Rong’an Courtyard.
Upon hearing the good news brought back by Granny Liu, Madam Xiao immediately beamed with joy.
The Duke was also chuckling cheerfully, looking even more spirited than the day before, and insisted on waiting in Zheng Hall to drink a cup of tea from his new daughter-in-law.
He had married three wives in total and had four sons and two daughters.
They were: the eldest daughter Xiao Jingyao, eldest son Xiao Jingping, and second son Xiao Jinghui, all born from his first wife Li Shi; the third son Xiao Jingming, born from his second wife Bai Shi; and the fourth son Xiao Jingyi and second daughter Xiao Jingxi, born from Madam Xiao.
At this moment, except for Xiao Jingyao, who was already married, everyone else was seated in Zheng Hall of Rong’an Courtyard.
As for Jiang Lingyuan, after yesterday’s incident, Lu Shi’s plans had fallen through, and the Guogong Fu had not approved her entry. Her status was awkward, so she naturally had no right to be present here.
Seeing Madam Xiao supporting the Duke as they entered, everyone quickly stood up to greet them.
The Duke waved his hand with a smile, “Rise, everyone. No need for formalities today.”
Everyone wore gentle and appropriate smiles, except for Xiao Yan, who hung his head low, looking ashamed and exhausted, and kept yawning.
He had knelt in the Ancestral Hall all night.
His knees ached, his eyes were dark and sunken, and his entire body felt as if it were falling apart. Before he could even return to rest, he had been dragged here.
He had also heard some news about what happened at Shun Yuan.
Seeing the joyful expressions on his grandfather and Madam Xiao, he didn’t need to be told to understand that Jiang Lingzhi must have consummated the marriage with his uncle last night.
He felt an inexplicable discomfort.
He had always looked down on Jiang Lingzhi, that country bumpkin, but she had, after all, entered his bridal sedan. For her to switch grooms and consummate the marriage with another man felt like she was cuckolding him.
Moreover, that man was his uncle!
Although only three years older than him, Xiao Jingyi was a full generation above him.
Since childhood, this uncle had been nothing short of a nightmare to him.
The people of the capital loved to praise the fourth son of the Guogong Fu for his brilliance and valor, while often adding a remark about the eldest grandson being a good-for-nothing.
Just when Xiao Jingyi had finally died, and he was about to hold his head high, fate took a turn, and the man returned!
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.
Lu Shi was also seething with anger, feeling that Jiang Lingzhi’s actions were a slap in the face to the eldest branch.
So, in front of everyone, she deliberately tried to stir up trouble: “Everyone is here, so why is the bride the only one missing? Could it be that her outburst yesterday was just a tantrum, and today she regrets the marriage?”
No sooner had she spoken than a scoff was heard from the doorway: “Who’s talking behind my back?”
Following the sound, the door curtain was lifted.
Jiang Lingzhi walked in, wearing a Begonia Red Embroidered Lotus Ruqun, her hair styled in an elegant Flying Cloud Bun. She stepped forward unhurriedly.
Her features were bright and gentle, her demeanor poised and graceful.
There was not a trace of the resentment or grievance others had expected in her expression; instead, she carried a hint of shyness.
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned.
In his memory, Jiang Lingzhi had always been as dull as a stick, and he grew irritable just looking at her.
How had she become so radiant and charming after spending the night with his uncle?
Lu Shi, caught red-handed, felt embarrassed and quickly forced a smile, “It’s good that you’re here, it’s good that you’re here.”
Jiang Lingzhi paid no attention to her or her son.
She walked straight forward and greeted the Duke and Madam Xiao with confidence and grace.
Duke Xiao was already over sixty, while Madam Xiao appeared to be under fifty. Setting aside her imposing presence, she kindly instructed Granny Liu to help Jiang Lingzhi up.
Jiang Lingzhi then apologized to everyone, explaining, “I was delayed because I had just asked Doctor Mu to examine the Fourth Master’s pulse. I’m truly sorry for keeping you all waiting.”
