Meng Jiangming watched the Duke of Ning, a man who had once commanded battles and guided him through his own life's confusion.
This pillar of the Duke of Ning's estate, now, like any ordinary man, was about to take a concubine.
If it were anyone else, Meng Jiangming would not have so many thoughts. But his father was not taking just anyone; he was taking his mother's own niece, his cousin, with whom he had once been involved.
"Father, are you serious?" he asked again.
The Duke of Ning, who had felt a twinge of guilt, was ignited by a spark of anger upon hearing Meng Jiangming's question. He had rarely focused on matters of romance before, partly because Madam Jiang had managed everything so well, leaving him with few worries.
But now, things were different. He had tasted Jiang Xiu Yi's flavor, a flavor so different from Madam Jiang's, a taste that made him linger.
He had even, at one point, believed he had returned to his youthful, spirited days. Now, he somewhat understood why men preferred young and beautiful women—perhaps it was because in their presence, he felt like the young man he once was. Da Feng Novel Network
"Jiangming, your father is the Duke of Ning, a first-rank minister of the court. Do you know that I was once mocked by court officials for having only your mother in my household? They said your father feared his wife."
"Father, whether you take a concubine or keep a mistress, that is your freedom. But you should never have touched Xiu Yi."
The Duke of Ning was displeased upon hearing this. Why should he not touch Xiu Yi? "Jiangming, you actually do not wish for your father to take Xiu Yi as a concubine, do you?"
"Father, you should not have forgotten that just a year ago, it was here, in this very place, that your son and Xiu Yi became intimate," Meng Jiangming said, word by word.
The Duke of Ning trembled all over. How could he possibly forget what happened here on that day?
Observing the change in the Duke of Ning's expression, Meng Jiangming continued, "Father, have you forgotten?"
"Jiangming, it has all passed!" the Duke of Ning said slowly, turning his face away.
Meng Jiangming smiled. "It has all passed? That is how it has passed in your eyes, Father, but in my son's eyes, it has not. Father, for father and son to be toyed with by the same woman, is Father not afraid of being ridiculed by others?"
"Presumptuous." The Duke of Ning was furious.
Meng Jiangming did not stop but continued, "Father feels disgraced? If so, why are you still so insistent on doing this?"
The Duke of Ning trembled with rage. "I told you to shut up."
"Father can make me shut up, but can he make everyone else in the household shut up? Or can he make the ministers in court shut up?"
The Duke of Ning, unable to bear it any longer, slapped him. With a clear sound, Meng Jiangming's face was slapped askew, the imprint of five fingers clearly visible.
The Duke of Ning froze, perhaps never expecting that he would actually hit Meng Jiangming.
Meng Jiangming chuckled softly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth fiercely. He turned his head, his eyes filled with a scarlet gaze, and looked at the Duke of Ning. "Enraged by shame?"
"Jiangming, I have been too lenient with you, which is why you have become so lawless."
"Lenient? Are we going to resort to family law again?" Meng Jiangming looked directly at the Duke of Ning and asked coldly.
The Duke of Ning's face turned ashen, exceedingly ugly. "Meng Jiangming."
"Father, I am stating my position clearly today: if you want Jiang Xiu Yi to enter your chambers, I disagree." With that, Meng Jiangming turned and left.
The Duke of Ning said indignantly, "Does what this Duke does require your consent?"
The Duke of Ning also left in a huff.
Not far away, Xue Xingyue watched the direction in which the Duke of Ning had left, lost in thought.
The Duke of Ning wanted to go to Madam Jiang's place, but Madam Jiang did not wish to see him at all. He thought for a moment, then went to Jiang Xiu Yi's room. Seeing Jiang Xiu Yi clinging to him like a little bird, the frustrations he had endured at Madam Jiang's place were smoothed away.
"Duke of Ning, Aunt might just be angry for now. It will be fine once Aunt thinks it through."
"If Madam Jiang were half as gentle and endearing as you, this Duke would not be so angry."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiu Yi instinctively leaned her head on the Duke of Ning's shoulder. "Duke of Ning, Aunt will understand."
The Duke of Ning sighed, "She is not as gentle and considerate as Xiu Yi."
"Duke of Ning, please don't say that. Saying so would make it difficult for Xiu Yi to remain in the estate."
"What this Duke says is the truth. Xiu Yi, you are gentle and lovely, and this Duke is sincere."
Jiang Xiu Yi smiled. "Duke of Ning, you really are something. Xiu Yi hasn't said you were lying."
The Duke of Ning was slightly taken aback. He embraced Jiang Xiu Yi and whispered, "Xiu Yi, you've become wicked."
Jiang Xiu Yi smiled shyly. "Does Duke of Ning like it?"
"I like it, I like it." The Duke of Ning picked up Jiang Xiu Yi and walked towards the bed.
Upon hearing that the Duke of Ning was staying the night in Jiang Xiu Yi's room, Madam Jiang's face turned very pale.
Jiang Xiu Yi was in the prime of her youth, and coupled with her subtle tactics, she would surely be able to charm the Duke of Ning completely. After all these years of her entering the Duke of Ning's estate, she had never been able to make the Duke of Ning act so wildly in broad daylight.
"Later, when it's darker, call Xiu Yi over."
It was already the hour of Shen when the Duke of Ning left Jiang Xiu Yi's room.
When Madam Jiang saw Jiang Xiu Yi with a flushed face, her anger could no longer be expressed merely as anger.
"Aunt, you were looking for Xiu Yi?" Jiang Xiu Yi asked cautiously, looking at Madam Jiang with trepidation.
"Xiu Yi, I promised to make you a concubine to the Duke of Ning, and I will not go back on my word. However, making the Duke of Ning indulge in frivolous behavior with you in broad daylight, that is where you are wrong. Do you know your mistake?"
Jiang Xiu Yi trembled all over. "Aunt, what are you talking about? Xiu Yi doesn't understand. Xiu Yi did not make the Duke of Ning act frivolously."
Madam Jiang sneered, "Not acting frivolously? Don't tell me you weren't in the same bed?"
Jiang Xiu Yi bit her lower lip. "Aunt, it was the Duke of Ning who insisted. How could Xiu Yi possibly disobey the Duke of Ning?"
"Insolent." Madam Jiang said angrily.
"If Aunt doesn't believe me, she can go ask the Duke of Ning," Jiang Xiu Yi pushed the problem back onto the Duke of Ning.
"I see you won't shed tears until you see the coffin. Guards, bring the family law," Madam Jiang said coldly.