However, Shen Rou had always been at odds with the Xia family's second daughter-in-law, Yu Ya, and their relationship as sisters-in-law was extremely poor. Naturally, she didn’t wish Xia Jun any good fortune. Shen Rou pondered that rather than letting Xia Jun benefit, it would be better to favor her own family. She had a nephew in her maternal family who was now of marriageable age with Jiang Ruan. If this union succeeded, it would be a case of keeping the benefits within the family.
Shen Rou was already scheming in her mind, and her gaze toward Jiang Ruan carried an unusual fervor. Tianzhu frowned slightly, while Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and said, "This must be Madam Xia, I presume?"
"Indeed. Ruan’er, I can’t believe you’ve grown so much in the blink of an eye," Shen Rou replied warmly.
"How audacious! How dare you not bow upon seeing the princess!" Tianzhu snapped coldly, startling Shen Rou.
Jiang Ruan said gently, "It’s alright. Madam Xia and I have met once before. She must have been too excited just now and forgot her manners. It’s of no consequence."
This response made Shen Rou’s face flush red and pale in turns. Everyone had witnessed the incident in the ancestral hall back then, and bringing it up now was a slap in the face to the Xia family.
Xia Yan’s expression also darkened, and Xia Jiao Jiao was seething with anger. But remembering her grandfather’s instructions before their departure, she forcibly suppressed her rage.
Suddenly, Xia Yan bent over, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she retched twice. Lin Lang hurried over and gently patted her back, asking, "Madam, are you feeling unwell again?"
Xia Yan shook her head. "Perhaps the room is too stuffy. My chest feels a bit tight." She smiled. "Jiao Jiao, sister-in-law, Ruan’er, why don’t we take a stroll in the garden? The air outside is fresher."
Jiang Ruan glanced out the window. It was a scorching day with not a cloud in sight—hardly the ideal weather to avoid heat rash. Yet she smiled and said, "That sounds lovely. I’d like to walk in the garden too."
As guests, Shen Rou and Xia Jiao Jiao naturally couldn’t refuse. The three of them rose and followed Xia Yan toward the garden. To be fair, though the weather was sweltering, Xia Yan, being pregnant, dared not use ice indoors and had instead focused on the garden’s design. The courtyard was neat and tidy, with servants sprinkling cold well water on the stone slabs every half hour. Combined with the shade from the trees, it was pleasantly cool—far more ventilated than the stifling indoors.
As they walked, they eventually reached a pavilion beside a small pond in the garden. This pavilion was Xia Yan’s proudest creation. Once known as a talented lady in the capital, she had personally designed the courtyard after entering the Jiang residence. The pavilion stood by the pond, evoking the poetic scene of "lotus ponds under the moonlight" in summer. On cool summer nights, the pond would be filled with lush green lotus leaves and delicate pink blossoms, bathed in silvery moonlight—a scene of utmost elegance. After its completion, Jiang Quan had adored it, often sharing intimate moments with Xia Yan there over drinks, the picture of a loving couple.
Jiang Ruan sneered inwardly. This place, where Jiang Quan and Xia Yan had shared tender moments, had once been the site of Zhao Mei’s heartbreak. When Jiang Xin Zhi was a child, he once contracted smallpox. Zhao Mei had stayed by his side day and night without rest. When he awoke and asked where his father was, Zhao Mei, heartbroken, found Jiang Quan drinking and laughing with Xia Yan. Back then, Jiang Ruan had been too young to understand, but the sight of her father and Xia Yan’s joy had only made her mother’s tears sting all the more. Gazing at the pavilion, Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and recited, "Lotus leaves and silk skirts share the same hue, while lotus blossoms part to frame a face."When Zhao Mei brought the young Jiang Ruan to Delicate Splendor Courtyard, they happened to hear the triumphant Jiang Quan reciting poetry to the gentle and graceful Xia Yan, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection—something the mother and daughter had never witnessed before.
Xia Yan was momentarily taken aback before smiling. "Ruan'er, your father loves these two lines the most."
Shen Rou's eyes sparkled mischievously as she chimed in with a giggle, "If you ask me, our aunt truly knows how to enjoy life. Such a splendid place like this is hard to come by even if we searched the entire manor with lanterns."
