"Oh? What did she say to you?" Madam Jiang asked curiously.
Jiang Qianniang shook her head: "She didn't say much to me directly, but I overheard her telling a story to her maid. Aunt, do you know about the history of the 'false dynasty' during the early years of the Great Zhou?"
Madam Jiang thought for a moment: "Is it about Xia Weiming's rebellion?"
Jiang Qianniang nodded: "After Emperor Gaozu settled accounts, he not only executed the entire Xia family but also implicated everyone in the capital with the surname Xia. Many who originally bore the surname Xia changed their names. In Chuzhou, there was a family named Mao whose daughter had married a carpenter surnamed Xia. This carpenter surnamed Xia was framed by another carpenter in their village, accused of being a remnant of the rebel faction and thrown into prison. This matter originally had nothing to do with the Mao family, but one night, a group of people stormed into the Mao family and stole all their valuables. The authorities turned a blind eye to it. Such incidents were not uncommon at the time, so during the more than twenty years of Emperor Gaozu's reign, no family dared to marry their daughters to men surnamed Xia. Later, people referred to this as the 'Marriage Kinship Calamity.'"
"Marriage Kinship Calamity?" Madam Jiang murmured.
"At the time, I thought Mrs. Gao was just casually mentioning an anecdote and didn't pay it much mind. But after returning, the more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt. Previously, the Han Family wanted to secure a grain and oil business deal in Shunzhou and asked our Jiang Family to help make connections. My father, because of this marital relationship, worked hard to assist for a while. However, unexpectedly, this business deal was ultimately snatched away by the Gao family. Not long after, the land owned by the Jiang Family encountered problems, and it just so happened to involve this same Gao family."
Madam Jiang frowned and said, "I've implicated the Jiang Family."
Jiang Qianniang shook her head: "Aunt, please don't say that. How can we daughters decide our own marriage matters? No matter which family we marry into, it is for the benefit of the family."
Hearing this, Madam Jiang felt somewhat better, her eyes reddening as she said, "If it weren't for the arrangements of the elders, who would willingly become a stepmother to a man twice her age who already has children?"
Jiang Qianniang took Madam Jiang's hand and said, "So no matter what, it is the Jiang Family who owes you, Aunt. My father knows this well, so please rest assured."
After this conversation, the relationship between aunt and niece grew much closer.
"So what should we do now? Do I need to persuade Master Han?" Madam Jiang wiped her tears and asked.
Jiang Qianniang countered, "Would Master Han discuss such important matters of the Han Family with you, Aunt?"
Madam Jiang shook her head and said frankly, "Perhaps it's because I haven't been in the Han Family for long, but I often feel like an outsider. The Han Family doesn't tell me about many things; at best, they might inform me afterward."
Madam Jiang felt it might be because she had no children, while Master Han's deceased wife had left behind children who were already grown. Old Master Han even seemed to hint at bypassing Master Han and letting Han Yunqian take charge of the Han Family. Master Han showed little interest in marital relations; since their marriage, their intimate moments could be counted on one hand, and he seemed to have no intention of having more children. All these things made Madam Jiang feel a lack of belonging in the Han Family."Then Aunt, it's better not to mention it for now. Bringing it up might actually make things worse," Jiang Qianniang said. "Don't worry, the Han Family wouldn't have reached their current status without some clever people. Today, when we visit the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to see the Xiao Family's young mistress, observant individuals will surely take note. If he's smart enough, he won't just sit back and do nothing. Moreover, after this incident, your position within the Han Family is bound to change. They won't dare overlook you anymore—they will certainly have need of you."
"But what if..." Madam Jiang still seemed worried.
Jiang Qianniang sighed. "Then don't worry. As long as the Jiang Family remains, there will always be a place for you."
Meanwhile, at the Han Family residence, after Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianniang had left, Han Yunqian went to see his grandfather once more.
The old master Han was bent over his desk in the study, sketching something, not even lifting his head.
Han Yunqian glanced at it and could barely make out a painting—depicting houses, trees, and flowers. However, the old master's artistic skills were rather lacking, making the work appear rough and hasty. Yet, Han Yunqian was no stranger to this painting; he had watched his grandfather paint it since childhood, for twenty years now. If any member of the Ren Family were to see it again, they would be utterly astonished, for the old master was actually depicting a certain corner of the Ren Family mansion.
The old master put down the final stroke, casually placing the goat-hair brush into the brush washer, then picked up the painting and handed it to Han Yunqian. "Take a look."
Han Yunqian accepted it and silently examined it for a few moments.
The old master stared at him intently. "Have you memorized it?"
Han Yunqian pursed his lips and nodded. "Yes, Grandfather. Your grandson has remembered it."
But the old master slammed his hand hard on the desk, scolding, "Just remembering isn't enough! You must memorize it clearly! Firmly! Not a single blade of grass or tree can be forgotten! Once we have avenged our great grievance and reclaimed what is rightfully ours, every place those thieves have altered must be restored to its original state!" The old master gripped Han Yunqian's shoulder so tightly that his fingertips turned pale. "Grandfather is getting old, especially in recent years—things I once remembered clearly are starting to fade. So you must remember it firmly in my stead, understand?"
