In comparison, although the title of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion is slightly inferior, Yongding Marquis Jiang Dinglian controls the military power, has outstanding military achievements, is deeply favored by the emperor, and his influence in the court far exceeds that of the Huguo Duke's Mansion.
After the old Duke passed away, the Duke of Protecting the Country's Mansion wrote a letter requesting to inherit the title of Marquis, but it was never approved by Emperor Jingren. Until Jiang Shu married into the mansion, it happened that the Marquis of Yongding returned victoriously after repelling the enemy. Emperor Jingren asked him what kind of reward he wanted. In order to support his sister, he asked for an imperial edict for his sister. In order to confer Jiang Shu as a first-rank imperial lady, Emperor Jingren agreed to the Duke of Protecting the Country's inheritance of the title.
This incident was once widely circulated in Jindu, and everyone praised Jiang Shu for being so lucky to have such a war god brother as her backer.
The carriage slowly drove to the vermilion gate of the Duke's Mansion.
A lady with a slightly rounded belly, supported by a nanny, walked forward swiftly. As she tightly grasped the old lady's arm, she still showed the intimacy and coquettishness of a little girl: "Mother, you are finally here. I have been thinking about the pickled plums made by Nanny Xu these days. Did you bring them?"
The old lady gently handed her a package of pickled plums carefully wrapped in a thin handkerchief, then gently pinched her cheek, her eyes full of love and tolerance, "You child, you are already the mother of several children, and you are still so naughty."
Duke Protector Hao Ren followed closely behind, holding an exquisite fox fur cloak in his hands, and gently draped it over Jiang Shu's shoulders. "It's windy and cold outside, and Shu'er is quite uneasy. Knowing you were coming, she insisted on standing in the wind to greet you. Mother, please try to persuade her."
The Protector of the Country was in his prime, very different from the unkempt Marquis Yongding. His sideburns and beard were neatly trimmed, his jade crown was tall, his robe was brightly colored, his eyebrows and eyes revealed a delicate and gentle look, and his mature demeanor was even more charming.
The old lady said lightly, "How can I persuade her? She is so willful and impulsive because of your pampering."
However, there was no blame in her tone, but instead revealed her satisfaction and appreciation for her son-in-law Hao Ren.
The Duke of Protectorate cared for Jiang Shu meticulously and was loyal to her for many years without even having a concubine. How could he keep a mistress behind her back and try to harm the Marquisate?
The group walked into the Duke's Mansion amid laughter and joy.
The spring sunshine was so bright that the orange cat in the corner stretched lazily. The early warblers on the treetops sang melodiously, startling the peach blossoms from the tree.
Although the treasury of the Duke's Mansion was empty, it still looked magnificent from the outside.
The scenery in the garden is breathtaking.
Hao Ren supported Jiang Shu and suddenly asked softly, "When we were leaving court today, I heard the Fourth Prince mention that Yuyao seemed to have suffered injustice?"
Jiang Yuyao met Hao Ren's gaze and felt her eyes getting hot.
Sure enough, just as her mother said, only Hao Ren truly cared about her.
Marquis Yongding returned from the military camp yesterday and only visited Xu and Jiang Songyi. He dealt with several restless concubines and taught Jiang Baichuan a lesson, but turned a blind eye to his non-blood-related daughter and did not care about the grievances she suffered.
How she wished she could return to her biological father, but now, she couldn't call him father.
Jiang Yuyao's voice was filled with tears, "Uncle, I, I'm fine."
Jiang Shu immediately held Jiang Yuyao's hand tightly, raised her almond-shaped eyes slightly, glanced at Jiang Songyi behind the old lady, and said in a firm and warm tone, "Yuyao, tell your aunt about the injustice you have suffered. Your aunt will definitely seek justice for you!"
Jiang Songyi glanced at Jiang Shu's slightly bulging belly, then looked up at the sky helplessly, as if seeking God's will.
[Are you still seeking justice for Jiang Yuyao? Don't forget, the strange fetus your beloved husband has planted in your belly is the problem you need to solve urgently.]
Jiang Shu's brows furrowed slightly. Who was she? And who was that voice just now?
The so-called "ghost fetus" is simply nonsense!
The old lady was suddenly shocked. She was so experienced that she felt that this was unusual as early as when Jiang Shu became pregnant with this child.
After all, Jiang Shu had not given birth for more than ten years. Now that she was getting older, she suddenly became pregnant, and her abdomen was abnormally swollen, far more than that of an ordinary pregnant woman, and it was not twins.
She had witnessed countless dirty deeds of wealthy families and was aware of the risks of giving birth at an advanced age, so she privately advised Jiang Shu to abort the child, but Jiang Shu refused.
She told the old lady that the imperial physician had confirmed that this baby was a boy. Since she married into the Duke of Huguo's mansion, she had given birth to three daughters in a row. She had never been able to give birth to a son to inherit the title for Hao Ren, and she felt guilty.
However, the Duke of Huguo doted on her and never considered taking a concubine, even though they had no sons. Although her mother-in-law had some complaints about her, often calling her a "hen that doesn't lay eggs" and accusing her of jealousy, if it weren't for Hao Ren's protection, she would probably have been divorced long ago.
After all, the Yongding Marquisate was in the wrong in failing to leave a descendant for the Duke's Mansion, and the old lady could not blame it too much.
But if it involves Jiang Shu's safety, the old lady will never give in!
Jiang Yuyao covered the corners of her lips with a handkerchief and pretended to cough a few times. At the same time, she skillfully withdrew Jiang Shu's tightly clenched hand and turned her gaze to Protector Hao Ren. "Aunt, cough cough, I'm fine now. The cold has improved a lot."
She was unwilling to accept the woman who took away her father's favor to make decisions for her. She wanted her father to support her.
"Mother, I've also heard about the disputes in the Marquis' Mansion and Shu'er's experiences. Although Yuyao isn't of the Marquis's bloodline, we raised her after all, and we absolutely cannot let her suffer any injustice. If anyone in the Marquis' Mansion dares to treat Yuyao unfairly, Shu'er and I plan to take her to the Duke's Mansion and let her live as a young lady there. Her cousins love her very much."
Hao Ren's tone was calm and gentle when he spoke, but his words revealed an unquestionable majesty. There was a hint of oppression in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Songyi.
Jiang Yuyao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. As expected, her father doted on her the most.
Jiang Shu was blunt and didn't hide her hatred for Jiang Songyi. "That's right, mother. Jiang Songyi is very scheming and jealous. I will never recognize such a niece. I only recognize Yuyao."
Jiang Shu and Hao Ren's reactions were already within Jiang Songyi's expectations.
In the past, she felt full of grievances. Obviously, that couple was her aunt and uncle, but no matter how she tried to please them, they always favored Jiang Yuyao and were extremely indifferent to her, even disgusted with her.
However, in this life, Jiang Songyi only felt that everything was ridiculous and laughable.
The Duke of the Protectorate naturally could not tolerate Jiang Yuyao being wronged in any way. After all, she was his beloved and beloved daughter. As for Jiang Shu, it was even more ridiculous. She actually doted on her husband's daughter from his mistress as if she were her niece. It was truly lamentable.
Jiang Shu seemed to be frozen in place, standing there in shock.
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