Chapter 20: Never Wrong Yourself

That gaze was far too cold.

It was as if Jiang Chuyue had done something filthy and shameful.

Her fingers twisted at the hem of her clothes, her heart feeling as though a sharp blade had stabbed straight through it.

Xiao Ji carried Madam Jiang away in long strides.

His back was indifferent and merciless.

Old Madam Xiao’s face showed displeasure. She gently patted Jiang Chuyue’s hand:
“Don’t take your brother’s words to heart. You just focus on managing the household. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come and ask Grandmother.”

Jiang Chuyue lowered her lashes, their shadow falling over her eyes:
“Mm, I understand.”

---

Night fell deep and still.

After finishing his official duties, Xiao Ji returned to rest in Madam Jiang’s chambers. The room was bright with candlelight, and Madam Jiang sat at the desk, a ledger in her hands.

He stood at the doorway, watching her for a long while.

Sensing movement, she lifted her lovely eyes, delight on her face:
“General, you’ve returned.”

Xiao Ji walked in, glancing at the ledger in her hands:
“You’re still reading the accounts?”

Madam Jiang answered gently:
“I’m checking this ledger for any errors, so tomorrow I can send it to Second Young Miss. It’s her first time managing the household, she lacks experience—I’ll help her behind the scenes.”

Xiao Ji nodded, approving her approach.

Her eyes flickered, and she deliberately sighed:
“General, this time it was my fault. I only wanted to save the household some silver for your sake—who would have thought it would earn Old Madam’s scolding?”

She feigned grievance, painting Jiang Chuyue as a spoiled young lady who squandered wealth like dirt.

She wanted Xiao Ji to take her side.

After all, she had reduced the expenses in Jiang Chuyue’s courtyard entirely to save him money—an unimpeachable reason.

Most men, faced with a woman who considered them in all things, would be moved.

But Xiao Ji said instead:
“You were indeed at fault.”

Madam Jiang froze for a moment in surprise.

Xiao Ji continued:
“Xiaoyue lost her parents at a young age and has no one to rely on. Even if she wanted three bolts of floating brocade—ten bolts, a hundred bolts—so long as she desires them, the General’s Mansion can provide.”

Madam Jiang’s fingers tightened around the ledger.

She hadn’t expected that not only did Old Madam Xiao indulge Jiang Chuyue, even the man she shared a bed with was entirely partial to her.

She was unwilling to accept it.

Why did Jiang Chuyue deserve so much love?

Even though her heart churned violently, she could not show defiance. She acted submissive, nodding softly:
“The General is right. This concubine will not make the same mistake again.”

In the bright candlelight, her beautiful eyes looked up at him in obedient devotion. Xiao Ji’s black eyes narrowed slightly, and he couldn’t help but reach out to caress her face.

Madam Jiang knew that look well. She set down the ledger and called to him with tenderness:
“General…”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he lowered his head to kiss her.

The candles burned, the ledger lay quietly on the desk, and the wooden bed creaked for a long time.

---

At dawn, Xiao Ji went to court. After washing and dressing, Madam Jiang went to visit Dujuan in the side room.

Dujuan, having been given a spanking the day before, was still lying in her own quarters nursing her injury.

Seeing Madam Jiang, she cried out in grievance:
“Madam, Second Young Miss is so cruel—ten strokes nearly killed me. You must get justice for me.”

Madam Jiang sighed:
“I am but a concubine—how can I decide for you? From now on, speak cautiously, don’t say everything that comes to mind.”

Tears streamed down Dujuan’s cheeks, her voice bitter:
“Second Young Miss even stole your household authority. Hmph—what does a pampered young miss know of managing a household? She’s bound to make a fool of herself.”

Madam Jiang also did not believe Jiang Chuyue could manage.

To her, Jiang Chuyue was nothing more than a coddled vase. She didn’t know what stroke of luck had led Old Madam Xiao and Xiao Ji to dote on and favor her so much.

Madam Jiang said:
“Let’s just wait and see. I don’t believe she can run the household well.”

---

Elsewhere, this was indeed Jiang Chuyue’s first time managing—but she was not flustered.

Raised since childhood by Old Madam Xiao’s side, she had learned firsthand how to handle the inner household while Old Madam was in charge.

Jiang Chuyue had received her grandmother’s teaching, but never put it into practice.

Now, for the first time, she took over the authority to manage.

She carried a stubborn resolve in her heart.

Xiao Ji didn’t believe she could manage the Xiao household—so she would prove herself and make him look at her in a new light.

In the days that followed, she threw herself wholly into the work. Whenever she faced difficulties, she went to seek Old Madam Xiao’s guidance.

With her diligence and her grandmother’s patient instruction, she quickly mastered all matters of the inner residence, arranging everything in perfect order.

One day, as she read through the Xiao household’s ledgers, she realized her own monthly expenses were indeed large. She rubbed her forehead:
“In truth, Madam Jiang was not wrong. The expenses for my courtyard each month really are too high.”

Precious medicines for beauty and health, the most fashionable fabrics in the capital, and the popular jewelry favored by noble daughters—Old Madam Xiao bought them all for her.

Everything other young ladies had, Jiang Chuyue had in equal measure.

Baozhu, however, disagreed:
“Miss, you are the only young lady of the General’s Mansion. Your status is noble—it’s only right for you to eat and wear the finest.”

Jiang Chuyue set down the ledger:
“Still, some unnecessary expenses should be cut, to save the household some silver.”

She quietly reduced her courtyard’s spending. Yet two days later, Old Madam Xiao summoned her to Shou’an Hall for questioning.

Pointing to the ledger on the table, Old Madam said in vexation:
“You girl—who told you to cut your courtyard’s expenses? If other young ladies wear cicada-wing gauze in spring, you must have cicada-wing gauze too.”

Jiang Chuyue smiled and took her grandmother’s arm:
“Grandmother, my rooms are full of fine silks—I can’t wear them all.”

Old Madam pinched her nose in mock anger:
“The General’s Mansion’s silver is not ill-gotten—it’s the accumulation of generations, the income from lands and shops. Don’t you go trying to save it for me.”

Jiang Chuyue opened her palm in mock distress:
“Grandmother, I truly can’t use that much money.”

Old Madam:
“Be good—spend when you should, use what you should. When you marry, half my fortune will be your dowry. I only want you to live well, to be the happiest girl in Daqing.”

A sting rose in Jiang Chuyue’s nose.

Looking up, she saw a few glaring silver strands among her grandmother’s hair. Old Madam was already aged, but her love was as warm as ever.

A tide of bittersweet emotion surged in her chest. She leaned into her grandmother’s embrace:
“Thank you, Grandmother, for being so good to me…”

Old Madam gently patted her back:
“Good child, never wrong yourself—do you understand?”

Jiang Chuyue lowered her lashes and nodded softly.