Chapter 16 — I Will Discipline Her

“Who was that woman?!”

“I don’t know. It was too dark last night, I couldn’t see clearly. But I’m certain she wasn’t one of the maids from Songhe Garden. Otherwise, why would he need to carry her back from outside?”

“The Eldest Young Master has always been proper and restrained, avoiding women altogether—he hasn’t even kept a bed servant. How could he suddenly favor some girl? Could it be a new maid in the estate?”

“Perhaps not a maid at all—maybe someone from outside. Why else would they be so secretive? Who knows… maybe from one of those brothels…”

The little maids gasped, covering their mouths.
“The Eldest Young Master going to a place like that? Impossible!”

“What do you know? All men go there eventually. Besides, women from such places are skilled in seduction. How else could one ensnare a man who’s never shown interest in women before?”

Wanru’s hand clenched tightly around her handkerchief, her teeth biting into her lip until it blanched.

“No wonder Miss Jiang suddenly came today. Could it be she heard some rumor and rushed over on purpose?”

“That’s very possible. The talk has already spread throughout the estate since early morning. The marriage hasn’t even been formally settled yet—could the Jiang family back out because of this?”

“The Jiang family? With their standing, marrying into the Xie family is already a blessing. They wouldn’t dare give it up so easily…”

The maids chattered endlessly about Xie Xianyu and Jiang Xuejun’s marriage. Wanru, however, could no longer stand to listen. She left in haste.

---

Qingfeng Pavilion.

“You came at just the right time today. Xian’er happens to be resting at home. I’ve already sent for him. Your marriage is nearly settled, yet you’ve hardly had a chance to speak properly.”

The First Madam’s tone was warm. She was very satisfied with the daughter-in-law she had chosen herself.

Jiang Xuejun smiled gently.
“Yesterday at the poetry gathering, Sister Xiuzhu mentioned how much she liked the tea cakes made by our family’s cook. So I had a box made specially for her.”

Her maid stepped forward, opening an ornate box filled with delicate cakes.

Xie Xiuzhu’s eyes lit up and she happily accepted it.
“Thank you, Sister Xuejun!”

“You greedy child,” the First Madam teased. “Look how quickly you react when food is mentioned.”

Xiuzhu hugged the box with delight.
“Mother, you don’t know—Jiang family’s cook is amazing. Their pastries are the best!”

She added curiously:
“I heard the cook was brought from Jiangnan? Eldest Brother just returned from Jiangnan as well. Perhaps he’ll like them too!”

Jiang Xuejun lowered her gaze with a smile.
“I don’t know whether the Eldest Young Master likes them, but I prepared a box for him as well.”

“You’re thoughtful indeed,” the First Madam said approvingly.

Just then, Zhuqing hurried in and whispered something in her ear.

The Madam’s expression darkened slightly. She turned to Xiuzhu.
“Entertain your Sister Jiang for me.”

Then she rose and stepped outside.

Her voice grew stern.
“What you said—are you certain it’s true?”

“A rumor spread among the servants. Someone claims to have seen it with her own eyes. I had the girl brought here—she’s kneeling now, you may question her yourself.”

Two matrons dragged in a maid, who immediately kowtowed.
“Madam, forgive me! I was wrong!”

“You said you saw the Eldest Young Master last night?” the Madam pressed.

“Yes, Madam. I wouldn’t dare lie. The Eldest Young Master carried a woman back to Songhe Garden himself.”

“What woman?”

“It was too dark, I couldn’t see clearly.”

The Madam’s brows furrowed.
“You’re certain it was a woman?”

The maid hesitated, then nodded blankly.
“Yes.”

The Madam’s expression eased slightly. So, he merely disdained the women arranged for him at home.

“You dare spread gossip about your master? Drag her out, five strokes of the board. If there’s a next time, she’ll be sold off immediately.”

The maid wept with relief.
“Thank you, Madam, for sparing me!”

Once the girl was dragged away, Xie Xianyu entered.

“Mother.” He saluted.

The Madam’s tone was heavy.
“Today rumors are flying through the estate—that last night you carried a woman back to Songhe Garden. Is it true?”

