Madam Jiao's reluctance to break off the engagement displeased Prefect Jiao, causing his face to darken. The third branch of the Qiu family was currently managed by its female members, as the male heirs had been escorted to the capital for trial. As the prefect, he could not personally visit the women to discuss the annulment.
If the negotiation succeeded, it would be fine. But if it failed, rumors would surely spread throughout Qianzhong Prefecture that Prefect Jiao had abused his power. Moreover, this matter of breaking an engagement could not be handled by a concubine.
"Madam, I know I was rash and injured Ping'er before. I beg for your forgiveness," Prefect Jiao said solemnly to Madam Jiao. Ultimately, abandoning the eldest son for the sake of nurturing the younger one was his failing towards his wife.
Madam Jiao remained unmoved. This was the fundamental difference between her and Concubine Huang. As a concubine, Concubine Huang's honor and disgrace depended entirely on Prefect Jiao. However, Madam Jiao hailed from an official family; she had her maiden family to rely on, as well as her son and grandson. The saying "a wife's world revolves around her husband" did not apply to her.
Jiao Lianping watched his father, who was "bowing low and acting subservient," with a sense of amusement. He scoffed and asked, "Father, are you worried that marrying a criminal's daughter will ruin Jiao Lianyu's official career?"
Leaning lazily against his chair, Jiao Lianping was now free of marital ties. After Madam Chen was taken away by the Imperial Guards, the Chen family had grudgingly accepted the situation.
"Father, there's no need for such worry. Misfortunes do not extend to married daughters. My sister-in-law is the niece of Lord Qiu, and moreover, my second brother and young master Qiu are sworn brothers. This is a marriage that brings them even closer. With a little support from Lord Qiu in the future, my second brother's prospects will be bright."
Although Jiao Lianping's words were laced with sarcasm, he had analyzed the reasons behind Jiao Lianyu's push for this marriage. It was undoubtedly for the Qiu family's background and influence. Furthermore, his mother had already borne the brunt of the infamy. For Jiao Lianyu, this marriage was a sure win with no risk.
Prefect Jiao could understand his wife's resentment. However, seeing his eldest son adding fuel to the fire, an inexplicable rage ignited within him.
"We share the same surname, Jiao. I don't ask for you brothers to be united in heart, but at least you should not be fighting amongst yourselves, killing each other!" Prefect Jiao said, his face stern, his gaze sharp as he looked at Jiao Lianping, who still didn't understand his mistake. "The third branch of the Qiu family is involved with barbarians, and the clues have all led to this branch. If further complications arise in the future, and Lianyu is implicated, can you, as the elder brother, remain unscathed?"
What Prefect Jiao didn't say was that if treason and rebellion were truly involved, even if the entire clan wasn't wiped out, Jiao Lianping, as his brother, would absolutely not escape. Therefore, Prefect Jiao had never intended to betroth Jiao Lianyu to Qiu Jingyuan. This was a gamble, but the outcome was something the Jiao family absolutely could not afford.
However, rumors had spread throughout every alley and street of Qianzhong Prefecture. Madam Jiao, in her anger, had invited an official matchmaker to the third branch of the Qiu family to exchange tokens and birth charts. Coupled with Jiao Lianyu's kneeling pleas, Prefect Jiao had no choice but to agree. But now, the more he thought about it, the more he trembled with fear. Even if it meant bearing the reputation of being untrustworthy, this marriage had to be called off.
...
As night fell, Madam Huang and Jiao Lianyu hastily ended their dinner, having not received Prefect Jiao for his birthday celebration. It wasn't until the last moments of the Hai hour that the maid sent to gather information finally returned.
Madam Huang slightly raised her voice, "Ruliu, go fetch a basin of hot water. I will apply medicine to the second young master."
"Yes, Madam." Footsteps receded outside the door. After a while, Ruliu entered the room carrying a small bucket of hot water.
In the inner chamber, Jiao Lianyu lay on the bed like a curiosity. His white undergarment was open, revealing the scar on his chest. Although the best wound medicine had been used, the scar still looked ferocious, a testament to how viciously Li Li had stabbed him.
Gently wiping the area around the scar, Madam Huang handed the cloth to Ruliu behind her and then lowered her voice, asking, "What did Master and Madam discuss?"
"Replying to Madam, Xiaoyue could only get into the room while serving dishes. The eldest young master and Master argued for a few sentences, after which Master did not speak again. Madam and the eldest young master chatted about household matters," Ruliu reported quickly.
It was not easy to have their people planted in Madam's courtyard, so even eavesdropping was done with great caution. If Madam discovered them, all their efforts would be in vain.
Madam Huang nodded in understanding, a mocking glint flashing across her beautiful face. "Madam, with her esteemed background, always emphasizes rules. Yet, she actually chatted with the eldest young master during the meal."
It was a pity that Master still adhered to the rule of not speaking during meals. Otherwise, even if a few words were exchanged, Madam Huang could have deduced the entire situation from them.
