Chapter 13: Resemblance

Old Madam Xiao shot him a glare. “Do I need you to say that? Yue girl is my flesh and blood; of course I’ll find her the finest young man.”

Jiang Chuyue chimed in, “Any gentleman Grandmother favors must surely be a good match.”

Xiao Ji’s tone suddenly turned cold. With a hard expression, he asked Jiang Chuyue, “Are you in such a hurry to marry? The Sun family in the southern city — merely the rank of a sixth-grade minor official — and they dare try to climb into the household of a third-grade general?”

His voice carried an uncharacteristic edge, almost aggressive.

Jiang Chuyue froze, her nose tingling with a faint ache.

She wasn’t in any hurry to marry.

She had even thought about never marrying at all — staying in her courtyard in the Xiao estate, accompanying Old Madam Xiao, and… Xiao Ji.

But in the end, she was an outsider. Her surname was Jiang. She could not remain in the Xiao family forever. If she stayed unmarried too long, who knew how much gossip would circulate outside?

Holding back the bitterness welling in her chest, she asked, “Brother thinks a sixth-grade official too lowly — does that mean you’d have me marry into a third-grade family in the capital? Is that what you consider a suitable match?”

Xiao Ji turned his face aside without answering.

But he clearly looked angry.

Old Madam Xiao said to him, “Yue girl’s lifelong happiness is what matters most. As long as the husband is considerate and kind, a sixth-grade official is still worth marrying.”

Xiao Ji rose with a stony face. “Grandmother, I’m full. I’ll return to the study to handle official business. Please continue your meal; don’t mind me.”

On the table, barely a few dishes had been touched, and he’d eaten only a few bites of rice. Clearly, he hadn’t had enough, yet he still turned and left.

Old Madam Xiao sighed helplessly.

Fearing Jiang Chuyue might overthink things, she gently told her, “Good child, pay no mind to your brother’s nonsense. The inner courtyards of high-ranking families in the capital are full of tangled intrigue; you’d be at a disadvantage there.”

Jiang Chuyue lowered her gaze and nodded obediently.

She had no appetite for dinner. After hurriedly finishing a bowl of soup, she excused herself from Old Madam Xiao’s quarters.

Leaving Shou’an Hall absent-mindedly, her foot suddenly struck something hard. Looking down, she saw a jade pendant.

It was Xiao Ji’s — the one he always carried, a precious keepsake left by his late parents.

He must have dropped it in his haste.

Clutching the pendant, she hesitated, then decided to return it to his quarters.

Xiao Ji’s residence was spacious, with rows of weapon racks on the terrace. As she headed toward his study, she suddenly heard a woman’s coy, teasing voice from inside.

In the quiet courtyard, the soft gasps were all the more distinct.

“General, this is the study… it’s not proper.”

“Don’t move. You never listen.”

Inside the study were Xiao Ji and his Tenth Concubine, Madam Jiang.

Jiang Chuyue stood frozen for a moment. The sounds inside grew more intense. Gripping the jade pendant, her heart felt as though it shattered into countless pieces.

She gave a bitter little shake of her head. Why did she always have to witness this…

With a numb heart, she walked away under the cold moonlight.

In the small side room of Xiao Ji’s study, the glazed lamp shone brightly.

After an overly heated encounter, Madam Jiang’s cheeks were faintly flushed. She frowned and asked, “General, who has upset you?”

Xiao Ji pressed against her, his fingers tracing her refined brows as though looking at her — and yet looking through her, at someone else. In a hoarse voice, he murmured, “Yue’er, don’t leave me.”

Madam Jiang soothed him softly, “Rest assured, General. I will be yours for life.”

His eyes grew red.

Tightening his hold around her slender waist, he bent down again, not stopping until deep into the night.

…

Xiao Ji had grown busy again lately.

Since their “argument” last time, he rarely sought Jiang Chuyue out.

She thought, perhaps this was for the best. Seeing each other less often would help her grow accustomed to a world without him — and little by little, she could pull him from her heart.

When she eventually married, at least it wouldn’t hurt quite so much.

Spring was bright and warm, the peach blossoms in the garden blooming red as clouds, but Jiang Chuyue preferred not to go out. Sitting by the pavilion over the pond, she idly held a fishing rod.

Baozhu sat beside her, chattering. “Miss, that Wang woman who used to harm you — heh, I hear she’s had her retribution.”

Ever since Old Madam Xiao had her thrown out, Jiang Chuyue had not seen Wang again.

“What retribution?” she asked.

Baozhu grinned. “A few days ago she went out, fell down some steps, split her head open and broke an arm. Do too many bad deeds, and Heaven sends retribution. She deserved it!”

Jiang Chuyue smiled faintly.

One could call it just desserts.

She fished most of the day without catching a single one. Resting her chin in her hand, she gazed at the rippling water, her thoughts wandering back to Xiao Ji.

What was he doing now? Had he had his lunch?

“Miss, Tenth Madam is here,” Baozhu whispered.

Jiang Chuyue’s hand on the rod stilled slightly.

Madam Jiang had been in the household for about ten days now, and she and Jiang Chuyue had yet to have any direct dealings.

Turning, she saw a young woman in a green dress. Madam Jiang’s features were refined and bright, her almond-shaped eyes lively, her figure willowy.

A truly beautiful woman.

Madam Jiang greeted her gently, “This concubine, Jiang Caiyue, greets Second Miss.”

Jiang Chuyue smiled politely. “What brings you to the garden today?”

“The peach blossoms are so fine,” Madam Jiang replied, “I thought to pick a few branches for my room. The General hasn’t been sleeping well; peach wood’s fragrance can soothe the nerves.”

“How thoughtful of Tenth Madam,” Jiang Chuyue said.

“It’s windy by the water,” Madam Jiang added kindly. “Second Miss is slender; you should wear an extra layer.”

“I understand. Thank you for the reminder.”

After the pleasantries, Madam Jiang didn’t linger, going off with her maid to pick flowers.

Reclining on her chaise, Jiang Chuyue could see Madam Jiang moving among the blossoms across the pond.

When she had first entered the household, Jiang Chuyue had wickedly hoped she would be a vain, grasping woman.

That way, she could justify saying Madam Jiang was unworthy of Xiao Ji.

But Madam Jiang did not appear vain at all.

Raised with her father’s careful instruction since childhood, she was gentle, learned, refined, beautiful, and skilled in the arts — almost perfect, save for her humble birth. In every other way, she and Xiao Ji were well-matched.

Even the exacting Old Madam Xiao praised her and intended to have her oversee part of the household affairs.

Jiang Chuyue had a feeling this Tenth Madam would take root deeply in the Xiao estate.

Baozhu, who had been sneaking glances at her earlier, couldn’t hold back. “Miss, I think this Madam Jiang looks five or six parts like you. Especially the eyes — they’re so similar.”