Chapter 26: Why Is Grandmother Only Concerned About Mingzhu?

Jiang Xiushu, embarrassed to be seen in such a disheveled state, instinctively turned to leave.

However, Song Lian'er grabbed his hand and began to cry. Large, scalding teardrops fell onto his hand, catching him off guard and stirring a distant memory.

Back then, before he entered the academy, he had been targeted by those jealous of him. They exposed his visits to the gambling den, and his father, in a fit of rage, confined him to the house, berating him for bringing shame upon the family and forbidding him from attending the academy.

It was Jiang Lingyao who had pleaded for him, offering up all her own savings to cover his debts.

Young Jiang Lingyao had actually knelt before the ancestral hall for an entire night on his behalf. By the time Jiang Xiushu discovered her, she had fallen ill, her forehead burning with fever, yet in her delirium, she still tugged at his hand, continuing to beg their father for mercy.

The household had been thrown into chaos, and even the Duke of Zhenguo could not bring himself to pursue the matter further.

Lost in these thoughts, Jiang Xiushu withdrew his hand reflexively. Song Lian'er, clutching at his sleeve, pulled at empty air and froze for a moment.

"Third Brother?"

With tears still clinging to her lashes, Song Lian'er lowered her eyes, looking humiliated. Jiang Xiushu suddenly snapped back to reality and hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean to blame you. I’m fine, Third Brother is fine."

"Then who hurt you?"

For some reason, Jiang Xiushu remained silent for a moment before saying, "I went to Jiang Lingyao's courtyard to see her earlier and got singed by a fire by accident."

"By accident? Is she taking her anger out on you? Because I accidentally set fire to her courtyard last time, she’s taking it out on you?"

Song Lian'er raised her voice, her face flushing red. "She! How could she be so cruel? You are her own brother!"

Her tone was aggressive. Seeing this, Jiang Xiushu quickly grabbed her. "It’s a minor matter, don't go looking for trouble with her."

Although he discouraged Song Lian'er from confronting Jiang Lingyao, his tone was no longer as cold and firm as before. Watching the usually delicate and fragile Song Lian'er stand up for him—even offering to confront her—filled him with complex emotions. Looking at her, he was reminded of the way Jiang Lingyao used to defend him.

"Third Brother is hurt like this! How can Jiang Lingyao be so heartless? She was brewing soup for the eldest brother just a few days ago, yet today she hurts you! Third Brother, let go of Lian'er, I’m going to get justice for you right now!"

Jiang Xiushu’s expression darkened. Lian'er was right. When it came down to it, wasn't it because the eldest brother was the legitimate heir who would inherit the title that Jiang Lingyao favored him and looked down on everyone else? She was nothing but a snob!

Jiang Xiushu gritted his teeth, suppressing his rising anger. Seeing this, Song Lian'er continued, "The moment Grandmother returned, Jiang Lingyao felt she had a backer. You care for her so much, Third Brother, and you’re even making excuses for her, saying it was an accident."

As she spoke, Song Lian'er began to sob uncontrollably. She crouched down to look at Jiang Xiushu’s ankle, crying, "Third Brother, does it hurt? Lian'er is so heartbroken."

In an instant, the string that had been pulled tight in Jiang Xiushu’s mind snapped, and a wave of fury surged, consuming him.

Why did Jiang Lingyao dare to treat him like this?

Even Song Lian'er knew how to care for him, yet just a moment ago, Jiang Lingyao had chosen to protect a lowly maidservant while refusing to even glance at him. Did she really look down on him that much?

The more Jiang Xiushu thought about it, the angrier he became. The lingering trace of pity he had felt for Jiang Lingyao vanished, replaced entirely by disgust.

Jiang Xiumo had remained silent the whole time. Song Lian'er suddenly looked up at him. "What about Fourth Brother? Did Jiang Lingyao take her anger out on you? Are you hurt?"

He paused, then gently helped her up, sighing, "Lian'er, Grandmother has returned today. If we cause a scene, no one will benefit. Let’s head back first."

Song Lian'er followed them, seemingly reluctant, but as she left, she cast a glance toward Jiang Lingyao’s quarters, a look of mockery in her eyes.

A few words were all it took to make Jiang Xiushu despise her. It seemed she really did have a "good brother."

Jiang Xiushu was reckless and even more impulsive in his actions than Jiang Xiuyuan. Now that the Old Madam had returned to the estate, it was a good thing for her.

She only needed to wait for Jiang Xiushu to stir up the past. The old woman was in poor health and couldn't handle the shock; if she found out her precious granddaughter had been bullied to this extent by the fools in this ducal household, she might just stop breathing on the spot.

Once she was gone, she would like to see who else could stand up for Jiang Lingyao.

"Lian'er, you are the most thoughtful and kind-hearted. If only Jiang Lingyao had half of your..."

Song Lian'er’s train of thought was interrupted. She felt a flicker of impatience, but replied softly, "You flatter me, Third Brother. I was just worried about you, I didn't think much of it."

...

After the Old Madam returned to the estate and rested for a day, a family banquet was held. The ducal mansion hadn't been this lively since Song Lian'er’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Madam Jiang was feeling unwell and did not attend. The Duke of Zhenguo sat at the head of the table, speaking with Jiang Xiuyuan.

Jiang Lingyao sat beside the Old Madam, lowering her eyes and smiling as she listened to her speak, completely ignoring the various gazes directed at her.

Jiang Xiushu stared at her intently, unable to hide the anger in his eyes. He said with a hint of sarcasm, "Grandmother, why do you only care about Mingzhu and not look at us?"

The Old Madam laughed. "Is Third Brother jealous of your sister? I feel sorry for Mingzhu. Her coming-of-age ceremony was such a major event, yet I wasn't there. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the mansion froze.

This... Jiang Lingyao never had a coming-of-age ceremony. The day of the intended banquet was the very day she returned from the temple.

But everyone had been so busy with matters concerning Song Lian'er that they had forgotten Jiang Lingyao entirely. Even the hairpin the Old Madam had sent for her coming-of-age had been given to Song Lian'er by Jiang Xiuyuan’s command.

The Old Madam frowned, looking up to survey the crowd. Sensing something was wrong, she immediately asked, "What is the meaning of this? Could it be that the coming-of-age banquet wasn't held properly?"