“That’s quite all right,” Madam Xiao immediately widened her eyes and eagerly pressed, “What did the doctor say?”
Thinking of the doctor’s words, Jiang Lingzhi felt her cheeks grow warm again.
After taking the pulse, Doctor Mu had remarked that the general’s pulse was much stronger, indicating that his spirits were lifted by joy.
He then very tactfully suggested that she should be more intimate with the general in bed, as this could help alleviate his tense and despondent mood.
The words were so embarrassing she wished she could vanish into the ground.
Now, in front of so many people, she couldn’t possibly speak frankly and only vaguely said, “Doctor Mu mentioned that my husband’s pulse is stronger than yesterday’s.”
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone except Lu Shi and Xiao Yan broke into pleased smiles.
Xiao Yan clearly noticed that Jiang Lingzhi’s expression grew even more bashful when she mentioned his younger uncle.
Her captivating gaze was simply irresistible, making it hard to look away.
As if sensing his stare, Jiang Lingzhi turned her head toward him.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Yan unconsciously flashed her an ingratiating grin. Jiang Lingzhi rolled her eyes in annoyance and averted her gaze.
Xiao Yan felt a surge of anger inwardly. Hah! So she thinks she’s too good for my attention? What a hypocrite!
“Good, good, good.”
Madam Xiao’s smile became even more unconcealed: “I knew it—my eyes aren’t failing me yet. I could tell at a glance that you, young lady, are clearly Jing Yi’s lucky star!”
In contrast, she grew even more dissatisfied with the eldest branch, especially since Lu Shi had just tried to stir up trouble earlier.
She said gently, “I keep my word. I’ll go to the palace soon to request an honorary title for you!”
Jiang Lingzhi felt a warmth in her heart: “Thank you… Madam.”
Madam Xiao burst into laughter again: “Look at me, so caught up in talking that I nearly forgot the main event.
I must quickly drink the tea for changing forms of address to set my mind at ease.”
Granny Liu brought over two cups of warm tea, and Jiang Lingzhi served it according to custom.
Madam Xiao then placed a pair of translucent green jade dragon-and-phoenix bracelets she had prepared onto Jiang Lingzhi’s wrists.
Jiang Lingzhi hurriedly said, “Thank you, Mother.”
She then presented two pairs of embroidered shoes she had made for the Madam and the Duke.
She was well-versed in such etiquette—the embroidered shoes had been prepared in advance.
Originally, there were two more pairs for the eldest master and Lu Shi, but she had instructed Xueying early on to throw them into the brazier and burn them.
The old Duke held the embroidered shoes and praised, “The flowers and birds are embroidered so vividly they look real, and the soles are stitched perfectly. One can tell she’s clever, virtuous, and capable—excellent!”
In this deep mansion, everyone was shrewd. Seeing how the Duke and Madam esteemed Jiang Lingzhi, they all began to form their own calculations.
Regardless of their inner thoughts, their smiles grew increasingly amiable.
Jiang Lingzhi acted as if she were unaware of the underlying tensions, simply holding the tea to offer respects to her elder brothers and sisters-in-law.
She then noticed that her three sisters-in-law were all, without exception, staring at the jade bracelets on her wrists.
Third sister-in-law Zhao Shi was fairly open about her envy.
Second sister-in-law Gu Shi, however, kept stealing glances while pretending not to care.
Eldest sister-in-law Lu Shi stared fixedly, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
Jiang Lingzhi could guess that this pair of jade bracelets had a significant history.
Just as she suspected, they were indeed the heirloom of the Xiao family.
Lu Shi had always wanted them and had asked Madam Xiao for them multiple times, but was never given them.
Now, seeing them effortlessly adorning Jiang Lingzhi’s wrists, her heart churned with mixed emotions.
Adding to the mockery and disdain she had endured since the previous day, Lu Shi finally couldn’t hold back her frustration: “Fourth sister-in-law is truly blessed. I wish you and Fourth Brother a long and happy marriage, with many children and grandchildren.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the room instantly fell into a chill.