Xia Jiao Jiao seized the moment to interject, "Of course! Aunt was once the capital's top talented lady—how could some rustic village girl ever compare?" Xia Jiao Jiao always believed Jiang Ruan, having grown up on the estate and raised by the poetry-illiterate Zhao Mei in her childhood, must be utterly uncultured. Jiang Ruan pretended not to hear, maintaining her faint smile, which only fueled Xia Jiao Jiao's irritation.
Xia Yan, however, was suddenly overcome with melancholy. "How time flies—it's been over ten years now. Back when elder sister was still with us, she once praised this pavilion's beauty too. Ruan'er, you've grown so much now, and soon it'll be time to arrange your marriage. Having grown up on the estate, you likely lacked proper guidance in etiquette. Mother was thinking of finding you a governess—how does that sound?"
Jiang Ruan tilted her head slightly, gazing at her before suddenly smiling. "Mother, what do you mean by that? Isn't the governess from the Empress Dowager's side already a governess?"
Xia Yan was stunned, having not considered this angle, and momentarily lost for words. But having started, she couldn't stop now. She grasped Jiang Ruan's hand and gently coaxed, "Mother knows you're good and clever. But the palace governess taught you palace etiquette. You'll be married someday and naturally need to learn the proper conduct of a wife."
Jiang Ruan looked at her with an ambiguous smile. Under the gaze of those faintly smiling eyes, Xia Yan felt a flicker of panic. Suddenly, she widened her eyes and exclaimed sharply, "Ruan'er, what are you doing?"
In the next instant, Xia Yan's body lurched backward as if Jiang Ruan had shoved her violently. Right by the pavilion's steps, there was a loud thud—Xia Yan had tumbled heavily down the stairs.
"Ah!" With a piercing scream, the lower half of Xia Yan's body was instantly stained red, her clothes soaked through with blood.
"Jiang Ruan!" A voice brimming with fury and shock came from across the way. Jiang Ruan looked up to see Jiang Quan, Xia Cheng, and Ye Li standing opposite the pavilion. Jiang Quan's gaze was venomous with rage, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Jiang Ruan adjusted the bracelet on her wrist, her lips curling into an inscrutable smile.
Good. They've arrived.
"What are you standing around for? Fetch a physician, now!" Jiang Quan rushed forward. Seeing the pool of blood beneath Xia Yan, he disregarded the others present and swung his hand to deliver a vicious slap to Jiang Ruan.
The crisp "smack!" made everyone's hearts skip a beat. Jiang Quan's strike was brutal—five distinct finger marks immediately bloomed across Jiang Ruan's pale cheek, swelling instantly as a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her lips.
Jiang Quan froze. In his blind rage, he hadn't expected Jiang Ruan to stand motionless and take the slap head-on. A glint of satisfaction flashed in Xia Jiao Jiao's eyes, while Ye Li, who had arrived upon hearing the commotion, frowned imperceptibly.
Jiang Ruan retrieved a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe the blood from her lips, her expression indifferent. "Has Father vented his anger now?"To strike someone in front of the imperial family was undoubtedly disrespectful. Jiang Quan was momentarily speechless, but upon seeing Xia Yan lying half-dead on the ground, his fury surged anew. Pointing at Jiang Ruan’s nose, he roared, “You wicked girl! How vicious your heart must be to dare harm your own mother in broad daylight! You’re utterly deranged!”
Xia Cheng, who had followed Ye Li, was naturally pleased by the scene. He still harbored resentment toward Jiang Ruan for her past schemes against Xia Jun, the Xia family’s sole heir. Seeing Jiang Ruan in trouble now brought him great satisfaction—so much so that he disregarded his own daughter’s safety. However, in front of Ye Li, he had to feign courtesy and offered a perfunctory remark, “Brother-in-law, perhaps Ruan’er didn’t do it on purpose. Could there be some misunderstanding?”
“Indeed,” Jiang Ruan said softly. “Father, why not ask Mother? Perhaps there’s a misunderstanding. How can you be so sure I pushed her deliberately? But if Father’s anger hasn’t subsided, I’m willing to endure a few more slaps.”
