Chapter 28: Jiang Xiushu, I will not let you go.

"Jiang Xiushu!"

The Duke of the State, sitting at the head of the table, was startled. "Hold your tongue! How dare you spout such nonsense in front of your grandmother!"

"I will say it! What is there for Jiang Lingyao to be so proud of? I simply cannot stand how she puts on such a show in front of Grandmother. How could the Pei family possibly favor her now?"

"If we insist on marrying her off to them, there is no telling how much trouble it will cause, nor how much of our families' long-standing friendship will be wasted. Is it not entirely worthless?"

Jiang Lingyao felt panic rising within her. She cared nothing for the marriage itself, but she cared deeply about her grandmother’s reaction.

The Old Madam’s expression shifted instantly. "What do you mean, 'her reputation is ruined'? Tell me clearly, what is it that you have all been hiding from me?"

"Grandmother!"

Seeing the Old Madam’s face go deathly pale, Jiang Lingyao’s hands began to tremble with cold. In a panic, she cried out, "Nanny Li, bring me Grandmother’s medicine, quickly!"

"Grandmother, please, do not agitate yourself. Take your medicine first."

With shaking hands, she helped the Old Madam take the medicine before turning in fury. "Jiang Xiushu, be silent! Father, are you just going to stand there and watch him act so recklessly?"

Had Jiang Xiushu lost his mind? How could he dare to provoke their grandmother like this?

Jiang Lingyao’s body trembled with rage, her gaze fixed on Jiang Xiushu like a blade, cold and filled with hatred.

Before the Duke could speak, Jiang Xiushu continued to shout, "Who is the one acting recklessly? Ever since you returned to the manor, you have caused nothing but trouble. You deserved to spend that year at Qingshan Temple; you should never have come back, always stirring up chaos!"

Beside herself with fury, Jiang Lingyao grabbed a porcelain cup and flung it at Jiang Xiushu with swift, ruthless precision.

*Thud.*

Caught off guard, Jiang Xiushu was struck squarely. A gash opened on his forehead, and blood streamed down his face.

"How dare you!"

***

Jiang Xiumo was quick to react, grabbing the enraged Jiang Xiushu and covering his mouth to drag him away.

As the medicine dissolved, the Old Madam finally caught her breath. She looked at the Duke and Jiang Xiuyuan, who sat beside her, her face filled with disappointment. "You let the third one run wild like this? And what is this about her spending a year at Qingshan Temple?"

Jiang Lingyao’s face was ashen. She leaned down to wrap her arms around the Old Madam, burying her face in the crook of her neck, trembling. "Grandmother, please, ask no more. Can’t you see that I am perfectly fine today?"

She had not shed a tear earlier, but now, inhaling the sharp, medicinal scent clinging to the Old Madam, she could no longer hold back. Tears fell like pearls, one after another.

"What do you mean, 'fine'?"

The Old Madam pulled her away with firm insistence. "Were you not serving as a companion in the palace last year? Mingzhu, are you going to lie to your grandmother as well?"

Jiang Lingyao froze. Seeing the disappointment in her grandmother’s eyes, she shook her head in collapse, suddenly unable to find the words to speak.

"Grandmother, Xiushu was reckless. I will give you an explanation."

Under the Duke's subtle nod, Jiang Xiuyuan stood up. His presence was heavy, yet he frowned as if in regret. "There are too many implications behind this matter, I..."

"Xiuyuan, Mingzhu is your own sister. When you were ill years ago, she bustled about, refusing to leave your side. You were confined to your room for half a year, and she kept watch at your door for that same half-year." The Old Madam’s voice was hollow with disappointment. "And now you join them in bullying her?"

Jiang Xiuyuan was left speechless, turning his head away in silence.

"And you!"

The Old Madam pointed a trembling finger at the Duke. "You said nothing before, but now you know to let Xiuyuan play the peacemaker? How could you be such a father?"

"Do you think I am so senile that I cannot see you are all bullying Mingzhu?"

Seeing the Old Madam’s face turn pale again, Jiang Lingyao sobbed as she pleaded, "Grandmother, please calm your anger. I beg you, do not be angry. Mingzhu only worries for you; Mingzhu is afraid."

Tears streamed down the long wrinkles of the Old Madam’s face. In the span of a few breaths, she seemed to have aged a decade.

If only Jiang Lingyao had been more spoiled and headstrong. She blamed herself for the way she had raised her, always teaching her to think of her family—a family that was too busy to see her, even though they claimed to hold her in their hearts.

It was all her fault!

***

The Old Madam clutched her chest. "I was wrong. I misjudged you all, placing a pearl covered in dust into your hands. Mingzhu has such a pure and kind heart; it is I who have ruined her!"

She could not stop gasping for air after these words. Jiang Lingyao panicked, screaming, "Imperial physician! Go fetch the physician! Grandmother, Grandmother, look at me! I will ignore them from now on, I promise. I will stay by your side forever."

"Please, look at me. I am so afraid."

Even the Duke was uncharacteristically shaken. "Someone, go fetch the physician!"

Jiang Xiuyuan started, standing up immediately. "Bring the horses! I will go myself!"

Jiang Xiushu, who never considered the consequences of his actions, stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. How could it come to this? He had only said a few words. If something were to happen to his grandmother...

His anger vanished, replaced by sheer panic. He dared not think of the consequences—if his grandmother truly died because of his words, and word got out, his entire future would be destroyed.

Song Lian'er began to weep, covering her face in apparent terror, not daring to look up.

Jiang Lingyao’s voice was hoarse. When the physician finally arrived, she followed him closely, unable to spare a single thought for anyone else in the manor.

"Jiang Xiushu."

Before leaving the room, she looked back, her eyes filled with deep-seated hatred. "If anything happens to Grandmother... even if I have to die for it, I will never forgive you!"

Stunned by the hatred in her gaze, Jiang Xiushu stared at her in disbelief.

When had she become so cold? How could she speak such cruel words to him?