Chapter 14

Someone once said that the joys and sorrows of humans are not connected.

This is clearly a very reasonable statement.

Regarding the news of Zheng Xianzong’s death and the possible storms it might cause, Qiao Ling only found it noisy.

Moreover, at this moment, she was really not in the mood to pay attention to these things.

Because a storm was brewing in the Duke of Yue’s mansion.

A huge storm.

If the two big arguments yesterday and today were just a conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, then when the old lady returned to the mansion, the battle escalated almost immediately.

The old lady, after hearing the whole story, immediately sent someone to summon Mrs. Liang.

Just as Mrs. Liang rarely appeared outside those few places, the old lady actually rarely summoned this daughter-in-law.

Especially after Mrs. Liang entered the family, she, the old lady, raised Jiang Mai, the son of her eldest son’s original wife, and they saw each other even less.

Mrs. Liang knew that trouble was coming, and she was prepared, but she didn’t expect the old lady to be so angry.

Upon entering, she saw the old lady with a face as dark as water, sitting upright at the head of the room.

Mrs. Jiang sat beside her, looking slightly uneasy. When she saw her come in, she looked a little embarrassed, got up, and called out, ” sister-in-law.”

Mrs. Liang nodded to her, “Younger sister-in-law.”

Then she heard the old lady’s sharp voice, “Get down on your knees!”

Mrs. Liang’s face involuntarily froze for a moment.

Seeing this, the old lady sneered, “You’ve been my daughter-in-law for over a decade since you married into the Jiang family. When have I ever asked you to kneel? What, you can bully your daughter-in-law, but I can’t? Kneel down!”

Mrs. Jiang couldn’t sit still, “Mother, I have some things to do…”

The old lady roared, “Sit down, and watch this! Your elder sister-in-law can humiliate her daughter-in-law in front of a courtyard full of servants. Why can’t I make her taste the humiliation in front of her sister-in-law?!”

Mrs. Liang’s shoulders trembled, “How can you do this…”

“Why can’t I?” The old lady’s voice grew louder, with a deep meaning, “You taught me this, Mrs. Liang!”

Mrs. Liang’s eyes welled up, feeling deeply humiliated.

Seeing this, the old lady’s anger subsided slightly, and her straight spine relaxed, “Liang, you’re not stupid. Can’t you see the strangeness in those rumors outside? You know very well that this has nothing to do with Qiao Ling. Why are you venting your anger on her?”

Mrs. Liang said resentfully, “Didn’t she cause this? Why is the King of Lu targeting our family? It’s all because she took in Zhang Yuying! She brought such a big disaster to the mansion, and you’re saying I can’t say a few words to her?”

The old lady’s brows, which had initially softened, furrowed again, “Is the Duke of Yue’s mansion yours alone? You don’t like it, you’re unhappy, and everyone else has to accommodate you? Can you be at peace just by cutting off ties with the people the Prince of Lu dislikes?”

“A petty person like him, as long as you don’t collude with him, he will eventually offend someone else for something. Since that’s the case, what’s the difference between sooner or later?!”

Mrs. Liang finally couldn’t hold back, her tone tinged with mockery, “Why can you sit here and say these things, why can you say it so easily? Is it because it’s your daughter-in-law, not you, who’s being criticized outside?”

Mrs. Jiang, hearing this, was terrified and couldn’t help but advise, “Elder sister-in-law, calm down…”

The old lady’s face turned red with anger, “Those rumors outside, although they were instigated by the Prince of Lu, at their core, weren’t they caused by you?!”

“That’s your legitimate daughter-in-law. When you first met, you were too stingy to give her even a single gift?!”

“It’s fine if you didn’t give her anything, but why did you give her something she wouldn’t use, just to humiliate her?!”

Mrs. Liang’s voice rose, “That’s not a reason for her to openly carry the things out and sell them at a pawnshop, is it? This was originally a matter within the mansion, but now it’s known throughout the capital!”

The old lady stared at her and asked, “Are you saying that you can give her something you know she doesn’t like, just to make her feel bad, but she has to endure it, swallow the bitter fruit, and only then will you be satisfied?”

Mrs. Liang met her mother-in-law’s gaze and retorted, “What, can’t I?”

The old lady looked at her silently for a moment, then finally said, “Liang, do you think I’m like those people who were intimidated by you in the past?”

