Chapter 34: The Wife's Generosity
The North Courtyard of the Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion.
Jiang was busy arranging for Marquis Yongyi to leave the capital early in the morning. She did not come back to sit down until she saw him off. What she did not expect was that Zhou did not stay in Bian Jing, but followed Qin Shiyuan to the expedition again.
Didn't she know why Zhou did this?
It's just that after taking over the Marquis' Mansion, I got to know the specific situation in the mansion. Who would like to take over a mess?
Even if Zhou wanted to plot, she would plot against the prosperous and wealthy Yongyi Marquis Mansion, and would never plot against a rotten Yongyi Marquis Mansion that could collapse at any time.
After weighing the pros and cons, staying by Qin Shiyuan's side is the most beneficial thing to do.
Let’s not talk about Qin Shiyuan’s feelings for Zhou for now. Just say that Zhou’s son followed Qin Shiyuan to the war. If he defeated the Jin people in the future, he would be able to earn fame even without the Yongyi Marquis’ Mansion.
The more Jiang thought about it, the deeper the resentment in his heart became.
At this time, Madam Yuan came in and said, "Madam, now that the Marquis has left, the mansion seems to be much emptier."
Jiang chuckled and said, "What's going on? When will Junyi bring that woman in?"
Mother Yuan was about to scold Mrs. Zhou, but when she saw that Mrs. Jiang had no interest in hearing about the Marquis's affairs, she withdrew her smile and said, "The young Marquis sent someone to say that he would bring Miss Shangguan to the mansion in half an hour."
After hearing this, Jiang, who was sitting in the host seat, put the teacup in her hand on the small table with a little impatience.
"Madam, what's wrong?" Mother Yuan came forward and asked with concern.
Jiang sighed, "Although this is what Junyi wants, if Junyi were to marry a concubine at this time, it would definitely become a hot topic of conversation in Bianjing."
"Madam, this isn't the young marquis's fault," Madam Yuan whispered soothingly, "It's the young lady herself who doesn't want to live a good life with the young marquis. Last night, when I went to the East Garden, she was still staying in the wing rooms. Except for our wedding night, it was you, Madam, who asked the young marquis to stay in the East Garden for a night. I didn't expect the young lady to even dislike the main house where the young marquis stayed. How can she be someone who wants to live a good life with the young marquis?"
Speaking of this, Mother Yuan remembered the groom she had seen in the outer yard.
"Madam, last night when I was heading to the East Garden, I saw that groom in the outer courtyard." Madam Yuan mentioned the groom, fearing that Jiang Shi wouldn't understand. "He was the groom who accompanied the young lady on the way to Kaibao Temple."
Jiang looked at Mother Yuan suspiciously, as if she had noticed something, and asked, "Is it the groom I don't remember?"
Mother Yuan nodded: "Although he is the Xie family's illegitimate child, it is a bit strange for him to appear in the East Garden in the middle of the night."
"Maybe Xie has something to ask her people to do." Jiang had long known the people around Xie Rongying and was loyal to her. It was also because the Xie family had given her enough slaves that she could not place anyone in the East Garden.
After what happened at Kaibao Temple, Jiang guessed that there must be someone with better skills around Xie Rongying.
After all, when they were at Kaibao Temple, the guards of the Duke of Ying's Mansion were very alert and had good skills. The fact that Xie Rongying was able to avoid those guards and maids and take Zhang Ruru away easily showed that her skills were better than those of the guards of the Duke of Ying's Mansion.
"Madam, don't you think it's inappropriate to place a groom in the outer courtyard of the East Garden?" Mother Yuan always felt something was wrong.
"Alright." Jiang was already unhappy about Shangguan Yao's situation. "I have no control over how Xie Rongying arranges her people. Even if there's something wrong or suspicious about it, what can I do?"
Perhaps because Jiang Yin had just died, Jiang was a little hesitant to kill Xie Rongying. She always regretted that if she had been more careful and meticulous in Kaibao Temple, Xie Rongying would not have taken advantage of the opportunity and caused Jiang Yin to lose his life.
Jiang also knew that Xie Rongying was not only hostile but also wary of her.
In this way, Jiang would not touch Xie Rongying so easily, which was one of the reasons why she agreed to let Shangguan Yao enter the house with Qin Junyi.
After the Jiang Yin incident, Jiang thought it would be better to kill someone with someone else's knife than to do it himself.
Since Shangguan Yao could make Qin Junyi bring up the matter of letting her in at this critical juncture, Jiang knew that Shangguan Yao was not someone who would keep to herself.
Since you have ambitions, how can you be willing to be inferior to others?
Compared to dealing with Xie Rongying herself, Jiang would rather watch the dogs fight each other. She would benefit whether either side was injured or killed.
It would be best if they died together, cleared out Qin Junyi's inner house, and then she could carefully choose Qin Junyi's wife.
