Jinling City, belonging to Jiangzhou, was the most prosperous and extravagant place in Jiangzhou. It was extremely wealthy and supported many rich merchants, officials, and gentry.
Jiangzhou is a typical Jiangnan water town scene, with the graceful and charming Mirror Lake, the gentle and affectionate beauties of Jiangnan, and the dashing and talented scholars of Jiangnan. The beautiful women and scholars, along with the tranquil lake and beautiful scenery, complement each other, creating countless wonderful stories.
The Prefect of Jiangzhou was the highest-ranking official in Jiangzhou, holding the power over the lives, deaths, successes, and failures of countless people. Although he was only a fourth-rank official, he was a powerful figure in Zhejiang Prefecture, practically the local emperor of Jiangzhou.
The Jiangzhou Prefectural Government Office is located in Yangcheng, Jiangzhou. Although it lacks the extravagance of Nanjing, it possesses the unique gentle tranquility of Jiangnan. Behind the government office lies the inner residence, which covers a vast area. Every corner is meticulously crafted with beauty, and the garden is planted with lush peonies, their vibrant colors almost dripping with dew.
Every year during the peony season, the Prefect's wife would invite wealthy merchants and celebrities to enjoy the flowers in a banquet known as the Peony Banquet. Everyone in Jiangzhou knew that Prefect Jiang Jing and his wife were deeply in love, with only one daughter to whom they remained devoted, a fact that drew envy from others. Because the Prefect's wife adored peonies, she planted the garden full of them for him to admire, demonstrating her thoughtfulness.
Everyone envied their unwavering love and devotion to each other throughout their lives. Women, in particular, envied the prefect's wife for having someone who loved her so deeply, and the prefect's only daughter for receiving such exclusive favor.
Jiang Changle always readily accepted the envy and jealousy of others. She enjoyed these gazes and the happy life that others lacked. In her understanding of life, her parents had a deep and loving relationship, and she was their only treasure. She could act spoiled, be willful, and even vent her bad temper at will because someone would tolerate her and cover for her in everything.
This allowed him to maintain his image as a dignified, elegant, beautiful, and noble daughter of the prefect in public.
She didn't have to follow the rules like other rich young ladies, didn't have to carefully protect her reputation, and didn't have to compete for favor with other illegitimate daughters and sons. She could be herself and do whatever she wanted.
Jiang Changle's life should have been as joyful as his name suggests, forever shrouded in a noble aura.
Because the prefect's wife had a fondness for luxury, the interior of her residence was decorated primarily in a noble and elegant red, seemingly to reflect her high status. The prefectural government office, however, is quite different now. White canvas flutters everywhere, and the lanterns have been replaced with a somber white, creating an atmosphere of desolation and loneliness.
Jiang Changle also changed out of her favorite red dress and into the pure white hairpin dress she had always disliked. Her face was lightly made up, looking pale and haggard. However, this did not diminish her beauty. Her features, inherited from the prefect's wife, exuded a dignified and elegant air; she was the epitome of a well-bred lady. With a touch of gentleness, she gave off a warm and welcoming feeling. Everyone who met Jiang Changle praised her gentle and generous demeanor, deeming her a model of a noblewoman, leaving an excellent impression.
Supported by her maid, she knelt before the tomb, gazing at the cold memorial tablet. Jiang Changle's face showed a tearful expression, her head drooping softly, her shoulders trembling slightly, and a snow-white handkerchief covering most of her face, clearly showing that she was extremely sad.
Guests who came to offer their condolences would come over to say a few words of comfort upon seeing this scene, and their pity for Jiang Chang Le would only deepen, leaving them with a better impression. The Great Zhou Dynasty valued filial piety, and anyone who was not filial could not gain a foothold in officialdom.
Of course, this does not mean that officials should be blindly filial, but if a person cannot even be respectful and filial to his own parents, how can the court believe that such a person can be loyal to the country?
It was common knowledge that the prefect's wife doted on her only daughter, Jiang Changle, and would give her anything she wanted. If Jiang Changle hadn't grieved and cried, her reputation would probably have been ruined as well.
Putting everything else aside, Jiang Changle's outward appearances were extremely well done, having completely inherited his parents' skills.
Jiang Jing still felt sorry for this daughter, after all, he had spoiled her for more than ten years. Seeing that his daughter was so pale and haggard, he instructed the maid to help her into the house, and that there was no need for her to kneel outside to mourn.
According to the customs of Jiangzhou, a person's body must be kept in state for three days after death, and today is already the second day. Jiang Jing, dressed in a plain white robe, has handsome features and a gentle temperament. His mustache adds to his mature demeanor, making him a true gentleman.
After dismissing the servants, Jiang Jingyi lifted his long robe and sat on the prayer mat, gazing quietly at the memorial tablet before him, his magnetic voice echoing in the empty space.
"Madam, don't worry, I will take good care of Chang Le and make sure she marries into a good family. You can go on your journey without worry." He rambled on about everyday things, his words filled with longing for his wife and affection for his daughter.
Anyone who heard this would think he was a loving husband, but the expression on his face was quite different. His lips were slightly upturned, forming a joyful arc, and his eyes crinkled with excitement, showing no sign of someone who had lost his wife.
He was tired of pretending for so many years. Madam Jiang was dignified and virtuous in public, but arrogant and domineering at home. She bossed him around and, relying on being the daughter of the Prince of Nan'an, didn't treat him like her husband. She was just an adopted daughter.
He was incredibly arrogant in his speech and actions. If it weren't for the need to maintain appearances and reputation, and to act gentle and virtuous in public, his reputation as the prefect of Jiangzhou would probably be a laughing stock.
No amount of marital affection can stop such erosion, especially since he was mostly using Madam Jiang and coveting the power of the Prince of Nan'an's mansion. He had climbed to such a high position step by step with the Prince of Nan'an's help, and his relationship with the Prince of Nan'an was already solidified, so this woman was naturally of no use to him.
He had long been fed up with being treated like a servant, and from now on he should be in charge. Although Madam Jiang's death would require Jiang Changle to observe three years of mourning, three years later, when Jiang Changle was of suitable age, if she could marry a prince or grandson of the emperor during the formal selection of concubines, Jiang Jing's career would surely rise to a higher level.
If I'm lucky, my daughter might even become the empress, and then I'd be the emperor's father-in-law. Then I could take a few beautiful concubines and have a son—wouldn't that be wonderful!
He knew his daughter very well. Jiang Changle was beautiful and resourceful, but her overly flamboyant personality made her prone to suffering losses, and she needed her father's support. Not to mention, his daughter's deep affection for him was the result of his deliberate efforts over the past ten years.
That's why we have this scene today. He could even use this funeral to further enhance his reputation, and the Prince of Nan'an's mansion would do its best to help him.
And all of this only requires sacrificing an insignificant woman, isn't that an extremely worthwhile deal?
Just as Jiang Jing was lost in thought, a knock came at the door, interrupting his thoughts.
"Master, a woman outside is requesting an audience and has sent this item with her."
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