“What a lack of discernment! Chi’er’s status is different now. Someone like Jiang Lanyue, who’s utterly unpresentable, will only bring more shame to Chi’er in the future.
It seems we’ll have to find Chi’er a second wife of high status. Let the second wife attend banquets, and as for Jiang Lanyue, let her stay home and earn money to pave the way for Chi’er!”
Jiang Lanyue gritted her teeth, glaring at Wei’s mother with murderous intent. In her past life, she had suffered so miserably, and this vicious old woman had played a significant role in that.
She clenched her fists, suppressing her hatred; she would settle this score slowly.
Jiang Lanyue lowered her head in grievance, feigning fear of her mother-in-law’s wrath, and said cautiously, “Mother, I…I didn’t mean to be late. These past few days, I’ve been listening to you, kneeling day and night in front of the Buddhist hall praying for my husband’s success in the imperial examinations. Last night, I caught a chill and became delirious.”
Instantly, Wei’s mother received mocking glances from everyone. Praying for one’s success in the imperial examinations was normal, but forcing one’s daughter-in-law to pray day and night was torture.
However, Wei’s mother didn’t see the mockery from the passersby. Instead, she felt smug because she had her daughter-in-law under her thumb. The slight resentment in her heart was pleased by Jiang Lanyue’s obedience. She became kinder to Jiang Lanyue: “Alright, hurry up and give the money away! Let everyone share in the Wei family’s good fortune.”
Wei’s mother smiled and glanced at the onlookers outside the mansion. The official announcing the good news also smiled more sincerely, expecting to receive the reward money.
Jiang Lanyue felt utterly disdainful. This old woman was as vain and shameless as ever, spending her money while trampling on her dignity.
In her past life, she had long seen through the Wei family, but she was caught up in love and willingly wronged herself.
After a lifetime, her heart had long since turned cold; what did the Wei family’s reputation matter to her?
“Mother, I am naturally happy that my husband passed the exam, but as you know, half of my dowry was used to purchase this house, a third of the other half was used to buy past exam papers before his exam, and the remaining two-thirds are not only for household expenses but also for my husband’s social engagements.”
Jiang Lanyue humbly and aggrievedly spread out the dowry list for Wei’s mother to see. She was so bold because Wei’s mother was illiterate.
The onlookers stared wide-eyed. They had assumed Jiang Lanyue was in charge of the Wei family’s business, given Wei’s mother’s generous demeanor.
They hadn’t expected the Wei family to be sucking their daughter-in-law’s blood, using her dowry to save face. The most shameless of all was Wei’s mother, who not only exploited her daughter-in-law but also dared to act like a mother-in-law and mistreat her.
Neighbor Aunt Zhang, having previously quarreled with Wei’s mother, and the two having a long-standing feud, seized the opportunity to openly mock Wei’s mother.
“Oh my! That person is always looking down on this and that, complaining about others’ shabby clothes or poor food. I thought she was incredibly wealthy, but who knew she was so shameless, using her daughter-in-law’s dowry to supplement her household expenses.”
“The gold and silver on that person’s body must have been stolen from her daughter-in-law! I’ve never seen anything like it before; it’s the first time I’ve heard of a mother-in-law using her daughter-in-law’s dowry to buy herself jewelry.”
Wei’s mother felt a wave of dizziness. Jiang Lanyue was truly brainless; how could she say such a thing out loud?
Hearing Aunt Zhang’s sarcastic remarks, she couldn’t catch her breath, trembling with anger.
“You! You! What nonsense are you spouting? Jiang Lanyue married into the Wei family, so she’s a member of the Wei family. We can use her dowry however we want!”
Perhaps Wei’s mother was truly enraged by Aunt Zhang, no longer bothering to pretend, and blurted out her true thoughts.
Everyone was shoc ked by her words, and a murmur of unease rippled through the room. Pity was directed at the frail and terrified Jiang Lanyue.
Jiang Lanyue stared at Wei’s mother in disbelief, tears welling in her eyes. Her beautiful oval face, framed by tearful grievances, instantly won everyone’s sympathy.
Everyone present condemned Wei’s mother for her heartlessness. Wei Wan’er paled, unable to believe that just moments before she had been enjoying the praise and adulation of everyone, and now she was being criticized relentlessly. One hurled insult after another.
Wei Wan’er was only a naive sixteen-year-old girl; she could no longer bear it. She covered her face and left, weeping.
At that moment, Wei’s mother closed her eyes and fainted.
The Wei family servants, who had been beaming with joy, descended into chaos.
Jiang Lanyue’s lips curled slightly, a fleeting hint of mockery, but she anxiously ordered her servants, “Hurry and help the old lady back!”
The official who brought the good news had thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle, and for the next two weeks, he and his colleagues would have plenty to gossip about. Even after seeing Madam Wei off, the farce wasn’t over.
Jiang Lanyue, her expression a mixture of grievance and strength, first gracefully curtsied to express her gratitude for the congratulations, then sincerely apologized.
“Today my husband has passed the imperial examination with flying colors. We should have hosted a banquet for our neighbors, but there are urgent matters at home. I hope you will forgive us. We will host a banquet at the Wei residence in a few days, and we invite you all to come and join us.”
“Madam Wei, you’re too kind. Even if you hadn’t said anything, we would have shamelessly shared in the joy of the third-ranked scholar’s wedding.”
Jiang Lanyue smiled faintly, a wave of unease washing over her at the address of “Madam Wei.” She began to look forward to tomorrow, hoping to escape the Wei residence as soon as possible.
After dismissing the onlookers, Jiang Lanyue stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the official who brought the good news, her face slightly embarrassed.
“My lord, I am truly sorry. My mother-in-law has suffered a relapse of her old illness, and I must rush back to kneel and attend to her. I cannot offer this service. This is for your tea, and I hope you will forgive me.”
The official touched the purse in his hand; it was quite heavy. A slight smile appeared on his gloomy face. Seeing that Jiang Lanyue was not only preparing her dowry but also suffering at the hands of her wicked mother-in-law, he offered a word of comfort with pity. His impression of Wei Chi was now fixed; he would definitely tell his colleagues about it when he returned.
After watching the official leave, Jiang Lanyue hesitated at the door for a moment before fearfully and timidly entering the mansion.
The onlookers on the roadside shook their heads with pity. They all knew that Madam Wei would be tormented by her vicious mother-in-law after returning home.
Women with daughters, seeing this scene, exclaimed how terrible it was, thinking of visiting their married daughters so they wouldn’t have to support their husbands’ families for nothing and suffer at the hands of their wicked mothers-in-law.
Away from the sight of outsiders, Jiang Lanyue walked towards Xiyue Tower without hesitation. Shanhu asked in confusion, “Isn’t Madam going to visit the Old Madam?”
What’s so interesting about that old woman? It would be better if she died of illness!
Jiang Lanyue replied indifferently, “No!”
Ciyuan was in complete chaos, and no one was going to call a doctor for Madam Wei. The old women were worried about being held responsible if something happened to the Old Madam, so they could only turn to Jiang Lanyue.
In the end, they couldn’t even see Jiang Lanyue. Unfortunately, the young lady was irresponsible, so the old women could only brew the leftover medicine.
They prayed that she wouldn’t actually die of anger, otherwise, they, the servants, would surely suffer.
At Xiyue Tower, Jiang Lanyue sat by the window, gazing out in a daze.
Everything here was both familiar and strange; beautiful memories and painful thoughts intertwined in her mind, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and dreams.