Chapter 57 An Unavoidable Dilemma
When Shuangjiang brought Fu'er back, her face was full of surprise.
"My lady, why is everyone in the manor saying that you are the granddaughter of some great general!"
Jiang Shiyao was much calmer now.
The news spread so quickly; regardless of whether it's true or not, this is an attempt to force her to admit it.
Is this a choice to let her live under a different identity, or to make her another, more valuable pawn?
Seeing that she didn't speak, Shuangjiang turned around and closed the door.
"My wife, are you leaving again...?"
How could a concubine from a poor family be the same as a concubine from a general's mansion?
If this succeeds, Lady Jiang will have even greater support in the future!
She asked cautiously, "Actually, if my wife had a good family background..."
Jiang Shiyao shook her head. "An imposed identity is nothing more than adding fuel to a fire."
"Instead of waiting to be burned to death, it's better to take matters into your own hands..."
Shuangjiang opened her mouth, then swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
She understood now; Madam Jiang was determined to leave.
Regardless of her status, as long as Lady Jiang remains the prince's concubine, she will never escape the fate of being manipulated by others.
"My lady, once you've made up your mind, I'll follow you forever!"
Jiang Shiyao smiled slightly upon hearing her words, then frowned again.
These people will not give up until they achieve their goals.
Now that the identity has been pinned on her, how can her brother escape?
How should she tell her brother...?
In my previous life, my elder brother neither went to the capital to take the imperial examination nor wrote to me.
In this life, everything is different because of her rebirth. I wonder if it will affect the fate of her brother who lives thousands of miles away.
If her brother were to come to the capital, the first thing he would do would be to look for her at the Duke of England's residence.
The second one is probably Liu Minghan.
Her gaze fell on the embroidery room next door, where there were fabrics brought back from the Jade Treasure Pavilion.
If you hide the items in the Jade Treasure Pavilion, leave a letter for Liu Minghan to deliver.
That night.
Jiang Shiyao then embroidered the fabric she had brought back from Yubaolou.
The next day, when she went out with her things, the gatekeeper not only didn't ask any questions, but was even more respectful than before.
Even the Frost's Descent solar term has drawn frequent attention.
"It's not even a hint yet, and they're already fawning over the powerful and belittling the weak."
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips. The day before yesterday, even Madam Zhao and the Duke sent money and valuables.
It's perfectly normal for these maids and servants to have two faces these days.
When Jiang Shiyao arrived at Yubaolou, the restaurant was already closed.
He returned after gathering information during the Frost's Descent.
"My lady, Yubaolou has been closed for several days."
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips. Yu Bao Lou was Prince Cheng's property, and Prince Cheng was going to expel it from the capital. How could Yu Bao Lou possibly stay?
Her fingers touched the bracelet on her wrist, and she pondered for a long time.
"Go to the Liu residence."
When Liu Minghan came out, her brows were slightly furrowed.
How did you become so haggard?
"Lord Liu, what is this...?"
Liu Minghan was taken aback at first, then asked, "What brings you here?"
Jiang Shiyao gave him a letter and the old purse he had sent her.
Her purse was filled with silver notes.
"When I gave this purse to my brother, it only contained one copper coin."
"Back then, I boasted that I would fill it up in the future."
She smiled as she recalled the childish words she had spoken in her childhood.
"Now they've kept their word."
Liu Minghan looked at the old wallet in front of him, his eyelashes trembling involuntarily.
This wallet was given to him by Jiang Xingyao when he was about to go to Beijing.
Inside were the ransom money that Jiang Xingyao had saved for his sister.
Although he returned the money after becoming an official, it seems he missed the opportunity to redeem his sister from prostitution.
"you……"
His throat felt tight.
He looked at Jiang Shiyao in front of him, and his eyes suddenly felt a little dry.
Now he has to watch helplessly as the sister that Brother Jiang cares about dies.
All of this had nothing to do with her.
Clearly...
Seeing that he didn't speak, a cold smile flashed in Jiang Shiyao's eyes.
When he wrote that impassioned letter forcing her to commit suicide, he also had this compassionate expression.
"Lord Liu, please pass this on to my brother."
Jiang Shiyao stuffed the things into his hand, then turned and got into the carriage.
She was betting on the fact that her brother had given Liu Minghan this purse.
As the carriage passed Fengqiao, a large and impressive caravan passed by.
Soldiers cleared the way, and all vehicles and pedestrians gave way to each other.
Jiang Shiyao lifted the curtain and met a pair of eyes coming from the opposite direction.
Xiao Shu, holding the reins, saw it too.
He subtly looked away.
Unexpectedly, she turned out to be General Meng's granddaughter.
He had seen the jade pendant long ago, but missed the opportunity.
She also has an older brother, who is said to still be in Chuzhou. We should hear from him in a few days.
Frost peeks out, "Today is the day the vassal king leaves the capital."
As Jiang Shiyao watched the receding figure, she thought of that cheerful and somewhat domineering child.
Now that King Cheng is gone, will anyone protect this child?
She smiled at the thought.
She herself is in dire straits, and now she's worried about whether others will have anyone to protect them.
He was the Empress Dowager's youngest son, and that alone was enough to protect him for life.
As the procession passed, Jiang Shiyao lowered the carriage curtain.
She gave Shuangjiang the key to Wutong Lane.
"Find someone to set up a simple ritual, and let the people from the mortuary secretly bring the corpse in at night."
Matching people in ghost marriages is nothing new; people in mortuaries usually have their own connections.
