After paying respects, Jiang Yitang and Jiang Yanzhen left Rongfen Courtyard first.
Only after they had all left did Jiang Shuangyuan mutter:
"Grandmother, isn't this letting her off too easily?"
Jiang Shuangyuan frowned, somewhat dissatisfied. If the Crown Prince's illness didn't improve, that would be one thing, but if he recovered, wouldn't Jiang Yitang soar to the top overnight?
Having suppressed Jiang Yitang for so many years, Jiang Shuangyuan simply couldn't accept the possibility of her turning things around.
The old madam looked at her for a long time before suddenly saying:
"Then would you rather go instead?"
Jiang Shuangyuan's body stiffened abruptly. Without thinking, she blurted out: "I don't want to!"
That was smallpox!
It was contagious!
Jiang Shuangyuan looked at the old madam with grievance, afraid she might actually consider the idea.
Only then did the old madam give a slight tug at the corner of her mouth:
"You see, you're unwilling yourself, which shows you know deep down this isn't a good task."
"So why talk about letting her off easily?"
Jiang Shuangyuan fell silent for a moment before finally forcing out a sentence: "But… but what if the Crown Prince—"
The old madam cut her off:
"If she truly manages to seize this opportunity, then it's her fate!"
Jiang Shuangyuan still felt uncomfortable inside.
The old madam looked at her calmly and, after a long while, said: "Shuang'er, she is also your sister."
Jiang Shuangyuan wanted to retort—Jiang Yitang was not her sister!
But just as the words were about to leave her mouth, Jiang Shuangyuan suddenly realized that what her grandmother likely meant wasn't that Jiang Yitang was her sister, but that Jiang Yitang was also a member of Shangshu Fu.
Using a concubine-born daughter to gamble for such immense wealth—regardless of the outcome, Shangshu Fu wouldn't lose!
Jiang Shuangyuan abruptly fell silent.
With her grandmother's words, Jiang Shuangyuan knew that no matter how much more she said, it would be useless.
Yet, she couldn't even stop things from unfolding, nor could she secretly wish for the Crown Prince to die from his illness.
Because she was also a member of Shangshu Fu. If the Crown Prince were to die at Shangshu Fu, it would inevitably implicate the household, and she wouldn't be able to escape unscathed either.
But if asked to switch places with Jiang Yitang, Jiang Shuangyuan wouldn't be willing either.
As for her elder sister, Jiang Shuangyuan pursed her lips.
Would the household ever be willing to let their eldest sister, who had been groomed for so long, do such a thing?
Someone from the household had to go take care of that person; otherwise, her uncle would have to step in personally. If her grandmother could agree to that, the household wouldn't have been in such turmoil for so many days.
Having figured all this out, Jiang Shuangyuan could only say sullenly:
"I understand, Grandmother."
The old madam patted her back gently and said with a smile: "Shuang'er is a good girl."
After leaving Rongfen Courtyard, Jiang Shuangyuan kicked a pebble in resentment. She loathed Jiang Yitang.
After she was born, her father had met Jiang Yitang's birth mother, Concubine Song.
He brought her back to the household. In her childhood, Jiang Shuangyuan had witnessed her mother wiping away tears. Moreover, because Concubine Song was pregnant at the time, her father had neglected her for a few years during her early years. Thus, Jiang Shuangyuan naturally harbored deep hatred for Concubine Song and Jiang Yitang.
Even though Jiang Shuangyuan knew that Concubine Song hadn't entered the household willingly back then.
But Jiang Shuangyuan couldn't blame her father, so she directed all her resentment toward Concubine Song and Jiang Yitang.
Seeing this, Fengling hinted at giving her an idea:
"Miss, that's smallpox. With just a single slip-up, whether San Gu Niang can survive safely is uncertain."
Jiang Shuangyuan shot her a glare: "Don't give foolish advice!"
Scolded, Fengling could only close her mouth awkwardly.
Jiang Shuangyuan returned to her courtyard seething with anger. She truly detested Jiang Yitang, but it was undeniable that daughters of noble families were valued.
Especially in their household, including the concubine-born, there were only four girls in total.
