Chapter Twenty-Six: The Rumors in This Estate...

After dinner, the various branches of the family gathered at the Pine and Crane Hall to pay their respects to the Matriarch.

Everyone else remained, but Jiang Ping, having only just arrived, turned to leave. "I still have official business to attend to, so I cannot stay long. Once things are less hectic in a few days, I shall come to keep you company, Mother."

The Old Madam waved her hand. "Go then."

Jiang Ping retreated immediately without so much as glancing at Lady Qiao. Lady Qiao had intended to offer a few words of caution, but the words caught in her throat.

The Third Madam chuckled. "It seems our eldest brother-in-law is truly busy enough to keep his feet off the ground. In the past, the eldest sister-in-law would have had to offer detailed reminders before he could leave with peace of mind!"

"Our master has indeed been swamped these past few days; he hasn't even had time to eat. Last night, he was so exhausted that he fell asleep right there in the study in the front courtyard."

The Third Madam abruptly shifted the tone of the conversation. "My maid told me she saw the eldest brother-in-law at Willow Alley. He was holding a little boy of two or three in his arms, and they appeared quite close. I wonder who they could be..."

The expressions of everyone present shifted at these words.

The Old Madam seized on the crucial detail. "A little boy?"

Lady Qiao’s complexion turned ghastly. "Sister-in-law, surely you must be mistaken? I don't believe any of our Jiang family relatives live in Willow Alley."

"Eldest sister-in-law, my maids are well-disciplined girls. If they hadn't seen clearly, why would they speak such nonsense? I intended to ask the eldest brother-in-law just now, but he was in such a hurry that he turned and left before I could."

Lady Qiao, who usually kept her emotions well-hidden, found her face stiffening uncontrollably. Had these words come from anyone else, she might not have believed them, but for the Third Madam to speak so boldly in front of the Old Madam, she must have been certain.

Inwardly suspicious, Lady Qiao thought, *Perhaps there is some other reason. I will ask my husband once he returns.*

The Third Madam stopped there, saying no more. Lady Qiao was truly vicious—to think she had actually wanted to marry her daughter off to that trash from the Xue family? It was a pipe dream! Now that there was an opportunity to kick her while she was down, the Third Madam would certainly make sure Lady Qiao tasted the bitterness.

Before long, rumors spread throughout the mansion that Jiang Ping was keeping a mistress in Willow Alley.

Lady Qiao was so furious it caused her heart palpitations, and she immediately dispatched people to investigate.

Qing'er made a round of the estate before returning to report to Jiang Nian. "The whole mansion is secretly whispering about the First Master keeping a mistress. They describe it with such detail, as if they had seen it with their own eyes!"

Lianqiao laughed. "Perhaps they did see it with their own eyes? Everyone in the house is dying of curiosity! There are likely those who are so meddlesome they've already snuck over to Willow Alley to take a look, wouldn't you say, Miss?"

Jiang Nian sighed. "If this were about the Second Uncle, no one would think twice about it. But my father loves to act the part of the devoted lover, presenting himself as a man of pure integrity. For such a man to be keeping a mistress in secret—how could it not invite curiosity?"

"The First Master has managed to deceive my mother and Lady Qiao for over a decade; he truly has a great talent for it. Once that mistress surfaces, Lady Qiao will likely be driven to the brink of madness."

Jiang Nian was delighted. She loved nothing more than tearing the masks off people’s faces!

"The Third Aunt intentionally spread the word to tip off my father, so he can decide whether to hide her or bring her home. Once my father is prepared, it won't be so easy for Lady Qiao to handle this."

Qing'er sounded curious. "The First Master was very affectionate with the child, hugging and kissing him, and even coaxing him to call him 'Father.' It looked incredibly intimate. Miss, do you think that child is truly the First Master's own flesh and blood?"

It was no wonder Qing'er doubted it; none of the Jiang family's wives or concubines had given birth to a son, which forced people to wonder if the problem lay with the men of the Jiang family. The late Second Madam, who had just been beaten to death, was a prime example.

The smile in Jiang Nian's eyes deepened. "Who knows?"

To deal with Lady Qiao, she first had to drive a wedge between her and her father, Jiang Ping. Once they were at odds, they would be much easier to handle. A mistress was the perfect weapon.

***

At the Qihua Pavilion, Lady Qiao sat at the dining table, her face as gloomy as a storm. The maids and nannies standing by were trembling, not daring to make a sound.

Only Nanny Zhao, who was closest to Lady Qiao, offered comfort. "Madam, there is no conclusion yet. Perhaps the Third Madam is just bitter about the previous incident with the Xue family and is spinning lies to upset you!"

Lady Qiao threw her chopsticks down.

"Hmph, she even specified the location and the age of the child. She must have caught wind of something real! Otherwise, why would she bring it up in front of the Old Madam?"

Nanny Zhao didn't know how else to console her.

A moment later, a young maid entered to report, "Madam, Nanny Qian has returned!"

"Bring her in at once!"

Nanny Qian bowed as she entered. "Your servant greets you, Madam."

Lady Qiao kept her face taut. Nanny Zhao spoke for her, "Speak quickly—what is the truth about Willow Alley?"

Cold sweat beaded on Nanny Qian's forehead, and she dared not hide anything. "There is indeed a mother and son living in Willow Alley. I sent someone to inquire, and there are indeed reports of a man fitting the First Master's description who comes and goes frequently..."

At these words, Lady Qiao fell back in her chair, her eyes fixed and glassy. Nanny Zhao was terrified and quickly pressed her fingers into the pressure point under Lady Qiao's nose. "Madam! Madam!"

Lady Qiao regained her breath and pointed at Nanny Qian, her face looking no better than a demon's. "Are you certain? If you have seen wrong, I will have your life!"

Nanny Qian’s legs trembled, and she wore a pained expression. "Madam, how would I dare speak nonsense? I only came to report after I had verified the facts..."

Fearing that Lady Qiao would be struck down by anger, Nanny Zhao quickly advised, "Madam, even if it is true, it is only a mistress. There are plenty of ways to deal with her. Please, do not let this make you ill—what would happen to the two young ladies?"

"A mistress is nothing, but she has a son! That old hag is crazed for a grandson. If that pair were to enter the house, she would worship them!"

Thinking of the Old Madam's face, Nanny Zhao’s own complexion turned ashen. She immediately changed her tune. "Madam must not let that woman and her son enter the house, or else..."

Lady Qiao had never felt so cornered. "What kind of woman is she?"

Nanny Qian said cautiously, "I saw that she dresses elegantly. She is not the type of woman who uses cheap tricks to entice men; every gesture she makes is quite refined. Later, I found out she seems to be the daughter of a merchant with considerable wealth."

"A merchant's daughter?"

Lady Qiao gritted her teeth. Hadn't Jiang Ping always claimed that he cherished the pride and nobility of aristocratic women, and that he hated the smell of copper from merchant families?

"You go and keep an eye on that pair. Don't let them escape. Tomorrow, I will go see for myself! If the Master goes there, or if there is any movement, you must report it to me immediately!"

"I understand, Madam." Nanny Qian bowed and withdrew.

Nanny Zhao frowned. "And the rumors in the house..."

Lady Qiao sneered. "Who else could it be but that mad woman in the Third Branch!"

"Since you know that, Madam, why are you letting them spread?"