Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Why did she deceive him?

Jiang Heng couldn't pinpoint a reason herself—she simply didn't feel like attending to him at that moment and wished to be left alone in peace.

"Why did you lie to me?" the man asked again, his patience clearly wearing thin.

Jiang Heng remained silent, gathering her torn nightgown to cover herself. After a moment's thought, she let go, allowing it to slip back to the floor.

Did the reason even matter to him? If he wanted to proceed, she should just let him.

But the man seemed to have lost interest. He stood still for a while, waiting in vain for an explanation from her, then turned and left.

"Husband," Jiang Heng said, reaching out and catching the hem of his robe. After a brief hesitation, she spoke in a penitent tone, "I've been reciting texts from memory day and night these past few days and am rather tired. Now that I'm finally free today, I... I just wanted to rest."

This was the most legitimate reason Jiang Heng could come up with, though she wasn’t sure if he would believe it. After all, to his mind, reciting texts was surely considered a trivial and easy task—how could it possibly leave one too tired to attend to him? He had just returned to the capital from the southern city after days of travel, yet he still had energy to spare.

"Husband," Jiang Heng called out again, clutching his robe tighter, clearly trying to keep him from leaving.

But Gu Yu stood firm as a pine, his back still turned to her, and said sternly, "Why didn’t you tell me the truth earlier?"

Perhaps due to his military background, he was strict and vigilant by nature. Once deceived, he would demand a thorough explanation, and his tone carried the weight of an interrogation.

To Jiang Heng, it sounded like he didn’t believe her excuse.

Did he insist on the truth? Then she would give it to him.

"I was afraid you wouldn’t let me keep the cat," Jiang Heng said softly.

Gu Yu’s brow furrowed slightly, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line.

Again, for her cat?

The first thing she said to him upon his return to the capital was about her cat.

And now, she had deceived him—again, because of her cat.

An animal that doesn't understand human feelings, yet she valued it so highly. Such devotion to a dumb animal was pure indulgence, and she was hopeless.

"Jiang Shi, if you could devote even half the attention you give to that cat to your studies, you wouldn’t remain so unlearned and vulgar in speech."

With that, the man stepped away, breaking free from her grasp on his robe, and left without looking back.

Jiang Heng sat in a daze, watching the nearly burnt-out candle flame flicker and dance beyond the bed curtains, its light wavering between brightness and shadow.

Unlearned and vulgar in speech.

After three years of marriage, was this how Gu Yu saw her?

Then again, with a sister like hers—a woman of peerless talent and beauty—shining so brightly, everyone else would naturally pale in comparison, appearing unlearned and vulgar in speech.

Back during the Shangsi Festival, he had come to propose just three days after their first meeting, and their wedding was completed in less than a month. Her mother had warned her that she owed this good match to her sister’s influence and urged her to conduct herself properly, study diligently, and not tarnish her sister’s image or bring shame to the Jiang family.

Three years had passed, yet all Gu Yu saw in her was still just this face—beyond that, she remained unlearned and vulgar in speech.

Still, since he hadn’t explicitly forbidden her from keeping the cat, it likely meant he wouldn’t pursue the matter further.

Jiang Heng sighed softly. Remembering she had matters to attend to the next day, she set aside her thoughts, rose to wash up, changed into a fresh nightgown, and went to bed.

The next morning, when Jiang Heng went to pay her respects to her mother-in-law, she mentioned her mother’s illness and expressed her wish to return home for a few days.

"A few days?" Luo Shi, who had been drinking tea, looked up in surprise. "Is your mother seriously ill?"

Usually, Jiang Heng returned home for visits and came back the same day, never staying overnight. This time, however, she wanted to stay for several days, so Luo Shi assumed Lady Jiang must be gravely ill. Though the two families weren’t particularly close, they were connected by marriage, prompting her to ask.

Jiang Heng replied, "The messenger from home didn’t go into detail, nor did they insist I return. It probably isn’t too serious."

