Chapter 57 Chapter 57
Zhao had her own rules of conduct. Although she and Jiang Shu parted ways on bad terms, she still prepared a generous dowry for Jiang Shu.
Nanny Zhou arrived at Xinchun Garden and held the dowry booklet before Jiang Shu. She said gently, "Second Madam, Madam has already registered your dowry. Dowry is the foundation of a woman's life. Please go to the main courtyard and take inventory so you can have a clear idea of the amount."
Jiang Shu took the booklet, which felt heavy and substantial to the touch.
She has decided to remarry. If she has any backbone, she should cut off all ties with the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion and refuse the dowry given to her by the Xinyang Marquis and his wife.
Unfortunately, she had suffered from being penniless and knew the pain of poverty. Since the Marquis of Xinyang and his wife were willing to give her money, she gladly accepted it.
Jiang Shu walked towards the front yard with the dowry booklet. Passing by Bihua Tower, she saw Lu Changfeng sitting on the high wall, eating melon seeds out of boredom.
His left hand held a bunch of melon seed shells, and when the wind blew, the shells flew away and fell sporadically onto the path.
His skin was sallow, and his eyelids drooped, making him look decades older. Hearing footsteps, Lu Changfeng frivolously tutted, looking down at Jiang Shu and mockingly saying, "Everyone says Hu Lingshuang is shameless, but when it comes to romanticism, my second sister-in-law is no less."
It hasn't been long since my second brother passed away, and my second sister-in-law is getting remarried. Could it be that when my second brother was still alive, my second sister-in-law had an affair with that Ye guy?"
Jiang Shu didn't take Lu Changfeng's words to heart at all. She raised her head and squinted at Lu Changfeng: "Third Master, you should take care of yourself first. The Marquis wants to confine you for three years. Three years is not easy to endure. Maybe by the time you can leave Bihua Tower, Aunt Shuang and the Marquis's children will be running around."
Hu Lingshuang was Lu Changfeng's taboo. Jiang Shu directly touched upon Lu Changfeng's pain, causing him to almost jump to his feet.
Lu Changfeng suddenly stood up from the wall, stared at Jiang Shu angrily, and growled, "You bitch, wait until I get out..."
"Lu Changfeng, you are so arrogant!" Lu Changying's voice suddenly interrupted. She came to the wall with a group of maids, holding a shuttlecock in her hand, and her momentum of scolding was very strong.
"You're a criminal who intended to kill your mother. Sparing your life is a sign of your parents' mercy. What else do you want to do after you're released? Want to settle accounts with my second sister-in-law? I'm telling you, if you dare to make any move, I'll beat the drum at the Dali Temple and reveal your beastly deeds. Then I'll see how you can still be a human being."
There was no chance of recovery, and Lu Changfeng refused to take Lu Changying's advice. He retorted, "Go ahead and sue me at the Dali Temple. Let's see how others laugh at the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion. If I lose face, does that mean you'll be honored?"
Lu Changying didn't bother to argue with Lu Changfeng. She took the shuttlecock in her hand, squinted at the doorman, and cursed, "Are you just here to eat for nothing? You're just going to let Lu Changfeng go crazy on the wall?"
Ever since Lu Changfeng tried to burn Zhao to death, Lu Changying never called him third brother again.
Lu Changying and Zhao looked very similar, with a pair of bright and sharp eyes. The doorman was scolded by her and hurriedly set up a ladder to pull Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng was unwilling to give in and started to struggle with the doorman, but he was weak and the doorman grabbed his clothes and pulled him down from the wall.
Finally, her ears were quiet. Lu Changying walked up to Jiang Shu, puffing out her chest, still looking arrogant, but what she said was from the heart: "Don't listen to Lu Changfeng's nonsense. Things like chastity and dying for one's husband are all fallacies made up by men to control women."
"My mother told me when I was little that women should live for themselves. When my second brother was alive, it was enough for you to be good to him. Now that he has passed away, you should find your own happiness. If you want to remarry, then marry, and don't bother with others."
After Lu Changying finished speaking, she awkwardly took off a red gold hairpin adorned with oriental pearls from her head and said, "This hairpin is a bit heavy and it gives me a headache. I'll give it to you as a gift to add to your box!"
Jiang Shu chuckled and reached out to take the hairpin. The golden hairpin was made of solid material and weighed at least three or two taels. It felt heavy in her hand.
