Tears streamed down Cai Xiumei’s face. How had her life become so miserable? Her father died young, her husband never cared for her, her daughter was considered a curse, and her son was impossible to discipline.
“Hmph! Since you won’t listen to reason, then if you get yourself into trouble in the future, don’t drag me and Xiaochuan down with you. The two of us have nothing to do with you.”
Jiang Qingran nodded. “Don’t worry. As you wish.”
“Cough…” Cai Xiumei cleared her throat. “There’s another matter. My dowry was stripped clean by Shen Ruoliu long ago. Xiaochuan and I barely have enough food or clothing now. In the middle of this bitter winter, we don’t even have a single piece of charcoal to keep warm. No matter what, you’re still my daughter. I gave birth to you. You received one hundred thousand taels of silver, so you should give me half of it.”
Jiang Qingran was so furious that she laughed. “What? Didn’t you understand what I just said? Then let me make it even clearer. Ten years ago, when you sent me away to the estate, I fell gravely ill on the journey and lost consciousness. The driver thought I was dead and threw me off the carriage. A kind stranger saved my life. So the daughter you had was already driven to her death by all of you. The life I have now belongs to that person, and any gratitude I owe belongs to that person as well. You don’t even dare breathe too loudly in front of Jiang Wenxiang and the others, yet here you are acting all arrogant before me. Hah! Get out.”
People always said that a mother would sacrifice everything for her children. But that depended on which child.
“I…” Cai Xiumei wanted to say something more, but Qinghe grabbed her by the collar and tossed her outside.
At last, there was peace and quiet.
Jiang Qingran slept straight through until evening. When she opened her eyes and pushed open the window, the world outside was covered in a blanket of silver. The snow was falling harder and harder.
It was just like the day she had been driven out of the Prime Minister’s Residence, when snow filled the city, covering the heavens and the earth.
Jiang Qingran didn’t bother to look at the Jiang family’s ugly faces in the front courtyard again, so she ate a simple dinner in her room. But when the long night came, sleep would not find her. So she took Qinghe with her and wandered around the residence for a while.
It had to be said that the Prime Minister’s Residence was beautifully designed. With its artificial hills, pavilions, winding streams, and elegant bridges, it resembled a grand garden estate and offered charming scenery at every turn. Under cover of night, walking through the snow had its own unique appeal.
Suddenly, a dark figure vaulted over the outer wall and headed straight for Jiang Qingyue’s courtyard.
“Qinghe, let’s follow him.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The two of them used their qinggong and landed directly on the roof. Lifting a tile, they peered inside and saw the man dressed in black pulling Jiang Qingyue into his arms.
Jiang Qingyue sobbed softly. “Third Prince, you’ve finally come. I’ve missed you so much these past days that my heart has been in turmoil.”
Jing Mofeng placed one hand on her curvy backside while the other wandered across her chest. “I’ve missed you dearly as well. But Father Emperor suddenly decreed that you are to marry Seventh Prince, that cripple. Once you’re married, it will be difficult for us to see each other again.” As he spoke, he tore open part of Jiang Qingyue’s dress and pressed his lips against her alluring collarbone.
“Ah…” Jiang Qingyue let out an excited cry and cupped Jing Mofeng’s face with both hands. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. In life I belong to you, and in death I’ll be your ghost. I will belong to you forever.”
Had her father not feared unexpected complications, she would have told Jing Mofeng right then that the one marrying the Seventh Prince in three days would actually be the family’s so-called disaster star.
“You truly are a little enchantress who drives men crazy!” Unable to wait any longer, Jing Mofeng spun her around so that both her hands were braced against the table.
Just as he was about to take off his trousers, Qinghe whispered without even blinking: “Miss, is this really something we get to watch for free?”
Jiang Qingran hurriedly put the roof tile back in place. “Watch what? Hurry and get someone. Tell them a thief has broken into Fourth Miss’s room.”
This was far too much for the eyes to bear. If she kept watching, she’d be sick for years from the disgust.
“Yes, Miss!”