Madam Heng responded gently. Once the messenger had left, however, her expression turned cold.
Back then, her mother-in-law had believed the rumors that Wei Zhao was not truly a member of the Wei family by blood. Because of that misunderstanding, both she and her son had suffered endless neglect. It was something she had never forgiven.
Still, the Wei family was complicated, and with her husband caught in the middle, basic courtesies had to be maintained.
Smiling, she said, “Yihuan, come with me to pay our respects to the Old Madam. She’s strict, but she does care for her younger family members. Don’t be afraid.”
She had expected Jiang Yihuan to refuse or throw a tantrum. If that happened, Madam Heng would have had the perfect excuse to decline her mother-in-law’s summons.
Instead, Yihuan’s eyes lit up.
“Sure! I’ve always envied people who have a grandmother! Will the Old Madam share her delicious treats and beautiful jewelry with me?”
Madam Heng’s smile stiffened.
“…Perhaps.”
Wei Zhilan wasn’t particularly eager to go either. Their grandmother had never been especially fond of her.
Seeing Jiang Yihuan grinning foolishly, she warned, “When we’re in front of Grandmother, don’t speak carelessly.”
Jiang Yihuan nodded vigorously.
“I know. I’m not stupid.”
Wei Zhilan and Madam Heng exchanged complicated looks.
The Old Madam’s courtyard was bustling with people.
She had daughters-in-law from all five branches of the family. Together with granddaughters-in-law and granddaughters, dozens of women filled the courtyard.
As soon as Jiang Yihuan entered with Madam Heng, every pair of eyes turned toward her.
The young girl had snowy skin, thick black hair, and exquisitely delicate features. She was clearly a beauty in the making.
Old Madam Wei stared at her for a moment.
She felt strangely as though she had seen this face somewhere before, yet she couldn’t remember where.
Imitating the way Wei Zhilan had bowed, Jiang Yihuan obediently curtsied.
“Greetings, Old Madam. You look so kind.”
Old Madam Wei had spent years maintaining the dignified image of the family’s matriarch. She rarely smiled, and the deep lines around her mouth made her look anything but kind.
Still, hearing such words, she managed to force out a smile.
“You’re a good child. How has Zhao been? Is he eating and sleeping well?”
She put on the perfect act of a concerned grandmother.
“He’s doing quite well. He doesn’t read after dark, and he eats plenty. Just look how tall he’s grown. Today he accompanied the Crown Prince to the outskirts of the capital, so he left me in his mother’s care.”
Old Madam Wei gave a soft snort.
“Heng, as the eldest daughter-in-law, still has many shortcomings. I should—”
Jiang Yihuan suddenly clutched her stomach and frowned.
“Old Madam, my stomach hurts a little. May I sit down while we talk?”
Being interrupted irritated Old Madam Wei.
But remembering that she still needed Wei Zhao’s cooperation, she swallowed her displeasure.
She ordered someone to bring over a floor cushion.
Jiang Yihuan immediately sat down and happily pounded her sore legs.
“Ah… sitting is much more comfortable.”
Everyone wanted to laugh, but none of them dared.
“Old Madam, I’d like some hot soup. When are we eating? Wei Zhao said no one is allowed to let me go hungry. He’d be heartbroken.”
Zhu Xian: “…”
Huh? Did the Master ever say that?
Old Madam Wei parted her lips.
“Serve the meal!”
She sat at the head of the table.
Her daughters-in-law remained standing to attend her, while the younger generation sat below.
Lunch was lavish.
More than sixty dishes covered the long dining table.
Jiang Yihuan stuffed her cheeks full of meat before leaning forward to reach a crystal shrimp ball.
Unfortunately, the round dumpling kept slipping away from her chopsticks.
Finally, she jabbed it repeatedly.
“Little meatball! I’ve caught you!”
Everyone froze at her antics.
Madam Heng felt embarrassed.
“Yihuan, eat the dishes in front of you. Don’t forget your table manners.”
Still chewing, Jiang Yihuan imitated Wei Zhao’s cold tone.
“Wei Zhao said that if you can’t reach a dish, just stand up and get it. No matter the situation, eating your fill is more important than your reputation. If anyone laughs at me…” She paused seriously. “…then kill them.”
