cousin arrived, everything has to be shared with you. Can’t I even complain about you? And for that, cousin holds a grudge and tells outsiders that I bully you? Summon the Jiang family servants and ask them – have I ever laid hands on you? Or secretly ordered anyone to make trouble for you?”
Jiang Chaohua poured out all the anger that had accumulated in her heart.
Her voice was cold and clear, her back straight as she watched Jiang Wanxin shaking her head incessantly, continuing:
“I am someone who dares to take responsibility for my actions. Though people call me a wicked woman, I don’t deny it. But I won’t allow others to smear me with things I haven’t done. Today, either Cousin gives an explanation—perhaps Young Master Fang misunderstood—or Cousin must feel the Jiang family has treated her unfairly!”
Jiang Chaohua held onto Shen Shi, who was so furious she nearly fainted, but Jiang Chaohua remained steady.
“No, it’s not like this.”
Jiang Wanxin knelt on the ground, her heart in turmoil.
“Enough! Chaochao, say no more.”
Jiang He spoke heavily, and the entire main hall fell into dead silence. Even the servants outside dared not breathe loudly, fearing they might be implicated.
But they heard Jiang Chaohua’s words clearly and showed puzzled expressions.
Jiang Wanxin was a veritable master in the Jiang family. They all treated her with respect, and the Jiang family provided her with excellent treatment. How, according to Jiang Chaohua’s implication, could Jiang Wanxin be speaking ill of the Jiang family behind their backs?
“Father, I understand why you’re angry. Are you too disappointed in Cousin? After all, her actions have also tarnished the Jiang family’s reputation.”
Jiang Chaohua appeared deeply wronged. Facing Jiang He, she didn’t need to retort; she only had to show a hurt expression to make Shen Shi more suspicious. Sooner or later, she would uncover Jiang He’s true nature.
She was in no hurry—there was plenty of time. Even if she couldn’t destroy Jiang Wanxin today, she would make sure she suffered greatly.
“Ah, Old Madam, what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, Zhaolu exclaimed as she saw the Old Madam’s eyes close and her body slump toward the ground.
In such a chaotic situation, only by stopping could Jiang Wanxin be extricated.
Jiang Wanxin hadn’t managed to faint herself, so the Old Madam took the stage personally.
“Grandmother has always been in robust health. She must have fainted from extreme anger. Grandmother cares deeply about the Jiang family’s reputation, so setting things right is of utmost importance.”
Old Madam Jiang feigned fainting, lying in Zhaolu’s arms, but upon hearing Jiang Chaohua’s words, she nearly jumped up in rage.
This wicked girl was truly not as filial as Wanxin.
Therefore, she would ensure Wanxin’s status was restored as soon as possible. But today’s turmoil had made Shen Shi cold toward Jiang Wanxin—wasn’t this disrupting her plans?
Old Madam Jiang, overwhelmed by fury and anxiety, genuinely fainted this time.
“Mother.”
Jiang He hurried to support her. Shen Shi, who had initially been somewhat moved, hardened her attitude upon hearing Jiang Chaohua’s words:
“Wanxin, can you bear to see the Old Madam like this because of you?”
“No, Wanxin would never. Wanxin has never said those things to Young Master Fang. In Wanxin’s heart, Madam and the Jiang family have shown Wanxin immense kindness. In this lifetime, Wanxin only wishes to remain in the Jiang family to repay Madam and the Old Madam’s grace. I beg you, Madam, to investigate clearly!”
With matters having reached this point, Jiang Wanxin could only focus on self-preservation.
But how could Fang Ankang stand by and let Fang Cheng bear all the responsibility?
“Today, this official has witnessed the Young Miss’s tactics. Madam Jiang, the Young Miss is remarkably shrewd. With such a person, I fear Madam will have much to worry about in the future. My son acted unreasonably and spoke recklessly. I ask for Madam’s forgiveness. This official will surely give Madam a proper account.”
Fang Ankang had not only lost face today—he was utterly enraged.
“Cheng’er, what are you still standing there for? Let’s go! Home! In the future, when you associate with others, don’t be so naive.”
“Wanxin, are you saying that not only were my feelings for you merely my own naive fantasies, but even the words you once spoke to me were just my own misinterpretations? Fine, for the sake of our past affection, I’ll swallow this loss. From now on, you’d better watch your step. Only now do I truly understand what it feels like to be played for a fool.”
Fang Cheng let out a cold laugh, staring at Jiang Wanxin with overwhelming frustration.
How could he not see clearly now that Jiang Wanxin had been lying all along?
She had exploited his sympathy to turn him against Jiang Chaohua and Shen Shi.
She made him believe they were abusing their power to oppress others, only to turn around and blame him entirely when things went wrong.
Jiang Wanxin was truly vicious.
To have poured his first heartfelt affection into someone like this—Fang Cheng found it utterly ridiculous. Unable to bear it, he broke down and ran out in despair.
Compared to Jiang Wanxin at this moment, Jiang Chaohua’s supposed malice paled in comparison.
She, Jiang Wanxin, was the truly malicious one. With Shen Shi involved, the Fang family would inevitably face the Empress Dowager’s wrath.
“Cheng’er!”
Fang Ankang, full of concern, hurried after him. Before leaving, he shot a meaningful glare at Jiang He.
The Jiang family had mocked his son, mocked him—he would remember this!
“Hmph.”
With Fang Ankang and Fang Cheng gone, Jiang Wanxin collapsed like a limp rag onto the floor, fainting.
Jiang Chaohua sneered coldly. The white moonlight had turned into a sworn enemy—how amusing.