T/N : The rank ‘Senior Marquis’ has been changed to ‘Grand Councillor’ Li Dong. Our translators discussed and found that this title was more accurate. So please don’t get confused, he’s not a new character but the same old scum guy from Ch 1.Chapter 67 : A Ceaselessly Lustful Nature (Part II)
Xia Yan looked expectantly at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan quietly watched her. Was Xia Yan's brain spoiled, to actually beg for help from her? Unfortunately, she slightly smiled, "Mother, what words are these? If I really had money, naturally it would be taken out to save Second Brother. However, as Mother knows, five years ago I went to the countryside residence and the evil servants there bullied their master. The dowry my mother left for me has long been snatched away by those immoral servants." She sighed, "Ruan niang truly has the heart to help but no means."
Xia Yan loosened her hand, blankly staring at her. Jiang Ruan had a tranquil gaze as she maintained eye contact with her, wondering if Xia Yan at this moment was filled with so much regret that her intestines turned green. After all, it was she who had sent her to the village in the first place! She only had herself to blame for today!
In the past, Zhao Mei, in order to marry Jiang Quan, broke off all relations with the Zhao family and therefore had little dowry. However, she was born and raised in that family and had saved some money, adding to this her old jewelry and valuables, it was at least worth about one to two thousand. Xia Yan, in order to maintain her gentle and virtuous facade, never thought of snatching the dowry away. In truth, the items that were taken away at the countryside residence had long been returned when Imperial Censor Wang handled this grievance of hers. It was just that Jiang Ruan had Lian Qiao convert everything to silver certificates, just in case that if one day Xia Yan asked about her dowry, she could righteously refuse.
Xia Yan looked as if her whole body had been hollowed out, and her whole person became limp and feeble on the floor, mumbling, "My Chao'er, is he really at a dead end?"
Jiang Su Su, seeing her in this state could no longer bear it and ran to her side, and the mother and daughter wailed together.
Jiang Li frowned, "Second Brother is really causing too much trouble. The fu truly does not have this much money, moreover, he even enraged father."
Second Yiniang immediately covered Jiang Li's mouth as she understood that now was not the time to add fuel to the fire. As expected, Jiang Quan glared at Jiang Li harshly. Hong Ying, seeing the situation, walked towards the front, "Furen, since it is already like this please do not only think of crying; the fu may not have ten thousand and fifty gold, but it should have a few thousand. Why don't you get someone to go retrieve it now and then negotiate with the people from Bai Hua Lou. Ask them to let Second Brother go immediately."
On hearing this, Jiang Ruan laughed in her heart and glanced at Hong Ying. Hong Ying was born in a brothel, it was impossible for her to not know the brothel's rules. The more popular a lady was, the higher her price would be, and therefore, she wasn't someone just anyone could afford to offend. If someone owed a large sum and was unable to pay it, then he would have to pay back with his life. If he could not fully pay off the debt, there was no buy on credit custom. If the people from Jiang fu went to talk to the people from Bai Hua Lou tonight and were only willing to pay a part of the money, it was equivalent to admitting that Jiang fu was unable to bear responsibility for the rest. Then, according to the regulations, Jiang Chao would have to leave a part of his body there.
This Fifth Yiniang seemed tender and elegant, she was born in the marketplace, and yet, her methods were even harsher and more vicious than hers.
Jiang Quan looked at Xia Yan and her daughter crying themselves hoarse and his heart softened, finally saying, "Don't cry anymore, Steward Zhang, go to the storehouse to retrieve the taels and find a few people to make a trip to Bai Hua Lou."
Xia Yan stopped her wailing and temporarily let out a sigh of relief.
Jiang Quan saw Jiang Ruan and others at the side again, "All of you staying here have no purpose, go back to your courtyards and don't casually walk about."
Jiang Dan timidly and hurriedly responded, Jiang Ruan nodded and walked out of the main hall together with Jiang Li though Jiang Li's courtyard was not in the same direction as Jiang Ruan's. Before leaving, Jiang Ruan said to Jiang Dan, "I never thought that Second Brother would make such a huge mistake, if zumu found out about this, I don't know how angry she will be."
