“Mother, what happened?”
Only after the carriage had left Princess Chang’s residence did Li Lianniang finally speak.
She wasn’t foolish—Zhao Xian had changed her clothes and suddenly insisted on leaving. Something must have happened.
Zhao Xian explained about Lu Zhaoying falling into the water and how she had damaged the imperial peony while trying to save her.
Li Lianniang asked in confusion, “Wasn’t the imperial peony displayed in Hua Ting? How did it end up on the steps?”
Zhao Xian snorted lightly. “What else could it be? Someone must have tampered with it.”
But today’s incident with Lu Zhaoying falling into the water was too suspicious.
While changing clothes, Zhao Xian had asked Lu Zhaoying, who said she didn’t know who pushed her. She only remembered the girls in the waterside pavilion suddenly getting rowdy, and since she was standing at the edge, she was jostled into the water.
It sounded like an accident, but the fact that no female divers came to rescue her for a long time, while three men jumped in instead—this seemed strange no matter how you looked at it, as if someone had arranged it deliberately.
Zhao Xian had been eager to leave for two reasons: first, she didn’t want to continue arguing with Princess Rongyang; second, Li Lianniang was also a female lead, and she was worried.
If she knew the plot, she could prepare in advance. What she feared most was not knowing the plot, where incidents could suddenly occur without warning.
Li Lianniang had heard some rumors about the feud between her mother-in-law and Princess Rongyang, but she didn’t know much.
She asked with concern, “Mother, have you decided what to give Princess Chang as compensation?”
Zhao Xian replied calmly, “No.”
She had only said it casually at the time, but Princess Rongyang had latched onto it. Princess Chang was her aunt and would naturally favor Princess Rongyang.
Zhao Xian absolutely could not agree to revive the peony. If it could be revived, that would be good, but what if it couldn’t?
The peony was utterly ruined, and Princess Rongyang would undoubtedly keep a close watch on her. That’s why she had only thought of finding another way to resolve the matter at the time.
Fortunately, she hadn’t specified what the compensation would be, giving her time to think it over slowly.
When Li Lianniang heard the word “no,” she was completely stunned.
“Then… what if Princess Chang comes to press for it?”
“Then we’ll say it’s still being prepared. Surprises, after all, take time. Slow work yields fine results.”
Could it really be done this way?
Li Lianniang wore an expression of enlightenment.
Upon returning to Jiang Jia, Zhao Xian decided to write down the plot from the book.
If she had known about incidents like today’s in advance, she might have been able to handle them and wouldn’t have been caught off guard.
However, when she picked up her brush, she couldn’t write a single word about the plot of the sweet romance novel.
In contrast, when she thought about the plot of the tragic novel, ideas flowed like a fountain.
This was probably because she had not only read the original novel but had also reviewed the script again while rehearsing with her actress.
But when it came to the plot of the sweet romance novel, the only parts she remembered were the scenes between the female lead and her original self after the female lead married into Jiang Jia—and there weren’t many of those.
The mother-in-law in that story wasn’t evil either; instead, she got along well with the female lead of the sweet romance. But such scenes were boring and didn’t advance the plot, so they were very few.
Moreover, the sweet romance novel itself didn’t have much plot. It was almost entirely about the interactions and tensions between the male and female leads—nothing but sweetness.
Looking at the stark contrast between the mother-in-law’s roles in the tragic and sweet novels, Zhao Xian couldn’t help but sigh, “When the author wrote these books, did she really not consider that using the same mother-in-law in both novels would drive her insane?”
Comparing the mother-in-law’s character in the two books, they were like two extremes.
Writing furiously all night long had its consequences: the next day, Zhao Xian felt dizzy, had a stuffy nose, and was weak in all four limbs.
When the servants came to report that Madam Lu had arrived with gifts of gratitude to thank her for saving her daughter, Zhao Xian was in no condition to receive her.
Fortunately, she had already handed over the household management duties to Li Lianniang, so there was someone capable in charge.
In the main hall.
