“Miss, Li Momo will be here shortly.”
Feicui trembled slightly as she observed the dark intensity in Jiang Chaohua’s eyes.
Li Momo, who cared deeply for Shen Shi, naturally also cared for Jiang Chaohua. She arrived not long after receiving Feicui’s message.
Jiang Chaohua had already ordered the carriage to be prepared. To avoid suspicion, she had even arranged for another carriage to switch to along the way.
Two carriages waited at different locations, ready for Jiang Chaohua’s command.
Li Momo arrived quickly. Upon hearing that Jiang Chaohua was unwell, she was startled and her eyes immediately reddened. The successive misfortunes of Jiang Wanfeng and Jiang Wanyi had left Li Momo apprehensive. Without another word, she immediately escorted Jiang Chaohua out of the residence.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Chaohua wore a reassuring expression as she held Li Momo’s hand, comforting her gently:
“Don’t worry, Momo. It’s nothing serious—just abdominal pain during my monthly cycle. I’ve heard there’s a female physician in Maple Forest Alley who specializes in women’s health. It would be more convenient for her to examine me.”
“If her medical skills are truly exceptional, we could invite her to the Jiang family. That might even benefit Eldest Brother and Second Brother.”
Seeing Li Momo on the verge of tears, Jiang Chaohua felt a pang of emotion.
Who genuinely cared for her and who was merely pretending—if one paid close attention, it was easy to discern.
“Rest assured, Miss, I won’t inform Madam about this. But are you truly only suffering from abdominal pain, and not something else?”
Unconvinced, Li Momo pressed further, forcing Jiang Chaohua to repeatedly assure her that there were no other health issues.
The carriage moved along the road at a steady pace.
Jiang He visited Maple Forest Alley twice a month. After such long periods apart, Jiang Chaohua could easily imagine what would happen during his meetings there.
She was in no hurry. She would wait until Jiang He and Lin Jiarou were in the midst of their disgraceful affair before guiding Li Momo to witness it. Only then would the impact be truly explosive.
Coincidentally, aside from Lin Jiarou, Maple Forest Alley was indeed home to a renowned physician.
Jiang Chaohua knew her well. In her previous life, she had poisoned people, while this physician had followed closely behind, administering antidotes. They were like adversaries. But in this life, she would not allow Tang Shuang to become one of Jiang Wanxin’s allies.
“That’s a relief, Miss. No matter what it takes, I will plead with the physician to show compassion and restore your health.”
Li Momo studied Jiang Chaohua, noting her rosy complexion and the absence of any severe illness. Reassured, she concluded that Jiang Chaohua was simply maturing.
Shen Shi was currently too fragile for shocks or exertion, and Jiang Chaohua did not wish to trouble her. That was why she had summoned Li Momo for assistance.
Touched and pleased by Jiang Chaohua’s trust in her, Li Momo resolved to work even harder, determined not to let her down.
Filled with determination, Li Momo watched as the sky darkened. The evening sun cast a golden glow over the land, as if sprinkling gold dust from the heavens—a breathtaking sight.
Given that Jiang Chaohua’s condition was a private matter related to her menstrual cycle, discretion was essential to avoid recognition. Li Momo understood this, so when Jiang Chaohua proposed switching carriages, she asked no questions.
The carriage switch was executed swiftly. By maintaining the same speed and passing each other seamlessly, the maneuver was virtually undetectable—a masterful tactic.
Li Momo sat in the carriage, repeatedly astonished—not only her, but even Feicui wore an expression of shock, which made Jiang Chaohua’s face beam with a smile.
After Jiang Chaohua boarded the carriage, the coachman quickened his pace and, following her instructions, stopped the carriage outside Maple Forest Alley, arriving at their destination.
“Momo, put on this long hat.”
As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, Jiang Chaohua handed Li Momo a long hat.
The hat featured a cap on top, surrounded by white gauze that completely concealed Jiang Chaohua’s upper body.
Li Momo nodded, donned the long hat as well, and supported Jiang Chaohua as they walked into the alley.
The alley housed many families, and occasionally, two or three women passing by eyed the strangers with wariness. Only when they saw them heading toward Tang Shuang’s home did their suspicions fade.
Maple Forest Alley had a narrow entrance, barely wide enough for a carriage to scrape past the walls on either side.
The alley was deep, home to at least twenty or thirty households.
As she helped Jiang Chaohua walk forward, Li Momo suddenly spotted a familiar carriage.
Frowning, she immediately removed her long hat, but could only see the rear portion of the carriage. The vehicle had entered a residence, and with the gate closed, nothing more was visible.
Li Momo shuddered all over—the carriage looked somewhat familiar. As the housekeeper, she remembered every detail of the Jiang family’s affairs, down to the number of carriages they owned, their styles, and appearances.
That carriage just now—why did it so closely resemble Jiang He’s private carriage?
Jiang He never usually rode in that carriage when he went out.
