Third Mistress Zhao Ruowei maintained her look of concern:
"During the Spring Banquet last year, I heard you recite poetry. Your talent is truly exceptional. I thought then that Yan’er was truly blessed to be able to marry a bride like you in the future. I just never imagined that you would have an elder sister ahead of you, and that this marriage would fall to her instead."
Jiang Lingyuan listened, her expression growing sorrowful.
Seeing this, Zhao Ruowei smiled gently: "Fortunately, you two are now lovers united in marriage; it’s a double blessing."
These words warmed Jiang Lingyuan’s heart. When she looked up, she saw the heartache in Zhao Ruowei’s eyes, which did not seem feigned.
However, she was no fool. She would not spill her heart to others just because they uttered a few pleasantries. After a moment’s thought, she put on a face of patient submission: "After all, my elder sister is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family... Speaking of which, I should thank her more. If she hadn't swapped marriages to marry the Fourth Master, she wouldn't have fulfilled the union between me and my husband."
Third Mistress Zhao Ruowei’s expression remained unchanged, her smile becoming even more cordial, though her words grew sharper:
"It is remarkable that you are so broad-minded. But now that she is the Fourth Mistress who has rendered such meritorious service, you are not only a generation below her, but also merely a concubine. In the future, you must be even more cautious and circumspect in this estate."
No sooner had the words left her lips than a silver bell-like laugh drifted over from nearby, followed by a young girl’s exclamation: "Fourth Aunt, you are so amazing! You actually dared to pin a flower on Fourth Uncle!"
The Third Mistress smoothly changed the subject: "You, don't just sit here like a fool. Go over and join in their laughter, otherwise, others will think you are too aloof to mingle."
Jiang Lingyuan wanted to say that it was clearly everyone else who ignored her! But on second thought, she was only a concubine; she couldn't expect the ladies of the Duke Estate to take the initiative to strike up a conversation. She suppressed the pride in her heart and replied, "You are right, Third Aunt."
"Go on then," Zhao Ruowei waved her hand with a smile.
Jiang Lingyuan stood up and took her two maids toward the lively crowd.
Third Mistress Zhao Ruowei fanned herself, eyes narrowing slightly, and whispered: "Xiangling, go over and take a look. Find an opportunity... There are too many people in the garden today; it would be unfortunate if someone were to trip or fall."
Xiangling understood and hurriedly replied, "Yes."
Zhao Ruowei remained on the stone bench, watching the laughter and joy in the courtyard from afar. She lowered her brow, masking the icy coldness in her eyes.
She found it all an eyesore.
***
Jiang Lingzhi, having a good time, tucked a peony behind Xiao Jingyi’s ear: "Husband, let me pin a flower for you."
The deep red peony set off that golden-jade face, giving it a unique allure.
Xiao Jingxi clicked her tongue in wonder: "Fourth Sister-in-law, you are truly a brave soul. Tell me, how is this any different from pulling whiskers off a tiger’s face? But you have to admit, with this flower pinned on him, Fourth Brother actually looks quite dashing."
In her memory, Fourth Brother was a man of extreme sternness; his handsome features were truly wasted. But seeing him lying there so quietly now, he really did possess the air of a Pan An.
Xiao Yue of the Second Branch also joined in: "We owe it all to Fourth Aunt! Otherwise, when would we ever get to see Fourth Brother like this? Look, which young master in all of Shangjing can compare to this grace!"
Little Xiao Chan from the Third Branch giggled: "That's right, Fourth Uncle looks much better this way; he’s not scary at all."
Xiao Jingyi: "..."
This bold little village girl!
He dared not imagine what he looked like right now.
To think that he, a dignified War God General, had been reduced to being a source of amusement for women by having a flower pinned on him—ah!
He finally understood what it meant for a tiger to be bullied by dogs when it falls to the plains!
And not a single person had stepped forward to speak up for him!
The world was truly going to the dogs!
He inwardly fumed. This impudent country girl, Jiang Lingzhi, must have been raised wild in the countryside. Once he woke up, he would definitely have to teach her the rules!
And yet, this country girl, while admiring her work, actually recited a poem: "Peonies, peonies, and roses, all bloom upon the caps of officials." She said, "He is only twenty-three, after all; is this not the very age for wearing flowers?"
Jiang Lingyuan walked over and happened to hear Jiang Lingzhi finish the line. She was slightly stunned.
How could a bumpkin like Jiang Lingzhi recite poetry? She grew up in the countryside, where it was said she couldn't even get enough to eat; she shouldn't even know how to read!
But this was not the time to dwell on that. She suppressed her doubts and called out softly, "Elder Sister."
Jiang Lingzhi turned to look at her, gave her a cool, indifferent glance, and said nothing.
