Chapter 55 If the household is not disciplined, how can external affairs be handled?
Wu Zhengyan knew that Jiang Jiamu was in poor health and that he might not live much longer. But knowing that was true was one thing, but when Jiang Jiamu was sentenced to death, that was another matter entirely.
In Wu Zhengyan's mind, Doctor Lü was the Duke of Chu's personal physician. His statement that Jiang Jiamu's illness was incurable was tantamount to a death sentence. Moreover, the fact that Jiang Jiamu had been poisoned, not ill, made it even harder for her to accept.
Jiang Jiamu couldn't accept it either. He could accept being terminally ill, but he couldn't accept being poisoned. Who could have poisoned someone practically invisible in the Duke's mansion?
The only people he could think of were the main wives—the Crown Prince's wife or Jiang Jiarong and his wife.
"Please, Your Excellency, grant us your request." Wu Zhengyan knelt on the ground, and Jiang Jiamu followed suit. Seeing his parents kneeling, Xiao Yunkang went over and knelt beside them.
Seeing this, Doctor Lü shook his head and left, leaving the room in silence. After a while, the Duke of Chu said, "You may all go back now."
Jiang Jiamu and Wu Zhengyan were both shocked. They hadn't expected that the Duke of Chu, knowing that Jiang Jiamu had been poisoned and murdered, wouldn't say a word in their defense. The two stood there dumbfounded, unsure how to react.
Jiang Yu got up and went over to help Wu Zhengyan up, saying, "I'll see my second brother and sister-in-law off."
The couple stood up in a daze, glanced at the expressionless Duke of Chu, and could only follow Jiang Yu out of the study.
Jiang Yu escorted them to the courtyard gate, stopped, and whispered, "Things will be a bit chaotic in the manor these days. Second brother and sister-in-law, just stay home and live your lives. Don't ask or inquire about anything. Even if Aunt Zhao is involved, don't interfere."
Wu Zhengyan didn't understand Jiang Yu's words and was about to ask what was wrong when she saw Jiang Yu smiling and saying, "I won't see my second brother and sister-in-law off."
Wu Zhengyan wanted to ask more, but Jiang Jiamu pulled her away. Jiang Yu watched the family of three walk away before turning back to her study. The Duke of Chu looked very unhappy. Jiang Yu sat down opposite him and said, "Grandfather, give the order."
The Duke of Chu closed his eyes and called out, "Someone come here."
Steward Hu immediately pushed open the door and came in. The Duke of Chu looked at him and said, "Seal off Concubine Zhao's courtyard. No one in her courtyard is allowed to enter or leave. Investigate where Concubine Zhao got the medicine she gave Jiang Jiamu from and what kind of medicine it was."
"Yes." Manager Hu sensed the seriousness of the matter and hurriedly ran away.
After a moment of silence in the study, Jiang Yu said, "If my eldest and second brothers were really replaced, it wouldn't be a bad thing for the current situation. This incident could cover up the truth about how you killed Father and my eldest brother, and it could also shift the focus."
Jiang Chengye and Jiang Jiarong had been scoundrels for years, and while stealing dowry money wasn't a small matter, it wasn't particularly serious either. The Duke of Chu's drastic action was somewhat understandable, but also a bit far-fetched.
The fact that a son born of a concubine was replaced by a son born of the legitimate wife, and that the legitimate son was then poisoned and killed, is a serious matter. This is especially true given that the Duke of Chu's mansion currently has no heir.
"I'm getting old, and I'm not as composed as you are," the Duke of Chu sighed.
“You’re just overthinking things,” Jiang Yu said, getting up to pour a cup of tea for the Duke of Chu.
The Duke of Chu looked at the wisps of white steam rising from his teacup and said, "If they really are replaced, there will be a lot of trouble later. Jiang Jiarong's life or death doesn't matter, but his wife comes from the Marquis of Jiangling's mansion. The eldest grandson's wife has suddenly become the wife of a concubine's son, and the Marquis of Jiangling's mansion probably can't accept that."
