These two mere words left Liao speechless and utterly shocked.
How could the Jiang family's only direct grandson be allowed to go to such a cruel place, a wasteland soaked in blood?
"Mother, Mother, you're joking, aren't you? You're lying to me, aren't you?" Liao laughed with red eyes. "How can Mother joke about such things? This is inappropriate."
“I’m not lying to you,” Old Madam Jiang said calmly. “He really went to the northern frontier to take over his father’s position and to protect the peace and well-being of the country.”
But that also means bloodshed, injury, and even death in a foreign land.
Liao's legs went weak, and she could barely stand. She staggered and shook her head, "Why did he go to a place like this? Why did he go to the northern frontier? Couldn't he just stay in Fengjing and be a proper young nobleman? Why? Was it the Liao family? Was it me? Or what?"
“Yes, that’s right.” Jiang Chengyu had only uttered two words when Madam Jiang covered his mouth again.
It is the Liao family, but it is not the Liao family.
The Liao family merely catalyzed his progress; the real reason was still the Liao family, the awkward mother-son relationship, and the unbearable presence of his biological mother.
The rumors circulating in Fengjing might be quite offensive, and Jiang Chengyuan's reputation would plummet.
But as long as he can achieve victory, as long as he can return alive from the northern frontier, all the past will be washed away, and people will only remember his current status and position.
This is also why Madam Jiang supported her grandson's departure.
“No, impossible.” Madam Liao shook her head again. “Chengyuan promised me that he would stay in Fengjing, never go to the battlefield, and never follow the old path of his ancestors. He clearly promised me that.”
But the child had already left, and before leaving, he didn't even want to say goodbye.
Liao suppressed her sobs and collapsed to the ground.
She could distrust Madam Jiang the Second, and everyone in the West Courtyard, but she couldn't help but distrust what Madam Jiang the Old Madam said.
He really left, disregarding his previous instructions, and went to the battlefield without hesitation.
Faced with blood, dismembered limbs, and ferocious enemies.
"Chengyuan, I hope you are safe and sound..." Liao cried hysterically.
Madam Jiang's eyes reddened as she stood to the side.
Only those who have actually given birth know that there are very few people as decisive and ruthless as Madam Jiang in sending their children to the battlefield.
Most mothers don't ask their children to be rich or successful; they just hope they can live a good life.
It's good that you're alive.
Liao cried until she nearly fainted, and was only able to stand up with the help of her maid.
Perhaps because her pillar of support had been removed, she lost her previous aloofness and turned away weakly and silently.
Just before leaving, she said in a weak but firm voice, "I will handle the Liao family's affairs. Now that my son has gone to the battlefield, I cannot let anyone smear his name."
As the wooden door opened and closed, the entire west courtyard returned to tranquility.
Madam Jiang Er came over with her children to pay their respects. Jiang Chengyu greeted them warmly and praised the lychee ice as delicious.
Jiang Sheng nodded absentmindedly.
Liao is actually a very good mother. She not only cherishes Jiang Chenghuan, but also dotes on Jiang Chengyuan. Judging from her tone just now, she even wants to confront the Liao family.
But why can't I love her?
Nobody knows the answer.
Jiang Sheng told herself that she was just suddenly curious and didn't mean to investigate.
Leaving Deren Courtyard and arriving at the second courtyard, the little girl didn't have a smile on her face.
She watched Aunt Zhang stew beef, watched Zheng Ruqian bring back the remaining pastries from Jiuzhenfang, watched Changyan take out six pieces of wood again, watched Wen Zhiyun hold a stone like a treasure, and watched Xu Mo return with a slightly flushed face.
Everything around me was clearly spinning, yet it carried an unreal feeling, lingering in my ears but drifting outside my mind.
Someone is calling her.
One sound after another, like a black-haired grandmother patting a baby in swaddling clothes, or like a young Liao woman with tears streaming down her face, and finally like an old woman with a face full of wrinkles.
"Whose child is this? How pitiful to leave him in the field. What will happen if he starves or freezes to death?"
"Sweetie, go to sleep, sweetie is a good child."
"Why, why? Why did you do this to me..."
Intertwined sounds rang in her ears, eventually turning into a strange buzzing that made Jiang Sheng frown.
Displeasure, grievance, heartache, sobs, emptiness—complex emotions swirled in her heart, as if they were her own, yet also as if they were someone else's.
Jiang Sheng was at a loss.
She felt she should escape, but she couldn't tell which way to go, so she could only hug herself tightly and curl up even more.
But those emotions, taking advantage of the situation, actually narrowed the circle around them.
Jiang Sheng was terrified. She was wondering whether to fight these things to the death, whether to muster up the courage to run away, or whether to perish together with them.
Until, a mouthful of fragrant beef was stuffed into my mouth.
The rich, flavorful braising sauce hits you right in the head, the tender, juicy meat rolls on your tongue, the lean meat is tender and not dry, the fat is not greasy, and the tendons and bones are thoroughly cooked. The deliciousness is familiar and authentic, connecting you to that real world.
Jiang Sheng opened her eyes and saw Aunt Zhang holding chopsticks, smiling as she asked, "Would you like another bite?"
She suddenly grinned.
"What are you laughing at, child? Is it not tasty?" Zhang Xianglian was startled. She took a couple of bites herself to make sure the taste was right. "Or perhaps you don't like beef?"
Jiang Sheng nodded quickly, "Eat, eat, I love it, I especially love it, Auntie, just one more bite, ah..."
So the beef with tendons was stuffed into his mouth again. The delicious food drove away all the gloom and brought light and hope, with the overwhelming sunshine.
At the dinner table.
Jiang Sheng ate with gusto, her face glistening with oil, her heart and stomach completely satisfied.
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