Han Yunqian's expression remained unchanged, as if the old master weren't gripping his shoulder, and he replied calmly, "Yes, Grandfather. Your grandson understands."
Finally satisfied, the old master released Han Yunqian, picked up the painting again to examine it, and frowned. "No, this pot of podocarpus isn't placed in this position..." With that, he picked up his brush and began sketching again, head bowed.
Han Yunqian stood quietly beside him, watching for a long while before suddenly speaking. "Grandfather..."
Without looking up, the old master responded absentmindedly, "Hmm?"
Han Yunqian paused, then said, "Your grandson will take his leave now." With that, he bowed and exited the study.
After leaving the old master's study, Han Yunqian slowly exhaled the breath he had been holding in his chest for so long. He raised a hand to touch his somewhat numb left shoulder, then expressionlessly lowered it again. He stood in the courtyard for a long time before finally stopping an elderly maid who had just entered from outside, asking calmly, "Has Madam and the young lady from the Jiang Family returned?"
The maid quickly replied, "They have already returned, Young Master."
Han Yunqian nodded and dismissed her.That evening, after dinner, Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianniang decided to take a stroll in the garden to aid digestion. Unexpectedly, they encountered Han Yunqian, the eldest young master of the Han Family.
Han Yunqian bowed to Madam Jiang, and Jiang Qianniang quickly curtsied in return.
Madam Jiang smiled and said, "It's rare to see you at home. Are you not busy today?"
In truth, Han Yunqian and Madam Jiang were not far apart in age. To avoid impropriety, Han Yunqian rarely appeared before Madam Jiang except when paying respects in his father's courtyard.
Han Yunqian nodded politely and replied, "I had some matters to discuss with Grandfather." He then turned to Jiang Qianniang and asked, "Are you settling in well, Miss Jiang? If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to tell Mother."
Jiang Qianniang smiled and thanked him.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three strolled leisurely through the garden. Eventually, Han Yunqian spoke up, "I heard from A'You that Mother and Miss Jiang visited the Yanbei Prince's Mansion today?"
Jiang Qianniang glanced at Han Yunqian and replied with a smile, "Yes. When I first came to Yanbei, I met the young madam of the Xiao Family a few times and found her quite congenial. Today, I mustered the courage to pay her a visit. Fortunately, the young madam is amiable and didn't mind my abruptness."
As astute as Han Yunqian was, he naturally didn't believe such an excuse. However, he didn't expose her, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
After a long pause, Han Yunqian spoke again, hesitantly, "There's something... I'd like to ask for Mother's help." His hesitation stemmed partly from his relationship with Madam Jiang, which made him reluctant to involve her too much, and partly from his lack of trust in her and the Jiang Family.
But now, the Han Family needed a mistress to step forward. He was unmarried, his birth mother was no longer alive, and the other two women in the Han Family—Old Madam Han, who was utterly obedient to Old Master Han, and Han You, who was too young and naive—were unsuitable. That left only Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang had been married into the Han Family for some time now. Han Yunqian felt that, although she was somewhat strong-willed and crafty, she was not unreasonable or unpleasant, and her nature was not bad.
Moreover, Jiang Qianniang and Madam Jiang's visit to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion today indicated that the two were likely aware of some matters concerning the Han Family, even if their knowledge was limited. Otherwise, the Jiang Family would not have taken such self-preserving actions.
Han Yunqian was not like Old Master Han; he would not let the grudges of past generations blind him. He cared more about the entire family than revenge.
If the price of revenge was the destruction of the entire Han Family, he could not accept it. To him, the safety of the family members he lived with day and night was far more important than ancestors he had never met. However, Old Master Han was already beyond reason and would not listen to persuasion. After several futile attempts, Han Yunqian stopped wasting his efforts.
To resolve this matter now, he had to find another way without Old Master Han's knowledge.
Han Yunqian had already figured out who was behind the recent events. He didn't resent Ren Yaoqi; on the contrary, she was the woman he admired most—courageous, resourceful, decisive, yet kind-hearted and clear about gratitude and grudges.
Han Yunqian understood that, given Ren Yaoqi's current status and intelligence, if she truly wanted to deal with the Han Family, they would not have remained unscathed until today.
But Ren Yaoqi had also given the Han Family a warning this time.If the Han Family continues to stubbornly persist down this path, Han Yunqian believes they will soon face abandonment by all, experiencing what the Ren Family went through before. First, the Yun Family and the Jiang Family, and in the future, more affiliated families will sever ties with the Han Family.
Han Yunqian sighed. It was time to bring certain matters to a close. He could not let the entire Han Family—over a hundred people—be sacrificed to the old master’s vendetta.
It’s noon… The tardy author has arrived….
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