“What do you mean by that, Mother? You and Father have always taught us to be people of our word.”
Though Zhao Xian’s expression showed displeasure, inwardly she felt a small sense of satisfaction—guiding Jiang Wei’s train of thought was much easier than Jiang Heng’s. “Must you ask so clearly? You two don’t seem like you could be siblings anyway. I don’t want to be criticized and mocked behind my back when things come to light in the future.”
“What do you mean, ‘things come to light’? Is that how Mother thinks of her son?”
Zhao Xian nearly rolled her eyes. “Then why don’t you do something that doesn’t make me overthink?”
Mentioning Cui Tingyue, Jiang Wei’s previously humble and apologetic demeanor vanished, replaced by righteous indignation. “The keepsake my benefactor left for Tingyue is lost. It’s very important to her, and I promised my benefactor I would take care of Tingyue. Is Mother now teaching her son to be a person who breaks his word?”
Hah, so he’s throwing the question back at her? What a scoundrel.
The calm on Zhao Xian’s face faded, her expression turning sharper and her tone shifting. “Are the servants we keep in the household just freeloaders? Does the eldest young master have to search for things himself? I, the mistress of the household, only learned about the situation from others. What, as your mother, am I not worthy of knowing the decisions you make in anything you do?”
Thinking back to when Li Lianniang was giving birth, Chilan had even come to request an exit tally. Truly, without comparison, there’s no sense of hurt.
With that, Zhao Xian held up two fingers. “This is the second time—the second time you’ve casually handed Xiu Jie’er off to someone and left. If this had happened outside the estate, I wouldn’t dare imagine the consequences.”
Seeing the mother and son’s conversation grow increasingly heated, Li Lianniang wanted to intervene, but after hearing her mother-in-law’s words, she closed her mouth, her eyes slightly reddening.
She stood up, picked up Xiu Jie’er, and left the room. She couldn’t refute her mother-in-law’s words, nor could she speak up to defend her husband.
So she simply took the child away, sparing Xiu Jie’er from hearing those unflattering things about her father, thus preserving Jiang Wei’s dignity.
Jiang Shuxiu: “??”
Xiu Jie’er had been listening intently—Cui Tingyue must not become her father’s concubine.
But alas, she couldn’t speak.
Just as she was worrying, she was suddenly carried away.
Looking closely, the one carrying her was her mother, so she couldn’t even cry.
Watching Li Lianniang leave with the child, Zhao Xian didn’t stop her. Instead, she said to Jiang Wei, “If you want to take a concubine, do it sooner rather than later. Don’t use the mourning period as a pretext to engage in ambiguous behavior while insisting with righteous words that you’re completely innocent.”
Zhao Xian paused, her tone carrying a note of admonishment. “Don’t ruin her reputation, and don’t ruin the Jiang family’s reputation either.”
Li Lianniang had only been married into the Jiang family for a little over a year. She shared childhood ties with Jiang Wei and held affection for him. Even in the book, it was only after Jiang Wei had tormented her for nearly a decade that he proposed their separation.
After much thought, Zhao Xian decided the only way was to pressure Jiang Wei through Cui Tingyue—to force him to see himself clearly and to correct his attitude.
“I’ve said all I need to say. Think it over carefully and come back to me with your decision—whether she becomes your concubine or an adopted daughter of the Jiang family.
If it’s the former, she’ll rely on you for everything from now on, and I won’t say another word about it, because that’s a private matter of your household’s inner quarters. Keeping her in line will be your and Lianniang’s responsibility.
If it’s the latter, then you and she must clearly understand who is in charge of the Jiang family and who should be reported to when matters arise.”
Having spoken at length, Zhao Xian felt her mouth dry. She picked up her teacup to moisten her throat.
Jiang Wei’s expression turned cold and stern. “Mother, I have already written to Father. The matter of adopting Tingyue as an adopted daughter remains unchanged.”
Zhao Xian set down her teacup. “Don’t be so quick to draw conclusions. If this matter is truly settled, then from now on you must not set foot in Zhuqin Yuan even once. Tingyue’s affairs will be entirely handled by me, and you are not to interfere or inquire.”
Seeing Jiang Wei frown with an expression of displeasure, Zhao Xian continued, “If you were to bring your female cousins into the residence, would you directly barge into their private chambers?”
Jiang Wei instinctively clenched his fists, his body trembling uncontrollably. The dignity, restraint, and propriety of a gentleman crumbled in that moment.
In the end, he left Haitang Ju with a pale face.
Nanny He showed a look of pity. “Madam, weren’t those words a bit too harsh?”
