Chapter 362 In the end, I'm on your side.

If Jiang Chengye had dismissed all his concubines a few years after their marriage, Lu Yifang might have believed that Jiang Chengye had changed for the better and forgiven him. After all, she was young then, her mind wasn't fully developed, and she wasn't hurt by him too deeply.

But now, more than twenty years later, a dissolute old playboy has grown tired of his life and wants to come back and settle down. Lu Yifang, for one, doesn't believe it. A leopard can't change its spots, and a playboy can't change his playful, thrill-seeking nature.

Secondly, even if Jiang Chengye truly wants to change for the better, does that mean I have to accept and forgive him? Why should I?

So she told Jiang Yu, "Let him do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't ruin your plans. After all, he's your father."

There's another layer to that statement: if he weren't your father, you would have killed him long ago.

Jiang Yu understood what Lu Yifang meant. She came to tell Lu Yifang about this not to ask her to forgive Jiang Chengye, but simply to let her know. So she said, "Of course I'm on your side, and I'll support whatever you do."

Lu Yifang smiled, a carefree and joyful smile. Her daughter was now her greatest source of confidence. The mother and daughter chatted for a while longer, ate their meal together, and then Jiang Yu took her leave to return to her own courtyard.

Steward Li was very efficient; within three or four days, he had thoroughly investigated all of Jiang Chengye's concubines. Fortunately, these concubines were all clean, and their families had no connections with the Duke of Chu's family.

Jiang Chengye didn't appear in person; he directly instructed Steward Li to speak with the concubines. Those who wanted to leave the manor would be given money, while those who didn't would be sent to their estates. Suddenly, the Chu State Duke's manor became much livelier than usual. Some concubines went to Jiang Yu to complain, and others went to Lu Yifang, but both dismissed them with a single word: "I won't see you."

After a few days of excitement, most of Jiang Chengye's concubines went to the estate, while a few asked for money. Those who asked for money were the ones who had been in the household for a short time and had not yet given birth.

When word got out of Jiang Chengye's place, it caused quite a stir in the capital. Many people went to Lu Yifang to inquire about the matter, wanting to know how she had persuaded Jiang Chengye to go this far. No woman in the world could truly bear to see her husband's burdens being shared by someone else.

Lu Yifang only met with a few close friends and said that Jiang Chengye had come to his senses and that she hadn't done anything. The ladies naturally didn't believe her; they, as experienced women, knew exactly what kind of men they were. But they did know Lu Yifang's character: timid and averse to meddling.

It's highly likely that the Duke of Chu intervened. Thinking it might be due to Jiang Yu, the ladies once again envied Lu Yifang's good fortune. Some of them had sons who were already in charge, but sons are men too, with their own concubines; why would they concern themselves with their father's affairs?

But Jiang Yu was different. She was a woman, a woman with great power, and she knew what women wanted. However, the other ladies could only sigh; their families didn't have a daughter as capable as Jiang Yu.

Meanwhile, seeing that all his troublesome concubines had been sent away, Jiang Chengye began to visit Lu Yifang's courtyard every day. First, he apologized, but when that didn't work, he started throwing tantrums and acting unreasonable. When that still didn't work, he went to the Marquis of Anyuan's residence.

He knelt before Marquis Anyuan, crying and saying that he knew he was wrong and wanted to repent, but after being beaten by Marquis Anyuan, he returned with a bruised and swollen face.

After hearing Xia He's report, Jiang Yu didn't even look up and said, "Don't worry about it, let him do what he wants."

A moment later, Xia He brought in a woman, a maidservant from the Marquis of Anyuan's household. After bowing, the maidservant said, "The old lady hasn't seen the Duke for many days and misses him dearly. If you have time tomorrow, please visit the Marquis's residence."

Jiang Yu guessed it might be because of Jiang Chengye's matter, but she still agreed, saying she would go over after her shift ended the next day. The following afternoon, after finishing her shift, she went back to her residence to pick up Lu Yifang, and the mother and daughter went to the Marquis of Anyuan's residence together.

On the way, Lu Yifang sighed and said, "Your maternal grandmother must be trying to persuade me to forgive him."

Jiang Yu took her hand and said, "Just tell your grandmother what you think. I'm always on your side."

Lu Yifang smiled and straightened her back, saying, "Don't worry, even if your grandmother wants to persuade me, it's because she wants me to live a good life, she won't force me."

She was quite certain of this.

Sure enough, upon arriving at the Marquis of Anyuan's residence and meeting the Marquis's wife, after exchanging only a few words, the Marquis's wife took Lu Yifang's hand and said, "I know you suffered all those years, but isn't what we women want in this life to live together in harmony? Since he knows he was wrong, give him a chance. If he can truly change for the better, wouldn't it be better for you to have someone to accompany you in the future?"

Hearing these words, Jiang Yu silently picked up her cup and drank her tea. Lu Yifang said helplessly, "Mother, do I lack companionship? I have both a son and a daughter, and lovely grandchildren to dote on me. I am not lonely at all."

After hearing her words, Lady Anyuan opened her mouth and then said, "But a man is always someone to rely on."

Lu Yifang: "My daughter is the Duke of Chu, and he still needs to rely on my daughter."

Lady Anyuan: "..."

Looking at Jiang Yu, Lady Anyuan asked, "What do you think, Yu'er?"

Jiang Yu put down her teacup. "I think my mother is right. All I want is for my mother to be happy."

Lady Anyuan sighed, "Am I mistaken?"

Jiang Yu smiled and sat down next to her, saying, "Grandmother, although we are women, we don't necessarily have to depend on men. Mother has no shortage of money to spend, no shortage of children and grandchildren to accompany her, and she has people to support her. Why should she wrong herself and put aside years of resentment to forgive? She doesn't need that reputation for being magnanimous. She just wants to be happy."

After listening, Lady Anyuan was silent for a while, then smiled and said to Jiang Yu, "Your mother's greatest blessing in this life was giving birth to you."

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Grandmother is wrong. Mother's greatest blessing is being reborn as your daughter."

Lady Anyuan was pleased to hear this, and she laughed heartily. Then, taking Jiang Yu and Lu Yifang's hands, she said, "I'm not an old fogey. As long as you're doing well, that's all that matters. I'm getting old, and I always thought things would be best if everyone could be together. Now it seems I was wrong."

Jiang Yu looked at her full head of silver hair and saw that she was not as energetic as before. She squeezed her hand tighter and said, "Mother, you can rest assured that I will protect you."

Lady Anyuan laughed again. Jiang Yu and Lu Yifang talked to her for a while. Seeing that she was a little tired, they helped her to her bedroom to rest before returning to the Duke of Chu's mansion.

“Your maternal grandmother caught a cold a few days ago and her health has been poor ever since.” Lu Yifang’s face was filled with worry. After all, the Lady of Anyuan Marquis was so old, and if she continued to be ill, it would be dangerous.

“There’s nothing major happening at home right now, so you should spend more time with your maternal grandmother.” Jiang Yu was also a little worried.