Jiang Lingyuan didn't mind the coldness. Her goal was to integrate into the Duke Estate as quickly as possible. She acted even more submissive and pitiable: "Elder Sister, I would also like to pin a flower. May I?"
"You should address me as Fourth Mistress," Jiang Lingzhi reminded her. "As for pinning flowers, please yourself."
"Elder Sister... No, Fourth Mistress, why are you so cold? Are you still blaming me?" Jiang Lingzhi sighed, looking aggrieved. "But you are already married to Fourth Uncle, and Xiao Yan and I are also wed. Since we sisters are under the same roof now, wouldn't it be better if we helped each other and lived our own lives well?"
Jiang Lingzhi looked at her, her voice flat: "May I ask, what is there for me to 'help each other' with regarding a concubine who doesn't even know her place?"
Jiang Lingyuan: "..."
She naturally wanted to retort with sarcasm, but the two women standing with Jiang Lingzhi were both known to her. In the past, at gatherings in Shangjing, Princess Funing had praised her poetry, and Xiao Yue had sought her advice on scores for the zither. She had once been a shining figure among the noble ladies; she did not want to be looked down upon by these two now because of her status as a concubine. She decided to swallow her pride and coax Jiang Lingzhi into not exposing her...
Jiang Lingyuan put on a look of deep concern and said softly:
"Fourth Mistress, that is not what I meant. I am only worried about you. I worry that because of me, you will be pointed at and gossiped about in the estate. After all, we are both surnamed Jiang!"
"Oh?"
Jiang Lingzhi looked at her with a half-smile: "The Duke Estate is currently managed by the First Mistress. If you say this, are you questioning the First Mistress's ability, implying she allows those gossiping villains to run rampant in the estate?"
Jiang Lingyuan’s face changed. How had she become so sharp-tongued?
The maid Chunliu couldn't take it anymore and glared at Jiang Lingzhi with displeasure: "Eldest... Fourth Mistress, why must you misinterpret our Mistress's good intentions like this?"
Jiang Lingzhi didn't let her off either: "You already addressed me as Fourth Mistress, yet you dare to question me like this? How much is the monthly allowance the Duke Estate gives to a concubine's maid that allows you to be this unruly in your speech?"
Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Yue exchanged a look and whispered, "Truly no manners."
"Slap!"
Seeing that things were going poorly, Jiang Lingyuan immediately raised her hand and slapped Chunliu across the face: "You insolent slave, how did I teach you? What kind of place do you think this Duke Estate is that you would dare to commit such insubordination?"
Chunliu was stunned, clutching her swollen cheek, looking at Jiang Lingyuan in disbelief.
Feeling that wasn't enough, Jiang Lingyuan said with a cold face: "I have told you many times: the Eldest Sister is now the Fourth Mistress of this estate, and you must treat her with respect. Do you understand? Slap yourself ten times! Otherwise, I will have you driven out."
Trembling, Chunliu began to slap her own face, sobbing: "This servant remembers, this servant knows she was wrong."
Xiao Jingxi found it boring: "Fourth Sister-in-law, Yue’er, I’m tired. Let’s go sit over there."
Jiang Lingzhi and Xiao Yue both nodded: "Alright."
Hearing this, Jiang Lingyuan hurriedly piled on a smile: "Princess, Xiao Yue, let's go together."
Xiao Jingxi glanced at her and refused: "No."
Xiao Yue was slightly more polite: "Weren't you going to pin a flower, Mistress Jiang? We won't disturb you."
Jiang Lingyuan bit her lip and had to call out to Jiang Lingzhi in a soft, pathetic voice: "Elder Sister!"
Jiang Lingzhi felt goosebumps rise all over; she pushed the wheelchair and prepared to leave.
In her desperation, Jiang Lingyuan reached out and grabbed Jiang Lingzhi’s wrist, pulling it toward her own lower abdomen: "Elder Sister, don't you want a child? Feel my child; I want to pass some of this good luck to you."
"Let go!" Jiang Lingzhi felt her hair stand on end, as if she were entangled by a venomous snake. She immediately pulled her hand back: "Don't bring your bad luck near me!"
Jiang Lingyuan stumbled and nearly fell. Unwilling to give up, she immediately tried to chase after her.
The maids, fearing for the pregnant Concubine Jiang, didn't dare to be too forceful, and Jiang Lingyuan truly managed to grab Jiang Lingzhi’s sleeve again: "Elder Sister!"
Somehow, perhaps because the crowd was chaotic, someone tripped her, and in the next moment, Jiang Lingyuan stumbled and fell to the ground, her golden hairpins twisted out of shape.
Her small face turned pale, her features contorted in pain, and her eyes filled with panic. Clutching her lower abdomen, she cried out: "...It hurts, it hurts! Help me, help me!"