Luo Shi thought for a moment. Considering that the Jiang family’s seventh daughter was imprisoned and awaiting judgment, the family must be anxious. Illness was one thing, but having Jiang Heng return to discuss countermeasures was likely the real purpose.

Gu Yu had also been actively working on this matter these past few days. Out of respect for past ties, Luo Shi found it difficult to dissuade him. If the Jiang family could resolve the situation on their own without burdening Gu Yu, that would be for the best.

"Your sister’s matter is of great significance. Although the deceased was a fallen monarch, he still has a following of noble families and old ministers behind him. I’ve also heard that a royal prince is leading troops abroad and is unlikely to let this rest easily. In short, this is a difficult situation. No matter how great San Lang’s achievements, he cannot bend the law for personal gain. As his wife, you should understand this."

The implied meaning was for Jiang Heng to convey to the Jiang family that they should not cling to Gu Yu as their only lifeline.

Jiang Heng nodded and said softly, "I understand, Mother."

Luo Shi gave a satisfied "hmm" and instructed her eldest daughter-in-law to prepare some gifts for Jiang Heng to take home for the visit.

Jiang Heng declined, "I’ve already ordered peony cakes from Jingren Fang in the east of the city. Mother loves those, so there’s no need for other preparations."

Before Luo Shi could respond, Xiao Luo Shi sneered, "Sister-in-law, you should still prepare something. Otherwise, behind our backs, your prestigious Jiang family will mock us small-household folks for being stingy and lacking manners."

Before Gu Yu rose to prominence, the three Gu brothers had served under the Jiang brothers and reportedly faced much exclusion and oppression. As a result, there was some lingering resentment between the Gu and Jiang families. Even after becoming relatives by marriage, Xiao Luo Shi often took jabs at Jiang Heng.

Luo Shi turned a blind eye to her daughter-in-law’s malice, pretending not to hear, and waved them away to settle the matter themselves.

After leaving Yifang Hall, Xiao Luo Shi said nothing more about preparing gifts. Jiang Heng neither pressed nor asked, simply instructing Chun Jin to prepare the carriage.

Rui Zhu went to pack the luggage, but Jiang Heng stopped her, "There are too many matters here that need overseeing. You should stay home to keep an eye on things."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "My cat is kept in the west wing, which is quite far. Pay extra attention to ensure the young ladies and gentlemen don’t go there to play with it without permission."

The younger generation of the Gu family was very fond of her tabby cat and often wanted to play with it. Previously, when the cat was kept in the main courtyard, the older sisters-in-law’s dislike of her had deterred the children from visiting frequently. Even when they did come, she was there to supervise, ensuring the cat wouldn’t harm anyone. Now that the cat was in the west wing, she feared the children might take advantage of the opportunity to play with it.

Rui Zhu pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Jiang Heng then left the Gu residence with Chun Jin.

Upon reaching the east of the city, Jiang Heng instructed Chun Jin to pick up the peony cakes from Jingren Fang while she went to the Imperial College.

"Uncle, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with," Jiang Heng said, kneeling and bowing deeply as soon as she saw Tang Yue, getting straight to the point.

Tang Yue was taken aback and quickly asked someone to help her up. "What is it that you find so difficult?" he asked.

He had known Jiang Heng for about ten years, and aside from her pleading with him six years ago to accept a young man as his disciple, she had never asked him for anything.

"I’d like to ask you to help me save someone," Jiang Heng said.

"This…" Tang Yue’s expression turned troubled. Although he was the Chancellor of the Imperial College, the institution was ultimately just a place of learning and scholarship. In the current court, which prioritized military affairs over scholarly pursuits, his influence was negligible.

But the person the lady wanted to save…

"It’s not about my sister," Jiang Heng quickly clarified, seeing his reaction and realizing he had misunderstood.

Tang Yue’s expression immediately relaxed, and he breathed a soft sigh of relief. Upon further reflection, he found himself ridiculous—Empress Jiang’s affair was indeed difficult to handle, but with Duke Wei involved, why would Jiang Heng need to seek his help?