Zhao Xian held her teacup. Which of those words was harsh? She was merely stating the facts.
She didn’t answer Nanny He, instead instructing, “Find two clever maids and have these words conveyed to Miss Cui.”
After speaking, Zhao Xian was momentarily lost in thought. She had been quite formidable just now, but upon second thought, were these truly her own thoughts, or those of the original body?
She was just an ordinary office worker, aware of her own limitations. It didn’t feel like words she could have spoken herself.
Yingchun entered the inner chamber to report, “Madam, the eldest young mistress has taken Xiu Jie’er back, saying she will come tomorrow to pay her respects.”
Zhao Xian nodded. Her voice hadn’t been low earlier; Li Lianniang must have heard it when she left.
Making a decision alone is difficult, so let the three of them decide together, then compare answers.
Nanny He glanced toward outside the room. “Madam, hasn’t the eldest young mistress always stubbornly refused to agree to the eldest young master taking a concubine? Even if you force the eldest young master to make a decision, if the eldest young mistress still adamantly refuses, this matter cannot be accomplished.”
Zhao Xian naturally knew this as well, and also understood that it was all Jiang Wei’s fault.
In the book, for the sake of torment, he dragged things out for so many years, always stubbornly refusing to take a concubine, instead deceiving Li Lianniang into foolishly playing the role of a shrew with a bad reputation.
That was why she had all three of them give her their answers.
“Choose clever maids to convey the message, and have them deliver it naturally.”
At this time, Cui Tingyue had not yet completed her mourning period, and her interactions with Jiang Wei were still not extensive.
How she chooses will be up to her.
Before there was any movement from Jiang Wei’s side, Cui Tingyue came first to pay her respects to Zhao Xian.
Cui Tingyue knelt before Zhao Xian as soon as she arrived. Her voice was still somewhat weak, but her words were clear and logical: “Tingyue pays her respects to Mother, wishing Mother happiness, longevity, and good health. I beg Mother to forgive Tingyue for her delayed visit. As I am in mourning, I feared bringing inauspiciousness to joyous occasions and dared not frequently visit Yunzhu Yuan.”
Hearing her words, Zhao Xian raised an eyebrow.
Her explanation was quite reasonable.
Before Zhao Xian could speak, Cui Tingyue continued, “Tingyue has come today mainly to beg Mother for forgiveness. Tingyue’s mother passed away early and did not teach me many rules. Tingyue should not have been willful and delayed Eldest Brother’s duties. I earnestly beg Mother to punish and instruct me.”
As she spoke, she placed her hands together before her forehead and bowed deeply.
“Help her up quickly,” Zhao Xian felt as if sitting on pins and needles. Such a grand gesture—could it shorten her lifespan?
Nanny He and Shaoyao hurried forward, supporting Cui Tingyue on either side as she rose, while Yingchun brought a stool.
Cui Tingyue looked quite haggard overall, giving an impression of fragility like a willow swaying in the wind. Her eyes were still somewhat swollen.
According to the servants, since returning to Zhuqin Yuan, she had been weeping daily, deeply sorrowful.
Zhao Xian reasonably suspected that the keepsake had not been placed by Cui Tingyue; otherwise, she was truly too skilled at pretending, and to have kept it up for so long.
“Child, when did I ever say I was angry with you?”
Cui Tingyue spoke with more resolve than before: “Mother is magnanimous, but Tingyue must no longer act willfully.”
Zhao Xian was pleased with Cui Tingyue’s understanding of the situation. Compared to becoming a concubine, being an official’s daughter was clearly better—even a fool would know which to choose.
Servants began setting out the meal. Zhao Xian had no desire to discuss right and wrong with Cui Tingyue; what she wanted was an attitude, and that was enough.
“Have you had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet. Tingyue will serve Mother her meal.”
“Sit down and eat together. We’re family; there’s no need for formality.”
But Cui Tingyue shook her head and said, “Serving Mother is only proper. Previously, because Tingyue was in mourning, it was inappropriate to intrude upon joyous occasions. Now, I must make up for it, or else Tingyue’s heart will remain uneasy.”
Zhao Xian clicked her tongue. She had come to realize that the only one in this household truly incapable of speaking tactfully was Jiang Wei.
“Your health isn’t strong either. There’s no need to stand on ceremony; sit down.”
Cui Tingyue shook her head again. “Mother is kind and cares for Tingyue. Meeting Mother is Tingyue’s fortune. Please allow Tingyue to learn how to serve properly, and correct me wherever I go wrong.”