They'll bring it in tonight for a religious ceremony, and then bury it.
Shuangjiang gripped the keys tightly, turned around, and got out of the car.
Zhou Congxian's wedding is approaching.
The Duke's mansion was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.
When Jiang Shiyao returned, she saw that her servants hurriedly bowed and then avoided her.
Now, the servants in the mansion try to avoid Lady Jiang whenever they see her.
It is said that Lady Jiang has a bad fate, being the granddaughter of a great general who was left behind in a foreign land.
She's lucky; she didn't come looking for me sooner, but only at this crucial moment.
Jiang Shiyao turned around and saw red ribbons and colorful decorations everywhere.
Exactly the same as in the previous life.
Fu'er saw that the little "囍" character on the branch was pretty, and when she reached out to pick it up, she accidentally tore one of them.
He was severely scolded by Gao's mother.
"Jiang Niangzi".
Jiang Shiyao looked up and saw that Gao's mother was carrying a basket covered with red "double happiness" characters.
Mrs. Gao sighed. The girl who was nothing in the past is now General Meng's granddaughter. She heard that General Meng doted on his only daughter, and he would probably extend that love to her as well.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been searching for so many years.
In the future, Miss Song may not be able to win over Lady Jiang.
"Aunt Gao, are you here to deliver celebratory fruit?"
Before the wedding, the bride's family would prepare auspicious fruits for the groom.
This means that one will have many descendants in the future.
Mrs. Gao lifted the basket and said with a smile, "These were all picked out by the old lady."
"These are all good fruits, and they are suitable for you to eat, young lady."
Jiang Shiyao's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you, Mama Gao."
She took the basket, and her smile vanished the moment she turned around.
Fu'er returned early as well.
She held a big peach in her two little hands, and her face was covered in peach juice as she ate it.
Seeing her mother return, she quickly presented the peaches to her.
"Mom! This is from Aunt Xiang! It's so sweet!"
Jiang Shiyao took out a handkerchief and wiped Fu'er's little face.
"Fu'er, eat."
Madam He smiled and took the basket from Madam Jiang's hands. "Madam, starting tomorrow, our daughter will have a ten-day holiday."
I never imagined my wife had such a distinguished status.
No wonder she thought Lady Jiang was a blessed person.
They made so much money from the grain business, and they just gave it all to her without hesitation.
Two days ago, the head of the household also went south with the caravan. Once the shop is open, if things go smoothly, Qiu Ri will be able to resign from the Duke's mansion.
Jiang Shiyao nodded. "The manor is about to have a joyous occasion, and the people in our little courtyard can't be of much help. You should rest for a few days."
“I remember your son is still in your hometown, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, hasn’t it?”
Mrs. He was touched, "I haven't seen my child since she was born."
Jiang Shiyao: "Then let's go back and take a look."
Mother He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Fu'er, "What about the young lady?"
Jiang Shiyao laughed and said, "With so many people in the manor, are you afraid she'll get lost?"
Mrs. He was persuaded.
He happily packed a small bundle and left the mansion.
The girl is already learning to read and write, but she hasn't seen her son for many years.
It would have been better if she hadn't brought it up, because the moment Jiang Niangzi did, a flood of memories would rush back!
At dusk.
Zhou Congxian has arrived.
She hadn't returned by Shuangjiang yet, and He's mother had already been sent away by her.
The entire mansion was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
The courtyard was deserted and quiet.
Zhou Congxian's gaze fell on the two objects, one large and one small.
"Daddy, come and eat!"
The ever-optimistic Fu'er waved her little hand, urging her father to come quickly.
Zhou Congxian sat down in front of Jiang Shiyao.
"Shi Yao".
Jiang Shiyao ignored him and picked up a slice of meat, placing it in her daughter's bowl.
"Fu'er, eat quickly."
Zhou Congxian looked at her, who seemed oblivious to him, and sighed softly.
"Shi Yao, I have my own unavoidable difficulties."
"In a few days, in a few days you will know everything."
Jiang Shiyao finally looked up at him, "In a few days?"
"If we still can't say after a few days, does that mean we have to wait a year?"
He never said anything in his previous life, but now he comes to tell her he has a reason.
Zhou Congxian: "How could that be? I said a few days, and that means a few days!"
Jiang Shiyao gave a mocking smile, "Didn't the young master say that he would protect his concubine?"
“Song Jiyun repeatedly launched deadly attacks, did you protect him?”
"You should leave now. Your wedding day is just around the corner, so there's no need for you to come here looking for trouble."
Zhou Congxian took out the hairpin he had won from Zilin Garden from his sleeve.
“Shi Yao, I said I won this hairpin back for you, and that hasn’t changed.”
"What I said has never changed."
Zhou Congxian is gone.
Jiang Shiyao slowly put down her chopsticks.
Finally, my gaze fell on the hairpin.
*
Imperial Palace.
The blue brick and stone floor reflected the cool moonlight.
The brocade boots embroidered with auspicious clouds gleamed in the moonlight.
"Zhou Qing, you have always been meticulous in your work."
The young emperor spoke slowly and deliberately, yet his voice was filled with an undeniable authority.
Zhou Congxian lowered his eyes slightly, "Your Majesty, she..."
"You decide who she is."
“She also has an older brother, and the Shadow Guard is already looking for him. I don’t want you to make a mistake at this crucial moment.”
His Majesty turned around.
"We've already gotten through such difficult times."
"Furthermore, Grand Secretary Li has already passed away, so why is his funeral being kept secret?"
"Zhou Qing should know which is more important."
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