Volume 1, Chapter 11: Return to the General's Estate

Now, she refused to acknowledge that child.

It seemed that many things had already veered off their original course.

Within just a few days, Jinxi Cheng had torn ties with Yichen Cheng over the shimmering brocade.

Two equally selfish and self-centered women, who could completely disregard appearances over a mere sliver of benefit.

“Jinxi Cheng, you are shameless beyond words! A curse to everyone around you!

You killed your own father as a child, and shortly after marriage, you killed your husband.

Rejected by your in-laws, how dare you come back here?

This is not your home.

What are you doing clinging to our Marquis Mansion?

If you have the guts, get far away from here.”

“You!”

Jinxi Cheng’s face flushed with anger.

She wanted to retort but found herself powerless to do so.

Yichen Cheng’s words had indeed struck her softest spot.

She was merely a dependent, living a life submissive to others’ moods.

When would such a life ever end?

Thinking of her miserable past, she bit her lip tightly.

At that moment, she glanced up and caught sight of Yao Chu standing silently by the door, and immediately a plan formed in her mind.

“Second Miss, this fabric was given to me by the Young Madam, which is why I took it.

Instead of blaming me, wouldn’t it be better to ask your Second Sister-in-law—if you wanted it, why did she give this fabric to Yue’er?”

Oh, truly a master of stirring up trouble and shifting blame!

She asked for the fabric, and when it was given, it was still her fault?

Yao Chu snorted coldly.

Seeing the hostile look from Yichen Cheng, Yao Chu spoke calmly,

“Cousin, Second Miss, you are both mistresses of the household.

No matter which of you asks for the shimmering brocade, I would comply.

After all, it belongs to the Marquis Mansion, and I’m only responsible for managing the accounts.

If the mistress wants it, there’s no reason to withhold what is clearly available.

Since cousin asked for the shimmering brocade today, I naturally cannot refuse her face.

Second Miss, you don’t think I was wrong to do so, do you?”

Yichen Cheng considered it and found her sister-in-law’s words reasonable, but still frowned and said,

“Sister-in-law, you’re too lenient with her. She doesn’t even deserve to be a mistress of the Marquis Mansion! From now on, ignore whatever she asks for.”

At that moment, Yao Chu spotted Wen Yuan Cheng hurrying toward the Autumn Evening Courtyard.

His news was quite fast.

Since he had arrived, she had no choice but to act as a mediator for a while.

Clearing her throat, she loudly said,

“Cousin, Second Miss, we’re all family—there’s no need to quarrel over something so trivial.

In my opinion, this bolt of cloth is enough for both Second Miss and Yue’er to each make a set of clothes.

How about this—I’ll have someone divide it for you.

Let’s just forget about today’s matter.

Why bring shame upon everyone?”

Before Jinxi Cheng could say anything, Yichen Cheng flatly refused,

“No way! Why should I wear the same fabric as that illegitimate brat! Does that brat even deserve it?”

“Smack!”

Before she finished speaking, she was struck hard across the left cheek.

A sudden sting of pain and overwhelming shame made Yichen Cheng’s delicate brows shoot upward in surprise.

Furious, she was about to curse when she looked up and realized it was her second brother who had struck her!

“Second Brother, you hit me?!”

Yichen Cheng could hardly believe it—her own brother had slapped her without asking any questions!

Was this still her brother?

Jinxi Cheng hadn’t expected the usually mild-mannered Wen Yuan to lay hands on the Second Miss—especially in front of so many people.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, she rolled her eyes slightly, weakly supported her head, and slowly collapsed.

“Cousin!”

Wen Yuan Cheng dashed forward in a single step and caught her.

“Cousin, what’s wrong with you?”

Seeing her eyes tightly shut, Wen Yuan immediately scooped Jinxi Cheng up in a horizontal embrace and hurried inside.

Before entering, he didn’t forget to glare fiercely at Yichen Cheng.

Watching this scene, Yao Chu smiled coldly at the corner of her mouth.

Jinxi Cheng’s acting was truly excellent!

Fainting just at the right moment.

How had she been fooled by that person in her previous life?

She had even once believed Jinxi Cheng to be kind-hearted and pitiable!