Her tone was unreadable, and her beautiful eyes betrayed no emotion, as if the slap she had just received were nothing more than an illusion. Xia Jiao Jiao had hoped to see Jiang Ruan humiliated, but even now, she remained composed and unruffled, which made Xia Jiao Jiao grit her teeth in frustration. Ye Li studied Jiang Ruan with interest—such a woman, who concealed her emotions so effortlessly, was she not too extraordinary?
Jiang Ruan’s words made Jiang Quan’s earlier actions seem rash and impulsive, prompting the servants around Ye Li to wonder: How could the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, who was even conferred the title of Princess of Great Peace by the Empress Dowager, hold such a lowly position in her own home? From Jiang Ruan’s implication, was she Jiang Quan’s usual punching bag? Was Jiang Quan not slapping the imperial family in the face?
Furious but unable to strike again in front of so many witnesses, Jiang Quan could only shout, “How dare you quibble!”
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. “Father, why not ask Mother? The victim is right here.”
The maids and matrons who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion were about to carry Xia Yan away but paused at her words. Xia Yan seethed inwardly—Jiang Ruan’s words were cunning. Given Xia Yan’s usual pretense of gentleness and magnanimity, she had no choice but to claim Jiang Ruan hadn’t done it on purpose. But if she said so, wouldn’t she be giving Jiang Ruan an easy way out? Thinking this, Xia Yan let out a few pained moans. “It hurts so much…”
At this, the servants dared not delay any longer and quickly carried Xia Yan back to her quarters.
Jiang Quan, seeing this, could think of nothing else and hurried after them. The Xia family, eager to witness the drama, stayed behind, as did Ye Li. With everyone gathered, Jiang Ruan naturally followed. As Tianzhu passed by, she cast a worried glance at the bruise on Jiang Ruan’s face, but Jiang Ruan shook her head slightly, and Tianzhu lowered her eyes, pretending not to notice.
When they reached Xia Yan’s room, the midwife was already inside, and Xia Yan’s screams could be heard intermittently, chilling everyone to the bone. Second Madam, upon hearing the news, arrived with Jiang Li to gloat. Jiang Susu and Hong Ying also hurried over. Jiang Dan, however, remained in her own courtyard and did not appear.Hong Ying noticed the injuries on Jiang Ruan's face. Having heard from the servants that Jiang Quan had struck Jiang Ruan, she hadn't expected the wounds to be so severe and was startled. Seeing Jiang Quan's agitated expression, she hurried over to comfort him with soft words. Under her soothing, Jiang Quan's mood improved slightly, but his gaze toward the room remained deeply worried. After all, this was a woman he had truly loved—his heartache and anxiety were genuine, not feigned.
Jiang Susu was naturally furious as well. Although she had appeared more restrained in temper recently and didn't immediately slap Jiang Ruan like Jiang Quan had, her eyes were filled with venom and resentment.
Jiang Li and Second Madam were the happiest. Jiang Li said to Jiang Ruan, "Da Jiejie, how could you push Mother like that? If the baby is lost, how heartbroken Mother would be!"
Hearing this, Jiang Quan's anger toward Jiang Ruan grew even stronger. At that moment, the door suddenly opened, and the exhausted midwife emerged. Lin Lang and Feicui, seeing Jiang Quan, immediately knelt without a word, crying, "Master, Madam has miscarried."
Jiang Quan staggered back as if struck by lightning, murmuring in disbelief, "What?"
The midwife also shook her head apologetically. "Sir, I truly couldn't save him. It was a young master."
Jiang Quan turned and glared at Jiang Ruan, suddenly raising his hand to strike her again, roaring, "You wicked daughter, killing your own brother!"
With a loud smack , this time the blow didn't land on Jiang Ruan's face. Tianzhu couldn't intervene, so at the last moment, she shielded Jiang Ruan, taking the slap herself.
Jiang Quan was enraged. "Who do you think you are? Guards! Drag this insolent servant away and beat her to death!"
"Enough," Jiang Ruan said coldly. "Father, before the truth is even clear, are you going to take a life recklessly in front of the Eighth Prince?"
