The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment upon hearing it was Young Madam Pei, but still led the two inside.
This one’s status was that of a master of the Hou Mansion, yet it was indeed awkward.
Originally the biological daughter of Marquis Wu’an and Princess Protector of the Nation, she had been accidentally swapped during the chaos of war.
Regardless, Young Madam Pei was ultimately their marquis’s true daughter, and she couldn’t be slighted when returning home.
Zhenzhu went to the carriage and whispered, “Young Madam, we may enter now.”
Jiang Yao descended from the carriage, her face having resumed the pitiful, heart-wrenching expression from before.
The gatekeeper couldn’t help but feel sympathetic, thinking: How greatly wronged she must have been.
Jiang Yao stood before the main gate of the Hou Mansion, observing the imposing stone lions and the guards stationed there.
On the black lacquer background with golden lettering, the plaque bore five large characters personally inscribed by the Late Emperor: ‘Princess Protector of the Nation Manor’.
Yet now everyone tacitly acknowledged this as Wu’an Marquis Manor.
After all, that legendary Princess Protector of the Nation had passed away from illness over a decade ago.
Jiang Yao gazed at the five characters meaning ‘Princess Protector of the Nation’, her emotions complex.
She had never met this biological mother of hers.
But she had never lacked maternal love either.
Her adoptive parents had given her the finest family affection.
She wasn’t pitiful – she had simply misjudged someone.
The gatekeeper led the two to Marquis Wu’an’s courtyard, where servants went inside to announce them.
Marquis Wu’an was in his study and frowned slightly upon hearing the servants’ announcement.
“Let her in,” he said.
He went to wait in the side hall for receiving guests.
Soon he saw this biological daughter of his and the Princess.
Her features, bearing two or three similarities to the Princess, with slightly reddened eyes and tears welling up, appeared utterly heart-wrenching.
This was an expression never seen on the Princess’s face.
For a moment, Marquis Wu’an even felt dazed.
“Yao Yao, what’s happened?”
“Father, you must stand up for your daughter.” Jiang Yao’s tears fell once more.
She informed Marquis Wu’an about what had just occurred at Pei Manor.
Halfway through her account, Marquis Wu’an asked in surprise, “Such things happened to you at Guogong Fu too?”
He had been away on official business these past few days and had only returned to the capital today, completely unaware of this matter – that the maid serving his other daughter had committed such disgraceful acts at Dingguo Duke Manor.
Jiang Yao nodded, her eyes still red.
“Father, I wasn’t in the remote courtyard at all at that time – I was simply strolling by the lake.” She hesitated, casting a pitiful look at Marquis Wu’an,
“But when younger sister brought people to search for me, she didn’t go to the lakeside, instead heading directly to the remote courtyard. Without even pushing the door open, upon hearing the sounds inside she immediately concluded that the person inside engaging in illicit relations was me… If younger sister claims to want to be close sisters with me, why does she distrust me so? It even feels like younger sister couldn’t wait to bring people to the remote courtyard to accomplish something…”
Her tears fell drop by drop, appearing utterly wronged.
Shen Yuanwu was also Marquis Wu’an’s daughter.
When Jiang Yao and Shen Yuanwu had been accidentally swapped years ago, Marquis Wu’an had encountered Jiang Yao half a year earlier. Noting her two or three similarities to the Princess in appearance, he felt something was amiss.
Upon investigation, it was indeed confirmed that during the wartime chaos, when both families happened to be giving birth nearby and enemy troops attacked, in the frantic rush the two families’ babies had been accidentally swapped.
At least, this was what Marquis Wu’an publicly claimed – that it had been an unintentional mistake.
Upon hearing her words, Marquis Wu’an’s face darkened.
Jiang Yao continued, “Father, I have treated my sister-in-law extremely well these past few years. Even before marrying into the Pei family, I practically raised her as my own daughter. Yet she said she wished I were the one caught in adultery and even wanted to have me submerged in the pond. The Pei family remained silent, as if they also believed I should give her everything I have.”
Marquis Wu’an remained silent for a moment. “The Pei family is indeed in the wrong here. I will send for your husband and have a serious talk with him. Regarding the matter at Dingguo Duke Manor, you are innocent.”
“And Yuanwu—she must have been overly worried about you and let her thoughts go astray. But she was indeed wrong. I will have her apologize to you. Yao Yao, you’ve been wronged.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Marquis Wu’an then said, “Why don’t you rest here in the manor for now? After I summon your husband and give him a proper talking-to, he can take you back home?”
