Chapter 13: The Persuader

Chapter 13 The Intercessors

The elderly Jiang couple, with their cherished eldest grandson, were escorted back to Baosong Hall to rest. Jiang Wan and her sister Jiang Han were also settled by their mother in a courtyard named Yifang Garden.

Having just moved from a rural village into a sprawling mansion, the usually lively young Jiang Han felt somewhat constrained and uneasy, even though this was her own home.

It was only after the two maids following them had withdrawn that she dared to let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Whew, they're finally all gone!"

Kicking off her shoes, she lay down on the bed next to her sister, her eyes darting around excitedly, her exhilaration plain to see.

"Sis, this place is so beautiful! Even prettier than the grand house I saw in my dreams. Is this really going to be our home from now on? It feels like a dream!"

Jiang Wan merely hummed in response.

She was still mulling over the earlier incident, recalling that woman's presumptuous words and actions, as if it were her inherent right to take charge of the Jiang household. She couldn't help but frown, sensing that trouble was likely brewing.

"Sis, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. Hush and rest now, my head hurts."

"Okay."

While the elderly and children could rest, the Jiang couple could not. After briefly apprising his wife of the situation, Jiang Huailiang went straight to the Prince of Huai's residence to report and await further orders.

Meanwhile, Xu Shi was busy organizing the inner quarters and managing domestic affairs.

She hadn't lived in a large mansion for many years, and the household management skills she had learned in her youth had grown rusty. Fortunately, the master of the house had publicly granted the mistress absolute authority.

With swift and decisive actions, Xu Shi replaced all the Jiang household servants who harbored ulterior motives. Especially those old servants left behind by the Zhu family—none were kept; all were sent back to where they came from.

Clutching the storeroom keys handed over by her husband and sifting through the chaotic account books, Xu Shi worked tirelessly for five full days.

She had to find brokers to purchase new servants, recruit capable stewards and accountants, and personally oversee the kitchen arrangements to ensure everything was properly managed. She also had to find time to hire a proper tutor to instruct the children.

Every day, from the moment she opened her eyes, she was constantly swamped, with no time to bother about any gossip circulating outside. But even if she didn’t go looking for trouble, trouble would eventually come knocking.

Early one morning, intercessors arrived at the Jiang residence.

Madam Song, the wife of Song Qingyun, who served under the Prince of Huai alongside Jiang Huailiang, and Chen Han-shi, the newlywed wife of one of his deputy generals, paid a joint visit.

"We heard a couple of days ago that Sister Xu had arrived, but we thought you’d probably be busy for a few days, so we didn’t dare disturb you.

But we waited and waited, and didn’t see any sign of you planning to host a gathering. Left with no other choice, I, the thick-skinned one, had to drag Sister Han along to pay an uninvited visit.

I hope Sister Xu will at least offer us a cup of tea. On such a hot day, please don’t turn us away!"

One cannot strike a smiling face. Madam Song smiled warmly and enthusiastically, beginning with self-deprecating humor.

"Yes, we’ve come to bother you. We hope Sister Xu won’t take offense!"

Chen Han-shi, following behind, quickly chimed in.

Xu Shi’s expression remained unchanged. She had already learned the identities of these two from their calling cards. After recalling the general situation her husband had explained to her, she almost instantly understood the purpose of their visit.

She then put on a polite smile and exchanged pleasantries with them.

"What are you two saying? How could I possibly take offense? I’m overjoyed that you don’t find the Jiang residence too humble to grace us with your presence.

Please, take a seat and have a cup of tea to cool off. I wouldn’t want my humble home to diminish the dignity of such esteemed ladies as yourselves!"

This soft yet firm rebuttal was quite pointed—no wonder Lady Zhu had specifically asked her to make this trip.

Madam Song inwardly groaned.

It seemed this Xu Shi was truly not someone to be trifled with!

Chen Han-shi’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing. After all, she was only here to play a supporting role and echo the sentiments. Whether this succeeded or not, it wouldn't reflect poorly on her husband, a mere deputy general.

Once the three were seated, and after just one round of tea, Madam Song directly stated their purpose.

"That younger Miss Zhu is indeed gentle, well-behaved, and quite admires your general—this we all know.

Don’t worry, Madam Xu. Although the Prince of Huai has graciously granted her the status of secondary wife, you are, after all, the first wife, aren’t you? There’s no way she could surpass you. In the future, she will surely serve you well…"

"Please watch your words, Madam Song!"

Xu Shi’s face instantly turned cold.

"Did you not even bother to investigate the situation before coming here as intercessors? Who told you I was the first wife? Jiang Huailiang’s first wife was my elder sister! I am his second wife!"

No one could deny her sister’s rightful status!

The two visitors exchanged puzzled glances. What was wrong with Xu Shi? Was it something to be proud of, not being the original wife but the second? Why point it out so indignantly?

Just as they were about to say something, Xu Shi directly signaled the end of the visit by offering tea.

"I am a woman from the countryside and don’t understand the ways of Maocheng. Please forgive me, but I can’t comprehend how a daughter from a prominent family could lack options to the extent that she must push into someone’s home for marriage!

However, as a woman from a respectable family, I do understand the principle that the husband leads the wife. In such important matters, of course, everything should be left to my husband’s decision. I, a mere woman in the inner quarters, have no say.

If you two have anything further to discuss, why not go directly to the Prince of Huai and seek out my husband? I apologize, but I have trivial matters to attend to and have been a poor host."

Jiang Wan, who had strolled over, happened to hear her mother defending her birth mother’s name. She leaned against the window frame, sleeves tucked, not entering. Only after the two visitors had been shamefacedly seen out did she blink and slowly wandered into the room.

"Mother."

Xu Shi, who had been drinking tea to calm her anger, looked up. Setting down her teacup, she beckoned her over.

"Come, sit. Why are you here at this hour? Is there something you need? Where is Han Jieer?"

"Second Sister and Third Brother are practicing calligraphy in the study. I finished first, so I came out to get some air."

"You, ah, have even learned to be evasive with your mother now?"

Picking up her handkerchief, she wiped the sweat from her child’s forehead. She then called for a servant to bring warm tea and, picking up a round fan, began swaying it back and forth to create a breeze.

"Did some little spy report to you? Why should a child like you worry about such matters? Focus on studying well with your tutor. Later, I’ll hire two matrons to teach you all proper etiquette."

"Mother, could you take it step by step?"

Thinking of how Second Sister and Third Brother complained daily about their suffering, Jiang Wan couldn’t help but sigh sympathetically on their behalf.

It seemed all those melodramatic stories she’d devoured in the past hadn’t been for nothing. Clearly, the track of residential intrigue novels was entirely different from farming novels.

Poor her, a science student, now having to learn all these high-sounding, pretentious skills every day—it was truly hard to put into words. Ah.