Grand Tutor Xie held a black piece in one hand and flipped through the chess manual with the other. It was an endgame, and Grand Tutor Xie loved solving problems that others couldn't solve. His expression remained unchanged. "His Majesty is unwell, and the young prince is still very young. If he doesn't act soon, it may be too late."
“But this is too hasty,” Xie Jiali pondered. “Song Yanji has just made such great contributions, and Your Majesty wants to uproot him completely. In my humble opinion, this may be detrimental to Your Majesty’s reputation.”
"What does a man who's almost buried have to care about his reputation?" The chess piece was placed in the lower right corner, the endgame was broken, and Xie Taifu's face showed a rare hint of warmth. "His Majesty's empire was won on horseback, so it's inevitable that he'll be more wary of military generals."
The art of checks and balances has been somewhat forgotten, but Song Yanji is indeed too sharp and his rise to power is too fast, so fast that Li Sheng had no choice but to get rid of him and leave his son a relatively stable empire.
Where is Yan'er?
"They said they were going to visit the He family." Xie Jiali carefully observed his father's expression. "A girl should always make some close female friends."
Grand Tutor Xie stood up and closed the chess manual. "She's ignoring what you said."
“Father.” Xie Jiali also felt that Xie Jiayan was a bit too willful, but she was, after all, his younger sister, so he couldn’t help but defend her. “Sister Yan agreed to her son’s request.”
“I know my daughter very well.” Grand Tutor Xie patted his son’s shoulder, walked to the window, and the light shone through the window lattice onto his face, casting a beautiful shadow. “There are more than a dozen girls of all ages in the Yanzhou family, but it is she who has won over the old lady like the apple of her eye. How could she be a woman without her own opinions?”
Everyone says that the Xie family of Yanzhou has produced three emperors and empresses, and that the women are always gentle and virtuous. But how could the women who could live peacefully in their own family and be married off to high-ranking families one after another be gentle and docile? The girls raised by Old Madam Xie all inherited her temperament. It's not that they're bad, but when Grand Tutor Xie opened the window, a sudden gust of wind rushed in, and he was afraid that they were too headstrong.
"Sister Xie, please don't blame me." He Baozhen twisted her embroidered handkerchief and explained anxiously, "It's all my sister-in-law's fault. She refused to change the time no matter what."
"It's alright. It was my fault for replying so abruptly to my sister. Please don't blame me for being impolite as her older sister." Xie Jiayan smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, her voice gentle and soothing.
"No, no, how could I blame Sister Xie?" He Baozhen quickly waved her hand.
"Now that the Lady of Anguo is also at the He residence, shouldn't we, as the younger generation, go and pay our respects?" Xie Jiayan hesitated for a moment before asking.
He Baozhen opened her mouth, about to say no, but then she thought that if she spoke too quickly, she would probably seem rude. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "If Sister Xie doesn't mind, let's go to the flower hall."
"Sister He, please lead the way."
He Baozhen was a little embarrassed by her laughter. She actually quite liked Xie Jiayan. Although Xie Jiayan had a very high-class air about her, her words made her feel very comfortable.
Jiang Yuan was having tea with Grandma He when a maidservant quickly came over, bowed, and whispered in Grandma He's ear.
That annoying sister-in-law! Grandma He wanted to strangle her. She could have just entertained her guests in her own courtyard. It was perfectly acceptable for the two unmarried young ladies not to come out and greet them.
Now that they're coming, it's manageable for her, but the Lady of the Marquis didn't know beforehand, and she hadn't prepared a gift for the meeting. Madam He's eyes subtly swept over Jiang Yuan's clothes; they were all expensive items, any one of which would be a painful expense to give away. But what if she gave something insignificant? Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to Miss Xie? She could only wait for Jiang Yuan to ask her directly, then feign reluctance and let the Lady of the Marquis decide whether or not to meet her. If she met her, she would naturally have to give a gift; if not, she could use Jiang Yuan's words to relay to Miss Xie.
Unfortunately, Madam He was calculating and full of hesitation, but Jiang Yuan pretended not to see it and just drank her tea. She had lived in the palace for so many years, how could she hide the actions of these women in the inner quarters from her?
Jiang Yuan can't afford to be idle, but Grandma He can't. It's not good to let Miss Xie stand outside all the time. He Baozhen is also a vengeful person. If she keeps stomping her feet and wiping her face in front of her mother-in-law every now and then, how will she live her life in the future?
