Hearing these words, Jiang Yao, who had been speaking humbly, hardened her fists.

My heart is filled with grievances and anger.

She stared wide-eyed at her lover, who was still the same handsome young man, wearing a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts in gold thread, and a jade belt inlaid with gemstones around his waist.

His face was as fair as jade, and his whole person seemed to glow in the sunlight.

But that's what he said about her.

A bitter taste lingered on my tongue, and tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, sliding down my cheeks and leaving a tear stain.

Jiang Yao stared at him, her heart feeling as if it had been torn to pieces.

"You want me to be happy? The whole capital is laughing at me now, how can I be happy?"

"Don't worry about what other people think! We're just living our own lives, why should you care about what others think?"

"..."

Jiang Yao was stunned; she hadn't expected him to say something so innocent.

On the way back, even her personal maid couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what did the young master say? He actually told you not to care about what others think. It's not like he's the one being pointed at, so of course he doesn't care."

As the maid was speaking, the carriage arrived at the fork in the road.

“Miss, we’ve been back at the Jiang family’s residence for several days now. Should we go back to the Jiang family’s residence or the Earl’s residence? The Earl’s wife has been sending people to urge you to go back.”

The old lady was also in a terrible situation; her son ran off with that little vixen, and her daughter-in-law went back to her parents' home.

Jiang Yao had previously said that she would handle Xiao Taohong's matter properly and not let her lose face.

Now look what's happened, she's staying at her parents' house and won't come back.

The Earl's Mansion.

The aunt sat in the room, weeping all day long, and tore several handkerchiefs to shreds.

"That bitch Jiang Yao, she spoke so sweetly, I actually thought she had become smarter, but I didn't expect her to be just as stupid."

"What's the use of going back to her parents' home in a huff? We should send someone to beat that bitch Xiao Taohong to death. She's a worthless slut who dares to dream of entering the Earl's Mansion. Our Earl's Mansion is one of the eight great families. How could a prostitute like her possibly climb up to us?"

"..."

Hearing her say that, Li, the most favored nanny by the Lady's side, was quite upset.

Is the Earl's Mansion one of the eight great families?

That must be the Marquis's residence. The Earl's residence is just a relative of the same clan benefiting from the honor.

"Ahem," Li Mama coughed twice and glanced at the servants outside who seemed to be shoveling snow, but were actually peeking with their ears perked up and eyes squinting.

"Madam, the young mistress is staying at her parents' house and won't come back. What should we do now? You must come up with a plan."

"Of course we should beat that bitch Xiao Taohong to death. Didn't I tell you to investigate Xiao Taohong's residence before?"

"We found it in the Red Clothes Alley area," said Granny Li.

"Red Clothes Alley? Isn't that a place where people keep mistresses?"

"Damn it, who was the heartless bastard who corrupted my son? He used to be so well-behaved, fair-skinned and handsome, a poet, and lively. How could he have turned into one of those spoiled brats, going to brothels and keeping prostitutes without my noticing?"

"It must be his former companions who corrupted him. How hateful! I told him to get closer to his nephew, the Crown Prince, but he just wouldn't listen! Waaaaah..."

The aunt buried her face in her arms on the table and started crying again; her eyes had been swollen from crying for the past few days, more swollen than peaches.

She had never been so miserable in her entire life.

What bad luck!

What has been going on at the Earl's mansion these past few years? The old man has become a monk, and his son is keeping prostitutes. Nothing seems to go smoothly for him.

"Is Madam crying again?"

Hearing the sounds coming from inside, the servants outside all cautiously peeked out.

Sensing these gazes, Granny Li strode to the eaves, put her hands on her hips, and began to curse loudly.

"You plague-ridden bastards, you can't even sweep this little bit of snow properly, all you think about is slacking off and being lazy. You're all good-for-nothings, do you need to be taken out and sold before you'll get to work?"

The maid and the old woman were so frightened that they didn't dare to play any tricks anymore. They swept the area quickly and scattered.

"That disrespectful brat deserves to be scolded!"

Granny Li cursed a few more times, and feeling relieved, she went back to her room to comfort Madam Bo.

After crying for a while, the aunt felt much better.

She asked, "Have any of those spoiled brats come to see the young master lately? Tell the gatekeeper not to give them any face and to throw them all out."

"You good-for-nothings, born of a mother but not taught by one, you're a hopeless case, yet you expect others to be like you? Bah!"

“My son is destined to become the top scholar and a high-ranking official. How can he spend his days fooling around with them?”

"..."

Madam, you don't need to worry about that. Those young men also feel it's shameful for a mistress to come knocking on your door while heavily pregnant, so they haven't come at all lately.

Thinking this to herself, Granny Li didn't dare say it aloud; she only echoed her sentiments with shared indignation.

"Don't worry, Madam. I have already instructed the gatekeeper to make sure they don't meet with the young master. He has such a fine appearance; we can't let them corrupt him."

“My son is just too naive and easily fooled. Those spoiled brats deceive him, and Xiao Taohong deceives him too, saying that only Xiao Taohong understands him best, and that deep love leads to far-reaching plans. It is Jiang Yao and I who are urging him to study that are truly for his own good!”

The lady slammed her hand on the table, her heart filled with unspeakable sorrow. She then instructed Li Mama, "You continue to send people to invite Jiang Yao back. Oh, and I have a few sets of newly made jewelry in my storeroom. Pick a few pieces and send them to Jiang Yao."

So generous?

Granny Li clicked her tongue in amazement.

Previously, Madam Bo had always placed all the responsibility for the dowry of noble ladies on Jiang Yao.

Later, Jiang Yao didn't earn much money running the ice shop. The Earl's family's assets dwindled, and they spent more than they earned, so they told the Earl's wife to be frugal as well.

Even though it was almost the end of the year, Jiang Yao had only made a few sets of jewelry for herself and hadn't gotten any of them.

The fact that he's now willing to give it all away shows that he truly feels indebted to Jiang Yao.

After considering it, Li Mama agreed, then asked, "Madam, the young mistress's intention is to resolutely prevent Xiao Taohong from entering the house. Should we support the young mistress to the end...?"

"..."

These words silenced the lady of the house.

Although she repeatedly said she would beat Xiao Taohong to death and was determined not to let her in the door.

But reason told her that the matter was already widely known, and it was impossible to simply get rid of the person quietly.

However, if Xiao Taohong were to enter the household, not only would the Earl's family lose face, but Jiang Yao would certainly not agree to it either.

In the past, she could let it go; she wished Jiang Yao would just get lost.

But now Jiang Shuwan's status in the Marquis's mansion is getting higher and higher, and she has more and more businesses. It is obvious that this eldest sister, Jiang Yao, is a person who is rising rapidly.

With Jiang Yao around, it's natural that she can get closer to Jiang Shuwan.

Furthermore, although Jiang Yao was foolish and lacked manners, she did an unprecedented job of urging her son to study hard and make progress.

Therefore, she could indeed become the future mistress of the Earl's mansion.

As the saying goes, no one in the world is perfect.

Even though Jiang Yao is a bit unruly, she is clear-headed when it comes to important matters, which makes her a good daughter-in-law.