“Momo, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Chaohua feigned ignorance as she inquired. She knew that Li Momo was extremely familiar with the household’s affairs, so bringing her along would surely expose Jiang He’s scandal.
In Maple Forest Alley, due to the narrowness of the lane, the courtyard fences were built quite low, allowing each household to see into their neighbors’ yards from their own.
Tang Shuang’s courtyard was two doors down from Lin Jiarou’s. Jiang He, cautious and fearing leaks, had also rented the adjacent courtyard.
“It’s nothing, perhaps I saw wrong.”
Li Momo forced a smile, though doubts surged incessantly in her heart.
Even as she said this, she knew she couldn’t possibly be mistaken—because that carriage was hung with a Peace Knot personally woven by Shen Shi.
Only Shen Shi possessed that particular technique, so there was no chance of error.
Once the seed of suspicion was planted, Li Momo naturally grew attentive.
Jiang Chaohua nodded and instructed Feicui to knock on the door.
After just two knocks, the door was opened by a delicate-looking girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old.
“Are you here for a consultation?”
Tang Shuang spoke little, her temples obscured by wispy bangs, but Feicui still caught sight of the fierce scar on her face.
Feicui’s heart skipped a beat, and Tang Shuang noticed the shift in her expression, yet she paid it no mind—all she cared about was money.
“We’re here for a consultation. As long as you can fully restore our young lady’s health, we will surely offer you generous compensation.”
Li Momo spoke directly, stating their purpose.
Tang Shuang scrutinized them for a moment, then stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
“Thank you.”
Seeing her old acquaintance again, Jiang Chaohua’s heart still stirred with ripples.
After all, in her past life, Tang Shuang had played a crucial role by Jiang Wanxin’s side. Without her exceptional medical skills, Jiang Wanxin could never have befriended so many influential families.
The courtyard was small but meticulously tidy, filled with herbs drying under the sun. Upon entering, one could immediately catch the scent of medicinal plants.
Jiang Chaohua walked with extreme caution, subtly guiding Feicui and Li Momo around hidden traps on the ground, which drew repeated glances from Tang Shuang, her gaze deepening with curiosity.
“If you’re here for a consultation, please extend your hand.”
A table stood in the courtyard with two chairs placed before it. On the table lay silver needles and other diagnostic tools, indicating that Tang Shuang had been receiving patients here for some time.
“Alright.”
Jiang Chaohua rested her hand on the table, exposing her wrist. Tang Shuang’s fingers felt cool as she examined with intense focus, unlike those self-proclaimed miracle healers who would make a cursory diagnosis with a mere touch.
Feicui waited to the side. The courtyard was exceptionally quiet, save for the continuous sounds of footsteps and conversations from the neighboring house, which piqued Li Momo’s curiosity.
She remembered that the carriage had stopped at the house next to the immediate neighbor. Turning her head, she could see into the adjacent courtyard, but catching a glimpse of the one beyond required more effort.
“Oh dear, this old servant has a sudden stomach ache. May I ask, young lady, where is the restroom in your residence?”
Clutching her stomach, Li Momo groaned in feigned pain. Tang Shuang glanced at her and pointed toward the backyard with her free hand.
Li Momo hastily expressed her thanks and hurried toward the rear courtyard.
The backyard wall was low, adjoining the neighboring property’s rear yard.
Gritting her teeth, Li Momo climbed over the wall and dropped into the adjacent courtyard.
Once there, the footsteps and voices became even clearer.
“Master has finally come today. Madam was worried he wouldn’t show up.”
“Indeed, with only two visits a month, if he missed this one, Madam would be heartbroken.”
Two maids whispered to each other. Li Momo felt a surge of disdain, immediately realizing that the mistress of this household was a kept woman.
Though displeased, her curiosity about why Jiang He’s carriage was here grew stronger.
She changed direction, peering further along the low wall, but unfortunately, she couldn’t see the main courtyard.
Circling around, she made her way to the main courtyard of the neighboring house.
To avoid detection by Tang Shuang and Jiang Chaohua, Li Momo crouched low, finally finding a concealed spot.
She rose slightly to peer into the courtyard, and with one glance, confirmed that the carriage indeed belonged to Jiang He.
A yawning servant sat on the carriage—none other than Li Da, Jiang He’s personal attendant.
Li Da held a horsewhip, looking both drowsy and bored, occasionally teasing passing maids with impudent gestures.
Li Momo’s eyes reddened with fury. From the bedroom, a woman’s cries followed—soft, seductive, and utterly captivating.
Amidst the sounds, a man’s heavy panting echoed, as if he were tormenting the woman with fierce passion:
“Rou’er, Rou’er.”
The voice was hoarse, filled with raw emotion, yet unmistakably that of Jiang He.
Li Momo clamped a hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face in large drops.
So, the man keeping a mistress was none other than their own master—Jiang He himself!
What a shameless pair of adulterers!