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Shen Tang rushed to the Cuibai Courtyard, bypassing the maids and entering the room directly.
She walked past the embroidered screen depicting flowers, birds, landscapes, and mountains, and saw Madam Jiang, the matriarch of the Jiang Family, sitting on a reclining couch. Her hair was neatly combed, but her temples were already streaked with gray.
Madam Jiang and the Earl of Yongning’s wife were engaged in a lively conversation.
Old Master Jiang, the family patriarch, held the prestigious position of Imperial Censor. The Jiang Family was renowned for its scholarly traditions. They were not the kind to readily suspect others of ill intentions. The Earl of Yongning’s wife, on the other hand, was known for her social grace and her ability to navigate any situation with ease. Who could have guessed that beneath her charming facade, she had dug such a deep and treacherous pit for the Jiang Family?
As Shen Tang approached, a maid noticed her and said, “Cousin…”
Only then did Madam Jiang notice Shen Tang’s arrival. She was startled at first, and then tears welled up in her eyes.
Shen Tang’s features bore a striking resemblance to the Jiang Family lineage. At first glance, Madam Jiang mistook her for her own daughter.
Shen Tang walked forward, bowed respectfully to Madam Jiang, and choked back a sob as she addressed her, “Grandmother…”
Despite living in the Capital, not far from each other, it felt as if they were separated by hundreds of miles.
Madam Jiang, disregarding the Earl of Yongning’s wife’s presence, beckoned Shen Tang closer, “Come, come, let Grandmother take a good look at you.”
Shen Tang stepped forward, and Madam Jiang clasped her hands tightly in Shen Tang’s. “Didn’t you get injured? Why aren’t you resting at the Pingyuan Marquis Manor? Why did you come to the Jiang Family?”
Shen Tang’s nose twitched, “I came to pay my respects to you and Grandfather on behalf of Mother today.”
Prince Jingyang’s son had fallen into a coma. Yet, Shen Tang had boldly declared that he would awaken without the need for a rushed marriage, even wagering her own life. This incident, along with the empty sedan chair returning to Prince Jingyang’s Manor, had spread like wildfire, becoming common knowledge throughout the Capital.
Upon Prince Jingyang’s son’s recovery, everyone became even more curious. Shen Tang had fainted, and Consort Ye had summoned the Second Madam to the palace for questioning. The rumor that Shen Tang had refused the marriage based on a dream from her deceased mother spread like wildfire.
As a result of this incident, incense and paper money had been sold out in the Capital for two days. The demand was overwhelming, as people sought to appease their ancestors and seek their protection.
Thinking of her deceased daughter, Madam Jiang wept uncontrollably, “It’s the Jiang Family’s fault… We failed your father and your mother…”
Shen Tang shook her head, “Mother never blamed the Jiang Family. She asked you and Grandfather to take care of yourselves, and to protect cousin. Don’t let her be taken advantage of by those with wicked hearts…”
The first part of her statement sounded normal, but the latter part left everyone confused.
Jiang Li stared at Shen Tang, and Madam Jiang’s heart skipped a beat. The Earl of Yongning’s wife’s reaction was even more pronounced.
She had been discussing a marriage proposal with Madam Jiang, seeking to arrange a union between her son and the eldest Madam Jiang. Now, the Second Miss of the Pingyuan Marquis Manor had arrived, and in front of this outsider, grandmother and granddaughter were engaged in a tearful exchange. It was an awkward situation. She tried to blend in by holding a cup of tea, but as soon as she lifted it, she heard the words “taken advantage of.” Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Shen Tang, her gaze meeting Shen Tang’s.
A flicker of coldness in Shen Tang’s eyes startled her, causing her to lose her grip on the teacup and spill it.
The Earl of Yongning’s wife’s spilled tea created a commotion in the room.
The maids rushed to wipe up the spilled tea, but the Earl of Yongning’s wife could no longer stay. She hurriedly said, “I must take my leave.”
Before Madam Jiang could respond, the Earl of Yongning’s wife rose and left.
She hurried away, as if she were being chased out with a broom.
