Chapter Fourteen: Who in the Jiang Family Has Wronged You?

“How could you ask that question?”

The words suddenly pulled Jiang Lingyao’s thoughts back to the past.

Madam Jiang had always cherished her dearly. She personally took care of every aspect of Jiang Lingyao’s life—her clothing, food, and shelter—until Jiang Lingyao fell ill from an old ailment, at which point she entrusted Jiang Xiuyuan with her care.

Madam Jiang wept until she nearly fainted, but Jiang Lingyao felt only absurdity.

Yes, she was her own daughter. How could she be so cruel?

Taking a step back, Jiang Lingyao said, “Mother, the wind is strong here, and you’re not well. Please be careful not to catch a chill. You should go back first.”

Madam Jiang’s heart felt as if it had been ruthlessly stabbed, the pain almost suffocating her. “Mingzhu, I know you blame me, but you’re still young and don’t understand how important these things are.”

If this had been before, Jiang Lingyao would have been moved by her mother’s love as her beloved daughter. Even if pained, she would have swallowed her grievances and smiled at her, insisting she was fine.

Because it was all for her own good.

For her own good?!

Those three words echoed relentlessly in Jiang Lingyao’s mind. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. She closed her eyes and said in a low voice, “Send Madam back at once. If she catches a chill, how will you explain?”

“Mingzhu! Are you resenting your mother? Are you blaming your mother?” Madam Jiang repeated these words as if on the verge of collapse. Jiang Lingyao’s expression was bitter as she gazed at her calmly.

From the other side, Jiang Xiuyuan stepped into the study and happened to see the soup bowl Jiang Lingyao had left behind yesterday. He was startled.

During last night’s fire, he had been so busy taking care of Song Lian’er that he had completely forgotten about Jiang Lingyao, who had also barely escaped death!

Her throat was scorched—what about the rest of her body? Was she hurt anywhere else?

At the thought, Jiang Xiuyuan’s heart felt as if it were seared by fire. After sitting for a while, his heart burned with anxiety. He called the steward in and asked, “Did the Sixth Miss get hurt yesterday?”

The steward was taken aback. “I…I haven’t had the chance to inquire.”

Jiang Xiuyuan sensed something was wrong immediately and sprang to his feet. “No one asked, so no one cared? The Mingzhu Residence was mostly burned down yesterday. Where did she spend the night?”

The steward’s face turned pale, his legs trembled, and he knelt silently.

“Useless!” Jiang Xiuyuan snapped in anger, coughing as he hurried toward the Mingzhu Residence, his face dark.

He dared not imagine that last night, Jiang Lingyao had been utterly forgotten, and in such a large household, not a single person thought of her.

Overwhelmed by guilt, he stopped at the gate of Mingzhu Residence and saw Jiang Lingyao standing beside Madam Jiang. One was crying, the other cold and distant, as if they had quarreled.

Approaching, he overheard Madam Jiang mention the engagement. His steps faltered, and he concealed himself.

But when Madam Jiang trembled and sobbed aloud, a ringing filled his head, and he could no longer hide. He rushed forward.

“Jiang Lingyao, how dare you lose your temper with Mother? You’re heartless. She is your own mother!”

Hearing his angry voice, Jiang Lingyao looked up. “Big brother, the wind is strong today. Please escort Mother back.”

“You!” Jiang Xiuyuan’s anger surged, his eyes bloodshot. “Mother, I will take you home! You worry about her every day, but she’s an ungrateful wretch!”

Seeing Jiang Lingyao’s indifferent expression, Jiang Xiuyuan took a deep breath and pointed at her nose, scolding, “Who are you putting that sullen face on for? Are you blaming us? Feeling wronged by the Jiang family? But, Jiang Lingyao, who in the Jiang family does not treat you as a precious gem, planning everything for your sake?”

“If we weren’t worried about you, how could we bear to let Lian’er marry out with you? With your temper, you’ll never make a proper mistress of the house!”

Jiang Lingyao’s heart turned cold, but her face remained calm and unmoved. When Jiang Xiuyuan finished venting, she couldn’t help but ask, “Big brother, you say you worry about me, but do you know how desperate I felt locked inside the burning house last night?”

“Do you know how cold I was, my hands and feet numb, having to cling to Wen Qiu just to keep warm?”

Jiang Xiuyuan staggered back, all his anger cut off by her words, leaving him restless and troubled.

He looked at Jiang Lingyao, who regarded him as if he were a stranger, and his heart sank.

She used to look at him with shining, gentle smiles, her clear apricot eyes filled entirely with his image.

Jiang Xiuyuan panicked, realizing that at this moment, he could not answer Jiang Lingyao’s question.