“You’re talking about Lady Chen?” Jiang Wang-shi’s eyebrows nearly stood on end at these words.
What a Jiang Chen-shi. She had been wondering why there had been no little schemes these past few days—so this was where she had been waiting for her.
“If Mother-in-law does not believe it, you may send someone to ask those ladies from yesterday.” Zhao E lightly waved her round fan, casual and at ease.
Jiang Wang-shi turned to look at the study door: “Come with me to Cixin Yuan first.”
As she spoke, she stepped down from the platform and blocked Zhao E’s path.
It was abundantly clear that if Zhao E did not go, she would not be allowed to leave.
Cixin Yuan was the courtyard where her mother-in-law, Old Madam Jiang, resided.
Because she had failed to summon Zhao E the previous two times, the old woman was already extremely displeased with her.
Especially the second time—the old woman’s words had carried an unmistakable disbelief that she could not summon Zhao E, and instead suspected her of deliberately failing to do so. Her words had been quite harsh.
“Look at you.” Zhao E’s apricot eyes glinted playfully, her round fan half-covering her small face as she let out a light laugh. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go. Why are you blocking the way?”
She was in a good mood today, so she might as well take a stroll and see what tricks they were playing.
“How dare you speak like that?” Jiang Wang-shi’s temples throbbed.
What did she mean by “blocking the way”? Was Zhao E indirectly calling her a dog?
She had always considered herself someone who could keep her composure. In several decades of life, the sum total of times she had been angered could not compare to the past half month or so since Zhao E had entered the household.
No matter when, Zhao E could always stir up her fury.
“Let’s go.” Zhao E waved her round fan, her dark brows slightly raised, wearing a half-smile.
Jiang Wang-shi took a deep breath and was the first to leave Cuizhu Ju.
Old Madam Jiang had many rules. Zhao E waited with Jiang Wang-shi at the courtyard gate for about half a quarter-hour before the maid who had gone in to announce them came out: “The Old Madam invites Da Furen and the young madam to enter.”
Before stepping over the threshold, Zhao E caught the scent of sandalwood. The corners of her lips curved slightly—a family of petty thieves and scoundrels, and reciting Buddha’s name would set their hearts at ease?
“Mother.”
“Grandmother.”
Seeing Jiang Wang-shi bow, she followed with a bow of her own.
Old Madam Jiang sat upright in the seat of honor, a band across her forehead, dark wood prayer beads in her hand, wearing a crimson horse-face skirt with round floral patterns that brought out a vibrant, commanding presence on her face. One glance was enough to tell she was a great matriarch of a distinguished household, long accustomed to luxury and comfort.
“The granddaughter-in-law is truly difficult to invite.” Old Madam Jiang looked down at Zhao E below.
“I was unwell before and feared passing my illness to Grandmother, so I did not come.” Zhao E replied with a smile.
“So you were thinking of my wellbeing?” Old Madam Jiang countered.
“Since I have married into this family, I am a junior member of the household. It is only proper that I show filial respect to Grandmother.” Zhao E looked at her without the slightest change in expression.
“So you also acknowledge that you are a member of this family?”
Old Madam Jiang asked again.
“Naturally.” Zhao E smiled faintly.
“Since that is the case, I will not beat around the bush with you.” Old Madam Jiang straightened her posture and said: “Something has happened on your father-in-law’s side. We have discussed and decided…”
“What happened to Father-in-law?” Zhao E interrupted her with feigned surprise: “Why have I not heard of it?”
“While providing disaster relief in Binzhou, he lost silver.” Old Madam Jiang was the matriarch of the Fuguo Duke’s Residence—no one had ever dared interrupt her. Her expression turned somewhat sour: “We have discussed borrowing some silver from you to tide things over…”
“I won’t lend it.” Zhao E was still smiling, but her refusal was exceedingly blunt.
Borrow silver from her?
If it weren’t for the Fuguo Duke’s Residence’s great power, the crime of embezzling disaster relief silver would be enough to have her entire family executed, and she would have long since gone to the Dijing Fuyin to report the matter.
The Fuguo Gong and the Jiang Wang-shi before her had outright snatched away her mother, separating mother and daughter, and it was also the beginning of her decades of suffering. Even now, she could still clearly remember that scene.