Her mention of Ye Li forced him to act—Ye Li, ever mindful of his reputation, had no choice but to play the impartial judge. "Indeed, Lord Jiang, it would be best to ascertain the facts before making any decisions."
"What more is there to say, Da Jiejie?" Jiang Susu widened her eyes. Now even more beautiful and far cleverer than before, she no longer relied solely on her looks. Her eyes were red, as if holding back tears, her voice trembling. "Are you going to claim that Mother deliberately lost her own child?"
The pitiful beauty moved Ye Li, who gently consoled her, "Second Miss Jiang, please don't grieve too much."
Jiang Ruan countered, "And why is that impossible?"
"Master..." Xia Yan, supported by her maids, slowly emerged. She swayed unsteadily, her face as pale as paper, dressed in fresh white robes that only accentuated her frailty. Gazing at Jiang Quan, she knelt slowly."Yan Er, what are you doing!" Jiang Quan quickly stepped forward, helping her up and holding her in his arms. Xia Yan looked at Jiang Ruan and began to weep sorrowfully: "Master, ever since I entered this household, after Sister passed away, I believed I had contributed to the family's prosperity and never committed any immoral acts. After Ruan Niang returned, I treated her with sincerity, always fearful of falling short. I knew being a stepmother was difficult, so I acted with utmost caution, but who would have thought..." She wiped away her tears and said bitterly, "If it were anything else, I could endure it, but since ancient times, a child is a mother's lifeblood. If Ruan Niang made a mistake, I could forgive her, but the child in my womb cannot be forgiven. It's shameful to air family matters in public, but Ruan Niang even tried to slander me. I can't endure this any longer. Since His Highness is here today, I beg His Highness and Master to uphold justice for me and seek justice for my innocent, wronged child!" She wailed loudly, "Master, that was our child!"
Xia Cheng was also furious: "Father-in-law, my good daughter married into your household, but I never imagined she would live such a life. If you cannot settle this matter fairly today, I will take Yan Er back with me. The Xia Family can certainly afford to support her!"
"That's right, our aunt is such a kind person," Shen Rou added fuel to the fire. "Heaven has no eyes, to take her child like this. When Mother finds out, she will be heartbroken. Our master even said he would soon become an uncle, but who knew... alas."
Xia Jiao Jiao also stirred the pot, saying, "Who would have thought the eldest Miss Jiang was such a person? Are the rules of the Jiang Family just for show? In our Xia Family, we know that women must respect their mothers. Such an act of harming one's own mother—you wouldn't find a second case like this in the entire Da Jin Dynasty."
Jiang Quan was already heartbroken seeing Xia Yan in such a state, and the accusations from the Xia Family only made his head spin. He couldn't help but wish he had strangled Jiang Ruan at birth when Zhao Mei gave birth to her, sparing the Jiang Family such calamity. The thought of his unborn son only deepened his grief.
Jiang Susu sobbed quietly, while Jiang Li wanted to speak but was pulled back by Second Madam and remained silent.
Hong Ying had initially thought Xia Yan wouldn't miscarry since she hadn't used the Silk Fish Silk, but today she heard the news of Xia Yan's miscarriage. While delighted, she was also puzzled, unsure of what had truly happened.
Ye Li looked at Jiang Ruan, who said calmly, "Since Mother insists on seeking justice, then this princess will grant her justice."
"Ruan Niang, why would you harm me like this?" Xia Yan demanded angrily.
"I harmed you?" Jiang Ruan smiled. "Wasn't it Mother who took the miscarriage medicine herself and then framed me?"
"Am I insane?" Xia Yan exclaimed in shock. "Why would I harm my own child? What good would harming you do me?""Of course there are benefits," Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Losing a child of unknown gender, yet able to frame me for it. With a few more words of provocation from Mother, Father would surely fly into a rage. If word spreads, Jiang Ruan's life would be utterly ruined. If sent to the authorities, it would mean life for a life. Eldest Brother is stationed at the border; news of me would surely unsettle him—an accident would be ideal. The vast Jiang family fortune would then fall into Second Brother's hands. If Mother follows the clues and finds some connection between me and Fifth Aunt, producing a few 'witnesses,' Fifth Aunt would likely be unable to escape calamity too." Jiang Ruan's smile remained gentle. "Mother, such a deal is profitable no matter how you look at it, isn't it?"