Jiang Yu remained silent for a while before asking, "Grandfather, do you intend to continue down this wrong path?"
The Duke of Chu remained silent, which clearly reflected his opinion.
Jiang Yu then asked, "Grandfather, why do you say that propriety and law are above all else?"
The Duke of Chu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jiang Yu, but remained silent.
Jiang Yu did not back down from the pressure he exerted, and continued, "Grandfather, what do you think caused the Zhou Dynasty to perish?"
The Duke of Chu remained silent, so Jiang Yu continued, "The fundamental reason for the downfall of the Zhou Dynasty was the disruption of its laws. In the past, King Weilie of Zhou enfeoffed Wei Si, Zhao Ji, and Han Qian, officials of the Jin state, as rulers of vassal states."
Duke, Marquis, Minister, and Grand Master were the titles of nobility in the Zhou Dynasty. No matter how powerful the three men from Wei, Zhao, and Han were, they were subjects and could not own their own land or army. This was the law, and they could not disobey it even at the cost of their lives. However, King Weilie enfeoffed the three men as rulers of vassal states. They had their own armies and fiefdoms, and subsequently grew stronger step by step, rendering the Zhou Dynasty a mere shell of its former self.
The same applies to the nation, and the same applies to the family.
“Grandfather,” Jiang Yu said firmly, “the distinctions between ruler and subject, father and son, and legitimate and illegitimate children are fundamental principles that cannot be violated. Once violated, they cannot be stopped. If the family is not disciplined, how can external affairs be handled?”
These words made the Duke of Chu's back slump. He leaned back on the soft couch and remained silent for a long time before saying, "I just want to quell this matter as soon as possible."
Jiang Yu's voice softened considerably as she said, "There's more than one way to settle this matter. Marriage alliances are based on relationships and interests, but the main thing is still interests. As long as the interests are sufficient, the Jiangling Marquis's mansion will compromise. Of course, we can also use leverage against them to make them compromise, but we should avoid using that if possible, as it could backfire."
The Duke of Chu looked at her with deep eyes, "How do you suggest we deal with the Marquis of Jiangling's household?"
Jiang Yu: "Find what the Marquis of Jiangling wants, or things they can't solve but we can."
"Hehe..." Duke Chu looked at Jiang Yu and laughed a few times, then called over Steward Hu and gave him a few instructions. Steward Hu immediately went to carry them out.
Neither Jiang Yu nor the Duke of Chu mentioned how to appease Zhang Xiangling, a key figure, because Zhang Xiangling was affiliated with the Marquis of Jiangling's mansion and the Duke of Chu's mansion.
She was wronged and had been greatly hurt, but Jiang Yu and the Duke of Chu, as the coordinators of the matter, were aware of Zhang Xiangling's grievances, but they were not their primary concern.
Of course, necessary reassurance should be given, but compared to that, it's a minor matter.
Next, we just have to wait for the results of the investigations into Jiang Jiarong and the madam Lan Mudan, the results of the investigations into Aunt Zhao, and the results of the investigations into the Jiangling Marquis's residence.
The Duke of Chu sighed deeply and said, "Thank goodness for you, Yu'er, otherwise..."
The Duke of Chu smiled bitterly, otherwise, with his physical condition, he might not have been able to withstand so many things that had happened.
Jiang Yu laughed, "I'm so glad I recognized my ancestors and returned to my clan, otherwise even if I had all sorts of tricks up my sleeve, I wouldn't have been able to take revenge on that couple in a short time."
Just then, a voice came from outside, "Lord Duke, Lady Qingshan has arrived, and the young master's wife requests that Miss come over."
Jiang Yu stood up. "I'll go take a look."
The Duke of Chu nodded, "If she is rude, there is no need to be polite to her."
"I know." Jiang Yu bowed and went out, heading towards Lu Yifang's courtyard.
PS: Jiang Yu: More money is coming in! I'm so happy!
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