In the Great Yan Kingdom, in the year 260 of the reign of Emperor Wen Ding, on the fifteenth of the eighth lunar month—not only the Mid-Autumn Festival but also the day the results of the autumn imperial examinations were announced— a two-courtyard house outside the capital city bore the inscription “Wei Mansion” on its plaque.
Servants swept the courtyard, maids wiped the furniture, and servants hung festive red lanterns.
Xiyue Tower was the residence of the Wei Mansion’s mistress.
Through the gauze curtains, a graceful and beautiful young woman could be vaguely seen, her eyes closed in a half-asleep state, her brows furrowed with sorrow.
A maid entered the inner room cheerfully, gently shaking Jiang Lanyue’s arm: “Madam, Madam, it’s time to wake up. The messenger bringing good news is arriving soon.”
Jiang Lanyue awoke from her daze, looking around in confusion before fixing her gaze on the maid, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Coral?”
Impossible! Coral had long been beaten to death by the new bride, so how could she be standing alive before her?
Coral shook her head in confusion, a sudden pity rising within her. The lady had been kneeling for three days, her head spinning with fever.
She helped Jiang Lanyue lean against the headboard and said softly, “Madam, your high fever has just subsided. I’ll go get you some medicine.”
Coral curtsied and prepared to leave when a commotion broke out outside. She rushed to investigate and returned with a worried expression.
“It’s the old woman from the old lady’s courtyard coming to urge us.”
Why did this scene feel so familiar?
It was like the day Wei Chi passed the imperial examination with top honors, which was also the beginning of her tragedy. A surge of hatred rushed to her head, and her heart felt like it was being pierced by needles.
Jiang Lanyue lowered her eyes, concealing her expression, and said in a cold voice, “Let her in.”
At the same time, Yu Zhong arrived.
Outside the Wei residence, gongs and drums sounded, firecrackers crackled, and officials announced the good news with loud congratulations.
Wei’s mother, leaning on her sandalwood cane, smiled and thoroughly enjoyed the compliments from her neighbors.
The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, deepened by her smile, could have trapped a fly. Her usually sharp and sarcastic face now appeared unusually kind.
Her beloved son had achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examinations, and Madam Wei was filled with pride. She raised her rough hand and generously said, “Congratulations! Jiang, aren’t you going to share some good fortune with the neighbors?”
However, after waiting a moment without a response, Madam Wei’s anger flared. Her sharp eyes searched the surroundings for Jiang Lanyue’s figure.
“Where is Jiang?”
There wasn’t a trace of Jiang Lanyue around. On such a joyous day, the matriarch of the household was absent. Madam Wei was so angry she wanted to punish someone. She was increasingly dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law and would have to give her a good talking-to when they got back.
Wei Wan’er, dressed in light pink and adorned with delicate pearl flowers in her hair, smiled rosy cheeks because of her brother’s success, making her delicate face even more charming.
Hearing her mother’s words, she noticed that her sister-in-law hadn’t arrived yet. She pouted and complained, “On my brother’s auspicious day of passing the imperial examination, you’re so indifferent, sister-in-law! What kind of lady is she? It’s just making a spectacle of herself!”
A flash of disgust crossed Wei’s mother’s eyes. She impatiently ordered the servant, “Go and call Jiang Shi over. Also, tell her to bring some extra silver as a reward. Chi’er is now a third-place scholar; we need to let those people know that our Wei family has changed its status and is no longer as important as those poor folks.”
The neighbors who were congratulating Wei’s mother twitched at these words, rolled their eyes, and their enthusiasm cooled.
Sure enough, they were from the village, shallow-minded. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of third-place scholars in the capital. In a place like the capital, where every step brings a high-ranking official, this was just a lowly third-place scholar who looked down on them, who had lived in the capital for generations?
Wei’s mother and Wei Wan’er, blinded by joy, didn’t notice the disdain and mockery in the eyes of the others.
Inside Xiyue Tower, after hearing the old woman’s words, Jiang Lanyue clenched her hands, struggling to control herself.
She had truly returned to ten years ago, to the time when Wei Chi had achieved the highest rank of scholar in the imperial examinations, a time of immense glory.
Back then, she was overjoyed, happy for her husband, who had finally succeeded after years of hardship.
Her prediction was correct; the Wei family enjoyed smooth sailing from then on, becoming a rising star in the capital in just a few years.
But all of this was irrelevant to her.
Her husband, who had sworn to love her with all his heart and that she was the only one for the rest of his life, divorced her on the day he achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations and remarried. All those years of love had been misplaced; he shouldn’t have allowed his new wife to torment her day and night, causing her to suffer for ten years until she died of exhaustion.
“Today is the head of the household’s auspicious day. The old lady instructed that the reward money should not be too little, and the servants in the mansion should also receive it.”
The old woman, without changing her expression, was trying to secure her own benefits. After all, she was from the old lady’s courtyard, and the lady always blindly obeyed her.
Shanhu looked at Jiang Lanyue with worry. The old lady always valued rules and regulations; she must be angry that the lady had arrived late and would punish her again later.
At this moment, she could only hope that the head of the household would return soon to support the mistress.
Jiang Lanyue glanced at the old woman unintentionally, and the old woman subconsciously shrank back. She felt that the mistress was acting strangely today.
Remembering the old lady’s instructions, the old woman suppressed her panic and said in a tone that was both respectful and threatening, “Madam, the old lady is still waiting. Please go quickly. There are many people outside the mansion today. Don’t keep the old lady in a hurry.”
Then the old woman arrogantly raised her chin slightly, gave a perfunctory curtsy, and left.
Jiang Lanyue smiled sarcastically. That old woman was really generous, using her dowry as a favor without batting an eye.
Oh well, she would go and see what was going on.
“Coral, take my dowry list with you. Don’t keep my kind and generous mother-in-law waiting.” Coral was puzzled. Why did the mistress ask her to take the dowry list when she didn’t take money to reward the servants?
However, she didn’t have time to think about it. She took the list as instructed and followed Jiang Lanyue out.
The current Wei residence was purchased by Jiang Lanyue after selling most of her dowry to make it easier for Wei Chi to study.
In the capital, where land is incredibly expensive, she could only afford this two-courtyard mansion in the outer city.
It’s only a quarter of an hour’s walk from Xiyue Tower to the mansion gate.
Wei’s mother waited a long time for Jiang Lanyue, unable to distribute the reward money, and feeling embarrassed, she felt that people outside were laughing at her.
Just as she was about to yell at the servants, her hand was suddenly grabbed by Wei Wan’er, who reminded her resentfully, “Mother, sister-in-law is here.”
Wei Wan’er rolled her eyes at Jiang Lanyue, complaining in front of everyone, “Hmph! Sister-in-law really has a lot of face, making Mother send someone to invite her. When brother comes back, he’ll definitely scold you!”
Jiang Lanyue merely glanced coldly at Wei Wan’er, not taking her seriously. Wei Wan’er, feeling slighted by her usually obsequious sister-in-law, instantly became furious.
“What kind of look is that, Mother~” Wei Wan’er stomped her foot in grievance.
Already harboring resentment towards Jiang Lanyue, seeing her bully her daughter only made Wei’s mother’s face darken instantly.
“Jiang! Do you know what day it is today? Do I have to personally invite you before you’ll even come?”
“As expected of a girl born of parents but unwanted by anyone. Marrying you is the worst luck our Wei family has ever had.”
Having vented her anger, Madam Wei glared at Jiang Lanyue with disgust and condescendingly ordered, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and give the rewards!”