Chapter 12: Agreement MadeJiang Yiyue bowed to Count Jingnan and the other three, then gracefully walked away.Count Jingnan and the other three simultaneously turned their gaze to Ji Shuhuai, their expressions varied.Ji Shuhuai had no choice but to explain: "Fourth Miss Jiang and I can be considered friends forged through adversity."The phrase "friends forged through adversity" drifted into Jiang Yiyue's ears.Satisfied, she made her way toward the rear courtyard.A group of servants, seeing Jiang Yiyue return, couldn't help but widen their eyes."Fourth Miss.""Fourth Miss is back!""Fourth Miss wasn't… how…""Greetings, Fourth Miss.""Fourth Miss, peace be with you.""…"In the blink of an eye, the news of Jiang Yiyue's return spread throughout the estate.Jiang Yiyue went straight to Qinghe Hall.The Countess of Jingnan was seated in the main position.Jiang Yiyue performed a proper bow: "Your granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother.""Rise," said the Countess of Jingnan."Yes, Grandmother." Jiang Yiyue slowly straightened up."It was truly unfortunate that you encountered bandits this time.""Yes.""I heard you assisted the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei in suppressing the bandits?"Jiang Yiyue replied: "Yes."The Countess of Jingnan nodded: "You did well."However, a young lady's reputation is of utmost importance."This time, you were fortunate to encounter Heir Ji."Thus preserving your reputation."In the future, you must be more careful."The Countess of Jingnan had three sons.The eldest son was the heir, the youngest son was sweet-tongued.The middle second son was the original host's father, who had no particular talents since childhood.He failed in the imperial examinations, and as an official, he was mediocre.Neither she nor Count Jingnan liked him much, and by extension, they did not care for the second wife or the original host either.That Jiang Yiyue had escaped death's door,yet instead of receiving comfort, she was given a warning, was within expectations.She calmly responded: "Yes.""If there's nothing else, you may go back." The Countess of Jingnan had little to say to Jiang Yiyue."Yes, Grandmother." Jiang Yiyue left Qinghe Hall and headed toward Songtao Courtyard."Yiyue!" A woman's voice called out.Jiang Yiyue looked up and saw a slender, beautiful woman standing at the gate of Songtao Courtyard.Her brow was furrowed, her eyes red and swollen.She was the original host's birth mother, Madam Shen.Madam Shen married into the Jingnan Count's estate at sixteen.She was filial to her in-laws, considerate to her husband, friendly with her sisters-in-law, and lenient with the servants.However, her husband was not favored, so she too suffered neglect.She became increasingly cautious within the estate.She had hoped to bear a son for support, but over ten years passed, and she only had a daughter.She fell further out of favor with her in-laws.Yet she did not take this out on her daughter.She gave her daughter boundless affection, hoping her daughter would grow better and better.But her daughter happened to take a liking to Cui Lianqing.In the end, she was too gentle and weak, unable to even control her own daughter.While she was blaming herself, her daughter encountered bandits on the way to the manor.She fainted from fright at the time.As a woman, she understood the harshness of this world toward women.If her daughter died, then she died.If her daughter fortunately survived under the bandits, her reputation would be utterly ruined, which was tantamount to death.She could do nothing to change it, weeping daily.Today, she suddenly heard servants report that her daughter had returned and had even assisted Heir Ji in suppressing the bandits.Meaning her daughter did not have to "die."She was overjoyed.She wished she could rush to the front courtyard to see.But she feared her impulsive behavior would invite criticism, which might instead harm her daughter.So she waited by the courtyard gate.Finally, she saw her daughter.She hurried forward and embraced Jiang Yiyue: "Yiyue!"Although Jiang Yiyue had already applied medicine to her wounds, the embrace still caused her considerable pain.She let out a sharp hiss.Madam Shen immediately released her and asked, "Are you injured?"Jiang Yiyue nodded. "Yes."Madam Shen pressed anxiously, "Where are you hurt?"For some reason, seeing Madam Shen made Jiang Yiyue want to tell the truth. "All over.""Let Mother take a look." Madam Shen led Jiang Yiyue into the warm chamber and personally closed the door.Jiang Yiyue also wanted to know the extent of her injuries, so she removed her clothing.At the sight, Madam Shen covered her mouth and began to weep."Mother, what's wrong?" Jiang Yiyue asked.Madam Shen reached out, wanting to touch the wounds of varying depths, but feared causing Jiang Yiyue more pain.She blamed herself, saying, "It's all my fault."I'm not capable enough."If I could have stopped you from going to the estate, you wouldn't have suffered this ordeal."In her previous life, Jiang Yiyue hadn't been an orphan, but she hadn't received much paternal or maternal love either.Her father was busy with work, busy with "social engagements," busy with affairs—he didn't even know what grade she was in.Her mother, forced to become a housewife due to pregnancy, childbirth, and raising her, saw her social circle shrink smaller and smaller.Her mood grew increasingly depressed.Her marriage became more and more troubled.And she blamed all her unhappiness on Jiang Yiyue.She either ignored her or shouted at her.Later, her parents finally divorced when Jiang Yiyue was in eighth grade.They were free.And so was she.She grew up accompanied by teachers, classmates, and excellent books.She had always believed she lacked nothing in love.But seeing the heartache in Madam Shen's eyes and hearing her full of self-blame, Jiang Yiyue couldn't bring herself to utter a single word of reproach.She suddenly felt that perhaps she was still a little lacking.She took Madam Shen's hand and said, "Mother, don't blame yourself. I was the one who did wrong."Madam Shen was taken aback by these words, looking over with tear-filled eyes."It was because I spent all my days chasing after Cui Lianqing, angering everyone, that I was punished."Madam Shen uttered in disbelief, "You…"Jiang Yiyue said, "After encountering the mountain bandits and teetering on the edge of life and death multiple times, I suddenly understood."What are all these romantic entanglements?"If you have them, that's naturally good;"If you don't, it doesn't matter."There are so many other things in life worth loving."Like delicious food."Like beautiful scenery."Like family affection."Like work, and so on."Too many, too many."I should find ways to make myself better and better."Her daughter had grown sensible.Madam Shen's tears flowed even more fiercely, yet her eyes clearly held relief."Mother, don't cry. I was immature before, but I won't be like that anymore." Jiang Yiyue wiped Madam Shen's tears.Madam Shen gently held Jiang Yiyue's injured hand and said, "Good, good, you're right."Jiang Yiyue said, "Then don't cry.""Alright, I won't cry." Madam Shen wiped away her tears and said, "Mother will apply medicine for you.""Good, I have medicine here." Jiang Yiyue took out a medicine bottle from her bosom."Where did this come from?" Madam Shen asked."Marquis Ji gave it to me. He said it's the best medicine in the capital.""If Marquis Ji gave it, it must be the best." Madam Shen took it and began applying the medicine to Jiang Yiyue.See.Even Madam Shen, a woman confined to the inner courtyard, showed complete trust upon hearing Ji Shuhuai's name.It could only be said that Ji Shuhuai's reputation was truly exceptional!These past few days of taking care of him had been well worth it for Jiang Yiyue.Afraid Jiang Yiyue might be in pain, Madam Shen asked about the encounter with the mountain bandits.Jiang Yiyue recounted the events, mixing truth with half-truths.With her heart pounding in fear, Madam Shen finished applying the medicine to Jiang Yiyue."Second Madam, First Madam and Third Madam have arrived," the maid reported."Mother, they must be here to see me, right?" Jiang Yiyue asked.Madam Shen tensed up immediately.

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried