However, her focus was not on Jiang Huaiyu, but rather, as Jiang Shuqin said, on the damage to the family's reputation.
She said with a displeased look, "Huaiyu, why didn't you tell your family anything about such an important matter? That Bai Yujing is really going too far. He says one thing to your face, but behind your back he is so disrespectful to the Jiang family. He has really let down your father's careful cultivation of him!"
Seeing her mother get angry, Jiang Shuqin couldn't help but secretly feel delighted.
When she first learned of Jiang Huaiyu's marriage, out of curiosity, she secretly sent someone to investigate the details. Hearing about the difficulties the fake had faced in Bai Qishi's hands, she secretly rejoiced for several days.
Jiang Huaiyu stepped forward and said, "Mother, please calm down. My husband has always respected Father and would never dare to do such a thing."
"Then tell me, why did the Bai family suddenly call off the engagement on their wedding day? Isn't it obvious that they don't respect our Jiang family?" the mother pressed on relentlessly.
Jiang Huaiyu patiently explained, "Mother, the fact that I was able to return with my husband today is enough to prove that the Bai family did not break off the engagement. Everything before was just a misunderstanding."
Hao snorted coldly, "I doubt they would dare to openly challenge the Jiang family's authority!"
The Bai family might have some complaints about Jiang Huaiyu personally, but the marriage was arranged by the Jiang family. If they were dissatisfied with the marriage, it would be a blatant act of disrespect to the Jiang family, which is why Hao was so indignant.
"Misunderstanding?" Jiang Shuqin scoffed dismissively. "You make it sound so easy. What kind of misunderstanding could have led someone to propose divorcing you?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled back, looking at her younger sister with gentle eyes, "What kind of misunderstanding is this? Don't you understand, sister?"
Jiang Shuqin understood perfectly well.
The old lady of the Bai family was an extremely petty person. The reason she treated Jiang Huaiyu so badly was undoubtedly because she coveted Jiang Huaiyu's dowry. And this was exactly what Jiang Shuqin wanted.
"Are you implying something about the dowry?" she countered.
Jiang Shuqin's gaze was like a sword, coldly sweeping over her. "That's certainly true. How can a marriage ceremony be without a dowry? However, you are not my mother's daughter. What does your demand for a dowry have to do with the Jiang family's reputation? Why don't you go and find your deceased mother in the countryside!"
When her birth mother was mentioned, Jiang Huaiyu's expression finally showed a subtle change.
Her eyes were as deep as night, seemingly shrouded in a heavy gloom.
"She has passed away, sister, please watch your words."
"Me, accumulate good deeds?" Jiang Shuqin suddenly let out a mocking sneer. "I think the two of you are the ones who really need to do good deeds and accumulate good deeds. One of you has altered the status of the person in question, and the other has usurped the residence. What a pair of scoundrels!"
She had learned a great deal about the arts at the Marquis's residence, and now she could readily use several idioms and apply them appropriately.
Her words hit the nail on the head, leaving Jiang Huaiyu speechless and only able to remain silent.
Jiang Shuqin was still furious and continued to rebuke, "If it weren't for your existence, how could I have endured so much hardship over these long years?"
If it weren't for Jiang Huaiyu, she would have been able to marry into the Marquis's family as she wished in her previous life, and wouldn't have ended up with such a tragic fate.
"My anger is enough to tear you and your mother to pieces. Yes, your deceased mother is long gone, and I personally sent her to her death. She deserved it. As for you, don't think the Jiang family has been unfair to you. Everything you've suffered is the retribution you brought upon yourself!"
Her words grew increasingly harsh.
Madam Hao quickly interrupted, "Shuqin, shut up!"
There were still guests from the Marquis's mansion in the house, and these old stories must never be known to outsiders.
She frowned, her tone serious, "Didn't your father tell you not to bring up old grievances anymore?"
Although Jiang Huaiyu's birth mother did make mistakes, Shuqin deprived her of her medicine and ignored her, ultimately tainting her with guilt. If someone with ulterior motives were to find out, this would become an indisputable crime.
It is because of this concern that the Jiang family continues to take in Jiang Huaiyu, in order to prevent her from harboring resentment and plotting revenge. They must keep her under their control.
Jiang Shuqin's expression instantly turned tense. Realizing that she had inadvertently said something she shouldn't have, she quickly gave Jiang Huaiyu a warning glance.
"You must keep this matter buried deep in your heart and never let it slip out!"
Jiang Huaiyu let out a soft sigh, so low it was almost inaudible.
That year, when Jiang Shuqin first set foot in the capital to search for her relatives, Jiang Huaiyu's birth mother was already on the verge of death due to a long-term lack of medical treatment. After Jiang Shuqin left, she could only wait for death to come in solitude.
The body was not discovered by the neighbors until it started to smell bad, and was eventually given a hasty burial by the villagers.
When Jiang Huaiyu learned of this tragic news, she was filled with the desire to go and pay her respects, but her family firmly opposed it and strictly sealed off the burial place of her birth mother.
It wasn't until several years after she married into the Marquis's household, after going through countless hardships and making numerous inquiries, that she finally found the burial place of her birth mother and was able to offer incense at her grave.
Jiang Huaiyu's brows furrowed slightly, her eyes revealing no emotion, but her expression was no longer as composed as before.
Seeing her expression, Jiang Shuqin felt a surge of smugness.
She initially thought that this imposter, who appeared indifferent to worldly affairs, was not truly unconcerned.
Feeling better, Jiang Shuqin turned around, hugged Hao Shi's arm, and started to act coquettishly.
"Mother, I'm starving!"
Hao glanced at Jiang Huaiyu with concern, then lowered her voice to comfort her, "Huaiyu, you are a sensible person. Some old things should be left to the wind. This is good for you and for us."
“Yes, Mother is absolutely right.” Jiang Huaiyu nodded gently.
What could she do?
After all, it was her birth mother who made the mistake first, and she could not forget the kindness of the Jiang family in raising her.
In her previous life, she was bound by this debt of gratitude, confined to the Marquis's mansion for her entire life, all for the sake of the Jiang family's prosperity and fortune.
In this life, she still obeyed her father's orders and was forced into another marriage.
However, having already faced life and death, she would not turn against the Jiang family, nor would she consider them her final resting place.
Upon hearing her response, Mrs. Hao smiled with satisfaction, her tone filled with relief: "That's right."
Having dealt with the thorny issue of Jiang Huaiyu, Madam Hao gently patted Jiang Shuqin's hand and said with deep affection, "I had long anticipated your return, so I specially instructed the servants to prepare your favorite delicacies. You seem impatient, why don't you come with me to see if those delicacies are ready?"
"Okay, let's go take a look."
The mother and daughter smiled at each other, then walked away happily.
Jiang Huaiyu remained seated in her chair, yet for some reason, her figure appeared exceptionally forlorn in her solitude.
She stood there in a daze for a long time before finally getting up and walking towards her boudoir, where she had lived before she got married.
As she walked down the corridor, someone suddenly called out to her.
“Madam Bai,” said Granny Cui with a smile as she approached her, bowed, and said, “Your needlework is truly exquisite; even I cannot help but admire it.”
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