Chapter 6: Making Those Who Bullied Her Pay the Price…

Chapter 6: Making Those Who Bullied Her Pay the Price...

The residence of Duke Lu is located in Dingkang Alley, close to the imperial palace, while the Ning'an Marquisate is on Fengsheng Street in the western part of the capital, a half-hour carriage ride away. After ensuring Lu Huaiyi had his breakfast, Jiang Wanrou, accompanied by two personal maids, eight porters carrying gifts, and a group of heavily armored guards with swords outside the carriage, made a grand procession toward the Ning'an Marquisate.

She arrived in haste without sending a prior notice, and the marquisate's gatekeepers were busy arranging the gifts and goods. According to protocol, she should first visit Marquise Qin, the wife of the Marquis, as she had always done on previous returns to the marquisate. Qin, who had a daughter as a princess consort, held herself high and acted the part of a "proper mother" in front of Jiang Wanrou. However, today she claimed to be ill and did not show up.

This suited Jiang Wanrou perfectly, as she and Qin disliked each other. Qin wanted to act the part of a proper mother in front of her but was too intimidated by Lu Huaiyi's fearsome reputation to truly act against her. Jiang Wanrou did not want to see Qin's harsh old face but could not ignore her own mother in the marquisate. Qin's "illness" today came at a perfect time, Jiang Wanrou thought, with a faint smile on her face.

This smile disappeared the moment she stepped into Madam Li's, her birth mother's, room.

A brazier was placed in the room, and a wave of warmth greeted her upon entering. Walking around a mica screen embroidered with landscapes of the four seasons, Jiang Wanrou saw her birth mother lying on the bed with her eyes closed, her face pale and her breathing so weak it seemed almost nonexistent.

"Mother!"

She hurried forward, took her hand, and exclaimed in panic, "Are you ill again? I'll call the physician to take a look."

"Cough—don't bother, it's nothing serious."

Madam Li was visibly surprised to see Jiang Wanrou at this time. Opening her eyes, she was both shocked and delighted. Jiang Wanrou helped her sit up and fed her a cup of ginseng tea. Slowly, a hint of color returned to Madam Li's pale face.

Jiang Wanrou was both shocked and angry, suppressing her rage, she said, "Mother, has someone been neglecting you? Have you been mistreated? Just tell me, and I'll deal with them—"

"Oh, Miss Six has become so formidable now, it scares me."

Madam Li teased, smiling. She was beautiful, with skin like ice and bones like jade, her eyebrows like distant mountains. Even years of illness hadn't diminished her beauty, instead adding a gentle, mature charm.

Once the most famous beauty in the capital, countless high-ranking officials had been her admirers. This beautiful appearance had brought her a lifetime of suffering. She never believed that a woman's beauty was a blessing, but now, seeing her only daughter, she caressed her cheek and said with a smile:

"Your skin is fair, and the golden hairpin suits you well. I gave you such a beautiful face, so don't talk about killing and fighting—it ruins your elegance."

Jiang Wanrou muttered, "Mother, I just want you to be well."

"As long as Miss Six is well, I am well."

Madam Li's voice was as soft as water. She knew her place and always referred to herself as "Madam" even in private. Jiang Wanrou, however, was different. She tilted her chin towards the east courtyard and whispered, "Mother, the tables have turned, and that side... is no longer a threat."

The east courtyard was the domain of Marquise Qin, the wife of the Marquis. Today, Qin claimed to be ill and did not show up, which spoke volumes.

Jiang Wanrou said, "Mother, I want to inform Father and have you elevated to the status of a proper wife. With that status, you won't have to fear that wicked woman anymore."

"Watch your words!" Madam Li said sternly. "Miss Six, you must call her 'Mother.'"

"I have only one mother, and I won't acknowledge a thief as my mother!"

In front of Madam Li, Jiang Wanrou didn't need to pretend, showing her true, willful nature. She said bitterly, "Everything she did to us back then, I'll make her pay tenfold. I hate her! I'll hate her for the rest of my life."

