Chu Jue’s face was grim. With the ironclad evidence laid bare before him, he could no longer defend Jiang Meier.
What followed was even more severe. If this matter were to spread, how would the common people view him? A prince of his stature, unable to distinguish right from wrong, had driven his Zheng Fei to such a state based solely on his own conjectures. If this reached his father, the Emperor, he would surely hold a significant grievance against him.
At this thought, Chu Jue’s attitude softened considerably. He spoke gently to Jiang Suihuan, “Suihuan, I misunderstood you. Return to the prince’s residence with me, and I will make it up to you properly on Meier’s behalf.”
Jiang Suihuan raised her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly. “You want to compensate me too?”
She rose from her chair and walked step by step toward Chu Jue, her words sharp as blades, each one piercing his heart. “I’ve been married to you for two years. How many times have you struck me? How many times have you berated me? How many times have you wronged me? If I hadn’t been fortunate enough to survive this time, I’d likely be nothing but bones devoured by wild dogs in Luanzang Gang by now!”
“How do you plan to compensate me? What can you possibly do to make it right?”
Jiang Suihuan’s eyes were bloodshot, like a vengeful spirit clawing its way out of hell to demand Chu Jue’s life.
Hou Furen covered her face and wept bitterly. She knew Jiang Suihuan had not fared well after marrying Chu Jue, but she never imagined it had been so wretched.
Chu Jue was speechless for a long while before he finally spoke heavily, “What do you want? I will do everything in my power to fulfill your wishes.”
“You said I replaced Jiang Meier in marrying you, but you’re wrong. Your marriage agreement was with the eldest daughter of Houfu. I am the true eldest daughter. If anyone replaced another, it was Jiang Meier who took my place and lived in Houfu for ten years.”
Jiang Suihuan stared fixedly at Chu Jue, her voice cold as ice. “I don’t want your compensation. I want a Heli.”
“Someone, bring paper and brush!”
This was the first time in history that a Princess Consort had requested a Heli, stunning everyone present.
Houye initially intended to intervene, but upon recalling how miserably Jiang Suihuan had lived in the prince’s residence, he reconsidered and held his tongue.
Chu Jue was equally shocked, gritting his teeth as he rebuked her, “You’ve lost your mind! If you think you can get a Heli, there’s no chance!”
If others found out, where would he hide his face?
Jiang Suihuan swiftly wrote a letter of Heli and presented it to Chu Jue.
“The former Princess Consort was already killed by the two of you. Standing before you now is Jiang Suihuan, the Marquis Family’s Daughter. If you refuse to sign, Prince, I will go to the palace and recount last night’s events to the Emperor. I wonder if the Emperor will believe you acted without distinguishing right from wrong.”
“You! Fine, I’ll sign.” Fearing she might truly go to the Emperor, Chu Jue angrily signed the Heli document, then grabbed Jiang Meier and stormed off.
Before leaving, Jiang Meier glanced back and saw Jiang Suihuan smiling as she mouthed the words: Just wait, this is only the beginning.
Watching Jiang Meier depart with a pale face, Jiang Suihuan let out a long sigh and wearily sank back into her chair.
Yet her heart was light. Not only had she cleared the original owner’s name, but she had also successfully obtained a Heli from Chu Jue, regaining her freedom.
As for Jiang Meier and Chu Jue…
For people like them, death would be the mildest punishment.
Sooner or later, she would make them long for death but find it unattainable!
Hou Furen noticed Jiang Suihuan’s pale complexion and said with concern, “Shall we summon the Royal Physician from the palace to examine you? While you were unconscious, the household physician checked on you and said your wounds had been properly treated, but I still worry.”
“No need, Mother. I consulted a physician before returning to Houfu. I’ll recover after a few days of rest,” Jiang Suihuan declined firmly, fearing her pregnancy would be discovered.
Having just finalized her Heli with Chu Jue, she wanted no further complications arising from the child in her womb.
“But your face…” Hou Furen trailed off, then sighed deeply. Her daughter had never excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but at least she once possessed peerless beauty. Now that even her looks had been ruined, what could be done?
Jiang Suihuan remained unperturbed. Healing her face was simplicity itself to her. “Mother, please have someone prepare Fuling, Shihu, pearls… These ingredients can treat the scars on my face.”
Hou Furen looked astonished. “Truly? How would you know such things?”
“I once found a medical text at Zhuangzi as a child. It was mentioned there,” Jiang Suihuan fabricated casually.
The next day, the requested materials arrived—over a dozen large bags. She instructed servants to grind the contents into powder, mix it with mountain spring water into a thick paste, and apply it to her scabbed wounds.
Half a month later, Jiang Suihuan sat before her bronze mirror, nodding in satisfaction at the refined, smooth face reflected back.
Ying Tao, the personal maid sent by Hou Furen, stood gaping, unable to believe her eyes. Just yesterday, the young lady’s face had been covered with gruesome scars, yet today it was dazzling beyond description.
Jiang Suihuan waved a hand playfully before Ying Tao’s eyes. “What? Don’t recognize me?”
Ying Tao dashed out excitedly. “Madam! Madam! The young lady’s face has healed!”
Hou Furen, who had been hosting guests in the rear courtyard, hurried to Jiang Suihuan’s quarters. When she saw the scars had vanished completely, leaving skin even more delicate than before, she was overjoyed.
“Heaven has eyes! After all you’ve suffered, at least your beauty remains.” Hou Furen harbored selfish concerns—if her daughter were truly disfigured, how could she ever hold her head high among Jingcheng’s noble ladies again.
After inspecting Jiang Suihuan’s face, Hou Furen prepared to return to her guests, but Jiang Suihuan stopped her. “Mother, who has come today?”
“About a dozen guests,” Hou Furen replied. “Mostly my close friends with their daughters.”
“Why didn’t you bring me along?” Jiang Suihuan smiled faintly, a trace of melancholy flashing in her eyes. “It’s been so long since I attended a banquet with you.”
“Well…” Hou Furen hesitated. When Jiang Suihuan first returned to Houfu, she had tried integrating her into Jingcheng’s elite social circles. But after five years of instruction, Jiang Suihuan remained inept at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Not only had this caused numerous embarrassments, but Hou Furen herself had faced ridicule from other noble ladies, damaging her reputation. Moreover, Jiang Suihuan’s recent appearance on the streets in bloodstained garments had become the talk of Jingcheng. Her presence at the banquet would undoubtedly provoke gossip among the guests.
The Hou Furen thought about it and felt utterly embarrassed.
Fortunately, Jiang Meier brought her great pride—not only was she accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she was also hailed as the top talented lady in Jingcheng.
Thus, even though Jiang Meier wasn’t her biological daughter, the Hou Furen doted on her immensely.
Even after witnessing that scene a few days ago, she still believed it was a misunderstanding and that Mei’er was innocent.
Jiang Suihuan, noticing the Hou Furen’s evasive gaze, instantly understood her thoughts. She realized she couldn’t quickly break the bond between the Hou Furen and Jiang Meier—it would have to be a gradual process.
For today, she would start by lightly teaching a lesson to those noble ladies who had bullied the original host.
“Mother, please take me with you. I promise I won’t embarrass you,” Jiang Suihuan cooed, clinging to the Hou Furen’s arm.
The Hou Furen had no choice but to agree. “Fine, but once we’re there, try to speak as little as possible. If anyone asks you anything, just say you’ve just recovered from a serious illness and don’t remember much. Understood?”
“Understood, Mother,” Jiang Suihuan replied, feigning obedience with a nod.