Jiang Zheng finally snapped back to his senses.
The betrothal between the two families had not been announced to anyone; today was supposed to be a simple meeting to set a date and communicate. Why did so many people come to the door, and why was there no announcement before they were brought straight inside?
“Steward Wang, speak.”
Steward Wang quickly knelt. “In response to the Marquis, the one guarding the gate today was supposed to be Wang Chong, but he had a stomachache early this morning and went back to rest. Sun Bin took over his shift.”
“Bring Sun Bin here.”
Soon, Sun Bin was brought up, crawling and rolling as he knelt. “Marquis, Madam.”
“Was it you who brought the guests in today without reporting it?”
Sun Bin shrank back, prostrating himself on the ground. “Replying to the Marquis, yes. It was Sister Chunhua who said that these people were on good terms with the Marquis’s Manor and told me to lead them directly over.”
“Marquis, Chunhua belongs to Concubine Liu’s courtyard,” Steward Wang explained.
Jiang Zheng looked toward Concubine Liu.
“Marquis, this concubine did not know that Chunhua would be so bold. It is all due to my lack of strict discipline. I beg the Marquis for forgiveness.”
“So, it seems these madams and young misses were all invited by Chunhua’s own authority?”
Concubine Liu’s body stiffened, and she answered weakly, “It was… this concubine. I thought today was a day of great joy, so I took it upon myself to invite them. Who would have known…”
“Auntie, you are muddled,” Jiang Wanning said coldly. “We are currently in the mourning period for the Grand Empress Dowager. Even if we keep a low profile, it is difficult to avoid people looking for a handle against us. You, on the other hand, invited people to the house with such fanfare, and so many things happened. Auntie, you are harming Father and the entire Marquis’s Manor!”
Hearing this, Concubine Liu quickly knelt. “Marquis, it was a momentary lapse in judgment. I beg for the Marquis’s forgiveness.”
Jiang Zheng’s face was dark. “Go back and reflect behind closed doors. For now, let Ningning handle the power of household management.”
“Marquis, the Eldest Miss is about to be married. This management…”
“Originally, it was because the Madam was seriously ill and Ningning was about to marry that I allowed you to share the Madam’s burdens. But look at what you have done? In the future, once the Madam’s health improves, these household matters will still be managed by her. Do you intend to continue overstepping your bounds indefinitely?”
“This concubine would not dare,” Concubine Liu said hurriedly.
“Ru’er, you go back and reflect properly as well! Do not go out during this period!” Jiang Zheng said coldly.
“Yes, Father.” Jiang Wanru nodded obediently and withdrew.
“Uncle, Aunt, Zhizhi will not disturb you any longer.” Shen Ruzhi stood up to take her leave, glancing at Jiang Wanning, who stood to the side with her head down, the corners of her lips curved in a mysterious smile.
“Zhizhi, it wasn’t easy for you to come here. Why not stay for dinner? Aunt will make your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs.”
Shen Ruzhi glanced at Jiang Wanning again. Seeing no response, she said, “There is no need, Aunt. If I go back late, my father will be worried.”
Madam Zhou gave Haitang a look. Haitang used her finger to poke the soft flesh of Jiang Wanning’s waist.
Jiang Wanning came to her senses and stepped forward to pull Zhizhi. “Sister, it wasn’t easy for you to visit. Why are you leaving so soon? Are you still worried that someone will steal your family’s coffin?”
Zhizhi glared at Jiang Wanning irritably. “I’m afraid you’ll be busy in a moment and have to go coax certain people again.”
“How could that be?” Jiang Wanning took Zhizhi’s arm. “I have raised many flowers in my bedchamber. Sister, would you like to go see them?”
As she spoke, she pulled Zhizhi toward her own courtyard.
Madam Zhou watched their retreating backs and smiled. These two sisters had finally reconciled.
“Madam can still smile.” Jiang Zheng had a worried look on his face. “Tell me… how did things turn out like this?”
Madam Zhou glanced sideways at Jiang Zheng. “That things happened as they did today is all because the Marquis leaves his affections everywhere.”
“Everything was fine, so why are you bringing me into this again…” Jiang Zheng’s old face turned red.
Back then, Concubine Liu was a famous songstress in the capital. She sold her art, not her body. Although her figure and appearance could not compare to Madam Zhou’s, she still attracted the attention of many. However, Concubine Liu had always remained alone and never had any rumors involving men.
But suddenly one day, Concubine Liu showed up at the Marquis’s Manor with a six-month-old pregnancy, claiming the child in her womb belonged to the Marquis.
After an investigation, it turned out that the Marquis, Jiang Zheng, had been drinking with a colleague who had invited Concubine Liu. It was only that one time. Jiang Zheng himself couldn’t remember if he had actually slept with her or not, but in the end, he had to claim responsibility.
“Since that Liu woman entered the manor, she has been considered gentle and virtuous, and Ru’er has always been obedient and sensible. This matter was definitely the work of that Heir!”
Hearing her husband praise another woman in front of her, Madam Zhou felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
“It’s just, why did Ningning insist on marrying the Prince today? The matter wasn’t that serious.”
“Ningning has always been sensible. Didn’t the Marquis refrain from stopping her precisely because you knew this?” Madam Zhou said crossly. “I will go and ask Ningning about it in a while. You, Marquis, should go and learn more about your other ‘obedient and sensible’ daughter.”
Having said that, Madam Zhou stood up and left.
“Hey, hey… why are you still angry?” Jiang Zheng watched Madam Zhou’s back. His shoulders slumped, and his arms hung limply in front of him. He looked like an aggrieved old man, without a trace of the martial general’s prowess he had shown moments ago.
He hadn’t said anything wrong, had he?
On the other side.
Jiang Wanru returned to her own courtyard, the obedient and sensible look gone from her face.
“Mother, have you noticed that Jiang Wanning is a bit different today?”
Concubine Liu waved her hand, and everyone withdrew. Nanny Zhang was the last to leave; after closing the door, she stood guard outside.
“She is dressed a bit differently than usual.”
“That little brat, she looks just like her mother.”
“I’m not talking about the clothes,” Jiang Wanru said. “I know her too well. Today, if I had insisted on seeking death, she should have begged me to marry into the Prince’s Manor, and she would have feared slighting me, even promising me the position of Equal Wife.”
“Perhaps this matter is simply different from the usual ones,” Concubine Liu said. “Fortunately, you got your wish and will marry the Heir. What does being a concubine matter? The Zhou mother and daughter pride themselves on their high status, yet aren’t they still played like pawns in our hands?”
Concubine Liu said confidently, “It’s just a pity that I carelessly lost the power of household management today.”
“Mother, you should have been more careful.” Jiang Wanru’s tone was full of blame. “Without the household management power, it won’t be easy for us to do things in the future.”
“In the past, she only cared about flirting with the Heir, and her mother was hanging on by a thread, unable to pay attention. Who knew she would ask about such a small detail? That’s why I didn’t act more discreetly.”
“But this entire Marquis’s Manor will be ours soon enough anyway. There’s no rush for this moment. In the future, if you need anything, just go and ask that fool Jiang Wanning for it. She won’t refuse you anyway.”
“Mother is right.” A sharp glint flickered in Jiang Wanru’s eyes. “The vast family estate of this Marquis’s Manor will be ours sooner or later. And the position of the Heir’s Consort can only be mine, Jiang Wanru’s!”