Chapter 8 The Promise

Chapter 8 The Promise

"This won't do!" Mother Jiang was anxious.

"I heard that the Marquis has established a co-wife and brought back a son and a daughter. If you don't act quickly, will there still be a place for you in the Marquis's residence?"

A married woman follows her husband, and a mother relies on her children for status. Only by bearing a child can she secure her position in the Marquis's residence.

"I understand, Mother. Don't worry; I know what to do." Jiang Shu patted Mother Jiang's hand to reassure her.

But Mother Jiang wouldn't listen, her face filled with concern: "We women are not like men. Even if we have grand aspirations, we cannot achieve great things. We are confined to the household, tending to our husbands and raising our children."

"If it were an ordinary family, it would be fine. With the Jiang family's wealth, we could buy you a peaceful life. But you married into the Marquis Jingan's residence, where money is worthless compared to lineage and power. Without children to inherit your legacy, how will you live this life?"

Thinking of Jiang Shu's future bleak situation, Mother Jiang began to cry.

"Mother," Jiang Shu hurriedly wiped away Mother Jiang's tears with a handkerchief, soothing her softly: "I understand everything you said. I will act quickly. The Marquis does have some feelings for me."

"Really?" Mother Jiang asked, her eyes red.

Jiang Shu nodded, a hint of shyness in her voice: "This morning, the Marquis wouldn't let go of my hand."

"If he truly cares for you, that's good." Mother Jiang smiled through her tears, feeling slightly relieved.

Thinking that her daughter was inexperienced and didn't understand the ways of marital relations, Mother Jiang took her hand and gave her careful guidance, hoping she would soon bear a child.

Meanwhile, Father Jiang Ning spoke to Shen Changze with a full heart of anger.

"...Is the border really so harsh and difficult?" Jiang Ning asked, half-believing and half-doubting.

Shen Changze nodded: "The battlefield has always been cruel. I managed to return to Shang Jing thanks to... Jinchu and Master."

"These years, she has suffered much with me. As a man, I cannot abandon her."

Hearing Shen Changze explain his reasons for marriage, Father Jiang was silent for a long time before saying: "What's done is done and cannot be changed. Treat Shu'er well from now on; these past years haven't been easy for her."

"I understand. I will treat her well. Please trust me, Father-in-law." Shen Changze made a solemn promise.

Jiang Ning raised his fist, threateningly: "If you dare betray my elder sister, I won't forgive you."

It is said that an elder sister is like a mother. He had been raised by his elder sister since childhood, and their bond was unbreakable. Anyone who dared to bully his elder sister, no matter how noble their status, would face his wrath.

Looking at the young, rebellious boy before him, Shen Changze saw a reflection of his younger self and smiled warmly.

He bumped fists with him, making a man-to-man promise: "If I betray her, you can hit me as much as you want, and I won't fight back."

At that moment, Shen Changze never imagined that this young man would indeed beat him black and blue one day.

After a heartfelt conversation, Father and son changed their opinion of Shen Changze, and their subsequent interactions were harmonious.

"Move here, two birds with one stone."

"Quiet while watching chess, Father. Can you stop talking?"

"Brat, if you can't play, let me do it..."

When Jiang Shu and Mother Jiang returned to the hall, they were stunned by the harmonious scene before them.

What had happened during their absence?

"Sir and Madam, lunch is ready," the steward reported.

The three engrossed in chess ignored him.

With no choice, Jiang Shu stepped forward: "Father, Marquis, little brother, it's time for lunch."

Reluctantly, the three rose and ended their game.

During the meal, Jiang Ning kept serving food to Jiang Shu as if she couldn't serve herself.

Jiang Shu ate until her belly was full, and Shen Changze helped her into the carriage.

"Elder sister, come back for my birthday in two months," Jiang Ning pleaded, clinging to the carriage door with a look of reluctance.

"I will, and I'll bring you a big gift," Jiang Shu said, smiling warmly as she patted his head.

But as the carriage door closed and the vehicle started moving, Jiang Shu's tears fell.

A large hand reached out, gently wiping away her tears.

"Don't cry. Whenever you want to come back, I'll accompany you." Shen Changze held her close, whispering comforting words.

Remembering her mother's words, Jiang Shu did not resist and rested her head on his shoulder to calm down.

Having risen early and usually taking a nap after lunch, Jiang Shu felt drowsy and closed her eyes lightly.

After a while, when the person in his arms remained still and silent, Shen Changze called out tentatively: "Madam?"

No response.

Shen Changze looked down and smiled, his eyes softening.

Gazing at her delicate features, her straight nose, her rosy lips, and her fair neck, Shen Changze felt his throat tighten.

He wanted to kiss her but feared waking her. Carefully, he lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.

Jiang Shu slept all the way, not waking even when the carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's residence.

"Madam..." Chuyu wanted to wake her.

Shen Changze gave her a gentle look and quietly carried her down from the carriage.

The servants of the marquisate, seeing this, all fell silent and bowed respectfully.

Perhaps the movement of walking was too much; after just a few steps, Jiang Shu opened her eyes and asked softly, dazed and tenderly, "Are we there yet?"

"Mm, you keep sleeping; it's fine." Shen Changze walked steadily with her in his arms.

Realizing her current situation, Jiang Shu suddenly woke up, grabbed Shen Changze's robe, and blushed deeply, saying, "Put me down; people will laugh at us."

Shen Changze chuckled lowly, "Everyone who should have seen already has. If you get down now, it will only make things worse. It's better to pretend you're still asleep."

Jiang Shu, too embarrassed to face anyone, buried her face in his chest, pretending to be dead.

Holding her warm and soft body, Shen Changze wished the path back to Listen Bamboo House would be longer.

As they passed Lanyun Courtyard, Cheng Jinchu, hearing the servants' report, came out: "Husband, you..."

The words "have returned" stuck in her throat as if she had been hit by a heavy blow.

In less than half a day, they had become so intimate?

Her eyes narrowed sharply, and Shen Changze reined in his smile, feeling somewhat awkward as he said, "She's asleep. I'll take her back first."

Cheng Jinchu did not respond, staring blankly as Shen Changze carried Jiang Shu into Listen Bamboo House.

While she had been dealing with the servants and facing troubles within the marquisate, he had been outside, showing affection to Jiang Shu.

Cheng Jinchu clenched her fists, anger, jealousy, and resentment gradually rising from her heart.

Her father had sacrificed his life, and she had accompanied him through life and death, bearing scars all over her body. But what had Jiang Shu done? Why did she deserve to take away her husband?

She couldn't accept it!

Finally back in the room, Jiang Shu hurriedly got down from Shen Changze's arms.

"Tanyu, water."

Having held it in for the whole journey, her mouth was dry.

Tanyu quickly offered her tea, which Jiang Shu drank in one gulp.

Shen Changze watched her, finding her exceptionally adorable.

"Marquis," Jiang Shu said seriously after calming down, "This cannot happen again; it is not proper."

"Alright." Shen Changze did not argue but instead stared at her with intense eyes, saying, "I have something else to do; I'll come back later tonight."