Jiao Residence, Zhujun Pavilion.
Although the best wound medicine was used, Li Li's knife had almost taken Jiao Lianyu's life. After many days of recuperation, Jiao Lianyu's complexion remained a sickly pale, indicating that his vital energy had been depleted.
After drinking the medicine, he handed the bowl to a young servant. Jiao Lianyu, with a grim expression, asked, "What's the news outside now?"
"Reporting to the Second Young Master, yesterday afternoon the constables went to Xique Alley and arrested Chen An. He has already confessed in the main hall that he resented his family for harming the young madam, so he bribed local ruffians to spread rumors, intending to ruin the madam's reputation, and also schemed for the Second Young Master to marry a criminal's daughter, thus causing discord between mother and son and animosity between brothers."
With a sneer, Jiao Lianyu leaned back in his armchair, putting down the book he had just picked up, "Who would believe such nonsense? Chen An has always followed his elder brother's lead. Let alone that the Chen family was taken away by the Imperial Guards, even if the Chen family died of illness in the Jiao family, the Chen family and Chen An would not dare to make a fuss. They might even help cover it up and send another Chen family daughter into the mansion."
Jiao Lianyu narrowed his eyes and fell into thought. "The Chen family is in decline. Mother was unwilling to marry into the Chen family back then, but Father kept his promise, which is why my elder sister-in-law entered the mansion. The entire Chen family couldn't wait to fawn over my elder brother. Chen An is just a lowly merchant who could only expand his business with my elder brother's help."
"Young Master is wise. Master sent Niu Yue to the Chen family with a letter from Master to Mr. Chen. After Mr. Chen read it, he burned it in front of Niu Yue." The Niu Yue mentioned by the servant was the eldest son of Steward Niu, and one of Prefect Jiao's most trusted subordinates, to whom many confidential matters were entrusted.
"Niu Yue." Jiao Lianyu's voice was somber and cold. Father said he gave up on cultivating me in favor of my elder brother, but in reality? He placed such great trust in Niu Yue.
Steward Niu handled miscellaneous affairs in the front courtyard of the Jiao mansion, while Madam Niu managed the affairs of the inner chambers. Niu Yue followed his father closely and took orders.
If it weren't for his own "bribing" of Li Li in the past few years, allowing him to pass on much information to him in the study, Jiao Lianyu suspected if he even had a foothold in the Jiao mansion.
The servant glanced at Jiao Lianyu, his expression becoming more respectful and submissive, fearful of provoking the unpredictable Jiao Lianyu. "Chen An is uneducated. Previously, he relied on the young madam's connections and the elder young master's protection to establish himself in Qianzhong Prefecture. Mr. Chen values Chen Xu more. Now that Chen An is abandoned, Chen Xu has a chance to rise."
To put it bluntly, the Chen family's affairs were somewhat similar to the Jiao family's. Chen Xu was a concubine's son. He had accidentally bumped into Madam Chen, who was pregnant at the time, causing Madam Chen to miscarry a five-month-old male infant. Madam Chen and Madam Chen deeply hated this concubine's son.
Chen An, in order to curry favor with his cousin Madam Chen, naturally helped suppress Chen Xu. Although the second branch where Chen An belonged was in commerce and controlled the daily necessities of the entire Chen clan, the servants were very good at reading people's minds. Although Chen Xu was not overtly deprived, only he knew the actual situation.
On the surface, he was suppressed by his legitimate mother and elder sister, unable to rise. In private, his cousin Chen An used money to obstruct and suppress him in various ways. Chen Xu had no opportunity to rise all these years. This time, Prefect Jiao made his stance clear, and Mr. Chen naturally seized the opportunity to support Chen Xu. After all, Madam Chen, his own daughter, was ruined and taken away by the Imperial Guards. It was a blessing that she didn't implicate her maternal family.
…
"Jingyuan, what are you doing?" Madam Dou cried out in alarm, then rushed forward to embrace Qiu Jingyuan, patting her back tearfully, both angry and worried, "I only have you, my child. You're trying to force me to death. If anything happens to you, I won't live either..."
Madam Dou's tears flowed uncontrollably. She thought of the son who had died shortly after birth, and how his elder sister-in-law had swapped him with a barbarian's bastard.
Then she thought of how the third branch had fallen into such poverty that they could barely afford meat. Madam Dou hugged Qiu Jingyuan tightly and wept, fearing that she would outlive her child.
The three sisters-in-law, Madam Xu, were also stunned. None of them expected Qiu Jingyuan to have hidden embroidery scissors on her and to have the intention of taking her own life.
Qiu Jingyuan was the pampered darling of the Qiu family since birth, spoiled and lawless. Yet, she was sweet-mouthed and obedient in front of her elders, but vicious and malicious in private. At a young age, she bullied her older cousins and even casually beat and scolded her younger nephews and nieces.