Mrs. Liang showed a slight fear and looked away, “Of course I wouldn’t dare think that.”

The old lady didn’t respond, but continued, “Do you think I wouldn’t do the same as you did, sending people to your parents with a letter, accusing them of not teaching their daughter properly, bullying their daughter-in-law, and disrespecting their mother-in-law?”

Compared to her previous rage, her tone was calmer now, but the coldness in her words was far greater than before.

Mrs. Liang had to lower her head, “This daughter-in-law wouldn’t dare.”

Seeing this, the old lady smiled, “People treat me with respect, and I treat them with respect. You’ve lived for over 30 years. Don’t you understand this simple principle? Or do you think I’m old and feeble, the Duke’s health is poor, and the Duke of Yue’s mansion will eventually be yours, so you don’t even bother to pretend for a short while?”

Mrs. Liang’s back broke out in a cold sweat. She hurriedly put on a respectful expression and said, “Mother-in-law is wise. This daughter-in-law would never have such thoughts!”

“Whether you have such thoughts, you know in your heart. There’s no need to say it out loud.”

The old lady’s tone was still amicable, but the smile on her face faded slightly, “I’m not just here for Qiao, I’m also here for Hongdu.”

Hongdu was the courtesy name of Jiang Mai, the Duke of Yue.

“She’s his wife. Although they haven’t married yet, everyone knows she’s the future Duke of Yue. What were you trying to do by bringing people over with such fanfare today?”

“Did you want to drag Qiao out and beat her? Beat her until she’s paralyzed, or even kill her?”

“Liang, you’re not just looking down on Qiao, you’re also looking down on Hongdu. You think he’s going to die, you think he’s going to die soon, you think the Duke’s position is already safely in your own son’s pocket, so you dare to be so reckless, so bold as to drag the future Duchess of Yue out to be beaten in the Duke of Yue’s mansion!”

Mrs. Liang’s cold sweat dripped down, and she unconsciously knelt down, “Mother-In-Law, I really didn’t mean to, I was just angry…”

The hall was silent. Even the servants, and even the second Mrs. Jiang, held their breath.

The old lady waved her hand, “Help your mistress up. I didn’t ask her to kneel for over a decade, and I don’t need her to kneel today.”

“I’m telling you clearly today,” The old lady looked at her eldest daughter-in-law and said slowly, “If you dare to target Qiao again, and cause anything to happen to Jiang Yu, I will petition the Inheritants, accusing you of harboring ill intentions, trying to seize the title by forcing your stepson to death. You have a son, don’t I?”

She served tea and sent the guest off.

Mrs. Liang, supported by her maid, stumbled out of the door. As she stepped down the stairs, she almost fell headfirst.

She forced herself to stand steady, and tears streamed down her face.

Shame, humiliation, and a vague sense of grievance…

Since she was born, she had never been reprimanded like this, with someone pointing a finger in her face.

The old lady hadn’t even used a single curse word, and she was so unsteady that her knees buckled, and she fell to her knees.

There was nothing more effective in breaking the spine of a person who was always proud.

Not only Mrs. Liang, but even the second Mrs. Jiang, even after leaving the house and returning to her own courtyard, still felt her heart beating rapidly. It took a long time for her to calm down.

The old lady was her great-aunt. Since she married into the family, the old lady had always been kind to her—not just to her, but also to Mrs. Liang. That’s why she was so shocked to see the old lady’s thunderous methods today, even her own niece was frightened.

The second Mrs. Jiang knew very well that for someone as proud as her elder sister-in-law, it was like a stab in the heart to have her own sister-in-law, whom she didn’t think much of, witness her being verbally abused by the old lady to the point of involuntarily kneeling down.

“This is really…”

She clutched her chest and sighed, “I hope this is over.”

Mrs. Liang fell ill when she got back.

She wasn’t faking it, she was truly sick.

Qiao Ling knew that Mrs. Liang had been summoned by the old lady, but she didn’t expect her to fall ill because of it. She was surprised when she heard about it.

Zhang Yuying whispered to her privately, “Could she be faking it?”

Qiao Ling shook her head, “She’s so proud, she wouldn’t fake an illness. And because she was just reprimanded by the old lady, she’s even more stubborn. She wouldn’t let anyone know if she had a minor ailment. Now that she’s ill, it shows that she’s truly sick.”

Zhang Yuying hesitated and asked, “Then what about us here…”

“Let’s just pretend we don’t know?”

