Jiang Danian urgently asked, “Second Brother, how did you figure it out?”
Jiang Xunnian glanced at him and said, “When we said we were going to relieve ourselves, the Twelfth Prince immediately followed us. When we didn’t head to the privy but went straight to the backyard to watch the commotion, the Twelfth Prince didn’t even ask any questions and just followed us directly. Isn’t that strange?”
Jiang Danian thought about it and realized it was indeed true.
Moreover, without the Twelfth Prince following them, the brothers wouldn’t have been able to enter the backyard of the Princess Manor so quickly.
Qiao Shi murmured, “No wonder… no wonder as soon as he arrived, he insisted on sitting next to me, watching Niannian… I thought he was just curious about Niannian…”
Jiang Xunnian rationally refuted, “The palace almost welcomes little princesses and princes every year. At the very least, the imperial family adds new members annually. If the Twelfth Prince were truly curious about infants, he wouldn’t lack younger siblings to observe.”
Jiang Qiaonian nervously asked, “Then, will the Twelfth Prince reveal it and bring harm to Niannian?”
Although the Twelfth Prince is only four years old, he is still a prince. If the Emperor were to learn of Niannian’s ability…
The mother and her three children couldn’t help but turn pale, not daring to think further.
Qiao Shi steadied her mind and said, “Don’t worry for now. Since the Twelfth Prince didn’t say anything on the spot, he might not speak of it at all. I will discuss this matter with your Father.”
The three children nodded, though it was clear they hadn’t completely set their minds at ease.
Seeing the atmosphere grow heavy, Qiao Shi proactively asked about Jiang Qiaonian and Xu Lin’s situation that day. Jiang Qiaonian promptly recounted the events.
“Next, we just need to wait. As long as the Xu family has any sense of shame, they will take the initiative to return Elder Sister’s belongings!” Jiang Danian said with a beaming smile.
Jiang Qiaonian nodded happily, “That’s what I think too, so we’ll wait a few days and see.”
After discussing these matters, Qiao Shi said, “Alright, you’ve had a long day and must be tired. All of you, go back to your own courtyards and rest for a while.”
Not long after sending the children away, Jiang Yucheng returned bathed in the glow of the evening sunset.
Qiao Shi hurried to greet him and asked, “Did something important happen with the Marquis today?”
As he removed his outer robe, Jiang Yucheng replied, “After the banquet, Father found an excuse to lead Jiang Yizhen away, and then I went to investigate the mistress’s background. I managed to gather some information.”
Qiao Shi pressed urgently, “What’s the situation over there?”
Jiang Yucheng didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point: “She is indeed Jiang Yizhen’s mistress, but she believes she is his legitimate wife. She has no knowledge of the child-swapping incident. After making inquiries in the neighborhood, we found that Jiang Yizhen made very meticulous arrangements. When he took her as his mistress, he even went through the full ceremony of welcoming a bride, so the neighbors also think they are a normal married couple, except that the man is quite busy and rarely comes home.”
Qiao Shi listened in stunned disbelief, “He… he is actually so despicable!”
This was completely trampling on the dignity of the true legitimate wife, Jiang Yurong!
Jiang Yucheng grunted in agreement and added, “We can’t expose this matter yet. According to the information Jiang Bo gathered, Jiang Yizhen has at least two mistresses, possibly even three! We need to uncover all his secrets before we can bring this to light.”
Qiao Shi nodded hurriedly, her mind a tempest of shock and turmoil.
Jiang Bo’s real name was Jiang Hu. Qiao Shi only knew that he had been by the Old Marquis’s side since early years, reputedly an exceptional scout who had contributed significantly to the Old Marquis’s military victories. In his old age, he was cared for by the Marquis Manor and seldom made appearances.
That he had been summoned now indicated both Jiang Yizhen’s formidable nature and the Old Marquis’s deep concern for his daughter.
After washing his hands and face, Jiang Yucheng went to the inner chamber to check on the soundly sleeping Niannian.
At the sight of his delicate, adorable daughter, Jiang Yucheng’s heart melted instantly, yearning to shower her with affectionate kisses.
Yet he restrained himself and withdrew.
“How did things go on your end today?” Jiang Yucheng inquired.
Setting aside her chaotic thoughts, Qiao Shi recounted her experiences in the rear garden with Jiang Qiaonian and Jiang Xianian.
When she described Jiang Qiaonian’s counter against Xu Lin, Jiang Yucheng swelled with pride: “Excellent! Truly excellent! I had worried Qiao’er might inherit her eldest sister’s tendency to avoid conflict. This reassures me greatly.”
Qiao Shi briefly discussed her plans for raising their eldest daughter before mentioning Huimin Princess’s exposure of her mianshou Hong Yumin. She then shared their second son Jiang Xunnian’s speculation: “Xunnian suspects the Twelfth Prince can hear Niannian’s inner thoughts.”
Jiang Xunnian immediately refuted this: “Impossible. The Twelfth Prince shares no blood ties with Niannian—how could he possibly hear them?”
Even her own sister couldn’t hear them; how could the Twelfth Prince, a complete outsider with no familial connection?
Qiao Shi gently reasoned: “I’m skeptical too, but Xunnian has always been meticulous and never speaks carelessly. Whether it’s true or not, preparing in advance is wise. If it proves a false alarm, all the better. If real, we can respond promptly to protect Niannian. Don’t you agree?”