“Madam,” Madam He said hesitantly, “I was unaware that Baozhen had invited Miss Xie to be our guest today.”
Upon hearing the name Miss Xie, Jiang Yuan's throat tightened. Although she didn't show it on her face, her fingertips dug into her palm as she tried her best to calm her inner turmoil. She smiled and said, "It's alright, let them talk."
Uh… Grandma He swallowed hard. This wasn't going well. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, “Baozhen and Miss Xie are just outside the hall, you see…”
To meet or not to meet?
“This is your home, how can I, as a guest, make decisions for the host? You should make the decision, Grandma He.” Jiang Yuan passed the buck back to her.
“…”
"What on earth is my sister-in-law doing! Why are you dawdling like this!" He Baozhen stood there somewhat angrily. Originally, she wanted Guiyuan to go and announce their arrival in advance, but Xie Jiayan was afraid that they would be late when they were called in, which would be impolite. So she sent someone over only when they arrived at the door, but she didn't expect to wait for so long.
"What if the Lady of the Marquis is too busy to see us?" Xie Jiayan comforted her. "Don't worry, Sister He."
Hmph! Just as He Baozhen was snorting, Mo'er, who was beside Madam He, hurriedly stepped out of the door and ran to them to bow, saying, "Madam, please invite you and Miss Xie in."
"You're so slow." He Baozhen flicked her sleeve and then smiled at Xie Jiayan, "Sister Xie, let's go in."
Inside the flower hall, this was Xie Jiayan's first time meeting Jiang Yuan. She was wearing a pale yellow round-necked robe embroidered with bamboo leaves and plum blossoms, paired with a light gray horse-face skirt with scattered flowers. She sat smiling on a rosewood chair, the jade bracelet on her hand dangling on her fair wrist, so green it seemed like you could squeeze water out of it.
"Sister-in-law, Lady of the Marquis," He Baozhen said first, bowing. "Sister Xie and I have come to pay our respects to you."
Jiang Yuan sipped her tea, glancing at He Baozhen. The spoiled, willful young lady immediately told her that the idea of sending greetings was Xie Jiayan's. Jiang Yuan had exceptionally beautiful eyes; at that moment, her eyes slightly upturned, a smile playing on her lips, displaying a demeanor she hadn't used in years.
Back then, I was the wife, and you were the concubine.
Now, I am the wife of a marquis, and you are the daughter of an official.
Didn't you want to come? Okay, go ahead and pay your respects.
Xie Jiayan's eyes flickered slightly, then he smiled and bent down, "Jiayan greets the Duchess and Madam He."
"Don't be so polite." Grandma He naturally wouldn't dare offend the Xie family's young lady. Before Jiang Yuan could even speak, she reached out to call them to get up.
“Baozhen is indeed as beautiful as her name suggests.” Jiang Yuan then glanced at Xie Jiayan. “I also like Miss Xie very much.”
Jiang Yuan adopted the demeanor of an elder, beckoning as if calling a cat or dog, "Come here and let me take a look."
He Baozhen didn't think there was anything wrong with it, but Xie Jiayan found the gesture rather irritating; it was the attitude of a superior towards an inferior.
She walked up to Jiang Yuan with a smile, and Jiang Yuan patted her hand affectionately, saying casually, "What a beautiful girl." After saying that, he took off the jade bracelet on his hand and hung it on her wrist, "I saw Miss Xie take a few more glances at it just now, and I suppose she likes it very much. It's not anything expensive, so I'm giving it to you as a small gift."
"Lady Xie, wife of the Marquis of Xie." Not valuable? Was this mocking her for her low standards? If she looked a few more times, was this a sarcastic remark asking for a gift? Xie Jiayan's smile grew even more innocent and carefree.
But this smile was like a raging flood to Bao Yun. She glanced quickly at Jiang Yuan, then quickly lowered her head, looking at the ground within three feet in front of her, her heart pounding wildly.
Jiang Yuan was generous, and even He Baozhen received a gemstone hairpin with gold thread and flowers. Unlike He Baozhen, who tried hard to suppress her inner joy, Xie Jiayan smiled with her eyes slightly curved.
After all these years of fighting, Jiang Yuan knows her inside and out. The angrier she gets, the sweeter her smile becomes. Right now, Xie Jiayan probably wants to tear her apart. But so what? In this life and the last, she has always been superior to her in status. Xie Jiayan has always been the one kneeling and bowing to her. No matter how much time has passed, this has never changed. As long as she sees Xie Jiayan uncomfortable, Jiang Yuan feels extremely satisfied.
