Chapter 9 She would not allow anyone to disrupt her life…

Chapter 9 She would not allow anyone to disrupt her life...

Jiang Wanrou felt a constriction in her chest. Yao Jinyu wasn't the type to speak without cause. Could she have discovered something?

She couldn't help but think of that agate, feeling suffocated and upset.

Jiang Wanrou said, "Sister-in-law, I am a straightforward person. You need to speak directly to me. I don't understand all that beating around the bush, and it might lead to misunderstandings."

"You're being too modest, sister-in-law."

Yao Jinyu giggled. Who in the household would dare to look down on the mistress now? When she first entered the household, she appeared gentle and harmless, like a Bodhisattva. If Yao Jinyu hadn't been bested by her a few times, she might have been fooled.

This woman was a master at putting on an act. Now, her foolish third brother was still confused, constantly praising the sister-in-law as if she were his mother. Bah! He didn't even consider his own age or the age of the sister-in-law he was talking about. His real mother was still confined to the Buddhist hall. Where did this 'sister-in-law as mother' nonsense come from?

Yao Jinyu said, "I won't bother with other things. Sister-in-law probably doesn't care about them either. But this time... childhood sweethearts, young love, it's different, after all."

Jiang Wanrou was deeply shaken, a vague suspicion forming in her mind. Yao Jinyu approached her and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "The Lu family's carriage has been parked at the back gate of Prince Gong's residence for three days. How many days has it been since you last saw the master?"

"What you can't have is often the most precious."

...

Yao Jinyu left gracefully, and Jiang Wanrou sat alone in the chair for a long time, unmoving. The carved window lattice was half-open, and the warm sunlight streamed in like golden threads, outlining her delicate and beautiful profile. The golden threads on her front, embroidered with peony patterns, reflected a dazzling light.

"Cuizhu."

After a long while, Jiang Wanrou stood up, expressionless, and said, "Prepare the meal. We are going to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau."

***

The wheels rolled forward as Jiang Wanrou leaned back in the carriage, closing her eyes to rest.

Shock? Sorrow? Anger?

Suppressing these complex emotions, Jiang Wanrou gradually calmed down.

Back then, everyone said she had picked up the leftovers from her elder sister. But if she had a choice, she would never have wanted to marry into the Lu family. With such a reputation, no support from her natal family, and no favor from her husband's family, she had a hard time. Her mother-in-law was harsh, her sisters-in-law were difficult, and she had to deal with two sisters-in-law who constantly caused her trouble. Life was truly difficult.

This marriage was not something she had snatched away; it was something Jiang Wanxue had rejected! Now, everything was fine. No one dared to look down on her. Huai Yi was so obedient, and even the sisters-in-law she once despised had become pleasant. She would not allow anyone to disrupt her current life.

Not Jiang Wanxue, and not even Lu Feng.

Over the years, she had been a diligent wife, waking up early and working late to serve him, managing the household, bearing children, and being filial to the elders. She believed she had done right by Lu Feng. But Yao Jinyu was right—what you can't have is often the most precious.

Based on her understanding of her elder sister, who was always proud and aloof, Lu Feng, as the chief judge of Prince Gong's case, would surely not receive any favor from her. So why was Lu Feng at Prince Gong's residence now? To investigate the case or... to reminisce about the fiancée who had once abandoned him?

Was that red agate that troubled her Jiang Wanxue's?

She needed to figure it all out, one by one.

...

As Jiang Wanrou pondered, the carriage suddenly jolted, and the sound of horses neighing filled her ears. Jiang Wanrou's body lurched forward, but she quickly grabbed the window frame to steady herself.

"Madam, madam, are you hurt?"

Cuizhu scrambled up to support Jiang Wanrou. Fortunately, neither of them was injured, but the food box was a mess, with soup and water spilling everywhere, soaking the embroidered hem of Jiang Wanrou's skirt.

Outside, a guard's slightly panicked voice came, "Madam, please forgive us. A carriage suddenly appeared in front of us, and the horse was startled. Are you alright?"

"Alright? When we return, all of you will be punished with the rod!"

Before Jiang Wanrou could speak, Cuizhu angrily lifted the curtain and exclaimed with a raised brow, "Who dares to be so blind as to block the carriage of the Lu family!"