Jiang Dan was stupefied for a moment and Jiang Li's footsteps also paused, then quickly left. Jiang Dan asked, "Da Jiejie's meaning is that zumu still does not know of this matter?"
"Did you see any trace of zumu tonight?" Jiang Ruan said, "Since she was not seen, naturally, she does not know." She slowly walked, with a usual smile on her face. She was not sure if when Old Jiang Madame woke up the next morning and found out that half of the Jiang fu's savings were used to pay the debt for Jiang Chao's impulse, whether she would go crazy with rage.
As for Jiang Chao, he was destined to not be able to come back intact.
That night, Jiang Ruan slept very soundly and when she opened her eyes in the morning, there was already sunlight shining into the room. Bai Zhi saw that she was awake and laughed, "Miss slept very well yesterday and surprisingly woke up late."
"Mother did not order me to do the greetings, being late does not cause any harm." Jiang Ruan chuckled.
"How would Furen be in the mood to make Miss do the greetings when she is so busy and can barely cope." Lian Qiao served her warm water and was tending to cleaning Jiang Ruan's face while saying, "There is a huge disturbance in Mei Qing Yuan."
Jiang Ruan accepted the handkerchief, "What is the situation now?"
"The little finger of Second Young Master's right hand was cut off." Lian Qiao said, "When he came back he was bleeding so much it frightened everyone." Stopping for a moment, she continued on, "Now the rumours have started spreading saying that Second Young Master went to Bai Hua Lou and spent money like water, but his pockets were actually empty. Our fu was unable to take out so much money and only gave five thousand and fifty, therefore, the people from Bai Hua Lou didn't take his life and only chopped off Second Young Master's little finger."
Jiang Ruan finished wiping her face and passed the handkerchief back to Lian Qiao, "What else?"
"Miss, you really are good at analyzing things." Lian Qiao said, "Not sure how Old Jiang Madame found out about this but she is enraged and Furen and Second Miss have both been confined. She herself was so angry that she fainted and now the physician who had just finished seeing Second Young Master has to do a pulse diagnosis for Old Jiang Madame."
"Third Younger Sister's actions are fast." A ghost of a smile graced her lips, "Has this story already spread in the capital?"
"Naturally." Lu Zhu came inside and on hearing Jiang Ruan's words, she casually added, "Now everyone knows the story of Second Young Master spending money carelessly for a beauty at Bai Hua Lou last night and, in the end, even getting one of his fingers chopped off. Everyone is saying that the Jiang fu is actually very poor." After speaking the last line, she went to peek at Jiang Ruan's expression with a little embarrassment. However, she saw that Jiang Ruan did not take her words to heart in the slightest and instead asked about other things, "How is father now?"
"Master was so angry he could not bear it and if not for the fact that Second Young Master is lying on the bed unconscious, he would have rushed up and hit him. It looked like something serious happened to him."
Jiang Ruan lowered her head to take a sip of the tea handed by Bai Zhi. After last night's ruckus caused by Jiang Chao, the Jiang fu's dignity was considered to be as good as gone. For someone like Jiang Quan, who placed great importance on reputation, this was a huge blow. After this incident, the Imperial Censors' account book would not leave out any details pertaining to him in the report to the higher authority. This would definitely hinder his official career.
Of course, the most important thing was being in conflict with the capital's Li family. With last night's reckless spending, and since Jiang Chao won the title, it was inevitable that he had offended Li Yang. This person, Li Yang, was known to be narrow-minded so why would he simply leave it at that?
Jiang Ruan gazed outside the window. Let it go on this way- Jiang Chao had forcefully occupied the position of the Jiang fu's di son for so many years. The public seemed to have forgotten that the Jiang family still had a Jiang Xin Zhi. This debt, let her take it in place of Jiang Xin Zhi. Jiang Chao, you're in agony just by this, there is only one step from heaven to hell, but this is just the start.