"Perhaps they were discussing my marriage with Miss Qiu," Jiao Lianyu said calmly. He disliked arrogant and overbearing young ladies like Qiu Jingyuan the most. She considered herself superior due to her noble birth, but in reality, she was just an ignorant fool!
However, an order had come from above, and Jiao Lianyu had no choice but to agree to the marriage. Thinking of the impoverished and shabby Qiu Jingyuan after the downfall of the Qiu family's third branch, Zhan Feiyu's image involuntarily appeared in Jiao Lianyu's mind.
The young girl, though from a rural farming family, possessed a bearing far superior to that of a noble young lady like Qiu Jingyuan. It truly embodied the saying, "A person's demeanor reflects their inner cultivation!"
Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu and had the support of the Imperial Guards behind her. If there were any possibility, Jiao Lianyu would rather be betrothed to Zhan Feiyu. At least the children born to them would undoubtedly have extraordinary potential. It was a shame.
Madam Huang saw that the water stains around the wound had dried and carefully applied ointment to Jiao Lianyu, continuing to ask, "What happened next? I heard Master stayed with Madam for a full hour."
Dinner itself lasted only half an hour. The remaining half hour must have involved some discussion.
"Replying to Madam, Master, Madam, and the eldest young master did speak after the meal. However, after the tea was served, Madam dismissed all the attending servants. Furthermore, Nanny Niu stood guard in the corridor." Ruliu was also helpless. Madam was exceptionally cautious. Not only did she close the doors and windows, but she also stationed Nanny Niu outside the door, daring no one to eavesdrop.
Madam Huang's hand paused as she applied the ointment. Jiao Lianyu's expression also darkened. Such caution suggested that the matter being discussed was not merely about his marriage. Otherwise, why the need for such vigilance?
"Mother will try to gauge Master's intentions tomorrow," Madam Huang said, patting Jiao Lianyu's hand reassuringly. "Leave these matters of the inner chambers to your mother. You, my son, have the talent of a top scholar and should not be troubled by these trivialities."
"Mother, let's take it slow. Father is already suspicious about the rumors. If you try to probe his intentions now, it might backfire," Jiao Lianyu said, his eyes gleaming. Perhaps in the past, he might have needed his mother to gather information, but now, with someone behind him, there was no need for such haste.
Jiao Lianyu smiled charmingly and continued, "If it's related to my marriage, it's not a big deal. If it's a truly significant matter, Father will surely keep it a secret. Let's wait and see."
Madam Huang nodded in agreement. This marriage with the third branch of the Qiu family had both advantages and disadvantages, depending on how it was handled in the future. To some extent, Madam Huang was fortunate that Qiu Jingyuan would become her daughter-in-law. As the daughter of a criminal, she, as the mother-in-law, could completely suppress her.
If Lianyu were to marry a noble lady in the future, and she was merely a concubine, Madam Huang could already imagine how the future daughter-in-law would put on airs and look down upon her as a mother-in-law.
The thought of her son, whom she had meticulously raised, being won over by another woman felt like a piece of her heart had been gouged out. Now, she didn't have to worry about it as much.
Two quarters of an hour later, Madam Huang returned to her courtyard with Ruliu's assistance. After letting Ruliu help her remove her hair ornaments and begin her makeup removal and washing, she spoke.
"Miss Qiu is only thirteen years old. Once Lianyu has fully recovered, you will go and attend to him," Madam Huang said, looking at her somewhat aged face in the bronze mirror after removing her makeup. She was getting old, and wrinkles had already appeared at the corners of her eyes.
Ruliu's hair-combing action paused, and then her face lit up with joy. "Yes, this servant will certainly take good care of the second young master."
As if not seeing the wild joy and ambition in Ruliu's eyes, Madam Huang continued softly, "When you have children in the future, I will arrange for your rank to be elevated. You are a good child, and I know your feelings for Lianyu over these years."
Having children meant becoming a concubine...
Ruliu feigned shyness and lowered her head, but her eyes flashed with shrewdness. If she could give birth to a son before the second young madam entered the household, even if he were a concubine's son, he would be the eldest son of a concubine!
Ruliu calculated in her mind. Miss Qiu was only thirteen years old. Even if she married early, it would be in three years. If she were lucky enough to have a son in the first year, her son would already be five years old by then.
In ten years, the second young madam's son would be only five or six years old and just beginning his studies, while her own eldest son of a concubine would be eligible to participate in the imperial examinations.
Ruliu tightened her grip on the ox horn comb. If she used some underhanded tactics, perhaps the second young madam would not be able to conceive for three to five years. Even if she did conceive, and gave birth to a useless child, her son's chances would be even greater.
Ruliu became more and more excited as she thought about it, but her expression remained composed. She skillfully continued to comb Madam Huang's hair. By the time the second young madam managed to have a son, her own son might already be married and established. A mere infant trying to seize family property, hmph, she had no idea of the consequences!