Jiang Wanyue’s family was enjoying the fragrant grilled fish when someone walked over.
“Lord Lin, could I trade you a fish?”
The newcomer took out a piece of exceptionally fine jade and held it out to Lin Jingyuan.
Lin Jingyuan recognized it as belonging to the Old Madam Xiao of the Xiao family. He hurriedly rose and respectfully cupped his hands.
“Old Madam Xiao! The entire Lin family has been exiled. I can no longer bear to be called Lord Lin.”
Old Madam Xiao had silver hair. Although she was in exile, she still seemed to be in fairly good spirits, though her eyes were filled with the weariness of age.
She gave a self-mocking smile.
“I’m no longer any old madam either. I’m just an old woman with one foot in the grave.”
“Please, sit here.”
By “sit,” he meant nothing more than a relatively smooth stone.
Old Madam Xiao sighed.
“I know everyone is having a hard time. But my Xiao family has protected our country for generations, and all the men of the family died on the battlefield. Now, there is only one male descendant left, and I don’t even know whether he is alive or dead. That’s why this old woman had the shamelessness to come over and ask for a fish to help my grandson regain his strength.”
“This…”
Lin Jingyuan knew his place. The fish were all thanks to Jiang Wanyue.
“Wanyue, look!”
Old Madam Xiao’s gentle gaze fell on Jiang Wanyue. “Is this the daughter you recently found?”
Lin Jingyuan smiled awkwardly. “Yes. She’s been exiled with us. She’s really suffered.”
Thinking about how the two families had almost become in-laws, only to end up in their current state…
Jiang Wanyue calmly allowed Old Madam Xiao to look her over. The more Old Madam Xiao looked at her, the more pleased she became.
“This girl is quite something. Eldest Son Lin, you’ve truly been blessed with a good daughter.”
“Yes, yes.”
Jiang Wanyue could tell that Old Madam Xiao meant her no harm. Seeing such a kind old woman—someone whose entire family had loyally defended the country, only to end up exiled, with their lives and deaths uncertain—she couldn’t help but feel some sympathy.
She picked up two fish and handed them to Old Madam Xiao.
“Old Madam, please take these. It’s just a little something from me.”
“No, no, I can’t. I can’t take them for free.”
Old Madam Xiao tried to stuff the jade pendant into Jiang Wanyue’s hands.
Jiang Wanyue refused to accept it. With a bright smile, she said,
“Old Madam, although I’ve never been to the capital, I’ve heard of the Xiao Army’s heroic deeds and their great reputation. Without the Xiao Army, how could ordinary people like us live in peace? For the men who devoted themselves wholeheartedly to protecting our country, I simply can’t accept anything from you.”
Old Madam Xiao’s eyes grew moist when she heard Jiang Wanyue’s words.
She thought of how every one of the Xiao family’s sons had died in battle, while the only remaining male heir was now of uncertain life or death.
She absolutely did not believe that they had committed treason.
From the day their home had been confiscated until now, Jiang Wanyue was the only person who had dared to say such things to her face.
Speaking like this could easily be considered disrespectful to imperial authority.
It was clear that this girl had courage.
She had met Lin Yurou before. That girl spent all day crying, delicate and frail. Yet because the two families had arranged their marriage when they were still in their mothers’ wombs, their betrothal documents had already been exchanged. They had originally planned to marry after returning to the capital this time.
But now…
Given their current circumstances, perhaps it was better not to drag such a good girl into their troubles.
Seeing Old Madam Xiao lost in thought, Jiang Wanyue returned the jade pendant that had been forced into her hand.
“Old Madam, please keep it. I truly cannot accept your jade pendant.”
Seeing that Jiang Wanyue was determined not to take it, Old Madam Xiao said solemnly,
“This old woman will remember this kindness of yours.”
Jiang Wanyue’s family had already had fish soup, pan-fried fish, and grilled fish. They had also eaten the white steamed buns Shen Wanjin had brought them yesterday, so their stomachs were full.
Jiang Wanyue picked up two cleaned fish, then selected two more that had already been grilled, and handed them to Old Madam Xiao.