Qiao Ling herself was a little unsure, “If it were the Duke, maybe I could send Jinzi over, but Mrs. Liang doesn’t seem to like my little dog either.”

But after noon, Mrs. Luo, the Duke’s wet nurse, sent someone to deliver a message, “The Duke, in his and the lady’s name, has sent someone to inquire after the mistress’s health.”

Zhang Yuying breathed a sigh of relief.

Qiao Ling asked, “Is he alright?”

The servant looked a little helpless, “He’s still the same.”

Qiao Ling couldn’t help but sigh.

The Duke of Yue’s mansion briefly returned to peace, but the storm in the Zheng family hadn’t stopped.

Although Zheng Xianzong was indeed tyrannical and greedy, he was the pillar of the Zheng family. His sudden death was like losing a keystone in a building. Mrs. Ruan had children, but they were all still unmarried, and it was difficult for them to hold the fort in such a hurry.

How should the funeral be arranged? Who should be invited?

Would the servants who managed the estates and shops for the Zheng family, seeing that Zheng Xianzong was gone and the mistress, Mrs. Ruan, was kind, take advantage of the situation to bully others or embezzle funds?

Moreover, they had to be wary of Mrs. Ruan’s family, using their kinship as an excuse to pounce on the crumbling Zheng family and take a big bite out of them…

At this critical moment, it was Zhang Yuzhen who took over from her aunt, Mrs. Ruan, and managed to stabilize the situation.

“For my uncle’s funeral, we need to send out invitations widely. Everyone who came to inquire about the case, regardless of whether they intend to come or not, should be invited. The weaker we appear, the grander the occasion should be. That way, the scoundrels will be afraid to act up for a while!”

Speaking of this, her mood became a little complex. She whispered to Mrs. Ruan privately, “When my uncle was alive, I thought he was no better than a pig or a dog. I wished he would die soon so everyone could be at peace. Now that he’s really dead, I realize his benefits…”

Mrs. Ruan remained silent.

Zhang Yuzhen was just talking casually, then she smiled bitterly again, “My uncle treated us like pigs and dogs, but he was very close to his comrades-in-arms. Over the years, he must have made some good friends. We still need to continue supporting those 121 households that Yu Suqing mentioned. It’s also a way to show our family’s attitude to the outside world.”

She continued, “Once the news of the death is announced, if any of my uncle’s comrades-in-arms want to come to offer condolences, they will come to the house before the funeral ceremony. At that time, we should send a few younger sisters to greet them, to maintain the family’s reputation. We still have to rely on them for support.”

Mrs. Ruan agreed to everything. Soon, several of Zheng Xianzong’s comrades-in-arms and old friends came to visit. In particular, one who was now the Shaoqing of the Guanglu Temple, after offering condolences, mentioned that he wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Zheng family.

Mrs. Ruan’s children were young, and she urgently needed someone to help support the family, but when someone actually came, she felt uneasy.

Her family might take advantage of the Zheng family’s lack of a head and try to take a big bite out of them. And Zheng Xianzong’s so-called comrades-in-arms weren’t necessarily not wolves!

Mrs. Ruan couldn’t decide, so she sent someone to call her niece. And because it involved her son, Zheng Lan’s marriage, and the boy had previously followed his father to entertain guests in the front yard, she also called him over.

Zhang Yuzhen didn’t rush to speak, because she didn’t know Zheng Xianzong’s personal relationships. Without information, she couldn’t give a sound opinion.

But Zheng Lan, Mrs. Ruan’s son, readily agreed, “Uncle Lu has been friends with Father for many years. They served together in the North, like brothers. There’s no one more reliable than him. Marrying into the Lu family would be the best. Mother should agree to it.”

Mrs. Ruan, listening to her son’s eloquent speech, felt reassured. She confirmed one last time, “Are you sure you want to agree to him?”

Zheng Lan nodded affirmatively, “Agree to him!”

He was actually still young, only eleven years old, a few years younger than his cousin.

Zhang Yuzhen watched from the side, and suddenly felt a strange fear.

She thought, “When I was eleven, could I have decided my future marriage in such a short time?”

Probably not.

But it wasn’t strange. Everyone knew this cousin was born intelligent, and even though his uncle was tyrannical, he was always kind to him.

Having started this train of thought, Zhang Yuzhen couldn’t help but think, during these days of welcoming and sending off guests, this cousin never expressed his own opinion, always agreeing with her… what was he thinking?