Jiang Yuan held the cup in her slender hand, took a sip of tea, and did not offer her a seat. Her eyes seemed to see into Xie Jiayan's very soul, and she smiled, "Now that we've met, we can't let you sit here with us. Please leave."
With a wave of his hand, he sent them away.
He Baozhen was overjoyed and quickly took the hairpin, bowed, and took her leave.
"Then Jiayan will take his leave." Xie Jiayan bent his knees, his face still gentle and respectful, but his eyes were filled with icy shards the moment he lowered his head.
"Ah! There's a mouse!" The door to the boudoir was tightly bolted, and Baoyun's screams echoed continuously inside.
*Smack! Smack!*
The sound of porcelain shattering.
The emerald green carved floor tiles were covered with porcelain shards, the carved sandalwood mirror was smashed to pieces, and the famous calligraphy and inkstones were scattered all over the ground. Even the two-foot-tall Ru kiln flower vase and its pouch of white chrysanthemums had fallen to the ground.
Kim Soo stood trembling at the door, clutching the tail of a gray squirrel that had been dead for a long time.
Xie Jiayan was filled with hostility, but after she vented her anger, she regained her usual charming and cute demeanor. There was no trace of the fierce and terrifying appearance she had just had. She took a handkerchief to wipe the water stains from her hands and said calmly, "I caught it. Throw it out."
"Yes, Miss." Jinxiu hurriedly opened the door, threw the dead rat in her hand into the yard, and said fiercely, "Don't you know how to clean the yard? You didn't even know a rat had entered Miss's room. Where is the maid who cleaned? Drag her out and give her twenty lashes!"
"Jin Xiu." Xie Jiayan's voice came from inside the house, "Forget it, considering it's the first time, just punish her with a month's allowance."
"Yes, Miss." Jinxiu responded from outside the door, then turned to the cleaning maid and said, "If it weren't for Miss's kind heart, you wouldn't have escaped this beating!"
"Thank you, Miss, thank you, Miss." The maid's grateful sobs came from outside the door.
Chapter 54 A Close Call
The door closed behind her. Xie Jiayan looked at the mess in the room, and the nail polish on her fingertips appeared even more vibrant red. She tapped the table, one tap after another, while Baoyun stood quietly beside her.
After a long pause, she finally spoke coldly, "That woman is utterly repulsive."
As she spoke, Xie Jiayan suddenly turned around. Bao Yun met her eyes and, even after looking at them for many years, couldn't help but feel a little afraid. "She's even more annoying than my seventeenth sister."
Upon hearing her mention Xie Seventeen, Bao Yun didn't dare utter a sound. Xie Jiayan was the fifteenth child in the main family. She was sweet-looking and eloquent, and very much liked by the old lady. At the age of [age missing], she was taken from the madam's residence to Qiushuang Courtyard to be raised by the old lady. Also taken there with her were Xie Ninth Miss and Xie Seventeenth Miss. The Ninth Miss was four years older than Xie Jiayan, and was exquisitely beautiful. After her coming-of-age ceremony, she was married off to the Wang family of Yunzhou. After that, only Bao Yun and Xie Jiayan remained by the old lady's side. The Seventeenth Miss was also clever, and her beauty was breathtaking; the old lady adored her.
Then, Miss Seventeen died.
Baoyun dared not think any further and simply lowered her head to answer: Yes.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was tense, and the same was true in Lin'an City.
Li Sheng had deliberately orchestrated Zhang Sizhi's affair, a despicable act of an emperor framing a meritorious official. However, his health had clearly deteriorated over the past two years, sometimes even falling asleep while reviewing memorials. Until a few months ago, when he coughed up blood, he realized he couldn't wait any longer and issued an imperial edict recalling Song Yanji.
Jing'er is still young. Even if he cannot leave him a stable and prosperous empire, he cannot let him fall into Song Yanji's hands.
"Anyone who is useless can be killed."
Li Sheng was drawn to his ruthlessness back then, and now, it's that ruthlessness that she fears.
Evidence was presented to the emperor one after another, and in less than a month, the political climate in the Marquis of Anguo's residence had completely reversed, with Song Yanji thrust into the eye of the storm. Jiang Yuan secretly sent several letters to Jiang Zhongsi, mostly asking for his assistance.
