Page 86

From the way Rong Shu shielded her, Rong Wei knew that what he said was true!

Jiang Shenglin really had a beloved cousin!

A surge of anger rushed from her heart to her brain, but after the fury, overwhelming sorrow and bitterness followed. Rong Wei bit her lip until it nearly bled to suppress the stinging sensation in her nose.

However, she couldn't swallow this humiliation. Turning around, she prepared to descend the stairs.

Yet, just as she reached the door and was about to push it open, she abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Seeing Rong Wei's immobility, Rong Shu pondered for a moment before saying, "Rong Wei, if you rush down now to confront Jiang Shenglin, there will only be two outcomes: either the marriage is called off or it isn't, but if it isn't, you'll never gain the respect of the Jiang family once you marry into their household."

The fire on the pleasure boat gave Jiang Shenglin an excuse to be more intimate with his cousin for her protection, albeit inappropriately. It could still be justified under the circumstances.

If Rong Wei were to cause a scene, it would be equivalent to trampling on Jiang Shenglin's dignity.

Under such circumstances, how could the Jiang family possibly welcome Rong Wei?

As far as she knew, Jiang Shenglin's mother genuinely disliked Rong Wei.

Rong Shu said her piece and didn't add anything more, leaving Rong Wan to make her own decision.

Rong Wan's feet seemed rooted to the ground. She understood what Rong Shu was implying, and that was precisely why she didn't rush down to cause a scene.

The reason why her grandmother valued her so much, and Qiuyun Hall held such prestige within the Cheng'an Marquis Estate, was largely due to this marriage alliance between the Cheng'an Marquis and the Jiang family.

Her grandmother had mentioned more than once that her elder cousin and younger brothers would eventually take the imperial examinations. If they could establish ties with a noble family like the Jiangs, it would greatly benefit both her brother and her cousins.

As long as her brother and cousins could achieve success in their studies and be listed on the golden plaque of successful candidates, no one in the capital would dare mock the Cheng'an Marquis Estate for lacking substance.

Rong Wan always remembered that she was a lady of the Cheng'an Marquis Estate. She wanted to earn such prestige for her family. Clenching the folding fan in her hand, the young girl remained silent, the flames of her anger gradually subsiding, but her eyes reddening even further.

Looking at her straight-backed figure, Rong Shu said, "What choice you make is your business, I won't interfere. But all the mud you've thrown at my mother since you were little, you'd better clean it up! You accused my mother of stealing Concubine Pei's position, that Father favored her, so Mother should step aside. Now, tell me, are you willing to step aside for your Jiang family brother's beloved?"

"When Mother married into the Cheng'an Marquis Estate, she didn't even know Concubine Pei existed. You're better off than she was because you knew beforehand. So, what will you do? All these years, Mother has never disturbed Father or Concubine Pei at Qiuyun Hall. Ask yourself honestly, when you marry into the Jiang family, will you have the ability to send Jiang Shenglin to his cousin, and never bother them again?"

Rong Shu's expression turned increasingly cold.

"Nor should you feel deeply aggrieved at the mere prospect of kowtowing and serving tea to my mother. Let me make this clear: If you have no intention of leaving Qingheng Courtyard as a bride, then by all means, return the dowry my mother has prepared for you. Should you refuse, I shall personally see to it that restitution is made at the Jiang household! One cannot reap benefits and yet feign innocence; such logic does not exist!"

Rong Wei took a deep breath, suppressing the tears welling in her eyes, and lifted her head to say:

"Why not marry? I insist on marrying into the Jiang family with dignity. If Brother Jiang has feelings for me, I refuse to believe he would turn his heart away from me for a mere cousin."

Rong Shu was well aware of how Rong Wan would choose.

Not unexpectedly, in her previous life when the Marquisate fell into misfortune, Rong Wò was confined to quarters by that senior wife of the Jiang household. The first thing Auntie Pei did upon leaving the Dali Court prison was to visit Rong Wò at the Jiang residence.

Back then, the First Lady of the household had coldly turned Madam Pei away, denying her any audience and leaving her with a bitter taste of rejection.

At that time, Rong Wu was pregnant with her second child. The shock and anger led to a tragic miscarriage.

When the Pei family encountered trouble, the Jiang family had chosen to stand idly by. So when the Cheng'an Marquis Estate faced adversity, they certainly wouldn't extend a helping hand.

Madam Pei eventually sought help from Rong Shu.

By then, Gu Changjin had already risen to the position of Left Assistant Examiner in the Board of Censors, enjoying great favor from the Emperor. Thus, the Jiang family, considering Gu Changjin's influence, treated Rong Shu with some courtesy.

When Rong Shu went to the Jiang residence to retrieve her, Rong Wu refused to leave with her.

"I can't go. If I do, what will happen to Yingjie? I can't entrust her to that wretch," Rong Wu said, shaking her head, her face pale with illness. "Moreover, as long as I remain Jiang Shenglin's wife, others will have some scruples. Perhaps Father and... Mother might fare better."

Pausing here, she lifted her gaze to meet Rong Shu's eyes and spoke deliberately, "Sister, I was ignorant before."

Maturity often comes from one hard lesson after another.

In their girlhood, Rong Wu had always been proud in front of Rong Shu, like an ever-determined peacock.

This younger sister of hers had worked tirelessly for the sake of Concubine Pei, striving for excellence in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, eager for the whole of Upper Jing to know that Pei Yun's daughter was no less accomplished than any high-born lady.

Her marriage to the Jiang family had been the pinnacle of her life.

She had believed the Jiangs would be her support in the future.

But she hadn't realized that many supposed pillars of support were like sandcastles by the sea – one strong wave, and they would crumble without a trace.

Within three years of marrying into the Jiangs, her arrogance had vanished, leaving her like a peacock with its feathers plucked and bones broken.

"A man who dallies with other maidens by the river and under the lanterns right before his wedding, do you truly believe he will respect you after the marriage?" Rong Shu said coolly, "The Jiang family and Jiang Shenglin are not your support, nor are they the reliance of the Cheng'an Marquis Estate. They cannot be trusted."

Rong Shu's previous life's tragedy had long revealed the true faces of the Jiang family to her. She disliked the people of Qiuyun Hall, but she despised even more the so-called noble families like the Jiangs, who pretended to be righteous.

"You understand nothing!" Rong Wan flushed with anger, her face reddening as she retorted, "If not the Jiang family, then is it Gu Changjin? Do you think I'm unaware that Grandmother and Father originally disagreed with your marriage to him? It was your own stubbornness that led to you being grounded for a month!"

Undeterred by her provocation, Rong Shu replied calmly, "I married him because I am fond of him. What if he's just a small official with modest means? If I love him, I'll wed him. If I don't, even if he gains great power one day, I would divorce him without hesitation. People who aren't worthy of my affection, I will never cling onto."