Old Madam Wei slammed the table.
She had indeed deprived Wei Zhao of food when he was younger.
But she had never imagined he hated her enough to say such things.
The second daughter-in-law, who had been standing nearby serving soup, was so startled that she dropped the soup bowl.
It landed squarely on Old Madam Wei’s shoulder, hot broth spilling down her clothes.
The second daughter-in-law turned deathly pale.
“Mother! I truly didn’t do it on purpose!”
Old Madam Wei barked angrily,
“What? Are you saying you would dare do it on purpose?”
Terrified of being implicated, the other daughters-in-law hurriedly escorted Old Madam Wei to the inner chambers to change.
Jiang Yihuan acted as though nothing had happened.
She ladled herself a bowl of soup and loudly announced,
“Wei Zhao also said you can’t just eat food. You have to drink soup to nourish your stomach.”
Every woman present had the same thought.
Is Wei Zhao really this nagging?
Zhu Xian felt like crying.
Master’s reputation is completely ruined…
When Old Madam Wei returned after changing, she found Jiang Yihuan holding a crystal cup and happily gulping down water.
The women around her all looked stunned, but none dared laugh, afraid Wei Zhao might hold a grudge.
Old Madam Wei shouted,
“Put that down! That’s the water for rinsing your mouth! Child!”
Jiang Yihuan wiped her lips.
“What? This water is warm and so soothing—it tastes like heavenly spring water. It was only meant for rinsing?”
Old Madam Wei took a deep breath before saying,
“You’ve only just arrived from the countryside and don’t understand proper etiquette. Why don’t you stay here in my courtyard? I’ll teach you personally.”
Madam Heng’s heart skipped a beat.
So this was Mother-in-law’s plan? Absolutely not!
Jiang Yihuan looked at her with innocent black eyes.
“Old Madam, Wei Zhao told me to stay with his mother. I belong to him, so no one can send me anywhere else.”
Old Madam Wei’s chest rose and fell with frustration.
The girl looked so simple-minded.
Why was everything she said capable of driving people mad?
After a long pause, she forced herself to say,
“…Very well. Continue staying with Madam Heng in Zhaoyue Hall.”
“Thank you, Old Madam. I’ll come visit you often.”
Seeing that the girl still appeared obedient enough, Old Madam Wei’s anger subsided somewhat.
A little foolishness isn’t so bad, she thought. Simple people are easier to control.
After returning to Zhaoyue Hall, Madam Heng finally said,
“Yihuan, you really angered the Old Madam today.”
Though her words sounded reproachful, there was unmistakable amusement in her eyes.
It wasn’t often she saw her mother-in-law suffer such a humiliating defeat.
Jiang Yihuan answered seriously,
“Madam, you’re mistaken. The Old Madam likes me very much. She even smiled at me. It wasn’t very obvious, but she did.”
Madam Heng sighed helplessly.
“Yes, yes. She likes you the most. We all like you. Now go take a nap.”
Jiang Yihuan yawned.
“I should. Wei Zhao said I need to sleep more so I’ll grow as tall as he is.”
Before she could even head to her room, a group of female relatives surrounded her.
Wei Zhao’s younger female cousin asked curiously,
“Miss Jiang, aren’t you afraid of my eldest cousin? He’s never patient with young ladies. He either gives them the cold shoulder or tells them to get lost.”
Grandmother always said Wei Zhao was an untamable little wolf who acknowledged no family ties.
Jiang Yihuan shook her head.
“Not at all. He’s very gentle and generous to me. I asked for some fabric, and he gave me Liuguang Brocade. It’s so beautiful.”
“What?”
The cousin looked shocked.
“He gave you Liuguang Brocade? Can we see it?”
“Of course. Bring my fabric up.”
Several large chests were carried in.
When they were opened, the shimmering brocade glowed brilliantly, each bolt radiant with gorgeous colors.
Everyone stared in amazement.
“How much is there? I heard only ten bolts were woven this entire year.”
“Six bolts. I had Zhu Xian measure them.”
The women quietly glanced at Madam Heng and Wei Zhilan.
The Emperor had rewarded Wei Zhao with six bolts of the priceless Liuguang Brocade…
Yet not even a single foot of it had gone to his own mother and sister?