In the study room, Xia Yan looked at Jiang Quan with alarm, "Laoye, you cannot confine Chao'er. Why do you not want him to go to the Imperial Academy anymore?"
"Unfilial son!" In a burst of uncontrollable anger, Jiang Quan said, "Just hear what everyone outside is saying about my Jiang fu; he learned from others and went to Bai Hua Lou to spend money like water. My Jiang fu seems to have raised him all these years for nothing! He failed his imperial examination and all he knows how to do is drink wine everyday. What a good son you have raised!"
"Laoye, I know that you are furious," Xia Yan knelt down, "but Chao'er is young and ignorant and who hasn't had times when they make mistakes. Chao'er is also the son that I've carried for nine months, however, when he was young he was scolded as a bas**rd. Nevertheless, everything Chao'er does is all in the hopes of helping the Jiang family receive glory. This time he failed the imperial examination and felt extremely awful, that's why he made such a huge mistake. And, after all, he has already been punished, hasn't he? Chao'er has already lost a finger, I beg laoye to pity him."
Jiang Quan looked at Xia Yan who was kneeling down on the floor and took a deep breath. This was his beloved woman, however, he had made her wait painstakingly for a few years before she became his main wife. When Jiang Chao was born, he already had the status of an illegitimate child, and no matter how he tried to make amends, it would still be in vain.
Xia Yan said again, "Laoye, could it be that you don't want your only son anymore?"
Jiang Quan's heart jumped repeatedly. Jiang Xin Zhi's life and death had been unknown for a long time- for at least five years- and he took it as if he never had that son. What Xia Yan said was not wrong, Jiang Chao was his only son now. He sat in front of the study table, his tone despondent, "I am doing this for Chao'er's own good. Yesterday's event caused him and the Young Master of Grand Councillor Li's fu to have bad blood. If he does not hide until it blows over, I fear that Li Yang would not easily let him off."
Xia Yan was dumbfounded for a second, " Grand Councillor Li and Li Yang, who are they? How did Chao'er get into a disagreement with them?"
Jiang Quan sighed and told all the ins and outs of the incident to Xia Yan. Even so, there was one thing he didn't tell Xia Yan, Li Dong belonged to Eighth Prince's faction and currently he (JQ) wanted to ingratiate himself with Eighth Prince. However, he had offended Li Dong for no reason and if Li Dong decided to purposely hinder him, then in the future Eighth Prince, this big tree, would not tolerate him.
Xia Yan, on hearing Jiang Quan's words, said in a low voice, "Laoye, since you have said this, you do not wish to have a hostile relationship with the Li family?"
"Having connections to the Li family is beneficial for the Jiang family," Jiang Quan shook his head, "I originally wanted to find a chance to build a connection with them, however, I did not expect Chao'er to do this and instead cause resentment."
Xia Yan remained silent for a while, just then, a thought appeared in her mind. She said, "Laoye, do you know which type of relationship is the steadiest?"
Jiang Quan looked at her. Xia Yan said, "What if we manage to have a marriage alliance with the Li family?"
"Li'er does things too openly and Dan'er is too young." Jiang Quan knitted his brows, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
Xia Yan shook her head, "Li'er and Dan'er are both shu daughters after all and their status do not match, therefore, they cannot be the official wife."
"Don't tell me you are thinking of Su'er?" Jiang Quan frowned? "What type of place is that Li family that there is even a matter of the father and son associating with the same woman. Even if I want to please the Li family, I will still not send Su'er into that abyss of suffering."
"What is laoye talking about." Xia Yan took a few steps towards Jiang Quan, nestling against him and a pair of jade-like hands gently massaged his shoulders? "Su'er is my flesh and blood too, why would I think of her. What I mean is Ruan'er." She looked at Jiang Quan's stupefied expression before continuing, "Ruan'er's personality is stable and reliable, although I am worried, but the Li family still has a younger son and that son is smart and capable. If he takes a fancy to Ruan'er, his status matches with hers and isn't that a good chance to form a connection. This way, we can apologize and that Li Dong will not make things difficult for us anymore."
