Chapter Thirteen: I’m Eager to See Just How Capable Jiang Nian Really Is

Once, Mother had been confined within the inner household, and no one knew what kind of life she was leading. Yet if she truly wished to make a public scandal of the matter, the Jiang family’s reputation would be ruined beyond repair. Jiang Ping had no intention of dragging everyone into mutual destruction.

But Old Madam Jiang was still hung up on the distinction between repudiation and an amicable divorce. “An amicable divorce? On what grounds! A woman so rebellious and contrary deserves nothing but a letter of repudiation!”

Jiang Ping had grown sick of being badgered. He simply ignored the old madam’s furious shouting, personally wrote out two divorce agreements, and stated clearly that Jiang Xin would leave with Madam Chen.

Master Wei, the local magistrate, witnessed everything on the spot. He then brought out his official seal and stamped both agreements. From that moment onward, Madam Chen and Jiang Xin were no longer connected to the Jiang family.

Madam Wei was filled with sympathy for Madam Chen. Since they were still at the Jiang residence, she could not say much, but merely told Madam Chen that once she had packed her things, she was welcome to come to the Wei residence and stay with her. After a few days, they would all return to the capital together. With that, she took her leave of the Jiang family.

Madam Chen felt positively invigorated. Her only concern was her eldest daughter, Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian was just as cheerful. “Mother, there is no need to worry. I know what I am doing. Besides, we will all be in the capital. I can return to the Chen residence at any time to visit you and Little Sister.”

Madam Chen nodded and no longer dwelled on the matter. Paying no heed to Old Madam Jiang stamping her cane behind them and raging like thunder, she calmly ordered the servants to load the trunks Jiang Nian had helped her pack earlier. Without the slightest hesitation, she took Jiang Xin and left the Jiang residence.

Jiang Nian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Qing’er said in a low voice, “Miss, the old madam did such a thing. Are we really going to let it go? That is far too easy on her!”

“If we had not held that leverage over her, how could Mother and Little Sister have left the Jiang family with their names clean? Besides, what has happened has happened. It can never be erased. Why should we be in such a hurry? Grandmother will pay the price sooner or later.”

Only after sending her mother and sister out of that den of wolves could she truly act without restraint.

Madam Qiao, are you ready?

……

After returning to her own courtyard, Jiang Nian went first to the woodshed.

The uncertainty of awaiting judgment was even more agonizing. All day long, Honglian had tormented herself with countless wild guesses, nearly driving herself mad.

The moment she saw Jiang Nian, she threw herself forward, weeping and pleading. “Miss, this servant knows she was wrong. I will never dare do it again! Please forgive me this once…”

Jiang Nian lowered her eyes to look at her. “Honglian, you have served me since childhood, yet you committed such a grave offense and betrayed the trust I placed in you.”

At those words, Honglian collapsed onto the floor. “Miss, this servant has wronged you…”

Jiang Nian’s disappointment was plain on her face. “Since Old Nanny Li deceived you, I will leave you a way to live. From now on, you will be demoted to a menial servant.”

Honglian had thought she was doomed to die. She had never imagined that her mistress would be so merciful. Immediately, she crawled forward and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude. “Miss, you have treated this servant with such generosity. From now on, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to my duties and repay your kindness…”

Jiang Nian glanced at her, then turned and walked out of the woodshed.

Qing’er asked softly, “Miss, are you truly going to let her off so easily?”

Jiang Nian replied coldly, “Second Aunt is dead, and there is no living witness to the poisoning of Mother. Honglian was at least one link in the chain of those who harmed me. Keeping her alive will irritate the culprit, and if the other side makes a move, we may be able to seize another piece of evidence. If we killed her outright, would that not be wasteful?”

Qing’er nodded. “That is true. I will keep a close eye on her.”

……

“You are coming with me to the capital,” Jiang Nian continued. “Your younger brothers will surely go with you as well. From now on, let them work for me outside the residence. They will receive monthly wages just as you do. What do you think?”

Qing’er had only just taken Honglian’s former position. Hearing this, she was overjoyed and knelt to kowtow to Jiang Nian.

“To be honest, Miss, your younger brothers have long wished to serve such a kind and generous mistress, but they did not dare raise the matter themselves. This servant will kowtow to you on their behalf. Thank you for promoting us!”

Jiang Nian nodded in satisfaction.

Qing’er’s three younger brothers had grown up among the common people and knew a little martial arts. They were also loyal, clever, and surrounded by several younger men devoted to them.

There were many things Jiang Nian wished to accomplish but could not conveniently handle in person. They would prove useful for all of them.