She had come for revenge, not to play the living Bodhisattva. How could she take out silver to help her enemies get through their difficulties?
“What did you say?” Old Madam Jiang had not expected her to refuse so decisively, and she nearly could not maintain her posture as an elder.
Seeing this, Jiang Wang-shi felt somewhat pleased. The old woman had finally learned how formidable this little wretch was. Next time, she should not always say it was because she, the daughter-in-law, was not diligent enough.
“I said I won’t lend it.” Zhao E repeated with a light smile.
“Why?” Old Madam Jiang asked involuntarily.
“No reason.” Zhao E’s apricot eyes sparkled with amusement.
“When I speak, even your father must give me some respect.” Old Madam Jiang restrained the urge to slam the table. “You dare treat an elder like this?”
“My dowry is my private property. If I don’t want to lend it, I won’t.” Zhao E waved her round fan and slowly took a step. “If Grandmother thinks I have done wrong, then go to the yamen and accuse me.”
After saying that, she turned and left without hesitation.
“Just what kind of thing did you people marry into this household?” Old Madam Jiang finally could not hold back and slapped the table. “She dares to be so rude!”
“Mother, calm your anger.” Jiang Wang-shi hurried forward to soothe her. “Your daughter-in-law said before that this girl is stubborn and insensitive. You see, with Cheng’er’s matter…”
“Then let Cheng’er go.” Old Madam Jiang waved her hand irritably.
“But having a child is not something that can happen in a short time, and right now the master is urgently waiting…” Jiang Wang-shi said worriedly.
That hole needed to be filled urgently; it was already imminent. If they waited until Zhao E had a child and then took her dowry, distant water could not quench present thirst!
“You are just too straightforward.” Old Madam Jiang frowned and criticized her. “Couldn’t you first borrow from another family? If truly necessary, even a high-interest loan from a money house could be used for now, and when the time comes, just repay it.”
“Yes.” Jiang Wang-shi answered.
＊
After leaving Cixin Yuan, Zhao E slowed her pace.
“It will soon be the ninth month.” She gazed ahead for a long while, then turned her eyes and instructed Xiyu, “Have someone buy some tin foil.”
The first day of the ninth month was her mother’s death anniversary. Every year, she would personally fold ingots and burn them for her mother.
“Yes.” Xiyu lowered her head and answered.
That evening, as Zhao E leaned against the soft couch folding ingots, Ling Feng walked in hurriedly.
She leaned close to Zhao E’s ear. “Miss, Jiang Cheng is here.”
“Invite him to the outer room.” Zhao E’s apricot eyes shifted slightly. She put down the ingot in her hand and rose to wash her hands.
Zhao E walked out to the outer room.
Jiang Cheng’s eyes lit up when he saw her, and he stood. “Sister-in-law.”
Zhao E glanced at the wide-open main door and bowed to him. “You are thoughtful, brother-in-law.”
Jiang Cheng was in her room, and with the door wide open, it could prove her innocence.
“Today, I came to seek out Sister-in-law for an urgent matter.” Jiang Cheng looked sincere. “Otherwise, I would not have come here to disturb you.”
“What matter?” Zhao E immediately looked at him nervously.
“This matter is secret. Come over here to talk.” As Jiang Huaifu spoke, he started walking toward the inner room.
Zhao E inadvertently raised her eyes and saw Zhou Yu standing inside the inner room by the door, watching her with clear, cold eyes, his face as calm as water.
She frowned slightly and stepped forward to block Jiang Cheng. “Uncle, the inner room is where I sleep. It would be most improper for you to enter.”
That beast Zhou Yu was always appearing out of nowhere—he must have climbed in through the back window again.
“What is sister-in-law thinking?” Jiang Cheng stopped by the wall. “I just thought this spot would be more discreet.”
Zhao E complied and moved to one side. “Uncle, what is this urgent matter?”
“Jiang Wang-shi came to me this evening, plotting against you, sister-in-law.” Jiang Cheng leaned in closer, catching the faint scent of milky peach fragrance from Zhao E, and felt a sudden stir of distraction.
“What did Mother-in-law say?” Zhao E suppressed her disgust and asked with a look of feigned alarm.
“She said she plans to drug you tomorrow.” Jiang Cheng steadied himself and put on a serious expression.