Chapter 32: The Xu Family’s Past

## Chapter 32 The Xu Family's Past

"It's good that you have no such intention. If you did, I'd advise you to abandon it early. I'm afraid I won't be able to live off being a Princess of Huai in this lifetime—I can't stand that kind of stifling vibe!"

"Why do you say that?"

This was the first time Xu Shi had seen her eldest daughter show such a childish side, and she couldn't help but wonder what exactly Jiang Wan had witnessed at the Li family.

Fortunately, Jiang Wan was straightforward in both action and speech, with no intention of beating around the bush.

"Today, I got into a fight with Li Chengxiu, the fourth son of the Li family.

On the day of our banquet, I ran into a strikingly handsome young gentleman. I happened to see him again today at the entrance of the Li family academy and couldn’t help but sneak a few extra glances.

Turns out, that was Li Yanxiu, the third son of the Li family. He was accompanied by the legitimate daughter of the Chang family. Li Yuanxiu, the eldest son, was also there, with the legitimate eldest daughter of the Song family.

I was just admiring the beauty a little longer when that foul-mouthed Li Laosi started spreading rumors, calling me a toad lusting after his brother’s swan flesh and telling me not to daydream.

I don’t regret hitting him one bit!"

Her daughter’s words revealed a lot of information, and Xu Shi frowned slightly.

"Did the legitimate daughters from those two families seem to have such intentions?"

"Yes. And Mother, I suspect the Princess of Huai likely has other plans too. Otherwise, Li Laosi wouldn’t have been so quick to say that even if our family sent gifts, we shouldn’t dare to set our sights on his good-looking brother."

Jiang Wan briefly recounted the situation and then asked her mother curiously, "What exactly did you say to the Princess of Huai that day? How did it give Li Laosi the impression that our family would covet his handsome brother?"

A clear look of regret flashed in Xu Shi’s eyes.

"I never once hinted at wanting to form ties with the Li family. I was worried our Jiang family’s reputation was too weak for them to take us seriously, so I brought up your grandfather."

This was the first time she had mentioned the Xu family’s background to her children.

"Our branch comes from the Gaoyang noble clan. Although we’re not the legitimate line, your grandfather was exceptionally capable. In his time, he once held the position of Censor-in-Chief.

Your aunt was eight years older than me, and I clearly remember how dazzling she was among the noble ladies.

Later, some things happened. Your grandfather, as the head of the censors, was executed by the foolish emperor in the main hall, and our Xu family was sentenced to execution. It was only because someone switched identities that my sister managed to save us both and we survived in hiding.

So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. If your father hadn’t proven himself to reach the position he holds today, I wouldn’t have needed to name-drop your grandfather to intimidate others."

But who would have thought it would give Zhao Shi the wrong idea?

Xu Shi didn’t say this out loud, but the regret on her face was clear to Jiang Wan.

Since her parents had no intention of climbing the social ladder, she could now confidently do as she pleased.

"Don’t worry about it. I’ve already started taking action.

Making others like me might be hard, but making them dislike me? That’s as easy as lifting a finger.

Don’t worry, this is my specialty.

But there’s one thing I’d like to ask,"

Jiang Wan’s expression darkened slightly, as if she had thought of something.

"Is Li Chengxiu the biological son of Zhao Shi, the Princess of Huai?"

Xu Shi looked up and shook her head.

She rarely hid unnecessary things from her now-enlightened eldest daughter.

"Zhao Shi only has one biological son, the eldest son of the Li family. The third and fourth sons’ birth mother was the former wife of the Prince of Yihuai, Lady Qiao."

She sighed and explained to prevent her daughter from accidentally crossing any boundaries in the future.

"According to your father, the Prince of Huai and Lady Qiao were childhood sweethearts and a loving couple. But not long after they married, the Prince of Huai was drafted by the government.

Although he narrowly escaped death, he was pursued and hunted multiple times. In Guangping Prefecture, he almost died at the hands of his enemies. Fortunately, by chance, he caught the eye of Zhao Shi’s family head, who proposed marrying his daughter and lending troops in return.

Out of desperation, Lady Qiao personally went to the Zhao family and, with the rites of a primary wife, married Zhao Shi on behalf of her husband. That’s how the Prince of Yihuai came to be."

Jiang Wan blinked.

"But if Lady Qiao married first, why are her sons younger than Zhao Shi’s? I heard Li Yuanxiu is 17, and Li Yanxiu is only 15.

And how does my father know all this? He’s only been following the Prince of Huai for a few years. How did he manage to dig up such old drama from their family?"

Xu Shi shot her daughter a reproachful glance and continued to explain.

"According to your father, Lady Qiao had a daughter before, but the child didn’t survive and died young.

And don’t underestimate your father, alright?

He’s wiser than he appears. Otherwise, out of all the people under the Prince of Huai, why would he alone become sworn brothers with your father?"

"Mother, since Father isn’t home, you don’t have to use the same tricks you use on him on me, right?"

Jiang Wan pursed her lips. When she was in a bad mood, her sharp tongue didn’t spare even her mother.

She stood up, bowed, and prepared to take her leave.

"I’m a bit tired today, Mother. I’ll head back to my courtyard first. I’ll keep an eye on the younger siblings’ studies, so don’t worry."

She needed to go back and sort out her thoughts. Hearing so many familiar names at the Li family today had left her feeling deeply unsettled.

"Alright, you may go. If you and your sister don’t feel like coming for dinner tonight, just have Hong Zhu or Lü Guo inform me. You can have your meals in your courtyard."

"Okay."

She bowed properly and turned to leave.

Her mother watched her retreating figure and sighed softly. She stood up and slowly made her way to the small ancestral shrine in the courtyard, where a lone memorial tablet was inscribed with "Xu Shi of Jiang Family."

Deftly lighting three sticks of incense, Xu Shi bowed and carefully placed them in the incense burner.

"Sister, do you think I shouldn’t have told the child about the past?

Our Wan Jieer is so clever now. I feel like she’s hiding something from me. Ah, as girls grow older, they develop their own thoughts. I wonder how many more years she’ll stay close to me.

And that fool Jiang Daxiong—will he remember to protect himself on the battlefield? Always throwing himself in front of the Prince of Huai, really... sigh!

If anything happens to him, I’ll truly be a widow again. Sister, when you have time, keep an eye on him…"

As she wiped away nonexistent dust with a handkerchief, she murmured softly to her sister, as she did every day.

In Yifang Court, Jiang Wan stared at her younger sister with wide, unblinking eyes, making Jiang Han feel creeped out.

"Sis, what are you looking at?"

"You."

"No, like—what did I do?"

The younger sister wracked her brain, trying to recall her recent behavior. She was certain she hadn’t crossed the older sister—so what was with the staring?