Chapter 34 Tragic News: Sister-in-Law, Go Rest First

Chapter 34: Bad News – Sister-in-law, Go Rest First

When Feng Shi heard that Jiang Chao had come again, she was already stressing out.

Although Jiang Yueyi had left on her own and she had just sent Jiang Chao away, Feng Shi knew this matter would not be resolved so easily. The divorce was not that simple; the Jiang family wouldn't let this slide. Meanwhile, Jiang Yueyi had dirt on her—if she spilled the beans about her and Qi Yuan, then Feng Shi and the estate would lose all face.

And Qi Yuan would come out ahead.

Yesterday, when she saw her son, she was so overjoyed all she cared about was keeping him, agreeing to anything.

But thinking about it today, all kinds of worries popped up.

And then there was the Zhou family. Zhou Congshen still wouldn't admit it, and the Zhou family had already sent people to invite her over several times, demanding to get to the bottom of things for Zhou Congshen.

Feng Shi rubbed her throbbing forehead. She should have just flat-out denied what Qi Hao's letter said. After all, Su Hengniang wouldn't be leaving anytime soon; she had time to keep Qi Hao under control and there would have been plenty of chances. She wouldn't be in such a mess she couldn't fix now.

It was also her fault—having her son back after losing him made her forget everything else.

Before she could come up with a plan, Jiang Chao arrived again, and Feng Shi's headache worsened.

Of course, Jiang Chao was up to no good.

Feng Shi also knew about the Jiang family's affairs. Since Jiang Chao remarried, he had grown increasingly indifferent to Jiang Yueyi. She'd managed to brush him off once before, and he had gone home angrily. Now that he had come to his senses, she didn't know what he was going to say now.

Feng Shi went to greet him, but before she could speak, Jiang Chao lit into her: “That Su woman framed my daughter for murder, almost got her killed—so what do you have to say for yourself, old lady?”

Feng Shi's breath caught. She remembered she hadn't mentioned this earlier. Had she accidentally let it slip, and Jiang Chao hadn't noticed then but realized now?

Regardless, she needed to calm Jiang Chao down first.

“We didn't know about this either. Even Hao'er didn't know—it was all that Su Hengniang's fault,” Feng Shi said, hastily ordering tea for Jiang Chao while defending herself vigorously. “It was her doing; it has nothing to do with us!”

Jiang Chao glanced sideways at Feng Shi. “So Su got what she deserved, but why did Qi Hao divorce Yueyi?”

Feng Shi opened her mouth, but still broke out in a cold sweat in the freezing weather.

“You, the matriarch of the estate, were completely manipulated by your son,” Jiang Chao sneered. “Yesterday, when he said he wanted to divorce my daughter, not only did you not stop him, but you just watched her walk out the door. She had just given birth to a daughter for the estate, not even a month old yet—is this how you treat her?”

After speaking, Jiang Chao observed Feng Shi's expression. Although Qi Yuan had vouched for it and Jiang Chao believed there was nothing going on between Jiang Yueyi and Zhou Congshen, he couldn't be entirely sure. What if they actually had something, and the daughter was Zhou Congshen's, and that's why the estate let her take the baby and leave?

Fortunately, Feng Shi only gave a flustered smile and said, “That was really my bad.”

Jiang Chao straightened up and barked, “Where is Qi Hao? I've been here twice now, this whole time, and I still haven't seen him come out to see me?”

“He…” Feng Shi gritted her teeth, her face flushed. She quickly called for someone, “Go fetch the eldest young master back from outside.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chao pointed at Feng Shi again. “He's at Su's place, isn't he?”

Feng Shi dared not say much, only replying, “Just hang on a bit longer, dear in-law. He'll be here soon.”

Jiang Chao said, “Even if he's not here, I'm giving you fair warning right now: if he really divorces my daughter for that woman, even if it's a mutual separation, I'll take it to the officials and will not let this go easily!”

“It's not that serious,” Feng Shi gritted her teeth and steeled herself. “This is just Hao'er acting like a spoiled kid. He'll calm down. This time, Yueyi has been wronged. Let's wait a few days until she finishes her postpartum confinement, then I will certainly visit your residence with generous gifts to apologize and bring her back.”