Hearing those words, Jiang Quan was enlightened, "I actually forgot about Li An. What you said is not wrong, Li An's prospects for success is immeasurable, if Ruan'er marries him, Jiang fu will also have an additional helping hand. However," he hesitated, "this marriage is so beneficial, but you do not think so for Su'er?"
"Ruan'er has lead a bitter life," Xia Yan said gently, "Su'er at least has me to worry for her but Ruan'er is a child without a mother. They are all Jiang fu's daughters, will I purposely harm her? Not to mention, I still wish to keep Su'er by my side for a few more years, therefore, there is no need to rush her marriage and we can slowly pick."
Jiang Quan looked at Xia Yan's smile and his attitude became warm. He embraced her and said, "I know you are a person who takes everything into consideration, marrying you in this lifetime is my fortune. Rest assured, I will definitely find Su'er a good marriage and will never let her suffer in this lifetime."
Xia Yan faked a smile in return and the two of them chatted for a while, then Jiang Quan said, "Since it is like this, I will invite the Li family over to the fu soon."
Xia Yan beamed, "Then I shall not disturb laoye anymore, I'll go check on Chao'er." Then, she walked up to the door and her smile instantly disappeared as she left. She walked through the corridors towards the courtyard where Cui Yu was looking after Chao'er. Upon seeing her enter, she hurriedly retreated to the side.
Jiang Chao was lying motionless on the bed. Xia Yan sat down beside him and took his hands which were covered in white bandage and pressed them to her lips, gently saying, "Chao'er, rest assured, mother will take revenge for you."
Lin Lang who stood at the side, asked, "Furen, you really want to matchmake Eldest Miss and Second Young Master Li?"
"How could it be," Xia Yan's smile was ruthless, "I want her, in this lifetime, to only be able to be a small concubine by Li Yang's side. As for the official wife, she better not think about it. I want her to be ruined and only be able to be a play toy for the Li family's father and son. I want her to marry into the Li family and suffer for a lifetime!"
Lin Lang could not help but shiver with fear, then she heard Xia Yan laugh lightly, "Second Young Master Li's official wife? Dream on!"
* * *
The issue regarding the capital's Bai Hua Lou was spread like wildfire, within a night it seemed like it was spread through all the streets and alleys. These few days, the Jiang family became the capital's hot topic, but it was all about ridiculing them.
At Jinying Wang's fu, a young man wearing a black cloak with rain flower designs and an embroidered crane on it stood at the window. The attire complemented his look, making him appear even more tall and studious. A snow white pigeon flew from outside the window and landed on his palm. He retrieved a slip of paper attached to its legs through a red string. The pigeon's red bean-like eyes looked at him and he stretched out the tip of his finger and stroked the pigeon’s head. The pigeon chirped once joyfully before flapping its wings and flying into the sky.
Xiao Shao opened the slip of paper to read it before gently furrowing his eyebrows and knocking on the table. Suddenly, two people dressed completely in black appeared from inside the house.
"Master," one of them starting speaking first, "we have checked it out. This subordinate followed the Imperial Academy's page boy. The letter came from the capital's Jiang Quan's fu, the sender is Jiang fu's Eldest Young Lady's servant. However, we did not manage to check whether the two have any connection."
"I understand, you're dismissed." Xiao Shao said indifferently.
The silence resumed inside the house, Ye Feng stood behind Xiao Shao and after thinking for a while, said, "Before, the rumors were also spread from this Eldest Jiang Miss. Master, this Eldest Jiang Miss has a suspicious identity."
"She isn't our enemy." Xiao Shao said. When he first investigated that it was Jiang Ruan, he was astonished too. Those who knew the question to the final imperial examination were usually only the Emperor's people. Jiang Ruan was a young lady who stayed in her boudoir, and no matter what, it was impossible that she was an enemy agent from the palace. However, she had many unfathomable things about her. For example, last time at Assistant Minister Shen's fu, she actually knew of their most hidden secret. He had three hundred thousand Jin Yi Imperial Guards under him and he never had any information that he couldn't find out about. However, towards this Eldest Jiang Miss who appeared out of nowhere, he couldn't find any suspicious points. It was as if she was supposed to know those secrets.