“Please take all of these.”
“How could I possibly accept so much?”
“If you don’t take them, I’ll be the one who feels bad.”
Old Madam Xiao’s eyes reddened.
“Very well. Then I’ll accept them.”
After giving away the fish, Jiang Wanyue finally noticed that everyone in her family was staring at her. She smiled and asked,
“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
Lin Xiuran said,
“Little sister, you have righteousness in your heart, and even in the smallest matters, you understand the proper way to conduct yourself. You are truly an example for all of us.”
Jiang Wanyue curled her lips into a smile.
Perhaps because she had grown up under the red flag, she naturally possessed a deep sense of patriotism and love for her country.
That spirit of patriotism could never be erased.
Unfortunately, the pleasant atmosphere was ruined by the arrival of Liu Shuying.
Seeing everyone eating fragrant grilled fish, Liu Shuying was furious.
The fish over the fire sizzled as the oil dripped from it, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. She immediately ordered Lin Jingyuan,
“Big Brother, Mother is injured. Take out the golden sore medicine and give it to her. Also, Mother hasn’t eaten any fish yet, so I’ll take some over to her. Grill the fish and bring it to her.
“Oh, and Mother likes things clean. Pick out all the fish bones and wrap the fish in leaves.
“Choose pretty leaves. Mother likes round leaves; she doesn’t like oval ones. And…”
“Stop!”
Jiang Wanyue interrupted Liu Shuying’s endless stream of instructions.
Liu Shuying’s expression stiffened at being interrupted.
“I haven’t finished speaking!”
“You don’t need to. Get lost!”
Pick out all the fish bones?
Wrap it in leaves?
And the leaves had to be pretty, while oval leaves were forbidden!
Seriously?
Did she think she was some kind of empress?
Every word set Jiang Wanyue’s temper ablaze.
Shen Qingru had long since grown accustomed to Liu Shuying’s behavior. That old madam of the Lin family had relied on being her mother-in-law to make things difficult for her.
She had done things like this at mealtimes before, complaining that she didn’t like oval plates and only liked round ones. Oval plates weren’t round enough and were supposedly unlucky, while round plates symbolized family reunion.
After Shen Qingru replaced all the plates, she would complain that the food had gone cold and that the old woman was going to starve to death.
There were countless incidents like this.
Seeing Jiang Wanyue speak to her that way, Liu Shuying pointed at her and cursed,
“How dare you speak to me like that, you little bitch! Taking off your shoes and socks and shamelessly trying every possible way to seduce men. Can’t you live without a man? Ah—!”
A scream rang out, startling the birds resting in the trees into flight.
Jiang Wanyue firmly bent Liu Shuying’s index finger backward.
“Is this the finger you were pointing at me with?
“I hate it when people point their fingers at me.”
Seeing Liu Shuying’s brows knit together in pain, Jiang Wanyue pressed even harder.
“Ah… It hurts! It hurts! Let go of me! It hurts…”
Liu Shuying felt as though Jiang Wanyue was about to break her finger. She hurriedly begged for mercy.
“Let go of me!”
“If you dare come here and act insolently again, I won’t mind breaking it.”
“No, no, I won’t! I won’t dare again. Please let go!”
“Hmph!”
“Get lost!”
Watching Liu Shuying flee in disarray, Shen Qingru couldn’t help but feel a great weight lift from her chest.
Back home, Liu Shuying had always been the one making the most trouble. Seeing her finally get taught a lesson actually felt quite satisfying.
She moved closer to Jiang Wanyue, her eyes practically sparkling with admiration.
“Wanyue, you’re amazing! Even someone as difficult as your second aunt was sent running.”
“It’s not that I’m amazing. She’s simply the type who bullies the weak and fears the strong. So, Mother, don’t be afraid of her. Once you stand up for yourself, she won’t dare bully you.”
Shen Qingru thoughtfully nodded.
Just as the two were chatting, something seemed to have happened over at the Xiao family’s side.
Several women’s cries of alarm and sobbing could be heard.