Li Lianniang received Madam Lu: “I sincerely apologize. My mother-in-law has caught a chill and is unable to receive guests. Please forgive us, Madam Lu.”
Madam Lu looked deeply concerned: “Madam Jiang caught a chill while saving my Sanniang. We truly owe her a great debt of gratitude. These are just humble gifts; I hope you won’t find them unworthy.”
Yesterday, when the servants from Princess Chang’s residence informed her that her daughter had fallen into the water, she hadn’t known the reason or the details.
It was only on the way back that she learned from Lu Zhaoying just how perilous the situation had been.
If not for Madam Jiang, her Yingying’s reputation might have been ruined.
Truth be told, her visit today had two purposes: first, to express gratitude; second, to discuss the marriage prospects between their children.
But since Madam Jiang was ill, it wasn’t the right time to bring it up.
Madam Lu didn’t stay long. After presenting the gifts, she took her leave.
Haitang Ju.
“Mother, Madam Lu sent quite a few gifts. Here is the list for your review.” Li Lianniang handed over the list of gifts sent by Madam Lu.
The tokens of gratitude were exceptionally generous, filling three large chests.
Li Lianniang suddenly remembered something, “By the way, Mother, although Madam Lu didn’t get to see you, I sensed she had something she wanted to say to you.”
“Achoo~”
In bed, Zhao Xian sneezed violently, her nose running and her head spinning painfully.
She had only wanted to leave Princess Chang’s residence yesterday, using the excuse of fearing a chill—who knew she would actually catch a cold?
As for Li Lianniang’s remark, Zhao Xian heard it but couldn’t muster the energy to think it over. Besides, being ill, she couldn’t meet Madam Lu anyway. Since the latter hadn’t spoken up, it probably wasn’t anything important.
Shaoyao entered the room carrying the prepared medicine, and Li Lianniang took it, intending to help her mother-in-law take the dose.
“Achoo~ Achoo~” Zhao Xian suddenly sneezed several times uncontrollably. Covering her mouth and nose, she said to Li Lianniang, “Stay away from me, don’t let me pass this illness to you.”
Li Lianniang was both bewildered and touched. Glancing at the medicine bowl in her hand, she said, “It’s fine. Let your daughter-in-law serve you the medicine.”
Zhao Xian reached out and snatched the bowl: “I’m not a three-year-old child who needs to be fed medicine.”
Waving Li Lianniang away repeatedly, she said, “Alright, go attend to your duties. Be careful with household matters, and if you don’t understand something, ask Nanny He. Don’t come to pay respects these next few days either. Since you’ve been near me today, avoid getting close to Xiu Jie’er for now. She’s young and can’t withstand such illnesses.”
Li Lianniang’s lips parted slightly, wanting to say something—after all, it was only right and proper for a daughter-in-law to serve her mother-in-law. But in her mother-in-law’s words, it seemed this matter was of little importance.
Moreover, she felt her mother-in-law’s reasoning made sense. Though it didn’t feel quite right, Li Lianniang couldn’t argue with her. After hesitating for a long while, she finally stood up and left.
Once she was gone, Zhao Xian set the medicine bowl down.
Shaoyao stifled a laugh beside her. It wasn’t that Madam didn’t want the young mistress to serve her—she was just afraid of taking the medicine.
Madam had once said that drinking medicine sip by sip was akin to torture.
“Madam, please drink the medicine. If it cools, its potency will diminish. I’ve brought some candied fruit.”
Zhao Xian eyed the medicine bowl several times. In ancient times, a chill could be fatal.
Steeling herself, even with her nose completely blocked, she pinched it tightly, picked up the bowl, and downed the medicine in one gulp.
“Ugh~ water,” Zhao Xian retched dryly while longing for the sweet granules of her cold medicine.
As someone who even felt nauseous drinking instant granules, she found traditional Chinese medicine even harder to stomach.
Shaoyao quickly brought over the water and preserved fruits that had been prepared in advance.
