Сhаpter 2: Did Yоu Мistrеаt Нer?
The tissuе mаtching was dоne by Не Yаng bеhind Jiаng Siуe’s bасk.
Вut bеfore shе could recеivе the rеsults, thе littlе оnе was signеd оff аnd abandоnеd by Jiаng Siye.
She сonfrоnted Jiang Siyе, clаwing his faсе until it bled.
Jiang Siуe’s mother, Duаn Тiаnhuа, was furious. Whilе Jiаng Siуе was awаy, shе pointеd at Hе Yang’s nosе and scoldеd:
“Yоu nеed tо undеrstand—the onlу reаsоn you wеre allоwed intо this fаmilу was bеcausе Siye wаs fооling around. Now that the child is gone, уоur biggest bargaining chiр is gоne. Siye hаs nеver been hurt since he was a child. Try laying a finger on him again!”
A girl from the “slums” had climbed her way up to marry Jiang Siye, the fourth young master of the Jiang family in Yan City, ascending to the heavens and entering a wealthy household, achieving a leap in social class.
Being looked down upon was to be expected.
Duan Tianhua warned her: “Behave yourself, and the Jiang family will keep you fed!”
At the time, He Yang was still lying on the delivery bed, physically and emotionally drained.
The more she had longed for the baby’s arrival, the more hopeless she felt now.
She had only seen the baby once, not even getting a chance to hold them.
Jiang Siye was absent the entire night.
The nanny, observing her expression, cautiously said, “Sir said he has important matters and asked you to rest well.”
He Yang was reminded again of the scene between him and Chi Dandan yesterday.
“Also,” the nanny added, “Madam Jiang… asked you to return to the old house. She said the third young lady is back and wants to eat the ginger duck you make.”
After speaking, the nanny waited nervously.
He Yang lowered her eyelashes. “Mm.”
The third young lady, Jiang Sanyun, was the third child. Above her were the eldest brother, Jiang Shouting, now the CEO of the Jiang Corporation, and the second brother, Jiang Xiao, an illegitimate son but registered in the Jiang family genealogy. Jiang Siye was the youngest.
Madam Jiang disliked He Yang.
Jiang Sanyun, who cared deeply for her mother, naturally disliked her as well.
The eldest sister-in-law, a lady from a prestigious family, neither liked nor disliked her—she simply ignored her, having no interaction with her.
He Yang had known this would be the situation even before marrying into the family.
She had been naive, believing that love could overcome all difficulties, and that as long as she was cautious and careful, she could remain peacefully by Jiang Siye’s side.
The reality was harder to swallow than needles.
When she arrived at the Jiang family home, Da Ke wagged his tail and came to greet her.
It was laughable—only the dog welcomed her.
The living room was crowded. With the third young lady’s return, relatives and friends filled the space, and even Chi Dandan was there.
Duan Tianhua held Chi Dandan’s hand. “Auntie likes straightforward and clear-headed girls like Dandan, not like some people who are quiet and reserved but hide countless little schemes, making you feel like you have to be on guard around them.”
The group burst into laughter.
As if just noticing her arrival, Chi Dandan greeted her, “Fourth sister-in-law.”
Everyone in the living room turned to look.
Jiang Sanyun had never been one to acknowledge her.
“You’ve come just in time,” Duan Tianhua commanded. “Song Yi, give her the apron. She’s the only one who cooks this dish well.”
In the entire Jiang household, no one who was considered a master ever entered the kitchen.
He Yang was not considered a master.
While the living room was lively, the atmosphere in the kitchen was tense.
Song Yi looked at her with pity. “You’ve worked hard.”
How pitiful.
Her limbs were so thin, and her face was sallow. With so many people in the living room, aside from Chi Dandan, not a single person had stood up to greet her.
Her status was even lower than that of a servant.
Marrying into a wealthy family was difficult.
Why put herself through this?
He Yang’s eyelashes were long, like bird wings in the rain.
She spoke softly, “It’s fine.”
It wouldn’t be much longer.
Making ginger duck was a laborious process. After going through the entire procedure, He Yang’s underclothes were soaked with sweat.