A single marriage alliance could bring countless benefits to the family. Even if Jiang Yitang was insignificant within the household, once she came of age, there would be no shortage of suitors seeking her hand. The mere title of being from the Shangshu Fu was enough to make some flock to her.
However, her status as a concubine-born daughter greatly diminished this advantage. It was impossible for her to become the principal wife of a family with higher standing.
Minor conflicts were one thing, but if she truly did something to harm someone’s life, her father and grandmother would be the first to hold her accountable.
Even her mother, who disliked her, would not deprive her of daily necessities like food and clothing.
Unless Jiang Yitang committed some offense that made it impossible for the household to keep her… Jiang Shuangyuan narrowed her eyes, thought of something, and let out a soft, disdainful snort.
Jiang Yitang had no idea what Jiang Shuangyuan was thinking. As soon as she returned to Song’an Yuan, Qing Su could no longer hold back:
“The old madam is far too biased!”
Making a fuss to prevent the second master from going to Songrong Courtyard to care for that person, only to push her own young mistress to her death?!
Are the lives of the legitimate line so precious, while the lives of the concubine-born are as worthless as weeds?!
Qing Su’s eyes reddened, thinking of her young mistress, whom she had cared for over the years, having to suffer this ordeal. She was filled with anger and resentment.
Jiang Yitang said nothing.
Qing Su looked at her and muttered, “Aren’t you upset, young mistress?”
Jiang Yitang lowered her head, expressionless:
“I’ve long grown accustomed to it, haven’t I?”
Qing Su’s nose tingled with emotion. She hugged her young mistress and burst into tears. The concubine had passed away early, feeling nothing but relief in her final moments. How could she have known how bitterly her daughter would suffer, left alone in the Shangshu Fu?!
Jiang Yitang let her cry. Even if it happened all over again, she would still feel the same chill in her heart.
She took a deep breath and looked up at the candle burning in the room. The flickering flame was dazzling, making her instinctively close her eyes. A drop of icy coldness slid from the corner of her eye.
From the moment she awoke, she had held no expectations for the Shangshu Fu.
Jiang Yitang said in a hoarse voice:
“At least, from today onward, when I go to Songrong Courtyard, I won’t need to hide from anyone anymore.”
Qing Su wiped her tears: “How could it be the same…”
One was going voluntarily, the other was forced to go—how could they be the same?
“I only hope that person has a conscience and will one day rescue you from this sea of suffering.”
Jiang Yitang thought of Xie Yuzhao and whispered, “He will.”
To her, Xie Yuzhao had never broken a promise.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yitang raised her hand and patted her cheeks, trying to lift her spirits:
“Alright, stop crying. Xie Yuzhao is still waiting for me.”
Remembering how long the morning greetings had delayed her, Jiang Yitang realized Xie Yuzhao probably hadn’t even eaten breakfast yet. Not daring to waste any more time, she hastily wiped her face and hurried toward Songrong Courtyard.
By the time she reached Songrong Courtyard, it was nearly noon, and she happened to run into Qiuhua.
When Qiuhua saw San Gu Niang, her eyes lit up, but she timidly said:
“San Gu Niang, I heard the old madam ordered you to care for the Crown Prince. I don’t dare go in. Could you please take the lunch over?”
Jiang Yitang silently looked at her for a long moment before finally taking the food box. At the same time, she said:
“From now on, you won’t need to deliver meals anymore.”
Hearing this, Qiuhua was surprised. Far from feeling discouraged, she was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Jiang Yitang: “Thank you! Thank you, San Gu Niang!”
Jiang Yitang took the food box, covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, and pushed the door open to enter.
Hearing the movement, Xie Yuzhao opened his eyes. The next moment, his gaze fell on the woman's face and paused.
She had just been crying.
Every time she cried, it was always softly—not like others who wanted to pour out all their grievances, but rather holding back her emotions bit by bit. So, after crying, her eyes would always be red, and she would timidly pretend as if nothing had happened.
As Jiang Yitang met his gaze, she gently turned her face away, lowered her head, and struggled to help him up, her voice muffled:
"I had to pay respects to Grandmother on the fifteenth, so I came late."