Zhao Xian’s illness lasted five or six days before she fully recovered. During the last two days when her condition improved somewhat, she tried various ways to refuse taking medicine, but still ended up being forced to drink quite a bit.
After completely recovering, the person she missed most was Jiang Shuxiu.
After all, she had been watching over and holding the child since birth, and not seeing her for several days made her miss her terribly.
Covering her mouth with a handkerchief, Zhao Xian still worried about passing the illness to the child while using her other hand to play with Jiang Shuxiu: “Our Xiu Jie’er is still the best—she won’t force her grandmother to drink medicine.”
Li Lianniang flipped through the account books, hearing her mother-in-law’s pointed remark.
Cui Tingyue covered her mouth in amusement. It was only after seeing Zhao Xian fall ill that they discovered this adorable side of her—claiming she wasn’t a child and didn’t need someone to serve her medicine, then turning around trying to slyly pour it away.
“Madam, the eldest young master has returned.”
Shortly after the servant announced, Jiang Wei entered the room.
He had returned home several days later than originally planned.
Upon entering, Jiang Wei immediately performed a deep bow of greeting: “Your son inquires after Mother’s wellbeing. Has Mother been keeping well at home?”
Zhao Xian gestured for him to rise, and after he stood up, said: “Quite well, except for catching a chill a few days ago. Fortunately, Lianniang and Tingyue attended to me, and I’ve fully recovered now.”
“Xiu Jie’er, look—your father has returned.”
Swaddled in her blankets, Jiang Shuxiu simply closed her eyes. She wouldn’t look, wouldn’t look—she held grudges and refused to lay eyes on her ill-omened father.
Seeing Jiang Wei reminded Zhao Xian of the answer she had pressed him for.
“Having just recovered from serious illness, I shouldn’t spend too much time with the child. Take her away.” She had Li Lianniang carry the child away, thus dismissing everyone.
Li Lianniang understood that her mother-in-law and husband had matters to discuss, so without another word, she carried Xiu Jie’er away along with the servants.
Cui Tingyue tightened her grip on her handkerchief. Her adoptive mother hadn’t asked her to leave, leaving her uncertain whether she should stay or go.
Zhao Xian glanced at both of them: “Sit.”
“Well, have you considered it?” She asked while looking at Jiang Wei.
Jiang Wei frowned slightly, glanced at Cui Tingyue, and replied expressionlessly: “Being siblings is naturally best, though this matter also depends on Tingyue’s wishes.”
“Tingyue is more decisive than you. The day you left, she came to pay her respects to me, attending morning and evening greetings without fail—more considerate than you biological children.”
Concubines were treated as commodities and had no right to address the mother-in-law as “mother” or “mother-in-law,” only as “Madam.”
Fortunately, Cui Tingyue was a sensible person.
Jiang Wei’s answer didn’t surprise Zhao Xian—she simply wanted him to say it aloud in front of Cui Tingyue.
If he had agreed to take Cui Tingyue as his concubine, then there would truly be something wrong with his mind.
“You’ve been busy outside all these days and probably haven’t rested well. Return to Yunzhu Yuan and get some proper rest.” Having obtained her answer, Zhao Xian dismissed him.
Jiang Wei couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, yet he distinctly felt something was amiss.
Ultimately, he said nothing more, rose, and took his leave.
With only Zhao Xian and Cui Tingyue remaining in the room, Zhao Xian looked at her sternly and said: “That day when you came to pay your respects, if you had addressed me as ‘Madam,’ today when he returned, I wouldn’t have asked him for an answer. Instead, I would have given him a deed of sale and told him to find you to sign and fingerprint it.”
The rosy color instantly drained from Cui Tingyue’s cheeks, leaving them deathly pale.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but not a single word emerged.
Zhao Xian patted the back of her hand, her voice softening: “Mother didn’t say these things to scare you on purpose, but rather to express how glad I am that you are clear-headed and intelligent. A person’s life isn’t meant to revolve solely around men. In the future, when you marry as a daughter of Jiang Jia, and go to another family, I want you to understand that placing all your hopes on others is the most foolish behavior. Only when you have the confidence to make your own decisions will others dare not look down on you.”
