Chapter Twenty-Seven: Your Son Is Ashamed; He Failed to Find Out

Lady Qiao muttered bitterly, "If this matter is false, the rumors will collapse on their own. But if it is true, my interference will only make me a laughingstock! That child is already two or three years old! To think I knew nothing of it—I am no better than a fool."

Nanny Zhao sighed. "My Lady, try to rest. The inner gates will be locked soon, and any news from Old Woman Qian will not arrive until tomorrow morning."

At Jade Pavilion, before Jiang Nian lay down, she called Qing'er inside. "Did Father return to the inner courtyard tonight?"

"He has not. The inner gates are locked, so the Master will likely spend the night in the study in the front courtyard. My younger brother, Zhao Yu, is keeping watch outside the estate."

Jiang Nian mused, "When the inner gates open tomorrow morning, coordinate with Zhao Yu. If Father leaves the estate in the middle of the night, wait by the gates. If any servants attempt to send word to Lady Qiao, find a way to block them."

"Understood, Miss."

...

The next day, after the morning meal, the family gathered at Pine Crane Hall to pay their respects to the Old Madam.

Lady Qiao, anxious to finish dealing with the "old hag" so she could hurry to Willow Alley, was clearly distracted.

"Sister-in-law, what is the matter? Did you not sleep well last night?"

As everyone heard the Third Lady's inquiry, subtle, judging glances swept toward Lady Qiao.

Lady Qiao forced a smile, bracing herself. "I don't know what kind of foul miasma is in this courtyard; it has attracted bedbugs that scurry everywhere. It’s disgusting enough to keep me awake."

The Third Lady, realizing she was being insulted, did not get angry. "Then beat them to death! Lest the bugs bother people even if they don't bite."

In truth, many in the household had already received confirmed news, and their expressions shifted in a kaleidoscope of reactions as they listened to the two women. Particularly the two concubines of Jiang Ping, who struggled to keep their eyes from darting toward Lady Qiao.

Under the scrutiny of those around her, Lady Qiao’s composure finally began to crumble, her complexion turning unsightly.

As the woman at the top of the household hierarchy, the Old Madam had no patience for word games. She struck a blow straight to Lady Qiao's heart. "Is that boy truly my eldest son's child? Have you clarified this yet?"

Lady Qiao’s face drained of color. "Our Master did not return to the inner courtyard last night; I have not yet had the chance to ask."

Before she could finish, a maid hurried in to report, "Old Madam, the Master has brought a woman into the estate."

"What did you say!"

Lady Qiao stood up abruptly, staring daggers at the maid.

The maid trembled violently and repeated in a low voice, "The Master has brought someone into the estate, and they are on their way to Pine Crane Hall right now..."

He was clearly afraid Lady Qiao would cause trouble behind his back, so he had brought them in through the front door, personally escorting the mistress and her son into the house!

The expressions of those present were more dramatic than the fireworks set off during the New Year. Lady Qiao swayed and collapsed back into her chair.

In all her years in the Jiang household, this was the first time she had been so utterly undone.

The Old Madam, seeing Lady Qiao’s distress, assumed she was unwilling to let her have a grandson and lashed out, "You unfilial wretch! If you dare touch my grandson, you will answer to me! Chunxiao, go out and welcome them!"

Shivering, Lady Qiao felt an inexplicable chill, her teeth chattering. She whispered to Nanny Zhao, "They are already in the estate! Why didn't Old Woman Qian come to report this morning?"

If she had known in advance, she wouldn't have been left so defenseless, allowing that woman to enter so easily!

Nanny Zhao, unaware that Qing'er had intercepted the messenger, shook her head. "I told people to keep watch, but Old Woman Qian never came."

At the gate, Chunxiao saw Master Jiang Ping carrying a two- or three-year-old boy, followed closely by a woman.

The woman was dressed modestly. Unlike typical mistresses who were either dripping in gold and silver or as frail as weeping willows, her demeanor was composed, much like the wife of a noble family.

"Master, the Old Madam sent me to welcome you."

Jiang Ping looked back at Su Zhiyan.

Su Zhiyan reached out to take her son. "The Old Madam and the Lady likely have matters to discuss. As an outsider, it would be inappropriate for me to be present. I shall wait here with Feng'er for a while. If the Old Madam summons me, I will enter then."

Chunxiao was surprised; no wonder the Master protected her—the woman was remarkably sensible.

Jiang Ping patted Feng'er’s head and said gently, "That is fine. I will not keep you waiting long."

Su Zhiyan looked at him tenderly. "I know. Go on."

Jiang Ping nodded and entered Pine Crane Hall alone.

Everyone looked curiously behind him, but saw no one else. The Old Madam asked, "You said you brought a mother and son into the house; why do I not see them?"

Jiang Ping knelt before the Old Madam. "Zhiyan said she had not been summoned by you and dared not enter without permission, so she is waiting outside."

The Old Madam looked satisfied. "She knows her place."

The others, however, wore varied expressions, silently concluding that this woman would not be easily manipulated.

Jiang Nian thought to herself: *It is fortunate that Mother saw through Father and separated from him early. Otherwise, she would likely be even less able to accept this than Lady Qiao.*

She looked at Lady Qiao, whose attempt to maintain her composure failed to hide the heartbreak of a woman whose husband had been snatched away.

Jiang Ping explained to the Old Madam, "Mother, I kept Zhiyan’s matter a secret, and that was my fault. But there were reasons for it; please do not blame me."

"Reasons?"

Jiang Ping nodded. He glanced at Lady Qiao before continuing, "I was framed some time ago and had a liaison with Zhiyan. She was innocent, and I could not stand by and watch her lose her purity and be cast aside. I did not expect that she would become pregnant and bear me a son."

Keeping a mistress and hiding an illegitimate son was not a respectable act, but his defense painted himself as a man of feeling, forced into a corner by circumstance.

The Old Madam’s first concern was her son’s safety. "Who framed you?"

Jiang Ping hung his head. "I am ashamed, Mother, but I have not yet uncovered the culprit."

Jiang Nian sneered inwardly. *A convenient excuse—he can simply make it up as he pleases.*

Ordinarily, juniors should not be present for such matters, but Jiang Ping had deliberately timed his arrival to coincide with the family's morning greetings to prevent Lady Qiao from reacting.

The Old Madam frowned at Jiang Ping’s answer, but as he was her son, she would not expose his shortcomings. She moved on to the grandson she had been longing for. "If you had a son, you could have at least told the family!"

In truth, the Old Madam had long worried that her sons were physically incapable of fathering boys. Now, it seemed the fault lay with their wives.

Jiang Ping smiled bitterly. "Zhiyan asked for no status; she only wanted Feng'er to have his father's love, so I kept them outside. I only visited occasionally. My heart, of course, has always been with this house."

"If word hadn't leaked out, I would not have brought Zhiyan into the estate to give everyone an explanation. Everything is my fault. Please, Mother, do not blame the mother or the child."