"A young man spoke recklessly and offended Princess Huyang, and now he has been thrown in prison." Jiang Heng paused before continuing, "I am not asking you to get him out right away. He is young and impulsive, daring to cause a scene right in the emperor’s own backyard—he needs to be taught a lesson."

"However, I would like to ask you, Uncle, to put in a good word for him with Princess Huyang and persuade her not to give him a hard time in the future."

Jiang Heng knew well that although she had once spared him a five-year prison sentence, it didn't do much to calm the princess down. With this grudge hanging over him, even if the young man were released, he would likely have a tough time getting by in the capital, let alone make a name for himself or achieve success in his career. Tang Yue had once been Prince Qin’s teacher, and Princess Huyang had also studied under him. Moreover, Tang Yue’s wife was quite close to Noble Consort Wei, Princess Huyang’s birth mother. With these connections, his intervention to resolve the conflict had a good shot at working.

Tang Yue remained silent for a moment but did not refuse. He sighed softly and asked, "That young man, is his surname Yan?"

He still remembered how, six years earlier, Jiang Heng had pleaded with him to take on a young scholar as his student, mentioning that in a few years she would ask him to accept that scholar’s younger brother as well.

Jiang Heng nodded. "Yes, his name is Yan Rong."

She then recounted the details of how Yan Rong had offended the princess.

After listening, Tang Yue nodded slightly. "It shouldn’t be too hard to fix."

He added, "Actually, Prince Qin is on good terms with Duke Wei." Jiang Heng didn’t necessarily have to go to all this trouble to ask him.

Jiang Heng said nothing, remaining silent for a while before explaining, "I want him to study under your guidance, Uncle. If you intervene on his behalf, it’d seem more proper."

Tang Yue did not refuse further. He continued to ask about Yan Rong’s circumstances, but Jiang Heng shook her head, looking worried. "He never sought me out after arriving in the capital. I only learned of his presence when I saw the exam results that day, so I don’t know how he’s doing."

"However," Jiang Heng added after a moment’s thought, "there were several scholars gathered around Yan Rong that day. They likely know him, and we might be able to find out more through them."

Tang Yue nodded slightly. "Don’t worry about it. As far as this matter is concerned, I’ve got this."

After a pause, he added, "The vice minister of the Bureau of Prisons in the Ministry of Justice is one of the scholars you supported six years ago. If you need assistance with your sister’s matter, I can set up a meeting with him."

Over the years, Jiang Heng had supported many scholars who didn’t have much, some of whom had already passed the imperial exams and entered official service. However, she had always remained anonymous, helping them through Tang Yue, so many of the scholars were unaware that she was their true benefactor. When the need arose, they still needed Tang Yue to step in.

Jiang Heng nodded. "I understand. If the need arises, I will let you know, Uncle."

With this matter settled, Jiang Heng returned to the Jiang residence. As soon as she entered, her father called her in.

"What were you doing at the exam results announcement?" Jiang Zhiwang sat in the main hall, and as soon as Jiang Heng entered, he snapped at her before she could even pay her respects.

Jiang Heng had anticipated this scene.

With Yan Rong causing such a commotion at the announcement, it was inevitable that her father and brother would find out. Her presence there and her plea on Yan Rong’s behalf would naturally reach their ears as well.

Others might assume she helped Yan Rong out of hometown loyalty, but her father and brother were likely furious. If not for their desire to avoid alerting the Gu family, they might have already dragged her home for a reprimand.

Jiang Heng was accustomed to her father’s harsh words. Knowing that this scolding and interrogation would not end quickly, she calmly took a seat to the side, lowered her eyes, and said indifferently, "What do you think I was doing there, Father?"

She had indeed gone to see if she could find the person she was looking for. Any excuse she offered now would not convince her father, so she saw no point in wasting her breath.

Jiang Zhiwang slammed the table and stood up, pointing at his daughter angrily. "Have you no shame!"