"How are Xie's preparations going?" Jiang lowered her eyes and said nonchalantly, "As long as Xie accepts Shangguan Yao's tea, the matter will be settled. If Xie is embarrassed, it has nothing to do with me, her mother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Mother Yuan immediately understood Jiang's thoughts. From now on, Shangguan Yao came into the family, and it would be Shangguan Yao's responsibility to deal with Xie Rongying.
I’m afraid the Marquis’ Mansion will be even more lively from now on.
"I will go and urge the young lady."
After saying this, Mother Yuan left the main hall again. Just as she left the hall, a maid came to report.
"Mother Yuan, someone has arrived at the Earl Yongqin's residence."
Mother Yuan asked, "Who's here?"
"It's me."
Mother Kang appeared from the courtyard gate and walked towards Mother Yuan.
"Why is the elder sister here?" Mother Yuan was puzzled and went forward to greet her.
Mother Kang's eyes flashed with nervousness, and she asked, "Is the Madam here?"
"Here." After saying that, Mother Yuan led Mother Kang into the main room.
When Jiang saw Mother Kang coming, she couldn't help but stand up and asked, "But what happened to Mother?"
Ever since Jiang Yin passed away, Mrs. Jiang's health has deteriorated.
"No." Mother Kang walked forward, bowed, and then straightened up and said directly: "Auntie, today I went to Chunzhi Pavilion to get rouge for the two girls in the mansion, and I didn't expect to hear a piece of news."
"What news?" Jiang sat back in the main seat in confusion.
"The girls and ladies who went to Chunzhi Pavilion were all talking about Xie being possessed by an evil spirit." Mother Kang said this excitedly, thinking about how her own Sixth Master died tragically because of Xie. If Xie was really possessed by an evil spirit, her end would probably not be good either.
"Possessed?" Jiang's eyebrows moved slightly.
"Isn't it just a case of being possessed by an evil spirit?" Mother Yuan immediately took over Mother Kang's words: "Madam, don't you think there's something strange about the young lady? It all started when she became seriously ill."
Upon hearing this, Jiang's eyes became deep and his expression became much more serious.
"Ever since the young lady caught a cold, she's become a completely different person. Madam, think back to when you first got to know her. You were very pleased with her every move. After she married into the Marquis's mansion, she did whatever you said. She took a rough look at all the messes in the mansion and told you not to worry about it anymore. She'll slowly sort it out."
When Jiang listened to what Mother Yuan said, her face was solemn and stern.
"After being ill for two days, he began to disobey you, Madam. What he did became more and more bizarre. If this isn't a sign of being possessed by an evil spirit, how could it be?" Mother Yuan said this and even believed it herself.
After hearing this, Jiang turned her gaze to Kang's mother and asked, "You mean there's a rumor going on inside Chunzhi Pavilion?"
"Yes, I think by now the news that Mrs. Xie was possessed by evil spirits has reached the ears of many ladies." Mother Kang said.
Jiang's lips curled up slightly, and she said in a deep voice, "These are all fabricated stories. When you go back, don't let your sister-in-law and brother add fuel to the fire."
It was obvious that someone wanted to deal with Xie Rongying. In that case, she would definitely not let her family interfere.
So as to avoid getting into trouble.
After hearing this, Mother Kang was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand what Jiang meant and said, "Yes, I will tell the Madam and Master when I get back."
"Then you go back first. I have other things to do at home later." Jiang was worried about Old Madam Jiang as she spoke, and she said, "Go back and tell my sister-in-law to take mother to live in the farm for a while, so that she won't be reminded of her by seeing the things she has seen."
Mother Kang nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie, I will tell Madam."
"Mother Yuan, send Mother Kang off," Mrs. Jiang ordered.
"yes."
——
At about two quarters in the afternoon, a carriage stopped in front of the gate of the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion.
Jiang felt somewhat uncomfortable because Shangguan Yao came to her house, so she asked someone to clear out some of the people passing by the gate. Whenever she thought about how her eldest son would be pointed at and criticized because of Shangguan Yao, and people would say things like he was a heartless person, she felt even more resentful towards Shangguan Yao.
After all, Xie Rongying has only been in the family for less than a month.
Qin Junyi helped Shangguan Yao get off the carriage. Noticing that there was no one around, he didn't think much about it and said, "Be careful."
Shangguan Yao smiled faintly. The man in front of her was not just talking about his care for her. She said, "Don't treat me like this when you see your mother later. If you do, your mother will think you are being servile in front of me, and she will be dissatisfied."
Qin Junyi pinched Shangguan Yao's fingers and chuckled, "I know what to do, but I won't let you suffer any injustice."
"You would never let me suffer any injustice." Shangguan Yao was naturally happy in her heart. If it weren't for Qin Junyi, she would have left Bianjing long ago, but it was also for Qin Junyi that she would rather stay in Bianjing.
"Young Marquis," as Mother Yuan walked out of the gate, she saw Qin Junyi supporting Shangguan Yao, who was wearing a bright green brocade dress. After taking a look at Shangguan Yao, she thought to herself that this Miss Shangguan was not a good person either. She wore the color that only the main wife could wear on the first day she entered the house.