Everyone stared at her, dumbfounded. Jiang Ruan's words were utterly naked, without the slightest hint of concealment. There are many bold people in the world who dare to speak the truth, but those who strip away even the last shred of decency to do so are exceedingly rare.
Xia Yan was stunned for a moment before pointing at Jiang Ruan as if she had suffered an unbearable insult. "You... I never thought of such things!" She turned anxiously to Jiang Quan. "Husband, your servant never entertained such thoughts!"
Jiang Quan said softly, "I naturally know you are not such a person." He turned to Jiang Ruan, his face flashing with shame-turned-anger. "Wretched girl! How can you be so shameless!"
"The young lady of the Jiang family is truly bold," Xia Cheng said. "This old man cannot stand by any longer. Guards, seize this poisonous woman who not only harmed her own mother but also slanders her with her words!"
"Who dares lay a hand on me!" Jiang Ruan's voice rang out sharply. Clad in fiery red, her eyes were like icy swords, the coldness in that instant making those around her tremble, as if they had glimpsed a vengeful ghost from hell, its gaze filled with bone-chilling menace.
Instead of anger, she laughed, turning to Xia Cheng. "Marquis Xia, if this is a family matter, you bear the surname Xia—what right have you to interfere in Jiang family affairs? If this is a matter of state, before me, you should address me as County Princess! Our ranks are equal—do you mean to slap the Empress Dowager in the face and scorn the dignity of the imperial family?"
Each question was more severe than the last, leaving Xia Cheng speechless. Jiang Ruan then glanced lightly at Ye Li. "Since the Eighth Prince is present, representing the dignity of the realm, would Your Highness be willing to bear witness?"
Ye Li replied gently, "It would be my utmost pleasure." Having watched this far, he truly couldn't see how Jiang Ruan could turn the tables. Yet he maintained an air of impartiality—watching a little ant struggle for survival in a sea of fire was rather amusing, wasn't it?
"What do you intend to do?" Jiang Quan demanded harshly.
"Father distrusts me so, I have nothing more to say. I believe Mother poisoned her own unborn child to frame me. I ask the Eighth Prince to lead a search of the courtyard. If the abortifacient is found, that will be irrefutable evidence."
Xia Yan nearly laughed aloud. Jiang Ruan thought herself clever, but where would she have obtained such a drug? Even if Delicate Splendor Courtyard were turned upside down, nothing would be found. She stared intently at Jiang Ruan, not missing a single flicker of expression. "And if nothing is found?"
"Then I will confess to all charges and ask Father to send me to the authorities. Mother, does that suit you?" Jiang Ruan said.
"Fine," Xia Yan gritted her teeth. "It's a deal."Xia Cheng frowned, instinctively sensing something amiss. But words once spoken were like water spilled, and there was no other way now. Jiang Susu stepped forward in front of Ye Li, gracefully bowing down. "I beg the Eighth Prince to uphold justice," she pleaded.
Ye Li reached out to help Jiang Susu up. He hadn't paid much attention to her before, but now, with the beauty so close, every movement of hers was utterly captivating, and her delicate features only added to her pitiable charm. Ye Li couldn't help but show a hint of admiration, his tone softening. "It is my duty," he said, then ordered his chief guard, "Go and investigate thoroughly."
Jiang Ruan watched the two of them, feeling a wave of disgust. "To ensure fairness," she said, "please take along my mother's and my personal maidservants. Search not only my mother's courtyard but also every courtyard in the estate. Would that be acceptable?"
Ye Li paused, then smiled. "Of course."
The guards quickly set out to search, but the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Xia Jiao Jiao hid behind Shen Rou, her eyes filled with schadenfreude. Just the thought of Jiang Ruan being dragged away by the authorities later, her reputation in ruins, made her unable to suppress a smug smile. Jiang Susu stood beside Ye Li, occasionally glancing up at him, while Ye Li responded with reassuring smiles—a picture-perfect scene of mutual affection.
