"No need for thanks," Ji Wuran said, "but I hope Your Highness can remember this favor, to be repaid someday?"
"Naturally," Xue Xingyue replied.
"Does Your Highness truly not wish to live a peaceful life with Meng Jiangming?" Ji Wuran asked.
Upon hearing this, Xue Xingyue's gaze flashed with a fleeting light. "Someone who has repeatedly challenged my authority – how could I possibly be willing? Therefore, if Young Marquis Ji is here as a lobbyist, I advise you not to bother."
Ji Wuran heard this and said, "I am not here as a lobbyist."
Xue Xingyue looked up and saw Ji Wuran's eyes, as bright as stars. She paused slightly, then lowered her head, looking at the water in the teacup.
"Your Highness, do you wish to continue living like this forever? Have you never considered changing?"
"Change? I'm sorry, I've never considered it. Young Marquis Ji, I am tired. You may withdraw!"
Ji Wuran looked at her, then stood up and bowed, "Your subject takes his leave!"
Xue Xingyue breathed a small sigh of relief. For some reason, when facing Ji Wuran, she always felt a sense of being overwhelmed, a feeling that made her uncomfortable.
Madam Jiang looked at Jiang Xiuyi, who was kneeling before her, and said coldly, "Jiang Xiuyi, you have truly disappointed me."
Jiang Xiuyi heard this, looked up at Madam Jiang, and sneered, "Is that so? Then how does Aunt wish to punish me?"
"You..." Madam Jiang was so angry she almost couldn't breathe.
Jiang Xiuyi continued, "Aunt, whether you are willing or not, my cousin and I have consummated our marriage. I have also sent a letter to Father, and I believe he will be here soon."
"Jiang Xiuyi..." Madam Jiang said furiously.
"Aunt, you are so angry with me. Why not think about how you will explain to Father when he arrives in a few days? You yourself assured Father that I would handle my marriage, and now Father knows I am a maidservant in the Duke of Ning's mansion. What do you think Father will do?" Jiang Xiuyi said indifferently.
Madam Jiang trembled with rage, pointing at Jiang Xiuyi, she roared, "Get out, get out of here!"
Jiang Xiuyi stood up from the ground, brushed off the dust, and said, "Aunt, you can't handle this. When Father arrives, think carefully about how to entertain him. After all, Father doesn't have my good temper and allows you to torment him. Don't you agree?"
"Guards, lock her in the woodshed! No one is allowed to visit her, nor give her any food," Madam Jiang ordered angrily.
Jiang Xiuyi heard this and smiled, "Aunt, aren't you afraid Father will blame you when he arrives?"
Madam Jiang retorted, "I will apologize to my brother then. It's not your place to boss me around."
A flicker of triumph crossed Jiang Xiuyi's eyes. "That's excellent. Then I wish Aunt all the best in achieving her desires."
With that, Jiang Xiuyi left.
Madam Jiang was furious. She picked up the teacup and drank several cups of tea before her anger gradually subsided.
"Madam, a letter from Jiangnan," Peony said, walking in from outside with a letter in her hand.
As soon as Madam Jiang saw the handwriting, her complexion changed. She braced herself, took the letter, opened it, and upon reading its contents, fainted on the spot.
Xue Xingyue heard the news the next day.
She had Feng Jiu prepare some high-quality ginseng and then went to Madam Jiang's room. Upon seeing Madam Jiang on the bed, pale and haggard, Xue Xingyue was quite surprised. Madam Jiang, who had been full of spirit yesterday, had become like this overnight, which truly shocked her.
"Has a doctor been called for Madam?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Peony bowed and replied, "A doctor has been called. The doctor said Madam fainted due to extreme anger."
"Extreme anger? Who did Madam see yesterday?" Xue Xingyue remembered that after she had punished her, Madam Jiang had seemed relieved. How could she have become extremely angry?
Peony heard this and said, "Madam summoned the young lady from the cousin's side. After the young lady left, Madam fainted."
Peony dared not say more.
Seeing this, Xue Xingyue said, "In that case, let Madam rest well. Feng Jiu, give the ginseng to Miss Peony."
Peony quickly bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"If Madam has not recovered, come find me, and I will send for an imperial physician," Xue Xingyue said.
Peony quickly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Exiting Madam Jiang's room, Xue Xingyue saw Meng Jiangming approaching hurriedly. Meng Jiangming also did not expect to encounter Xue Xingyue here. He stopped, somewhat at a loss.
"Is the consort also here to see Madam?" Xue Xingyue spoke first.
Meng Jiangming nodded, "Your Highness, you are too."
Xue Xingyue nodded and said, "Hurry and go!"
Meng Jiangming bowed respectfully. When he looked up, Xue Xingyue had already disappeared.
Meng Jiangming stood there, his gaze carrying an unspeakable sadness.
Returning to her room, Xue Xingyue saw Feng Jiu was in the room. She asked, "Have you found any news?"
Feng Jiu nodded, "Your subordinate investigated. Madam was indeed very angry after seeing Jiang Xiuyi yesterday, but what caused Madam to faint was a letter received from Jiangnan."
"A letter from Jiangnan?" Xue Xingyue frowned slightly.
Feng Jiu nodded, "Yes, this is all my subordinate could find."
"Feng Jiu, is Madam Jiang's family from Jiangnan?" Xue Xingyue suddenly asked.
Feng Jiu was taken aback, then nodded, "Your Highness, now that you mention it, I recall that Madam Jiang's family is indeed from Jiangnan. They are said to be the wealthiest in Jiangnan. However, the elder Master Jiang has retired, and the elder Master Jiang is in charge."
Xue Xingyue's gaze turned cold. "It seems there is something fishy going on. Feng Jiu, go and investigate. It would be best if you could find out the contents of this letter."
"Your Highness, why are you so insistent on focusing on this matter?" Feng Jiu seemed a little confused.
Xue Xingyue said, "Feng Jiu, you don't know, but Jiangnan is a persistent worry for my imperial brother. If Jiangnan can be brought under control, my imperial brother will be very pleased."
Feng Jiu was startled, seeming to understand a little, yet still a little confused.
"Alright, go and investigate," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Jiu nodded and left.
Soon, Feng Jiu brought news: the letter stated that Elder Master Jiang would be arriving in the capital in a few days. Madam Jiang was unaware of Elder Master Jiang's arrival in the capital, which was why she had fainted.
However, Xue Xingyue quickly guessed that this was clearly Jiang Xiuyi's doing. But with Jiang Xiuyi's intelligence, to pull this off so perfectly, if there wasn't someone behind her, she truly wouldn't believe it. Clearly, someone was helping her, but who could it be?
The news of Madam Jiang's brother, Jiang Xifeng, arriving in the capital finally reached the Duke of Ning's mansion.