Nanny Li took a step forward, but Jiang Youning moved in front of her and blocked her path. She looked coldly at Nanny Li, her gaze like a blade tempered in ice.
An inexplicable fear welled up in Nanny Li’s heart, and the hand she had raised stopped in midair.
“Youning! Is this how your aunt taught you? Is this how you indulge your servants in their lack of manners?”
“Aunt, Mother once taught me that when I do something wrong, I must admit my fault and accept my punishment.
“But if I have done nothing wrong, then even if it costs me my life, I must never allow anyone to throw dirty water on me.
“May I ask, Aunt, which part of what Qingyang said was wrong?
“Does Song Xiuyi have any relation to the Jiang Residence?
“If both the principal wife and the equal wife are sent off from the Jiang Residence, won’t the people of the capital laugh at me?!”
Jiang Youning spoke sternly, her gaze sweeping over Xu Yuanshan and the others.
Song Ying’s expression stiffened. What had happened to this Jiang Youning?
In the past, whenever Song Ying said east, Jiang Youning would never go west, much less speak to her in this manner or defy her as she was doing today.
Could it be that because Qiming was taking an equal wife, Jiang Youning had been provoked and was resisting her in this way?
This was outrageous!
Song Ying had painstakingly raised her for seven years. It would have been bad enough if Jiang Youning had failed to understand gratitude, but she even dared to speak to Song Ying like this. She truly was an ungrateful wolf that could never be tamed!
“Jiang Youning! Who gave you permission to speak to an elder like that? If you still want me to marry you, kneel down and apologize to my mother. Then have this maid beaten twenty times and sold off.” Xu Qiming stared at Jiang Youning with a vicious look in his eyes.
“Young General, why don’t we go to the Jingzhao Prefecture and have the Prefect of Jingzhao judge the matter? If he says I’m in the wrong, I’ll do exactly as you say. Otherwise…”
“That’s enough! Why make such a fuss over a minor matter and take it to the Jingzhao Prefecture?” Xu Yuanshan interrupted Jiang Youning in a dark tone.
He had not expected Jiang Youning to be so difficult to fool today. If this matter really reached the Jingzhao Prefecture, wouldn’t it make the Xu Family a laughingstock?
He had only just been promoted. How would His Majesty view him if a matter like this caused a disturbance?
If a man could not even manage his own household, how could he properly manage the soldiers under his command?
In an ordinary prestigious family, no one would ever take a principal wife and an equal wife at the same time. Even if Jiang Youning agreed, it would ultimately be nothing to be proud of once word got out.
“Madam, we’ll discuss Xiuyi’s matter another day. Tomorrow, arrange for someone to accompany Youning back to the Jiang Residence to take inventory of her belongings. Once an auspicious date has been chosen, Youning will marry out from the Jiang Residence.” Xu Yuanshan settled the matter with finality, then rose and left the courtyard.
Seeing that Xu Yuanshan had made his decision, Song Ying could not say anything more. She turned to Nanny Li.
“Nanny Li, accompany Youning back to the Jiang Residence tomorrow. While you’re there, teach her some things about being a wife. When she marries out, return here with her. That will be all.”
The concubines rose and left. Before leaving, Concubine Qin glanced at Jiang Youning, the worry in her eyes growing heavier.
She understood Song Ying’s nature better than anyone. How could Song Ying be willing to let matters rest without stripping Jiang Youning bare?
Having Nanny Li accompany Jiang Youning back to the Jiang Residence was clearly meant to keep watch over her while she sorted through the Jiang Residence’s assets.
If that was the case…
Concubine Qin’s eyes shifted slightly, but she said nothing and was the first to leave Jinghe Residence.
After Jiang Youning left Jinghe Residence, she ordered, “Qingyang, take everything Madam Xu and Song Xiuyi gave me today and sell it.”
She had no intention of using any of these troublesome things.
“Yes, Miss.” Qingyang stepped forward and was about to take the tray from Qinghe, but Qinghe retreated a step to avoid her, looking extremely anxious.
“Miss, these are Madam’s heartfelt gifts. How can you sell them? Why not let this servant keep them for you? When you need them, I’ll take them out for you.”
If these things were really sold, what use would there be for her?
Jiang Youning stopped and turned back to look at Qinghe. There was not the slightest warmth in her eyes.
