Jiang Lingzhi tried to pull away but couldn’t free herself. Frowning at Jiang Xun, she said, “You’re hurting me.”
Jiang Xun instinctively released his grip.
He saw the red and purple bruises already forming on her delicate wrist—marks he had left despite not using much force. This made him frown in confusion.
“Sister,” Jiang Lingyuan hurried out with a concerned expression, “please listen to Second Brother. Seek a divorce from the Guogong Fu and move back with your dowry. From now on, the Jiang family will surely protect you.”
Jiang Lingzhi let out a derisive laugh. Jiang Lingyuan’s words were so transparent in their calculation that it felt like an abacus was being thrown in her face! The specific reminder to bring her dowry back—was it to pave the way for Jiang Lingyuan’s own lavish wedding into the Guogong Fu?
She was no bodhisattva!
Moreover, although Xiao Jingyi might not have long to live, the Guogong Fu provided her with food, clothing, and even secured an honorary title for her, allowing her to live with dignity.
She’d be mad to seek a divorce.
Jiang Lingzhi shook her head firmly. “Don’t even think about it. I won’t agree to a divorce!”
Jiang Xun, who had awkwardly mustered what could barely be called concern, was met with her ungrateful rejection. Furious, he scolded, “Why are you so stubborn?”
Ignoring him, Jiang Lingzhi turned and walked toward the rear courtyard. Jiang Xun followed, cursing under his breath.
Jiang Lingyuan grew anxious. Was Second Brother actually showing concern for Jiang Lingzhi? No, she had to fetch Mother quickly—she couldn’t let him persuade her further.
Jiang Lingzhi entered the Jiang Family Ancestral Hall with familiarity and immediately spotted the spirit tablet of her mother, Wei Lan.
Her mother’s tablet was cleaner than the others, and Jiang Lingzhi knew it was because her father often returned to wipe and touch it.
She didn’t even know what her mother looked like, but just gazing at the tablet filled her with a sense of closeness.
Reaching out to touch it, she felt her eyes sting and softly called, “A Niang.”
If only A Niang were still here—then there would surely be someone in this world who loved her, believed her, and wouldn’t let her suffer.
Silently, she lit incense and kowtowed before the tablet with utmost devotion.
If nothing urgent arose, she likely wouldn’t return to this Jiang household again.
Jiang Xun stood at the doorway, watching her thin, stubborn figure kneeling and bowing. For some reason, his chest felt tight and sore.
When Jiang Lingzhi rose, she noticed Jiang Xun watching her with a complicated gaze.
Expressionless, she said, “Move aside.”
Jiang Xun stared at her, suddenly stubborn. “I’m urging you to divorce for your own good. Xiao Jingyi won’t live past three months—how will you manage after that?”
Jiang Lingzhi looked at him as if he were a joke.
Hah, if he had honestly admitted it was to seize the dowry for Jiang Lingyuan, she might have respected his candor.
Jiang Xun stomped in anger. “What kind of look is that?!”
Just then, Jiang Lingyuan rushed over and pleaded, “Second Brother, don’t be like this. The Madame’s spirit tablet is right inside. You know she gave her life to bring Sister into this world…”
At Jiang Lingyuan’s words, Jiang Xun’s expression turned cold again.
Though he had been only three years old at the time, he remembered.
Their mother had always been frail, and the pregnancy had been especially difficult. This younger sister, Jiang Lingzhi, had survived by drinking their mother’s blood and consuming her flesh.
Jiang Lingyuan, satisfied with Jiang Xun’s reaction, turned to Jiang Lingzhi.
“Sister, Old Madam knows you’ve returned and is waiting in the main hall. You should go pay your respects to her.”
Jiang Lingzhi froze momentarily.
In her memory, Old Madam Jiang always appeared stern and severe, constantly looking down on her with disdain, considering her manners crude and vulgar. She had even assigned two matrons to strictly enforce etiquette lessons upon her.
Reflecting on it now, although those days were difficult, it was precisely because of that training she could navigate many situations at the Guogong Fu without being completely lost.
Her feelings toward this Old Madam were complex and indescribable, but fear predominated, making her extremely reluctant to go.
Yet without a word, Jiang Xun grabbed her by the collar and dragged her along.
In the main hall, Chu Shi was seated alongside Old Madam Jiang.
Old Madam Jiang wore an olive-green outfit that appeared quite modest, but Jiang Lingzhi, having learned embroidery in the countryside, immediately recognized the extraordinary quality of the subtly embroidered lotus patterns.
With graying hair, Old Madam Jiang sat upright in the host’s seat, her expression dignified and severe, almost to the point of being unapproachable. Even when speaking with Chu Shi, she never looked directly at her.
It was only when Jiang Xun and Jiang Lingyuan entered that a slight smile appeared on her face. She inquired after them with concern and had servants bring their favorite sweet soups and pastries.
Jiang Lingzhi, however, wasn’t even offered a cup of tea.
It was as if she were a beggar who had wandered into the wrong place, utterly ignored and disregarded.
Jiang Lingyuan threw herself into Old Madam Jiang’s embrace, coquettishly turning to beckon Jiang Lingzhi, “Sister, come quickly and pay your respects to Old Madam.”
Only then did Old Madam Jiang seem to notice Jiang Lingzhi, eyeing her disdainfully before sneering, “Guards, hold her down! Bring the Jia Fa!”
Caught off guard, Jiang Lingzhi was immediately pinned to the ground by several stout matrons.
“Grandmother, what is this about? She…” Jiang Xun was momentarily bewildered but instinctively stepped forward to help her up. “What has she done wrong?”
Old Madam Jiang snorted arrogantly, “What has she done wrong? The Hui Men Li list she sent back mentioned a Hu Pi Da Chang, but when the steward checked the storage, it was a Hui Shu Pi Pao Zi. Tell me, how did our Jiang family raise such a disgraceful creature?”
Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Jiang Xun’s eyes. Unsure of what to say, he could only sit back down.
Naturally, Chu Shi and Jiang Lingyuan wouldn’t intervene; they were more than happy to see Jiang Lingzhi punished.
Soon, the Jia Fa was brought forth.
It was a Jing Ji Teng Tiao, covered in thorns. Old Madam Jiang herself took hold of the vine, her voice cold as she declared, “Today, you will receive twenty strikes.”
Jiang Lingzhi froze, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Her Hui Men Li had been entirely arranged by Lu Shi, and she had heard that Madam Xiao later added some items, but such a mistake would absolutely not have occurred.
Without a doubt, the substitution of the Hui Shu Pi Pao Zi for the Hu Pi Da Chang was undoubtedly linked to Lu Shi.
Jiang Lingzhi found it bitterly ironic—Lu Shi and Xiao Yan were truly mother and son, both incapable of openly pursuing what they wanted, resorting instead to underhanded, shameful schemes.
And now, she was to suffer the Jiang family’s Jia Fa because of it.
Xueying and Yunrou turned pale with fear. The Jing Ji Teng Tiao looked terrifying; could anyone survive twenty strikes?
“Hurry and advise,” she urged, “Old Madam Jiang, our Fourth Madam is now a member of the Xiao family, you… you cannot punish her like this…”
“A member of the Xiao family? Hah, not for long!”
Old Madam Jiang pulled out a sheet of paper filled with writing from her sleeve: “This is the Yi Jue Shu. Once the Jia Fa is carried out, Jiang Lingzhi will press her fingerprint on it, and from then on, she will have no further ties with your Xiao family.”
Xueying and Yunrou were completely stunned.