Chapter 18: DeliberateXiangcao spoke up: "Miss, your injury…""My injury is fine," Jiang Yiyue said."It was bleeding just now," Madam Shen hurried over and took Jiang Yiyue's hand to examine it."I did it on purpose," Jiang Yiyue pressed on the wound, causing a spot of blood to appear.Madam Shen and Xiangcao both widened their eyes and asked, "Why?""Self-Injury Stratagem," Jiang Yiyue did not hide it. "Mother—""Yiyue," Madam Shen deliberately interrupted Jiang Yiyue, instinctively glancing at Xiangcao beside her.Xiangcao was about to withdraw when she heard Jiang Yiyue say, "It's fine, Xiangcao is my maid."She was utterly loyal to Jiang Yiyue.Even though she was not as favored as Rufang, she remained loyal.She had never thought about gaining favor, but suddenly hearing Jiang Yiyue speak such trusting words to her.She nodded with joy and emotion: "Mm."In the past, Madam Shen had always been uneasy about Jiang Yiyue, but today she inexplicably trusted her.Jiang Yiyue continued speaking to Madam Shen: "Mother, Rufang is Grandmother's person."No matter what happens, she must at least be loyal to Grandmother and Count Jingnan's household."Yet she deliberately tarnished Grandmother and Count Jingnan's household by ruining me."I was at fault, but I did not deserve such harm."Grandmother must also be aware of this and feels somewhat guilty in her heart."I want to know how guilty she feels."I deliberately reopened the wound and pretended to be physically weak."She quickly allowed me to return to my room, had Physician Liang examine me, and even permitted me to recuperate for a month."This shows that her guilt is not shallow."Madam Shen worriedly said, "Yiyue, you are scheming against your grandmother.""Yes," Jiang Yiyue admitted openly and honestly.Madam Shen found it unbelievable: "How did you…""Mother," Jiang Yiyue asked, "If treacherous officials are cunning, what should upright officials be like?"Madam Shen blurted out: "Upright officials are naturally just and incorruptible.""Wrong," Jiang Yiyue shook her head. "Upright officials should be even more cunning."Madam Shen was stunned.Jiang Yiyue solemnly said: "Upright officials must be even more cunning to control treacherous officials."Otherwise, if they are constantly manipulated by treacherous officials, how can the world prosper in peace?"Madam Shen suddenly understood, then asked in surprise, "How do you know these things?"Of course, it was taught by nine years of compulsory education.But Jiang Yiyue could not say that.Ji Shuhuai came in handy again.She said, "Heir Ji said it."Ji Shuhuai was a talented young man, so it was natural for him to know these things.Madam Shen immediately had no more doubts.Ji Shuhuai was truly a versatile tool.Wherever useful, he could be brought out.Jiang Yiyue continued: "Mother, do you think Rufang truly hates me?"Madam Shen had been in the inner household for many years.Although not skilled in scheming, she could see some patterns and naturally knew Rufang was just a small pawn.First Madam and Third Madam were the big fish behind."She doesn't hate me; it's First Madam or Third Madam behind her instructing her to ruin me," Jiang Yiyue said directly.Madam Shen was surprised that Jiang Yiyue also knew this.Jiang Yiyue continued: "But none of us mentioned First Madam or Third Madam, right?"Madam Shen nodded: "Yes."Jiang Yiyue went on: "Because we all know mentioning them is useless."Madam Shen said helplessly, "Your grandmother and grandfather both favor them.""Yes, even with solid evidence, they would still side with First Madam and Third Madam."Yes.The same incident occurring in the First Household, Second Household, and Third Household.The Countess of Jingnan was particularly harsh toward the Second Household, while lightly glossing over the First and Third Households.For example, last year’s harvest was not very good.The rents collected by the First, Second, and Third Households all decreased.Yet the Countess of Jingnan specifically blamed the Second Household, while merely mentioning the First and Third Households in passing.Madam Shen had long grown accustomed to this.Jiang Yiyue said bluntly, “Ultimately, it’s because Father and Mother don’t know how to strategize.”Madam Shen looked at Jiang Yiyue. “Strategize?”“Father is clearly the most practical and capable, and Mother takes care of Grandmother the most.“And what is the result?“The result is that you suffer the most grievances.” Jiang Yiyue stated the facts.Madam Shen sighed. “Taking a step back brings boundless peace.”Jiang Yiyue was displeased. “Taking a step back brings boundless peace for others, but leaves us trapped in a dilemma!”Madam Shen was taken aback by these words.Jiang Yiyue looked at Madam Shen, heartbroken. “Mother, I almost died.”Madam Shen’s heart trembled.“If we keep yielding, I will truly die.” First Madam and Third Madam were not kind-hearted.If Jiang Yiyue did not take the initiative to strike, she would still fall into danger.“Yiyue.” Madam Shen nervously grasped Jiang Yiyue’s hand.“Mother, life is short. I just want to live it well.” Jiang Yiyue said.“But I don’t know how to do that.” After the incident with the bandits, Madam Shen had blamed herself for a long time.She genuinely wished for her daughter to be well.But she was accustomed to yielding.She truly did not know how to protect her daughter.“You don’t need to do anything. You just need to speak.” Jiang Yiyue said.“Speak? Say what?” Madam Shen asked, puzzled.“Speak about your usual difficulties, hardships, and grievances.”“To whom?”“To Grandmother.”“Your grandmother dislikes complaints from others.”“What you say are facts, not complaints.”“But your grandmother doesn’t like our Second Household.”“That was before!” Jiang Yiyue raised her injured hand. “Grandmother treats us differently now.“Regarding the assistance in suppressing the bandits, she is satisfied with the Second Household.“Regarding the matter of Rufang, she feels guilty toward us.“We should seize these two emotions of hers in time and make a good impression.“Reverse her long-standing indifference toward us.”“Is that possible?” Madam Shen asked.“Of course it is!” Just as Jiang Yiyue was about to explain further to Madam Shen, her stomach rumbled.Madam Shen and Xiangcao both looked at Jiang Yiyue’s stomach.Jiang Yiyue smiled awkwardly. “Let’s eat first and talk later.”“Alright.” Madam Shen washed her hands and sat down.After breakfast, Jiang Yiyue and Madam Shen took a walk while whispering.Around noon, Madam Shen left.Jiang Yiyue lay down on the couch.Xiangcao sat nearby doing needlework.How wonderful.With Rufang gone, every corner of the Listening Rain Pavilion felt lovely.Jiang Yiyue could finally relax and recover from her injuries.Every day, she ate until she was full, slept until she was rested, and then ate again.In just two or three days, her injuries had mostly healed.It would just take some time for the scars to fade.She was in no hurry.Early in the morning, she looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction, unable to help but feel a bit narcissistic.This face—fair and beautiful.This waist—slender and soft.These legs—long and straight.Ah, how lovely!“Miss! Miss!” Xiangcao hurried in from outside.Jiang Yiyue turned her head and asked, “What is it?”“This servant saw Nanny Li bringing people over.” Nanny Li was the Countess of Jingnan’s attendant.Every time she came, it was to reprimand the Fourth Young Miss.Xiangcao went out to pour water and, seeing her come in, hurried over to report."What did she come for?" Jiang Yiyue asked."Could something have happened on Madam Shen's side?" Madam Shen, the second wife, had always been proper and respectful.After hearing the fourth young lady's words, she had been complaining about difficulties, hardships, and grievances in front of the Countess of Jingnan.Could it be that she had annoyed the Countess of Jingnan, and now the fourth young lady would also be punished?Xiangcao couldn't help but worry.

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried