However, Chen Jia thought that if Jiang Yan was even returning this half portion of silver, she must be feeling extremely uneasy. Not wanting to make things difficult for her, he said to the page who delivered the silver, "Go back and tell your Cousin that I’ve received the silver, and there’s no need for her to rush to repay the remaining fifty-two taels."
The page nodded and returned to report to Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan sighed in relief but then began worrying about how to repay Chen Jia as quickly as possible.
She absolutely couldn’t pawn her gold and silver jewelry—otherwise, outsiders might think her brother and sister-in-law were mistreating her.
Her monthly allowance was only twenty taels, meaning she would need to save for at least three months, by which time it would be almost the New Year.
Who would let a debt drag on past the New Year? How inauspicious!
But if any social obligations arose during those three months, she wouldn’t be able to repay the silver before the New Year...
The thought alone made her uneasy, and she silently prayed that none of the extended family would have any incidents before the New Year.
Yet, as often happens, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
A few days later, news spread from the Lu Family that Eldest Madam Lu had suffered a miscarriage.
The Lu Family already had few descendants, and even Dou Zhao felt anxious for Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess.
Recalling that Song Yichun had remained silent about Jiang Yan’s situation only because the two elderly ladies had pressured him, and considering that Jiang Yan had been married before, Dou Zhao decided to take Jiang Yan along to visit Eldest Madam Lu at the Lu residence.
Jiang Yan, however, hesitated. "Is it appropriate for me to go?"
After all, her status was still unclear.
"Appropriate? Of course it is!" Dou Zhao replied tactfully. "The two elderly ladies have shown you special compassion. They didn’t attend Song Han’s wedding precisely because they felt indignant on your behalf. If you go, they’ll only be pleased—there’s no reason for them to disdain you. Relationships grow closer the more people interact."
Jiang Yan still felt it wouldn’t be right to go empty-handed.
Dou Zhao smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared a tonic in your name for Eldest Madam Lu. The maids will present it when the time comes—just follow my lead."
Jiang Yan had entered the household with nothing but the clothes on her back—even those had been bought for her by Chen Jia. Dou Zhao knew exactly how little she had and would never let her spend unnecessarily.
Thinking of this, Dou Zhao recalled Jiang Yan sending someone to see Chen Jia a few days earlier.
To make Jiang Yan feel at home in the Hall of Cultivating Will, Dou Zhao hadn’t ordered people to report her every move. Still, since Jiang Yan lived there, some things couldn’t escape Dou Zhao’s notice.
She casually asked Jiang Yan, "What did you need from Chen Jia? Were you facing some difficulty?"
Jiang Yan couldn’t bring herself to admit she had borrowed money from Chen Jia—that would only make Dou Zhao feel obliged to repay it for her.
"I asked him to inquire about Li Liang for me," she said.
Unlike Song Mo, who was vehemently opposed to the matter, Dou Zhao understood Jiang Yan’s feelings and said gently, "Don’t worry. Your brother isn’t unreasonable. He might be angry with Li Liang for now, but since Li Liang once protected you, once his temper cools, he’ll come around."
Jiang Yan nodded repeatedly.
It was true—her brother hadn’t harmed Li Liang.
She couldn’t help but reproach herself inwardly.
She had truly judged a gentleman’s heart with her own petty measure.
Even her sister-in-law had such faith in her brother, yet she had gone behind his back to ask Chen Jia how he had dealt with Li Liang.Fortunately, her brother didn’t know what she had done. If he found out what she had said to Chen Jia, he would surely be heartbroken.
At this thought, she became even more determined to keep the matter of sending money to Li Liang a secret from her brother and sister-in-law.
If they found out, they would surely think she didn’t trust them and suspected them of mistreating Li Liang.
When they arrived at the Lu residence, Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess were both present.
The two elderly women seemed to have aged several years in an instant.
Eldest Madam Lu was even more remorseful. “Since I knew she wasn’t feeling well, I should have insisted she rest in bed. Who would have guessed she was pregnant?”
First Madam Lu hurriedly comforted her mother-in-law, “How could this be your fault? It was my own carelessness. Hearing you say this makes me ashamed beyond words.”
Old Madam Lu interjected, “Enough, enough. There’s no need for either of you to blame yourselves. Relationships between people depend on fate. This only means the child was not destined for our family.” Then she said to Eldest Madam Lu, “For now, you take charge of the household affairs. Don’t let Zhan’s wife handle anything—let her focus on recovering.” To First Madam Lu, she added, “Don’t dwell on it. Rest well, and there will be other children.”
Both women nodded, but their expressions remained clouded with guilt.
Old Madam Lu kept Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan in the room to console First Madam Lu while she and Ningde Princess returned to the Resting Chamber.
Meanwhile, Miao Ansu, learning that Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan had left the residence, sprang into action.
She instructed Liu Hong to lure Fuye to her room with candy while she hid in the adjacent side chamber to eavesdrop on their conversation.
After some idle chatter, the topic turned to Song Han’s wedding.
Liu Hong said, “The Dou family is so wealthy and is a proper in-law of the Song family. How could they be so stingy as to not even send a gift for the Second Lord’s wedding? Aren’t they afraid the Young Lord will reprimand them?”
Fuye chewed on the spun sugar candy in her mouth.
This candy was so sweet!
No wonder—it was made from a recipe passed down from the palace.
Exactly like the ones in Madam’s room.
Clearly, this Second Madam had spared no expense!
She was clever, knowing to gather information from Madam’s close attendants. If she had tried asking those from Cassia Fragrance Courtyard or the Second Lord’s people, she might not have learned anything for months!
Still savoring the candy, Fuye planted her hands on her hips and retorted loudly, “The Dou family isn’t stingy at all! Just look at the betrothal gifts they gave the eldest young master—that shows how wealthy they are. Why would they care about such a small sum? It’s just that something came to light recently. Everyone’s been saying the Second Lord was brought in from outside by the Duke to make him the legitimate heir, and that the Duke swapped him with the eldest daughter born to Madam Jiang… The Young Lord even fell out with the Duke over this. If the Dou family made a fuss over the Second Lord’s wedding, the Young Lord would be even more displeased!”
Liu Hong was horrified and instinctively glanced toward the adjacent room.
Fuye immediately understood.
Either Miao Shi was hiding next door, or her most trusted maid, Ji Hong, was there.
As the thought crossed her mind, she heard the sound of shattering porcelain from the next room.
Liu Hong steadied herself and forced a smile. “You’re lying, aren’t you? When a noblewoman gives birth, there are countless people around. Even if they could deceive Madam Jiang, how could they fool her trusted maids? Don’t try to trick me!”“Why would I deceive you?” Fuye said unhappily. “If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone and you’ll find out. Otherwise, why would Cousin from Green Water Residence look exactly like Madam Jiang? Why would Cousin, after returning to her parents' home, seek refuge with the Song Family instead of going back to the Jiang Family? And why would Madam favor Cousin over Second Madam?”
When the eldest madam of the Lu Family had a miscarriage, it was only proper for Madam to invite her sister-in-law Miao Shi to visit the Lu Family together. Yet, she left Miao Shi behind and took Cousin instead. Doesn’t Madam fear reproach from the Lu Family’s uncle and old madam?
Miao Ansu’s mind was in turmoil. She didn’t even notice when Fuye left.
She sat silently until dusk when the maids came to light the lamps. The harsh glow of the lights finally snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Has Second Master returned?” Miao Ansu asked Ji Hong.
Song Han had no official duties, yet on the fourth day after their wedding, he excused himself by saying the Duke was strict with his studies and returned to the academy. He left early and returned late, more diligent than students at the Imperial College.
Ji Hong hesitated before answering, “Second Master has returned and is changing in the small study.”
All of Song Han’s belongings from before the wedding had been moved to the small study.
Miao Ansu suddenly understood. “Are Qi Xia and the others attending to him?”
Ji Hong nodded.
Miao Ansu was furious.
He slept with her maids but had his former maids serve him—what kind of logic was that? Did he think her quarters were some brothel?
She stormed toward the small study but was firmly held back by Ji Hong. “Second Madam, you’ve only just married into the family. If you cause a scene, even if it’s not your fault, it will be made to seem so. Besides, Second Master’s position is already delicate. Acting like this will only make him resent you!”
Miao Ansu calmed down.
When Song Han returned to their room, she greeted him warmly, asking if he had eaten, personally brought him water to wash his feet, and once in bed, gently mentioned how Dou Zhao had taken Jiang Yan to the Lu Family. She probed further, “Do you think we should also prepare something to visit Eldest Madam Lu?”
Song Han’s expression darkened instantly.
After a long silence, he finally said, “Eldest Sister-in-law is the Lineage Wife. Such matters are her responsibility. If she invites you, go. If not, don’t wander around and risk breaching etiquette, lest you become a laughingstock. Besides, no one specifically informed you about Eldest Madam Lu’s miscarriage. Why rush to meddle?” His tone was impatient as he turned over and lay down.
Miao Ansu stared at the clearly separated bedding, tears welling in her eyes.
She also turned her back to Song Han and lay down.
Song Han’s mind was entirely consumed by the fact that Dou Zhao had taken Jiang Yan to the Lu Family, leaving no room to care about Miao Ansu.
Dou Zhao was truly going too far!
No matter what, he was still the Second Master of the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion in name, yet she didn’t give him the slightest consideration—taking Jiang Yan to the Lu Family without even bringing Miao Shi along!
What were they trying to do?
Did they want to force him to abandon his identity as the Second Master of the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion?
His hands clenched into fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms without him noticing.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan, who had returned from the Lu Family, was troubled.
After chatting with Eldest Madam Lu for a while, it was noon. The Lu Family insisted they stay for a meal. Old Madam Lu personally hosted a banquet for them, and several of the younger Lu Family members attended. Sister-in-law gave each child a Red Envelope.
Jiang Yan had panicked at the time.
Fortunately, Sister-in-law had come prepared.She had already prepared the rewards in Yinghong's hands, so she didn't make a fool of herself.
Old Madam Lu also mentioned that in a few days, after Eldest Madam Lu finished her confinement period after miscarriage, they would invite them over for a meal and opera.
This time, she hadn’t known and didn’t prepare the red envelopes herself. Next time, could she really let her sister-in-law handle the rewards for her?
Although each child was only given two one-tael silver ingots, with four children in the Lu family, it still amounted to eight taels of silver. But this meant she wouldn’t be able to repay Chen Jia’s debt before the new year.
What should she do?
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