Although Madam Jiang was eager to know why Shen Tang had said to protect her daughter, she was a guest, and it was inappropriate to leave without escorting her. So, she went out.
Madam Jiang found the Earl of Yongning’s wife’s panic and Shen Tang’s gaze towards her strange…
As the Earl of Yongning’s wife left in a flustered state, Madam Jiang turned her attention back to Shen Tang, “About the Earl of Yongning’s wife, what was that about…?”
Shen Tang said indignantly, “She has a guilty conscience.”
A guilty conscience?
Madam Jiang was taken aback.
Could it be that the Earl of Yongning’s wife was the one plotting against Li’er…?
Even at this moment, Madam Jiang refused to suspect anyone of ill intentions. Shen Tang continued, “The Earl of Yongning’s son is afflicted with a serious illness, his life hanging by a thread. He is on the verge of death. Once he passes away, the title of heir will automatically fall to Young Master Li. Yet, The Earl of Yongning’s wife is now preoccupied with seeking a marriage for her second son, who is not in a hurry to marry. Doesn’t that seem strange to you, Grandmother?”
This was indeed peculiar.
While everyone believed that the Earl of Yongning’s son’s illness was likely terminal and that the title of heir would be Young Master Li’s for the taking, the Earl of Yongning’s son was still alive, and Young Master Li was not yet the heir.
A wedding for a mere son would be of a lower standard than one for the heir.
Furthermore, Young Master Li was still young. He could wait until he became the heir to discuss marriage. It was indeed a bit too hasty.
However, it was understandable for a mother to want her son to marry and have grandchildren soon…
Thinking back to the Earl of Yongning’s wife’s panic, it seemed she was indeed hiding something.
A suspicion flashed through Madam Jiang’s mind, causing her expression to darken. She looked at Shen Tang, who suppressed her anger and said, “The Earl of Yongning Family is attempting to deceive everyone. They are using the pretext of marrying their second son to arrange a rushed marriage for their dying heir.”
Madam Jiang gasped in shock.
Madam Jiang was so angry that her lips trembled.
Jiang Li turned pale.
If the Earl of Yongning’s wife hadn’t fled in such a panic, they might have suspected that Shen Tang had misunderstood. But before Shen Tang had even finished speaking, The Earl of Yongning’s wife had fled in fear.
“They are outrageous!”
Madam Jiang’s anger was as intense as her previous joy.
She was so furious that she began to cough violently.
Shen Tang quickly reached out to pat her back and soothe her.
“Grandmother, don’t get so upset… It’s not good for your health…”
How could Madam Jiang not be upset? If Shen Tang hadn’t arrived in time, she would have agreed to the marriage.
Fearing that Madam Jiang would become ill, Shen Tang changed the subject, “I have good news for you, Grandmother.”
Madam Jiang looked at Shen Tang, who said, “In my dream, Mother told me that Big Brother is still alive. He’s in the Capital. She asked Grandfather and Uncle not to send anyone out to look for him anymore.”
Since Big Brother’s disappearance, the Pingyuan Marquis Manor and the Jiang Family had been searching for him for years. But after searching for over a decade, they had found no trace of him.
Many people believed that the Big Brother had been murdered long ago. Even Father had given up hope. Her Uncle had never given up, and at one point, he even wanted to resign from his post to leave the Capital in search of Big Brother. But her Father had stopped him.
Her Father knew that her Big Brother’s disappearance was not the Jiang Family’s fault. The Jiang Family loved her Mother, and the two uncles loved their nephew even more. If they had a choice, her Uncle would rather lose his cousin than have her Big Brother return.
Shen Tang had already informed her Father, Shen Sui, about her Big Brother’s whereabouts in the Capital. But having more people searching would increase their chances of success. Instead of wasting manpower and resources searching throughout the entire Great Qi, it would be better to focus their efforts on finding him in the Capital.
Madam Jiang grabbed Shen Tang’s hand, tears of joy streaming down her face, “Your Big Brother is really in the Capital? You’re not lying to Grandmother, are you?”
Shen Tang shook her head, “You’ll know I’m not lying when we find Big Brother.”