She pinned the hairpin into her bun and said to Lu Changying in a gentle voice, "My dear sister, you are so thoughtful. I really like this hairpin."
Lu Changying curled her lips and said, "What do you mean by thoughtful? I didn't prepare it specially for you. I gave it to you because I didn't like it."
As she spoke, she turned around and walked away awkwardly.
Jiang Shu looked at her back, and the smile on her face grew even wider.
There were twenty-two mahogany boxes in the main courtyard, each box was stuffed full. In addition, Zhao also gave Jiang Shu a gouache shop and six thousand taels of silver.
This wealth is enough for her to live a good life for the rest of her life.
Jiang Shu checked the dowry book and counted the dowry one by one. Zhao was a good housekeeper, and there was no discrepancy between the book and the actual items.
She turned her head to look at Aunt Zhou and said softly, "Mother is so thoughtful. I hope Aunt Zhou will thank her for me."
Nanny Zhou hesitated for a moment and said to Jiang Shu, "Second Madam, Madam has a bad temper and speaks bluntly, but she's not bad for you."
"Just talking about this dowry, let alone my mother-in-law, I'm afraid even my own mother wouldn't be able to prepare such a complete set."
"You and your wife are both sincere people. Don't let your anger ruin the friendship between you. In my opinion, it would be more appropriate for you to go and thank your wife in person."
Jiang Shu was not a fool, so she naturally knew Zhao's character. She was about to get married, so she should kowtow and thank Zhao in person.
She nodded and walked towards Yanxi Hall with Madam Zhou. When they reached the Chuihua Gate, they saw Zhang Pei and two guards coming around the bluestone rockery.
Zhang Pei was wearing a green Qilin suit, with a rhinoceros belt around his waist. His eyebrows and eyes were bright and clear, and he looked very dignified.
He bowed to Jiang Shu and said gently, "Madam, the Queen Mother invites you."
Empress Dowager? Not to mention Madam Zhou, even Jiang Shu was a little surprised. She glanced at Madam Zhou and followed Zhang Pei to Fengzao Palace.
The sound of stringed instruments is melodious and pleasant, and the air is filled with the fragrance of litchi.
Yang Zhaoyue half-leaned on the imperial concubine couch and said softly to Jiang Shu, "I'm not feeling well. You should stay in Fengzao Palace and take care of me for the next two days."
Jiang Shu didn't know what Yang Zhaoyue was planning, but tomorrow was her wedding day, and she couldn't let Ye Qian wait in vain.
She knelt before Yang Zhaoyue, bowed three times respectfully, and said softly, "It is my blessing to serve the Queen Mother, but unfortunately, tomorrow is my big day. It is not easy to prepare for it at home, and I cannot refuse my elder's kindness."
Yang Zhaoyue sat up and glanced at the palace attendant. The palace attendant understood, walked behind her, and carefully massaged her forehead.
Yang Zhaoyue sighed. She didn't beat around the bush with Jiang Shu and said directly, "Jiang, Xueji likes you, you can't get married."
Jiang Shu pulled off the red gold hairpin from her head and stabbed the tip into her neck. She said firmly, "My Queen, I have already let Ye Qian down once, and I will never let him down again. Unless I die, I will marry him."
Jiang Shu gradually increased her strength, and the hairpin penetrated deeper and deeper. A thin stream of blood flowed down her neck into her collar.
Yang Zhaoyue felt a chill in her heart, but her mind was extremely excited. She glared at Jiang Shu and said word by word, "You have more backbone than me!"
Then, he turned his gaze to Zhang Pei and said, "Zhang Pei, escort Jiang out of the palace."
Fengzao Palace returned to peace. Yang Zhaoyue lay on the chaise longue, watching the orange sun gradually disappear behind the mountains. The mountains blocked the sun but could not block the afterglow of the sun. Time passed so slowly.
So boring!
Yang Zhaoyue closed her eyes. If she had been braver at the beginning, would things be different now?
I don’t know whether Jiang can get what she wants.
She smiled gently. As for Xueji, she wondered if Xueji would live with the same regret as her for the rest of his life.
"Second Madam, you're so cruel! You're willing to do such a harsh thing to yourself." Zhu'er muttered as she applied the medicine to Jiang Shu. Fortunately, the wound medicine was effective. A small bean-sized drop of it stopped the bleeding immediately after it was applied to the wound.