For a moment, everyone was shocked!
Little Xiao Chan, who had been standing nearby, suddenly shrieked: "Ah, there’s blood! There’s blood!"
Jiang Lingyuan reached down and touched the warm, fresh blood beneath her, her face full of terror: "My child!"
Xiao Yan rushed in just in time, bent down, and scooped up Jiang Lingyuan: "Lingyuan, what happened? How did you fall like this?"
Thinking of the humiliation she had just suffered, Jiang Lingyuan pointed angrily at Jiang Lingzhi: "It was her! It was she who wanted to harm our child!"
Xueying immediately retorted: "Mistress Jiang, you clearly fell on your own. Don't go around slandering people!"
"Stop arguing, carry her inside, the child is what matters! Go call the doctor!" Second Mistress Lady Gu commanded with a stern face.
She felt as if her heart were being roasted over a fire. This was the first banquet she had hosted in the estate, so how could such a disaster occur?
To tell the truth, she suspected that Jiang Lingzhi, being young and temperamental, hadn't been able to restrain herself, but looking at her indifferent and disdainful expression, she didn't look capable of such a thing; it was truly baffling.
Fortunately, a doctor of great skill was currently staying in the estate.
After carefully checking the pulse, Doctor Mu’s brow relaxed: "Although the concubine has bled, the fetus is over three months old and quite stable. As long as she takes the stabilizing medicine and rests in bed, avoiding emotional distress, the fetus will certainly be fine."
He paused, then congratulated them: "The concubine is quite blessed. Looking at this pulse, it is a twin pregnancy of boys!"
Jiang Lingyuan was overjoyed. She grabbed Xiao Yan’s hand: "Husband, did you hear? The doctor said I am carrying two boys!"
Xiao Yan was naturally happy too. He reached out and gently stroked her lower abdomen: "I heard, I heard!"
Lady Lu, who had just stepped through the door, was stunned, and couldn't help but grin.
She had claimed illness and not attended the Peony Banquet today, because as the mistress of the house, she felt all matters, large or small, should pass through her hands, yet the Duke had entrusted this banquet to the Second Branch. And these peonies had been grown by the Second Branch, leaving her stifling with resentment.
But she hadn't been able to rest easy in her own courtyard. When she heard Mammy Wang report in a panic that something had happened to the pregnancy, her heart had leapt to her throat, and she had rushed over immediately.
Hearing now that Jiang Lingyuan was carrying twin boys, she was beaming: "Oh, good! Truly good! Mammy Wang, prepare a generous fee for Doctor Mu."
Lady Lu was overjoyed and even looked upon Jiang Lingyuan with more favor.
She sat by the bed, taking her hand and chiding her: "You, you are going to be a mother, how could you be so careless? In the future, don't just go and join the excitement at every banquet; just stay in your courtyard and rest."
Jiang Lingyuan’s eyes grew hot with indignation. If not for Jiang Lingzhi, she wouldn't have suffered this injustice for nothing!
"Mother doesn't know, it wasn't that I was careless today," Jiang Lingyuan said, fuming with resentment and fearing Lady Lu would blame her for being reckless. She quickly shifted the blame to Jiang Lingzhi: "I only wanted to let Elder Sister share in the good luck of the pregnancy, but my sister, she... she pushed me without a word! She must be harboring resentment against me and my husband, so she wanted to harm an innocent child! Mother, I am so wronged..."
"What kind of injustice is it? Why not tell me, the old woman, about it?" Old Madame Xiao walked into the room, leaning on her dragon-headed cane.
When the commotion started in the garden, she had been helping the Duke walk to the pavilion for a rest, so she hadn't seen what happened. She had only heard that the newly wed Concubine Jiang had fallen and bled, and then heard Mammy Liu report that Doctor Mu had declared Concubine Jiang was carrying twin boys.
The Duke was naturally pleased, so he had sent her to take a look.
She hadn't expected to hear such a thing the moment she entered. Since there was a grievance, and she, the Old Madame, had stumbled upon it, she couldn't help but hear it out.
Seeing Old Madame Xiao’s severity, Jiang Lingyuan felt a moment of panic. But thinking of the joy Lady Lu and Xiao Yan had shown for the twin boys, she felt that this child was her greatest asset.
She thought to herself, *Why not seize this chance to complain and make the accusation against Jiang Lingzhi stick, so the Old Madame will punish her severely and I can vent my anger!*
She put on a mask of deep grievance and began to sob: "Old Madame! Please, Old Madame, decide for me! It is my sister... she has never liked me. Seeing that I am carrying my husband’s child, she harbored resentment..."
Outside, the women of the Second and Third Branches were gathered. Everyone had different expressions as they listened.
