Someone was sent to fetch Zhu Xian. It took her quite a while to arrive, and the moment she caught sight of Wei Zhao’s thunderous expression, her legs nearly gave out.
She immediately dropped to her knees.
“This subordinate deserves death. I escorted them back to the main residence earlier and neglected Miss Jiang. Please punish me, Master.”
Wei Zhao’s gaze fell on her lavishly embroidered brocade robe.
“Zhu Xian, are you cold?”
Caught off guard, Zhu Xian stammered, “…N-No, I’m not. Thank you for your concern, Master.”
Her master had always treated her like one of his male subordinates. Since when had he ever been this considerate?
“Good. Since you’re not cold, take off your outer robe and give it to her. Hurry.”
Zhu Xian: “…”
See? She knew it. If her master ever became truly considerate, fish would start flying.
The moment Jiang Yihuan was wrapped in the robe, she stopped crying. Without a word, she curled herself into the blanket like a spring roll and fell asleep almost instantly.
Zhu Xian cautiously asked, “Should I buy Miss Jiang some clothes? She’s… rather pitiful.”
The young lady had endured a long journey to the capital expecting to reunite with her brother and finally enjoy a better life.
Instead, her brother had been exiled by his enemy, she herself had been placed under house arrest, and she’d nearly been burned alive. The only reason she hadn’t gone mad was because she was so simple-minded.
Wei Zhao nodded.
“Take money from the treasury. Buy yourself a few outfits as well, to compensate for the robe.”
Overjoyed, Zhu Xian thought to herself that perhaps she could continue serving under her master for a while longer after all.
A light rain began to fall that night.
Wei Zhao had always occupied the entire courtyard by himself. He wasn’t accustomed to having anyone sleeping in the side chambers, which only made him resent Jiang Qianli even more.
A storm never lasted long, but the drizzle lingered, pattering steadily against the stone steps until dawn.
The moment Jiang Yihuan opened her eyes, four maids hurried forward.
“Miss, you’re awake. Allow us to help you wash and dress.”
They brought her a brand-new outfit—one Zhu Xian had purchased at dawn after paying a hefty price to persuade a shop to open early.
After washing and changing, Jiang Yihuan spun happily before a bronze mirror taller than half her height. Her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Such beautiful clothes!
The maids then served breakfast.
Eight dishes—both meat and vegetables—along with four kinds of pastries and a small pot of rich jade-green rice porridge.
Jiang Yihuan swallowed hard, quickly grabbing the edge of the table before the delicious aroma nearly made her faint.
Back in the countryside, there was never enough grain. She ate only one meal a day.
This single breakfast from Wei Zhao was more food than she’d eaten over several days before.
…So this is what life as a prisoner is like?
Just then, someone from the main residence arrived to summon Wei Zhao.
His mother, Madam Heng, wished to see him.
“And she specifically requested that you bring that beautiful young lady with you.”
Madam Heng’s personal maid pleaded gently, “Young Master, Madam has been bedridden for a long time. She’s only begun recovering these past few days, and she’s been worrying about you constantly.”
At the mention of his mother, Wei Zhao’s expression softened.
“…Very well. I’ll bring her.”
He turned to Jiang Yihuan, who was walking around after eating far too much to aid her digestion.
“Come with me. We’re going to see my mother.”
Though the girl was a little slow-witted, she had a lively spirit that might brighten his mother’s mood.
Jiang Yihuan’s eyes widened.
“Your mother? You’re taking me to meet my mother-in-law already? I… I’m not ready yet!”
Wei Zhao flicked her forehead in annoyance.
“My mother! And don’t spout nonsense in front of her, understood?”
“I understand! I’m so pretty she’ll definitely like me!”
Wei Zhao gave her a look of utter disdain.
That gaudy multicolored brocade outfit was dazzling enough to blind people.
What terrible taste does Zhu Xian have?
Wei Zhao traveled in extravagant style, with luxurious carriages, fine horses, and numerous attendants, drawing the attention of everyone on the streets.
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped on a broad avenue lined with stately mansions. In the distance stood the official market drum tower.
Jiang Yihuan poked her head out.
“Wei Zhao, where are we? There are so many beautiful houses! Do high-ranking officials live here?”
Zhu Xian answered before he could.
“These residences all belong to the Wei family.”
Jiang Yihuan was dumbfounded.
The entire street belonged to the Wei family?
And in the most prosperous part of the capital?
Her brother had once told her that rent in the capital was outrageously expensive. He had no choice but to squeeze into communal lodging with fellow officials, where people ground their teeth, snored, farted, and kicked each other in their sleep every night.
Thinking about the beautiful room she had been given, she couldn’t help grinning foolishly.
Wei Zhao had no idea what she found so amusing.
“Get out of the carriage.”
Before them stood massive bronze gates adorned with beast-head knockers.
Above them hung a blackwood plaque bearing two bold characters:
Wei Residence.