"It's said that girls are drawn to the outside world, and it's certainly true," Jiang Zhongsi said, shaking his head as he looked at the letter in his hand.
Madam Jiang was somewhat displeased upon hearing this. "Her husband and son are both at the Marquis of Anguo's residence. How could she not be anxious?" She couldn't help but inquire, "Is the matter with Zhongli really as serious as the rumors say?"
Hmph, with such conclusive evidence, he wouldn't believe it wasn't intentional. But now that Li'er is with him... Jiang Zhongsi frowned. If the investigation continues like this, it will implicate Li'er sooner or later. "I can only try my best, but don't have too high expectations."
"Over there in Zhongli..."
"Zhong Li, all you know is Zhong Li!" Jiang Zhongsi slammed his cup down, he hadn't lost his temper like this in many years. "Can you all stop mentioning that name in front of me! Haven't you dragged us down enough already?!"
"What are you angry about!" Madam Jiang was slightly taken aback by his shout. Holding a handkerchief in her hand, she stammered, "Back then... this marriage wasn't arranged by my daughter and me. Wasn't it you who agreed to it? Yuan'er even fell seriously ill because of it."
"Yes, it was my fault. I shouldn't have agreed!" Jiang Zhongsi's eyes were filled with inscrutable emotions, and his head was throbbing. He slowly sat down, supporting his forehead. "I never imagined he would rise so quickly. If he were still just a lowly lieutenant..."
Why are there so many messy things going on? Yet, he's climbing up the ladder so recklessly... The gloom in Jiang Zhongsi's eyes grew heavier, and his mind became increasingly chaotic.
The Marquis of Anguo's residence was placed under martial law three days later. Qu Si'an led a group of men and surrounded the Marquis of Anguo's residence. Li Sheng issued an edict summoning him to the morning court the next day.
That evening, Jiang Yuan pulled him to sit on the couch. She wore no makeup, and under the candlelight, she appeared even more delicate.
“Chengyu is still young.” These were the first words Jiang Yuan spoke. Song Yansi looked at her, and her fingers grasped his hand. “Can you protect him?”
Over the past few days, she had come to understand the situation better. The one who wanted to harm him was none other than the current emperor. The Song family was a wealthy merchant family, possessing vast gold and silver mines, but their connections in the upper echelons of officialdom were inferior to those of so-called fallen noble families. Although there were dissenting voices in the court, the situation was largely one-sided, and Jiang Zhongsi was powerless to change it. At this time, Song Yanji's power base was still weak, and any mishaps were inevitable.
"And you?" Song Yansi interrupted her thoughts. He was very calm, sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking at her with a rare, scrutinizing gaze.
"I will go with you." Jiang Yuan said without hesitation. She was reluctant to part with Cheng Yu, but at this moment, she would still resolutely choose Song Yanji. Jiang Yuan was willing to take the gamble. She knew this man too well. She was gambling with her own survival value. After all, no one else could devote all their efforts to taking good care of his son. She would most likely be sent away with Cheng Yu.
Jiang Yuan was thinking to herself, but her eyes remained fixed on him.
Song Yansi stared at her for a while, then suddenly leaned forward and pulled her into a warm and firm embrace.
"A-Yuan." Song Yansi's voice rang in her ears.
"Hmm." Jiang Yuan's hands hung down, her eyes shifting slightly, but her voice remained steady and calm. In truth, no matter what, she could not die with him. Her son was still so young, and he had so much of his life to live; he couldn't live without her.
"You must die after me in this lifetime." Song Yansi held her like this, his voice a little hoarse, which sounded inexplicably pitiful. Whether Jiang Yuan's words were sincere or a lie, he was willing to believe whatever she said.
Jiang Yuan paused for a moment before placing her hand on his back and gently stroking him to comfort him, saying, "Okay."
“However.” With a change of tone, Song Yansi hugged her and chuckled softly. He held Jiang Yuan’s shoulders, stood up, and looked at her face with a faint smile in his eyes. “But don’t worry, Yuan, even if they all die, I won’t die.”
"Them?" Jiang Yuan keenly noticed this. Who were they?
"Dong—dong! Dong! Dong!" The clapper at midnight sounded three times, one slow and three fast. Lin'an City had already fallen silent. The hidden door behind the mansion was opened, and a figure darted into the courtyard.