Chapter 55: Countermeasures

Chapter 55: A Way Out

Jiang Wan was a little surprised.

"So Li Chengxiu's mother is quite clever. She gave up the title but kept a grip on the army. Looking at it this way, she didn’t get such a bad deal."

"She is indeed an extremely sharp and capable woman."

Xu Shi nodded but then shook her head.

"But rules are rules. Without proper status and legitimacy, she will face many disadvantages in the future!

Moreover, the Zhao family is no pushover either. These two families are bound to clash. Sigh, when it comes down to it, it’s the men's fault, every bit of it, leaving those two ladies in such difficult positions.

This assassination attempt is sure to cause an uproar in the Li family!"

Jiang Huailiang sensed his wife’s disapproval and could only softly try to save some face for his sworn brother.

"This situation was something he was forced into. The Emperor never wanted this—he’s not the heartless type.

He has feelings for Lady Qiao, but Lady Zhao had his back!

If he places Lady Qiao in the empress’s position, he won't have an answer for Lady Zhao. If he makes Lady Zhao the empress, he can’t bear to let Lady Qiao down again.

Not to mention the Zhao and Qiao families behind them. That’s why things have come to this… Sigh."

Just thinking about it made Jiang Huailiang’s head hurt just thinking about the Emperor's situation.

"The situation in the capital isn’t just lively—it’s a complete mess! The Zhao family has its supporters, and the Qiao family has people in their corner. The two sides are fiercely competing, almost coming to blows whenever they meet!

While I was there, I had to break up their arguments twice myself. Later, both sides came to me asking me to take their side. You tell me—though this is a family matter, it’s also a state affair, and though it’s a state affair, it involves the Emperor’s family matters.

How could I dare say anything reckless? So, with no other choice, I made up an excuse to get out of there and retreat to Maocheng."

He turned to his clever wife, weighing his words to seek her advice.

"Yu Jieer—alright, alright, don’t glare at me—Yu Niang."

Yielding to his wife’s stern look, he lowered his voice to discuss with her.

"What if I lay low here in Maocheng for a while and wait until they’ve finished fighting it out in the capital before we return? Would that work?"

Xu Shi frowned at her husband.

"Will the Emperor allow you to delay?"

"He’d probably be glad! You have no idea how miserable he is right now. If I shove all his wives and children in his face, just watch how he’d lose his mind!"

"It might be possible. Stalling is better than nothing. Sometimes, giving things time to cool down helps. Perhaps the Emperor can come up with a way to make everyone happy?"

Even Xu Shi didn’t fully believe this, so how much could Jiang Huailiang trust it? It was merely a way to buy time, to give the Emperor more room to maneuver.

The plan their parents devised helped Jiang Wan make sense of the things she had been puzzling over.

"Father, do you think Li Yanxiu revealed that his eldest brother was severely injured to hint to our family that you should find a way to avoid getting involved?

After all, you and the Emperor are blood brothers, and there are no proper elders in the Li family. If conflicts arise within his family, wouldn’t you be dragged into them?

This time, Li Yuanxiu suffered greatly, while Li Yanxiu emerged mostly unscathed. Now Li Chengxiu has been summoned back. Could this make Lady Zhao suspect that Lady Qiao was behind this?"

"You think about it - isn't that how it is?"

The Jiang couple exchanged a glance—they couldn’t say their daughter’s concern was unfounded; it was indeed a possibility.

"Maybe I should just fake an illness? I’ll recover whenever Li Yuanxiu is pulled through. Whaddya think, wife?"

"Given the current situation, they probably can’t set off for the capital anyway. Let’s all just put things on hold for now!"

After hearing her husband’s plan, Xu Shi thought it over for a moment before nodding helplessly.

"Then you’ll fall ill tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Li residence to apologize and bring some healing remedies to show we care."

After all, the eldest son of the Li family had been carried back today, and even she had heard the servants report that Lady Li had nearly cried herself to death, so I heard. Other households were even more likely to have heard about it.

While others were paying visits, their family certainly couldn’t play dumb.

"Alright. But remember, dear, if the Li family doesn’t openly discuss Li Yuanxiu’s condition, don’t go prying."

"Do I need you to remind me about something that obvious?"

After settling the major matters, Xu Shi finally remembered to worry about her daughter’s mess.

"Wan Jieer, go back first to freshen up. You must be hungry too, right? I’ll have someone bring you some food later. Get some good food in you, and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a brand-new day!"

"Mom, do Grandpa and Grandma know what happened to me? Should I go to Baosong Hall first to pay my respects and tell them I’m safe? And what about the second and third siblings…"

"Don’t worry about it. Your father and I will handle these matters. I’ll head to Baosong Hall now—the second and third siblings are there too. Go get cleaned up, eat, and rest. We can talk about everything else after you’ve had a good sleep tomorrow."

"Alright. Mom, Dad, I’ll head back to my room now."

Jiang Wan stood up, bowed, and took her leave.

After such a hectic day, she was indeed hungry, exhausted, and completely worn out.

Jiang Huailiang immediately stood up and followed his daughter, stepping outside.

"Dear, you should rest too. I’ll go inform Mom and Dad. I also need to brief my guys to make sure they don’t accidentally blow my cover!"

Father and daughter walked out of Anran Ju, one after the other.

Jiang Huailiang dismissed the servants and personally carried a lantern to escort his daughter back to her courtyard. On an autumn night, a crescent moon hung in the sky. Though not particularly bright, it was still trying its best to guide lost children home.

As the two walked along the stone path, they could occasionally hear one or two autumn cicadas chirping in the trees when no one was speaking.

"Dad, are you really sure that the sixth child of the Li family is that little girl?"

Jiang Wan yawned sleepily, making conversation with her father. She watched as her tall, sturdy father nodded his large head.

"What's to be unsure about? Boys and girls look different—how could anyone mix them up?"

"You’ve asked this several times already. Why are you asking again?"

"Isn’t the sixth child of the Li family that girl, Li Jie? The fifth is Li Jingxiu—you’ve probably met him. As for the younger ones, you likely haven’t seen them yet."

"But none of that really matters. With the grandsons of the Zhao and Qiao families around, no other family can really get ahead."

Jiang Huailiang looked down at his eldest daughter and asked uncertainly, "You hear something else?"

Jiang Wan didn't answer.

Some things were better left unsaid—no one would believe them anyway, and speaking up would only bring unnecessary trouble. It was best to keep quiet.