Zhao Xian hadn’t expected Cui Tingyue, who appeared so gentle and delicate, to be so stubborn. After a few rounds of back-and-forth, she relented. It was early in the morning, and she was feeling rather lazy, so she let it be.
When Li Lianniang arrived with Xiu Jie’er, Zhao Xian had Cui Tingyue copying texts—there were ready-made ones in the room anyway. With her father’s keepsake missing, she needed something to distract herself in her current state.
Meanwhile, she wondered whether Jiang Wei had discovered the keepsake in his study.
“Mother, your daughter-in-law and Xiu Jie’er are here to pay our respects.”
“Quick, let me see our Xiu Jie’er. I miss her terribly after just a moment apart. Will you play the guess-the-pouch game again today?”
Li Lianniang, recalling the small items Zhao Xian had instructed her to store away for Xiu Jie’er, smiled and said, “Mother, she’s still so young; how could she guess? It’s always you who ends up giving them to her.”
Zhao Xian didn’t explain. She took Xiu Jie’er into her arms and secretly winked.
Seeing Cui Tingyue there as well, Li Lianniang was slightly taken aback. “Miss Cui is here too.”
Cui Tingyue set down her brush and greeted Li Lianniang with a peer-level bow. “Sister-in-law.”
“Lianniang, come here. I have something to discuss with you.” Zhao Xian looked at the two of them; such beauty was truly a delight to behold.
Li Lianniang, puzzled, followed Zhao Xian into the inner chamber. Before Zhao Xian could speak, she spoke first: “Mother, I agree to my husband taking Miss Cui as a concubine.”
Li Lianniang had thought it over thoroughly. Jiang Wei’s childhood promise of “one lifetime, one person” was merely childish talk; how could she cling to it forever?
She had also come to understand that even if it weren’t Cui Tingyue, it would be someone else. The kind of love found in storybooks—how could she possibly deserve it?
Better to be a magnanimous principal wife. Reflecting on it, since her marriage, she had repeatedly rejected the maids her mother-in-law had prepared for her husband as companions, which had angered her mother-in-law.
These past few days had made Li Lianniang see clearly who she should truly strive to please.
“Huh?”
Li Lianniang’s words struck Zhao Xian like a blow, completely exceeding her expectations for Li Lianniang’s response.
The words she had originally intended to say were pushed aside.
“Lianniang, have you misunderstood something?”
Although she had been waiting for answers from all three, Li Lianniang’s was the most surprising. She had thought she would be among the silent ones.
Li Lianniang shook her head: “No, my husband will take a concubine sooner or later. Miss Cui comes from a respectable family and has done him a great kindness. There could be no one better.”
Though Li Lianniang spoke these words, her eyes looked as if they were about to shatter.
Zhao Xian quickly interjected: “Stop your wild imaginings. Tingyue has no intention of becoming a concubine.”
Ultimately, the root of this matter lay with Jiang Wei—it was his attitude that affected both young women.
“I didn’t call you here to discuss this. I intend to gradually hand over the management of the household affairs to you. From now on, you will be in charge.”
Li Lianniang had actually been prepared for this, as her mother-in-law had been teaching her household management these past days, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon: “Mother, how can this be? I… there is still so much I don’t know.”
“If you don’t know, then learn. As the eldest daughter-in-law, you will have to manage the household eventually. Don’t worry, I will have Nanny He assist you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask her. If you can’t make a decision, come to me.”
Zhao Xian gave her a reassuring promise and added: “But there is one more thing I need to trouble you with.”
“Please tell me, Mother.”
“Taking Miss Cui as my adopted daughter is no falsehood. Once your father-in-law returns, we will hold a grand ceremony. Since you will be managing the household, take her with you and let her assist you.”
In the book, the two had little contact, their only common point being Jiang Wei. She wanted to see what would happen if she placed them together—if conflicts arose, they could be resolved promptly and openly. Would the tragic plotlines from the book still occur?
Li Lianniang didn’t understand her mother-in-law’s intentions, but she was accustomed to obedience and nodded in agreement: “Yes.”
That “yes” was soft and gentle.
Too obedient. Why didn’t she ask more questions?
Zhao Xian saw the confusion in Li Lianniang’s eyes, along with a hint of resistance, yet she agreed without asking anything.
In the book, it was the same. Even though she knew what difficulties she would face alone when dealing with her own mother-in-law, she never once said “no” to Jiang Wei.
When scolded for failing to control her husband, she simply endured it silently.
It was only after accumulating enough disappointment and leaving that she finally learned to refuse.
Zhao Xian held back but couldn’t keep her words in: “If you are unwilling, you must learn to refuse.”