Jiang Wanrou hated Qin, hated the Ning'an Marquis, her father, who abandoned them, and hated her own weak self from back then.

When she was just a child, the Ning'an Marquis had treated them well. Her mother was his favorite concubine, and her father would come home every day to hold her, bringing her small fans and fluffy balls. The servants never dared to mistreat them. Marquise Qin in the east courtyard was harsh, so her father exempted them from morning greetings, letting them live in their own little world, like a paradise.

Her elegant father, her beautiful mother, and their comfortable life made Jiang Wanrou feel like a true young lady, cherished by her parents. But then... for reasons she didn't understand, her father suddenly turned cold towards her mother. He stopped coming to their courtyard, and the servants, taking their cues from him, began to neglect them. The food became worse, and in winter, there was no charcoal, leaving the mother and daughter freezing, their hands and feet covered in sores. Once, she accidentally called her mother "Mother," and her face was slapped so hard it swelled up...

They were like fish on a chopping block, and she was too young to do anything about it. The once lively Miss Six became more and more "wooden," always submissive, never daring to raise her head, kneeling at the feet of her stepmother every morning and evening, living in humiliation.

Even so, they still lacked basic necessities. Her mother developed lung disease from the cold, with no doctor or medicine, and over time, it became a chronic illness. Later, when Jiang Wanrou established herself in the Lu household, she returned to the marquisate in a flurry, dealt with the abusive servants, and stood up for her mother. The household no longer dared to mistreat her, but the illness was too deeply rooted to cure.

Jiang Wanrou took a deep breath, pushing away those painful memories. She held her mother's hand and said, "Mother, let's not talk about her. I'll call an imperial physician to see you. This can't go on."

"Don't be silly, imperial physicians aren't so easily summoned."

Madame Li didn’t let her lead the conversation astray and earnestly advised, "That person... after all, is the prince’s mother-in-law and has two sons under her care. It’s fine for you to speak of her here with me, but outside, you must hold your tongue and not speak recklessly."

What a fine young lady, it’s a pity she was born to me, tarnishing her reputation for no reason. Madame Li felt powerless, only able to teach her "respect" and "filial piety." The world loves such women, hoping only that Commander Lu could love her a bit more—even if not love, pity would be good enough.

Her life was already predetermined; she only wished her daughter a smooth and carefree life.

Jiang Wanrou couldn’t make her understand. Madame Li wanted her to be gentle and quiet, to be the virtuous wife and mother that all men adore. Madame Li succeeded, but what was the result?

If she had truly been as meek and mild as she seemed, her bones would have long filled the dry wells of the Lu residence. Where would she have the good life she has today? She struggled to escape the mire of the Ning’an Marquisate and bit by bit took control of the Lu residence, finally living like a human being. Now, to expect her to be magnanimous and live her life well—is that possible?

Just wait, she will surely make those who wronged her pay.

Jiang Wanrou pushed down the gloom in her heart and spoke softly with Madame Li about personal matters. In the past, when she returned, she would send a notice in advance, and Madame Li, knowing she was returning, would dress in silk and put on makeup, not showing any signs of poor health. Today, she shocked Jiang Wanrou, who dared not say much, nor did she want Madame Li to worry about her anymore.

Originally, she had planned to have Madame Li help her look for clues, but now it seemed that wouldn’t work. Jiang Wanrou thought for a moment, then called Jintao over, saying that as an unfilial daughter, she would have this maid temporarily take her place in caring for her mother.

Jiang Wanrou was firm in her stance, and Madame Li couldn’t argue with her, so she had to accept. Seeing that Madame Li was in poor spirits, Jiang Wanrou didn’t want to stay long and prepared to return to the residence by noon. Madame Li advised, "The Marquis is on duty at the Hanlin Academy today. It’s unfortunate you came today and won’t be able to see him. Go pay your respects to the elderly lady."