After a brief pause, Jiang Yitang quickly added, "I told you yesterday."
She kept her head bowed, unwilling to meet Xie Yuzhao's eyes. First, she fetched hot water to clean his mouth and nose, then brought out the food and medicine from the food box.
Today, she not only had to feed Xie Yuzhao his medicine but also clean his body again. During illness, poor hygiene was most to be avoided.
Just as she was thinking about what to do today, she suddenly heard a low voice beside her ear:
"You cried?"
Jiang Yitang froze. In her past life, she had spent a long time with Xie Yuzhao, accustomed to him treating her the best and accustomed to telling him everything.
She instinctively turned to look, and as she did, she met Xie Yuzhao's dark eyes—like a deep, shadowy pool, impossible to discern what he was thinking.
Suddenly, Jiang Yitang felt an urge to confide in him. But soon, she snapped back to reality, lowered her head, and felt her nose sting with unshed tears. Muffled, she said:
"Grandmother asked me to take care of you."
Just that short sentence, refusing to say more. Jiang Yitang feared that if she spoke further, she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears.
In her past life, she had often cried in front of Xie Yuzhao, long since becoming a habit. Now, after five years apart, she hadn't expected this to remain unchanged.
Someone long accustomed to enduring grievances could hide nothing in front of Xie Yuzhao.
The room fell silent for a moment before Jiang Yitang suddenly realized—would Xie Yuzhao misunderstand?
Would he think she was unwilling?
Flustered, Jiang Yitang said, "It's not that I didn't want to come, it's just—"
"I know," Xie Yuzhao interrupted weakly.
Jiang Yitang looked up, stunned.
Xie Yuzhao gently took her hand and repeated:
"I know."
She was just aggrieved—that her family disregarded her life and death, pushing her into an abyss. Especially in contrast to how her grandmother desperately forbade her uncle from coming, it only highlighted her loneliness and helplessness.
Even so, the young girl before him held no hatred for Shangshu Fu.
Xie Yuzhao looked deeply at the woman.
The young girl had always been obedient. Even when wronged, she never harbored resentment.
If she knew that she would ultimately meet a tragic death at the hands of her own family, would she regret that her only request to him now was to take her away from Shangshu Fu?
Jiang Yitang's hand trembled slightly. She stared at Xie Yuzhao holding her hand, relieved that he hadn't misunderstood, yet also a little conflicted.
Her palm-sized face scrunched up in distress.
Should she remind Xie Yuzhao that his smallpox hadn't yet healed and was contagious?
Xie Yuzhao was adept at reading people and knew what this person feared most. He quickly withdrew his hand. There were no pustules on his hand, so holding the woman's hand didn't appear unsightly.
This also made Xie Yuzhao often forget that he was still ill.
Jiang Yitang relaxed a little. The kitchen had prepared only light meals, leaving Xie Yuzhao with no choice. Fortunately, Xie Yuzhao understood the situation, so the feeding process went smoothly.
However, when it came time to clean Xie Yuzhao's body, Jiang Yitang couldn't help but shrink back in fear.
She fetched several basins of hot water back and forth, each time changing the water, meticulously washing her hands clean. Catching Xie Yuzhao watching her, Jiang Yitang bit her lip and lowered her head gloomily:
"I… I'm scared…"
Xie Yuzhao watched as the young girl, trembling with fear, cleaned his festering wounds while claiming to be afraid, yet never once showing any intention of leaving.
His gaze grew obscure.
Jiang Yitang would never know.
During those five years of confinement, the five years when Jiang Yitang, who had once been tender and affectionate toward him in his days of power, never once visited him, countless nights were spent recalling this very scene.
This scene dispelled all his resentment toward the fickleness of women.
Moreover, he could never blame her.
From the very beginning, when he took her away from Shangshu Fu, it was a transaction between them.
It was he who chose the method of making her Taizi Fei.
If not for him, she would have at least lived a peaceful life and not been killed by her own kin.
Perhaps, before her death, she even resented him for dragging her down.