Lu Baimei was anxious and dared not let Jiang Yunjiao stay in the capital any longer. She knew that with Jiang Yunjiao's temperament, if she caused any bigger trouble, even she herself might not be able to protect her.
This time, if Jiang Luoluo hadn't pleaded for her, Jiang Yunjiao would have been severely injured, if not killed. She was the first person to dare drug Prince Yi. Even the usually arrogant and domineering Lu Anrou might not have dared to be so reckless.
Lu Baimei felt both annoyed and regretful. When she discovered that Jiang Yunjiao had such feelings for Xie Yizhi, she knew it was a dead end, but she couldn't bring herself to sever these inappropriate feelings and instead let things develop to this point.
Now, she could only silently warn herself that she could no longer let Jiang Yunjiao continue to act recklessly, otherwise, she would not only ruin herself, but also jeopardize Jiang Muyan's career.
After discussing it with Jiang Muyan, Lu Baimei finally decided to send Jiang Yunjiao to Jiaozhou.
Jiaozhou is Lu Baimei's maternal home, and she has already selected several upright and handsome young men from her family.
After returning to Jiaozhou, she will personally oversee the selection process, allowing Jiang Yunjiao to choose a suitable husband and finalize the marriage as soon as possible.
Jiang Yunjiao, however, wept and refused to leave the capital. But this time, her wishes were completely irrelevant.
Xie Yizhi had already given the order, and even the Emperor and Empress Dowager Du had tacitly approved it. There was no room for maneuver in this matter.
For this trip, Lu Baimei specially prepared a luxurious carriage, and she and Jiang Yunjiao sat inside.
She was accompanied by guards and maids, and her carriage was loaded with silk fabrics, clothes, jewelry and specialties from the capital. Another carriage was pulled up behind her, filled with luggage, all to show her status as the wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue.
Jiang Muyan was very satisfied with the arrangement that Lu Baimei would accompany Jiang Yunjiao to Jiaozhou.
As long as Lu Baimei was not at home, he no longer needed to sneak off to Plum Blossom Lane in the west of the city every day.
With Lu Baimei, that shrew, gone, he was in charge at home. He couldn't help but feel secretly pleased; he could finally relax for a while.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yunjiao had a mournful face, her eyes swollen like two walnuts, and she looked pitiful.
Lu Baimei had been troubled and upset these past few days. Seeing her daughter still behaving this way, she couldn't help but speak in a stern tone, scolding, "Even if you're pretending at your maternal grandparents' house..."
I have to pretend to be happy; I absolutely can't show this kind of expression and let others look down on me!
Jiang Yunjiao wept, biting her lip tightly, her voice full of grievance and resentment: "I understand, Mother."
But I just can't swallow this! I was clearly framed by Yao Shiyu!
I trusted her so much, why, why would she do this to me?
Lu Baimei felt both heartache and anger upon hearing this, and sighed helplessly: "Yun Jiao, do you know that last time you listened to Yao Shiyu's instigation and bribed a group of people to pretend to be bandits, intending to assassinate your cousin?"
If your father hadn't intervened and paid out 100,000 taels of silver, how could your cousin have let the matter go so easily?
Jiang Yunjiao was taken aback, and looked up at Lu Baimei with tearful eyes, as if she was hearing about this for the first time.
Lu Baimei continued, "You had a high fever that time, and I was worried about you, so I didn't tell you these things."
But you need to understand that you were used by Yao Shiyu that time! If this is found out, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Yao Shiyu is too afraid to do it herself, yet she makes you do it for her. Can't you see her intentions?
Jiang Yunjiao was stunned upon hearing this, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, her heart filled with complex emotions.
How could Lu Baimei feel good? She knew that Yao Shiyu was taking revenge on her. On the day Yao Shiyu got married, Lu Baimei warned her a few words, and from that moment on, she held a grudge in her heart.
Yao Shiyu appears gentle, kind, and easily bullied, but behind the scenes she is malicious, treacherous, and cunning—a complete villain.
Jiang Luoluo, though seemingly arrogant and domineering, is actually quite kind-hearted and easygoing. Lu Baimei sighed inwardly, thinking that it's better to offend a gentleman than a petty person.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was quiet and oppressive. Lu Baimei closed her eyes to rest, but a trace of fatigue could not be hidden between her brows, while Jiang Yunjiao lowered her head and covered her aching arm, her face full of resentment and grievance.
And so, carrying a cart full of luggage and mixed emotions, the carriage headed towards Jiaozhou.
In stark contrast to the dejected mood of Lu Baimei and her daughter, Jiang Muyan was leisurely staying in the side room of the Liu residence in Plum Blossom Lane in the west of the city, looking completely at ease.
He was nestled close to his delicate, boneless mistress, whispering sweet nothings to her.
The woman spoke softly and gently, her eyes full of charm. She held a cup of warm wine in her hand and handed it to Jiang Muyan. Her fingertips deliberately brushed against his palm, making him feel a tingling sensation in his heart, and he laughed even more unrestrainedly.
Jiang Muyan was so engrossed in this gentle embrace that he seemed to have forgotten all the trivial matters at home.
At this moment, he belonged entirely to the warm and soft beauty in this room, as if he were in a spring dream he did not want to wake up from.
*
Yao Shiyu and Gu Boyuan have been married for some time now. Yesterday, Su Cuirong sent someone to deliver a message saying that she missed her and wanted her to come back to Changshou Residence for a visit.
After having breakfast in the early morning, Yao Shiyu decided to go back. There hadn't been any unusual activity at the Ministry of Revenue's residence recently.
She wasn't sure if Jiang Yunjiao suspected her, so it would be good to go back and find out some information to put her mind at ease.
Since Gu Boyuan happened to be off today, he suggested going back with Yao Shiyu.
On the surface, they appear to be a loving couple, but in reality, Gu Boyuan wants to visit the mansion of General Weiyuan to see the lingering image of that beautiful woman in his heart.
The Gu family's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Weiyuan General's Mansion. The couple got off the carriage and headed straight for Changshou Residence.
Along the way, Gu Boyuan looked around, his gaze lingering between the crowds and the courtyards.
But after walking for a long time, he still couldn't see the figure he longed for.
A sense of disappointment welled up inside me, but I dared not show it. I could only suppress this emotion silently and pretend nothing was wrong as I continued on my way.
Su Cuirong was delighted to see Yao Shiyu and Gu Boyuan arrive together. She immediately instructed her servants to prepare a sumptuous feast at Changshou Residence and personally entertain the newlywed couple.
During the meal, Yao Shiyu subtly inquired about Jiang Yunjiao's recent situation. When she heard that Jiang Yunjiao and Lu Baimei had left Beijing, her anxiety finally eased a little.
This move was extremely risky for her; if she had made even the slightest mistake, she would have been unable to escape unscathed.
However, this move was necessary. Lu Anrou was a very skillful wielder, and she couldn't afford to discard her easily.
Yao Shiyu suppressed her complex emotions, picked up her teacup and took a small sip, her face still bearing that dignified and proper smile, as if everything was under her control.
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