She was thinking of Jiang Wanrou, who was making a grand return. It’s understandable not to see the ailing main wife, but not to see the old lady would inevitably lead to whispers of "unfilial." Her daughter was now the mistress of a prominent family; her reputation must not be tarnished.

Jiang Wanrou nodded obediently. It was just a few more steps, not a big deal, and the old lady had indeed sheltered her in her childhood. It was only right to visit her. Unfortunately, the old lady already had a guest before her.

The steward bowed and reported, "Today is indeed a good day, as both the fifth and sixth young ladies have returned. Allow this old servant to report to the old lady and prepare a table of food and wine for a lively gathering."

"The fifth sister is also back?"

Jiang Wanrou was surprised. The fifth young lady was also a daughter of the Marquisate, married to a poor scholar with nothing to his name. Who knew that scholar’s ancestral grave would emit green smoke, passing three levels of imperial examinations to become the top scholar in the seventeenth year of Tianhua and was sent out to be the prefect of Jiaozhou.

This matter was once the talk of the town, as the male members of the Ning’an Marquisate were of average talent, but the daughters were all married well. The main wife was a royal consort, two of the daughters married to powerful ministers, and one became the wife of a top scholar. For a time, rumors spread that it was better to have daughters than sons.

Jiang Wanrou thought for a while, then smiled, "I should have gone to pay my respects to the fifth sister and grandmother, but with the New Year approaching, I am tied up with various matters at the residence, and my husband also urged me to return quickly, so I can only meet them another day."

She didn’t want to see the fifth sister, who had been away with her top scholar husband for three years and was likely to return to the capital for an official post. Whatever the position, it was still a scholar, a member of the pure stream, and Lu Feng, as a powerful minister, was naturally at odds with the pure stream—they couldn’t see eye to eye.

Besides, Jiang Wanrou herself didn’t like the fifth sister, Jiang Wanying. With a main wife like Madame Qin, the daughters of the Marquisate had to live on their knees; none dared to stand out. The eldest sister died young, the second and fourth sisters married early, leaving only her and Jiang Wanying to serve under Madame Qin. Both of them were dull and submissive, the difference being that Jiang Wanrou was hiding her intelligence, while Jiang Wanying was truly slow.

Out of a sense of shared misfortune, Jiang Wanrou had secretly saved her a few times, and there was a sense of "huddling together for warmth" between them. Later, Jiang Wanying fell into the water and became even more silent, always secretly watching her with a piercing gaze that made Jiang Wanrou very uncomfortable.

Later, she noticed that Jiang Wanying was imitating her, intentionally or not, and it made her feel uneasy, so she gradually distanced herself. For some reason, even though the fifth sister had never done anything to harm her, she felt an inexplicable aversion to her.

Perhaps they were just naturally at odds.

Jiang Wanrou was in a bad mood today and didn’t want to hold her nose and deal with someone she disliked, so she turned her feet and headed straight for the main gate. The steward didn’t dare to stop her, respectfully sending her off to the carriage. The servant beside him muttered, "Hmph, the sixth young lady has risen in status and is putting on airs. Our princess consort isn’t even this arrogant—what is she!"

The steward slapped the back of the servant’s head and scolded, "Stop your nonsense, go and carry the goods!"

With Prince Gong in prison and the situation still unclear, the steward, having experienced the ups and downs of two reigns with the Marquisate, watched the grand procession leave, stroking his beard and thinking: The times, perhaps, are about to change.

Jiang Wanrou, concerned about Madame Li, had the servants carrying the gifts return to the residence first, while she took her maids and guards to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau.

***

The Forbidden Dragon Bureau stood tall and imposing, with two stone lions glaring fiercely at the entrance. The vermilion gates were wide open, a faint smell of blood wafting out from within, and no one dared to approach, making it seem cold and desolate.

The guard at the gate was clearly not expecting anyone, and upon seeing the carriage from the Lu residence, a beautifully dressed, plump and fair lady gracefully descended, he was so shocked his eyes widened.

