Jiang Zhixiu did not wish to linger. He returned to his study, took out a jeweled hairpin of clustered blossoms and dangling pearls, and sent it to Luomei Pavilion.
Xie Meiying was overjoyed. “This… is for me?”
Jiang Lang had given her many ornaments before, but none as splendid as this. Of course, the splendor mattered less than the thought behind it.
Her delight greatly pleased Jiang Zhixiu. He smiled. “If not for you, then for whom?”
In past years, he had racked his brains to gift He Fangting jewelry, but her reactions were always indifferent. No matter how precious the gems, she treated them as trifles. Eventually, he lost the desire to give her anything.
He added, “This was bestowed by His Majesty last Mid-Autumn.”
Xie Meiying hesitated. “A gift from His Majesty—can you give it to me?”
Jiang Zhixiu chuckled. “Why not? His Majesty’s intent was to spread grace widely, blessing the women of the household.”
Xie Meiying toyed with the hairpin, biting her lip, whispering softly, “It was given last year… why not present it to Princess Shunan?”
Jiang Zhixiu sighed. “Yes, why not? I did not understand before. Now I know—I was waiting for you.”
Xie Meiying threw herself into his arms, moved. “Jiang Lang!”
He embraced her, feeling a peace he never found with He Fangting.
All the more, he longed to marry Xie Meiying quickly. But He Fangting was immovable, refusing every plea. He dared not risk her fury, so he could only proceed slowly.
Meanwhile, Li Xixiang’s first act as household manager was to cut expenses.
Ginseng and bird’s nest were eliminated. Chicken, duck, fish, and meat no longer appeared together—each meal had only one, in small portions.
The Jiang family, long accustomed to rich fare, found it hard to adjust.
One day, seeing only vegetables and radishes on the table, with a single dish of pickled meat, Jiang Chengzong slammed down his chopsticks in anger. Boiled greens and radishes had once been tasty, but now they seemed flavorless.
Madam Pan quickly handed money to servants, sending them to the restaurant to buy crab-meat lion’s head and lotus-leaf chicken. Only then did Jiang Chengzong finish his meal in peace.
After he left for a walk in the courtyard, Madam Pan sat down, forcing herself to eat the leftovers. Then she summoned Li Xixiang, hesitating. “Second daughter-in-law, your father-in-law was displeased with the food.”
Li Xixiang rolled her eyes inwardly. “If he wants better meals, it’s simple—let Elder Brother provide more money.”
Of the three thousand taels Jiang Zhixiu had given, she planned to keep two thousand for herself, leaving only one thousand for the accounts. If she didn’t economize, how could it last until year’s end?
Madam Pan frowned. “He said there is no more.”
Li Xixiang scoffed, “He said there isn’t, and you believe him?”
In Li Xixiang’s view, if Elder Brother could produce three thousand taels, then he could surely produce thirty thousand.
Madam Pan murmured, “…Eldest would not lie.”
Even if he did, she had no way to prove otherwise.
Li Xixiang snorted, “Then let me give you a path forward. Go ask Eldest Sister-in-law. If she agrees to manage the household again, everything will be provided.”
Madam Pan thought for a long while, then decided it made sense. She went straight to He Fangting.
He Fangting said kindly, “This household will soon have a new eldest daughter-in-law. Please endure a little longer. Once she enters, all will be well.”
Madam Pan’s voice carried resentment. “But you refuse! Without your consent, the marriage cannot proceed, and the whole family is stuck.”
Her husband and children all said Madam He was malicious, deliberately trying to control the Jiang family.
He Fangting couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I refuse. Why not go to your good eldest son and persuade him to change his mind?”
Madam Pan muttered, “He will not listen to me.”
He Fangting smiled. “Nor will I.”
Madam Pan protested, “You are but a woman—how can you defy your husband? How can you defy your mother-in-law? If word spreads, people will laugh. Better to yield and agree to Zhixiu.”
He Fangting answered crisply, “I will not agree.”
At that, Qing Hao, unable to hold back, laughed. “Madam, this maid has a suggestion. Go to Miss Xie. Ask her to be sensible, to take a step back.”
Madam Pan hesitated. “Take a step back?”
He Fangting said sincerely, “If she is willing to be a concubine, I will welcome her with great ceremony and treat her well thereafter. Her love for Husband is deep—whether wife or concubine, the difference is not so great.”
Madam Pan, lacking her own judgment, followed He Fangting’s reasoning and thought that it was sound. She immediately went to Luomei Pavilion.
By chance, Jiang Zhixiu was out, and Xie Meiying was alone.
Hearing Madam Pan’s request, Xie Meiying was stunned. “You want me to be a concubine?”
Madam Pan took her hand, smiling. “Good child, don’t worry. We all know it wrongs you. But once you enter, you will be given dignity.”
Xie Meiying trembled with anger. “Is this Lord Jiang’s wish?”
Madam Pan dared not say yes. She only replied, “Madam He has promised to treat you well! Do not trouble Zhixiu further.”
In truth, she resented both women—He Fangting and Xie Meiying alike—feeling that neither was easy, and both made things difficult for her son.
Xie Meiying was silent for a moment, then said coldly, “Very well. I understand.”
Madam Pan thought she had relented and returned happily to Songrong Hall.
But when Jiang Zhixiu came home, he found Xie Meiying with red, tear-swollen eyes, packing her belongings. Alarmed, he asked what was happening.
Xie Meiying, her voice hoarse, said, “My fault was in falling in love with you. But you should not have humiliated me. From this moment, farewell—never shall we meet again!”
She pulled the jeweled hairpin from her hair—the very one of clustered blossoms and dangling pearls—and hurled it back at Jiang Zhixiu.