“Pregnancy medicine.” Jiang Yunniang found this rather interesting.
“Second Young Madam, this old servant is certain it is pregnancy medicine,” Nanny Sun confirmed. “Aside from silver notes and land deeds, the only other things in her room were these packets. Think about it—Bairou and Second Young Master have long had an affair. If she truly carries a child, it would not be surprising.”
“No wonder.” Jiang Yunniang thought it was almost certain.
Several times, Song Wenling had nearly blurted something out, clearly wanting to speak but always interrupted. He was desperate to bring Jiang Bairou into the household, and Madam Zhang shared the same urgency. It seemed they knew Jiang Bairou was pregnant and could not wait. That was amusing.
“Second Young Madam, forgive me for being ruthless, but if Jiang Bairou truly is pregnant, her child must not be born,” Nanny Sun said after a sleepless night. “Others may bear children, but not Bairou. Even if she enters as a lowly concubine, if she gives birth to the eldest son, with Second Young Master’s affection for her, he will never let you raise the child. That child will never be loyal to you.”
Given her mistress’s strained relationship with Second Young Master, it was unlikely she would have children herself. But for a woman, without a son or daughter, who would care for her in old age?
Nanny Sun thought other concubines’ children could be raised under Jiang Yunniang’s care. But Jiang Bairou’s child must never be allowed to live.
Jiang Yunniang understood her meaning but did not want to dirty her own hands. “No need to rush. Even if Jiang Bairou is pregnant, it won’t be long. Mingxia and Lü’e, who live with her, are not easy companions. If I act myself and leave evidence, it will be hard later. Better to sit back and watch the tigers fight.”
Lü’e’s hostility toward Jiang Bairou was obvious. As for Mingxia, she had once given Jiang Yunniang a sachet laced with musk—what good could she be?
Nanny Sun agreed. “You are right. Pregnancy lasts ten months; we have time. Besides, Jiang Bairou’s child came at the wrong time. Madam Zhang fears others will know. Let us pretend ignorance.”
“Exactly.” Jiang Yunniang finished dressing and rose. “It’s nearly dawn. I’ll take Qiuyue to pay respects. Chunxi Courtyard is in your care.”
With Qiuyue, she went to Hui’an Hall. The sky was only half‑lit, and she was indeed the first to arrive.
Serving tea, Nanny Su said the Old Madam had just risen, smiling as she asked why Jiang Yunniang had come so early.
“Last time, Mother‑in‑law scolded me for being late. I don’t know the proper hour, so I came early. Besides, I couldn’t sleep last night.” Jiang Yunniang deliberately paused, coughing softly twice.
Nanny Su heard the hidden meaning but only smiled, not replying, and went to report to the Old Madam.
Usually, the Old Master did not stay in the Old Madam’s quarters. When Nanny Su entered, a maid was combing the Old Madam’s hair.
“Old Madam, Second Young Madam said she was scolded by First Madam last time, and that she didn’t sleep all night. I dared not respond, so I came back to report.” Nanny Su took the comb and helped arrange her mistress’s hair.
The Old Madam looked at her white hair in the bronze mirror and chuckled softly. “It seems the second daughter‑in‑law was right. Madam Zhang has indeed brought Jiang Bairou into the household.”
“Yes. Normally, First Madam is cautious, never leaving herself open to reproach. For the Jiang family to expel Jiang Bairou, there must have been a reason. Yet First Madam brought her in—truly strange,” Nanny Su said.
“Likely, Wenling couldn’t bear to part with her, so he brought her in,” the Old Madam replied, finishing her hair and rising. “Since Yunniang came early, have her attend me. I want to hear what she says.”
Nanny Su agreed and went to summon Jiang Yunniang.
Entering the inner room, Jiang Yunniang followed Madam Su’s glance, wrung out a damp towel, and handed it to the Old Madam to wipe her face.
The Old Madam did not value Jiang Yunniang much. The eldest son, Song Qingbai, was not her own, and Jiang Yunniang was only the eldest branch’s daughter‑in‑law. This was merely a matter of appearances. Now she summoned Jiang Yunniang to strike at Madam Zhang’s weakness.
“Good Yunniang, you think of me, and I am touched. I won’t beat around the bush. Tell me—was it truly you who brought Jiang Bairou into Chunxi Courtyard?” The Old Madam pulled Jiang Yunniang to sit.
Jiang Yunniang dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and lowered her gaze. “Old Madam, you see clearly. How could your granddaughter‑in‑law have such power? Bairou was expelled by my father. If I brought her into the Song household, wouldn’t that offend my natal family?”
She did not deny it, but neither did she say outright whose idea it was.
“Then it was Wenling’s doing,” the Old Madam said firmly. “That boy is too sentimental. But our Song family is a scholarly house. We cannot allow a tainted woman to enter. Do not fear—Grandmother will stand by you. As for Jiang Bairou, do you know why she was expelled from the Jiang family?”
“This…” Jiang Yunniang deliberately paused. In her previous life, she had little contact with the Old Madam, but from a few conversations, she knew the old lady was not simple.