Did he really not suspect anything about Zheng Xianzong’s death?

Zhang Yuzhen suddenly felt uneasy.

“….Yuzhen, Yuzhen?”

Zhang Yuzhen came to her senses and saw Mrs. Ruan’s questioning face.

She said with concern, “What’s wrong with you? You don’t even respond when I call you. Have you been overworked these past few days?”

Zheng Lan also looked worried, “Otherwise, let’s find a doctor to take a look. I see that Sister Yuzhen doesn’t look well.”

Zhang Yuzhen’s lips moved, and finally she smiled, “I’m fine. I’ll be fine after resting.”

The Prince of Lu’s mansion.

Yu Man told the Prince Lu, who was shooting arrows on the training ground, “I heard that Your Highness’s aunt is ill. Would you like to send someone to inquire after her health?”

The bowstring released, and there was a sharp “whoosh.” Yu Man’s gaze fell on the target in the distance, and saw that the arrow had hit the right side of the target, crookedly.

Seeing this, the King of Lu didn’t get angry.

His outer robe was half-on, half-off, with the left sleeve hanging down and tied together with the leather belt around his waist. His strong arms were exposed.

He adjusted the bowstring and shot another arrow.

This arrow hit the bullseye.

An attendant brought a handkerchief, which he took and wiped his sweat, then casually threw it back. “What my aunt should be worried about now is not her health.”

“Besides,” he said with a slight smile, “She probably knows about the joke I made to her earlier. If I rashly go to her, she’ll probably be even angrier. You know how arrogant my aunt is.”

Yu Man smiled and said nothing.

The Prince Lu stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then finally sighed and said with pity, “I have Military Commander and my close associates to serve me here in the mansion. But I wonder if my good cousin has such dedicated servants in the Hongwen Academy…”

Yu Man understood and said, “Your Highness, rest assured. There will naturally be people to relieve Second Master Jiang’s worries.”

The King of Lu laughed heartily and patted his subordinate’s shoulder. He had someone lead a horse over and prepared to go out of the city to stay in the mountains for a few days, to avoid any possible storms.

The horse under him was well-trained. When he left the gate, he just had to indicate the direction, and the horse knew where to go. But today, for some reason, when the King of Lu told it to go south, it turned east.

The King of Lu was slightly surprised, then suddenly smiled and let the horse go where it wanted.

The attendants noticed that the direction their master was going was different from the planned route, and they also found it strange. But seeing that the King of Lu didn’t say anything, they didn’t dare to show any unusual expression, so they followed in silence.

The horse continued eastward and finally stopped in front of a teahouse.

There was only one customer inside, a man in his thirties, dressed in a Taoist robe, with a celestial air. When he saw the Prince Lu, he smiled slightly at him.

The King of Lu dismounted and casually threw the reins to his attendant. He bowed to the man and said, “Master has invited me here. I wonder what you have to say?”

The Taoist clearly understood the principle of “not speaking unless it’s shocking,” and his first words were, “Your Highness, Prince Lu, you are about to meet your death!”

When the news came, Qiao Ling was making a tassel in the courtyard.

Although she was a little clumsy, it was still presentable.

Zhang Yuying came in from outside and saw her sitting by the lamp, carefully choosing colors. After a long time, she finally settled on one, rubbed her hands, and started working.

Zhang Yuying couldn’t help but smile and lit another lamp to read a book nearby.

Jinzi wagged its tail and came in. It found its little nest in the corner and lay down, its black eyes blinking at its owner.

After about half an hour, Qiao Ling finally felt tired, “That’s enough for today!”

Zhang Yuying went over to have a look and was a little surprised to see how well-made they were, “The colors are too young. They’re not suitable for elders…”

The old lady didn’t need to be mentioned, she was already quite old. Mrs. Liang was a widow, and only Mrs. Jiang was still young, so she could barely use them.

But Qiao Ling said, “I’m not making these for elders.”

She took one and tied it around Zhang Yuying’s waist, “This is for you. The one on the table is for the Duke. The rest, I have other plans for them!”

Zhang Yuying’s expression shifted slightly, then she lowered her head. She saw that Qiao Ling was also looking down, her hands moving as she carefully tied the tassel around her waist.

Zhang Yuying couldn’t help but say, “Why is there one for me?”

