Volume One, Chapter 9: Paying Respects to Madam Jiang

It was Chu Yao who had cleared a path of thorns and brambles for him all along, paving a bright road and propelling him to a high position. Yet he was insatiable and ungrateful, tearing down the bridge after crossing it. In his ambition to climb to the position of Prime Minister, he ultimately sacrificed the Chu family. If given a second chance, Chu Yao would never allow him into the cabinet again—not only that, she would deny him any opportunity for advancement.

Upon hearing Qiu Xiang’s report, Chu Yao grew curious about Cheng Jinxi’s purpose in visiting Lady Jiang, the wife of Su Yuankai. Chu Yao knew that no matter what, Cheng Jinxi’s visit was not about Cheng Wenyuan’s promotion—she lacked the influence to affect officials’ advancements.

The next afternoon, Chu Yao went to the Duke’s Mansion with Qiuyue. Su Wanyun warmly took her hand and led her into the flower hall.

“Sister Yao, ever since you married, I haven’t seen you for such a long time. How could you bear to leave that handsome husband of yours behind just to come see me today?”

“Wanyun, it has indeed been a long time. It’s my fault; I should have come to see you sooner.”

Seeing Su Wanyun stirred a flood of emotions in Chu Yao’s heart. Across two lifetimes, it had been a long time since she last saw her. Meeting again as if no time had passed, she couldn’t help but feel grateful.

“Sister Yao, is something troubling you? You don’t look as carefree as before.”

In her heart, Su Wanyun’s image of Sister Yao was still the spirited young lady of the General’s household—bold and unconcerned with trifles.

“There is something on my mind.”

Chu Yao refrained from explaining that she was no longer the naive girl she once was but a traveler weathered by storms. Instead, she said, “Wanyun, this morning, the Miss of the Pingyang Marquisate came to visit Lady Jiang, Su Yuankai’s wife. I want to know what was said.”

“Pingyang Marquisate? I’m not aware of that. Sister Yao, hold on, I’ll call my sister-in-law right now.”

Su Wanyun then looked to a maid beside her. “Please ask Lady Jiang to come here.”

Soon, Lady Jiang arrived briskly. Upon seeing Chu Yao, a warm smile lit her face.

“Yao’er, it’s been quite some time since I last saw you.”

Chu Yao quickly rose to greet her. Lady Jiang smiled, taking Chu Yao’s hand, and they sat together.

“Yao’er, even if you hadn’t come today, I would have sought you out tomorrow.”

Chu Yao was taken aback. “Is something wrong?”

Lady Jiang waved her hand, and the servants in the hall discreetly withdrew. With no one else present, she continued:

“This morning, someone named Cheng Jinxi from your household came to me with a hefty gift…”

“Lady Jiang, do you know what she wanted?”

Lady Jiang’s expression grew a little awkward, hesitating as she spoke:

“She said… she and Cheng Wenyuan, the heir of Pingyang Marquisate, are mutually fond of each other. She said she was willing to be his concubine and hoped I would consent.”

“She is the heir’s cousin yet willing to become a concubine. Such a thing is truly rare.”

Seeing her sincere words and the tears she shed several times, Lady Jiang admitted, “If it were someone else, I might have considered granting her wish. But the person she desires is your husband, Yao’er. So I could not agree.”

“What kind of matter is this? Where has it ever been acceptable for a cousin to become a concubine to her relative?”

So that was it! Cheng Jinxi actually intended to become a concubine! That had not happened in the previous life. Or perhaps Lady Jiang had rejected her outright before, and she had been unaware?

No, that was impossible. In the previous life, she had visited the Duke’s Mansion a few times to support Cheng Wenyuan’s promotion. It was inconceivable that Lady Jiang had helped her silently.

The only explanation was that this time, since Chu Yao had not taken in Yue’er, the Marquisate had considered taking a concubine, pressuring Cheng Jinxi into this scheme.

Chu Yao looked at Lady Jiang calmly and said, “Lady Jiang, since they are mutually fond, then let them be.”

“Sister Yao, why are you so magnanimous? Surely this isn’t genuine?”

Su Wanyun asked in surprise.

“Of course it is. If they love each other, why should I be the one to break them apart? Please, Lady Jiang, grant them your blessing.”

Lady Jiang stared at Chu Yao, her eyes searching her face for deceit. After a long pause, she said:

“Very well. I will do as you say. In great households, many men have three or four wives. We, as the lady of the house, must learn to accept it.”

Chu Yao then inquired about the specific ways Cheng Jinxi wished Lady Jiang to assist her. Hearing Lady Jiang’s answer, a chill ran through Chu Yao’s heart.

Cheng Jinxi was utterly mad—willing to use any means to achieve her goal.

To become Cheng Wenyuan’s concubine, she disregarded both her own reputation and the honor of the Marquisate.

Having clarified everything, Chu Yao next visited Lady Qin, the wife of the Duke.

Lady Qin smiled warmly and took Chu Yao’s hand. “Yao’er, Yuankai is about to be promoted. I was thinking of speaking with the Duke to have your husband appointed Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. That way, the benefits stay within the family.”

“Madam, that cannot be.”

Seeing Chu Yao refuse with such certainty rather than joy, Lady Qin’s smile froze instantly.

“Why? Yao’er, what is wrong?”

“Madam, my husband is still inexperienced and needs time to grow. The current position of Fifth Rank Vice Minister is sufficient for now.”

This was the first time Lady Qin had encountered someone who turned down a promotion opportunity. She shook her head but still looked at Chu Yao with tenderness.

“You are quite a peculiar girl. Very well, I understand. We’ll follow your wishes.”

Meanwhile, Cheng Jinxi strode into the Yao Guang Pavilion, holding Yue’er’s hand and looking proud.

“Where is the young mistress?”

“She has gone out.”

“How strange! The young mistress of the Marquisate runs about so often. Always showing herself publicly—she knows nothing of the Marquisate’s rules. People from military families are indeed uncultured.”

Qiu Shuang, known for her fiery temper, could not tolerate anyone insulting her young mistress and the General’s household. She raised her eyebrows and glared, shouting:

“You, a mere hanger-on at the Marquisate, dare to comment on the young mistress? I warn you, if you say another word against the young mistress or the General’s household, I’ll smash your mouth!”

Seeing Qiu Shuang’s strong build and fierce demeanor, Cheng Jinxi quickly said, “Oh, I was just speaking casually. Why the glare? I won’t say anything more, alright? Where is Granny Sun? Since the young mistress is not here, I might as well find her.”

Granny Sun was an elderly servant Chu Yao had brought from the General’s household, currently managing the Marquisate’s storeroom.

“Granny Sun is busy. If you have anything, tell me instead.”

“How can that be the same? I’m asking you for things—do you have the keys or something? Don’t tell me you’re managing the storeroom too. You really get involved in everything.”

Qiu Shuang rolled her eyes and grumbled harshly, “Why do you talk so much nonsense?”

“You! You lowly servant dare call my words nonsense? Just as I said, people from the General’s household have no manners!”

“Looking for a beating, are you?”

Seeing Qiu Shuang raise her hand, Cheng Jinxi hurriedly pulled Yue’er aside, shouting, “The servant has rebelled! She dared to strike her mistress!”

“Miss, are you looking for me?”

Cheng Jinxi looked up to see Granny Sun emerging from an inner room. She hurriedly pointed at Qiu Shuang, complaining:

“Granny Sun, the servant in Yao Guang Pavilion is so unruly! She just tried to hit me!”

“How could that be? You must have mistaken it. Although Qiu Shuang is straightforward, she is never one to break rules or reason.”