Hao added a threat to her words, "But if you can't keep your promise and resolve this crisis, don't blame me for being ruthless. After all, you have the blood of the Jiang family flowing through your veins. How can you stand idly by when the Jiang family suffers misfortune?"
Her unspoken message was a reminder to Jiang Huaiyu that her fate was closely intertwined with that of the Jiang family.
Jiang Huaiyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a calm smile. "Mother, please rest assured, I will do my best."
Although the two spoke in low voices, making it impossible for others to hear the specific content, their private conversation lasted quite a long time, prompting Lady Jingyuan to let out a cold laugh.
"The Jiang family's upbringing is truly unique. With guests still present, your mistress was whispering privately with your two daughters. In-laws, what were you discussing just now? May I have a glimpse?"
Madam Hao looked embarrassed and stammered, "No... it's just that my eldest daughter has something she wants to discuss with the Lady of Jingyuan Marquis in private."
"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lady Jingyuan's eyes, her gaze lingering briefly on Jiang Huaiyu. "Speak your mind. After today, I'm afraid our two families will have no further contact."
Jiang Huaiyu walked steadily forward, stopping five steps away from Lady Jingyuan. She gently lifted her skirt and gracefully performed a standard curtsy, saying in a humble tone, "Lady Jingyuan, I dare to offer my advice, but I believe that the Qin family should not hastily divorce you at this time."
Lady Jingyuan's face immediately darkened, and she said in a cold tone, "You are the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, and in front of me, you are indeed a junior. But what right do you have to presume to comment on the family affairs of the Marquis's mansion? Even the Jiang family cannot shake my decision. You are just a married-out daughter, yet you dare to be so arrogant in front of me. It is truly despicable."
Her eyes revealed disappointment and anger, which startled both Madam Hao and Jiang Shuqin, making them tense.
However, Jiang Huaiyu remained calm and composed, saying, "Madam Jingyuan, please calm down. I said this entirely for the benefit of the Qin family. Please listen to my reasons."
Lady Jingyuan sneered, her tone laced with disdain: "Fine, I'll hear what your brilliant ideas are!"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said slowly, "The Qin family is a noble family with a prominent and powerful reputation. Marquis Jingyuan is favored by the emperor and shoulders heavy responsibilities. Compared with them, my Jiang family is nothing but insignificant dust. If the Marquis's mansion wants to deal with my Jiang family, it is as easy as taking something out of a bag. Naturally, my Jiang family is powerless to resist."
"Since you know this so well, why do you still dare to be so arrogant?" Lady Jingyuan asked sharply.
A faint smile flickered across Jiang Huaiyu's lips as she said firmly, "Madam of Jingyuan Marquis, perhaps in your eyes, divorcing a daughter-in-law who doesn't meet your expectations is just a trivial matter, but have you considered what consequences such a move would bring to the Marquis's mansion?"
Lady Jingyuan raised her eyebrows slightly and asked in confusion, "She left on her own. What does this have to do with the Marquis's mansion?"
"If my sister were to remain a stable wife of the heir apparent, why would she choose to leave without any reason? Lady of Jingyuan Marquis, would you really want the outside world to know about the heir apparent's flaws?" Jiang Huaiyu's words were full of hidden meaning.
Lady Jingyuan's eyes instantly turned deep, and she said resolutely, "If anyone dares to spread this, I will make them taste the bitter fruit!"
Jiang Huaiyu continued, “Madam Jingyuan, please rest assured, the Jiang family has no courage to oppose the Marquis’s mansion. We will keep our words sealed today and not divulge a single one. However, even if we remain silent, won’t others speculate? The Jiang family’s daughter has already attracted much attention as a noblewoman of the Marquis’s mansion. Now that the heir has recovered, everyone says that my sister has gone through many hardships and finally achieved happiness. Tell me, if rumors of divorce were to spread now, Madam, how do you think the world would view the reasons behind it?”
"Everyone will surely suspect that my sister, who has endured so much hardship, would not easily relinquish her prestigious status as the Crown Prince's wife. Therefore, all suspicions will point to the Marquis's mansion, believing that this is all a scheme by them. When the Crown Prince was critically ill, the Marquis's mansion married my sister to bring him good fortune. After the Crown Prince recovered, the Marquis's mansion, because the Jiang family is of low social standing, intends to discard my sister after using her, forgetting her efforts in bringing him good fortune, and intends to divorce her and remarry... Just as I said, the Marquis of Jingyuan holds a high position and great power in the court, and there must be many people in the court who are eyeing him covetously. If the Marquis's mansion does such a thing as discarding a used tool after it has served its purpose, I'm afraid it will be difficult to withstand the verbal attacks and criticisms of the censors."
Lady Jingyuan initially dismissed the matter, but upon hearing these remarks, her expression turned serious.
She was careless.
She hadn't given it much thought. The Jiang family was insignificant in the eyes of the Marquis's household. With Jiang Shuqin leaving voluntarily, the Marquis's household could seemingly justify divorcing her. She could take this opportunity to replace this daughter-in-law who had never met her standards. However, she overlooked the rumors and gossip circulating outside.
If the Marquis's political enemies were to learn of this, they would surely make a big fuss about it, which would undoubtedly be a considerable problem for the Marquis's mansion.
Lady Jingyuan looked at Jiang Huaiyu again, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
You are indeed exceptionally intelligent; however, this is ultimately an internal matter of my Marquis's residence. Even if impeached, at most I would only receive a few mild reprimands, which would have absolutely no chance of shaking the foundation of my residence. Your words alone are not enough to deter me.
Jiang Huaiyu slightly raised her eyelids, met her gaze firmly, and said in a calm tone, "The reputation of the Marquis's mansion is naturally the most important thing. As for the second point, it involves the Crown Prince Qin... However, I still have some hesitation."
A hint of hesitation flashed across her face.
Lady Jingyuan looked at her intently with a solemn expression and said firmly, "Speak freely, as long as what you say today does not go beyond the boundaries of this room, I will not pursue the matter."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly and continued, "You just mentioned that even though the young master is ill, countless people still yearn to enter the Marquis's mansion. That's true. Now that the young master has overcome his illness, if he wants to find a more suitable marriage, there will naturally be no shortage of families with excellent conditions. However, the Jiang family has one advantage that others can only dream of."
"What is that?" Lady Jingyuan asked, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
“An emotional bond,” Jiang Huaiyu said firmly, “compared to others, my younger sister and the young master share a deep emotional bond. When the young master was critically ill, it was my sister who risked her life to enter the Marquis's residence to bring him good fortune, which improved his condition. Afterwards, she took meticulous care of him for months, enabling him to recover. This affection is unparalleled by anyone else. Moreover…”
She lowered her eyes gently and said in a low voice, "Although the young master is unwell, with the strength of the Marquis's mansion, he may not be unable to find a renowned doctor to treat him. If the young master can recover his health, with this emotional bond between him and my sister, he may not accept the closeness of other people."
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