Xue Xingyue was now Meng Jiangming’s personal attendant, so she directly entered the Ningguo Duke’s mansion. However, she couldn’t help but turn back to look at Lady Jiang. She saw Lady Jiang standing there, her slender body trembling in the autumn wind.
It seemed as though she might collapse at any moment. Xue Xingyue withdrew her gaze and walked towards Fu Li.
“Madam, the驸马 has returned to the mansion,” Shaoyao reminded her from the side.
Lady Jiang was slightly startled, then nodded. “I… I know…”
How could she not know? It was just that the current Meng Jiangming was like a stranger. This was not what she wanted. If she had known it would turn out this way, back then…
Back then? She could no longer go back to how it was.
“Let’s return to the mansion!” Lady Jiang said slowly.
Shaoyao helped Lady Jiang into the mansion.
“Madam, Miss Jiang has locked herself in her room and refuses to let the maids in,” Yudan said to Lady Jiang with a troubled expression.
Lady Jiang sighed. She had heard about what happened to Jiang Xiuyi in Zhen Wuguan, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Xiuyi to go mad. No matter what, Jiang Xiuyi was the last of the Jiang family.
“Open the door. I want to go in and see her,” Lady Jiang said.
Yudan nodded and opened the door. Before Lady Jiang could enter, a teacup flew towards her. Fortunately, Lady Jiang was far enough away, or she would have been hit.
Lady Jiang gasped, but she still walked in.
Seeing Jiang Xiuyi curled up in a ball, Lady Jiang’s heart ached slightly. From the lively and cheerful Xiuyi of the past to this state, no matter how much dissatisfaction or anger she had felt before, at this moment, Lady Jiang only felt heartache.
“Xiuyi,” Lady Jiang couldn’t help but call out.
Jiang Xiuyi just hugged herself tightly, ignoring Lady Jiang.
Lady Jiang walked forward, crouched down, hugged Jiang Xiuyi, patted her back, and choked out, “Xiuyi, I am your aunt.”
Jiang Xiuyi stopped moving, her body freezing, “Aunt?”
Lady Jiang’s tears flowed, and she nodded, “Yes, I am your aunt.”
“Aunt,” Jiang Xiuyi called out, word by word.
Lady Jiang’s face was streaked with tears. She recalled when Jiang Xiuyi was little, she would hold Jiang Xiuyi like this, listening to her call her aunt in her childish voice.
She hugged Jiang Xiuyi tightly and said, “Xiuyi, don’t be afraid anymore. Aunt is here.”
“Aunt.”
As she watched Jiang Xiuyi gradually fall asleep in her arms, Shaoyao walked over and said, “Madam, shall this servant help the young miss to the bed?”
Lady Jiang nodded and said, “Gently, don’t wake her.”
Shaoyao and Yudan carefully helped Jiang Xiuyi onto the bed.
Lady Jiang walked out of Jiang Xiuyi’s room. A servant came and said, “Madam, the doctor is here.”
“Have him examine the young miss,” Lady Jiang instructed.
A quarter of an hour later, the doctor came out. Lady Jiang stepped forward and asked, “Doctor Li, what is wrong with Xiuyi?”
Doctor Li said, “Madam, the young miss is frightened. She shouldn’t be like this, normally. Madam, allow me to prescribe a few doses of calming medicine for the young miss.”
“Alright, Yudan, accompany Doctor Li to get the medicine,” Lady Jiang ordered.
Yudan said, “This way, Doctor Li.”
Lady Jiang’s expression did not ease. Being frightened would absolutely not lead to this. Xiuyi must have encountered something. However, now that there was a rift between her and Jiang Ming, it would be impossible to ask Jiang Ming.
Lady Jiang sighed. She couldn’t imagine that things would come to this point with her son. But if she had to choose again, she would still do the same. After all, the glory of the Ningguo Duke’s mansion was more important than anything.
However, Lady Jiang still wanted to try. She said, “Shaoyao, go and invite the驸马 over.”
Shaoyao said, “Yes, this servant will go now.”
Lady Jiang waited for a long time, but Meng Jiangming did not arrive. She couldn’t help but ask, “Shaoyao, are you sure you told the驸马?”
Shaoyao replied, “Madam, this servant could not get into the驸马’s courtyard.”
Lady Jiang sighed and said, “Then tell me, what did the驸马 do all day?”
Shaoyao said, “Madam, the驸马 brought back a young attendant from Zhen Wuguan.”
“A young attendant? Not a woman?” Lady Jiang asked.
Shaoyao shook her head. “Madam, it is indeed a young attendant. Madam should have seen her at the mansion gate earlier.”
At the mansion gate? Lady Jiang recalled, but couldn’t think of anything useful. Her entire attention was on Meng Jiangming at the time; she had no mood to look at anyone else.
“Go and bring that young attendant to me,” Lady Jiang ordered.
Not bringing a woman, but a young attendant. Lady Jiang felt it was necessary to take a look.
When Xue Xingyue heard that Lady Jiang wanted to see her, she was a little surprised, but she still followed and arrived at Lady Jiang’s courtyard.
“Madam, he is here,” Shaoyao stood beside Lady Jiang.
Xue Xingyue lowered her head and bowed, “This humble one greets Madam.”
Lady Jiang said, “Lift your head.”
Xue Xingyue slowly raised her head. Lady Jiang saw a delicate and pretty face, with no special features. She felt relieved.
“What is your name?” Lady Jiang asked.
“This humble one’s name is Xiao Yue.”
Lady Jiang nodded. “How old are you?”
“This humble one just turned eighteen.”
Lady Jiang said, “You don’t look eighteen, but more like fifteen or sixteen.”
Xue Xingyue replied, “This humble one is rather thin and weak, so I look younger.”
Lady Jiang nodded. “Where is your family from?”
Xue Xingyue answered cautiously. Although she had expected to be interrogated upon arriving here, she hadn’t expected the first person to be Lady Jiang.
“Serve the驸马 well from now on. You may go,” Lady Jiang waved her hand.
Xue Xingyue bowed and withdrew.
Lady Jiang felt she was overreacting. Princess Xingyue had been missing for so long. Although the new Emperor had publicly stated he would never touch Princess Xingyue, who could tell what was in his heart?
She was merely worried that Meng Jiangming would bring back someone who resembled Princess Xingyue. It seemed she was being overly anxious. Meng Jiangming and Princess Xingyue had never consummated their marriage, so his sadness was only temporary, and he would slowly get better.
Thinking this, Lady Jiang was completely relieved.
Actually, it would be best if Princess Xingyue never appeared again. Then, no one would know what had happened in the Jiang family. Now that Jiang Xiuyi had gone mad, no one would ever know about this matter.
With this thought, she summoned Shaoyao and instructed her to carefully watch over the medicine prescribed by Doctor Li and ensure Jiang Xiuyi took it on time.
Xue Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief after leaving Lady Jiang’s courtyard. She wasn’t afraid of Lady Jiang discovering her identity, as she was in disguise. However, it was always better to be cautious.