How could she possibly dare let Jiang Chao go to the officials? There was way too much going on; if it went to court, it would all come to light—the affair between Jiang Yueyi and Qi Yuan would be exposed.

For a moment, Jiang Chao said nothing.

Feng Shi was like a cat on a hot tin roof, frantic but afraid to show it.

She dared not confront Jiang Chao forcefully now; she had to go along with him first. But she had already shot her mouth off—what would she do if Qi Hao still refused to compromise later?

Jiang Chao waited for about fifteen minutes and asked again, “Why isn't Qi Hao here yet?”

Feng Shi sent someone to urge him again.

This went on several times. The messenger returned, but Qi Hao never showed up.

Jiang Chao wanted to blow his top several times, but then he thought again: since Jiang Yueyi was innocent, the marriage shouldn't be broken off so easily. His threat to go to the officials was only to scare them; he wouldn't take that step unless absolutely necessary, as it would truly make things too late to undo. So he had no choice but to continue waiting for Qi Hao to appear.

***

Winter days darken early. It felt like just after noon, but soon it was almost time to light the lamps.

Wang Shi knew Jiang Chao had gone to the Chengping Baron's residence, but this time he had left in a hurry without saying much to her. So Wang Shi was curious about what would happen between the two sides. She was happy to just sit back and watch the show.

But when it was almost time for dinner and Jiang Chao still hadn't returned, Wang Shi grew impatient and started blaming Jiang Yueyi for being a nuisance.

She was young, emotionally unstable, and hated Concubine Gu and her stepdaughter Jiang Yueyi very much. So after some thought, she went to Jiang Yueyi's place.

Jiang Yueyi was half-reclining on a soft couch, with maids busy setting up dinner, while Concubine Gu carefully skimmed the oil off a bowl of chicken soup.

Wang Shi entered. She first walked over with fake concern and asked, “Has your fever broken?”

“It has,” Concubine Gu said, holding the chicken soup. “Thank you for your concern, madam.”

Wang Shi watched Concubine Gu feed Jiang Yueyi the soup and shook her head repeatedly. “What a shame, getting kicked out in such cold weather. By the way, did you know your father went to the estate again?”

Jiang Yueyi swallowed the soup, the warmth quickly fading. She looked at Wang Shi. “What?”

Wang Shi said, “Your father went to the estate early this morning, saying he wanted to get justice for you. But he hasn't come back yet. It looks like it might snow again—I'm really worried about him.”

Hearing this, Concubine Gu cast a worried glance at Jiang Yueyi. Before they could respond, Wang Shi continued, “Truly, the hearts of parents are so devoted. Your father said he couldn't just watch you be divorced and sent home. For your sake, he would beg the estate and Qi Hao to forgive you and let you return.”

Jiang Yueyi frowned. She didn't doubt Wang Shi's words, but immediately thought that Jiang Chao wasn't doing it for her—mostly to save his own face.

But if he really went to beg them and stayed so long without returning…

Jiang Yueyi decisively pushed aside the thick blanket, got up from the couch, and told Qing Lan to get her cloak. “I'm going to find Father and bring him back.”

Concubine Gu hurriedly stopped her. “Why go yourself? Just send someone to check on the situation. You just recovered from a fever—how can you go out in this weather?”

Jiang Yueyi only said, “It's fine.”

Wang Shi smirked to herself. She knew Jiang Yueyi was stubborn and proud. She wasn't worried about her father getting bullied, but since she had come home in the blizzard last night and insisted on moving out today, she certainly didn't want the estate to think she was begging for mercy or submission.

Concubine Gu knew she couldn't persuade Jiang Yueyi, so she hurriedly stuffed a warm hand warmer into her hands and saw her out.

At her own doorstep, Jiang Yueyi stopped Concubine Gu from following. The wind was blowing hard against her face. She wrapped her cloak tightly and headed straight for the Chengping Baron's residence.

When the gatekeeper saw her return, he didn't dare stop her. He let her in and sent someone to announce her.

Jiang Yueyi asked, “Is my father still here?”

