Chapter 26 The Carriage and Horse Shop Closes, Hope Shattered
The carriage and horse shop has closed down.
She spotted the rental notice at the entrance immediately.
In that instant, all the color drained from her face!
It was as if the air had frozen; she couldn't hear a sound, only the sound of He's mother's mouth opening and closing beside her.
Since her rebirth, the flame that had sustained her heart has been extinguished.
She has put in so much effort.
It seems especially ridiculous at this moment.
She can't even leave the city gates, yet she's still thinking about buying houses and land.
Mother He looked worried. "My lady, what's wrong?"
Jiang Shiyao slowly closed her eyes.
She bit her tongue hard and held her breath, barely managing to calm herself down.
Her face was deathly pale as she gave a slight, weak twitch of her lips.
"It's alright, let's go back to the manor."
They came out happily, but now they've returned disappointed.
The atmosphere inside the carriage was oppressive; no one knew what was wrong with Madam Jiang.
He was all smiles when he was choosing the materials...
Jiang Shiyao sat motionless in the carriage, her eyes unfocused, as if her soul had left this world.
No one could see the direction, and a tear slowly slid down her cheek.
The carriage arrived at the gate of the Duke's mansion.
"Madam Jiang, we've arrived."
Shuangjiang and Mother He led Fu'er out of the car, but Jiang Shiyao seemed not to hear them and did not move at all.
The two looked at each other outside the car, then remained silent as if by unspoken agreement.
We could only wait outside the car.
She stared blankly at the sliver of light between the carriage door and the curtain, where people came and went, each seemingly following their own path.
I don't know how much time passed.
So long that Jiang Shiyao began to feel as if she had not been reborn.
Her daughter is still in Song Jiyun's courtyard, suffering greatly.
The accusation of "adultery" against her was not committed by Song Jiyun, but was actually made by Zhou Congxian himself.
It was simply because not only did she take Song Jiyun's place, but her child did too.
Therefore, they are not tolerated.
What rebirth?
It was all just a pipe dream for her.
"Mother."
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a soft, yellowish light streamed in from outside.
Fu'er was bathed in a layer of light, like a little attendant of Guanyin.
She held her mother's finger with her little hand and called out again, "Mother."
Jiang Shiyao stirred slightly at the warm, soft touch on her fingers.
Fu'er is real.
The rebirth is real.
She scooped up her tiny daughter and exclaimed, "Fu'er!"
As if she had returned to the day she was reborn, Jiang Shiyao held her daughter and sobbed.
Shuangjiang and Mother He stood outside the car, looking at Jiang Niangzi who seemed shrouded in sadness, and neither of them knew how to comfort her.
evening.
Jiang Shiyao didn't eat; she locked herself in her room alone.
Fu'er hugged Shuangjiang's neck, her little face puffed out, and said in a muffled voice, "Sister Shuangjiang, is Mother sad?"
Shuangjiang patted Fu'er's back. "Good girl, your mother is just a little tired. Let her sleep for a while. How about Shuangjiang plays with you?"
Inside the room, in front of Jiang Shiyao was her money box, filled with a thick stack of silver notes.
These were Madam Zhou's pearls, which she secretly replaced with fake pearls, and then sold to Zhao for four thousand taels of silver.
She went to great lengths to escape.
She was full of hope, but it was all dashed.
Jiang Shiyao took out the money from the box and gently stroked the banknotes with her fingertips.
All she has to do is hand over the money.
Given Zhao's temperament, she would definitely send her to the estate.
Once she arrived at the estate, she had countless ways to leave.
Thinking of this, her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Knock knock knock.
Jiang Shiyao turned around, and the door was pushed open a crack, and a piece of chestnut cake was carefully slipped in.
A tiny finger even pushed the chestnut cake a little further.
Jiang Shiyao couldn't help but smile knowingly at the little girl's heartwarming gesture.
It's easy for her to leave, but what about Fu'er?
She was the young lady of the Duke's mansion, and even if she wasn't favored by Madam Zhao, she wouldn't let Fu'er leave.
She looked away and her gaze fell on the sewing basket on the table, beneath which lay an invitation.
Invitation to Zilin Garden.
Jiang Shiyao reached out and pulled out the invitation.
Wolves in front, tigers behind.
Since she was going to die either way, why should she wait to die at their hands?
Jiang Shiyao narrowed her eyes slightly.
Only at this banquet could she openly spend the whole day outside.
He wanted to leave with Fu'er.
She has to find a new travel permit!
Two days later.
Jiang Shiyao dressed Fu'er in new clothes, making her look like a New Year's picture doll.
She hid all her money on the mother and daughter.
Fu'er had several silver notes in her small bag!
The carriage at the door is ready.
What are you doing with her?
Zhao frowned, while Jiang Shiyao held a beautiful little girl in her arms.
Finally, her gaze fell on the little girl's bulging little bag.
"What's this."
"Fu'er packed two pastries."
As she spoke, she smiled apologetically, "Madam invited me to the banquet as a sign of respect for the person who posted the invitation."
"But I know the difference in our status, and I will never have this opportunity again. So please let Fu'er go as well."