"Miss Shangguan," Madam Yuan said politely, "Madam and Young Madam have been waiting for you for a long time."
Shangguan Yao smiled faintly and said, "I'm so sorry. I've been a bit sleepy lately and got up a little late. I've kept Madam and Young Madam waiting for a long time."
After saying that, Xueqing, who was beside Shangguan Yao, took out a silver note and handed it to Mother Yuan naturally.
"Let Mother Yuan come out to greet you personally. If she's tired, take her to buy some snacks to satisfy your cravings when you're free." Shangguan Yao said softly.
Everyone likes to be praised, let alone the one who is the apple of Qin Junyi's eye. With just two words, Yuan Mama was so flattered that she couldn't stop smiling: "Then I won't be polite."
After accepting it, Mother Yuan made a gesture of invitation: "Young Marquis, Miss Shangguan, please come in."
Today's meeting was held in the main hall of the mansion, after all, the purpose was to discuss the eldest son of the Yongyi Marquis marrying a concubine.
When Jiang arrived at the main hall, Xie Rongying was already there.
When Xie Rongying saw Jiang coming, she stood up, bowed, and called out "Mother."
When Jiang heard the word "mother", a chill ran up her spine from her feet. It subsided only after she sat down and let Xie Rongying sit down.
During this period, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law did not say another word.
It was not until Qin Junyi and Shangguan Yao walked in that the atmosphere in the main hall began to relax.
"Madam, young madam, the young marquis and Miss Shangguan are here." Mother Yuan said with a smile.
Qin Junyi took Shangguan Yao to the center, then released her hand and bowed to Jiang, who was sitting at the main seat: "Your son greets you, mother."
"Greetings to the Madam." Shangguan Yao bowed.
Jiang looked at Shangguan Yao's clothes and couldn't help but glance at Xie Rongying. Seeing that Xie Rongying's expression didn't change much, she sneered silently and said, "Everyone, stand up and sit down quickly. We are all family from now on."
When Shangguan Yao's eyes fell on Xie Rongying, she happened to meet Xie Rongying's scrutinizing gaze. She saluted Xie Rongying with a warm smile and said, "Shangguan Yao greets the young lady."
Xie Rongying looked at the delicate yet fierce woman in front of her and smiled faintly: "So Sister Shangguan is so stunning. No wonder the young marquis doesn't return home every day."
Shangguan Yan's daughter?
Longxi?
So what secrets does Longxi have?
Why was Qin Junyi able to escape from the war perfectly in his previous life and not afraid to return to Bian Jing later?
You must know that being a deserter in Dayin will bring trouble to the entire family.
So where does Qin Junyi get the confidence from?
Could it be that Qin Junyi's confidence comes from the woman in front of him, or Shangguan Yan from Longxi?
"Yao'er is weak. I'm just going to take care of her. Don't make things difficult for her." Qin Junyi saw that Xie Rongying's eyes were always on Shangguan Yao, so he stepped forward to support Shangguan Yao and said.
Hearing this, Xie Rongying laughed, "Embarrassed? Which eye of the young marquis saw me embarrass Miss Shangguan?"
Qin Jun glanced at Xie Rongying strangely, then helped Shangguan Yao sit down opposite him.
Jiang's gaze lingered on Xie Rongying for a moment, and she said, "Since Miss Shangguan is here and Rongying doesn't mind, I'll have someone pick an auspicious date for Junyi to marry Miss Shangguan. What do you think, Rongying?"
Xie Rongying smiled: "It's up to mother to decide."
"In that case, Miss Shangguan offering tea to Rongying is considered the legal wife's consent." As Jiang spoke, her eyes swept over Yuan Madam and continued, "Rongying, mother knows that Junyi's remarriage has wronged you, but now that things have come to this, you should be more relaxed. If your father or the Xie family asks, you must tell the truth. Mother and Junyi did not force you to accept Miss Shangguan."
Xie Rongying stared at Jiang with eyes that showed a hint of darkness. She thought Jiang didn't know that what people say is scary.
It seems that he still cares about Qin Junyi's reputation.
She smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. I know what to say and what not to say. After all, a harmonious family is the key to success."
Jiang nodded in satisfaction: "Your generosity will be remembered by Junyi and Miss Shangguan."
At this time, Mother Yuan also came in with tea. She walked to Xie Rongying's side and said, "Miss Shangguan, it's time to serve tea to the young lady."
Shangguan Yao stood up and walked forward. Just as she picked up the teacup, Xie Rongying said with a smile, "Mother, your daughter-in-law has also prepared three or five concubines for the young marquis. Since Miss Shangguan wants to offer tea to your daughter-in-law, why don't you offer tea to the other concubines as well?"
While Xie Rongying was speaking, Yunniang came in with five beautifully dressed girls.
Xie Rongying's eyes fell on Jiang, and she said lightly, "Although I am unhappy, I still have to think about the young marquis's offspring. Mother, do you think I have the magnanimity of a wife?"
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