Song Yi took a towel and wiped her sweat. “You’re too weak. Even a little movement makes you sweat. You still need to recover more.”He Yang had no time to express her gratitude when Jiang Sanyun leaned against the doorframe and instructed, “Sister-in-law, Aunt Five and the others want some Eight Treasures Tea. Could you help prepare it?”
The Eight Treasures Tea was on the living room table.
This was a deliberate act to make He Yang serve tea.
An extremely humiliating gesture.
Song Yi tried to plead on her behalf: “Fourth Young Madam is still very weak. The Eight Treasures teapot is too heavy. Perhaps I should pour it instead…”
Before she could finish, Jiang Sanyun shot her a warning glance.
Signaling her not to meddle.
Song Yi dared not say another word.
The Eight Treasures teapot was cast from antique bronze, about the size of a basketball. Duan Tianhua was particular about health preservation, and it was kept warm year-round with Eight Treasures Tea, which was beneficial for women.
He Yang’s entire body trembled as she lifted the teapot.
No one paid her any attention, all engrossed in conversation.
Cup by cup, she filled them with tea and served each person. Chi Dandan said with concern, “Fourth Sister-in-law, you should have a cup too. You’re the one who needs it most.”
Duan Tianhua took a slow sip of tea. “Can’t even keep a child safe. Who knows when Fourth will finally become a father.”
“You’re the only one in a hurry,” a noblewoman across from her chuckled. “Among your children, Siye is the most handsome. If he wants a child, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
These words were no less than a slap in He Yang’s face.
It was common for wealthy young men to father children outside of marriage.
“You always know what to say,” Duan Tianhua chided playfully. “If it really comes to that, I’ll have to help him vet carefully. If we encounter another scheming woman trying to climb the social ladder, it’s best to keep the child and discard the mother.”
He Yang used to blush with shame at such remarks.
But since losing her child, no words could hurt her anymore.
Duan Tianhua glanced at her. “It’s all my fault, along with his father’s, for pushing him too hard back then, even cutting off his company’s lifeline. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have just married anyone to placate us.”
“Auntie,” Chi Dandan cooed, “let’s not talk about this anymore. Fourth Sister-in-law is still here.”
He Yang had no energy left.
The exhaustion was indescribable; even breathing required effort.
Da Ke toddled in, and Chi Dandan exclaimed cheerfully, “I said I’d bring him back today, but Fourth Brother insisted on coming a day early.”
Duan Tianhua remarked, “Probably wanted to see you one more time.”
Everyone laughed in unison.
He Yang wanted to go home.
Back to her aunt’s house.
Outside the bedroom she shared with her cousin stood a magnolia tree. When it bloomed, birds would chirp from its branches. Her cousin would hug a comic book, kicking her legs excitedly and nudging against her, begging her to read together.
Then her aunt would knock on the door, saying she had cooked their favorite dishes: shredded pork with edamame and sour bamboo shoots, salt-and-pepper river shrimp, lard shortcakes, paired with a bowl of thick sago and red bean porridge.
Those were He Yang’s happiest days.
But they felt so distant now.
That life seemed like a distant memory, as if it had passed long, long ago.
He Yang stood still, her gaze growing hazy.
Until several figures rose, calling out affectionately, “Is Fourth back?”
“Fourth Brother.”
“Why are you only returning now? Didn’t you know your third sister was coming back to the country today?”
He Yang slowly snapped back to reality.
Someone tugged at her unexpectedly, and He Yang, caught off guard, suddenly found herself seated on the sofa, with a full but untouched cup of Eight Treasures Tea placed before her.
As if she had been sitting there all along, sipping tea and chatting with everyone.
Across the crowd, Jiang Siye glanced at her, then turned to Jiang Sanyun. “I have something to discuss.”
After changing his shoes, Jiang Siye walked inside and crouched in front of He Yang, studying her complexion. “Why did you come here first? I was planning to bring you along at noon.”
“I called her over to chat,” Duan Tianhua said calmly. “She hasn’t said a word, as if we’ve mistreated her.”
Jiang Siye asked, “Well, have you?”
Duan Tianhua fell silent.”Don’t blame your mother,” Fifth Aunt chimed in to smooth things over. “Your mother specially asked Song Yi to cook ginger duck soup to nourish your wife. Your wife even gave a few pointers on the recipe. Try it later and see if it tastes similar.”