Chapter 81: The Wound

Chapter 81: The Wound

It felt as if someone had fiercely punched her in the chest, causing Ning to gasp for cold air in pain.

What was she talking about?

She couldn't understand a single word.

Not a single one.

How could I be a wild wolf? I am the esteemed young lady of the Ning family.

Moreover,

I have no wounds!

Not a single scratch!

Ning shook her head instinctively, making her vermilion hairpins tinkle.

Yan Sanhe pressed her head with his other hand, "Don't be afraid, I'll believe you as long as you speak up."

Ning's eyelashes quivered, "You, you... will you really... believe me?"

Yan Sanhe nodded firmly, "I'll believe every single word!"

Every single word?

She would actually believe it?!

"But with the Old Lady in such a state, why should I believe you? She is my mother, I was born from her, would she deceive me?"

"Third Sister-in-law, there are limits to everything. Do you dare to speak with a clear conscience?"

"Madam Third, it's better to be honest in life. Our Ji family is known for our literacy and propriety; if this gets out, it will be a laughingstock."

"Sister-in-law, do you have any truth in your words at all?"

"Mother, can you stop lying, please!"

"Truly a merchant's daughter, tsk tsk tsk, no manners at all. The Ji family must have been cursed for generations to have married such a troublemaker!"

Ning's once delicate face was now soaked with tears.

She didn't bother wiping them away and finally spoke up, "She's a two-faced old hag, her words and actions never align!"

This remark made the two men in the reception hall simultaneously turn pale.

Pei Xiao's breathing quickened; you damned well dared to say that!

Yan Sanhe turned her head to look at Li Buyan.

Promptly, Li Buyan brought over a small round stool. Yan Sanhe sat down on it, facing Ning directly.

"Yes? What did she say to you?"

"She said that if I obeyed her, she would love me the most."

Ning tightly clasped Yan Sanhe's arm, as if seeking courage from her to confront the pain.

That deep scar represented her grandmother, and also...

...that man with an unfathomable heart.

She had lived in her maiden home until the age of sixteen, never imagining that one day she would marry into the capital.

That year, their persimmon orchard yielded an abundant harvest. A mother and son from the capital came to gather the fruit.

Both were strikingly attractive. Though the mother's complexion was slightly dark, her voice was gentle, revealing a kind disposition. The son, on the other hand, appeared delicate and scholarly, exuding an indescribable air of nobility just by standing there.

The Ning family was in the business trade, and their greatest skill was in judging people. She had grown up observing this, and could instantly tell that these two were not ordinary folk; they were different at their very core.

They must be esteemed guests, she surmised.

Sure enough, the mother and son loaded an entire ship with persimmons, yet her father accepted only a modest payment of three thousand taels. Upon discreet inquiries, she learned that they were relatives of a fourth-rank official in the capital, surnamed Ji.

That evening, the mother and son stayed in the Ning residence. During dinner, the male and female guests sat separately. Lady Ji's eyes frequently found their way to her.

The following day, after the mother and son had left, her mother told her that Lady Ji wished to establish a marital connection with the Ning family and asked if she was willing.

She also revealed that Lady Ji had secretly sent people to inquire about her for quite some time. The trip to the Ning family's to purchase dates was merely a pretense; the real purpose was to size her up.

She had never imagined that the mother and son would hold such great interest in her, and she was both surprised and delighted.

Her mother had always taught her that a woman's life would depend on how much her husband's family valued her— if they esteemed her, even an unambitious man could provide a decent life; if they looked down on her, no matter how capable the man was, their days wouldn't be peaceful.

After a night of contemplation, she finally agreed, albeit bashfully.

The Ji family's marriage process followed all the proper customs and rituals, impressing even her most critical elder brother.

Given that it was a distant marriage into a prestigious family, her parents and siblings were concerned about her being looked down upon. Thus, they prepared a dowry of one hundred and twenty sedan chairs, each one heavy with its contents.

The wedding procession, adorned in red for miles, was a sight to behold.

Amidst the sounds of firecrackers and drums, the grand eight-person sedan chair arrived at the main entrance of the Ji residence.

One end of the red silk was him, the other end was her; they bowed to heaven and earth, then to their elders – this was the most glorious, radiant moment of her life.

When that refined gentleman lifted the red veil, she thought: How fortunate and complete I am!

Bound in hair as husband and wife, our love shall have no doubt.

If alive, we'll return to each other's embrace; if dead, we'll forever yearn.

A tear glistened in Ning's eyes, yet a glow of a maiden shone through, illuminating her entire being.

Ning immersed herself in her memories, not uttering another word.

Yan Sanhe had to intervene, "After you married into the Ji family, what happened?"

Ning shivered, and the light in her eyes vanished. She lifted her head and stared intently at Ji Lingchuan.

"Does Master Ji still recall the Brocade Silk Pavilion?"

"Which Brocade Silk Pavilion?" Ji Lingchuan was taken aback by the question.

"Sir, you have quite the memory. More than twenty years ago, Lady was knocked unconscious by an out-of-control carriage right in front of that silk shop," she reminded him.

Upon her mention, Ji Lingchuan recalled the incident.

"You dare to bring this up? It was your fault that Mother fell into a coma for two whole days and nights."

"I was assisting Lady with Lady Senior across the street when the carriage rushed towards us. In my attempt to avoid it, I accidentally pushed Lady, causing her to fall with her head hitting the ground and her arm getting scraped by the wheel."

Ning's face was still wet with tears. "Sir, am I not telling the truth?"

Ji Lingchuan coldly harrumphed.

"As a daughter-in-law, if you cannot protect your elders, that's one thing. But to push them aside for your own safety—where is your filial piety? Where is your conscience?"

"You are right, Sir. Where is my filial piety? Where is my conscience? For this incident, I received a slap from your third brother and was made to kneel all night."

"So, did Third Brother wrongfully hit you then?"

"W-R-O-N-G-F-U-L-L-Y!"

Ning smiled slyly at Ji Lingchuan, a peculiar expression on her face.

Yan Sanhe, standing nearest, observed this clearly. "Madam Three, what is the truth?"

Ning turned to look at her, speaking deliberately, "The truth is that it was Madam One who pushed her, not me."

"Complete nonsense."

A hint of fury flickered in Ji Lingchuan's eyes. "The Old Lady woke up and said it was you who pushed her."

"I was puzzled too. I was captivated by that fine cloth and thus delayed my exit, barely reaching out to support the Old Lady when I caught up.

It was clear that Madam One was the one holding her at that moment. So why, why would the Old Lady lie with her own eyes open?"

Ning gave a bitter smile.

"That's why I was indignant after kneeling all night. I secretly went to the Old Lady's chamber to confront her. Guess what she told me?"

Yan Sanhe unexpectedly interjected, "She said: 'Madam One was chosen by the Zhang family for the sake of harmony in the household. As an ineffective mother-in-law, I had no choice but to wrong you.'"

Madam Ning's expression was as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

"How, how do you know?"