“A residence?” Jiang Yihuan exclaimed. “Wei Zhao, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a plaque that says ‘Residence.'”
“Only the Chancellor and Imperial Princes are entitled to use that title.”
“Anyone else who hangs such a plaque commits the crime of overstepping their rank.”
Jiang Yihuan blinked.
“But… you’re neither the Chancellor nor an Imperial Prince.”
“Exactly.”
“I had it put up illegally.”
“Do you have a problem with that?” Wei Zhao asked as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Jiang Yihuan hurriedly shook her head.
“N-No… no problem at all.”
Once inside, she grew even more nervous.
The buildings were magnificent. Their glazed roof tiles shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. Just one tile looked expensive enough to cover several years of her living expenses.
She quietly grabbed the edge of Wei Zhao’s wide sleeve and followed closely behind him.
Madam Heng lived in Zhaoyue Hall.
Two rows of maids stood waiting in the courtyard.
“Greetings, Young Master.”
Another maid lifted the crystal-beaded curtain at the entrance.
“Please come in, Young Master.”
Seated in the place of honor was a graceful woman around forty years old. Beside her stood a girl of sixteen or seventeen.
Wei Zhao bowed respectfully.
“Your son greets Mother.”
Madam Heng smiled with delight.
“Xiguang, you’ve come back!”
Wei Zhilan cheerfully called out,
“Big Brother!”
Wei Zhao ignored her and gestured for Jiang Yihuan to step forward.
“Mother, this is the young lady you wished to meet—Jiang Qianli’s younger sister.”
Madam Heng’s eyes settled on Jiang Yihuan, and she looked pleasantly surprised.
“What a beautiful girl. What is your name?”
Imitating Wei Zhao’s bow, Jiang Yihuan saluted respectfully.
“Replying to Mother, my surname is Jiang, and my given name is Yihuan.”
“…Mother?”
All three members of the Wei family froze.
Wei Zhao gritted his teeth.
“You little fool. You should address her as Madam.”
Wei Zhilan frowned.
“What nonsense are you saying? Didn’t your mother ever teach you proper manners? Your brother is a convicted criminal, so behave yourself.”
Startled, Jiang Yihuan quickly knelt halfway before Madam Heng.
“M-Madam… please don’t let her scold me. I’ve never had a mother since I was little, so no one ever taught me these things. And when my brother tried to kill Wei Zhao… I didn’t know anything about it.”
Madam Heng’s heart immediately softened.
“Don’t be afraid. None of this is your fault.”
The poor girl had been living peacefully in the countryside.
It was her own son who had insisted on bringing her to the capital.
What a sin.
A senior maid entered to report,
“Young Master, the Old Madam is waiting for you.”
The old matriarch had every reason to be anxious. Her eldest legitimate grandson had finally returned after many days away. If he failed to pay his respects, where would her dignity as the family matriarch go?
Wei Zhao didn’t budge.
Back then, his grandmother had humiliated both him and his mother countless times and had even nearly expelled him from the Wei family.
He had no desire to deal with her.
Madam Heng stood.
“Xiguang, regardless of everything, she is still your grandmother. Go pay your respects—for your father’s sake.”
Wei Zhao nodded.
Turning to Jiang Yihuan, he said,
“Stay here with my mother. I’ll come back for you shortly.”
Jiang Yihuan obediently nodded.
As soon as he left, Wei Zhilan grabbed her hand.
“Don’t stay cooped up inside. I’ll take you to admire the flowers.”
Jiang Yihuan fidgeted with her fingers.
“I’d rather not… My health isn’t very good. I’d prefer to stay here with Madam.”
This beautiful young lady didn’t seem to like her very much.
“Don’t disturb Mother. Come with me.”
Madam Heng smiled as well.
“Miss Jiang, you and Lan’er are about the same age. Go have some fun with her.”
Jiang Yihuan obediently agreed.
The weeping crabapple blossoms in the garden were in full bloom.
A group of noble young ladies chatted merrily as they admired the flowers.
Wei Zhilan led Jiang Yihuan into the gathering.
One of the girls smiled.
“Zhilan, who is she? I’ve never seen her before.”
“She’s Jiang Qianli’s younger sister, Jiang Yihuan.”
Wei Zhilan’s expression turned cold.
“Jiang Qianli’s sister? Wasn’t Jiang Qianli exiled? Where did she come from?”
Sensing the unfriendly atmosphere, Jiang Yihuan offered them a timid, friendly smile.
A young lady named Pei Nianfang pointed accusingly at her.
“So you’re Jiang Qianli’s sister! Your brother attempted to assassinate General Wei, and you still have the nerve to smile? How dare you even step into the Wei family?”
Jiang Yihuan replied timidly,
“Big Sisters, please don’t scold me. Wei Zhao was the one who brought me here. And… since no one in his family has passed away, I can’t exactly walk around with a mournful face, can I?”
The entire group fell silent.
“…”
Her answer left everyone speechless.