Inside the room, sandalwood incense burned. Madam Lu, afraid of the cold, had left only half a window open.
Light and shadow filtered through the bamboo leaves, scattering across the tea table. Jiang Yunniang poured hot tea for her mother and said softly, “Mother, you saw what happened today. Grandmother refuses to let me divorce. If I insist, she might even disown me. And Song Wenling’s heart is entirely with Bairou, convinced I am unworthy. My in‑laws are troublesome, too. In the days ahead…”
She deliberately paused.
She knew her mother’s temperament well—always inclined to think the best of people, lacking deep calculation. For years, she had not managed household affairs, leaving everything to Father and Grandmother. She lived listlessly, often refusing food, only nibbling a few bites when pressed.
In her previous life, half a year after Jiang Yunniang’s marriage, her mother passed away. It was only after her mother’s death that her father dared to abandon her. In this world, the ones who cared most for her were her mother and her foster parents.
To rouse her mother’s spirit, Jiang Yunniang had to remind her to be strong “for the sake of being a mother.”
“My child, what will you do in the future?” Madam Lu thought of her daughter’s days ahead and could not stop her tears. She had struggled to find her daughter again, believing she had secured a good marriage for her, only to realize she had pushed her into a pit of fire.
“Mother, don’t cry.” Jiang Yunniang raised her hand to wipe away her mother’s tears. “As long as you are well, I will be fine. The Song family married me for the Lu family’s influence. With you here, they won’t dare neglect me. So you must take care of yourself. If you keep your health, I will be safe.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you. Even if I have no appetite, I’ll force myself to eat a few bites,” Madam Lu said.
After Jiang Yunniang finished her exhortations, Nanny Lin reminded her that it was time, and she followed the servant out.
Outside the courtyard, she stopped Nanny Lin. “Mother has taken the same medicine for years, yet never improved. I’m thinking of finding another physician to examine her in a few days. Keep this in mind, but don’t tell anyone else. Father and Grandmother mustn’t grow suspicious.”
“Eldest Miss, don’t worry. I know what’s important.” Nanny Lin looked at the now‑steadier young lady with pity. “You must also take care of yourself. The young master’s heart is with that wretch. Don’t rush to win him back—wait and see.”
In her long life, Nanny Lin had never witnessed such a scandal—an affair with a brother‑in‑law. She had personally guided Jiang Yunniang when she first returned to the Jiang household. Back then, the girl was timid in the unfamiliar Shengjing city, but polite and well‑mannered. Nanny Lin had truly wished her well.
“I’ll remember your words.” Jiang Yunniang parted from her and walked with Qiuyue toward the front courtyard.
At the Jiang family gate, they saw only Nanny Wang.
Nanny Wang looked embarrassed. “Se… Second Young Master has already gone back.”
The return‑home visit was a major event, yet Song Wenling had gone back to the Song household alone—an insult to Jiang Yunniang.
Soon, the entire Song family would know that Song Wenling despised Jiang Yunniang.
But this was exactly what Jiang Yunniang had expected. She had caused Jiang Bairou to be erased from the Jiang genealogy and humiliated them both. It would have been strange if Song Wenling hadn’t shown her a cold face.
The Jiang and Song households were only a few steps apart. They hadn’t used a sedan chair when coming, and none was prepared for the return either.
As Jiang Yunniang stepped out of the Jiang residence, the sudden sound of galloping hooves rang out in the distance. Qiuyue quickly pulled her back, but dust still blew into her eyes.
“Second Young Madam, are you alright?” Qiuyue asked anxiously.
Jiang Yunniang rubbed her eyes. Fortunately, her long lashes had shielded them, and she was unharmed. Turning her head, she saw a young man not far away, carrying a physician on his back. He shouted to her, “Forgive me, young lady! I have urgent business. I’ll apologize properly another day!”
The youth wore a jade coronet and crimson robes, his face as fair as white jade, like a porcelain doll. He dismounted swiftly and rushed into a nearby mansion.
Nanny Wang frowned in disdain. “Whose wild boy is this, so unruly?”