“I have no need for a disobedient servant at my side. If you’re unwilling, you may leave on your own.”
If Qinghe had not still been useful to her, Jiang Youning would never have kept a servant who had betrayed her master at her side.
“Miss…” Qinghe was frightened by Jiang Youning’s gaze. She had never seen her mistress like this before. She stammered a few times, then did not dare say anything more.
Qingyang stepped forward and took the tray from Qinghe, offering a kind word of consolation. “Qinghe, whatever Miss says, we only need to do as she orders.”
Watching Jiang Youning and Qingyang walk away, Qinghe bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with resentment.
Song Xiuyi, who had just walked out of Jinghe Residence, happened to see the entire scene. The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Not long after Jiang Youning returned to Qiyun Courtyard, a young maid came to report, “Miss, Concubine Qin requests an audience.”
Jiang Youning raised her brows. Concubine Qin had stood up for her at Jinghe Residence earlier. It seemed that the Lingfeng she had sent her had not been given in vain.
“Invite Concubine Qin in.”
Concubine Qin entered with a smile and was about to pay her respects to Jiang Youning, but Jiang Youning supported her.
“Concubine Qin, there’s no need to be so formal.”
“Miss Jiang…”
“Concubine Qin, considering our ages, you can be regarded as my elder. Just call me Youning,” Jiang Youning said.
A trace of appreciation flashed through Concubine Qin’s eyes. She did not refuse.
“Very well. Then I’ll presume upon you and call you Youning.”
“Youning, are you really going to let Nanny Li accompany you to the Jiang Residence?” Concubine Qin did not beat around the bush and directly stated the reason for her visit.
“What do you mean, Concubine Qin?” Jiang Youning asked instead of answering.
A trace of hesitation appeared in Concubine Qin’s eyes. In the end, she gritted her teeth and said, “Youning, if you let Nanny Li accompany you to the Jiang Residence, won’t that allow Madam to learn exactly what your family possesses?
“You’re about to marry the Young General. A woman must learn to protect herself and leave herself a way out. Do you understand what I mean?”
Jiang Youning had not expected Concubine Qin to come and tell her this, and a little warmth welled up in her heart.
Of course she understood why Madam Xu wanted Nanny Li to accompany her. In fact, she had deliberately wanted Nanny Li to go with her.
What satisfaction was there in killing someone directly, compared with striking at their heart?
She wanted Song Ying, as Madam Xu, to know exactly how much dowry she possessed and fill herself with anticipation, only to discover in the end that none of those things had anything to do with the Xu Residence. Jiang Youning wondered how much pain Song Ying would feel then.
That regret would cut into Song Ying’s heart like a knife and accompany her for the rest of her life.
Jiang Youning had already made other plans as well. If something truly went wrong, and even after posting the Imperial Proclamation she still failed to marry Prince Jing, she had another strategy. She would ensure that the Xu Family could not obtain her dowry—and would not dare touch her.
In her previous life, she had suffered because she trusted others too much, ultimately meeting such an end. Having been given another life, she would never repeat the same mistake.
“Thank you for the reminder, Concubine Qin. I’ll be careful.” Jiang Youning could not tell Concubine Qin what she truly intended, but she accepted this well-meaning warning.
Seeing that Jiang Youning showed not the slightest shock or panic after hearing her warning, Concubine Qin was somewhat surprised. This young girl seemed steadier than she had imagined.
Before this, Concubine Qin’s impression of Jiang Youning had been that she was a soft-natured girl who obeyed Song Ying in everything. Jiang Youning’s performance today had far exceeded her expectations.
Now that she was like this…
Perhaps this young girl was not as easy to manipulate as she appeared. Perhaps Concubine Qin did not need to worry about her so much after all.
Concubine Qin had said what she needed to say. Some matters only needed to be hinted at, so she rose and took her leave.
After leaving Qiyun Courtyard, Cuiyan said softly beside Concubine Qin, “Concubine, why did you come here? If the General and Madam find out, they may grow displeased with you.”
Cuiyan was worried that Jiang Youning would understand what her mistress meant and go make a scene before the General and Madam, which might bring trouble upon Concubine Qin.
“This trip was not in vain. This Miss Jiang… is rather interesting.” Concubine Qin spoke thoughtfully. “Cuiyan, pay close attention to what happens around Miss Jiang. If anything comes up, tell me immediately.”
“Yes, Concubine.”