Chapter 248: Concubine Jiang's Departure
By evening, Concubine Jiang finally returned to the Xie residence with her child.
As soon as she pushed the door open and stepped inside, she was met with Xie Shi'an's inscrutable expression.
"Where has Concubine Jiang been?"
"I took Xian Jie'er out for a walk," Concubine Jiang replied. "We haven't had dinner yet, so we'll return to our courtyard to prepare a meal."
She felt as if a wolf was watching her from behind.
Remembering Yun Chu's advice, she waited until the next day when Xie Shi'an was occupied with business before immediately seeking out Yuan Shi.
Yuan Shi was feeding Xie Shikang. Although goat's milk wasn't as good as breast milk, it was still better than rice paste, and Xie Shikang could manage to drink some of it.
"Madam," Concubine Jiang approached and said, "I wish to leave the Xie family."
"What did you say?" Yuan Shi sprang to her feet. "What did you just say! How dare you repeat that!"
These concubines - were they all trying to rebel?
Concubine Tao had abandoned her child and disappeared, Concubine Yu had climbed into another man's bed, and now even the most mild-tempered Concubine Jiang was asking to leave.
Her son Jingyu had been dead for less than half a year, and already they had all changed their hearts. Had the Xie family been too lenient?
Concubine Jiang raised her head and spoke deliberately: "I could have disappeared like Concubine Tao, or found another man like Concubine Yu. But that's not the kind of person I am. That's why I've come to discuss this with you, hoping we can reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement."
Yuan Shi's chest heaved with rage.
She raised her hand, wanting to slap Concubine Jiang across the face.
But she had never struck anyone before, and her raised hand ultimately came down on her own thigh instead: "What sin has our Xie family committed to come to such a state? All these ungrateful people - when the Xie family falls, they all leave one by one, leaving us with the old and the young. How are we supposed to live like this..."
As she cried, Xie Shikang became frightened and started wailing too.
Concubine Jiang pressed her lips tightly together.
Making this decision had been truly difficult for her, and she wouldn't allow herself to soften.
Only after Yuan Shi had cried her fill did Concubine Jiang speak again: "If Madam refuses, then I'll have no choice but to find an opportunity to leave. Perhaps one day when Madam returns from an outing, Xian Jie'er and I will be gone."
Yuan Shi widened her eyes: "Are you threatening me?"
Concubine Jiang took out the hundred taels of silver that Xie Shi'an hadn't taken from her sleeve: "This money in exchange for my Indentured Contract and Xian Jie'er's household registration documents."
Yuan Shi's teeth chattered: "How will a woman like you survive with a child outside the Xie family..."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I believe that with hands and feet, one can always survive," Concubine Jiang said with a bitter smile. "It's better than staying in the Xie family and not knowing why I might die."
Yuan Shi fell silent.
She had heard from Wei Ge'er about the deal between Ting Yu and An Ge'er.
It could be said that An Ge'er's scheme had indirectly caused Ting Yu's death - a living person, gone just like that.
Concubine Jiang's concerns seemed reasonable.
Yuan Shi took the hundred taels of silver, thought for a moment, then took out a few more taels of broken silver from her own sleeve and handed them over: "Consider this the last thing this grandmother can give to Xian Jie'er."
She turned and entered the room, bringing out Concubine Jiang's Indentured Contract and Xie Xian's household registration documents.Jiang Yiniang took the Indentured Contract, her eyes slightly stinging. Since childhood, she had been sold from place to place because of this single contract, and now she was finally free.
Clutching these two items tightly, she took her daughter's hand and knelt down: "Madam, after I leave today, we may never meet again. I kowtow to you. Xian Jie'er, kowtow to your grandmother!"
Mother and daughter performed three solemn kowtows before rising and returning to their courtyard.
Their belongings had long been packed, with unsalvageable items converted to silver. Each carrying a small bundle, the two women left through the Xie family's back gate.
When Xie Shi'an returned that evening, it was only through San Jiu that he learned of the day's events.
In utter disbelief, he delivered a fierce kick to San Jiu: "Why didn't you come find me immediately when this happened?"
San Jiu was sent sprawling, crouching on the ground as he replied: "This humble servant only learned of it an hour ago..."
"Useless!"
Xie Shi'an struggled to contain his fury.
Currently short of funds, he had been contemplating how to extract more money from Jiang Yiniang. Before he could devise a plan, she had actually left.
Someone who could produce one hundred taels of silver must possess at least five hundred. His grandmother had actually let such a person go.
His head throbbed with anger.
When his emotions finally settled, he bent down to help San Jiu up: "My apologies, I lost control. Are you hurt?"
San Jiu hurriedly shook his head: "N-no, not at all."
Xie Shi'an waved him away and entered his room to collect his thoughts.
Yun Chu had helped Jiang Yiniang acquire a small farmhouse on the outskirts of the capital. There, Jiang Yiniang lived with Xian Jie'er and her adopted son Xu Ti, no different from ordinary commoners.
The weather grew colder with each passing day.
When Yun Chu emerged dressed from her room, she discovered it had begun snowing.
A thin layer of snow already blanketed the ground, crunching beneath her feet with each step.
She exhaled a breath of vapor and picked up her short sword to begin practice.
As she trained, she suddenly sensed an intense gaze fixed upon her.
Turning toward the gateway, she saw a tall man standing there, his dark robes dusted with snow that enhanced his solemn demeanor.
"Your Highness, why are you awake so early?"
It was just past the Yin hour, when sleep should be deepest.
Chu Yi naturally approached: "It's been too long since I practiced martial arts, my skills have grown rusty. Let's exchange a few moves."
He had only learned from Yu Ge'er that Yun Chu trained this early every day.
When he first studied martial arts, he had been equally diligent, though he had neglected it in recent years.
Henceforth, he resolved to rise this early to spar with her.
Yun Chu wielded her short sword while Chu Yi fought bare-handed, the two moving through the courtyard in practice combat.
Withered leaves and swirling snowflakes brushed past their cheeks as the dark night gradually receded, the first light of dawn settling in their eyes.
After several rounds with Chu Yi, Yun Chu was drenched in sweat, feeling thoroughly invigorated.
She said sincerely: "Your Highness possesses remarkable skill!"
Chu Yi offered earnest critique: "Your strength remains somewhat lacking. In the coming days, train with me to build power—this way you can subdue opponents in a single move."
"Of course I have no objections, but..." Yun Chu began, "I've heard foreign envoys are soon arriving in the capital. His Majesty intends for Your Highness to host them, so you'll likely be quite busy in the coming days."
A smile unconsciously touched Chu Yi's lips.
That Yun Chu knew of this matter indicated she had been paying attention to him.This realization greatly lifted his spirits.
He said in a clear, bright voice, "Several princes are jointly receiving the foreign envoys. I have no intention of competing for prominence, so there's nothing much for me to do."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Xu called from the other side of the gateway, "Your Highness, the foreign envoys have reached the official road ten li outside the city. By the Emperor's order, all princes are to hasten to welcome them."
Chu Yi: "..."
Yun Chu chuckled softly, "Your Highness should go quickly now, don't delay the appointed time."
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