Without Jiang Wanrou needing to give a signal, Cuizhu quickly stepped forward, slipping a silver ingot into the guard’s hand, saying, "Please inform them, the lady has arrived."

The guard came to his senses and immediately understood the identity of the person before him. So this was the famous lady, the only woman in Commander Lu’s household! Truly as the rumors said, her skin was like congealed fat, stunningly beautiful—perhaps even the legendary Yang Guifei didn’t possess such beauty. No wonder the commander was captivated night after day; who could resist such allure!

Xiao Wei, blushing, led Jiang Wanrou into the back chamber, which was where Lu Feng usually rested. The Forbidden Dragon Bureau wasn't particularly close to the Lu residence, and in the past, when Lu Feng worked late, he would sleep here directly. Later, as he returned home more frequently, this place was only used for short naps.

Xiao Wei stammered, "The master is... is busy. Please wait a moment, madam."

In truth, Lu Feng was in the secret dungeon. The case involving Prince Gong was nearing its conclusion, and Lu Feng was eager to obtain confessions, so he personally took charge of the interrogation. The Forbidden Dragon Bureau had no shortage of tortures that could dazzle the eyes, but seeing the lady before him, as pure as a snowball, Xiao Wei didn't dare tell the truth. Such filthy matters should not taint the lady's ears.

Jiang Wanrou softly thanked him and, noticing Xiao Wei's flushed face, asked with interest about his age and whether he was married. This completely embarrassed Xiao Wei, turning his face as red as a monkey's bottom, and he hastily excused himself, stumbling away. Cuizhu giggled, "Madam, look at him, he's practically on fire!"

Jiang Wanrou looked at Cuizhu and said, "He's quite handsome and has a simple mind. Cuizhu, what do you think?"

Cuizhu was momentarily stunned, then stomped her foot and said, "Madam! Don't tease me."

Cuizhu also quickly retreated, and Jiang Wanrou smiled, turning her attention to Lu Feng's quarters. This was her first time here. The room was spacious and bright, but the furnishings were very simple. There was a hard bed, a set of red sandalwood desk and chairs, and beside them, a weapon rack holding several bows, two curved swords, and a spear. Even in the dead of winter, there was no brazier, leaving Jiang Wanrou's hands and feet freezing.

Perhaps Lu Feng had left in a hurry, as the desk was in disarray, and the ink in the inkstone was still wet. Jiang Wanrou had hot water brought in and personally cleaned Lu Feng's brushes and inkstone, tidying up the desk. Just as Lu Feng never discussed court affairs with her, she never meddled in such messy matters. She simply arranged the memorials and letters in order, setting aside those sealed with wax in a separate pile. As for what was written on them, Jiang Wanrou had no interest in glancing at them.

However, she did come across a stack of large characters, weak and clumsy, resembling chicken scratches or dog tracks, clearly the handwriting of a child. This made Jiang Wanrou smile knowingly. Lu Feng must have had a tough time picking out a few legible ones from this mess of scribbles and circling them, each with comments, mostly words of encouragement, such as "Even a slow horse can travel far with persistence" and "Success lies in perseverance."

After a chuckle, Jiang Wanrou felt a twinge of sadness. Poor Huai Yi, who would practice calligraphy even when he wasn't eating, yet... alas! She hadn't read many books herself, and her son's education was entirely managed by Lu Feng, who always said Huai Yi was doing well in his studies. It seemed he had been deceiving her.

She didn't expect Huai Yi to achieve great things. With his frail health, as long as he was safe and sound, she would be content. All she wished for was that her son would be simple and carefree, free from illness and disaster, and rise to a high position.

Jiang Wanrou carefully collected her son's "masterpieces" and placed them under the paperweight, but then she suddenly paused, picking up a red agate bead next to the paperweight.

This agate was of excellent quality, with a silver hook attached, clearly a piece of jewelry that had fallen from a woman's earring.