Now, the Old Madam was deliberately trying to trap her into speaking, wanting to seize leverage against the eldest branch. At present, Song Wenyi had the ability but no heirs. Song Wenling was strong and healthy, about to sit for the palace exam. The Old Madam had to be cautious.
But Jiang Yunniang would not be caught so easily. “This granddaughter‑in‑law does not know. I am curious myself, but those I sent to inquire could not learn anything. Now that I am married out, I am no longer truly of the Jiang family.”
Her words were watertight. She had sent Nanny Sun to obtain Jiang Bairou’s contract, which could be interpreted as an investigation into Jiang Bairou’s situation. Madam Zhang was her enemy, but that did not mean the Old Madam was her ally. If given the chance, the Old Madam would mercilessly deal with the eldest branch.
In recent days, Jiang Yunniang had come to realize more. When Madam Zhang married into the Song family, the Old Madam was still strong, yet the Old Master allowed Madam Zhang to manage the household. Whether or not he was elevating the eldest branch, the Old Madam surely resented it.
So Jiang Yunniang made it clear: a married daughter is like water spilled; the Jiang family would not tell her the truth. If the Old Madam wanted to know, she would have to investigate herself.
“True, you are of the Song family now.” The Old Madam withdrew her probing gaze. Seeing that the time was nearly right, she said they should go out. “But rest assured, Grandmother will stand by you in the matter of Jiang Bairou.”
Jiang Yunniang thanked her and followed her out.
When they reached the front hall, Madam Zhang and the others were already there. Madam Xu was mocking Song Wenling for not studying properly.
“Second sister‑in‑law, my Wenling studies late into the night. How can you say he doesn’t work hard?” Madam Zhang hated it when Madam Xu criticized her son. An aunt constantly prying into her nephew’s affairs was improper.
Madam Xu snorted, but when she saw her mother‑in‑law arrive, she quickly rose to pay respects.
The Old Master arrived right after. Once the two elders were seated, the Old Madam glanced at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu understood immediately and stood to announce that Jiang Bairou was in Chunxi Courtyard. Though she knew her mother‑in‑law was using her as the spearhead, Madam Xu was happy to do anything that troubled the eldest branch.
“I truly cannot understand why elder sister‑in‑law would bring Jiang Bairou into the household. The Jiang family expelled her—clearly, she did something disgraceful. Yet elder sister‑in‑law brought her in now. Does this not harm relations with the Jiangs and disgrace our Song family?” Madam Xu sighed heavily, pretending it was all for the Song family’s good.
Madam Zhang had not slept the previous night, already anticipating that Madam Xu would say this. She quickly stood. “Father, Mother, second sister‑in‑law misunderstands. It was Yunniang’s kindness. She thought of their past sisterhood and could not bear Bairou wandering outside, so she brought her in as a maid. I thought it was only a maid, not a serious matter.”
The Old Master looked at Jiang Yunniang, frowning. “Wenling’s wife, is this true?”
Jiang Yunniang knelt. She looked at the Old Master, then hesitated, glancing at Madam Zhang. Several times she opened her mouth, then forced out a tear, biting her lip without answering.
Madam Zhang saw her pitiful act and longed to slap her, but here in Hui’an Hall she could only grit her teeth. “Yunniang, the Old Master is asking you!”
“I…” Jiang Yunniang still did not answer, only gazing sorrowfully at the Old Madam.
She could act too.
“Ah, don’t press Yunniang,” the Old Madam sighed. “I usually don’t interfere, but she came early today, filial and attentive, so I asked a few questions. At first, she wouldn’t speak, but I learned she hadn’t slept all night. I guessed it wasn’t her idea. On the return‑home day, Wenling came back alone. How could Yunniang have authority over Chunxi Courtyard?”
Song Wenling, suddenly named, felt a chill down his spine. That day, he had hated Jiang Yunniang, refusing to give her any face. Now hearing the Old Madam mention it, he knew Grandfather would be angry.
Just as he was about to rise, the Old Master slammed the table. “You came back alone? Such a serious matter, and no one told me? And you two—husband and wife—are truly remarkable. I have long said spoiling a son ruins him. You covered up such misconduct and even let Jiang Bairou into the Song household. Truly remarkable!”
The Old Master was furious. Song Qingbai and the others all knelt. Song Wenling hurried to explain. “Grandfather, please calm your anger. That day, my teacher sent gifts. I feared poor hospitality, so I rushed back. Since the two households are so close, I thought to greet my teacher first, then fetch Jiang Yunniang.”
Indeed, the teacher had visited that day. With Song Wenling about to sit for the palace exam, prioritizing his studies was reasonable.
But Madam Xu would not miss the chance. She pressed on. “And Jiang Bairou? Why did you bring her into Chunxi Courtyard? Don’t claim it was Yunniang’s idea. She may seem kind, but she lacks the power. Even if she suggested it, you should have refused. Or is it that you still harbor feelings for Jiang Bairou?”