In the capital, noble families have distinctive marks on their sedan chairs and carriages. Commander Lu, who was appointed by the emperor to supervise all officials, had a carriage that always moved unimpeded. Even when two carriages met on a narrow path, others would tactfully yield. The coachman, accustomed to such privileges, never expected to encounter such a stubborn opponent today.

The servant from the other side, hearing Cuizhu's words, retorted indignantly, "This road was clearly ours to begin with. You took the road and startled our horse, bringing this upon yourselves. How dare you blame us?"

"Is there no justice or law in the emperor's domain?"

Cuizhu's face turned red with anger as she shouted, "How dare you! Who are you serving under? Do you know who my master is? It would scare you to death—"

"Cuizhu."

Jiang Wanrou stopped Cuizhu and asked the guard outside, "Is what he said true? Did we take their path?"

The guard hesitated, "While that may be true, they did not yield..."

If this were to be scrutinized, they were in the wrong first. But over the years, this had become the norm. Commander Lu's power was overwhelming, and others would automatically give way to the Lu family's carriage upon seeing its emblem. The guard had grown accustomed to this and did not feel they were at fault.

Instead, they felt the other party was being unreasonable and infuriating.

"Enough, let's end this and move on."

Jiang Wanrou knew immediately that they were not in the right. Since taking charge of the household, she had strictly disciplined the servants, forbidding them from abusing the Lu family's reputation. But some things were beyond her control, such as the arrogance of the guards and coachmen. As the saying goes, "Water that is too clear has no fish," meaning one cannot be overly strict, so she could not be too harsh.

Jiang Wanrou simply attributed it to bad luck. The lunchbox had overturned, and her skirt was stained with soup. Even though Cuizhu had wiped it clean with a handkerchief, she still felt uncomfortable and decided to return home.

Misfortunes came one after another.

The horse, startled earlier, wouldn't budge! The coachman dared not whip it, fearing that if the horse went wild again and injured the lady, he would be beyond redemption.

The coachman was panicked, his face red with anxiety, when a man's voice came from the opposite side, "Is that the family of Commander Lu on the other side?"

The voice had a warm, jade-like smoothness, calm and unhurried, like a gentle breeze.

This must be the master of the other carriage.

Jiang Wanrou replied, "I am the wife of Lu Feng. I apologize for the inconvenience today. Please, go ahead."

The other party seemed surprised by her identity, paused for a moment, and then smiled, "It seems we've crossed paths, Lady Lu. I am Pei Zhang."

At first, Jiang Wanrou found the name familiar. After thinking for a while, she remembered—Pei Zhang, wasn't that the husband of her fifth sister? In that case, she should call him "brother-in-law." It truly was a case of family not recognizing family.

Jiang Wanrou felt somewhat awkward. This time and place were not suitable for small talk or pleasantries, and she had no past to reminisce about with Pei Zhang. She had married before her fifth sister, and when her sister got married, she wasn't invited, only sending a gift for the wedding. Later, when the couple left the capital for their official posts, she hadn't even met Pei Zhang.

On the other side, Pei Zhang seemed to have stepped out of his carriage. Given their relationship, Jiang Wanrou felt it would be impolite not to make an appearance. Fortunately, the alley was deserted, so she lifted her skirt and stepped down to greet him.

"Brother-in-law, today's timing is unfortunate. I will bring a thoughtful gift and visit you and my fifth sister another day."

Jiang Wanrou spoke while subtly observing Pei Zhang. He had a handsome appearance, with fair skin, a tall figure, and a scholarly demeanor. He wasn't the rigid bookish type but rather gentle and elegant, exuding the grace of a gentleman.

Pei Zhang smiled, "You are too kind. Wan Ying and I have just returned to the capital and are temporarily staying in Crescent Lane in the southern part of the city. Our modest home is humble, and I fear we may not be able to entertain you properly, dear sister-in-law."

Jiang Wanrou's eyelids twitched. His words were rather intriguing.

His words were polite, yet he casually mentioned their temporary residence. Was he inviting her or not?

Jiang Wanrou could only reply, "It is only proper."

The two stood about fifteen feet apart, with Jiang Wanrou accompanied by her maids and guards, while Pei Zhang had his coachman and servant. Under the observant gazes of onlookers, their interaction was courteous yet distant.

Fortunately, Pei Zhang also knew this was not the place for conversation and left promptly. The horse on Jiang Wanrou's side also recovered from its scare and slowly began to move forward.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Wanrou pondered the recent encounter and sighed softly after a while:

"My fifth sister is truly blessed."