Qiao Ling said matter-of-factly, “You’re the first friend I’ve made since I came to the Divine Capital!”

Zhang Yuying’s heart felt like it had been scorched by a flame, and it skipped a beat. At that moment, Fangyi rushed over in a panic, “Lady!”

Qiao Ling was a little surprised, “What’s wrong?”

Fangyi’s personality was a little lively but not impetuous. For her to be in such a state, it must be something serious.

Fangyi looked at her, panting, “I’m here to tell you, don’t go out for the next few days. Just stay in the courtyard.”

Qiao Ling’s expression turned serious. She stood up, “What happened?”

Fangyi told her with difficulty, “The young master is in trouble.”

The one who was actually in trouble wasn’t Mrs. Liang’s son, Jiang Yu, but Jiang Yu’s servant, Gu Yu.

During today’s horseback riding lesson, Gu Yu accidentally bumped into Zheng Guogong’s grandson, Chen Xu, and broke his jade pendant.

Chen Xu immediately flew into a rage and whipped Gu Yu several times before he would stop. He then persuaded his followers to tie Gu Yu up, attach him to a horse, and drag him for nearly a hundred meters.

Qiao Ling closed her eyes and asked, “Where is the young master now?”

Fangyi whispered, “He’s with the mistress.”

Qiao Ling nodded and asked again, “What about Gu Yu?”

Fangyi said, “After the incident, the young master called the assistant teacher over and had a doctor see Gu Yu. He’ll probably need to recuperate for a few months.”

Qiao Ling asked, “What did the assistant teacher say about this?”

A hint of sadness appeared in Fangyi’s eyes, “What could he say? After all, Gu Yu is just a servant, not a noble young master. The Chen family’s young master hit him, it’s understandable. It’s just that his actions were a bit excessive…”

In the end, she gave a wry smile and said to Qiao Ling, “The mistress is just recovering, and the young master has also returned. You should avoid going out for the next few days.”

Qiao Ling thanked her for her kindness, but said, “I need to go over there.”

Fangyi wanted to persuade her, but Qiao Ling was very determined. Seeing this, Fangyi could only sigh and finally let her go.

Zhang Yuying didn’t try to persuade her either, but she was a little restless, “If Mrs. Liang scolds us later, just bear with it…”

Qiao Ling gritted her teeth, “That damned dog, the Prince Lu!”

Jinzi barked a clear “Woof!” from beside her.

Qiao Ling sighed, half-squatted down and patted its head, “I’m not talking about you.”

She gave the servants in the courtyard a few instructions and immediately went to Mrs. Liang’s place.

Mrs. Liang, having been ill, had a pale complexion. When she saw Qiao Ling, her eyebrows were not eyebrows, and her eyes were not eyes, “You Jinx, how dare you come here?!”

She then glared at Zhang Yuying, “You’re the biggest jinx of all jinxes!”

The two of them meekly agreed.

Mrs. Liang cursed a few more times, and the two of them listened with their heads bowed.

Finally, Mrs. Liang herself got tired of it, “Go away, don’t let me see you!”

But Qiao Ling said, “We can’t just let it go. It’s fine for Gu Yu, he’s just a servant, but he actually scared the second brother into getting sick…”

Mrs. Liang, already full of anger, couldn’t help but erupt when she heard this, “You’re talking nonsense!”

In her anger, she swore, “You’re the one who’s sick!”

Qiao Ling continued, “Our family only has two sons. The Duke is not well, and now you’ve scared the second brother into getting sick. What kind of heart does that damned dog from the Chen family have! We can’t just let this go!”

Mrs. Liang’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she looked at Qiao Ling thoughtfully.

Qiao Ling confidently winked at her.

Mrs. Liang gave her a disgusted look, turned her head, thought for a moment, and finally said, “Yu’er is sick. Make him stay in his room and don’t let him go out.”

She then called her maid over, “Go back and ask my mother for a ginseng root that’s been aged for years. Go right away, be quick!”

The maid was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood. She glanced at Qiao Ling and went to do as she was told.

Mrs. Liang arrogantly stretched out her hand.

Qiao Ling diligently stepped forward and took her arm.

Mrs. Liang said, “I’m accepting your suggestion, not because I want to reconcile with you, but because there are external enemies, and we can’t let people outside the mansion laugh at us. Understand?”

Qiao Ling bowed and nodded repeatedly, “I understand, I understand.”