Chapter 12: Declaring Loyalty

Chapter 12: Pledging Loyalty

Right away, Xu Shi stepped forward to help her mother-in-law.

"Mother, please let me handle these trivial matters. You and Father have toiled for this family your entire lives. Now that my husband has finally achieved something, it's only right that we properly care for you both, allowing you to enjoy a life of ease. Let's go home now so you can rest and recover your spirits."

Everything that needed to be said was conveyed in her words. Whether Old Wang Shi fully understood or not, she politely nodded in agreement with her daughter-in-law.

"Alright, then we'll head home first. Miss Lingzhi, remember to come visit when you have time! Auntie will have your sister-in-law treat you well!"

With that, the old woman took her daughter-in-law's hand and strode away without a backward glance. Old Jiang also nodded courteously before hurrying after his wife.

Their obvious haste to avoid her made it clear to Zhu Mingzhi that their actions were deliberate. She dug her nails hard into her palm, and her eyes immediately welled up.

Turning to Jiang Huailiang, her voice choked with emotion.

"Eldest Brother Jiang, does sister dislike me so much? I... I only wanted to come early and show my humility, hoping sister would accept me in the future. Why must she humiliate Zhier like this?"

Tears flowed as she spoke, presenting the perfect image of a weeping beauty.

Jiang Huailiang's gaze darted uncomfortably several times before he stammered a reply.

"Don't overthink it. Your sister-in-law didn't mean anything by it. Well, I'm just a simple man and not one for eloquent words, but thank you for coming to help. I'll take the children home now. You should go back and rest too."

Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow in satisfaction.

Who said her father was a coarse man who couldn't speak well?

Wasn't he doing just fine?

Hmm, he should speak more like this from now on.

Jiang Huailiang turned and bolted as if his pants were on fire. Zhu Mingzhi, left behind, was so furious that she stepped forward to stop him, but Jiang Yaozu bumped into her, causing her to stumble.

Her maid, following behind, quickly rushed forward in a panic to steady her.

"Young Miss, be careful!"

"Wah! Big Sis, someone hit me!"

Jiang Songsong expertly chanted his go-to summoning spell.

Jiang Han, catching her elder sister's meaningful glance, immediately displayed sibling affection by stepping forward to fuss over her chubby little brother.

"Little Brother, where did you get hit? Are you hurt? Oh dear, look how you're crying—it must be a serious injury! Sister, let's quickly take Little Brother to see a doctor!"

"Mm, hurry back to the mansion!"

The two sisters dragged their wailing brother and vanished through the main gate. Not content with that, these mischievous children even turned back and swiftly shut and locked the door.

"Young Second Miss, they—"

"Shut up!"

Shaking off her maid angrily, Zhu Mingzhi's beautiful face was now contorted with resentment.

"Let's go find my sister!"

As the drama at the gate concluded, a real drama was unfolding in the main hall. Jiang Wan and her siblings had just reached the doorway when they witnessed what resembled a family inquisition.

The old Jiang couple sat at the head of the room, feigning deafness and blindness. The lady of the house sat calmly on the left, sipping her tea with an air of composure. Meanwhile, the family's pillar, looking utterly miserable, sat at the lowest seat, still babbling on, trying to justify himself.

"Wife, you really can't blame me for this. You don't know the whole story—it's not what you think.

This estate originally belonged to the old Zhu family. I'd just acquired it and hadn't had time to organize it before going back to fetch you all. How was I to know she would come over?

After we captured Maocheng, the Zhu family's eldest daughter became the Prince of Huai's favorite. Since I work for the Prince of Huai, shouldn't I be somewhat wary of what she might say in his ear? How could I publicly disrespect the Zhu family to their faces?

Besides, Old Fourth Zhu died saving my life on the battlefield by taking a blade for me. So, I owe the Zhu family a debt of gratitude. That makes it even harder for me to say anything.

Really, wife, I absolutely do not have any other intentions! My loyalty to you is complete—my grandparents in the ancestral grave can testify to that. I would never become such a heartless, ungrateful person in this lifetime..."

"Ahem!"

Old Jiang interjected uncomfortably.

"If you want to pledge loyalty, just do it. Why drag your grandparents into it? Flies don't swarm around a crack-free egg. If you had conducted yourself properly, would this mess have happened? Tell me, why has no woman ever thrown herself at your old man?"

Hearing her husband scold their son, Old Wang Shi, who fiercely protected her offspring, immediately objected.

"Nonsense! You old fossil, how blind would young women have to be to throw themselves at you? If women are interested in my son, it shows he's accomplished and capable. How can you compare to him?!"

After thoroughly berating her husband, she turned back and glanced cautiously at her daughter-in-law, whose expression remained unreadable. Old Wang Shi uneasily licked her lips.

"Well, Suozi, listen to your mother. Although you've made something of yourself now, let's be honest—your wife is a good match for you, isn't she?

After all, she came from a well-to-do family, gave our Old Jiang family heirs, and remained a widow all these years for you. By any measure, she is the rightful wife of the Jiang family. Don't you agree?"

"Absolutely! My wife can only be Jiang née Xu!"

"Ah, that's right!"

Seeing a slight smile finally appear on her daughter-in-law's face, the old woman immediately shifted her tone again.

"It's not that I'm taking your wife's side—women can be ruthless, and you're no match for her. She doesn't need the two of us old folks backing her up.

I just believe the old saying is true: where there's a stepmother, there's a stepfather! Not every stepmother is like that heartless woman in our family, who only favors her own children.

If you dare bring a stepmother into this house and let my eldest grandson suffer, this old woman will not let you off easily!"

"Don't worry, that's not going to happen! In this lifetime, I will live well with my wife and work hard to build a legacy for our children so they never have to endure the hardships I did as a child!"

As mother and son performed their duet of loyalty, Xu Shi noticed the three children hiding by the doorway and hadn't entered. She immediately set down her teacup and cleared her throat.

"Mother, I understand your meaning. It's getting late—why don't you and Father return to your rooms to wash up and rest?

Let me sort out some household matters first, and we can discuss the future over lunch later, alright?

This will also give the children a chance to rest somewhere. They must be exhausted from the long journey."

Only when their mother addressed them did Jiang Wan lead her siblings inside, offering a somewhat embarrassed smile.

"Mother, please arrange for someone to watch the main gate. When we came in earlier, we were afraid leaving it open might let thieves sneak in, so we locked it."

Tossing the key onto the table, she caused the adults in the room to twitch their lips involuntarily.

Now, if you said Eldest Daughter wasn't quite right in the head, that might be a stretch. But if you claimed she was completely normal—who would lock the doors in broad daylight with the whole family at home?