Chapter 76 Then Hate
When the Duke of Chu first learned that Jiang Chengye had been framed for smuggling salt, he considered killing Jiang Chengye. After all, by sacrificing his own family for the greater good, he could completely resolve the crisis facing the Duke of Chu's mansion.
However, remembering that he was still useful, he didn't go all out. Now, seeing him kneeling before him, crying like a child, the Duke of Chu's heart softened involuntarily. After all, he was his own son.
But thinking of Jiang Yu's decisiveness, he clenched his fist and said, "Do you know what kind of crisis you've brought to the family this time?"
Jiang Chengye raised his tear-streaked face and said, "Son knows, but Dad, I was framed. I never intended to harm the family."
The Duke of Chu snorted, "If you had such intentions, do you think I would spare your life?"
Jiang Chengye lowered his head in fear. The image of Jiang Jiarong dying was still vivid in his mind. Jiang Jiarong harbored malicious intentions towards the Duke of Chu's mansion, which was why she lost her life.
He is now more fearful than saddened by the death of his own son. Moreover, Jiang Jiarong was involved in plotting his smuggling of salt.
"From now on, you shall stay obediently in the manor and are not allowed to go out unless it is absolutely necessary," said the Duke of Chu.
Jiang Chengye nodded quickly, and then the Duke of Chu said, "Jiang Jiarong's funeral will be held according to the standards for a son born of a concubine. People will definitely come to ask about it. Yu'er will handle everything. Don't say anything."
Jiang Chengye looked at the Duke of Chu in surprise, "Even if it wasn't my son who handled this, shouldn't it have been Jia Mu who did it?"
The Duke of Chu snorted, "Isn't this all your doing? That Aunt Zhao poisoned Jia Mu. How long can Jia Mu's body hold on?"
However, even if Jiang Jiamu is in good health, the Duke of Chu might not necessarily make him his heir. The current Duke of Chu's mansion is not one that an ordinary person can support.
Jiang Chengye wanted to say that Jiang Yu was a woman and it was inappropriate for her to do this. However, out of fear of the Duke of Chu, he did not say it aloud.
"Alright, go back and rest," said the Duke of Chu.
Jiang Chengye stood up and bowed to him. The Duke of Chu looked at him dangerously, "If there is a next time, no one can save your life."
Jiang Chengye shrank back, "I will never dare to do it again. From now on, I will stay in the manor obediently."
The Duke of Chu, naturally, didn't quite believe him and waved for him to leave. Jiang Chengye bowed to him again and then left the study. He walked towards Lu Yifang's courtyard in the inner courtyard, and when he arrived at the gate, he saw Lu Yifang's personal maid standing there.
When Granny Feng saw him, she was surprised for a moment, then immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Jiang Chengye gave an awkward "hmm" and asked, "Is Madam here?"
Granny Feng: "Yes, she's here, talking to the young lady."
Jiang Chengye hummed in agreement and stepped inside. Granny Feng immediately smiled and said, "This old servant will go and tell Madam that you've arrived."
This means he needs to make a notification. When has he ever used a notification when he came here before? This is his wife's yard, but isn't it also his yard?
His face looked very bad, but Granny Feng trotted into the hall, bowed, and said, "Madam, the young master has arrived."
Jiang Yu and Lu Yifang were both stunned when they heard this. Then Lu Yifang clenched her fists and clenched her teeth, showing how much she hated Jiang Chengye.
She said, "Tell him I'm talking to Pearl and don't have time to see him."
Granny Feng had already guessed this outcome. After bowing and leaving, she approached Jiang Chengye and said, "Madam is talking to the eldest young lady and is busy."
...
The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and Jiang Chengye's face was so dark it was almost distorted. He stared intently at Granny Feng, but she kept her head down and didn't look at him. He gave a heavy snort and strode towards the hall.
But Granny Feng stopped him, saying, "Young Master, so many things have happened these past few days, each one a knife to the heart of Madam. Please don't add to her distress."
These were very unpleasant words, especially the phrase "causing trouble for the lady." However, Jiang Chengye had lost all his previous swagger and exuded a dejected air. He stared at the hall for a while, then turned and strode away.
After watching his figure disappear, Granny Feng turned and entered the hall, saying, "The young master has left."
Lu Yifang's body, which had been somewhat stiff, slumped into the chair. Jiang Yu waved for Granny Feng to leave, walked up to Lu Yifang, took her hand, and said, "Mother, the past is the past, let's look forward."
With tears in her eyes, Lu Yifang said, "I used to tell myself that I already knew what kind of person he was, so no matter what he did, I would never let myself be hurt again."
However, the son I gave birth to after ten months of pregnancy was switched by his concubine, who also poisoned him. For 20 years, I ignored my son, watching him struggle; I couldn't help but hate him.
Tears streamed down her face, and Jiang Yu's heart ached. She held Lu Yifang's hand and said, "If hating him will make you feel better, then hate him. But Mother, Brother and Yun Kang need you..."
“I understand,” Lu Yifang wiped away her tears and interrupted her, “Don’t worry, I’m not that fragile. I have to be okay and support you and your brother’s family.”
Jiang Yu nodded with a smile, "Yes, I still have my mother's support."
Lu Yifang looked at her with relief in her eyes, "Zhu'er, I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you."
Jiang Yu smiled again, "You are my support."
Lu Yifang sat up straight. "Yes, I have to support you and your brother."
Her two children have both suffered a lot, so she, as a mother, had to become strong even if she wasn't.
“Mother, we need to let our maternal grandparents know that Jiang Jiarong and Brother Jiamu’s identities have been switched,” Jiang Yu said.
Lu Yifang nodded, "We should tell them."
In truth, she had long wanted to visit the Marquis of Anyuan's residence, to tell the Marquis's wife about her helplessness and inner turmoil. The Marquis of Anyuan was her maternal family, and would always be her support.
However, with one thing after another happening at the Duke of Chu's mansion, she didn't have time to go. At the same time, she was also afraid that she might not be able to control herself and tell her parents everything.
At this moment, Jiang Yu said, "When you see your maternal grandparents, you can tell them everything except about how your father was tricked into buying the salt smuggling ship."
"Can we also talk about the Marquis of Jiangling's smuggling of salt?" Lu Yifang asked.
Jiang Yu nodded, "Of course, we also need to cut ties with my maternal grandparents' family as soon as possible."
Lu Yifang breathed a sigh of relief. She had wanted to tell the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion when she first learned that the Marquis of Jiangling was smuggling salt. However, she didn't know what the Duke of Chu was thinking, so she hadn't dared to speak up and had been struggling with her feelings.
"Let's go now," Lu Yifang said, standing up.
She herself didn't realize that with Jiang Yu by her side, she seemed to have found a pillar of support.
Jiang Yu also stood up, and the mother and daughter took a carriage to the Marquis of Anyuan's residence. The two residences were not far apart, and they arrived in no time.
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