Song Wenling being beaten was a serious matter. Jiang Yunniang knew the Old Master and others would come, so she deliberately went back first to eat and drink her fill—then returned to play her part.
“Grandfather, Grandmother, aunts,” she greeted respectfully. “Wenling said Concubine Jiang was attending him, so I went to prepare medicine instead.” Seeing everyone staring at her, she feigned surprise. “Eh? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Madam Meng was the first to respond. “You went to prepare medicine?”
“Yes.” Jiang Yunniang glanced timidly at Madam Zhang, then opened the food box. “Mother said Second Young Master being beaten was all my fault, so she forbade me from attending him. But I am his wife—when such a serious thing happens, I must do something. So I went to prepare medicine, and brought some food for Mother and the others. Ah, it is indeed my fault. I knew Lu Jianfeng once favored Concubine Jiang; I should not have listened to Mother and taken Second Young Master to the Lu household.”
As she spoke, Jiang Yunniang sniffled softly, tears brimming. Playing the innocent white lotus—she could do that, too. Her words were half true, half false: explaining her absence while shifting blame onto Jiang Bairou.
The Old Master immediately turned to Madam Zhang. “Eldest daughter‑in‑law, you forbade Yunniang from attending him? Why didn’t you say so?”
Madam Zhang had indeed told Jiang Yunniang to get out, but hadn’t expected her to say it aloud. She hurriedly replied, “Father, I didn’t say that. I only scolded her a little. Who would have thought…”
“It was I who misunderstood Mother’s meaning,” Jiang Yunniang interjected, looking at the Old Master. “I thought she valued Concubine Jiang more, so I went to prepare medicine myself. Grandfather, it was my own decision, not Mother’s. I should have explained, but I didn’t, and so Mother misunderstood me.”
The more she “explained” for Madam Zhang, the less anyone believed it. Instead, they pitied her. After all, Madam Zhang was the mother‑in‑law; Jiang Yunniang, the daughter‑in‑law, would not dare invent lies in front of her.
Madam Xu seized the chance. “Elder sister‑in‑law, this is your fault. Wenling just married, yet already takes a concubine—that alone is improper. And you treat a concubine as more important than the wife. If word spreads that Wenling favors a concubine over his wife, how will he ever succeed in officialdom?”
“I…” Madam Zhang was tongue‑tied. She wanted to deny it, but it was true enough. In front of so many, she could neither strike Jiang Yunniang nor quarrel with her.
Now Madam Zhang understood Jiang Yunniang’s nature. This wretch would never accept a loss, and Madam Zhang could not touch her—for Jiang Yunniang truly dared drag the entire eldest branch down with her.
Grinding her teeth, Madam Zhang saw Madam Xu’s expectant gaze and forced a smile. She walked to Jiang Yunniang. “Silly child, I was only angry and scolded you. Why take it to heart?” Then she turned to Jiang Bairou, face darkening. “Enough. This is none of your concern. Go back.”
Jiang Bairou didn’t want to leave, glancing at Song Wenling.
But Song Wenling dared not defy his grandfather again. He gave her a slight nod.
With no choice, Jiang Bairou rose. “Second Master, rest well. I will return another day.”
Before she reached the door, Song Wenyi’s wife, Madam Su, muttered, “seductress.”
Madam Zhang glared at her, but Madam Su was unconcerned—her own mother‑in‑law hadn’t rebuked her.
At this point, the Old Master could no longer reproach Jiang Yunniang. Instead, he looked at Madam Zhang. “You used to speak and act well. Why so muddled lately? Enough. I won’t say more. But if the eldest branch has more incidents like this, you will no longer manage the household.”
At the mention of household management, Madam Zhang panicked. “Father, I…”
But before she could finish, the Old Master raised his hand, signaling her to stop. He dismissed the others. Lu Jianfeng’s actions had been excessive, but the Song family relied on the Lu family’s support. It was best not to escalate.
As long as Lu Jianye’s attitude was proper when he came to apologize, the Old Master would let the matter rest. He sent everyone away, keeping only Jiang Yunniang, whom he summoned to a side room.
The Old Master had spent decades in officialdom. Near seventy now, he found he could not see through Jiang Yunniang. He could not name anything she had done wrong. She had prepared medicine, yet in her eyes, he saw little true affection. But thinking carefully—since her marriage, so much had happened, yet she endured her grievances. That alone was commendable.