“Then it is settled.”

……

The trunks from every courtyard in the residence had been packed.

The day before, Jiang Nian had told her mother to take all the dowry that could be carried away. She herself had kept only enough money and the everyday items she needed. Once everything was packed, she had no more than two small trunks.

Seeing this, Old Madam Jiang inevitably launched into a furious tirade. “Your heartless mother once swore that all those things would be left for her daughters, that she would not care whether the Jiang family lived or died. And now she has taken every last penny! I have never seen such a cruel mother!”

Madam Chen’s dowry had been lavish. Yet no matter how ruthlessly Old Madam Jiang tormented her, she had stubbornly refused to hand any of it over, insisting that it would be left for her two daughters in the future.

Old Madam Jiang had not dared seize it by force. If word got out, it would be her son who lost face.

There was nothing honorable about a mother-in-law coveting her daughter-in-law’s dowry.

Jiang Nian looked at her furious grandmother, then glanced at Jiang Li’s belongings. “Oh? I seem to remember that Second Aunt’s dowry was quite substantial as well. How is it that Second Cousin has only two small trunks too?”

Old Madam Jiang’s face turned purple. She pointed at Jiang Nian but could not utter a word.

Jiang Nian dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and said sorrowfully, “Second Aunt was truly kindhearted. She brought out her entire dowry to support Grandmother. Now that she is dead, both the woman and her belongings are gone, leaving Second Cousin with nothing at all. Why are all the mothers in this world so heartless?”

Whether she took the money or refused to take it, she was heartless either way.

Old Madam Jiang was so stifled that she could not even manage another insult.

Jiang Li’s eyes were filled with vicious resentment as she looked at the old madam.

Nanny Fang, who had once been forced to bark like a dog, stood behind Jiang Li with her head lowered, not daring to make a sound.

With Second Madam dead, her days of glory had ended. Second Miss had been abandoned by the Second Master, and she did not dare throw her weight around at a time like this.

But it did not matter. Once they reached the capital, everything would begin anew.

She stared fixedly at Jiang Nian, her gaze dripping with venom.

Just wait and see!

Every member of the Qiao family was a ravenous beast.

……

Jiang Nian noticed Nanny Fang’s gaze. She curled her lips, cast the woman a sidelong glance, and walked away without bothering to respond.

Qing’er said, “Second Miss has truly been cheated of everything! Once the new Second Madam enters the household, I fear her days will become even more miserable.”

“Do not rush to pity her. I played a part in Second Aunt’s death as well, so she must hate me to the bone. Once we reach the capital, her only path forward will be to curry favor with Madam Qiao. Do you think Madam Qiao will not make use of her?”

Qing’er immediately grew tense. “Then we must be on our guard.”

……

The capital.

Night quietly descended over the Jiang household in the Vice Minister’s residence.

Dark shadows slipped through the open lattice window and crept into the room. Beneath the corridor stood Qiao Qingrong, Jiang Ping’s co-wife, her face dark and somber. No one knew how long she had been silent.

Cuiqiu’s voice sounded softly. “This is everything I have learned so far. Old Nanny Li’s scheme failed, Second Madam died, and Madam Chen obtained a divorce. All of it was connected to Miss Jiang Nian.”

“She had already set out for the capital. Why did she suddenly turn back?”

“There was no warning at all. The person who brought us the news said that Miss Jiang Nian abruptly ordered the carriage to return to Luzhou. Later, the carriage became trapped in the mud during a violent rainstorm. She immediately chose to abandon the horses and travel on foot, looking extremely anxious. She hurried back almost as if her life depended on it.”

“It must be that Qi woman who exposed a flaw. That useless fool!”

Cuiqiu said, “Although Madam Chen and her daughter survived, Madam Chen requested the divorce herself. At last, you no longer have to bear the title of co-wife.”

Yet Qiao had not the slightest trace of delight.

That title of principal wife had been handed to her by Madam Chen!

How could she possibly feel at ease?

“What has happened to that second girl, Jiang Li?”

“Second Madam committed adultery and bore a child. The old madam loathes her intensely. Second Miss was blamed by association and nearly failed to come to the capital. It was only because our master spoke up that she was allowed to accompany him.”

“She is still the legitimate daughter of the second branch. Bringing her here will surely prove useful. And since the girl is despised, would she not be the perfect person for us to recruit?”

“Does Madam intend to use her against Miss Jiang Nian?”

Qiao let out a cold laugh. “Hmph. I would like to see exactly how capable this Jiang Nian truly is!”