Jiang Li gritted her teeth in silent fury, cursing Jiang Susu as a fox spirit who had the audacity to seduce men even while her own mother was suffering from a miscarriage.
Jiang Quan softly comforted Xia Yan in his arms, oblivious to the resentful gaze of Hong Ying nearby. Second Madam eyed Hong Ying's belly, thinking how wonderful it would be if this one were lost too.
Xia Cheng had been staring fixedly at Jiang Ruan. The calmer she appeared, the more uneasy he felt. As a dignified marquis, it was laughable that he should feel threatened by a mere girl after all these years. Yet he had witnessed Jiang Ruan's tactics back in the Xia Family ancestral hall. Now, three years later, her schemes had grown even more profound—how could he not fear her?
Time passed quietly. Before long, Ye Li's guards returned to the hall after completing their search, with Lin Lang and Tianzhu following behind. Ye Li asked, "Did you find any medicine?"
"Your Highness, we did not," the guard captain replied.
Upon hearing this, Xia Yan immediately burst into tears. "Ruan-niang, what do you have to say for yourself now?"
"What else is there to say? She should be handed over to the authorities at once," Xia Jiao Jiao interjected. "Such a viperous heart—Your Highness must seek justice for my aunt and her deceased cousin."
"Wretched girl, will you now confess your crime?" Jiang Quan bellowed.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. Xia Cheng noticed Lin Lang's face had turned deathly pale, and his heart skipped a beat. Before he could speak, Tianzhu coldly declared, "Master, though we found no abortifacient in the madam's courtyard, we did discover this. Please take a look." With both hands, she presented the items. Xia Cheng was taken aback as he accepted them—a robe and a pair of azure boots.
Finding clothing and boots in the manor was hardly unusual, but when Jiang Quan shook them out, his face darkened with rage. The robe was oversized, and the boots were several sizes larger than Jiang Quan's own. The Jiang men, coming from a lineage of scholarly officials, were naturally slender, yet these garments were clearly tailored for a burly man. Neither Jiang Chao nor Jiang Xin Zhi would fit them, and there were no other men in the household. Moreover, hidden in the collar's shadow was an embroidered design of twin lotus flowers.
Though inconspicuous when worn, its presence here struck Jiang Quan as an unbearable humiliation. "You shameless woman!" he roared, hurling the items at Xia Yan's face.
Xia Yan froze, then paled in shock upon seeing them clearly. "Master, I have never made such things! This is Ruan-niang's slander!"
"Mother does love to jest," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "Since Mother became pregnant, she has forbidden disturbances, and I have not set foot in Delicate Splendor Courtyard even once. Just now, I stood beside Father the entire time. If Mother claims this is slander, I must ask—by what means could I have planted these items in Mother's chambers right under her nose?" She paused, then added with a smile, "Besides, Father knows Mother's needlework best. Can he not tell whether these were made by her hands?"Jiang Quan was trembling with rage. He knew his wife's embroidery skills all too well, which was why he had been so certain upon seeing the clothes and shoes that they were indeed Xia Yan's handiwork! No matter how much he usually favored Xia Yan over Jiang Ruan, no man could remain indifferent upon learning his wife had cuckolded him. At this moment, Jiang Quan felt nothing but fury toward Xia Yan—where was the slightest trace of his usual tenderness?
Xia Cheng, witnessing this scene, glared at Jiang Ruan and demanded, "What trick have you played?"
Jiang Susu also knelt down in tears. "Father, don't you know what kind of person Mother is? How could you doubt her?"
Jiang Quan looked down at his most beloved daughter. The three years of hardship she had endured in the family temple had already left him with some guilt toward her. Since her return, Jiang Susu had become exceptionally sensible and obedient. Seeing her weep so pitifully now, his heart softened somewhat.
But when Jiang Ruan struck, she never left room for retreat. She gave Tianzhu a meaningful glance, and Tianzhu coldly announced, "Second Young Lady, the servants also found something unusual in your courtyard."
Lin Lang's face grew even paler, as if she might faint at any moment. Jiang Susu frowned, and Tianzhu took a cloth-wrapped bundle from a guard and tossed it onto the floor before everyone.