In the side room, the Old Master and Old Madam sat, leaving only her trusted maid. All others withdrew.
“Sit,” the Old Master said.
“Granddaughter‑in‑law dares not,” Jiang Yunniang replied.
The Old Madam spoke gently. “Your grandfather has words for you. Sit.”
Jiang Yunniang finally sat down, quietly observing the two deepest thinkers of the Song family. Her father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law both appeared calculating, yet in truth their schemes were not well hidden. By contrast, the two elders before her—one concealed his sharpness beneath calm, the other possessed eyes that could pierce straight into the heart beneath his stern exterior.
In front of them, Jiang Yunniang always mixed truth with falsehood. She dared not lie entirely, lest she be seen through.
“I agreed to let Wenling take Jiang Bairou as a concubine. That must have wronged you,” said the Old Master, glancing at his teacup but lacking the mood to drink. He waited for Jiang Yunniang’s reply.
But Jiang Yunniang could not bring herself to say “I am not wronged,” nor did she wish to soothe him. She simply lowered her head in silence.
With no choice, the Old Master continued, “But I did it for the sake of the Song family. The eldest branch must not let its heirs drift outside, don’t you agree?”
“That is true. Second Young Master is so fond of Concubine Jiang—if she were not allowed into the household, he might keep her outside, and the reputation of keeping a mistress would be even worse,” Jiang Yunniang replied with a faint smile. “Grandfather, speak plainly. We are family; no need to circle around.”
The Old Master coughed awkwardly. For decades in the Song family, his word had been law. This was the first time he had softened his tone to a junior. “What I mean is, don’t dwell on it. Since you are married to Wenling, live well with him. In the end, you will enter the Song ancestral shrine. If Wenling prospers, you too will share the glory. Besides, Jiang Bairou’s contract is in your hands. No matter how favored she becomes, she cannot surpass you. I have told Wenling that whatever he gives her, he must also prepare for you.”
Jiang Yunniang almost laughed. She was the principal wife—everything should be hers by right. Yet now she was promised equal treatment with a concubine.
Still, since the Old Master had deliberately kept her back to say these words, he must have prepared for it. She nodded for now, though she had no intention of following through.
Seeing her nod, the Old Master breathed easier. “You are so sensible. In future, learn household management from your mother‑in‑law. She grows older and more muddled.”
For many women of the inner chambers, managing the household was the greatest honor—it meant power and wealth, the ability to walk proudly through the estate.
By offering Jiang Yunniang the chance to learn, the Old Master was giving her a sweet advantage, hoping to win her over.
But Jiang Yunniang had no desire to manage the household. She did not covet the Song family’s wealth, nor did she plan to remain there forever. Why rise before dawn each day to toil?
In two lifetimes, she had never managed a household. Before marriage, her mother had sent a matron to teach her, but to her it was nothing but trouble.
“Mother‑in‑law is only distracted by concern, her mind unsettled by Second Young Master’s affairs. I am still young and inexperienced, unfit for such a heavy duty. If Grandfather truly wishes someone to share her burden, Second Aunt or Third Aunt would be suitable. As for me, perhaps in a few years.” Jiang Yunniang smiled as she declined. “But I will remember Grandfather’s words. And forgive me for speaking boldly—Grandfather is a wise man, who knows that to govern one must first be upright. Second Young Master’s deep affection for Concubine Jiang is fine, but no matter how deep, it must not break the rules. Don’t you agree?”
Her words once again left the Old Master thoughtful. He was surprised she refused household management, and even more by her final remark.
“In spring, Wenling will sit for the palace exam. He must not be distracted by women.” The Old Master pondered, thinking Jiang Yunniang was merely jealous. “Since Concubine Jiang is pregnant, let her stay quietly in her courtyard to nurture the child. She need not concern herself with Wenling’s affairs.”
That was exactly what Jiang Yunniang wanted—Jiang Bairou confined, not wandering about to irritate her.
After Jiang Yunniang left, the Old Master rubbed his forehead and sighed. “What a mess this is.”
The Old Madam poured fresh tea and asked softly, “There is one thing I cannot understand. Why did you agree to let Jiang Bairou enter the household?”
After forty years of marriage, their bond was good, but not every matter was spoken clearly between them.
The Old Madam had always been one to avoid meddling. Since she asked, the Old Master owed her an explanation.