Concubine Xiang of the First Branch sneered: "Look at that; the Jiang sisters are truly interesting. It wasn't enough to be at odds in the Ministry residence; they have to keep fighting like fighting cocks now that they are in our Duke Estate."
Concubine Hai of the Second Branch added: "Exactly! Seeing someone else have a child, their own hearts are soaked in vinegar, and they are capable of any malicious act!"
Concubine Mei, another from the Second Branch, also laughed: "They were family when they were young women, and family after marriage—why be so cruel?"
Second Mistress Lady Gu slammed the table: "Be quiet, all of you! What is this? When one concubine feels wronged, the others can't help but feel sorry for her?"
The concubines were shamed and huffed, not daring to say anything more.
From the inner room, the sobbing grew louder.
Seeing how things were, Jiang Lingzhi instructed Di Qing and Di Hong to take Xiao Jingyi’s wheelchair back, saying she worried he wouldn't be comfortable sitting too long.
Xiao Jingyi wanted to say that the matter hadn't been resolved yet, so why was he leaving! Although he hadn't seen it, the little village girl had both hands on his wheelchair; what could she have used to push that Concubine Yuan? It was clearly slander! This Concubine Yuan was truly a troublesome woman; he didn't know how Minister Jiang had raised such a daughter!
The wheels of the chair creaked, pushing Xiao Jingyi’s reluctance out of the Huichun Garden.
Xiao Jingyi: "..."
His desire to regain consciousness grew even more urgent.
Before long, a stern voice came from the inner room: "Lingzhi, come in."
Jiang Lingzhi stood up and walked into the inner room with a calm expression.
Xueying and Yunrou stepped forward to follow, but were stopped at the door by Mammy Liu. Since they had come from the Old Madame’s courtyard, they didn't dare to act presumptuously before Mammy Liu.
Jiang Lingzhi stood before the Old Madame with a straight back, meeting her stern gaze calmly: "Mother."
Old Madame Xiao watched her for a moment, her thoughts complex.
Could she still maintain such a light and indifferent air? Did she not know that if the crime of harming a descendant were proven, the Duke Estate would invoke clan law?
Lady Lu couldn't help but speak first, her voice cold: "Lady Jiang, you have always been overbearing; everyone in the estate usually gives way to you, but you should never have laid a hand on a child."
Jiang Lingzhi curled her lips in mockery. *She was overbearing?*
Was there any incident where others hadn't provoked her first, forcing her to counterattack?
Xiao Yan’s eyes were bloodshot, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. He jumped up and pointed at Jiang Lingzhi, cursing: "You vicious, lowly woman!"
He glared at her with hatred, feeling that this woman was violent and crazy, acting without considering the consequences. She must still be harboring resentment from the wedding day toward him and Lingyuan, which was why she had seized this opportunity to retaliate today.
Thinking back, it was he who had seen how beautiful Jiang Lingzhi looked pinning the flower and had sent Lingyuan to speak to her. He grew even more angry: "Lingyuan is kind-hearted; she wanted to reconcile with you, but you, with only a beautiful shell, have a heart like a scorpion!"
Jiang Lingzhi found it amusing. *He was cursing her, yet he praised her beauty?*
On the bed, Jiang Lingyuan raised her tear-filled eyes, gritting her teeth: "Elder Sister, I have already been infinitely patient with you; why must you treat me this way?"
Jiang Lingzhi finally spoke: "Lingyuan, things can be eaten indiscriminately, but words cannot be spoken indiscriminately. If you keep spewing such filth, what if one day your sons truly regret having been reincarnated in your womb?"
"You... you!" Jiang Lingyuan’s eyes widened, her pupils locked in fear.
How could this woman be so terrifying and impudent? Even before Old Madame Xiao, she dared to be so reckless?
Jiang Lingzhi stared at her: "Lingyuan, for the sake of the children, I will advise you once more. If you truly have any conscience, admit it now—that you were worried about being blamed and chose to pin your own mistake on me."
Hearing this, Old Madame Xiao frowned, her sharp gaze falling on Jiang Lingyuan.
Jiang Lingyuan panicked, pointing at Jiang Lingzhi’s nose and shrieking: "You, you are lying! It was clearly you who harbored malicious intent; you were the one who pushed me!"
Jiang Lingzhi looked at her coldly: "You truly will not stop until you see the Yellow River."
With that, she stopped looking at her and turned to the Old Madame: "Mother, please allow me to ask a few questions."
Old Madame Xiao nodded.
Jiang Lingzhi scanned the room and spotted a maid she recognized; she vaguely remembered the girl had served by her side back at the Jiang residence.
But she was already Jiang Lingyuan’s maid now.
"Xiaohua," Jiang Lingzhi looked at her. "Did you see me push her just now?"