Qiu Jingyuan was favored, while the three families of Madam Xu were adopted. Therefore, even though their children were bullied, they could only accept it and even had to put on a smiling face.
Now that the third branch had declined, Madam Xu and the others had turned the tables and were in charge. With new and old grievances, they wanted to marry Qiu Jingyuan to the Xiang family for a good luck charm.
But at this moment, seeing Madam Dou and Qiu Jingyuan embracing and weeping, Madam Xu and the other two sisters-in-law also felt a surge of sadness. Thinking of their own children, their future marriages would likely be just as bumpy, with anyone able to step on them.
Madam Jiao was willing to have Qiu Jingyuan marry into the family. Even if she and Jiao Lianyu tormented each other in the future, it would be their own doing. However, upon realizing that Zhan Feiyu had written to Prefect Jiao to annul the engagement, Madam Jiao was too lazy to pursue it further.
"Miss Qiu." Madam Jiao spoke gently, interrupting their sorrowful weeping.
Even though Qiu Jingyuan looked ashen and Madam Dou was filled with grief, Madam Jiao showed no softness and continued, "Madam Qiu and I have made the decision to annul this engagement, and the betrothal gifts and tokens have been returned."
Therefore, even if Qiu Jingyuan wanted to die or live, it was in vain. Moreover, if she truly intended to die, she wouldn't do it in front of everyone. Once back at the Qiu family, no one could stop her. Thus, Madam Jiao considered Qiu Jingyuan's actions to be mostly for show.
Madam Qiu also reiterated her promise, "A forced melon is not sweet. The annulment of the engagement is an irreversible fact. Jingyuan, even for the sake of the others in the third branch, you shouldn't cause trouble. In a few years, I will definitely find a suitable marriage for you. You elders should also comfort and guide Jingyuan; after all, she is still young and ignorant."
While the promises were made to Madam Dou and Qiu Jingyuan, Madam Qiu's words to the three Madam Xus carried a hint of coldness. The third branch could still remain in Qianzhong Dao because of the protection of the Qiu family's main branch. If they were ungrateful...
Madam Xu and the other two sisters-in-law felt a jolt in their hearts. Their gazes all turned towards Madam Qiu, who was seated at the head of the table. Although all the adult males of the third branch were imprisoned, Madam Xu and the others still had younger sons who were studying and grandchildren.
If they offended the main branch, not only would they face obstacles in future imperial examinations, but even if they were studying in private schools or government schools, being ostracized and suppressed would ruin their future.
"Sister-in-law, don't cry anymore. Jingyuan is young, and there's no rush for this marriage." Madam Xu said with a smile, giving Madam Ma a look. The two sisters-in-law worked together to pull up Madam Dou and Qiu Jingyuan, who were embracing each other.
Madam Ma held Qiu Jingyuan to prevent her from causing further trouble, while Madam Xu gently patted Madam Dou's back and softly advised, "Second Young Master Jiao is indeed a rare young talent, but sister-in-law, think about it, the age difference between him and Jingyuan is so great. By the time Jingyuan can enter the mansion, he might already have a eldest son born of a concubine."
"Furthermore, if the Jiao family is unwilling to proceed with this marriage, Jingyuan's situation after marrying there will likely be even more difficult than it is now." After years of living together as sisters-in-law, Madam Xu managed to persuade the weeping Madam Dou with just a few words.
Seeing Madam Dou's wavering expression, Madam Ma also quietly agreed, "Yes, sister-in-law. Second Young Master is a son born of a concubine. The inner chambers cannot control the front courtyard, but it is much easier for a mother-in-law to torment her daughter-in-law."
Madam Xu and Madam Ma spoke in very low voices, only audible to Madam Dou. The two sisters-in-law were fighting for their children, otherwise, they would never dare to speak of a mother-in-law tormenting a daughter-in-law in front of Madam Jiao.
Madam Dou looked at the expressionless Qiu Jingyuan with tear-filled eyes. Eldest son born of a concubine and a cruel mother-in-law – these two fatal points had made Madam Dou abandon the idea of marrying Qiu Jingyuan to Jiao Lianyu. Jingyuan had no family to rely on. If she really married there, she might die of illness in the inner chambers in a few years.
Madam Qiu invited Madam Jiao and Madam Jiao's aunt to have tea. As for the whispers of Madam Xu and the others, Madam Qiu couldn't hear them but knew what they were saying – a mix of persuasion and threat.
Madam Xu, fearing Madam Dou would not agree, finally hardened her heart and said, "Sister-in-law, you only have Jingyuan as your child. In a few years, when Jingyuan gets married, you will inevitably be lonely. Brother Mo is still too young to remember things. Why not let him be registered under your name in the future? It would also be a way for Fourth Brother to leave an heir."