He heard about yesterday's event that took place in Bai Hua Lou as well. Recently, the Jiang fu continuously being in trouble seemed to all have started since the day this Eldest Jiang Miss returned to the fu.
Facts were proved when one of his Jin Yi Guards found the manservant following Jiang Chao at Bai Hua Lou. He admitted that he took someone's money and purposely tempted Jiang Chao to go forward. The last spearhead pointed towards Jiang Ruan.
He couldn't help but crease his eyebrows, "There is something wrong with this matter. Continue to investigate, see how she is connected to Eighth Brother." If she was indeed Xuan Li's chess piece, she would be treated differently.
Ye Feng thought about it then said, "What about that Second Jiang Miss, a few days ago she came again and Steward Lin chased her away."
"There's no need to be concerned about it." Xiao Shao said indifferently.
Ye Feng shrugged his shoulders and stopped talking.
* * *
When Li Dong who was at home received Jiang Quan's invitation, he also shook his head and said, "That’s strange, what does Jiang Quan want? Usually we have no relation, yet he suddenly issued an invitation, what’s the purpose."
Li Dong's belly was protruding, the beautiful woman by his side was feeding him grapes while saying, "Maybe he wishes to build a connection with laoye."
Li Yang's lustful eyes were sizing up Li Dong's latest woman and on hearing these words he said, "It's not going to work. Yesterday, it was Jiang Chao who made me lose face. I must definitely find a chance to settle scores with him."
"That is enough," Li Dong said, "Your younger brother is returning to the capital in a few days, don't create trouble for him. Who is that Jiang Chao, to be worthy of you to bear grudges."
Li Yang was about to say something more, when the beautiful woman giggled, "Nu[1] does not know who Jiang Chao is, but before nu entered the fu, nu has heard that the Jiang family has two daughters and both are unrivalled beauties."
[1] Nu ( 奴 ) – Slave.
Upon hearing this, Li Yang's eyes immediately lit up, "What you said, is it true?"
"It is naturally true, nu does not dare to lie to Young Master." That beautiful woman smiled, "Eldest Jiang Miss is extremely charming and alluring, Second Jiang Miss is beautiful and elegant. Both also possess talents that are unmatched, this is a fact that everyone in the capital knows. Come to think of it, Eldest Young Master usually does not bother with rich young ladies, so you must not have known."
"I never thought that Jiang Chao would have this sort of two younger sisters. I wish to have a look at their graceful demeanors." A spark of interest lit up Li Yang's eyes, "Father, when is Jiang Quan's invitation for?"
"It is tomorrow." Li Dong looked at his son's gaze and was well aware of it, "Why, do you wish to go to the Jiang fu too?"
"This type of beauty, I definitely want to have a glimpse of their elegance. To see whether the people in the capital are lying." Li Yang's laugh was somewhat vulgar, "Jiang Chao caused me to lose Mu Dan, if his two sisters are pretty enough, I will not settle scores with him."
"You better make your intentions clear," Li Dong said, "The reputation of the Jiang Misses is not something you can toy with as you wish. I see that you're not young anymore, you should be getting married already. Just in time, tomorrow, when you go to the Jiang fu and if you see anyone you fancy, just marry her into the family."
"I still do not wish to marry." Li Yang's face fell and after thinking for a while, he asked the beautiful woman again, "How is the relationship between these Jiang fu's two daughters?"
"Eldest Jiang Miss recently returned to the capital, therefore, she's not familiar with certain things, but I heard from others that she has her own demeanour of doing things, she seems gentle and unrestrained." That woman smiled, "Second Jiang Miss is naive and romantic and she is also unworldly, everyone in the capital knows about this."
"In terms of temperament, both of them are not too bad." Jiang Chao licked his lips, "If I really want to marry, I might as well marry more than one. It is also a wonderful thing."
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Translated by : Salv
Edited by : Anks & Ely