After applying the medicine, Zhu'er wrapped Jiang Shu's wound with cotton cloth and whispered, "While Minister Ye's love for you is deep and sincere, it's not worth risking your life for. If your hairpin had pierced any deeper, you might never see Minister Ye again."
Jiang Shu knew that Yang Zhaoyue would not disregard her life, so she restrained her strength when stabbing herself. Although some blood came out, it was only a superficial wound.
She comforted Zhu'er in a gentle voice: "Don't worry, I know my limits."
Jiang Shu stood up and looked in the bronze mirror. The white cotton cloth around her neck was particularly eye-catching. She took a wind collar and tied it around her neck, then looked in the bronze mirror again. Seeing that there was nothing wrong, she asked Zhu'er to carry the lantern and go out with her.
Tomorrow is Jiang Shu's wedding day. The Xinyang Marquis Mansion is decorated with lanterns and is bustling with activity. Only the Yanxi Hall is silent.
When Jiang Shu entered, Nanny Zhou was feeding larks under the eaves. Nanny Zhou was a considerate person and was not curious about what Jiang Shu had done in the palace during the day. She was only concerned about easing the relationship between Jiang Shu and Zhao.
She gave Jiang Shu a knowing smile, then put down the bird food in her hand and said softly, "Third Madam, please wait a moment. I will go into the house and tell you."
Jiang Shu said thank you and stopped where she was, waiting for Nanny Zhou to reply.
Nanny Zhou came out quickly, but her face was embarrassed. She leaned over to Jiang Shu and whispered, "It's all my fault for being nosy. Second Madam made this trip in vain. Madam has already gone to bed, so it's not convenient to talk to Second Madam right now."
Jiang Shu said "Oh" and a look of loneliness appeared on her face. The Ye family and the Lu family were worlds apart. She was afraid that she would never have the chance to meet Zhao again in the future.
Although Zhao often spoke coldly to her, she did not treat her badly.
Jiang Shu forced a smile and whispered to Nanny Zhou, "It doesn't matter if my mother is asleep. I'm grateful to her anyway."
She walked to the entrance of the flower hall and said loudly through the curtains, "Mother, Shu'er is going to remarry tomorrow, and will no longer be able to honor you. I only hope that you can be happy and healthy, and have no worries for the rest of your life!"
After Jiang Shu finished speaking, she touched the ground with her hands and kowtowed three times. Then she stood up, with her back straight, and strode out of the Yanxi Hall.
Nanny Zhou lifted the door curtain and walked into the flower hall, only to see Zhao sitting upright on a chair. Her expression was the same as usual, but her eyes were frighteningly red.
Nanny Zhou sighed and said to Zhao in a gentle voice, "Madam, it's understandable that Second Madam did something to save her life. You clearly love Second Madam very much, so why do you have to be angry with her?"
Zhao lowered her head, her voice tinged with tears, "Yier is gone, so why does Jiang insist on exposing his shortcomings? He wasn't in good health when he was alive, and he won't be at peace even after his death."
Lu Changyi is Zhao's beloved one. Zhao always feels particularly sad when she mentions Lu Changyi.
Madam Zhou whispered to comfort Zhao: "Madam, I know you feel sorry for the prince, but he is gone. You can't always dwell on the past. You have to look up and look forward."
Zhao nodded, but her tears were like a broken dam, and she couldn't stop them. She understood the reason, but the person who died was her only son, so how could she get over it so easily?
It was a pitch-black night. A group of men and horses galloped across the moonlight. Nearing a dense forest, Cheng Luan pulled the reins and said to Lu Changji in a deep voice, "Sir, the forest is dense and leafy, making it easy to hide. I'm afraid there might be rebels hiding there. It would be better to regroup here and wait until daybreak before moving on."
Lu Changji seemed not to hear Cheng Luan's words and did not slow down at all.
Cheng Luan had no choice but to whip his horsewhip and follow closely behind.
When they reached the woods, long arrows shot towards Lu Changji like heavy rain.
The guards around Lu Changji were all top masters. When they heard the sound of the long arrow breaking through the air, they quickly gathered Lu Changji to the center of the team.
Use the sword as a shield to block the long arrows.
In the end, he was still a step too late. A long arrow pierced Lu Changji's calf. Blood dripped and splattered onto the ground.
Lu Changji seemed unconscious. He just frowned and rushed forward regardless.
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