“Father,” Jiang Yao shook her head, “I don’t wish to return these next few days. My sister-in-law has truly broken my heart. May I stay at the Hou Mansion for a while?”
She spoke with cautious hesitation.
“The Hou Mansion is your home too. You may stay as long as you like. I’ll have the courtyard prepared for you. Rest assured and stay here for a few days.”
Marquis Wu’an seemed to recall something, his gaze deepening.
“Thank you, Father.” Jiang Yao expressed her gratitude softly once more.
Thus, Jiang Yao temporarily settled in Wu’an Marquis Manor with Zhenzhu.
After spending about an incense stick’s worth of time in the side hall, Yang Shi, the wife of Marquis Wu’an, entered.
Yang Shi was in her thirties, dressed in a deep purple duijin standing-collar satin jacket. She had a slender figure, fair skin, and virtually no fine lines on her face, appearing exceptionally well-maintained.
Her features bore a slight resemblance to Shen Yuanwu’s.
This Yang Shi had married Marquis Wu’an as his second wife one year after the Princess Protector of the Nation passed away from illness. It was said she had known Marquis Wu’an since childhood, but her parents’ successive illnesses and deaths had delayed her marriage prospects. She remained unmarried until around twenty, when she finally wed Marquis Wu’an as his second wife.
After marrying Marquis Wu’an, she treated Shen Yuanwu—the daughter ‘left behind’ by the Princess Protector of the Nation—extremely well, almost as if she were her own biological child.
Even after bearing her own son with Marquis Wu’an later, she continued to cherish Shen Yuanwu like precious pearls.
Thus, in public opinion, Yang Shi was regarded as a virtuous wife and loving mother—gentle, respectful, generous, and kind.
She moved with ease among the noblewomen’s circles in the capital.
When Yang Shi saw Jiang Yao, her eyes first swept over the Fen zhenzhu buyao (Pink Pearl Hairpin) in Jiang Yao’s hair. She had already heard from the Marquis about why Jiang Yao had rushed back home.
It was all because of this hairpin.
It was truly a fine piece—even she and Wu Wu didn’t possess such jewelry.
The Jiang family was indeed a nest of wealth.
Yet when they acknowledged Wu Wu, they hadn’t even given her a set of such Tou Mian (jeweled head ornaments).
Yang Shi only glanced briefly before immediately pulling out a handkerchief to dab at her slightly reddened eyes.
“Poor child, your father has already told me everything. That Pei family sister-in-law of yours has gone too far. You should stay here at the manor for a few days.”
Yang Shi paused briefly before continuing, “And about Yuanwu’s actions at Dingguo Duke Manor—your father has already spoken to her. She knows she was wrong; her thoughts truly went astray. She was genuinely worried about you. After you’re settled, Yuanwu will come to apologize to you too.”
Jiang Yao’s gaze swept over Yang Shi’s face, which bore some resemblance to Shen Yuanwu’s, and she replied gently,
“Thank you, Madame.”
Yang Shi sighed, her eyes appearing to look upon Jiang Yao with tenderness.
“By all rights, as the biological daughter of the Marquis and the Eldest Princess, and with me married to the Marquis, I am practically your half-mother. You should feel free to stay in the Hou Mansion without worry. Your father and I will seek justice for you.”
After saying this, Yang Shi led the two of them to a courtyard.
Arriving in front of the courtyard, they saw a plaque on the Chuihua Gate bearing the three large characters: “Shengan Yuan.”
Gazing at the plaque, Yang Shi said with some emotion, “Yao Yao, this is the courtyard where your mother once lived. Your father found it too painful to stay here, as everything reminded him of her, so he moved out. The courtyard has already been cleaned, so you can stay here for now. I will also send two young maidservants over. If there is anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
Jiang Yao stared at the plaque, her expression slightly dazed. “Thank you, Madam Marquis.”
Shengan—did it mean a wish for a prosperous and stable era?
Yang Shi said nothing more and led the master and servant into Shengan Yuan.
Inside Shengan Yuan, there were few flowers or plants—only a pavilion, next to which lay an empty plot of land and a massive rock.
The rock was covered in marks from weapons and had split into two halves down the middle.
Jiang Yao understood that this must have been the place where her biological mother once practiced martial arts.