Chapter Three: Apology

Jiang Ping nodded in agreement, "I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly and will not let the person behind it escape. However, taking this to the magistrate would damage our reputation. Shall we handle it privately?"

Jiang Nian nodded obediently; she had never intended to involve the authorities.

"Beyond that, daughter would like Second Aunt to apologize to Mother. For years, she has humiliated Mother, and last winter, she even pushed Mother into the water, causing her to fall gravely ill."

Lady Qi’s expression turned somber.

Jiang Ping frowned, his face stern as he said, "Such a significant incident occurred, yet no one reported it to me. Sister-in-law, your lack of respect for your brother’s wife is inexcusable. You must apologize."

Lady Qi’s face turned pale. She gritted her teeth, glared at Lady Chen, and after a long moment of hesitation, lowered her head. "Sister-in-law, I..."

"Can a mere, weightless apology make up for it? If not for the servants, my mother would have drowned!"

"What else do you want!" Lady Qi stamped her foot, nearly shattering her own teeth in frustration.

Jiang Nian glanced at Qing’er.

Qing’er understood instantly. She stepped forward, walked up to Lady Qi, and slapped her across that venomous face several times.

Lady Qi’s head snapped to the side, shocked into silence. It took a long time for her to regain her senses. "You lowly slave! How dare you strike me!"

Jiang Nian curled her lips into a smile. "It is but a small punishment to warn you against future wrongs. If Second Aunt feels it was too light, Qing’er can strike a few more times. It is only a pity for this girl; her hand is already red from the effort."

While Lady Qi was still stunned, Qing’er landed a few more sharp slaps.

"Does Second Aunt know her error now?"

Lady Qi’s originally fair face had swollen like a bun, and her eyelids throbbed with pain. "You, you!"

"It seems Second Aunt is still unwilling to admit her fault. Qing’er—"

"Enough!" Lady Qi glanced at the cold-faced Matriarch Jiang and said with hidden resentment, "I know I was wrong. I hope Sister-in-law will forgive me."

Jiang Nian nodded in satisfaction. "Father, as long as Second Aunt knows she was wrong, that is enough. But please, Father, you must find the true culprit who tried to harm Mother, lest the person behind this finds another opportunity to strike."

The coldness in her voice made Jiang Ping’s heart skip a beat, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

"I am well aware!" Jiang Ping nodded. "Someone! Bring in everyone who has had dealings with Old Woman Li for interrogation! To dare lay a hand on my wife—they must have a death wish!"

Jiang Nian walked to Lady Chen’s side, and mother and daughter exchanged a look.

Old Woman Li was merely a pawn; her death was of no consequence. Fortunately, she had altered the course of events; the original mother had not been framed and was still alive and well. As for the person pulling the strings, she would find a way to deal with them once they arrived in the capital.

With the matter temporarily settled, the Matriarch left with her entourage. Jiang Ping offered a few brief words of comfort to Lady Chen before heading to the front courtyard. Jiang Nian watched his departing back, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

In the book, after Lady Chen died, Jiang Ping appeared melancholy, yet upon returning to the capital, he remained in perfect harmony with Qiao Qingrong. If the original owner could vaguely guess who was behind the schemes, how could Jiang Ping not know? This so-called "deep affection that does not last" was all a lie. If not for the wealth and connections left by the Chen family, Jiang Ping would have discarded Lady Chen long ago.

"You think your Second Aunt was pulling you into this earlier—could she have been acting under Qiao’s instructions?" Although Lady Chen was Jiang Ping’s first wife, she had lived in Luzhou while Qiao had been by his side all these years. Now, returning suddenly, she felt like an intruder, subject to ridicule.

Jiang Nian looked worried. "I suspect Qiao is the one behind it. Father knows the truth, yet he chooses to protect her!"

Lady Chen’s expression remained calm, which surprised Jiang Nian slightly.

"Your father is a greedy man. He not only needs the connections left by the Chen family but also desires the support of the Qiao family. He naturally balances these subtleties well; why should I trouble myself with it?"

Jiang Nian pondered for a moment. "So, Mother, you have seen through it all. You only remain because you cannot let go of your youthful ties with Father, is that it?"

Hearing this, Lady Chen’s eyes turned red. "When your grandfather was implicated, he struck his head and died to protect over a hundred members of the Chen family. It was your father who stayed by my side through those darkest days."

"Mother!" Jiang Nian stepped forward and embraced her. "Father only performed some insignificant deeds, yet he gained the connections and resources of the Chen family. It was truly a profitable trade for him!"

Lady Chen smiled bitterly. "How could I not know? But if I were to leave, what would happen to you two sisters?"

Jiang Nian felt a pang of heartache. "I know your difficulties, Mother. If not for me and Ying’er, you would never have endured the mistreatment from Grandmother."

Lady Chen forced a smile and patted Jiang Nian’s head. "These are trifles. As long as you two sisters can live well, it is all worth it!"

Jiang Nian nestled in Lady Chen’s arms, and the two shared more intimate words. By the time they returned to Mingyue Pavilion, the sky was completely dark.

Jiang Nian rubbed her temples and asked, "Has the engagement for the second cousin been called off?"

Qing’er nodded. "The Matriarch said that since Master Guo has someone else in his heart, we should not ruin the Second Miss’s life. No matter how much the Guo family pleaded, the Matriarch insisted on breaking the engagement!"

Jiang Nian sneered. "The second branch intends to follow us to the capital; naturally, they look down upon a marriage in Luzhou now!"

Qing’er’s breathing quickened, her expression one of shock. "Miss, do you mean that the Second Lady did this on purpose... and that Master Guo blocking you in the peach grove..."

"Naturally, Second Aunt staged it to make me take the fall!"

Suddenly, Cuizhu entered to report, "Miss, Lianqiao and the others have returned!"

"Good, let them come in and report!"

Jiang Nian had returned in a hurry, and Lianqiao and her companions had rushed back as well, managing to arrive just before the manor gates were closed. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Lianqiao gave Jiang Nian a meaningful look.

Jiang Nian stroked her chin and looked coldly at the maid, Honglian. "Take her!"

Honglian looked dazed. Just as she was about to cry out for help, Old Woman Wang covered her mouth.

"After you left on horseback, Miss, Honglian secretly threw a bottle into the lake. I retrieved it." Lianqiao wiped the dirt from the bottle and respectfully handed it over. "This is Elephant Bone Powder; it causes hallucinations!"

"Elephant Bone Powder..."

In the book, while passing the Ruan River, the original owner had fallen in with her horse. Though she survived, she was disfigured. Consequently, Jiang Ping’s plan to sell his daughter for status fell through, and he grew to despise her.

Jiang Nian frowned at her. "The person’s goal was to have me drown, was it not?"

Honglian lifted her head abruptly. "Miss... you... how could you..."

"You want to ask how I know so much?" Jiang Nian scoffed. "On the day of Grandmother’s birthday, it was also you who helped Master Guo block my path, right?"