“Second Sister-in-law, Second Brother hit me! Please do something…”

“Miss Yi, you saw it all. Your second brother probably won’t have time to deal with you today.

The heir is beyond my control as well.

Your face is swollen; better go home and apply ice. We’ll talk another day.

Everyone else, you may leave.”

Yao Chu was too tired to watch any longer. With that, she turned and led everyone out.

...

The next day, after breakfast, Yao Chu took Qiuyue and went out the secondary gate.

The gatekeeper blocked the main gate with a troubled expression.

“Young Madam, where are you headed?”

“What? Does the Young Madam need to report her destination to you? The Young Madam is determined to take charge of the Marquis Mansion—why should I tolerate your nagging when I go out?”

Qiuyue looked disdainfully at the gatekeeper.

“Don’t dare, I don’t dare.

It’s just that yesterday the Young Madam went out without informing the Old Madam, which made her angry.

The Old Madam has decreed that from now on, the Young Madam must report to her in advance when going out.

Otherwise, she cannot…”

“I know. Step aside. When I return, I’ll personally speak to the Old Madam.”

Yao Chu’s face was stern, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

“Young Madam, that won’t do—you should inform the Old Madam first…”

“Step aside!”

Qiuyue saw the gatekeeper stubbornly standing there, unwilling to move, and forcefully pushed him aside.

Yao Chu strode out, lifted her skirt, and jumped into the carriage waiting outside, belonging to the Early Marquis.

She ordered the coachman, “Go to the General’s Mansion.”

Finally, she was going home.

Counting her previous life, she had not returned to the General’s Mansion for a full seven or eight years.

In her previous life, the Old Madam disliked her having much contact with her birth family.

Only when help was needed from the Chu family was she allowed to return.

Since marrying into the Marquis Mansion, she had returned home only five times.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go back, but every time she mentioned it to the Old Madam, she was flatly refused.

“A married daughter is like water spilled—never to be gathered again!”

“You’re already part of the Marquis Mansion—that’s your home now. Being wishy-washy is no way to be a proper wife!”

“A married daughter has no birth family.”

“...”

And she had believed that lie about marrying into her husband’s family.

That was why the Old Madam could control her so completely.

From now on, if she wanted to go to her birth family, no one could stop her.

She had married into the Marquis Mansion, not been sold to it.

Outside the gates of the General’s Mansion, Yao Chu stared blankly at the simple, rugged plaque.

The Chu family had produced many renowned generals who had made great contributions to the Great Qi Dynasty.

Her grandfather, Jian Kun Chu, was a First Rank Martial General of the Xuānwǔ army.

Her father, Yunlong Chu, was a Second Rank Cavalry General.

Her eldest brother, Fei Chu, currently served as a Captain in the Northwestern Army.

Yao Chu grew up in the military camp in the northwest.

From a young age, she had witnessed her grandfather, father, and brothers practicing martial arts and training soldiers, galloping on the battlefield.

Two years ago, her grandfather, due to age, was allowed by the Emperor to retire and return to the capital.

At that time, Yao Chu had also reached the age to be considered for marriage.

With her grandfather’s return to the capital, he took her from the camp and found a match for her.

Since her grandfather had long been at the border, he was unfamiliar with the capital’s youths.

He only knew that the Marquis Mansion of Pingyang was a cultured family and thought the heir, Wen Yuan Cheng, was a courteous and talented gentleman.

Thus, he had the idea to establish a marriage alliance with the Pingyang Marquis family.

Yao Chu was then still inexperienced and naive.

Having grown up among the rough soldiers in the camp, she thought all men were upright and pure-hearted like them.

When she first saw Wen Yuan Cheng from afar, distinguished and elegant, and heard her grandfather praise the cultured and well-mannered family, she readily agreed.

It wasn’t until years later, after witnessing the duplicity, extreme hypocrisy, and greed of the Cheng family, that she realized the phrase “gold and jade on the outside, rotted inside” perfectly described the Pingyang Marquis family.

Those who were righteous were often common scoundrels; those who betrayed hearts were usually scholars.

Wen Yuan Cheng’s betrayal of Yao Chu was beyond mere heartlessness—he had ruthlessly destroyed her soul.