Jiang Yucheng stiffly nodded. The mere notion of some unrelated boy hearing his sweet, soft daughter’s private thoughts had sent fury shooting through him, as if the lad had come to steal his girl away.
Once rationality prevailed, he acknowledged Qiao Shi’s logic.
“I’ll discuss this with Father and find an opportunity to investigate thoroughly,” Jiang Yucheng said, suppressing his displeasure.
Qiao Shi nodded: “Our main concern is whether the Twelfth Prince might inform His Majesty…”
Niannian’s ability was truly extraordinary. As her mother, Qiao Shi couldn’t bear the thought of her young daughter becoming a pawn—or even a sacrifice—to imperial power.
Steadying himself, Jiang Yucheng drew his wife into an embrace, comforting her: “Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’m here, and Father is here!”
Qiao Shi nodded, her worries somewhat eased yet not fully dispelled.
Two days later, as Qiao Shi directed her maids in cutting fabric in the courtyard to make summer clothes for Jiang Xianian, a young maid from Ruian Hall arrived with a message: “Madam, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
After having a maid reward the messenger with silver, Qiao Shi asked: “Does Mother have some matter to discuss?”
The messenger beamed at receiving the silver and promptly replied: “Madam Xu has come, bringing several chests. She says she’s returning items to you and the eldest young lady.”
After Qiao Shi sent her back to report, she had someone summon Jiang Qiaonian to bring the list over.
As soon as Jiang Qiaonian arrived, she heard her younger sister muttering: [This Mrs. Xu is truly cunning!” Returning items yet refusing to come directly to our main branch, instead deliberately going to Old Madam. Knowing full well Old Madam isn’t Father’s birth mother, she intentionally flaunts those things before her, hoping Old Madam would set her sights on our main branch’s possessions. Disgusting!]
Qiao Shi looked at Jiang Qiaonian, silently asking: Do you understand?
Jiang Qiaonian nodded slightly.
If her sister said Mrs. Xu had ulterior motives and harbored ill intentions, it must be true.
So today, retrieving their belongings wouldn’t be easy.
After preparing, Qiao Shi carried Jiang Xianian and led Jiang Qiaonian to Ruian Hall.
When the maid at the entrance announced them, the cheerful laughter inside immediately ceased.
Entering the room, they saw several opened boxes on the floor, dazzling with jewels and extraordinary wealth.
Jiang Xianian sneered inwardly: [This is exactly the effect Mrs. Xu wanted – letting everyone present see, hoping they’d all covet our main branch’s assets and make our lives difficult.Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian also recognized Mrs. Xu’s malicious intent, feeling furious.
After the mother and daughters paid respects to Old Madam, the latter put on a doting grandmother act: “Is this my youngest? Let grandmother have a good look at you!”
As Qiao Shi slightly presented Jiang Xianian, the baby took one look at Old Madam and furrowed her tiny brows.
Just when Qiao Shi thought Jiang Xianian was displeased with Old Madam, she heard her daughter exclaim: [Eww! Her breath stinks! So foul! Get me away! It’s suffocating!]
Qiao Shi paused briefly before quickly withdrawing Jiang Xianian, hearing her daughter take a deep gasp. She nearly burst out laughing.
Old Madam reached out, but before touching Jiang Xianian’s face, the baby was pulled away. Her hand hung awkwardly mid-air, flushing with anger.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, what do you mean by guarding against me like this?” Old Madam demanded sharply.
Unfazed, Qiao Shi replied calmly: “Mother, please forgive me. My back hasn’t fully recovered yet. Carrying Niannian here has left me quite exhausted.”
Old Madam’s anger stuck in her chest, neither rising nor falling, nearly choking her.
Seizing the opportunity, Mrs. Xu added fuel: “Mrs. Jiang, you’re still unwell? When I saw you chatting cheerfully with Gongzhu at Princess Manor two days ago, I thought you’d recovered!”
Her implication that Qiao Shi was feigning illness was barely concealed.
Jiang Xianian fumed: [Just jealous that Mother gained favor with Gongzhu! While Sister shone brilliantly, her daughter made a fool of herself. No wonder she’s green with envy!]
Hearing her daughter’s rant, Qiao Shi’s irritation vanished. Smiling, she retorted: “Mrs. Xu needn’t envy me.” Gongzhu certainly remembered you and your daughter quite well that day!”Mrs. Xu’s face darkened instantly.” The commotion in the small parlor must have left Gongzhu with a poor impression of the Xu Family.
Qiao Shi’s words struck right where it hurt.
Seeing that Qiao Shi had gained the upper hand once more, Old Madam felt uncomfortable and cleared her throat lightly, saying, “Madam Xu has come to return the items, you may take them back. Such trivial things aren’t worth causing a scene at the Princess Manor over.”
Madam Xu immediately chimed in, “Indeed, Old Madam is reasonable. Look at how this matter has embarrassed both families.”
Jiang Xianian gained a new understanding of Madam Xu’s shamelessness: [Incredible! It’s clearly your Xu Family that’s embarrassed—what does it have to do with our Jiang Family? And you still have the nerve to say both families have lost face!]
Just as Qiao Shi was about to speak, a voice interjected, “What nonsense are you spouting, Madam Xu? Only your Xu Family is the one embarrassed here!”