Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
At that moment, Madam Jiang walked in steadily from outside the door.
Her gaze was piercing as she scanned the room before slowly speaking, her voice low yet filled with authority: "Han Yue is right. As the Prime Minister, you have failed to manage your household, showing disrespect for your elders and openly keeping a concubine, allowing your secondary wife and illegitimate daughters to bully the Eldest Daughter. The hierarchy is confused, and the family reputation is tarnished. I would like to see how people will judge you, a high-ranking Prime Minister of the Great Zhou, once this matter spreads."
Jiang Xingzhi glared at Madam Jiang with a dark expression, gritting his teeth as he said, "Yuan, don't forget your place."
Madam Jiang snorted coldly, taking a small step forward, standing tall as she declared, "If today I decide to divorce you in front of so many people, would that mean I no longer need to consider my status?"
Jiang Xi looked at her mother in shock; she had thought it would only be a separation at most, never expecting her mother to be so assertive as to announce a divorce publicly.
The dignified Prime Minister trembled with rage upon hearing this, pointing at Madam Jiang and stammering, "So it was you who stirred up trouble behind my back. This is utterly unreasonable."
Madam Jiang looked at him with indifference and calmly replied, "Prime Minister, there's no need to be angry. I came here simply to inform you that from today onward, no one is allowed to trouble Xi'er again. Jiang Yue and Liu's fate is entirely their own doing. Anyone who dares to disrespect the Eldest Daughter in the future will find all funding from the household cut off. Don't think of yourself as wronged now; if you truly provoke me, you'll learn that even the Northwest Wind can turn cold."
Han Yue stood behind her, captivated by Madam Jiang's commanding presence and couldn't help but applaud.
The four family members wore extremely grim expressions, but Madam Jiang paid them no mind. She turned to Jiang Xi, her gaze softening instantly as she gently said, "Xi'er, let's go. Don't pay them any attention."
Jiang Xi smiled lightly and quickly followed her mother and sister out of Songhe Garden, completely unconcerned about the murderous glares directed at them from behind.
Upon returning to Listening Rain Pavilion, Madam Jiang paused for a moment before looking at Jiang Xi and slowly asking, "Xi'er, I heard you met Master Wenxin at Qingyin Pavilion yesterday. What did he say to you?"
Jiang Xi nodded, focusing intently on her mother's expression as she replied, "He said he is my cousin."
At this revelation, Madam Jiang let out an unhappy cold snort. Jiang Xi hurriedly asked, "Mother, is what Master Wenxin said true? Why have I never heard you mention this over the years?"
Madam Jiang's eyes flashed with cold light as she said, "There’s nothing worth mentioning. I never intended to deal with those people again; I didn't expect them to come looking for us. Secrets buried for sixteen years may eventually resurface."
Madam Jiang lowered her head and took a sip of tea, then asked Jiang Xi, "What else did Master Wenxin say to you?"
A strange feeling stirred in Jiang Xi's heart. After a moment of contemplation, she replied, "Nothing much, just that he would come to visit Mother personally when he has the time."
To her surprise, her mother became agitated and said, "I don't want to see him. If you see him again, just tell him I don't wish to meet. He shouldn't waste his efforts."
Jiang Xi was puzzled. "Mother, why is that?"
"There's no reason; I just don't want to see him."
It was rare for Jiang Xi to hear her mother speak in such a tone, which made her even more curious. Her mother had remained calm even in the face of her husband's betrayal; why was she so resistant to Master Wenxin?
However, she could tell that her mother was simply dissatisfied with Wenxin and held no real resentment.
Madam Jiang naturally noticed the curiosity in Jiang Xi's eyes and couldn't help but ask, "Are you very curious about what’s going on with me?"
Jiang Xi nodded honestly and said, "I am indeed a bit curious. If there's something troubling you, feel free to share it with me. I can help ease your worries."
Madam Jiang chuckled softly and shook her head. "You helping me ease my worries? I'm afraid that would only put you in a difficult position."
Jiang Xi fell silent, sensing that her mother's reaction was somewhat strange. She pondered what it meant.
Madam Jiang sighed and said, "I don’t even know how to start this conversation with you. That guy is clever; he knows to send you to probe first. If he were to appear before me now, I would definitely make him regret it."
She glanced out the window with a hint of resignation and continued, "Well, what’s meant to happen will happen. I haven't spoken to you about these things over the years because I didn't want to burden you. I wanted a simple life, so even though I am extremely disappointed in your father, I've never considered the idea of separation."
Jiang Xi let out a soft "Hmm" and said, "Mother told me before that the reason you didn't divorce Father was because you didn't want to give the Feng family an advantage."
Madam Jiang smiled and replied, "That's just an excuse; I've never told you the real reason."
She lowered her gaze and pondered for a moment before speaking seriously. "Xi'er, I want to ask you: have you truly decided to marry the Regent and no one else?"
Jiang Xi was slightly taken aback. Although she didn't understand why her mother would ask such a question, she still nodded firmly and said, "It has to be him. I have already fallen for Fong Yang and am prepared to spend my life with him."
She knew that while she wasn't hopelessly in love with Fong Yang, nor would she be unable to live without him, she also understood that he couldn't do without her. Even if it was just as a form of compensation, Jiang Xi could never marry anyone else in her lifetime.
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang suddenly stood up and said, "In that case, I need to have a serious talk with the Regent. Let's go; we are heading to the Regent's Palace right now."
Jiang Xi was astonished and asked, "Is it really that urgent?"
Madam Jiang smiled lightly and replied, "There's no better time than now. Rather than letting you harbor doubts in your heart, it's better to let both you and the prince know the truth sooner."
At this point, Jiang Xi had already guessed that her mother's identity must be quite extraordinary; otherwise, she wouldn't be so troubled.
Without saying another word, she followed her mother into the carriage heading back to the Regent's Palace.
As soon as they got off the carriage, they saw Fong Yang and Wenxin standing at the entrance, clearly waiting for them. Jiang Xi paused for a moment and asked, "Your Highness, what are you doing here? Did you somehow anticipate that my mother and I would come?"
Fong Yang nodded slightly and replied with a soft "Hmm." Wenxin stepped forward with a smile, respectfully bowing slightly as she said, "Aunt, it's been a long time."
Madam Jiang cast a cold glance at him and said, "Who is your Aunt? I have something to discuss with the Prince. Please take me to a more suitable place for conversation."
Fong Yang nodded and replied, "Madam, please follow me." He turned and led the way.
Jiang Xi was quite surprised; her mother’s imposing demeanor today was truly overwhelming, even speaking to Fong Yang in an almost commanding tone.
This was not because Fong Yang had any particular affection for her that gave him such confidence, but rather because her mother inherently possessed that authority.
Fong Yang brought Madam Jiang to the study, a place where he handled official matters, representing seriousness and rigor.
Due to the patriarchal system, the study had traditionally been a space where women had little power to tread.
This was Jiang Xi's second time entering Fong Yang's study.
In the Regent's Palace, she was the only woman qualified to step into the study.
However, today her status seemed lower, as soon as she entered, his Mother spoke up: "Xi'er, why don't you go play for a while? I need to talk to the Prince alone."
Jiang Xi was slightly taken aback and instinctively looked up at Fong Yang, the decisive Regent, who gently raised his hand in a gesture indicating she should step aside for now.
With a sigh, Jiang Xi said, "Alright then, I hope you and Mother have a good chat."
With that, she obediently turned and walked out.
Comment 0 Comment Count