He was unsurprised, his face calm.
“Yes.”

“Who was she? You’ve rejected every bed maid sent to you—I don’t recall which family this girl belongs to. She isn’t from some brothel, is she…”

“You worry too much, Mother. She is of clean background. After I marry, I will bring her in properly.”

The Madam could tell he wasn’t willing to reveal her identity. Frowning, she said:
“But for her to let you carry her openly—it was far too improper!”

“She has grown a bit too willful. I will discipline her.” His tone was faint, without emotion.

The Madam sighed.
“So be it. But your marriage is imminent. We must consider the Jiang family’s face. If such matters reach them, how are we to explain?”

“Speak plainly. If the Jiang family is dissatisfied, then let the engagement end. It makes no difference to me.”

He never cared for the Jiang family’s so-called prestige anyway.

The Madam frowned deeply.
“Snowjun is a sensible girl. She won’t quibble over such things. But still, you two have hardly spent any time together. She is here today—at least speak with her.”

“Since the engagement isn’t finalized, propriety forbids us meeting privately. Please send my regards instead.”

The Madam was irritated.
“Now you remember propriety? When you flaunted yourself carrying a woman yesterday, did propriety cross your mind then?”

Her words were cut off by Xiuzhu’s cheerful cry inside.
“Is that Eldest Brother?!”

Jiang Xuejun and Xiuzhu stepped out.

Seeing him, Jiang Xuejun’s cheeks flushed. She hurried forward and bowed.
“Greetings, Young Master Xie.”

“Miss Jiang.” He returned the courtesy.

She held out a box of pastries shyly.
“I heard you just returned from Jiangnan. I don’t know if you like Jiangnan’s sweets, but I prepared some.”

“I don’t care for them. Give them to Xiuzhu, she loves such things.”

Jiang Xuejun’s smile faltered slightly, while Xiuzhu beamed and snatched them up.
“Then they’re all mine!”

Just then, a servant reported:
“Someone from the Ministry of Justice came—there are issues with a case.”

“I must go. Mother, please entertain our guest. Excuse me.” He bowed again and left.

Jiang Xuejun forced down her disappointment.
“Of course. Duty comes first.”

The Madam could only sigh. She took Jiang Xuejun’s hand.
“Tomorrow we’ll send the formal betrothal gifts. Since the engagement is nearly set, propriety must be observed. Once you’re married, you’ll see him every day.”

She patted her hand gently.
“Xian’er has always been focused on affairs of state, rarely on household matters. But this marriage—though arranged by us—was still with his consent. He agreed to you himself. Rest assured.”

Jiang Xuejun’s face reddened softly. She nodded.

“Since you’re here, why not walk in the garden? You didn’t get to enjoy it last time.”

“Then let Sister Xiuzhu accompany me.”

The Madam hesitated, glanced at her simple-minded daughter, and agreed.
“Very well.”

“Come on, I’ll show you the flowers! They’re beautiful right now!” Xiuzhu chirped, dragging her along.

The two left Qingfeng Pavilion, maids trailing behind.

Jiang Xuejun asked cautiously:
“Does the Eldest Young Master keep any women in his chambers?”

Xiuzhu replied instantly:
“No! Eldest Brother dislikes women. The maids in his courtyard are all very proper. Any with crooked thoughts were sent away long ago. Don’t worry—once you marry in, it’ll be easy!”

“But I heard… he carried a favored woman back last night.”

“Nonsense! Eldest Brother would never do something so improper. He’s the strictest about rules!”

Jiang Xuejun fell silent. Clearly, she couldn’t get answers from this girl.

As they turned a corner, a young woman appeared, walking quickly. Her dress was plain, but her face shone with natural beauty, like a lotus from clear water.

“Who is that?” Jiang Xuejun asked.

Xiuzhu glanced over casually.
“Oh, that’s Cousin Wanru, Aunt Third’s niece. She lives here as a guest. She doesn’t like joining lively crowds.”

A faint sense of alarm stirred in Jiang Xuejun’s heart. She stepped forward, smiling politely.
“Miss Xu.”