Chapter 21: Jiang Lingyao, did you tell on me?

Jiang Xiuyuan felt the most uncomfortable, guiltily turning his head away. Before she was made a scapegoat, Jiang Lingyao had indeed been selected as a companion to Princess Ninghua due to her exceptional talent, intending to enter the palace upon her return from the temple.

However, she did not return from the temple, and that opportunity to serve as a palace companion was instead maneuvered by him and their father to be given to Song Lian'er.

The members of the Duke's household were speechless. As they exchanged glances, a rare sense of panic took root, and they all turned their gaze toward Jiang Lingyao, terrified that she might say something she shouldn't.

Jiang Lingyao paused, then smiled and replied, "No matter how much success I might achieve, Mingzhu only wishes to stay by your side."

The old madam's eyes reddened as she patted her hand. "Mingzhu is the most thoughtful; how could your grandmother not miss you?"

"In Grandmother's eyes, there is only our younger sister; how could you have forgotten about the rest of us?" Song Lian'er stepped forward with a smile, acting lively. "Lian'er and my brothers are almost jealous."

The smile on the old madam's face faltered slightly. She did not look at her, instead turning to the group behind her. "Come, let us not stand outside. Let's go in and talk at our leisure."

Song Lian'er could not help but clench her fists, lowering her eyes in dejection, though her heart pounded with fury. Of all the people in this house, this old woman was the one she detested the most!

Seeing Song Lian'er distressed, Jiang Xiuyuan and the others hurriedly crowded around, smiling at the old madam. "Exactly, Grandmother only remembers Mingzhu. My eldest brother, third brother, and I miss you too."

Jiang Lingyao found it amusing; these people truly could not bear to see Song Lian'er suffer the slightest grievance.

She did not take it to heart, remaining by the old madam's side and focusing all her attention on her. Had it not been for her grandmother, she certainly would not have returned to the manor this time.

Reflecting on this, Jiang Lingyao composed herself, masking her face with a smile for fear of causing her grandmother any worry.

Since the old madam was in poor health, after a hasty dinner, Jiang Lingyao personally escorted her back to her quarters.

"Mingzhu," the old madam ordered everyone else to leave, keeping only Jiang Lingyao by her side. "Tell me the truth—in the year that I was away, did you suffer any grievances?"

Jiang Lingyao was stunned and immediately replied, "How could that be? I..."

"You have grown thin; how could your grandmother not notice?"

As those rough, warm hands touched her face, Jiang Lingyao stared blankly at the tears welling up in the old madam’s eyes. Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, leaving her unable to breathe.

How could she not have suffered? The grievances she had endured over the past year were greater than all those she had faced in the first half of her life combined.

Jiang Lingyao took out her handkerchief to wipe the old madam’s tears, then hugged her, using the embrace to hide her own weeping. She choked out, "How could I have been mistreated? Besides, I became a princess's companion—shouldn't you be happy for me? Furthermore, I've come of age; it’s only natural for me to slim down. If I were still as plump as before, others would only laugh at me for being a fat girl."

Her body trembled slightly as she continued, "Mingzhu missed you. I can't help but shed tears the moment I see you."

Unable to suppress her tears, Jiang Lingyao felt a dull ache in her heart, even harboring the thought of staying in the manor for the rest of her life, until her grandmother was gone.

"Mingzhu, you are gifted with great intelligence. Your teacher once said that even your eldest brother's talent did not amount to half of yours. Had you been born a man, you would surely have been able to uphold the honor of this noble house."

The old madam patted her back, soothing her as if she were a child. "The people in this house all have their own hidden agendas. I am useless now, and I only fear that when I am gone, you will be mistreated."

Jiang Lingyao held back her tears and said, "You said it yourself, Grandmother—I am clever. So, I will certainly not allow myself to be mistreated. Besides, you will surely live to be a hundred; you are not allowed to say such things."

"Mingzhu," the old madam called her name again, sighing as she spoke, "you must live well. As long as you are doing well, you may do whatever you wish. Only when I see you thriving can I be at peace."

For some reason, Jiang Lingyao's heart suddenly trembled, giving rise to an unspeakable thought: Had her grandmother sensed her desire to escape the Duke's household?

Fearing that her grandmother would overthink and harm her health, Jiang Lingyao did not dare to stay much longer, finding an excuse to leave shortly after.

Stepping out, she saw Song Lian'er and the twins standing not far away with cold expressions.

Jiang Xiushu and Jiang Xiumo, who knows where they had been carousing the night before, had dark circles under their eyes, yet their gaze toward her was filled with nothing but loathing.

"Did you go to complain?"

"How could you smear Lian'er's name in front of Grandmother?"

The two questioned her in unison. Jiang Lingyao’s eyes were still red from crying, and her voice was hoarse as she replied, "Did you see me complaining? If I had truly complained, why wouldn't Song Lian'er have been called in by Grandmother to be scolded just now?"

The twins were stunned. They exchanged glances, a look of indescribable awkwardness appearing on their faces.

Jiang Xiushu remained stubborn, glaring at her as he demanded, "But if you didn't say anything, how could Grandmother ignore Lian'er?"