Living under someone else’s roof, even with the title of Jiang Wei’s benefactor’s daughter, she likely felt uneasy residing in Jiang Jia.
Zhao Xian was certain that Cui Tingyue’s previous days were far less comfortable than these past few days spent following Li Lianniang in managing the household.
Regardless of her status, in the eyes of the servants, she was merely a helpless, homeless woman relying on the eldest young master.
The servants showed respect, but it was never too much, and only superficial at that.
But following Li Lianniang in managing the household was different. She was now viewing people from the perspective of a master, as an adopted daughter of Jiang Jia.
Only then would it become clear what true respect meant.
Cui Tingyue immediately knelt down, but Zhao Xian quickly held her up: “What are you doing? Get up quickly.”
Cui Tingyue’s eyes were already filled with tears: “Tingyue thanks Mother for her teachings, and thanks Mother for giving Tingyue this opportunity.”
After her father and brother passed away, the wet nurse who had cared for her since childhood actually wanted her to submit to her son, and the once kind and affectionate uncles in the clan had also changed their attitudes.
If Jiang Wei hadn’t arrived in time, she might have lost her innocence.
She was grateful to Brother Jiang Wei, and also harbored some indescribable feelings.
But from the moment she saw Madam Jiang, she knew Madam Jiang didn’t like her. Coupled with being in mourning, she suppressed all her emotions.
Although her mother had passed away early, her father and brother had never lacked in doting on her, and they had made great efforts to teach her to distinguish right from wrong, and to respect and love herself.
She had thought about establishing her own household—with her father and brother gone, the Cui family bloodline couldn’t end like this.
But she couldn’t leave Jiang Jia; she had no ability to protect herself.
Yet, clinging solely to the debt of gratitude also made her uncomfortable, feeling she had let down her father and brother.
Fortunately, her adoptive mother had given her a choice.
A beauty in tears evoked pity in those who saw her.
Zhao Xian embraced her, gently patting her back, and comforted her: “Alright, no more crying. When Xiu Jie’er’s Manyue Jiu comes, you will follow by my side.”
Cui Tingyue knew that her adoptive mother intended to have her appear before everyone, solidifying her identity as an adopted daughter of Jiang Jia.
Her voice slightly choked, she said: “Tingyue will listen to Mother in everything.”
Yunzhu Yuan.
Jiang Wei hadn’t rested well during his days away and slept until the afternoon.
When he woke up and didn’t see Li Lianniang, he asked the servants and learned that since taking over household management, aside from returning at noon and night to rest, Li Lianniang had been busy all other times.
The maid added: “But these past few days, the young mistress has been so busy she hasn’t even returned to Yunzhu Yuan for her afternoon nap.”
At first, Jiang Wei didn’t pay it much mind and went to see his daughter. However, after not seeing her for many days, his daughter cried as soon as she saw him—not only refusing to let him hold her, but crying at the very sight of him.
As the sky darkened, he dined alone, read for a while, and waited until night fell, with lamplight flickering against the window.
But Li Lianniang still hadn’t returned. Jiang Wei put down his book and frowned, asking: “Where is the young mistress? Why hasn’t she returned yet?”
The servants shook their heads, not knowing. After sending someone to inquire, he learned that Li Lianniang was with Cui Tingyue.
Jiang Wei slightly furrowed his brows. What was Lianniang doing at Zhuqin Yuan? When had their relationship become so close?
After much deliberation, he ultimately couldn’t resist and headed toward Zhuqin Yuan.
As he approached, he recalled his mother’s previous words and stopped at the entrance. He said to the gatekeeper, “Go and announce that I have arrived.”
The servant relayed the message, but no one came to invite him inside. Instead, Li Lianniang emerged with a reluctant expression.
“Husband, why have you come? Shouldn’t you be resting more?”
Hearing these words devoid of any concern, Jiang Wei couldn’t help but frown and clench his fists. “I have come to take my wife back to Yunzhu Yuan.”