The Jiang gatekeeper quickly cautioned, “Nanny, don’t speak carelessly. That is the posthumous son of General Nan, the sole heir of the Nan family. He was granted honors by the Emperor at birth, and even his name was chosen by His Majesty. Just last month, he moved here to Shengjing from his ancestral home.”
Jiang Yunniang had heard of the Nan family. Fourteen years ago, when the Xiongnu invaded the northern frontier, the Nan patriarch led troops to defend it. The war lasted two full years. Daye emerged victorious, but the Nan patriarch and his two sons all perished, leaving only Nan Huai’an, born after his father’s death.
In gratitude for the Nan family’s sacrifice, the Emperor granted Nan Huai’an the title of a foreign prince and did not reclaim the Nan military command, waiting for him to grow up and lead the Nan army.
Nan Huai’an’s mother, Madam Zhou, was frail. When news of the Nan brothers’ deaths arrived, she fainted immediately. Imperial physicians guarded her for three months before Nan Huai’an was safely born.
This young lord of the Nan family could walk sideways through Shengjing, and no one would dare rebuke him.
Seeing him rush home with a physician, Jiang Yunniang guessed Madam Zhou must have fallen ill again. The thought stirred her mind.
The Lu family had military merit too, but in a few days, her cousins would return to the northern frontier. Once separated by thousands of miles, if trouble arose in Shengjing, her uncle could not help her in time. Judging by her father’s attitude today, he would not support her either. She needed to find another patron. She also needed a physician for her mother. In her previous life, unloved by Song Wenling, she often prayed at temples and had met a brilliant doctor living in seclusion in the southern part of the city.
Upon entering the Song household, a servant summoned her to the main hall. When she arrived, Song Wenling was there.
Song Qingbai had gone to the yamen, leaving only Madam Zhang, who scolded, “So you’re pleased now? You only care for yourself. What of the Song family’s reputation?”
“Mother, are you blaming me?” Jiang Yunniang asked with grievance. “On my wedding night, it was Bairou who climbed the wall to meet Second Young Master. Today again, Bairou arranged to meet him and was caught. Neither incident was instigated by me. If the Song family has been disgraced, it is Bairou’s doing. How can you blame me?”
Her words were true. From beginning to end, she had only “accidentally” discovered them. She herself felt wronged and hurt. Madam Zhang had no rebuttal.
Song Wenling spoke coldly. “If not for your jealousy and spite, Bairou would not have been expelled from the Jiang family. Tell me, how am I to bring her into our household now? How can I explain this to Grandfather?”
Jiang Bairou’s pregnancy could not wait long. If she entered as a titled concubine, he could claim they had long been in love, and she had willingly endured hardship for him. But since she had been expelled from the Jiang family, there had to be a reason. He could not admit they had been caught in adultery. Any other explanation would make him look lustful.
Grandfather already favored his elder cousin from the second branch. Song Wenling had only recently gained attention through his exam success. Now, thanks to Jiang Yunniang, it was all ruined.
Hearing his anxious tone, Jiang Yunniang said calmly, “Second Young Master, why rush? In a few months, you can bring Bairou in. I have already agreed she may enter as a lowly concubine. I will not go back on my word. If not in half a year, then in a year. Why hurry? Are you afraid Bairou won’t wait for you?”
“Bairou is not the kind of person you say. Bairou, she…” Song Wenling nearly blurted out that she was pregnant, but his mother cut him off.
“Yunniang, do something good for once,” Madam Zhang said sharply. “I will claim you cannot bear to part from your sister, and bring Bairou into the Song household to live with you in Chunxi Courtyard, serving you. That way, I gain a reputation for kindness, and you gain a reputation for loyalty. Later, Wenling can formally take Bairou as a concubine.”
“Very well. Since she is to serve me, let my father give me Bairou’s contract directly.” Jiang Yunniang smiled faintly.
If they thought to scheme against her and take advantage of her, they were mistaken. With Jiang Bairou’s contract in her hands, whether to beat or scold her would be entirely her decision.