The gatekeeper said, “He went in and hasn't come out.”

Jiang Yueyi nodded. “Find someone to take me to him.”

The gatekeeper agreed.

The estate usually received guests in the front hall. It was a short walk from the gate, through the second gate and past the covered corridor. By now, night had fallen, and a few snowflakes began to drift from the dark sky, carried by the wind under the eaves. The lanterns swayed, casting flickering shadows on the ground.

The maidservant leading the way suddenly stopped, and Jiang Yueyi, preoccupied, nearly bumped into her. Fortunately, Qing Lan caught her in time. She looked up and saw a figure standing at the end of the covered walkway.

He must have come from the inner courtyard across the covered walkway, since she hadn’t noticed him before.

They were not far apart now. The maidservant quickly recognized him and called out, “Second Master,” before continuing forward.

Jiang Yueyi’s steps faltered for just a moment, then she followed the woman.

Perhaps out of politeness, Qi Yuan did not walk ahead but waited until they reached him. Jiang Yueyi kept her eyes lowered from the start, pausing only briefly as she passed him, giving a slight nod.

Their gazes did not meet. After Jiang Yueyi passed, Qi Yuan silently fell into step behind her.

Hearing his footsteps, her agitation grew. Staring at the candlelight glowing from the hall ahead, she suddenly turned her head slightly and asked, “Where is Second Master going?”

Qi Yuan replied, “I heard Uncle has been here all along, so I came to check.”

Jiang Yueyi said nothing in response.

When she entered the hall, Qi Yuan still followed.

Inside, Jiang Chao sat with a dark expression. Lady Feng, seated in the place of honor, wore a worried frown as usual. Seeing Jiang Yueyi and Qi Yuan arrive, she gave them a longer look.

Jiang Chao showed no reaction and simply asked Jiang Yueyi, “Why are you here?”

Jiang Yueyi took a quiet breath and said, “I came to take Father home.”

“What nonsense are you up to?” Jiang Chao sighed, holding his forehead. “I’ll handle this myself.”

Jiang Yueyi said, “Father doesn’t need to beg them.”

Jiang Chao gave a cold laugh. “I beg them? Shouldn’t they be begging me?”

Lady Feng quickly tried to smooth things over. “Yueyi, yesterday was all a misunderstanding. We were all too impulsive, and I was momentarily confused and let you go. Why don’t you go back to Xingyun Courtyard to rest first? Your father and I will naturally discuss matters here.”

Before Jiang Yueyi could respond, Jiang Chao interrupted impatiently, “After inviting me so many times and making me wait this long, I see your mansion really wants to take this to court?”

Lady Feng was on the verge of breaking down from waiting for Qi Hao. Hearing Jiang Chao’s threat, she couldn’t help but say, “This morning I heard that Madam Su is critically ill. Hao’er must be delayed by that, not intentionally avoiding you.”

Qi Yuan, who had remained silent all along, knew that Lady Feng’s words would only add fuel to the fire. He had thought she, shrewd as she was, would not lose composure over family matters, but concern for her son had caused her to lose composure.

“Old Madam and Sister-in-law, please go rest first,” Qi Yuan interjected, cutting off their argument. “I will stay here with Uncle and wait for Elder Brother to return.”

Since Qi Yuan had previously tipped off the Jiang family, he held some favor with Jiang Chao. Seeing him step forward, Jiang Chao could hardly refuse his gesture. But having waited until this hour, he couldn’t leave now—that would be admitting defeat.

Yet Jiang Yueyi had come with every intention of getting Jiang Chao to return home. She had missed her chance to speak earlier, but now she said, “Father, come home with me first. We can discuss everything another day.”

“Another day? They’re already stepping all over you!” Jiang Chao fumed. He wanted to scold his daughter some more, but stopped when he realized the Qi family would see him lose face.

Just as the dispute was still unsettled, a man came stumbling in from outside. The crowd looked closely and saw it was Xing’an.

Lady Feng remembered that Xing’an had helped Su Hengniang harm Jiang Yueyi and was about to order him seized when Xing’an cried out, “Old Madam, this is terrible! Madam Su has passed away!”