Zhou Congxian's future mistress is Song Jiyun.
Such banquets are for the mistresses of the various households; if one is not accompanied by a mistress, one is indeed not qualified to attend.
Just like now, there are still three unmarried girls in the manor.
Zhao didn't bring a single one with her.
Fu'er was dressed very well today, with two small buns wrapped with red ribbons bearing the character "福" (fortune) and a pair of small gold ruyi pendants hanging on either side.
It must be said that Fu'er was born beautiful, inheriting the best features of both Zhou Congxian and Jiang Shiyao.
"Alright, after the banquet, bring her back as soon as possible."
After getting into the carriage, Xiang Mama watched as Jiang Niangzi and Fu'er boarded the small carriage behind them before turning around and coming in.
"Madam, it's fine to bring Lady Jiang to the banquet, but why also have Miss Jiang come along..."
Who brings a concubine to a banquet?
If Lady Jiang had already sent an invitation, that would have been fine, but now she's even allowed to bring her child.
Zhao straightened her clothes. "Do you know why I agreed?"
“The Song family’s daughter will definitely be there when she attends the banquet. Last time, she rode with Xian’er in the bustling city. She was shameless and even brought my Xian’er along.”
"Today, I'll let her share the table with her wives and concubines, and show her what real humiliation is!"
He lowered his head and didn't say anything.
Zhao was a straightforward and honest person from a young age.
Even after marriage, this never changed, which led to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law growing tired of each other.
This incident by the Madam was not just embarrassing Miss Song, it was a disgrace to the Old Madam!
As she thought about it, the faces of Jiang Niangzi and the girl flashed through her mind again.
If it weren't for the young master protecting her, Lady Jiang would probably have been sent to the estate by the madam long ago.
Back then, when Jiang Niangzi was found to be pregnant, she was forced to have an abortion.
The prince was afraid that if he returned to the manor, he would smash the bowl of the abortion soup.
She also had a big argument with the old lady, which was the only time the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stood on the same side.
No one could persuade the crown prince.
The next day, Jiang Shiyao's name was announced.
She became the only concubine by the Crown Prince's side.
Unaware of Zhao's schemes, Jiang Shiyao happily carried Fu'er into the carriage.
The little girl was overjoyed, her little hands gripping the car window as she jumped excitedly.
She hasn't gone out since the last time she went out with her mother to fly kites.
Jiang Shiyao supported her daughter's small body, and Fu'er's small backpack touched the back of her hand.
She reached out and squeezed her small handbag, inside which were five hundred taels of silver notes wrapped in oil paper.
She also stuffed money into Fu'er's little skirt and under her little shoes.
The same applies to her body.
Now the mother and daughter are practically walking money bags.
As Frost's Descent said, there will be a banquet one day.
But Zhao would ignore her.
She only needed to sneak away when everyone had entered the banquet hall!
If one shamanic practice closes down, she'll just look for a few more.
Two road signs weren't enough, so she bought a few more.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows.
She's not afraid of spending money now, she's just afraid of not having enough!
With the travel permit, she could leave the city and take Fu'er far away!
Zilin Garden is very large.
Almost all of them are modeled after the gardens of the Su family in Jiangnan, and exotic and rare bouquets can be seen everywhere.
Jiang Shiyao's prediction was correct. When she got out of the car, Zhao Shi had already gone inside and showed no intention of waiting for her.
The servant at the gate was very diligent; he checked the invitation and let the person in.
They showed no disdain or embarrassment towards her because of her status.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Shiyao, as soon as she entered, a servant went to report that Lady Jiang from the Duke of Ying's mansion had arrived.
The ladies, young ladies, and young gentlemen of various mansions in the capital all gathered at Zilin Garden.
Although it was the eldest princess's banquet, the ladies also harbored the idea of finding a match for their unmarried children.
Jiang Shiyao led her daughter away from the crowd, waiting for the banquet to end before leaving.
There was no one in the pavilion on the artificial hill.
Jiang Shiyao simply took her daughter and climbed up; it was a quiet place and close to the banquet hall.
Once she got up there, she realized that it offered a panoramic view of the entire Zilin Garden, making it a great spot for sightseeing.
But none of this has anything to do with her.
Fu'er squatted on the ground, clutching her belly, and asked, "Mother, why did we come here?"
Jiang Shiyao patted her little head. "This place isn't fun. I'll take you somewhere else later."
Fu'er pouted, "Okay."
As soon as Jiang Shiyao sat down, a richly dressed little boy jumped out.
"Where else is fun to go? Take me there!"
The little boy looked to be about five or six years old. He was very cute, and when he spoke, a dimple was faintly visible on his face.
Fu'er blinked as she looked at the young man who had suddenly appeared.
“Mother took Fu’er to play, and brother also went to play with his mother.”
Upon hearing her words, the little boy immediately made a face, "No!"
Fu'er wrinkled her little nose and turned to her mother, saying, "He's not being good."
Jiang Shiyao was stunned for a moment when she saw the child who had suddenly appeared.
Where did this child come from?
Why are there no servants with them?
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