The bundle was stained with blood, emitting a strong, foul stench. When Tianzhu threw it down, the cloth unfurled, revealing a mass of mangled, bloody flesh—a sight so revolting it turned stomachs.
"What is this?" Xia Yan froze, instinctively recognizing the fabric as familiar.
"A stillborn fetus," Tianzhu replied. As a former assassin, her entire demeanor was icy, and her chilling words sent an involuntary shiver through the room.
Jiang Ruan smiled. "Mother, will you still claim that I pushed you now? Clearly, you had already taken medicine to induce a miscarriage, hid the remains in Second Sister's courtyard, and then framed me."
"Nonsense!" Xia Yan panicked. She had no idea where this thing had come from and urgently asked, "Susu, what is this? What's going on?"
A flash of anger crossed Jiang Susu's eyes. She hadn't expected Jiang Ruan's meddling to unearth this. With Ye Li present, she could only feign timidity and say, "This is a placenta, Mother. I heard consuming it could beautify the skin. You know how I fell off the cliff before... But this is certainly not any 'brother'—I bought it from an apothecary."
"A placenta?" Shen Rou covered her mouth, her gaze toward Jiang Susu instantly changing. Placentas were such bloody, grotesque things—who would have thought this seemingly delicate niece could stomach something so repulsive?
Jiang Quan, too, was disappointed. In his heart, Jiang Susu had always been a pure, ethereal fairy, his pride and joy. Now, she had humiliated him so thoroughly. Even Ye Li's expression shifted slightly. Furious yet unable to show it, Jiang Susu could only appear even more aggrieved.
"Master, you heard her—it's a placenta, not a miscarriage of mine!" Xia Yan hastily explained, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lin Lang's ashen face, trembling on the verge of collapse. Why was Lin Lang so terrified? Suspicion flared in Xia Yan's mind as a sudden realization struck her.No... it can't be. She looked again at the cloth bundle on the floor. Why did that brown fabric look so familiar? It was exactly the same as the one Lin Lang had used to wrap the stillborn baby when she had her miscarriage...
"Ah—" Xia Yan let out a bloodcurdling scream that startled everyone in the room. She began tearing at her hair in utter breakdown: "Impossible, impossible, impossible..."
"Mother, what's wrong?" Jiang Susu panicked at the sight and hurried to pull at Xia Yan. But Xia Yan, with unexpected strength, shoved Jiang Susu away and staggered backward as if looking at a demon.
"Mother, what's wrong? It's me, Su Su!" With Ye Li present, Jiang Susu felt hurt by Xia Yan's behavior.
Yet Xia Yan continued clawing at her hair in hysteria. Jiang Susu had consumed placenta—placenta made from her own brother's flesh! The idea was absurd to the point of being grotesque, utterly horrifying, yet... it was the undeniable truth!
Jiang Ruan's lips curved slightly upward. This was exactly what she had intended. Xia Yan had doted on Jiang Susu all her life—what would happen if she learned that the flesh of her own unborn child had become the placenta her daughter bought from the medicine shop? Would it haunt her nightmares forever?
Good and evil will always meet their retribution; the wheel of heaven's justice turns unerringly.
Just as everyone was stunned by Xia Yan's sudden madness, a middle-aged man burst in from outside. Carrying a medicine chest on his back, he stormed in furiously, the maids at the door unable to stop him. The moment he saw Xia Yan, he began shouting: "You black-hearted woman! How dare you deceive me! Passing off lead-filled silver as payment—no, you're coming with me to see the magistrate!"
Luzhu blinked and quickly grabbed the man's sleeve. "Sir, why are you dragging my mistress like this?"
"Pah!" The man was livid. "This woman miscarried some days ago—I was the one who delivered the child. She made me swear secrecy, promising generous payment, but when I went to spend the silver, I found it was all adulterated with lead!"
"Nonsense!" Jiang Susu flared up. "Who bribed you to slander my mother? Watch yourself, or I'll drag you to the magistrate myself!"
"Hmph," the man sneered, undaunted. "If you don't believe me, go to Baozhitang in the capital. I prescribed medicine for this woman—some ingredients are exclusive to Baozhitang. Their sales records are all documented. Check for yourself and see who's lying!"
(End of Chapter)
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